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U. Guenther

Publications and source records attributed to U. Guenther.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PT symmetry and spontaneous symmetry breaking in a microwave billiard

We demonstrate the presence of parity-time (PT) symmetry for the non-Hermitian two-state Hamiltonian of a dissipative microwave billiard in the vicinity of an exceptional point (EP). The shape of the billiard depends on two parameters. The Hamiltonian is determined from the measured resonance spectrum on a fine grid in the parameter plane. After applying a purely imaginary diagonal shift to the Hamiltonian, its eigenvalues are either real or complex conjugate on a curve, which passes through the EP. An appropriate basis choice reveals its PT symmetry. Spontaneous symmetry breaking occurs at the EP.

quant-ph

$J$-self-adjoint operators with $\mathcal{C}$-symmetries: extension theory approach

A well known tool in conventional (von Neumann) quantum mechanics is the self-adjoint extension technique for symmetric operators. It is used, e.g., for the construction of Dirac-Hermitian Hamiltonians with point-interaction potentials. Here we reshape this technique to allow for the construction of pseudo-Hermitian ($J$-self-adjoint) Hamiltonians with complex point-interactions. We demonstrate that the resulting Hamiltonians are bijectively related with so called hypermaximal neutral subspaces of the defect Krein space of the symmetric operator. This symmetric operator is allowed to have arbitrary but equal deficiency indices $ $. General properties of the $\cC$ operators for these Hamiltonians are derived. A detailed study of $\cC$-operator parametrizations and Krein type resolvent formulas is provided for $J$-self-adjoint extensions of symmetric operators with deficiency indices $<2,2>$. The technique is exemplified on 1D pseudo-Hermitian Schrödinger and Dirac Hamiltonians with complex point-interaction potentials.

math-ph

A non-Hermitian $PT-$symmetric Bose-Hubbard model: eigenvalue rings from unfolding higher-order exceptional points

We study a non-Hermitian $PT-$symmetric generalization of an $N$-particle, two-mode Bose-Hubbard system, modeling for example a Bose-Einstein condensate in a double well potential coupled to a continuum via a sink in one of the wells and a source in the other. The effect of the interplay between the particle interaction and the non-Hermiticity on characteristic features of the spectrum is analyzed drawing special attention to the occurrence and unfolding of exceptional points (EPs). We find that for vanishing particle interaction there are only two EPs of order $N+1$ which under perturbation unfold either into $[(N+1)/2]$ eigenvalue pairs (and in case of $N+1$ odd, into an additional zero-eigenvalue) or into eigenvalue triplets (third-order eigenvalue rings) and $(N+1)\mod 3$ single eigenvalues, depending on the direction of the perturbation in parameter space. This behavior is described analytically using perturbational techniques. More general EP unfoldings into eigenvalue rings up to $(N+1)$th order are indicated.

math-ph

A paradigmatic model of Earth's magnetic field reversals

The irregular polarity reversals of the Earth's magnetic field have attracted much interest during the last decades. Despite the fact that recent numerical simulations of the geodynamo have shown nice polarity transitions, the very reason and the basic mechanism of reversals are far from being understood. Using a paradigmatic mean-field dynamo model with a spherically symmetric helical turbulence parameter alpha we attribute the essential features of reversals to the magnetic field dynamics in the vicinity of an exceptional point of the spectrum of the non-selfadjoint dynamo operator. At such exceptional (branch) points of square root type two real eigenvalues coalesce and continue as a complex conjugated pair of eigenvalues. Special focus is laid on the comparison of numerically computed time series with paleomagnetic observations. It is shown that the considered dynamo model with high supercriticality can explain the observed time scale and the asymmetric shape of reversals with a slow decay and a fast field recovery.

physics.geo-ph

The MHD alpha^2-dynamo, Z_2-graded pseudo-Hermiticity, level crossings and exceptional points of branching type

The spectral branching behavior of the 2x2 operator matrix of the magneto-hydrodynamic alpha^2-dynamo is analyzed numerically. Some qualitative aspects of level crossings are briefly discussed with the help of a simple toy model which is based on a Z_2-graded-pseudo-Hermitian 2x2 matrix. The considered issues comprise: the underlying SU(1,1) symmetry and the Krein space structure of the system, exceptional points of branching type and diabolic points, as well as the algebraic and geometric multiplicity of corresponding degenerate eigenvalues.

