Showing papers on "Symmetry (physics) published in 2015"

Generalized Global Symmetries

Abstract: A q-form global symmetry is a global symmetry for which the charged operators are of space-time dimension q; e.g. Wilson lines, surface defects, etc., and the charged excitations have q spatial dimensions; e.g. strings, membranes, etc. Many of the properties of ordinary global symmetries (q = 0) apply here. They lead to Ward identities and hence to selection rules on amplitudes. Such global symmetries can be coupled to classical background fields and they can be gauged by summing over these classical fields. These generalized global symmetries can be spontaneously broken (either completely or to a sub-group). They can also have ’t Hooft anomalies, which prevent us from gauging them, but lead to ’t Hooft anomaly matching conditions. Such anomalies can also lead to anomaly inflow on various defects and exotic Symmetry Protected Topological phases. Our analysis of these symmetries gives a new unified perspective of many known phenomena and uncovers new results.

Asymptotically flat black holes with scalar hair: a review

Abstract: We consider the status of black hole (BH) solutions with nontrivial scalar fields but no gauge fields, in four-dimensional asymptotically flat spacetimes, reviewing both classical results and recent developments. We start by providing a simple illustration on the physical difference between BHs in electro-vacuum and scalar-vacuum. Next, we review no-scalar-hair theorems. In particular, we detail an influential theorem by Bekenstein and stress three key assumptions: (1) The type of scalar field equation; (2) the spacetime symmetry inheritance by the scalar field and (3) an energy condition. Then, we list regular (on and outside the horizon), asymptotically flat BH solutions with scalar hair, organizing them by the assumption which is violated in each case and distinguishing primary from secondary hair. We provide a table summary of the state-of-the-art.

Multiferroic materials and magnetoelectric physics: symmetry, entanglement, excitation, and topology

Abstract: Multiferroics are those materials with more than one ferroic order, and magnetoelectricity refers to the mutual coupling between magnetism and electricity. The discipline of multiferroicity has never been so highly active as that in the first decade of the twenty-first century, and it has become one of the hottest disciplines of condensed matter physics and materials science. A series of milestones and steady progress in the past decade have enabled our understanding of multiferroic physics substantially comprehensive and profound, which is further pushing forward the research frontier of this exciting area. The availability of more multiferroic materials and improved magnetoelectric performance are approaching to make the applications within reach. While seminal review articles covering the major progress before 2010 are available, an updated review addressing the new achievements since that time becomes imperative. In this review, following a concise outline of the basic knowledge of multiferroicity and magnetoelectricity, we summarize the important research activities on multiferroics, especially magnetoelectricity and related physics in the last six years. We consider not only single-phase multiferroics but also multiferroic heterostructures. We address the physical mechanisms regarding magnetoelectric coupling so that the backbone of this divergent discipline can be highlighted. A series of issues on lattice symmetry, magnetic ordering, ferroelectricity generation, electromagnon excitations, multiferroic domain structure and domain wall dynamics, and interfacial coupling in multiferroic heterostructures, will be revisited in an updated framework of physics. In addition, several emergent phenomena and related physics, including magnetic skyrmions and generic topological structures associated with magnetoelectricity will be discussed.

Symmetry Protected Topological phases of Quantum Matter

Abstract: We describe recent progress in our understanding of the interplay between interactions, symmetry, and topology in states of quantum matter. We focus on a minimal generalization of the celebrated topological band insulators to interacting many particle systems, known as Symmetry Protected Topological (SPT) phases. In common with the topological band insulators these states have a bulk gap and no exotic excitations but have non-trivial surface states that are protected by symmetry. We describe the various possible such phases and their properties in three dimensional systems with realistic symmetries. We develop many key ideas of the theory of these states using simple examples. The emphasis is on physical rather than mathematical properties. We survey insights obtained from the study of SPT phases for a number of other theoretical problems.

Synthetic gauge flux and Weyl points in acoustic systems

Abstract: Realizing non-trivial topological effects is challenging in acoustic systems. It is now shown that inversion symmetry breaking can be used to create acoustic analogues of the topological Haldane model. Following the discovery of the quantum Hall effect1,2 and topological insulators3,4, the topological properties of classical waves began to draw attention5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21. Topologically non-trivial bands characterized by non-zero Chern numbers are realized through either the breaking of time-reversal symmetry using an external magnetic field5,6,7,15,16 or dynamic modulation8,17. Owing to the absence of a Faraday-like effect, the breaking of time-reversal symmetry in an acoustic system is commonly realized with moving background fluids20,22, which drastically increases the engineering complexity. Here we show that we can realize effective inversion symmetry breaking and create an effective gauge flux in a reduced two-dimensional system by engineering interlayer couplings, achieving an acoustic analogue of the topological Haldane model2,23. We show that the synthetic gauge flux is closely related to Weyl points24,25,26 in the three-dimensional band structure and the system supports chiral edge states for fixed values of kz.

