Discrete Field Theory Research Articles

Learning of discrete models of variational PDEs from data.

We show how to learn discrete field theories from observational data of fields on a space-time lattice. For this, we train a neural network model of a discrete Lagrangian density such that the discrete Euler-Lagrange equations are consistent with the given training data. We, thus, obtain a structure-preserving machine learning architecture. Lagrangian densities are not uniquely defined by the solutions of a field theory. We introduce a technique to derive regularizers for the training process which optimize numerical regularity of the discrete field theory. Minimization of the regularizers guarantees that close to the training data the discrete field theory behaves robust and efficient when used in numerical simulations. Further, we show how to identify structurally simple solutions of the underlying continuous field theory such as traveling waves. This is possible even when traveling waves are not present in the training data. This is compared to data-driven model order reduction based approaches, which struggle to identify suitable latent spaces containing structurally simple solutions when these are not present in the training data. Ideas are demonstrated on examples based on the wave equation and the Schrödinger equation.

Discrete Field Theory: Symmetries and Conservation Laws

Discrete Field Theory: Symmetries and Conservation Laws

3D quantum gravity from holomorphic blocks

Three-dimensional gravity is a topological field theory, which can be quantized as the Ponzano-Regge state-sum model built from the ${3nj}$ symbols of the recoupling of the SU(2) representations, in which spins are interpreted as quantized edge lengths in Planck units. It describes the flat spacetime as the gluing of three-dimensional cells with a fixed boundary metric encoding length scale. In this paper, we revisit the Ponzano-Regge model formulated in terms of spinors and rewrite the quantum geometry of 3D cells with holomorphic recoupling symbols. These symbols, known as Schwinger's generating function for the ${6j}$ symbols, are simply the squared inverse of the partition function of the 2D Ising model living on the boundary of the 3D cells. They can furthermore be interpreted, in their critical regime, as scale-invariant basic elements of geometry. We show how to glue them together into a discrete topological quantum field theory. This reformulation of the path integral for 3D quantum gravity, with a rich pole structure of the elementary building blocks, opens a new door toward the study of phase transitions and continuum limits in 3D quantum gravity and offers a new twist on the construction of a duality between 3D quantum gravity and a 2D conformal theory.

Discrete Lagrange problems with constraints valued in a Lie group

The Lagrange problem is established in the discrete field theory subject to constraints with values in a Lie group. For the admissible sections that satisfy a certain regularity condition, we prove that the critical sections of such problems are the solutions of a canonically unconstrained variational problem associated with the Lagrange problem (discrete Lagrange multiplier rule). This variational problem has a discrete Cartan 1-form, from which a Noether theory of symmetries and a multisymplectic form formula are established. The whole theory is applied to the Euler-Poincaré reduction in the discrete field theory, concluding as an illustration with the remarkable example of the harmonic maps of the discrete plane in the Lie group SO(n).

Entanglement dynamics of thermofield double states in integrable models

We study the entanglement dynamics of thermofield double (TFD) states in integrable spin chains and quantum field theories. We show that, for a natural choice of the Hamiltonian eigenbasis, the TFD evolution may be interpreted as a quantum quench from an initial state which is low-entangled in the real-space representation and displays a simple quasiparticle structure. Based on a semiclassical picture analogous to the one developed for standard quantum quenches, we conjecture a formula for the entanglement dynamics, which is valid for both discrete and continuous integrable field theories, and expected to be exact in the scaling limit of large space and time scales. We test our conjecture in two prototypical examples of integrable spin chains, where numerical tests are possible. First, in the XY-model, we compare our predictions with exact results obtained by mapping the system to free fermions, finding excellent agreement. Second, we test our conjecture in the interacting XXZ Heisenberg model, against numerical iTEBD calculations. For the latter, we generally find good agreement, although, for some range of the system parameters and within the accessible simulation times, some small discrepancies are visible, which we attribute to finite-time effects.

The Discrete and Continuous Quantum Field Theories and Natural Ultraviolet Cutting-off

Based on the results from black hole thermodynamics at all energy scales, this work demonstrates that, both for the discrete QFT previously introduced by the author and for QFT in continuous space-time, there is a natural ultraviolet applicable boundary (cut-off) distant from the Planck scales. It is important that this boundary exists irrespective of the fact in which pattern, perturbative or non-perturbative mode, QFT is studied. Different inferences from the obtained results are discussed, some statements are revised.

