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A light-front holographic model is used to illustrate an algebraic scheme for constructing a representation of a hadron's zero-skewness generalised parton distribution (GPD) from its valence-quark distribution function (DF) and electromagnetic form factor, $F_H$, without reference to deeply virtual Compton scattering data. The hadron's mass distribution gravitational form factor, $A_H$, calculated from this GPD is harder than $F_H$; and, for each hadron, the associated mass-density profile is more compact than the analogous charge profile, with each pion near-core density being larger than that of its proton partner. These features are independent of the scheme employed., Comment: 7 pages, 6 figures

The details of the dynamo process that is responsible for driving the solar magnetic activity cycle are still not fully understood. In particular, whilst differential rotation provides a plausible mechanism for the regeneration of the toroidal (azimuthal) component of the large-scale magnetic field, there is ongoing debate regarding the process that is responsible for regenerating the Sun's large-scale poloidal field. Our aim is to demonstrate that magnetic buoyancy, in the presence of rotation, is capable of producing the necessary regenerative effect. Building upon our previous work, we carry out numerical simulations of a local Cartesian model of the tachocline, consisting of a rotating, fully compressible, electrically conducting fluid with a forced shear flow. An initially weak, vertical magnetic field is sheared into a strong, horizontal magnetic layer that becomes subject to magnetic buoyancy instability. By increasing the Prandtl number we lessen the back reaction of the Lorentz force onto the shear flow, maintaining stronger shear and a more intense magnetic layer. This in turn leads to a more vigorous instability and a much stronger mean electromotive force, which has the potential to significantly influence the evolution of the mean magnetic field. These results are only weakly dependent upon the inclination of the rotation vector, i.e. the latitude of the local Cartesian model. Although further work is needed to confirm this, these results suggest that magnetic buoyancy in the tachocline is a viable poloidal field regeneration mechanism for the solar dynamo., Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS, 13 pages, 11 figures, 1 table

Parton distribution functions (DFs) have long been recognised as key measures of hadron structure. Today, theoretical prediction of such DFs is becoming possible using diverse methods for continuum and lattice analyses of strong interaction (QCD) matrix elements. Recent developments include a demonstration that continuum and lattice analyses yield mutually consistent results for all pion DFs, with behaviour on the far valence domain of light-front momentum fraction that matches QCD expectations. Theory is also delivering an understanding of the distributions of proton mass and spin amongst its constituents, which varies, of course, with the resolving scale of the measuring probe. Aspects of these developments are sketched herein., Comment: 9 pages, 3 figures, 1 table. Review/perspective commissioned by Chin. Phys. Lett

A symmetry preserving treatment of a vector $\otimes$ vector contact interaction (SCI) is used as the basis for calculations of the two pion transverse momentum dependent parton distribution functions (TMDs); namely, that for unpolarised valence degrees-of-freedom and the analogous Boer-Mulders (BM) function. Amongst other things, the analysis enables the following themes to be addressed: the quark current mass dependence of pion TMDs; the impact of the gauge link model on the positivity constraint that bounds the BM function relative to the unpolarised TMD; the equivalence of direct diagrammatic and light-front wave function TMD calculations; and the size of the BM shift. Interpreted astutely, these SCI results enable one to draw insightful pictures of pion TMDs., Comment: 14 pages, 9 figures, 1 table

Bootstrap current in stellarators can be presented as a sum of a collisionless value given by the Shaing-Callen asymptotic formula and an off-set current, which non-trivially depends on plasma collisionality and radial electric field. Using NEO-2 modelling, analytical estimates and semi-analytical studies with help of a propagator method, it is shown that the off-set current in the $1/\nu$ regime does not converge with decreasing collisionality $\nu_\ast$ but rather shows oscillations over $\log\nu_\ast$ with an amplitude of the order of the bootstrap current in an equivalent tokamak. The convergence to the Shaing-Callen limit appears in regimes with significant orbit precession, in particular, due to a finite radial electric field, where the off-set current decreases as $\nu_\ast^{3/5}$. The off-set current strongly increases in case of nearly aligned magnetic field maxima on the field line where it diverges as $\nu_\ast^{-1/2}$ in the $1/\nu$ regime and saturates due to the precession at a level exceeding the equivalent tokamak value by ${v_E^\ast}^{-1/2}$ where $v_E^\ast$ is the perpendicular Mach number. The latter off-set, however, can be minimized by further aligning local magnetic field maxima and by fulfilling an extra integral condition of "equivalent ripples" for the magnetic field. A criterion for the accuracy of this alignment and of ripple equivalence is derived. In addition, the possibility of the bootstrap effect at the magnetic axis caused by the above off-set is also discussed., Comment: 56 pages, 27 figures, talk at European Fusion Theory Conference 2023, Padua