A Schematic Model of Baryons and Mesons

Abstract: If we assume that the strong interactions of baryons and mesons are correctly described in terms of the broken "eightfold way", we are tempted to look for some fundamental explanation of the situation. A highly promised approach is the purely dynamical "bootstrap" model for all the strongly interacting particles within which one may try to derive isotopic spin and strangeness conservation and broken eightfold symmetry from self-consistency alone. Of course, with only strong interactions, the orientation of the asymmetry in the unitary space cannot be specified; one hopes that in some way the selection of specific components of the F-spin by electromagnetism and the weak interactions determines the choice of isotopic spin and hypercharge directions.

Asymptotically flat black holes with scalar hair: a review

Abstract: We consider the status of black hole solutions with non-trivial scalar fields but no gauge fields, in four dimensional asymptotically flat space-times, reviewing both classical results and recent developments. We start by providing a simple illustration on the physical difference between black holes in electro-vacuum and scalar-vacuum. Next, we review no-scalar-hair theorems. In particular, we detail an influential theorem by Bekenstein and stress three key assumptions: 1) the type of scalar field equation; 2) the spacetime symmetry inheritance by the scalar field; 3) an energy condition. Then, we list regular (on and outside the horizon), asymptotically flat BH solutions with scalar hair, organizing them by the assumption which is violated in each case and distinguishing primary from secondary hair. We provide a table summary of the state of the art.

Amplitude/Higgs Modes in Condensed Matter Physics

Abstract: The order parameter and its variations in space and time in many different states in condensed matter physics at low temperatures are described by the complex function Ψ(r, t). These states include superfluids, superconductors, and a subclass of antiferromagnets and charge density waves. The collective fluctuations in the ordered state may then be categorized as oscillations of phase and amplitude of Ψ(r, t). The phase oscillations are the Goldstone modes of the broken continuous symmetry. The amplitude modes, even at long wavelengths, are well defined and are decoupled from the phase oscillations only near particle-hole symmetry, where the equations of motion have an effective Lorentz symmetry, as in particle physics and if there are no significant avenues for decay into other excitations. They bear close correspondence with the so-called Higgs modes in particle physics, whose prediction and discovery are very important for the standard model of particle physics. In this review, we discuss the theory and...

Modeling spontaneous breaking of time-translation symmetry

Abstract: We show that an ultracold atomic cloud bouncing on an oscillating mirror can reveal spontaneous breaking of a discrete time-translation symmetry. In many-body simulations, we illustrate the process of the symmetry breaking that can be induced by atomic losses or by a measurement of particle positions. The results pave the way for understanding and realization of the time crystal idea where crystalline structures form in the time domain due to spontaneous breaking of continuous time-translation symmetry.

Fermionic Symmetry Protected Topological Phases and Cobordisms

Abstract: It has been proposed recently that interacting Symmetry Protected Topological Phases can be classified using cobordism theory. We test this proposal in the case of Fermionic SPT phases with Z2 symmetry, where Z2 is either time-reversal or an internal symmetry. We find that cobordism classification correctly describes all known Fermionic SPT phases in space dimension D ≤ 3 and also predicts that all such phases can be realized by free fermions. In higher dimensions we predict the existence of inherently interacting fermionic SPT phases.

Anomalies in $B$-decays and $U(2)$ flavour symmetry

Abstract: The collection of a few anomalies in semileptonic $B$-decays invites to speculate about the emergence of some strikingly new phenomena. Here we offer a possible interpretation of these anomalies in the context of a weakly broken $U(2)^5$ flavour symmetry and lepto-quark mediators.

Observation of a robust zero-energy bound state in iron-based superconductor Fe(Te,Se)

Abstract: The symmetry of Cooper pairs in iron-based superconductors is an issue under continued investigation. A scanning tunnelling study of Fe(Te,Se) reveals a robust zero-energy bound state, providing evidence for a non-trivial pairing symmetry.

