121423772
The branching rules of conformal embeddings
After recalling the main properties of a conformal embedding of Lie algebrasg⊃p, which is defined by the equality of the Sugawara central charges on both sides, we launch a systematic study of their branching rules. The bulk of the paper is devoted to the proof of a general formula in the casesu(mn)1⊃su(m)n⊕su(n)m. At the end we give some applications to the construction of modular invariant partition functions.
115160247
Another derivation of the geometrical KPZ relations
We give a physicist's derivation of the geometrical (in the spirit of Duplantier–Sheffield) KPZ relations, via heat kernel methods. It gives a covariant way to define neighborhoods of fractals in 2D quantum gravity, and shows that these relations are in the realm of conformal field theory.
15486552
Comments on the links between SU(3) modular invariants, simple factors in the Jacobian of Fermat curves, and rational triangular billiards
We examine the proposal made recently that the su(3) modular invariant partition functions could be related to the geometry of the complex Fermat curves. Although a number of coincidences and similarities emerge between them and certain algebraic curves related to triangular billiards, their meaning remains obscure. In an attempt to go beyond the su(3) case, we show that any rational conformal field theory determines canonically a Riemann surface. Comment: 56 pages, 4 eps figures, LaTeX, uses epsf
5911478
Phase transition with the Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless singularity in the Ising model on a growing network.
We consider the ferromagnetic Ising model on a highly inhomogeneous network created by a growth process. We find that the phase transition in this system is characterized by the Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless singularity, although critical fluctuations are absent and the mean-field description is exact. Below this infinite order transition, the magnetization behaves as exp((-const/square root of(Tc-T)). We show that the critical point separates the phase with the power-law distribution of the linear response to a local field and the phase where this distribution rapidly decreases. We suggest that this phase transition occurs in a wide range of cooperative models with a strong infinite-range inhomogeneity.
173517385
A Short Introduction to Critical Interfaces in 2D
These notes are meant as a gentle introduction to the concepts of Loewner chains, local growth, Stochastic Loewner Evolutions (SLE) and their relationships to Conformal Field Theories (CFT). These concepts have played an important role in physics and mathematics during the recent years. The first section describes two discrete examples, the exploration process and loop-erased random walks. It can be read almost without any prerequisites. The aim is to show that even for curves defined purely in geometrical terms, it is useful to have a statistical mechanics viewpoint where the measure on curves is derived from a measure on local degrees of freedom of some model. A third model, diffusion-limited aggregation (DLA) is also introduced. The second section introduces Loewner chains and their relevance for the description of growth processes. A prerequisite is a minimal knowledge of complex analysis. The third section contains the derivation of the relevance of SLE in the description of interfaces when two properties, conformal invariance and the domain Markov property, are assumed/proved. The prerequisites are some knowledge of complex analysis and probability theory. The last section outlines the relation with Conformal Field Theory. This relation is via martingales and singular vectors. Again, the reader is assumed to have some basic knowledge of complex analysis and probability theory, and some familiarity with CFT. The discussion is informal. There is little or no claim at originality. We try to give some intuition based on explicit examples.
119148126
Scasimir Operator, Scentre and Representations of Uq(osp(1|2))
A bosonic operator of Uq(osp(1|2)) that anticommutes with the fermionic generators appears to be useful to describe the relations in the centre of Uq(osp(1|2)) for q a root of unity (in the unrestricted specialisation). As in the classical case, it also simplifies the classification of finite dimensional irreducible representations.
133716710
New applications of silicon micromachining
The use of photolithography and anisotropic etching of silicon wafers to make strong, thin membranes has created a large family of miniature sensing devices such as pressure transducers and accelerometers. This report describes several entirely new devices in which silicon membranes are used for their strength and for their transparency to certain kinds of radiation. Two applications are described: a rugged alpha detector and a fluid sample cell for small-angle x-ray scattering. 8 refs., 12 figs., 2 tabs.
123589460
SIMULATION OF INELASTIC NEUTRON SCATTERING WITH GEANT4
122582401
Monte Carlo evaluation of the muon-induced background in the GERDA double beta decay experiment
Abstract The new generation of experiments searching for neutrinoless double beta decay is aiming at a background level of 10 - 3 counts / ( kg keV y ) or better at the respective Q -values. Cosmic ray muons can be a significant contribution due to a number of physics processes. The GERmanium Detector Array, GERDA, located at the Gran Sasso underground laboratory in Italy, uses germanium enriched in 76 Ge as source and detector material. Germanium is submerged into liquid nitrogen or argon that acts as cooling medium and radiation shield simultaneously. A detailed G eant 4-based Monte Carlo simulation was performed to calculate the photon and neutron fluxes induced by cosmic ray muons. The prompt background contributions from γ -ray and neutron interactions as well as the delayed contributions due to the production of radioactive isotopes within the setup are given. The background can be reduced to the desired level with the muon veto system incorporated in the GERDA design.
122303611
The CRESST dark matter search
CRESST is a WIMP dark matter search using scintillating CaWO4 cryogenic detectors with active background suppression. First results obtained in the commissioning run are presented.
119268338
Light dark matter, naturalness, and the radiative origin of the electroweak scale
A bstractWe study classically scale invariant models in which the Standard Model Higgs mass term is replaced in the Lagrangian by a Higgs portal coupling to a complex scalar field of a dark sector. We focus on models that are weakly coupled with the quartic scalar couplings nearly vanishing at the Planck scale. The dark sector contains fermions and scalars charged under dark SU(2) × U(1) gauge interactions. Radiative breaking of the dark gauge group triggers electroweak symmetry breaking through the Higgs portal coupling. Requiring both a Higgs boson mass of 125.5 GeV and stability of the Higgs potential up to the Planck scale implies that the radiative breaking of the dark gauge group occurs at the TeV scale. We present a particular model which features a long-range abelian dark force. The dominant dark matter component is neutral dark fermions, with the correct thermal relic abundance, and in reach of future direct detection experiments. The model also has lighter stable dark fermions charged under the dark force, with observable effects on galactic-scale structure. Collider signatures include a dark sector scalar boson with mass ≲ 250 GeV that decays through mixing with the Higgs boson, and can be detected at the LHC. The Higgs boson, as well as the new scalar, may have significant invisible decays into dark sector particles.