The stellarator is a type of fusion energy device that - if properly designed - could provide clean, safe, and abundant energy to the grid. To generate this energy, a stellarator must keep a hot mixture of charged particles (known as a plasma) sufficiently confined by using a fully shaped magnetic field. If this is achieved, the heat from fusion reactions within the plasma can be harvested as energy. We present a novel method for designing reactor-relevant stellarator magnetic fields, which combine several key physical properties. These include plasma stability, excellent confinement of the fast moving particles generated by fusion reactions, and reduction of the turbulence that is known to limit the performance of the most advanced stellarator experiment in the world, Wendelstein 7-X., Comment: 11 pages, 15 figures

A reaction model for $\gamma + p \to J/\psi + p$ photoproduction, which exposes the $c \bar c$ content of the photon in making the transition $\gamma\to c\bar c + \mathbb P \to J/\psi$ and couples the intermediate $c \bar c$ system to the proton's valence quarks via Pomeron ($\mathbb P $) exchange, is used to deliver a description of available data, viz. both differential and total cross sections from near threshold, where data has newly been acquired, to invariant mass $W \approx 300\,$GeV. The study suggests that it is premature to link existing $\gamma + p \to J/\psi + p$ data with, for instance, in-proton gluon distributions, the quantum chromodynamics trace anomaly, or pentaquark production. Further developments in reaction theory and higher precision data are necessary before the validity of any such connections can be assessed., Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures, 4 tables. To appear in Phys. Lett. B

We draw attention to an interesting possibility in the design and operation of stellarator fusion reactors, which has hitherto been considered unrealistic under burning-plasma conditions. Thanks to recent advances in stellarator optimisation theory, it appears possible to create a positive (outward-pointing) radial electric field in the plasma core by carefully tailoring the geometry of the magnetic field. This electric field is likely to expel highly charged impurities from the centre of the plasma through neoclassical transport and thus eliminate, or at least mitigate, a long-standing problem in stellarator physics. Further out, the electric field is expected to suddenly change sign from positive to negative, thus creating a region of strongly sheared flow, which could locally suppress turbulent transport and enhance overall energy confinement., Comment: 17 pages, 2 figures

In quantum field theory, the vacuum is widely considered to be a complex medium populated with virtual particle + antiparticle pairs. To an observer experiencing uniform acceleration, it is generally held that these virtual particles become real, appearing as a gas at a temperature which grows with the acceleration. This is the Unruh effect. However, it can be shown that vacuum complexity is an artifact, produced by treating quantum field theory in a manner that does not manifestly enforce causality. Choosing a quantization approach that patently enforces causality, the quantum field theory vacuum is barren, bereft even of virtual particles. We show that acceleration has no effect on a trivial vacuum; hence, there is no Unruh effect in such a treatment of quantum field theory. Since the standard calculations suggesting an Unruh effect are formally consistent, insofar as they have been completed, there must be a cancelling contribution that is omitted in the usual analyses. We argue that it is the dynamical action of conventional Lorentz transformations on the structure of an Unruh detector. Given the equivalence principle, an Unruh effect would correspond to black hole radiation. Thus, our perspective has significant consequences for quantum gravity and black hole physics: no Unruh effect entails the absence of black hole radiation evaporation., Comment: 17 pages, 3 figures

