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We discuss the possibility to define exact RG equations for a UV regulated Wilsonian action based on a proper time (PT) regulator function. We start from a functional mapping which shows how each particular flow equation (and RG scheme) is associated to infinitely many scale dependent field redefinitions, which are related to specific coarse-graining procedures. On specializing to a sub-family of one parameter PT regulators we briefly analyze few results for the Ising Universality class in three dimensions, obtained within a second order truncation in the derivative expansion of the Wilsonian action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anomalous scaling of Newton's constant around the Reuter fixed point is dynamically computed using the functional flow equation approach. Specifically, we thoroughly analyze the flow of the most general conformally reduced Einstein-Hilbert action. Our findings reveal that, due to the distinctive nature of gravity, the anomalous dimension η of the Newton's constant cannot be constrained to have one single value: the ultraviolet critical manifold is characterized by a line of fixed points (g ⁎ (η) , λ ⁎ (η)) , with a discrete (infinite) set of eigenoperators associated to each fixed point. More specifically, we find three ranges of η corresponding to different properties of both fixed points and eigenoperators and, in particular, for the range η < η c ≈ 0.96 the ultraviolet critical manifolds has finite dimensionality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract We use the non-Gaussian fixed points (NGFPs) appearing in the renormalization group flow of gravity and gravity–matter systems to construct models of NGFP-driven inflation via a renormalization group improvement scheme. The cosmological predictions of these models depend sensitively on the characteristic properties of the NGFPs, including their position and stability coefficients, which in turn are determined by the field content of the underlying matter sector. We demonstrate that the NGFPs appearing in gravity–matter systems where the matter content is close to the one of the standard model of particle physics are the ones compatible with cosmological data. Somewhat counterintuitively, the negative fixed point value of the dimensionless cosmological constant is essential for these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Stellar dynamos are affected by boundary conditions imposed by stellar coronae. Under some approximations, it is possible to find analytical solutions. Interior dynamo models often consider a current-free corona without taking into account the constraints imposed by the presence of currents in the corona. Aims. We aim to analytically evaluate the effect of coronal currents and of an outer boundary condition on the efficiency of an α2 dynamo. We intend to estimate the change in geometry and dynamo excitation numbers with respect to the current-free case. Methods. We analytically solved the turbulent dynamo induction equation for a homogeneous, non-mirror symmetric turbulence in a spherical domain surrounded by a linear force-free corona with the mean magnetic field B satisfying ∇ × B = βB. Results. The dynamo number is a decreasing function of β. Moreover, if the current is parallel to the field (β > 0), the dynamo number is smaller than in the force-free case. In contrast, for (β < 0), the dynamo number is greater than in the force-free case. Conclusions. Currents in the corona need to be taken into account because they affect the condition for excitation of a dynamo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent numerical results of current-driven instabilities at low magnetic Prandtl number and high Hartmann number support the possibility of a saturation state characterized by helicity oscillations. We investigate the underlying mechanism by analyzing this possibility using a higher order Landau-Ginzburg effective Lagrangian for the weakly nonlinear amplitude dynamics, where the magnetic and velocity perturbations are linearly dependent. We find that, if the mirror symmetry between left- and right-handed modes is spontaneously broken, it is impossible to achieve an oscillating helical state. We argue that the result is likely to hold also for adding higher order terms and in the presence of an explicit symmetry breaking. We conclude that an oscillating saturating state for the Tayler instability is unlikely to depend on the interaction of chiral modes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asymptotically Safe theories of gravity have recently received much attention. In this work we discuss a class of inflationary models derived from quantum-gravity modification of quadratic gravity according to the induced scaling around the non-Gaussian fixed point at very high energies. It is argued that the presence of a three dimensional ultraviolet critical surface generates operators of non-integer power of the type R 2 − θ / 2 in the effective Lagrangian, where θ > 0 is a critical exponent. The requirement of a successful inflationary model in agreement with the recent Planck 2015 data puts important constraints on the strength of this new type of couplings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Theoretical predictions as well as experiments performed at storage rings have shown that the lifetimes of β-radionuclides can change significantly as a function of the ionization state. In this paper we describe an innovative approach, based on the use of a compact plasma trap to emulate selected stellar-like conditions. It has been proposed within the PANDORA project (Plasmas for Astrophysics, Nuclear Decay Observation and Radiation for Archaeometry) with the aim to measure, for the first time in plasma, nuclear β-decay rates of radionuclides involved in nuclear-astrophysics processes. To achieve this task, a compact magnetic plasma trap has been designed to reach the needed plasma densities, temperatures, and charge-states distributions. A multi-diagnostic setup will monitor, on-line, the plasma parameters, which will be correlated with the decay rate of the radionuclides. The latter will be measured through the detection of the γ-rays emitted by the excited daughter nuclei following the β-decay. An array of 14 HPGe detectors placed around the trap will be used to detect the emitted