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We review the derivative expansion (DE) method in Casimir physics, an approach which extends the proximity force approximation (PFA). After introducing and motivating the DE in contexts other than the Casimir effect, we present different examples which correspond to that realm. We focus on different particular geometries, boundary conditions, types of fields, and quantum and thermal fluctuations. Besides providing various examples where the method can be applied, we discuss a concrete example for which the DE cannot be applied; namely, the case of perfect Neumann conditions in 2 + 1 dimensions. By the same example, we show how a more realistic type of boundary condition circumvents the problem. We also comment on the application of the DE to the Casimir-Polder interaction which provides a broader perspective on particle-surface interactions., Comment: 20 pages, 1 figure. This is a review based on our works on the subject

We provide a group theory approach to coherent states describing quantum space-time and its properties. This provides a relativistic framework for the metric of a Riemmanian space with bosonic and fermionic coordinates, its continuum and discrete states, and a kind of {\it"quantum optics"} for the space-time. {\bf New} results of this paper are: (i) The space-time is described as a physical coherent state of the complete covering of the SL(2C) group, eg the Metaplectic group Mp(n). (ii) (The discrete structure arises from its two irreducible: $\textit{even}$ $(2n)$ and $\textit{odd}$ $(2n\;+\;1)\;$ representations, ($n = 1,\, 2, \,3\,...$ ), spanning the complete Hilbert space $\mathcal{H} = \mathcal{H}_{odd}\oplus \mathcal{H}_{even}$. Such a global or {\it complete} covering guarantees the CPT symmetry and unitarity. Large $n$ yields the classical and continuum manifold, as it must be. (iii) The coherent and squeezed states and Wigner functions of quantum-space-time for black holes and de Sitter, and (iv) for the quantum space-imaginary time (instantons), black holes in particular. They encompass the semiclassical space-time behaviour plus high quantum phase oscillations, and notably account for the classical-quantum gravity duality and trans-Planckian domain. The Planck scale consistently corresponds to the coherent state eigenvalue $\alpha = 0$ (and to the $n = 0$ level in the discrete representation). It is remarkable the power of coherent states in describing both continuum and discrete space-time. The quantum space-time description is {\it regular}, there is no any space-time singularity here, as it must be., Comment: 47 pages, 4 Figures, Published in Physical Review D, 7 December 2023

Shortcuts to adiabaticity (STA) are relevant in the context of quantum systems, particularly regarding their control when they are subjected to time-dependent external conditions. In this paper, we investigate the completion of a nonadiabatic evolution into a shortcut to adiabaticity for a quantum field confined within a one-dimensional cavity containing two movable mirrors. Expanding upon our prior research, we characterize the field's state using two Moore functions that enables us to apply reverse engineering techniques in constructing the STA. Regardless of the initial evolution, we achieve a smooth extension of the Moore functions that implements the STA. This extension facilitates the computation of the mirrors' trajectories based on the aforementioned functions. Additionally, we draw attention to the existence of a comparable problem within nonrelativistic quantum mechanics., Comment: 17 pages, 8 figures

Phase transitions in a non-perturbative regime can be studied by ab initio Lattice Field Theory methods. The status and future research directions for LFT investigations of Quantum Chromo-Dynamics under extreme conditions are reviewed, including properties of hadrons and of the hypothesized QCD axion as inferred from QCD topology in different phases. We discuss phase transitions in strong interactions in an extended parameter space, and the possibility of model building for Dark Matter and Electro-Weak Symmetry Breaking. Methodological challenges are addressed as well, including new developments in Artificial Intelligence geared towards the identification of different phases and transitions., Comment: 94 pages, 23 figures, GGI workshop "Phase Transitions in Particle Physics" review - v2: minor revisions and typo corrected, matches accepted version on PPNP

The development of quantum technologies present important challenges such as the need for fast and precise protocols for implementing quantum operations. Shortcuts to adiabaticity (STA) are a powerful tool for achieving these goals, as they enable us to perform an exactly adiabatic evolution in finite time. In this paper we present a shortcut to adiabaticity for the control of an optomechanical cavity with two moving mirrors. Given reference trajectories for the mirrors, we find analytical expressions that give us effective trajectories which implement a STA for the quantum field inside the cavity. We then solve these equations numerically for different reference protocols, such as expansions, contractions and rigid motions; thus confirming the successful implementation of the STA and finding some general features of these effective trajectories., Comment: 13 pages, 9 figures

Shortcuts to adiabaticity constitute a powerful alternative that speed up time-evolution while mimicking adiabatic dynamics. They are also relevant to clarify fundamental questions such as a precise quantification of the third principle of thermodynamics and quantum speed limits. In this letter we describe, for the first time, how to implement shortcuts to adiabaticity in quantum field theory, for the particular case of a massless scalar field inside a cavity with a moving wall, in 1 + 1 dimensions. The approach is based on the known solution to the problem that exploits the conformal symmetry, and the shortcuts take place whenever there is no dynamical Casimir effect. We obtain a fundamental limit for the efficiency of an Otto cycle with the quantum field as a working system, that depends on the maximum velocity that the mirror can attain. We describe possible experimental realizations of the shortcuts using superconducting circuits., Comment: Published version