Using a symmetry-preserving truncation of the quantum field equations describing hadron properties, parameter-free predictions are delivered for pion and kaon elastic electromagnetic form factors, $F_{P=\pi,K}$, thereby unifying them with kindred results for nucleon elastic electromagnetic form factors. Regarding positive-charge states, the analysis stresses that the presence of scaling violations in QCD entails that $Q^2 F_P(Q^2)$ should exhibit a single maximum on $Q^2>0$. Locating such a maximum is both necessary and sufficient to establish the existence of scaling violations. The study predicts that, for charged $\pi$, $K$ mesons, the $Q^2 F_P(Q^2)$ maximum lies in the neighbourhood $Q^2 \simeq 5\,$GeV$^2$. Foreseeable experiments will test these predictions and, providing their $Q^2$ reach meets expectations, potentially also provide details on the momentum dependence of meson form factor scaling violation., Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures, 1 table

Recent work suggests that inwardly propagating internal gravity waves (IGWs) within a star can be fully converted to outward magnetic waves (MWs) if they encounter a sufficiently strong magnetic field. The resulting magnetic waves dissipate as they propagate outward to regions with lower Alfv\'{e}n velocity. While tidal forcing is known to excite IGWs, this conversion and subsequent damping of magnetic waves has not been explored as a tidal dissipation mechanism. In particular, stars with sufficiently strong magnetic fields could fully dissipate tidally excited waves, yielding the same tidal evolution as the previously-studied ``travelling wave regime''. Here, we evaluate the viability of this mechanism using stellar models of stars with convective cores (F-type stars in the mass range of $1.2$-$1.6M_\odot$) which were previously thought to be weakly tidally dissipative (due to the absence of nonlinear gravity wave breaking). The criterion for wave conversion to operate is evaluated for each stellar mass using the properties of each star's interior along with estimates of the magnetic field produced by a convective core dynamo under the assumption of equipartition between kinetic (convective) and magnetic energies. Our main result is that this previously unexplored source of efficient tidal dissipation can operate in stars within this mass range for significant fractions of their lifetimes. This tidal dissipation mechanism appears to be consistent with the observed inspiral of WASP-12b, and more generally could play an important role in the orbital evolution of hot Jupiters -- and to lower mass ultra-short period planets -- orbiting F-type stars., Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures, 0 tables, accepted for publication in ApJ Letters on 9th April 2024

A symmetry-preserving truncation of the quantum field equations describing hadron properties is used to deliver parameter-free predictions for all nucleon elastic electromagnetic form factors and their flavour separation to large values of momentum transfer, $Q^2$. The proton electric form factor, $G_E^p$, possesses a zero, whereas that of the neutron, $G_E^n$, does not. The difference owes to the behaviour of the Pauli form factor of the proton's singly-represented valence $d$-quark. Consequently, $G_E^n>G_E^p$ on a material large-$Q^2$ domain. These predictions can be tested in modern experiments., Comment: 8 pages, 8 figures, 1 table

Unconditionally stable time stepping schemes are useful and often practically necessary for advancing parabolic operators in multi-scale systems. However, serious accuracy problems may emerge when taking time steps that far exceed the explicit stability limits. In our previous work, we compared the accuracy and performance of advancing parabolic operators in a thermodynamic MHD model using an implicit method and an explicit super time-stepping (STS) method. We found that while the STS method outperformed the implicit one with overall good results, it was not able to damp oscillatory behavior in the solution efficiently, hindering its practical use. In this follow-up work, we evaluate an easy-to-implement method for selecting a practical time step limit (PTL) for unconditionally stable schemes. This time step is used to `cycle' the operator-split thermal conduction and viscosity parabolic operators. We test the new time step with both an implicit and STS scheme for accuracy, performance, and scaling. We find that, for our test cases here, the PTL dramatically improves the STS solution, matching or improving the solution of the original implicit scheme, while retaining most of its performance and scaling advantages. The PTL shows promise to allow more accurate use of unconditionally stable schemes for parabolic operators and reliable use of STS methods., Comment: 12 pages, 6 figures. ASTRONUM 23