Hidden symmetries and decay for the wave equation on the Kerr spacetime

Abstract: Energy and decay estimates for the wave equation on the exterior region of slowly rotating Kerr spacetimes are proved. The method used is a generalisation of the vector-field method that allows the use of higher-order symmetry operators. In particular, our method makes use of the second-order Carter operator, which is a hidden symmetry in the sense that it does not correspond to a Killing symmetry of the spacetime.

Field-theory representation of gauge-gravity symmetry-protected topological invariants, group cohomology, and beyond.

Abstract: The challenge of identifying symmetry-protected topological states (SPTs) is due to their lack of symmetry-breaking order parameters and intrinsic topological orders For this reason, it is impossible to formulate SPTs under Ginzburg-Landau theory or probe SPTs via fractionalized bulk excitations and topology-dependent ground state degeneracy However, the partition functions from path integrals with various symmetry twists are universal SPT invariants, fully characterizing SPTs In this work, we use gauge fields to represent those symmetry twists in closed spacetimes of any dimensionality and arbitrary topology This allows us to express the SPT invariants in terms of continuum field theory We show that SPT invariants of pure gauge actions describe the SPTs predicted by group cohomology, while the mixed gauge-gravity actions describe the beyond-group-cohomology SPTs We find new examples of mixed gauge-gravity actions for U(1) SPTs in $(4+1)\mathrm{D}$ via the gravitational Chern-Simons term Field theory representations of SPT invariants not only serve as tools for classifying SPTs, but also guide us in designing physical probes for them In addition, our field theory representations are independently powerful for studying group cohomology within the mathematical context

Multistability in symmetric chaotic systems

Abstract: Chaotic dynamical systems that are symmetric provide the possibility of multistability as well as an independent amplitude control parameter.The Rossler system is used as a candidate for demonstrating the symmetry construction since it is an asymmetric system with a single-scroll attractor. Through the design of symmetric Rossler systems, a symmetric pair of coexisting strange attractors are produced, along with the desired partial or total amplitude control.

Emergent SO(5) Symmetry at the Néel to Valence-Bond-Solid Transition.

Abstract: We show numerically that the "deconfined" quantum critical point between the Neel antiferromagnet and the columnar valence-bond solid, for a square lattice of spin 1/2, has an emergent SO(5) symmetry. This symmetry allows the Neel vector and the valence-bond solid order parameter to be rotated into each other. It is a remarkable (2+1)-dimensional analogue of the SO(4)=[SU(2)×SU(2)]/Z(2) symmetry that appears in the scaling limit for the spin-1/2 Heisenberg chain. The emergent SO(5) symmetry is strong evidence that the phase transition in the (2+1)-dimensional system is truly continuous, despite the violations of finite-size scaling observed previously in this problem. It also implies surprising relations between correlation functions at the transition. The symmetry enhancement is expected to apply generally to the critical two-component Abelian Higgs model (noncompact CP(1) model). The result indicates that in three dimensions there is an SO(5)-symmetric conformal field theory that has no relevant singlet operators, so is radically different from conventional Wilson-Fisher-type conformal field theories.

Anomalous solutions to the strong CP problem.

Abstract: We present a new mechanism for solving the strong CP problem using a Z_{2} discrete symmetry and an anomalous U(1) symmetry. A Z_{2} symmetry is used so that two gauge groups have the same theta angle. An anomalous U(1) symmetry makes the difference between the two theta angles physical and the sum unphysical. Two models are presented where the anomalous symmetry manifests itself in the IR in different ways. In the first model, there are massless bifundamental quarks, a solution reminiscent of the massless up quark solution. In the IR of this model, the η^{'} boson relaxes the QCD theta angle to the difference between the two theta angles-in this case zero. In the second model, the anomalous U(1) symmetry is realized in the IR as a dynamically generated mass term that has exactly the phase needed to cancel the theta angle. Both of these models make the extremely concrete prediction that there exist new colored particles at the TeV scale.

Symmetry-imposed shape of linear response tensors

Abstract: A scheme suggested in the literature to determine the symmetry-imposed shape of linear response tensors is revised and extended to allow for the treatment of more complex situations. The extended scheme is applied to discuss the shape of the spin conductivity tensor for all magnetic space groups. This allows in particular investigating the character of longitudinal as well as transverse spin transport for arbitrary crystal structure and magnetic order that give rise, e.g., to the spin Hall, Nernst, and the spin-dependent Seebeck effects.