We study quantum dissipative effects due to the non-relativistic, bounded, accelerated motion of a single neutral atom in the presence of a planar perfect mirror, i.e. a perfect conductor at all frequencies. We consider a simplified model whereby a moving `scalar atom' is coupled to a quantum real scalar field, subjected to either Dirichlet or Neumann boundary conditions on the plane. We use an expansion in powers of the departure of the atom with respect to a static average position, to compute the vacuum persistence amplitude, and the resulting vacuum decay probability. We evaluate transition amplitudes corresponding to the excitation of the atom plus the emission of a particle, and show explicitly that the vacuum decay probabilities match the results obtained by integrating the transition amplitudes over the directions of the emitted particle. We also compute the spontaneous emission rate of an oscillating atom that is initially in an excited state., Comment: Version to appear in Phys. Rev. D

We present the results on topological susceptibility and chiral observables in $N_f=2+1+1$ QCD for temperature range $120

We analyze the efficiency of the quantum Otto cycle applied to a superconducting cavity. We consider its description in terms of a full quantum scalar field in a one-dimensional cavity with a time dependent boundary condition that can be externally controlled to perform and extract work unitarily from the system. We study the performance of this machine when acting as a heat engine as well as a refrigerator. It is shown that, in a non-adiabatic regime, the efficiency of the quantum cycle is affected by the dynamical Casimir effect, that induces a sort of quantum friction that diminishes the efficiency. We also find regions of parameters where the effect is so strong that the machine can no longer function as an engine since the work that would be produced is completely consumed by the quantum friction. However, this effect can be avoided for some particular temporal evolutions of the boundary conditions that do not change the occupation number of the modes in the cavity, leading to a highly improved efficiency., Comment: 11 pages, 11 figures

We study the high temperature transition in pure $SU(3)$ gauge theory and in full QCD with 3D-convolutional neural networks trained as parts of either unsupervised or semi-supervised learning problems. Pure gauge configurations are obtained with the MILC public code and full QCD are from simulations of $N_f=2+1+1$ Wilson fermions at maximal twist. We discuss the capability of different approaches to identify different phases using as input the configurations of Polyakov loops. To better expose fluctuations, a standardized version of Polyakov loops is also considered., Comment: Proceedings of the 38th international symposium on Lattice Field Theory, LATTICE2021

We investigate the thermal QCD phase transition and its scaling properties on the lattice. The simulations are performed with $N_f=2+1+1$ Wilson twisted mass fermions at pion masses from physical up to heavy quark regime. We introduce a novel chiral order parameter, which is free from linear mass contributions and turns out to be very useful for the study of scaling behaviour. Our results are compatible with $O(4)$ universal scaling for the physical pion mass and the temperature range $[120:300]$ MeV. Violations to scaling at larger masses and other possible scenarios, including mean field behaviour and $Z(2)$ scaling scenario are also discussed. We provide an estimation for the critical temperature in the chiral limit $T_0$., Comment: 9 pages, 8 figures, 2 tables, The 38th International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory, LATTICE2021, Zoom/Gather@Massachusetts Institute of Technology

We review the hot QCD transition with varying number of flavors, from two till the onset of the conformal window. We discuss the universality class for $N_f=2$, along the critical line for two massless light flavors, and a third flavor whose mass serves as an interpolator between $N_f = 2$ and $N_f=3$. We identify a possible scaling window for the 3D $O(4)$ universality class transition, and its crossover to a mean field behaviour. We follow the transition from $N_f=3$ to larger $N_f$, when it remains of first order, with an increasing coupling strength; we summarize its known properties, including possible cosmological applications as a model for a strong electroweak transition. The first order transition, and its accompanying second order endpoint, finally morphs into the essential singularity at the onset of the conformal window, following the singular behaviour predicted by the Functional Renormalization Group., Comment: 30 pages, 9 figures

We study the scaling properties of the finite temperature QCD phase transition, for light quark masses ranging from the heavy quark regime to their physical values. The lattice results are obtained in the fixed scale approach from simulations of $N_f=2+1+1$ flavours of Wilson fermions at maximal twist. We identify an order parameter free from the the linear contributions in mass due to additive renormalization and regular terms in the Equation of State, which proves useful for the assessment of the hypothesized universal behaviour. We find compatibility with the 3D $O(4)$ universality class for the physical pion mass and temperatures $120$ MeV $ \lesssim T \lesssim 300$ MeV. We discuss violation of scaling at larger masses and a possible cross-over to mean field behaviour. The chiral extrapolation $T_0 = 134^{+6}_{-4}$ MeV of the pseudocritical temperature is robust against predictions of different universality classes and consistent with its estimate from the $O(4)$ Equation of State for the physical pion mass., Comment: 10 pages, 10 figures, 4 tables; version accepted for publication in PLB