Using a symmetry-preserving formulation of a vector$\,\times\,$vector contact interaction (SCI) and treating the proton as a quark + interacting-diquark bound state, whose structure is obtained by solving a Poincar\'e-covariant Faddeev equation, we provide a comprehensive, coherent set of predictions for unpolarised and polarised proton parton distribution functions (DFs): valence, glue, and four-flavour separated sea. The results enable many themes to be addressed, including: the asymmetry of antimatter in the proton; the neutron:proton structure function ratio; helicity retention in hard scattering processes; the charm quark momentum fraction; the sign and size of the polarised gluon DF; and the origin of the proton spin. In all cases where sound analyses of data are available, SCI predictions are semiquantitatively in agreement with the results. Those mismatches which exist are typically attributable to the momentum-independence of the underlying interaction. Judiciously interpreted, the SCI delivers a sound and insightful explanation of proton structure as expressed in DFs., Comment: 23 pages, 15 figures, 6 tables. To appear in Eur. Phys. J. C

A symmetry-preserving continuum approach to the calculation of baryon properties in relativistic quantum field theory is used to predict all form factors associated with nucleon-to-$\Delta$ axial and pseudoscalar transition currents, thereby unifying them with many additional properties of these and other baryons. The new parameter-free predictions can serve as credible benchmarks for use in analysing existing and anticipated data from worldwide efforts focused on elucidation of $\nu$ properties., Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures, 3 tables

Exploiting an evolution scheme for parton distribution functions (DFs) that is all-orders exact, contemporary lattice-QCD (lQCD) results for low-order Mellin moments of the pion valence quark DF are shown to be mutually consistent. The analysis introduces a means by which key odd moments can be obtained from the even moments in circumstances where only the latter are available. Combining these elements, one arrives at parameter-free lQCD-based predictions for the pointwise behaviour of pion valence, glue, and sea DFs, with sound uncertainty estimates. The behaviour of the pion DFs at large light-front momentum fraction, $x> 0.85$, is found to be consistent with QCD expectations and continuum analyses of pion structure functions, i.e., damping like $(1 -x)^{\beta_{\rm parton}}$, with $\beta_{\rm valence} \approx 2.4$, $\beta_{\rm glue} \approx 3.6$, $\beta_{\rm sea} \approx 4.6$. It may be possible to test these predictions using data from forthcoming experiments., Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures, 1 table

The Higgs boson is responsible for roughly 1% of the visible mass in the Universe. Obviously, therefore, Nature has another, very effective way of generating mass. In working toward identifying the mechanism, contemporary strong interaction theory has arrived at a body of basic predictions, viz. the emergence of a nonzero gluon mass-scale, a process-independent effective charge, and dressed-quarks with constituent-like masses. These three phenomena - the pillars of emergent hadron mass (EHM) - explain the origin of the vast bulk of visible mass in the Universe. Their expressions in hadron observables are manifold. This contribution highlights a few; namely, some of the roles of EHM in building the meson spectrum, producing the leading-twist pion distribution amplitude, and moulding hadron charge and mass distributions., Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures. Summary of a plenary presentation at MESON 2023, the 17th International Workshop on Meson Physics, Krakow, Poland, 2023 June 22-27

Recent observations of rapidly-rotating cool dwarfs have revealed H$\alpha$ line asymmetries indicative of clumps of cool, dense plasma in the stars' coronae. These clumps may be either long-lived (persisting for more than one stellar rotation) or dynamic. The fastest dynamic features show velocities greater than the escape speed, suggesting that they may be centrifugally ejected from the star, contributing to the stellar angular momentum loss. Many however show lower velocities, similar to coronal rain observed on the Sun. We present 2.5D magnetohydrodynamic simulations of the formation and dynamics of these condensations in a rapidly rotating ($P_{\rm rot}~=~ 1 \ \mathrm{day}$) young Sun. Formation is triggered by excess surface heating. This pushes the system out of thermal equilibrium and triggers a thermal instability. The resulting condensations fall back towards the surface. They exhibit quasi-periodic behaviour, with periods longer than typical periods for solar coronal rain. We find line-of-sight velocities for these clumps in the range $50 \ \mathrm{km} \ \mathrm{s}^{-1}$ (blue shifted) to $250 \ \mathrm{km} \ \mathrm{s}^{-1}$ (red shifted). These are typical of those inferred from stellar H$\alpha$ line asymmetries, but the inferred clump masses of $3.6\times 10^{14}\ \mathrm{g}$ are significantly smaller. We find that a maximum of $\simeq~3\%$ of the coronal mass is cool clumps. We conclude that coronal rain may be common in solar like stars, but may appear on much larger scales in rapid rotators., Comment: 11 pages, 5 figures