Adiabatic hydrodynamics: The eightfold way to dissipation

Abstract: Hydrodynamics is the low-energy effective field theory of any interacting quantum theory, capturing the long-wavelength fluctuations of an equilibrium Gibbs densitymatrix. Conventionally, one views the effective dynamics in terms of the conserved currents, which should be expressed via the constitutive relations in terms of the fluid velocity and the intensive parameters such as the temperature, chemical potential, etc. . . However, not all constitutive relations are acceptable; one has to ensure that the second law of thermodynamics is satisfied on all physical configurations. In this paper, we provide a complete solution to hydrodynamic transport at all orders in the gradient expansion compatible with the second law constraint. The key new ingredient we introduce is the notion of adiabaticity, which allows us to take hydrodynamics off-shell. Adiabatic fluids are such that off-shell dynamics of the fluid compensates for entropy production. The space of adiabatic fluids is quite rich, and admits a decomposition into seven distinct classes. Together with the dissipative class this establishes the eightfold way of hydrodynamic transport. Furthermore, recent results guarantee that dissipative terms beyond leading order in the gradient expansion are agnostic of the second law. While this completes a transport taxonomy, we go on to argue for a new symmetry principle, an Abelian gauge invariance that guarantees adiabaticity in hydrodynamics. We suggest that this symmetry is the macroscopic manifestation of the microscopic KMS invariance. We demonstrate its utility by explicitly constructing effective actions for adiabatic transport. The theory of adiabatic fluids, we speculate, provides a useful starting point for a new framework to describe non-equilibrium dynamics, wherein dissipative effects arise by Higgsing the Abelian symmetry.

Mechanical PT symmetry in coupled optomechanical systems

Abstract: We propose to realize mechanical parity-time $(\mathcal{PT})$ symmetry in two coupled optomechanical systems. To provide gain to one mechanical resonator and the same amount of damping to the other, the two optical cavities should be driven by blue- and red-detuned laser fields, respectively. After adiabatically eliminating the degrees of freedom of the cavity modes, we derive a formula to describe the $\mathcal{PT}$ symmetry of two coupled mechanical resonators. Mechanical $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric phase transition is demonstrated by the dynamical behavior of the mechanical resonators. Moreover, we study the effect of the quantum noises on the dynamical behavior of the mechanical resonators when the system is in the quantum regime.

PT-symmetric acoustics

Abstract: The concept of acoustic parity-time (PT) symmetry is introduced and used for the study of extraordinary scattering behavior in acoustic PT-symmetric media consist of loss and gain units. The analytical study of acoustic PT-symmetric media shows that these media can be designed to achieve unidirectional transparency at specific frequencies named exceptional points (EPs). This unidirectional transparency occurs at the EPs is due to the asymmetrical arrangement of the periodic loss and gain units that results in different Bragg scatterings on the two sides of the PT-symmetric media. A close look at the phases of the reflections on both sides reveals a sudden jump of the reflection phase on one side at the EPs. This step-function like behavior causes an infinite delay time of the reflected wave on that side, and hence the media become reflectionless in that direction. Combining the concept of acoustic PT-symmetry with transformation acoustics, we design a two-dimensional acoustic cloak that is invisible in a prescribed direction. This kind of directional cloak is important especially for military use since a target object is hidden from the enemy in front can still be identified by friendly at the back. Other useful applications such as directional acoustic imaging, noise cancellation, architectural acoustics, acoustic amplification, etc., can also be developed.

Wave propagation in relaxed micromorphic continua: modeling metamaterials with frequency band-gaps

Abstract: In this paper, the relaxed micromorphic model proposed in Ghiba et al. (Math Mech Solids, 2013), Neff et al. (Contin Mech Thermodyn, 2013) has been used to study wave propagation in unbounded continua with microstructure. By studying dispersion relations for the considered relaxed medium, we are able to disclose precise frequency ranges (band-gaps) for which propagation of waves cannot occur. These dispersion relations are strongly nonlinear so giving rise to a macroscopic dispersive behavior of the considered medium. We prove that the presence of band-gaps is related to a unique elastic coefficient, the so-called Cosserat couple modulus μ c , which is also responsible for the loss of symmetry of the Cauchy force stress tensor. This parameter can be seen as the trigger of a bifurcation phenomenon since the fact of slightly changing its value around a given threshold drastically changes the observed response of the material with respect to wave propagation. We finally show that band-gaps cannot be accounted for by classical micromorphic models as well as by Cosserat and second gradient ones. The potential fields of application of the proposed relaxed model are manifold, above all for what concerns the conception of new engineering materials to be used for vibration control and stealth technology.

Observability and Controllability of Nonlinear Networks: The Role of Symmetry.

