A conformal invariant growth model

We present a one-parameter extension of the raise and peel one-dimensional growth model. The model is defined in the configuration space of Dyck (RSOS) paths. Tiles from a rarefied gas hit the interface and change its shape. The adsorption rates are local but the desorption rates are non-local; they depend not only on the cluster hit by the tile but also on the total number of peaks (local maxima) belonging to all the clusters of the configuration. The domain of the parameter is determined by the condition that the rates are non-negative. In the finite-size scaling limit, the model is conformal invariant in the whole open domain. The parameter appears in the sound velocity only. At the boundary of the domain, the stationary state is an adsorbing state and conformal invariance is lost. The model allows us to check the universality of non-local observables in the raise and peel model. An example is given.

On the generalized eigenvalue method for energies and matrix elements in lattice field theory

We discuss the generalized eigenvalue problem for computing energies and matrix elements in lattice gauge theory, including effective theories such as HQET. It is analyzed how the extracted effective energies and matrix elements converge when the time separations are made large. This suggests a particularly efficient application of the method for which we can prove that corrections vanish asymptotically as exp(-(E(N+1) - E(n))t). The gap E(N+1) - E(n) can be made large by increasing the number N of interpolating fields in the correlation matrix. We also show how excited state matrix elements can be extracted such that contaminations from all other states disappear exponentially in time. As a demonstration we present numerical results for the extraction of ground state and excited B-meson masses and decay constants in static approximation and to order 1/m(b) in HQET.

Structuring in liquid alkanes between solid surfaces : force measurements and mean-field theory

Measurements have been made of the solvation forces between mica surfaces in the even-numbered n-alkanes from hexane to hexadecane. In all cases the force law is qualitatively very similar, characterized by a decaying oscillatory function of distance, as occurs for simple isotropic liquids. The spacing between successive minima in the force does not increase with carbon number, and is comparable to the width of a linear alkane molecule rather than its length or any average diameter. This suggests that the alkanes have some tendency towards a parallel orientation near the mica surfaces. The measurements give no indication of any strong repulsive component expected from mean-field theories of higher alkanes or polymers. The results of one such theory are presented, and the reasons for its failure to match the experimental data are discussed.

A new approach to superstring field theory

I review the construction of an action for open superstring field theory which does not suffer from the contact term problems of other approaches. I also discuss a possible generalization of this action for closed superstring field theory.

The tachyon potential in open Neveu-Schwarz string field theory

A classical action for open superstring field theory has been proposed which does not suffer from contact term problems. After generalizing this action to include the non-GSO projected states of the Neveu-Schwarz string, the pure tachyon contribution to the tachyon potential is explicitly computed. The potential has a minimum of V = 1/32g(2) which is 60% of the predicted exact minimum of V = 1/2 pi(2)g(2) from D-brane arguments.

Dirac's hole theory versus quantum field theory

Dirac's hole theory and quantum field theory are usually considered equivalent to each other. The equivalence, however, does not necessarily hold, as we discuss in terms of models of a certain type. We further suggest that the equivalence may fail in more general models. This problem is closely related to the validity of the Pauli principle in intermediate states of perturbation theory.

Four-point amplitude from open superstring field theory

An open superstring field theory action has been proposed which does not suffer from contact term divergences. In this paper, we compute the on-shell four-point tree amplitude fi om this action using the Giddings map. After including contributions from the quartic term in the action, the resulting amplitude agrees with the first-quantized prescription. (C) 2000 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Scalar field theory at finite temperature in D=2+1

We discuss the phi(6) theory defined in D=2+1-dimensional space-time and assume that the system is in equilibrium with a thermal bath at temperature beta(-1). We use the 1/N expansion and the method of the composite operator (Cornwall, Jackiw, and Tomboulis) for summing a large set of Feynman graphs. We demonstrate explicitly the Coleman-Mermin-Wagner theorem at finite temperature.

Duality in noncommutative topologically massive gauge field theory revisited

We introduce a master action in non-commutative space, out of which we obtain the action of the non-commutative Maxwell-Chern-Simons theory. Then, we look for the corresponding dual theory at both first and second order in the non-commutative parameter. At the first order, the dual theory happens to be, precisely, the action obtained from the usual commutative self-dual model by generalizing the Chern-Simons term to its non-commutative version, including a cubic term. Since this resulting theory is also equivalent to the non-commutative massive Thirring model in the large fermion mass limit, we remove, as a byproduct, the obstacles arising in the generalization to non-commutative space, and to the first non-trivial order in the non-commutative parameter, of the bosonization in three dimensions. Then, performing calculations at the second order in the non-commutative parameter, we explicitly compute a new dual theory which differs from the non-commutative self-dual model and, further, differs also from other previous results and involves a very simple expression in terms of ordinary fields. In addition, a remarkable feature of our results is that the dual theory is local, unlike what happens in the non-Abelian, but commutative case. We also conclude that the generalization to non-commutative space of bosonization in three dimensions is possible only when considering the first non-trivial corrections over ordinary space.

Scalar field theory at finite temperature in D=2+1

We discuss the phi(6) theory defined in D = 2 + 1-dimensional space-time and assume that the system is in equilibrium with a thermal bath at temperature beta(-1). We use the 1/N expansion and the method of composite operator (CJT) for summing a large set of Feynman graphs. We demonstrate explicitly the Coleman-Mermin-Wagner theorem at finite temperature.

PP-wave light-cone free string field theory at finite temperature

In this paper, a real-time formulation of light-cone pp-wave string field theory at finite temperature is presented. This is achieved by developing the thermo field dynamics (TFD) formalism in a second quantized string scenario. The equilibrium thermodynamic quantities for a pp-wave ideal string gas are derived directly from expectation values on the second quantized string thermal vacuum. Also, we derive the real-time thermal pp-wave closed string propagator. In the flat space limit it is shown that this propagator can be written in terms of Theta functions, exactly as the zero temperature one. At the end, we show how superstrings interactions can be introduced, making this approach suitable to study the BMN dictionary at finite temperature.

Generating Erler-Schnabl-type solution for the tachyon vacuum in cubic superstring field theory

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Regularizing cubic open Neveu-Schwarz string field theory

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Constrained BV description of string field theory

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Consistent gravitationally coupled spin-2 field theory

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)