The thickness of current sheets is extremely important, especially as it relates to the onset of fast magnetic reconnection. Onset determines how much magnetic free energy can build up in a field before it is explosively released. This has implications for many phenomena on the Sun and throughout the universe, including the heating of the solar corona. Significant effort has been devoted to the question of whether equilibrium current sheets in realistic geometries have finite or zero thickness. Using a simple force balance analysis, we show why current sheets without a guide field (2D) and with a guide field that is invariant in the guide field direction (2.5D) cannot be in equilibrium if they have both finite thickness and finite length. We then estimate the conditions under which the tension of a curved line-tied guide field can facilitate equilibrium in 3D sheets that are finite in all dimensions. Finally, we argue that some quasi-statically evolving current sheets undergoing slow stressing (e.g., when the coronal magnetic field is subjected to photospheric boundary driving) may reach a critical shear, at which point they lose equilibrium, spontaneously collapse, and reconnect. The critical shear is generally consistent with the heating requirements of solar active regions., Comment: 15 pages, 5 figures, accepted by Frontiers in Physics

Parton distribution functions (DFs) are defining expressions of hadron structure. Exploiting the role of effective charges in quantum chromodynamics, an algebraic scheme is described which, given any hadron's valence parton DFs at the hadron scale, delivers predictions for all its DFs -- unpolarised and polarised -- at any higher scale. The scheme delivers results that are largely independent of both the value of the hadron scale and the pointwise form of the charge; and, inter alia, enables derivation of a model-independent identity that relates the strength of the proton's gluon helicity DF, $\Delta G_p^\zeta$, to that of the analogous singlet polarised quark DF and valence quark momentum fraction. Using available data fits and theory predictions, the identity yields $\Delta G_p(\zeta_{\rm C}=\surd 3{\rm GeV})=1.48(10)$. It furthermore entails that the measurable quark helicity contribution to the proton spin is $\tilde a_{0p}^{\zeta_{\rm C}}=0.32(3)$, thereby reconciling contemporary experiment and theory., Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures, 1 table

A quark+diquark Faddeev equation treatment of the baryon bound state problem in Poincar\'e-invariant quantum field theory is used to deliver parameter-free predictions for all six $\Delta$-baryon elastic weak form factors. Amongst the results, it is worth highlighting that there are two distinct classes of such $\Delta$-baryon form factors, $(g_1, g_3, G_{\pi\Delta\Delta})$, $(h_1, h_3, H_{\pi\Delta\Delta})$, the functions within each of which are separately linked via partial conservation of axial current (PCAC) and Goldberger-Treiman (GT) relations. Respectively within each class, the listed form factors possess qualitatively the same structural features as the nucleon axial, induced pseudoscalar, and pion-nucleon coupling form factors. For instance, the $\Delta$-baryon $g_1$ axial form factor can reliably be approximated by a dipole function, characterised by an axial charge $g_A^{\Delta^+}=0.71(9)$ and mass-scale $m_A^\Delta=0.95(2)m_\Delta$. Moreover, the two distinct $\Delta$-baryon PCAC form factor relations are satisfied to a high degree of accuracy on a large range of $Q^2$; the associated GT relations present good approximations only on $Q^2/m_\Delta^2 \simeq 0$; and pion pole dominance approximations are reliable within both classes. There are two $\pi\Delta\Delta$ couplings: $g_{\pi\Delta\Delta} = 10.46(1.88)$; $h_{\pi\Delta\Delta}= 35.73(3.75)$; and the associated form factors are soft. Such couplings commonly arise in phenomenology, which may therefore benefit from our analyses. A flavour decomposition of the axial charges reveals that quarks carry $71$\% of the $\Delta$-baryon spin. The analogous result for the proton is $\approx 65$\%., Comment: 19 pages, 9 figures, 2 tables