We study the motion-induced radiation due to the non-relativistic motion of an atom, coupled to the vacuum electromagnetic field by an electric dipole term, in the presence of a static graphene plate. After computing the probability of emission for an accelerated atom in empty space, we evaluate the corrections due to the presence of the plate. We show that the effect of the plate is to increase the probability of emission when the atom is near the plate and oscillates along a direction perpendicular to it. On the contrary, for parallel oscillations, there is a suppression. We also evaluate the quantum friction on an atom moving at constant velocity parallel to the plate. We show that there is a threshold for quantum friction: friction occurs only when the velocity of the atom is larger than the Fermi velocity of the electrons in graphene., Comment: 28 pages, 5 figures

We study the entanglement dynamics between two cavities when one of them is harmonically shaken in the context of quantum information theory. We find four different regimes depending on the frequency of the motion and the spectrum of the moving cavity. If the moving cavity is three dimensional only two modes inside get coupled and the entanglement can either degrade asymptotically with time or oscillate depending on the driving. On the other hand, if the cavity has an equidistant spectrum the entanglement can either vanish asymptotically if it is driven with its fundamental frequency or have a sudden death if it is driven with an uneven harmonic frequency., Comment: 15 pages, 8 figures

We discuss recent progress in studying Quantum Chromodynamics at finite temperature using $N_f=2+1+1$ Wilson twisted mass fermions. Particular interest is in QCD symmetries and their breaking and restoration. First, we discuss the behaviour of the $\eta'$ meson at finite temperature, which is tightly connected to the axial and chiral symmetries. The results suggest a small decrease of the $\eta'$ mass in the pseudo-critical region coming close to the non-anomalous contribution and subsequent growth at large temperatures. Second, we present the first results of lattice simulations of Quantum Chromodynamics with $N_f=2+1+1$ twisted mass Wilson fermions at physical pion, strange and charm masses. We estimate the chiral pseudo-critical temperatures for different observables. Our preliminary results are consistent with a second order transition in the chiral limit, however other scenarios are not excluded., Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, 1 table, uses svjour.cls

Group theoretical realizations containing the electroweak sector of the Standard Model are discussed from the supersymmetry point of view. Dynamical breaking of the symmetry is performed and the corresponding quadratic (super Yang-Mills) Lagrangian is obtained. Supercoherent states of the Klauder-Perelomov type are defined to enlarge the symmetry taking into account the geometry of the coset based in the simplest supergroup SU (2 | 1) as the structural basis of the electroweak sector of the SM. The extended model is superintegrable and the superconnection in the odd part takes a dynamical character. The physical and geometrical implications of the additional degrees of freedom interpreted as a hidden sector of the representation are briefly discussed., Comment: 24 pages 7 figures. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:hep-th/9708052 by other authors

The magnetosphere structure of a magnetar is considered in the context of a theory of gravity with dynamical torsion field beyond the standard General Relativity (GR). To this end, the axially symmetric version of the Grad-Shafranov equation (GSE) is obtained in this theoretical framework. The resulting GSE solution in the case of the magnetosphere corresponds to a stream function containing also a pseudoscalar part. This function solution under axisymmetry presents a complex character that (as in the quantum field theoretical case) could be associated with an axidilaton field. Magnetar-pulsar mechanism is suggested and the conjecture about the origin of the excess energy due the GSE describing the magnetosphere dynamics is claimed. We also show that two main parameters of the electrodynamic processes (as described in GR framework by Goldreich and Julian (GJ) in 1969 [5]) are modified but the electron-positron pair rate N remains invariant. The possible application of our generalized equation (defined in a non-Riemannian geometry) to astrophysical scenarios involving emission of energy by gravitational waves, as described in the context of GR in [18], is briefly discussed., Comment: To be published in International Journal of Geometric Methods in Modern Physics 2 Vol. 16 (2019) 1950013. 12 pages , no figures (final form in Journal). arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1703.02273 by other authors

We use a Magnus approximation at the level of the equations of motion for a harmonic system with a time-dependent frequency, to find an expansion for its in-out effective action, and a unitary expansion for the Bogoliubov transformation between in and out states. The dissipative effects derived therefrom are compared with the ones obtained from perturbation theory in powers of the time-dependent piece in the frequency, and with those derived using multiple scale analysis in systems with parametric resonance. We also apply the Magnus expansion to the in-in effective action, to construct reality and causal equations of motion for the external system. We show that the nonlocal equations of motion can be written in terms of a "retarded Fourier transform" evaluated at the resonant frequency., Comment: 14 pages

Non-Riemannian generalization of the standard Born-Infeld (BI) Lagrangian is introduced and analized from a theory of gravitation with dynamical torsion field. The field equations derived from the proposed action lead to a trace free gravitational equation (non-riemannian analog to the trace free equation (TFE) from[1][2][3]) and the field equations for the torsion respectively. In this theoretical context, the fundamental constants arise all from the same geometry through geometrical invariant quantities (as from the curvature R). New results involving generation of primordial magnetic fields and the link with leptogenesis and baryogenesis are presented and possible explanations given. The physically admisible matter fields can be introduced in the model via the torsion vector h. Such fields include some dark matter candidates such as axion, right neutrinos and Majorana and moreover, physical observables as vorticity can be included in the same way. From a new wormhole soluton in a cosmological spacetime with torsion we also show that the primordial cosmic magnetic fields can originate from h? with the axion field (that is contained in h) the responsible to control the dynamics and stability of the cosmic magnetic field but not the magnetogenesis itself. The analisys of Grand Unified Theories (GUT) in the context of this model indicates (as we have been pointed out before) that the group manifold candidates are based in SO(10), SU(5) or some exceptional groups as E(6),E (7), etc., Comment: Accepted in JHEAp. Full analysis of recent research (with many appendices from previous works to be self contained) and new results. 41 pages plus a figure. New references and the figure at the final of the text. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1409.8014 by other authors