math-ph

Multidimensional cosmological models: cosmological and astrophysical implications and constraints

We investigate four-dimensional effective theories which are obtained by dimensional reduction of multidimensional cosmological models with factorizable geometry and consider the interaction between conformal excitations of the internal space (geometrical moduli excitations) and Abelian gauge fields. It is assumed that the internal space background can be stabilized by minima of an effective potential. The conformal excitations over such a background have the form of massive scalar fields (gravitational excitons) propagating in the external spacetime. We discuss cosmological and astrophysical implications of the interaction between gravexcitons and four-dimensional photons as well as constraints arising on multidimensional models of the type considered in our paper. In particular, we show that due to the experimental bounds on the variation of the fine structure constant, gravexcitons should decay before nucleosynthesis starts. For a successful nucleosynthesis the masses of the decaying gravexcitons should be m>10^4 GeV. Furthermore, we discuss the possible contribution of gravexcitons to UHECR. It is shown that, at energies of about 10^{20}eV, the decay length of gravexcitons with masses m>10^4 GeV is very small, but that for m <10^2 GeV it becomes much larger than the Greisen-Zatsepin-Kuzmin cut-off distance. Finally, we investigate the possibility for gravexciton-photon oscillations in strong magnetic fields of astrophysical objects. The corresponding estimates indicate that even the high magnetic field strengths of magnetars are not sufficient for an efficient and copious production of gravexcitons.

hep-ph

Isospectrality of spherical MHD dynamo operators: pseudo-Hermiticity and a no-go theorem

The isospectrality problem is studied for the operator of the spherical hydromagnetic alpha^2-dynamo. It is shown that this operator is formally pseudo-Hermitian (J-symmetric) and lives in a Krein space. Based on the J-symmetry, an operator intertwining Ansatz with first-order differential intertwining operators is tested for its compatibility with the structure of the alpha^2-dynamo operator matrix. An intrinsic structural inconsistency is obtained in the set of associated matrix Riccati equations. This inconsistency is interpreted as a no-go theorem which forbids the construction of isospectral alpha^2-dynamo operator classes with the help of first-order differential intertwining operators.

math-ph

Nonlinear multidimensional cosmological models with form fields: stabilization of extra dimensions and the cosmological constant problem

We consider multidimensional gravitational models with a nonlinear scalar curvature term and form fields in the action functional. In our scenario it is assumed that the higher dimensional spacetime undergoes a spontaneous compactification to a warped product manifold. Particular attention is paid to models with quadratic scalar curvature terms and a Freund-Rubin-like ansatz for solitonic form fields. It is shown that for certain parameter ranges the extra dimensions are stabilized. In particular, stabilization is possible for any sign of the internal space curvature, the bulk cosmological constant and of the effective four-dimensional cosmological constant. Moreover, the effective cosmological constant can satisfy the observable limit on the dark energy density. Finally, we discuss the restrictions on the parameters of the considered nonlinear models and how they follow from the connection between the D-dimensional and the four-dimensional fundamental mass scales.

hep-th

Multidimensional cosmology and asymptotical AdS

A non-linear gravitational model with a multidimensional geometry and quadratic scalar curvature is considered. For certain parameter ranges, the extra dimensions are stabilized if the internal spaces have negative curvature. As a consequence, the 4-dimensional effective cosmological constant as well as the bulk cosmological constant become negative. The homogeneous and isotropic external space is asymptotically AdS. The connection between the D-dimensional and the 4-dimensional fundamental mass scales sets an additional restriction on the parameters of the considered non-linear models.

gr-qc

Asymptotical AdS from non-linear gravitational models with stabilized extra dimensions

We consider non-linear gravitational models with a multidimensional warped product geometry. Particular attention is payed to models with quadratic scalar curvature terms. It is shown that for certain parameter ranges, the extra dimensions are stabilized if the internal spaces have negative constant curvature. In this case, the 4-dimensional effective cosmological constant as well as the bulk cosmological constant become negative. As a consequence, the homogeneous and isotropic external space is asymptotically AdS. The connection between the D-dimensional and the 4-dimensional fundamental mass scales sets a restriction on the parameters of the considered non-linear models.

