Dirac fermions in strong electric field and quantum transport in graphene

Our previous results on the nonperturbative calculations of the mean current and of the energy-momentum tensor in QED with the T-constant electric field are generalized to arbitrary dimensions. The renormalized mean values are found, and the vacuum polarization contributions and particle creation contributions to these mean values are isolated in the large T limit; we also relate the vacuum polarization contributions to the one-loop effective Euler-Heisenberg Lagrangian. Peculiarities in odd dimensions are considered in detail. We adapt general results obtained in 2 + 1 dimensions to the conditions which are realized in the Dirac model for graphene. We study the quantum electronic and energy transport in the graphene at low carrier density and low temperatures when quantum interference effects are important. Our description of the quantum transport in the graphene is based on the so-called generalized Furry picture in QED where the strong external field is taken into account nonperturbatively; this approach is not restricted to a semiclassical approximation for carriers and does not use any statistical assumptions inherent in the Boltzmann transport theory. In addition, we consider the evolution of the mean electromagnetic field in the graphene, taking into account the backreaction of the matter field to the applied external field. We find solutions of the corresponding Dirac-Maxwell set of equations and with their help we calculate the effective mean electromagnetic field and effective mean values of the current and the energy-momentum tensor. The nonlinear and linear I-V characteristics experimentally observed in both low-and high-mobility graphene samples are quite well explained in the framework of the proposed approach, their peculiarities being essentially due to the carrier creation from the vacuum by the applied electric field. DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevD.86.125022

A unified and complete construction of all finite dimensional irreducible representations of gl(2|2)

Representations of the non-semisimple superalgebra gl(2/2) in the standard basis are investigated by means of the vector coherent state method and boson-fermion realization. All finite-dimensional irreducible typical and atypical representations and lowest weight (indecomposable) Kac modules of gl(2/2) are constructed explicity through the explicit construction of all gl(2) circle plus gl(2) particle states (multiplets) in terms of boson and fermion creation operators in the super-Fock space. This gives a unified and complete treatment of finite-dimensional representations of gl(2/2) in explicit form, essential for the construction of primary fields of the corresponding current superalgebra at arbitrary level.

gl(2 vertical bar 2) current superalgebra and non-unitary conformal field theory

Motivated by application of current superalgebras in the study of disordered systems such as the random XY and Dirac models, we investigate gl(2\2) current superalgebra at general level k. We construct its free field representation and corresponding Sugawara energy-momentum tensor in the non-standard basis. Three screen currents of the first kind are also presented. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Coherent state construction of representations of osp(2|2) and primary fields of osp(2|2) conformal field theory

Representations of the superalgebra osp(2/2)(k)((1)) and current superalgebra. osp(2/2)k in the standard basis are investigated. All finite-dimensional typical and atypical representations of osp(2/2) are constructed by the vector coherent state method. Primary fields of the non-unitary conformal field theory associated with osp(2/2)(k)((1)) in the standard basis are obtained for arbitrary level k. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Comments on spin operators and spin-polarization states of 2+1 fermions

In this brief article we discuss spin-polarization operators and spin-polarization states of 2 + 1 massive Dirac fermions and find a convenient representation by the help of 4-spinors for their description. We stress that in particular the use of such a representation allows us to introduce the conserved covariant spin operator in the 2 + 1 field theory. Another advantage of this representation is related to the pseudoclassical limit of the theory. Indeed, quantization of the pseudoclassical model of a spinning particle in 2 + 1 dimensions leads to the 4-spinor representation as the adequate realization of the operator algebra, where the corresponding operator of a first-class constraint, which cannot be gauged out by imposing the gauge condition, is just the covariant operator previously introduced in the quantum theory.

Pseudoclassical description of scalar particle in non-abelian background and path-integral representations

Path-integral representations for a scalar particle propagator in non-Abelian external backgrounds are derived. To this aim, we generalize the procedure proposed by Gitman and Schvartsman of path-integral construction to any representation of SU(N) given in terms of antisymmetric generators. And for arbitrary representations of SU(N), we present an alternative construction by means of fermionic coherent states. From the path-integral representations we derive pseudoclassical actions for a scalar particle placed in non-Abelian backgrounds. These actions are classically analyzed and then quantized to prove their consistency.