Nonlinear realizations of the SO(4,2) group are discussed from the point of view of symmetries. Dynamical symmetry breaking is introduced. One linear and one quadratic model in curvature are constructed. Coherent states of the Klauder-Perelomov type are defined for both cases taking into account the coset geometry. A new spontaneous compactification mechanism is defined in the subspace invariant under the stability subgroup. The physical implications of the symmetry rupture in the context of non-linear realizations and direct gauging are analyzed and briefly discussed., Comment: 25 pages, no figures.arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1602.06776 by other authors

We extend the $P$-flux analysis carried out recently on the $T^6/[\mathbb{Z}_2 \times \mathbb{Z}_2 ]$ type-II orientifold model to include all the possible non-geometric fluxes. By deriving universal T-duality rules for all the fluxes, we are able to write down a complete expression for the superpotential for both the IIB and IIA theories. By exploiting the universal T-duality rules that apply to all the branes in string theory, we then identify all the exotic branes that can be consistently included to cancel the tadpoles induced by the fluxes. Finally, we derive the representations of these branes with respect to the $SL(2,\mathbb{Z})^7$ duality symmetry of the model., Comment: 33 pages, refs. added. Notation improved. Discussion on the solutions of the tadpole conditions added in the conclusions. Version published on JHEP

We study photon creation in a cavity with two perfectly conducting moving mirrors. We derive the dynamic equations of the modes and study different situations concerning various movements of the walls, such as translational or breathing modes. We can even apply our approach to one or three dimensional cavities and reobtain well known results of cavities with one moving mirror. We compare the numerical results with analytical predictions and discuss the effects of the intermode coupling in detail as well as the non perturbative regime. We also study the time evolution of the energy density as well and provide analytic justifications for the different results found numerically., Comment: To appear in Phys. Rev. A

We study the Casimir friction phenomenon in a system consisting of two flat, infinite, and parallel graphene sheets, which are coupled to the vacuum electromagnetic (EM) field. Those couplings are implemented, in the description we use, by means of specific terms in the effective action for the EM field. They incorporate the distinctive properties of graphene, as well as the relative sliding motion of the sheets. Based on this description, we evaluate two observables due to the same physical effect: the probability of vacuum decay and the frictional force. The system exhibits a threshold for frictional effects, namely, they only exist if the speed of the sliding motion is larger than the Fermi velocity of the charge carriers in graphene., Comment: 16 pages, 3 figures. Minor corrections

In a recent paper [Mod. Phys. Lett. A30 (2015) 1550104], the black-hole/qubit correspondence (BHQC) was exploited to define "black hole quantum circuits" allowing for a change of the supersymmetry-preserving features of electromagnetic charge configurations supporting the black hole solution, thus switching from one U-duality orbit to another, or - equivalently - from an element of the corresponding Freudenthal Triple System with a definite rank, to another one. On the supergravity side of BHQC, such quantum gates relate to particular symplectic transformations acting on the black hole charges; namely, such transformations cannot belong to the U-duality group, otherwise switching among orbits would be impossible. In this paper, we consider a particular class of such symplectic transformations, namely the ones belonging to the so-called Peccei-Quinn symplectic group, introduced some time ago within the study of very special Kaehler geometries of the vector multiplets' scalar manifolds in N = 2 supergravity in D = 4 space-time dimensions., Comment: 22 pages

The cross section for neutrino helicity spin-flip obtained from a new f(R, T) model of gravitation with dynamic torsion field introduced by one of the authors in [1], is phenomenologically analyzed. To this end, due to the logarithmical energy dependence of the cross section, the relation with the axion decay constant fa (Peccei-Quinn parameter) is used. Consequently the link with the phenomenological energy/mass window is found from the astrophysical and high energy viewpoints. The highest helicity spin-flip cross-sectional values presented in this work coincide with a recent estimation on the axion mass computed in [2] in the framework of finite temperature extended lattice QCD and under cosmological considerations., Comment: To be published in the Journal of High Energy Astrophysics. 8 pages, 10 figures, grammar and typos corrected, references actualized. Final version