γ-rays. For the first experimental campaign three isotopes, 176Lu, 134Cs, and 94Nb, were selected as possible physics cases. The newly designed plasma trap will also represent a tool of choice to measure the plasma opacities in a broad spectrum of plasma conditions, experimentally poorly known but that have a great impact on the energy transport and spectroscopic observations of many astrophysical objects. Status and perspectives of the project will be highlighted in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The meridional circulation plays an essential role in determining the basic mechanism of the dynamo action in the case of a low eddy diffusivity. Flux-transport dynamos with strong return flow and a deep stagnation point are discussed in the case of a positive α-effect located in the overshoot layer and a rotation law consistent with helioseismology. By means of a linear dynamo model, it will be shown that the migration of the toroidal belts at lower latitudes and the periods of the activity cycles are consistent with the observations. Moreover, at variance with previous investigations, the typical critical dynamo numbers of dipolar solutions are significantly smaller than those of quadrupolar solutions even in the regime of strong flow. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We study spontaneous breakdown of chiral symmetry during the nonlinear evolution of the Tayler instability. We start with an initial steady state of zero helicity. Within linearized perturbation calculations, helical perturbations of this initial state have the same growth rate for either sign of helicity. Direct numerical simulations (DNS) of the fully nonlinear equations, however, show that an infinitesimal excess of one sign of helicity in the initial perturbation gives rise to a saturated helical state. We further show that this symmetry breaking can be described by weakly nonlinear finite-amplitude equations with undetermined coefficients which can be deduced solely from symmetry consideration. By fitting solutions of the amplitude equations to data from DNS, we further determine the coefficients of the amplitude equations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We discuss a mechanism that induces a time-dependent vacuum energy on cosmological scales. It is based on the instability-induced renormalization triggered by the low-energy quantum fluctuations in a Universe with a positive cosmological constant. We use the dynamical systems approach to study the qualitative behavior of the Friedmann-Robertson-Walker cosmologies where the cosmological constant is dynamically evolving according with this nonperturbative scaling at low energies. It will be shown that it is possible to realize 'two regimes' dark energy phases, where an unstable early phase of power-law evolution of the scale factor is followed by an accelerated expansion era at late times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We review the evidence for and against the possibility that a strong enough poloidal field stabilizes an axisymmetric magnetostatic field configuration. We show that there does exist a class of resonant magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) waves which produce instability for any value of the ratio of poloidal and toroidal field strength. We argue that recent investigations of the stability of mixed poloidal and toroidal field configurations based on three-dimensional numerical simulations can miss this instability because of the very large azimuthal wave numbers involved and its resonant character. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chiral symmetry breaking properties of the Tayler instability are discussed. Effective amplitude equations are determined in one case. This model has three free parameters that are determined numerically. Comparison with chiral symmetry breaking in biochemistry is made. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The Asymptotic Safety scenario predicts that the deep ultraviolet of Quantum Einstein Gravity is governed by a nontrivial renormalization group fixed point. Analyzing its implications for cosmology using renormalization group improved Einstein equations, we find that it can give rise to a phase of inflationary expansion in the early Universe. Inflation is a pure quantum effect here and requires no inflaton field. It is driven by the cosmological constant and ends automatically when the renormalization group evolution has reduced the vacuum energy to the level of the matter energy density. The quantum gravity effects also provide a natural mechanism for the generation of entropy. It could easily account for the entire entropy of the present Universe in the massless sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies the cosmological equations for a scalar field φ in the framework of a quantum gravity modified Einstein–Hilbert Lagrangian where G and Λ are dynamical variables. It is possible to show that there exists a Noether symmetry for the point Lagrangian describing this scheme in a FRW universe. Our main result is that the Noether Symmetry Approach fixes both Λ = Λ(G) and the potential V = V(φ) of the scalar field. The method does not lead, however, to easily solvable equations, by virtue of the higher dimensionality of the reduced configuration space involved, the additional variable being the running Newton coupling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We discuss the phenomenon of spontaneous symmetry breaking by means of a class of non-perturbative renormalization group flow equations which employ a regulating smearing function in the proper-time integration. We show, both analytically and numerically, that the convexity property of the renormalized local potential is obtained by means of the integration of arbitrarily low momenta in the flow equation. Hybrid Monte Carlo simulations are performed to compare the lattice effective potential with the numerical solution of the renormalization group flow equation. We find very good agreement both in the strong and in the weak coupling regime. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A covariant flux-limited diffusion theory is presented for homogeneous and anisotropic cosmologies. Explicit formulas for radiation stress tensor and applications are given for a Bianchi-type I model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]