Abstract: Observability and controllability are essential concepts to the design of predictive observer models and feedback controllers of networked systems. For example, noncontrollable mathematical models of real systems have subspaces that influence model behavior, but cannot be controlled by an input. Such subspaces can be difficult to determine in complex nonlinear networks. Since almost all of the present theory was developed for linear networks without symmetries, here we present a numerical and group representational framework, to quantify the observability and controllability of nonlinear networks with explicit symmetries that shows the connection between symmetries and nonlinear measures of observability and controllability. We numerically observe and theoretically predict that not all symmetries have the same effect on network observation and control. Our analysis shows that the presence of symmetry in a network may decrease observability and controllability, although networks containing only rotational symmetries remain controllable and observable. These results alter our view of the nature of observability and controllability in complex networks, change our understanding of structural controllability, and affect the design of mathematical models to observe and control such networks.

Constraints from conformal symmetry on the three point scalar correlator in inflation

Abstract: Using symmetry considerations, we derive Ward identities which relate the three point function of scalar perturbations produced during inflation to the scalar four point function, in a particular limit. The derivation assumes approximate conformal invariance, and the conditions for the slow roll approximation, but is otherwise model independent. The Ward identities allow us to deduce that the three point function must be suppressed in general, being of the same order of magnitude as in the slow roll model. They also fix the three point function in terms of the four point function, upto one constant which we argue is generically suppressed. Our approach is based on analyzing the wave function of the universe, and the Ward identities arise by imposing the requirements of spatial and time reparametrization invariance on it.

Instanton operators and symmetry enhancement in 5d supersymmetric gauge theories

Abstract: Supersymmetric gauge theories in five dimensions often exhibit less symmetry than the ultraviolet fixed points from which they flow. The fixed points might have larger flavor symmetry or they might even be secretly six-dimensional theories on S^1. Here we provide a simple criterion when such symmetry enhancement in the ultraviolet should occur, by a direct study of the fermionic zero modes around one-instanton operators.

Electric Dipole Moments: A Global Analysis

Abstract: We perform a global analysis of searches for the permanent electric dipole moments (EDMs) of the neutron, neutral atoms, and molecules in terms of six leptonic, semileptonic, and nonleptonic interactions involving photons, electrons, pions, and nucleons. By translating the results into fundamental charge-conjugation-parity symmetry (CP) violating effective interactions through dimension six involving standard model particles, we obtain rough lower bounds on the scale of beyond the standard model CP-violating interactions ranging from 1.5 TeV for the electron EDM to 1300 TeV for the nuclear spin-independent electron-quark interaction. We show that planned future measurements involving systems or combinations of systems with complementary sensitivities to the low-energy parameters may extend the mass reach by an order of magnitude or more.

Cosmological viable mimetic f(R) and f(R, T) theories via Noether symmetry

Abstract: Extended f(R) theories of gravity have been investigated from the symmetry point of view. We briefly has been investigated Noether symmetry of two types of extended f(R) theories: f(R, T) theory, in which curvature is coupled non-minimally to the trace of energy–momentum tensor Tμν and mimetic f(R) gravity, a theory with a scalar field degree of freedom, but ghost-free and with internal conformal symmetry. In both cases we write point-like Lagrangian for flat Friedmann–Lemaitre–Robertson–Walker (FLRW) cosmological background in the presence of ordinary matter. We have been shown that some classes of models existed with Noether symmetry in these viable extensions of f(R) gravity. As a motivated idea, we have been investigating the stability of the solutions and the bouncing and ΛCDM models using the Noether symmetries. We have been shown that in mimetic f(R) gravity bouncing and ΛCDM solutions are possible. Also a class of solutions with future singularities has been investigated.

Higgsing the stringy higher spin symmetry

Abstract: It has recently been argued that the symmetric orbifold theory of $$ {\mathbb{T}}^4 $$ is dual to string theory on AdS3 × S3 × $$ {\mathbb{T}}^4 $$ at the tensionless point. At this point in moduli space, the theory possesses a very large symmetry algebra that includes, in particular, a $$ \mathcal{W} $$ ∞ algebra capturing the gauge fields of a dual higher spin theory. Using conformal perturbation theory, we study the behaviour of the symmetry generators of the symmetric orbifold theory under the deformation that corresponds to switching on the string tension. We show that the generators fall nicely into Regge trajectories, with the higher spin fields corresponding to the leading Regge trajectory. We also estimate the form of the Regge trajectories for large spin, and find evidence for the familiar logarithmic behaviour, thereby suggesting that the symmetric orbifold theory is dual to an AdS background with pure RR flux.