First quantized approaches to neutrino oscillations and second quantization

Neutrino oscillations are treated from the point of view of relativistic first quantized theories and compared to second quantized treatments. Within first quantized theories, general oscillation probabilities can be found for Dirac fermions and charged spin 0 bosons. A clear modification in the oscillation formulas can be obtained and its origin is elucidated and confirmed to be inevitable from completeness and causality requirements. The left-handed nature of created and detected neutrinos can also be implemented in the first quantized Dirac theory in the presence of mixing; the probability loss due to the changing of initially left-handed neutrinos to the undetected right-handed neutrinos can be obtained in analytic form. Concerning second quantized approaches, it is shown in a calculation using virtual neutrino propagation that both neutrinos and antineutrinos may also contribute as intermediate particles. The sign of the contributing neutrino energy may have to be chosen explicitly without being automatic in the formalism. At last, a simple second quantized description of the flavor oscillation phenomenon is devised. In this description there is no interference terms between positive and negative components, but it still gives simple normalized oscillation probabilities. A new effect appearing in this context is an inevitable but tiny violation of the initial flavor of neutrinos. The probability loss due to the conversion of left-handed neutrinos to right-handed neutrinos is also presented.

ON THE INDEPENDENT-PARTICLE APPROXIMATION OF GAUGE-THEORIES - A SIMPLE EXAMPLE

In this work the independent particle model formulation is studied as a mean-field approximation of gauge theories using the path integral approach in the framework of quantum electrodynamics in 1 + 1 dimensions. It is shown how a mean-field approximation scheme can be applied to fit an effective potential to an independent particle model, building a straightforward relation between the model and the associated gauge field theory. An example is made considering the problem of massive Dirac fermions on a line, the so called massive Schwinger model. An interesting result is found, indicating a behaviour of screening of the charges in the relativistic limit of strong coupling. A forthcoming application of the method developed to confining potentials in independent quark models for QCD is in view and is briefly discussed.

Anomalias e números fermiônicos induzidos em grafeno com deformações

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Renormalization of fermion mixing

Precision measurements of phenomena related to fermion mixing require the inclusion of higher order corrections in the calculation of corresponding theoretical predictions. For this, a complete renormalization scheme for models that allow for fermion mixing is highly required. The correct treatment of unstable particles makes this task difficult and yet, no satisfactory and general solution can be found in the literature. In the present work, we study the renormalization of the fermion Lagrange density with Dirac and Majorana particles in models that involve mixing. The first part of the thesis provides a general renormalization prescription for the Lagrangian, while the second one is an application to specific models. In a general framework, using the on-shell renormalization scheme, we identify the physical mass and the decay width of a fermion from its full propagator. The so-called wave function renormalization constants are determined such that the subtracted propagator is diagonal on-shell. As a consequence of absorptive parts in the self-energy, the constants that are supposed to renormalize the incoming fermion and the outgoing antifermion are different from the ones that should renormalize the outgoing fermion and the incoming antifermion and not related by hermiticity, as desired. Instead of defining field renormalization constants identical to the wave function renormalization ones, we differentiate the two by a set of finite constants. Using the additional freedom offered by this finite difference, we investigate the possibility of defining field renormalization constants related by hermiticity. We show that for Dirac fermions, unless the model has very special features, the hermiticity condition leads to ill-defined matrix elements due to self-energy corrections of external legs. In the case of Majorana fermions, the constraints for the model are less restrictive. Here one might have a better chance to define field renormalization constants related by hermiticity. After analysing the complete renormalized Lagrangian in a general theory including vector and scalar bosons with arbitrary renormalizable interactions, we consider two specific models: quark mixing in the electroweak Standard Model and mixing of Majorana neutrinos in the seesaw mechanism. A counter term for fermion mixing matrices can not be fixed by only taking into account self-energy corrections or fermion field renormalization constants. The presence of unstable particles in the theory can lead to a non-unitary renormalized mixing matrix or to a gauge parameter dependence in its counter term. Therefore, we propose to determine the mixing matrix counter term by fixing the complete correction terms for a physical process to experimental measurements. As an example, we calculate the decay rate of a top quark and of a heavy neutrino. We provide in each of the chosen models sample calculations that can be easily extended to other theories.