We consider the ${\cal N}=1$ superpotential generated in type-II orientifold models by non-geometric fluxes. In particular, we focus on the family of $P$ fluxes, that are related by T-duality transformations to the S-dual of the $Q$ flux. We determine the general rule that transforms a given flux in this family under a single T-duality transformation. This rule allows to derive a complete expression for the superpotential for both the IIA and the IIB theory for the particular case of a $T^6/[\mathbb{Z}_2 \times \mathbb{Z}_2 ]$ orientifold. We then consider how these fluxes modify the generalised Bianchi identities. In particular, we derive a fully consistent set of quadratic constraints coming from the NS-NS Bianchi identities. On the other hand, the $P$ flux Bianchi identities induce tadpoles, and we determine a set of exotic branes that can be consistently included in order to cancel them. This is achieved by determining a universal transformation rule under T-duality satisfied by all the branes in string theory., Comment: 29 pages. Refs. added, end of subsection 4.2 improved, other minor changes. Version published on JHEP

The central role played by pseudodifferential operators in relativistic dynamics is very well know. In this work, operators as the Schrodinger one (e.g: square root) are treated from the point of view of the non-local pseudodifferential Green functions. Starting from the explicit construction of the Green (semigroup) theoretical kernel, a theorem linking the integrability conditions and their dependence on the spacetime dimensions is given. Relativistic wave equations with arbitrary spin and the causality problem are discussed with the algebraic interpretation of the radical operator and their relation with coherent and squeezed states. Also we perform by mean of pure theoretical procedures (based in physical concepts and symmetry) the relativistic position operator which satisfies the conditions of integrability : it is non-local, Lorentz invariant and does not have the same problems as the "local"position operator proposed by Newton and Wigner. Physical examples, as Zitterbewegung and rogue waves, are presented and deeply analysed in this theoretical framework., Comment: Revtex corrected version, 23 pages, figures only in published version in JMP(2016)

We study the vacuum (i.e., zero-temperature) Casimir energy for a system of neutral conductors which are isolated, as opposed to grounded. The former is meant to describe a situation where the total charge on each conductor, as well as all of its fluctuations, vanishes, while the latter describes a situation where the conductors are connected to a charge reservoir. We compute the difference between the vacuum energies for a given system of conductors, but subjected to the two different conditions stated above. The results can be written in terms of a generalized, frequency-dependent capacitance matrix of the system. Using a multipolar expansion, we show that the grounded Casimir energy includes a monopole-monopole interaction term that is absent in the isolated case in the large distance limit, Comment: 6 pages. No figures

In a attempt to treat a supergravity as a tensor representation, the 4-dimensional N-extended quaternionic superspaces are constructed from the (diffeomorphyc)graded extension of the ordinary Penrose-twistor formulation, performed in a previous work of the authors[14], with N = p + k: These quaternionic superspaces have 4 + k (N - k) even-quaternionic coordinates and 4N odd- quaternionic coordinates where each coordinate is a quaternion composed by four C-felds (bosons and fermions respectively). The fields content as the dimensionality (even and odd sectors) of these superspaces are given and exemplified by selected physical cases. In this case the number of felds of the supergravity is determined by the number of components of the tensor representation of the 4-dimensional N-extended quaternionic superspaces. The role of tensorial central charges for any N even USp (N) = Sp (N;HC) \ U (N;HC) is elucidated from this theoretical context., Comment: To be published in the IJGMMP 2016, corrected version, 16 pages without figures

We evaluate the difference between the Casimir free energies corresponding to either grounded or isolated perfect conductors, at high temperatures. We show that a general and simple expression for that difference can be given, in terms of the electrostatic capacitance matrix for the system of conductors. For the case of close conductors, we provide approximate expressions for that difference, by evaluating the capacitance matrix using the proximity force approximation. Since the high-temperature limit for the Casimir free energy for a medium described by a frequency-dependent conductivity diverging at zero frequency coincides with that of an isolated conductor, our results may shed light on the corrections to the Casimir force in the presence of real materials., Comment: 7 pages

We present a numerical analysis of the particle creation for a quantum field in the presence of time dependent boundary conditions. Having in mind recent experiments involving superconducting circuits, we consider their description in terms of a scalar field in a one dimensional cavity satisfying generalized boundary conditions that involve a time-dependent linear combination of the field and its spatial and time derivatives. We evaluate numerically the Bogoliubov transformation between {\it in} and {\it out}-states and find that the rate of particle production strongly depends on whether the spectrum of the unperturbed cavity is equidistant or not, and also on the amplitude of the temporal oscillations of the boundary conditions. We provide analytic justifications for the different regimes found numerically., Comment: 20 pages. 11 figures

It is commonly claimed in the recent literature that certain solutions to wave equations of positive energy of Dirac-type with internal variables are characterized by a non-thermal spectrum. As part of that statement, it was said that the transformations and symmetries involved in equations of such type correspond to a particular representation of the Lorentz group. In this paper we give the general solution to this problem emphasizing the interplay between the group structure, the corresponding algebra and the physical spectrum. This analysis is completed with a strong discussion and proving that: i) the physical states are represented by coherent states; ii) the solutions in previous references [1] are not general, ii) the symmetries of the considered physical system in [1] (equations and geometry) do not correspond to the Lorentz group but to the fourth covering: the Metaplectic group Mp(n)., Comment: To be published in the IJGMMP, 12 pages , no figures