hep-th

Comment on stability of atoms and nuclei in multidimensional TeV scale gravity

We discuss the stability of atoms and nucleons in the presence of multidimensional gravity characterized by the unified energy scale 1TeV. We point out that the multidimensional gravitational attraction can create additional bound states deep inside of atomic and nucleon constituents. These states would be characterized by sizes comparable to the TeV scale distance. We show that shallow gravity induced bound states between an electron and a quark are ruled out, because collapse processes in atoms to such bound states would occur on time scales which are in contradiction to current data on the stability of ordinary matter. The gravitational attraction may also produce diquark states, which should be considered in addition to those discussed in the literature. The estimates indicate that, for TeV scale gravity, the problem of UV divergencies and UV renormalization is crucial. Some universal renormalization mechanism should exist, which stabilizes atoms in the presence of multidimensional gravity.

hep-ph

Gravitational Excitons as Dark Matter

In earlier work it was pointed out that for warped product spacetimes the conformal (geometrical moduli) excitations of the internal compactified factor spaces should be observable as massive scalar fields in the external spacetime. Here we show that these scalar fields (gravitational excitons) describe weakly interacting particles and can be considered as dark matter component. Masses of the gravexcitons are defined by the form of the effective potential of the theory and the stabilization scales of the internal space. This implies that different stabilization scales result in different types of DM. An essential role is played by the effective potential. On the one hand, its minima fix possible stabilization scales of the internal spaces; on the other hand, they provide possible values for the effective cosmological constant.

astro-ph

A note on dynamical stabilization of internal spaces in multidimensional cosmology

The possibility of dynamical stabilization of an internal space is investigated for a multidimensional cosmological model with minimal coupled scalar field as inflaton. It is shown that a successful dynamical compactification crucially depends on the type of interaction between the geometrical modulus field and the inflaton and its decay products. In the considered model a stable compactification can be ensured via trapping of the modulus field by a minimum of the effective potential.

hep-ph

Stabilization of internal spaces in multidimensional cosmology

Effective 4-dimensional theories are investigated which were obtained under dimensional reduction of multidimensional cosmological models with a minimal coupled scalar field as matter source. Conditions for the internal space stabilization are considered and the possibility for inflation in the external space is discussed. The electroweak as well as the Planck fundamental scale approaches are investigated and compared with each other. It is shown that there exists a rescaling for the effective cosmological constant as well as for gravitational exciton masses in the different approaches.

hep-ph

Observable effects from extra dimensions

For any multidimensional theory with compactified internal spaces, conformal excitations of the internal space metric result in gravitational excitons in the external spacetime. These excitations contribute either to dark matter or to cross sections of usual particles.

gr-qc

Multidimensional perfect fluid cosmology with stable compactified internal dimensions

Multidimensional cosmological models in the presence of a bare cosmological constant and a perfect fluid are investigated under dimensional reduction to 4-dimensional effective models. Stable compactification of the internal spaces is achieved for a special class of perfect fluids. The external space behaves in accordance with the standard Friedmann model. Necessary restrictions on the parameters of the models are found to ensure dynamical behavior of the external (our) universe in agreement with observations.

gr-qc

On stable compactification with Casimir-like potential

Multidimensional cosmological models with a higher dimensional space-time manifold are investigated under dimensional reduction. In the Einstein conformal frame, the effective potential for the internal scale factors is obtained. The stable compactification of the internal spaces is achieved due to the Casimir effect. In the case of more than one internal space a Casimir-like ansatz for the energy density of the massless scalar field fluctuations is proposed. Stable configurations with respect to the internal scale factor excitations are found in the cases of one and two internal spaces.

gr-qc

Gravitational excitons from extra dimensions

We study inhomogeneous multidimensional cosmological models with a higher dimensional space-time manifold under dimensional reduction and show that small inhomogeneous excitations of the scale factors of the internal spaces near minima of effective potentials should be observable as massive scalar particles (gravitational excitons) in the external space-time.

gr-qc