Nonperturbative results for two-index conformal windows

Via large and small N c relations we derive nonperturbative results about the conformal window of two-index theories. Using Schwinger-Dyson methods as well as four-loops results we estimate subleading corrections and show that naive large number of colors extrapolations are unreliable when N c is less than about six. Nevertheless useful nonper-turbative inequalities for the size of the conformal windows, for any number of colors, can be derived. By further observing that the adjoint conformal window is independent of the number of colors we argue, among other things, that: the large N c two-index conformal window is twice the conformal window of the adjoint representation (which can be determined at small N c) expressed in terms of Dirac fermions; lattice results for adjoint matter can be used to provide independent information on the conformal dynamics of two-index theories such as SU(N c) with two and four symmetric Dirac flavors.

Casimir interaction between a perfect conductor and graphene described by the Dirac model

We adopt the Dirac model for graphene and calculate the Casimir interaction energy between a plane suspended graphene sample and a parallel plane perfect conductor. This is done in two ways. First, we use the quantum-field-theory approach and evaluate the leading-order diagram in a theory with 2+1-dimensional fermions interacting with 3+1-dimensional photons. Next, we consider an effective theory for the electromagnetic field with matching conditions induced by quantum quasiparticles in graphene. The first approach turns out to be the leading order in the coupling constant of the second one. The Casimir interaction for this system appears to be rather weak. It exhibits a strong dependence on the mass of the quasiparticles in graphene.

Derivation of the probability distribution function for the local density of states of a disordered quantum wire via the replica trick and supersymmetry

We consider the statistical properties of the local density of states of a one-dimensional Dirac equation in the presence of various types of disorder with Gaussian white-noise distribution. It is shown how either the replica trick or supersymmetry can be used to calculate exactly all the moments of the local density of states.' Careful attention is paid to how the results change if the local density of states is averaged over atomic length scales. For both the replica trick and supersymmetry the problem is reduced to finding the ground state of a zero-dimensional Hamiltonian which is written solely in terms of a pair of coupled spins which are elements of u(1, 1). This ground state is explicitly found for the particular case of the Dirac equation corresponding to an infinite metallic quantum wire with a single conduction channel. The calculated moments of the local density of states agree with those found previously by Al'tshuler and Prigodin [Sov. Phys. JETP 68 (1989) 198] using a technique based on recursion relations for Feynman diagrams. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Bounded solutions of fermions in the background of mixed vector-scalar inversely linear potentials

The problem of a fermion subject to a general mixing of vector and scalar potentials in a two-dimensional world is mapped into a Sturm-Liouville problem. Isolated bounded solutions are also searched. For the specific case of an inversely linear potential, which gives rise to an effective Kratzer potential in the Sturm-Liouville problem, exact bounded solutions are found in closed form. The case of a pure scalar potential with their isolated zero-energy solutions, already analyzed in a previous work, is obtained as a particular case. The behavior of the upper and lower components of the Dirac spinor is discussed in detail and some unusual results are revealed. The nonrelativistic limit of our results adds a new support to the conclusion that even-parity solutions to the nonrelativistic one-dimensional hydrogen atom do not exist. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Confinement of neutral fermions by a pseudoscalar double-step potential in 1+1 dimensions

The problem of confinement of neutral fermions in two-dimensional space-time is approached with a pseudoscalar double-step potential in the Dirac equation. Bound-state solutions are obtained when the coupling is of sufficient intensity. The confinement is made plausible by arguments based on effective mass and anomalous magnetic interaction. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.