We study the contribution of the thermal zero modes to the Casimir free energy, in the case of a fluctuating electromagnetic (EM) field in the presence of real materials described by frequency-dependent, local and isotropic permittivity ($\epsilon$) and permeability ($\mu$) functions. Those zero modes, present at any finite temperature, become dominant at high temperatures, since the theory is dimensionally reduced. Our work, within the context of the Derivative Expansion (DE) approach, focusses on the emergence of non analyticities in that dimensionally reduced theory. We conclude that the DE is well defined whenever the function $\Omega(\omega)$, defined by $[\Omega(\omega)]^2 \equiv \omega^2\epsilon(\omega)$, vanishes in the zero-frequency limit, for at least one of the two material media involved., Comment: 22 pages, 2 figures

Radiatively induced symmetry breaking is considered for a toy model with one scalar and one fermion field unified in a superfield. It is shown that the classical quartic self-interaction of the superfield possesses a quantum infrared singularity. Application of the Coleman-Weinberg mechanism for effective potential leads to the appearance of condensates and masses for both scalar and fermion components. That induces a spontaneous breaking of the initial classical symmetries: the supersymmetry and the conformal one. The energy scales for the scalar and fermion condensates appear to be of the same order, while the renormalization scale is many orders of magnitude higher. A possibility to relate the considered toy model to conformal symmetry breaking in the Standard Model is discussed., Comment: Improved final version with new references and misprints corrected, 9 pages , no figures

In this work we analyze the validity of Lifshitz's theory for the case of non-equilibrium scenarios from a full quantum dynamical approach. We show that Lifshitz's framework for the study of the Casimir pressure is the result of considering the long-time regime (or steady state) of a well-defined fully quantized problem, subjected to initial conditions for the electromagnetic field interacting with real materials. For this, we implement the closed time path formalism developed in previous works to study the case of two half spaces (modeled as composite environments, consisting in quantum degrees of freedom plus thermal baths) interacting with the electromagnetic field. Starting from initial uncorrelated free subsystems, we solve the full time evolution, obtaining general expressions for the different contributions to the pressure that take part on the transient stage. Using the analytic properties of the retarded Green functions, we obtain the long-time limit of these contributions to the total Casimir pressure. We show that, in the steady state, only the baths' contribute, in agreement with the results of previous works, where this was assumed without justification. We also study in detail the physics of the initial conditions' contribution and the concept of modified vacuum modes, giving insights about in which situations one would expect a non vanishing contribution at the steady state of a non-equilibrium scenario. This would be the case when considering finite width slabs instead of half-spaces.

Superspace is considered as space of parameters of the supercoherent states defining the basis for oscillator-like unitary irreducible representations of the generalized superconformal group SU(2m,2n/2N) in the field of quaternions H. The specific construction contains naturally the supertwistor one of the previous work by Litov and Pervushin [1] and it is shown that in the case of extended supersymmetry such an approach leads to the separation of a class of superspaces and and its groups of motion. We briefly discuss this particular extension to the domain of quaternionic superspaces as nonlinear realization of some kind of the affine and the superconformal groups with the final end to include also the gravitational field[6] (this last possibility to include gravitation, can be realized on the basis of the reference[12] where the coset ((Sp(8))/(SL(4R)))~((SU(2,2))/(SL(2C)))was used in the non supersymmetric case). It is shown that this quaternionic construction avoid some unconsistencies appearing at the level of the generators of the superalgebras (for specific values of p and q; p+q=N) in the twistor one., Comment: Improved version. Accepted in the International Journal of Geometrical Methods in Modern Physics (IJGMMP)12 pages, no figures. In memoriam of Professor Boris Moyseevich Zupnik, pioneer of the development of supersymmetry, group theory and modern mathematical methods in theoretical physics

We study the properties of the classical electromagnetic (EM) radiation produced by two physically different yet closely related systems, which may be regarded as classical analogues of the Dynamical Casimir Effect (DCE). They correspond to two flat, infinite, parallel planes, one of them static and imposing perfect conductor boundary conditions, while the other performs a rigid oscillatory motion. The systems differ just in the electrical properties of the oscillating plane: one of them is just a planar dipole layer (representing, for instance, a small-width electret). The other, instead, has a dipole layer on the side which faces the static plane, but behaves as a conductor on the other side: this can be used as a representation of a conductor endowed with patch potentials (on the side which faces the conducting plane). We evaluate, in both cases, the dissipative flux of energy between the system and its environment, showing that, at least for small mechanical oscillation amplitudes, it can be written in terms of the dipole layer autocorrelation function. We show that there are resonances as a function of the frequency of the mechanical oscillation., Comment: 11 pages, 2 figures

The 2-dimensional charge transport with parallel (in plane) magnetic field is considered from the physical and mathematical point of view. To this end, we start with the magnetic field parallel to the plane of charge transport, in sharp contrast to the configuration described by the theorems of Aharonov and Casher where the magnetic field is perpendicular. We explicitly show that the specific form of the arising equation enforce the respective field solution to fulfil the Majorana condition. Consequently, as soon any physical system is represented by this equation, the rise of fields with Majorana type behaviour is immediately explained and predicted. In addition, there exists a quantized particular phase that removes the action of the vector potential producing interesting effects. Such new effects are able to explain due the geometrical framework introduced, several phenomenological results recently obtained in the area of spintronics and quantum electronic devices. The quantum ring as spin filter is worked out in this framework and also the case of the quantum Hall effect., Comment: Accepted in International Journal of Geometric Methods in Modern Physics (IJGMMP) Vol. 12 (2015), no figures. General references added, english improved. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:quant-ph/0701076, arXiv:1302.3641 by other authors

