The sl(2) affine Toda model coupled to the matter: solitons and confinement

The so-called conformal affine Toda theory coupled to the matter fields (CATM), associated to the (s) over capl(2) affine Lie algebra, is studied. The conformal symmetry is fixed by setting a connection to zero, then one defines an off-critical model, the affine Toda model coupled to the matter (ATM). Using the dressing transformation method we construct the explicit forms of the two-soliton classical solutions, and show that a physical bound soliton-antisoliton pair (breather) does not exist. Moreover, we verify that these solutions share some features of the sine-Gordon (massive Thirring) solitons, and satisfy the classical equivalence of topological and Noether currents in the ATM model. We show, using bosonization techniques that the ATM theory decouples into a sine-Gordon model and a free scalar. Imposing the Noether and topological currents equivalence as a constraint, one can show that the ATM model leads to a bag model like mechanism for the confinement of the color charge inside the sine-Gordon solitons (baryons).

Hopf solitons and area-preserving diffeomorphisms of the sphere

We consider a (3+1)-dimensional local field theory defined on the sphere S-2. The model possesses exact soliton solutions with nontrivial Hopf topological charges and an infinite number of local conserved currents. We show that the Poisson bracket algebra of the corresponding charges is isomorphic to that of the area-preserving diffeomorphisms of the sphere S-2. We also show that the conserved currents under consideration are the Noether currents associated to the invariance of the Lagrangian under that infinite group of diffeomorphisms. We indicate possible generalizations of the model.

A new approach to integrable theories in any dimension

The zero curvature representation for two-dimensional integrable models is generalized to spacetimes of dimension d + 1 by the introduction of a d-form connection. The new generalized zero curvature conditions can be used to represent the equations of motion of some relativistic invariant field theories of physical interest in 2 + 1 dimensions (BF theories, Chern-Simons, 2 + 1 gravity and the CP1 model) and 3 + 1 dimensions (self-dual Yang-Mills theory and the Bogomolny equations). Our approach leads to new methods of constructing conserved currents and solutions. In a submodel of the 2 + 1-dimensional CP1 model, we explicitly construct an infinite number of previously unknown non-trivial conserved currents. For each positive integer spin representation of sl(2) we construct 2j + 1 conserved currents leading to 2j + 1 Lorentz scalar charges. (C) 1998 Elsevier B.V. B.V.

Nonabelian Toda theories from parafermionic reductions of the WZW model

We investigate a class of conformal nonabelian-Toda models representing noncompact SL(2, R)/U(1) parafermions (PF) interacting with specific abelian Toda theories and having a global U(1) symmetry. A systematic derivation of the conserved currents, their algebras, and the exact solution of these models are presented. An important property of this class of models is the affine SL(2, R)(q) algebra spanned by charges of the chiral and antichiral nonlocal currents and the U(1) charge. The classical (Poisson brackets) algebras of symmetries VG(n), of these models appear to be of mixed PF-WG(n) type. They contain together with the local quadratic terms specific for the W-n-algebras the nonlocal terms similar to the ones of the classical PF-algebra. The renormalization of the spins of the nonlocal currents is the main new feature of the quantum VA(n)-algebras. The quantum VA(2)-algebra and its degenerate representations are studied in detail. (C) 1999 Academic Press.

ON FERMION MASSES and MIXING IN A MODEL WITH A(4) SYMMETRY

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

De sitter relativity: a natural scenario for an evolving Lambda

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

Self-dual hopfions

We construct static and time-dependent exact soliton solutions with nontrivial Hopf topological charge for a field theory in 3 + 1 dimensions with the target space being the two dimensional sphere S(2). The model considered is a reduction of the so-called extended Skyrme-Faddeev theory by the removal of the quadratic term in derivatives of the fields. The solutions are constructed using an ansatz based on the conformal and target space symmetries. The solutions are said self-dual because they solve first order differential equations which together with some conditions on the coupling constants, imply the second order equations of motion. The solutions belong to a sub-sector of the theory with an infinite number of local conserved currents. The equation for the profile function of the ansatz corresponds to the Bogomolny equation for the sine-Gordon model.

Linking the hydrodynamic and kinetic description of a dissipative relativistic conformal theory

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

A descoberta das correntes neutras das interações fracas

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

Thermal dependence of the zero-bias conductance through a nanostructure

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

Universal zero-bias conductance through a quantum wire side-coupled to a quantum dot

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

A new Coniacian-Santonian conchostracan genus from the Bauru Group, south-east Brazil: Taxonomy, palaeobiogeography and palaeoecology

Abundant conchostracans occur in Coniacian-Santonian dark grey, argillaceous, lacustrine sediments of the Sao Carlos Formation, Bauru Group, Parana Basin, in the central part of São Paulo State, south-east Brazil. They are ascribed to a new genus and species, Bauruestheria sancarlensis, included in the family Jilinestheriidae. The new taxon is similar to some Late Cretaceous species from China and Mongolia. It probably evolved from a Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous ancestral form (Migransia), which first lived in West Gondwana, and later dispersed to Europe and Asia, originating distinct parallel lineages with increasing ornamental complexity. The conchostracans probably lived in oxygenated marginal areas of a very calm, perennial lake with an anoxic bottom, and were transported in suspension to the depositional site by weak turbidity currents or storm-induced flows. Great concentrations of juvenile conchostracans in some thin layers can be related to mass mortality, episodes caused by convection and dispersion of anoxic water during storms. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Corrosion of the component phases presents in high copper dental amalgams. Application of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and electrochemical noise analysis

The corrosion resistance of three of the constituent phases in high copper dental amalgams has been investigated by electrochemical methods in 0.9% NaCl solution. Polarization curves show corrosion potentials most positive for gamma(1)-Ag2Hg3, followed by Ag-Cu, and gamma-Ag3Sn in agreement with the order of corrosion resistance deduced from the corrosion currents. Complex plane impedance plots at the open circuit potential showed distorted semicircles with diffusional components at low frequency for Ag-Hg and Ag-Cu, while for gamma-Ag3Sn a layer of corrosion products is formed, partially or completely covering the surface of the electrode. Impedance and noise spectra have been compared in the frequency domain, and show good agreement. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Comparative electrical behavior at low and high current of SnO(2)- and ZnO-based varistors

The complete I-V characteristics of SnO(2)-based varistors, particularly of the Pianaro system SCNCr consisting in 98.9%SnO(2)+1%CoO+0.05%Nb(2)O(5)+0.05%Cr(2)O(3), all in mol%, have been seldom reported in the literature. A comparative study at low and high currents of the nonohmic behavior of SCNCr- and ZnO-based varistors (modified Matsuoka system) is proposed in this work. The SCNCr system showed higher nonlinearity coefficients in the whole range of measured current. The electrical breakdown field (E(b)) was twice as high for the SCNCr system (5400 V/cm) than for the ZnO varistor (2600 V/cm) due to a smaller average grain size of the former (4.5 mu m) with respect to the latter (8.5 mu m). Nevertheless, we consider that another important factor responsible for the high E(b) in the SCNCr system is the great number of electrically active interfaces (85%) as determined with electrostatic force microscopy (EFM). It was also established that the SCNCr system might be produced in disks of smaller dimensions than that of commercial ZnO-based product, with a 5.0 cm(-1) minimal area-volume (A/V) ratio. The SCNCr reached the saturation current in a short time because of the high resistivity of the grains, which is five times higher than that of the grains in ZnO-based varistors.

Electrochemical Behavior of a Glassy Carbon Electrode Chemically Modified with Nickel Pentacyanonitrosylferrate in Presence of Sulfur Compounds

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