Supposing there exists an effective charge which defines an evolution scheme for both unpolarised and polarised parton distribution functions (DFs) that is all-orders exact and using Ans\"atze for hadron-scale proton polarised valence quark DFs, constrained by flavour-separated axial charges and insights from perturbative quantum chromodynamics, predictions are delivered for all proton polarised DFs at the scale $\zeta_{\rm C}^2 = 3\,$GeV$^2$. The pointwise behaviour of the predicted DFs and, consequently, their moments, compare favourably with results inferred from data. Notably, flavour-separated singlet polarised DFs are small. On the other hand, the polarised gluon DF, $\Delta G(x;\zeta_{\rm C})$, is large and positive. Using our result, we predict $\int_{0.05}^1\,dx\,\Delta G(x;\zeta_{\rm C}) = 0.214(4)$ and that experimental measurements of the proton flavour-singlet axial charge should return $a_0^{\rm E}(\zeta_{\rm C}) = 0.35(2)$., Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures, 3 tables

The vast bulk of visible mass emerges from nonperturbative dynamics within quantum chromodynamics (QCD) -- the strong interaction sector of the Standard Model. The past decade has revealed the three pillars that support this emergent hadron mass (EHM); namely, a nonzero gluon mass-scale, a process-independent effective charge, and dressed-quarks with constituent-like masses. Theory is now working to expose their manifold and diverse expressions in hadron observables and highlighting the types of measurements that can be made in order to validate the paradigm. In sketching some of these developments, this discussion stresses the role of EHM in forming nucleon electroweak structure and the wave functions of excited baryons through the generation of dynamical diquark correlations; producing and constraining the dilation of the leading-twist pion distribution amplitude; shaping pion and nucleon parton distribution functions -- valence, glue and sea, including the antisymmetry of antimatter; and moulding pion and proton charge and mass distributions., Comment: 24 pages, 11 figures. Invited contribution to a Special Issue of Few Body Systems: "Emergence and Structure of Baryons -- Selected Contributions from the International Conference Baryons 2022''

We study spaces of circle-valued angle structures, introduced by Feng Luo, on ideal triangulations of 3-manifolds. We prove that the connected components of these spaces are enumerated by certain cohomology groups of the 3-manifold with $\mathbb{Z}_2$-coefficients. Our main theorem shows that this establishes a geometrically natural bijection between the connected components of the spaces of circle-valued angle structures and the obstruction classes to lifting boundary-parabolic $PSL(2,\mathbb{C})$-representations of the fundamental group of the 3-manifold to boundary-unipotent representations into $SL(2,\mathbb{C})$. In particular, these connected components have topological and algebraic significance independent of the ideal triangulations chosen to construct them. The motivation and main application of this study is to understand the domain of the state-integral defining the meromorphic 3D-index of Garoufalidis and Kashaev, necessary in order to classify the boundary-parabolic representations contributing to its asymptotics., Comment: The main content of this work is a section from arXiv:2109.05355 by the same authors. An introduction and a section discussing examples has been added

Existing pion+nucleus Drell-Yan and electron+pion scattering data are used to develop ensembles of model-independent representations of the pion generalised parton distribution (GPD). Therewith, one arrives at a data-driven prediction for the pion mass distribution form factor, $\theta_2$. Compared with the pion elastic electromagnetic form factor, $\theta_2$ is harder: the ratio of the radii derived from these two form factors is $r_\pi^{\theta_2}/r_\pi = 0.79(3)$. Our data-driven predictions for the pion GPD, related form factors and distributions should serve as valuable constraints on theories of pion structure., Comment: 9 pages, 6 figures, 1 table. Version accepted for publication as an Express Letter in Chin. Phys. Lett