We calculate the Casimir interaction energy in $d=2$ spatial dimensions between two (zero-width) mirrors, one flat, and the other slightly curved, upon which {\em imperfect\/} conductor boundary conditions are imposed for an Electromagnetic (EM) field. Our main result is a second-order Derivative Expansion (DE) approximation for the Casimir energy, which is studied in different interesting limits. In particular, we focus on the emergence of a non-analyticity beyond the leading-order term in the DE, when approaching the limit of perfectly-conducting mirrors. We also show that the system considered is equivalent to a dual one, consisting of a massless real scalar field satisfying imperfect Neumann conditions (on the very same boundaries). Therefore, the results obtained for the EM field hold also true for the scalar field model

We study the Casimir friction due to the relative, uniform, lateral motion of two parallel semitransparent mirrors coupled to a vacuum real scalar field, $\phi$. We follow a functional approach, whereby nonlocal terms in the action for $\phi$, concentrated on the mirrors' locii, appear after functional integration of the microscopic degrees of freedom. This action for $\phi$, which incorporates the relevant properties of the mirrors, is then used as the starting point for two complementary evaluations: Firstly, we calculate the { in-out} effective action for the system, which develops an imaginary part, hence a non-vanishing probability for the decay (because of friction) of the initial vacuum state. Secondly, we evaluate another observable: the vacuum expectation value of the frictional force, using the { in-in} or Closed Time Path formalism. Explicit results are presented for zero-width mirrors and half-spaces, in a model where the microscopic degrees of freedom at the mirrors are a set of identical quantum harmonic oscillators, linearly coupled to $\phi$

In this work we calculate the closed time path (CTP) generating functional for the electromagnetic (EM) field interacting with inhomogeneous anisotropic matter. For this purpose, we first find a general expression for the electromagnetic field's influence action from the interaction of the field with a composite environment consisting in the quantum polarization degrees of freedom in each point of space, at arbitrary temperatures, connected to thermal baths. Then, we evaluate the generating functional for the gauge field, in the temporal gauge, by implementing the Faddeev-Popov procedure. Finally, through the point-splitting technique, we calculate closed expressions for the energy, the Poynting vector and the Maxwell tensor in terms of the Hadamard propagator. We show that all the quantities have contributions from the field's initial conditions and also from the matter degrees of freedom. Throughout the whole work we discuss and give insights about how the gauge invariance must be treated in the formalism when the EM field is interacting with inhomogeneous anisotropic matter. We study the electrodynamics in the temporal gauge, obtaining the EM field's equation and a residual condition. Finally analyze the case of the EM field in bulk material and also discuss several general implications of our results in relation with the Casimir physics in a nonequilibrium scenario., Comment: 15 pages

Starting from a Unified Field Theory (UFT) proposed previously by the author, the possible fermionic representations arising from the same spacetime are considered from the algebraic and geometrical viewpoint. We specifically demonstrate in this UFT general context that the underlying basis of the single geometrical structure P (G,M) (the principal fiber bundle over the real spacetime manifold M with structural group G) reflecting the symmetries of the different fields carry naturally a biquaternionic structure instead of a complex one. This fact allows us to analyze algebraically and to interpret physically in a straighforward way the Majorana and Dirac representations and the relation of such structures with the spacetime signature and non-hermitian (CP) dynamic operators. Also, from the underlying structure of the tangent space, the existence of hidden (super) symmetries and the possibility of supersymmetric extensions of these UFT models are given showing that Rothstein's theorem is incomplete for that description. The importance of the Clifford algebras in the description of all symmetries, mainly the interaction of gravity with the other fields, is briefly discussed., Comment: To be published in IJTP, last corrected version. This work is devoted to the memory of the Prof. Academician Vladimir Georgievich Kadyshevsky. 21 pages, no figures. References added and misprints/typos corrected

We discuss our results on QCD with a number of fundamental fermions ranging from zero to sixteen. These theories exhibit a wide array of fascinating phenomena which have been under close scrutiny, especially in recent years, first and foremost is the approach to conformality. To keep this review focused, we have chosen scale generation, or lack thereof as a guiding theme, however the discussion will be set in the general framework of the analysis of the phases and phase transitions of strong interactions at zero and nonzero temperature., Comment: 15 pages, prepared for IJMPA Special Issue 'Recent Nonperturbative Developments in QCD-like Theories'

We study the SU(3) gauge theory with twelve flavours of fermions in the fundamental representation as a prototype of non-Abelian gauge theories inside the conformal window. Guided by the pattern of underlying symmetries, chiral and conformal, we analyze the two-point functions theoretically and on the lattice, and determine the finite size scaling and the infinite volume fermion mass dependence of the would-be hadron masses. We show that the spectrum in the Coulomb phase of the system can be described in the context of a universal scaling analysis and we provide the nonperturbative determination of the fermion mass anomalous dimension gamma*=0.235(46) at the infrared fixed point. We comment on the agreement with the four-loop perturbative prediction for this quantity and we provide a unified description of all existing lattice results for the spectrum of this system, them being in the Coulomb phase or the asymptotically free phase. Our results corroborate the view that the fixed point we are studying is not associated to a physical singularity along the bare coupling line and estimates of physical observables can be attempted on either side of the fixed point. Finally, we observe the restoration of the U(1) axial symmetry in the two-point functions., Comment: 40 pages, 22 figures

We study the interaction energy between two surfaces, one of them flat, the other describable as the composition of a small-amplitude corrugation and a slightly curved, smooth surface. The corrugation, represented by a spatially random variable, involves Fourier wavelengths shorter than the (local) curvature radii of the smooth component of the surface. After averaging the interaction energy over the corrugation distribution, we obtain an expression which only depends on the smooth component. We then approximate that functional by means of a derivative expansion, calculating explicitly the leading and next-to-leading order terms in that approximation scheme. We analyze the resulting interplay between shape and roughness corrections for some specific corrugation models in the cases of electrostatic and Casimir interactions., Comment: 14 pages, 3 figures

In previous work [1] new bounded coherent states construction, based on a Keldysh conjecture, was introduced. As was shown in [1] the particular group structure arising from the model leads to new symmetry transformations for the coherent states system. As was shown, the emergent new symmetry transformation is reminiscent of the Bogoliubov ones and was successfully applied to describe an excitonic system showing that is intrinsically related to the stability and its general physical behavior. The group theoretical structure of the model permits to analyze its thermal properties in theoretical frameworks that arise as a consequence of the definition of the squeezed-coherent states as transformed vacua under the automorphism group of the commutation relations, as the thermofield dynamics case given by Umezawa and other similar developments [5]. On the other hand, the idea of a possible Bose--Einstein condensation (BEC) of excitons in semiconductors has attracted the attention of both experimentalists and theoreticians for more than three decades being one of the main questions what happens with the influence of non zero temperature in the case that such condensation really exists [2]. In this paper we considered the theoretical treatment of the excitonic behaviour by mean a new coherent state construction of bounded states in a quantum field theoretical context., Comment: Presented in ATOMS 2014, accepted in the JLTP with minor corrections

We briefly give a very simple picture about one of the most remarkable results of Matvej Petrovich Bronstein concerning the quantization of the gravitational waves showing also that the linearized Einstein equations of the paper: Phys.Rev. D65 (2002) 104005 are the same Bronstein's equations given 66 years before., Comment: Accepted for publication in Gravitation and Cosmology, to appear in vol. 21, issue 1 (2015) of the journal. Corrected version: acknowlegements and references added. Four pages no figures

The closed time path formalism is applied, in the framework of open quantum systems, to study the time evolution of the expectation value of the energy-momentum tensor of a scalar field in the presence of real materials. We analyze quantum fluctuations in a fully non-equilibrium scenario, when the scalar field is interacting with the polarization degrees of freedom of matter, described as quantum Brownian particles. A generalized analysis was done for two types of couplings between the field and the material. On the one hand, we considered a bilinear coupling, and on the other hand, a (more realistic) current-type coupling as in the case of the electromagnetic field interacting with matter. We considered the high temperature limit for the field, keeping arbitrary temperatures for each part of the volume elements of the material. We obtained a closed form for the Hadamard propagator, which let us study the dynamical evolution of the expectations values of the energy-momentum tensor components from the initial time. We showed that two contributions always take place in the transient evolution: one of these is associated to the material and the other one is only associated to the field. Transient features were studied and the long-time limit was derived in several cases. We proved that in the steady situation of a field in n + 1 dimensions, the material always contribute unless is non-dissipative. Conversely, the proper field contribution vanishes unless the material is non-dissipative or, moreover, at least for the 1 + 1 case, if there are regions without material. We conclude that any steady quantization scheme in 1 + 1 dimensions must consider both contributions and we argue why these results are physically expected from a dynamical point of view, and also could be valid for higher dimensions based on the expected continuity between the non-dissipative and real material cases., Comment: 28 pages, no figures. Version to appear in Phys. Rev. D

The derivative expansion approach to the calculation of the interaction between two surfaces, is a generalization of the proximity force approximation, a technique of widespread use in different areas of physics. The derivative expansion has so far been applied to seemingly unrelated problems in different areas; it is our principal aim here to present the approach in its full generality. To that end, we introduce an unified setting, which is independent of any particular application, provide a formal derivation of the derivative expansion in that general setting, and study some its properties. With a view on the possible application of the derivative expansion to other areas, like nuclear and colloidal physics, we also discuss the relation between the derivative expansion and some time-honoured uncontrolled approximations used in those contexts. By putting them under similar terms as the derivative expansion, we believe that the path is open to the calculation of next to leading order corrections also for those contexts. We also review some results obtained within the derivative expansion, by applying it to different concrete examples and highlighting some important points., Comment: Minor changes, version to appear in Phys. Rev. A