Machine learning and serving of discrete field theories

A method for machine learning and serving of discrete field theories in physics is developed. The learning algorithm trains a discrete field theory from a set of observational data on a spacetime lattice, and the serving algorithm uses the learned discrete field theory to predict new observations of the field for new boundary and initial conditions. The approach of learning discrete field theories overcomes the difficulties associated with learning continuous theories by artificial intelligence. The serving algorithm of discrete field theories belongs to the family of structure-preserving geometric algorithms, which have been proven to be superior to the conventional algorithms based on discretization of differential equations. The effectiveness of the method and algorithms developed is demonstrated using the examples of nonlinear oscillations and the Kepler problem. In particular, the learning algorithm learns a discrete field theory from a set of data of planetary orbits similar to what Kepler inherited from Tycho Brahe in 1601, and the serving algorithm correctly predicts other planetary orbits, including parabolic and hyperbolic escaping orbits, of the solar system without learning or knowing Newton’s laws of motion and universal gravitation. The proposed algorithms are expected to be applicable when the effects of special relativity and general relativity are important.

Are Quantum Spins but Small Perturbations of Ontological Ising Spins?

The dynamics-from-permutations of classical Ising spins is generalized here for an arbitrarily long chain. This serves as an ontological model with discrete dynamics generated by pairwise exchange interactions defining the unitary update operator. The model incorporates a finite signal velocity and resembles in many aspects a discrete free field theory. We deduce the corresponding Hamiltonian operator and show that it generates an exact terminating Baker-Campbell-Hausdorff formula. Motivation for this study is provided by the Cellular Automaton Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics. We find that our ontological model, which is classical and deterministic, appears as if of quantum mechanical kind in an appropriate formal description. However, it is striking that (in principle arbitrarily) small deformations of the model turn it into a genuine quantum theory. This supports the view that quantum mechanics stems from an epistemic approach handling physical phenomena.

A nanomechanical model enables comprehensive characterization of biological tissues in ultrasound imaging

Sonography, elastography, sonoelastography are ultrasound imaging techniques commonly used in the clinical practice for the diagnosis of many pathological conditions. These highly reliable, non-invasive methods use high frequency, elastic pressure waves (ultrasounds) to interrogate the internal structure of biological tissues and organs, and the continuum mechanics hypothesis to reconstruct, from the output of the system, the biophysical characteristics of the samples. Nevertheless, continuum mechanics disregards the discrete nature of tissues and organs, resulting in an inability for the model to describe some important tissue biophysical characteristics such as the cell size and their spatial layout. Here, we used the theory of doublet mechanics – a discrete nano-mechanical field theory – to model the propagation of ultrasounds in a multilayered biological tissue. We found that the output of the model exhibits a very high sensitivity to the macro and micro characteristics of the tissue, including cell size. We used results from the model to correlate the internal structure of the samples to the reflection coefficient, i.e. the continuum level response of the system. This model, and its more sophisticated evolutions that will be developed over time, can complement traditional ultrasound imaging, and provide ways to analyze non-invasively living tissues with a resolution inaccessible to conventional techniques of analysis, including positron emission tomography, computer tomography, and magnetic resonance.

Single chain in mean field simulation of flexible and semiflexible polymers: comparison with discrete chain self-consistent field theory.

Single chain in mean field (SCMF) simulation is a theoretical framework performing Monte Carlo moves of explicit polymer chains under quasi-instantaneously updated external fields which were originally imported from the self-consistent field theory (SCFT). Even though functional-based hybrid simulations are often used to compare the results of SCFT and MC simulation, the adoption of a finite number of coarse-grained segments makes direct comparison rather difficult. In this study, we perform SCMF simulation of block copolymers using various chain models and quantitatively compare it with discrete chain SCFT (DCSCFT) which finds the mean field solution of polymers with a finite number of segments. By comparing free energy and natural period of the symmetric block copolymer lamellar phase, we systematically show that DCSCFT serves as an intermediate step between SCMF simulation and SCFT. In addition, by adopting angle dependent bond potential, we perform SCMF simulation of semiflexible polymers using bead-spring and freely jointed chain models. As the chain stiffness increases, the lamellar phase tends to align perpendicular to the surfaces when confined between two neutral walls. We also investigate the effects of fluctuation and chain stiffness on the distribution of chain ends. The tendency of chain end segregation towards the surfaces turns out to increase as the chain stiffness increases for both homopolymer and block copolymer systems.

The problem of Lagrange in discrete field theory

A discrete Lagrange problem in a fibered manifold on a cellular complex is defined as a Lagrangian density and a constraint submanifold in the 1-jets space of the manifold. After defining the concepts of admissible section and infinitesimal admissible variation, the aim of these problems is to find admissible sections that are critical for the action functional of the Lagrangian density with respect to the infinitesimal admissible variations. For admissible sections satisfying a certain regularity condition, we prove that such critical sections are the solutions of an extended unconstrained discrete variational problem canonically associated to the problem of Lagrange (discrete Lagrange multiplier rule). This variational problem has a discrete Cartan 1-form, from which a Noether theory of symmetries and a multisymplectic form formula are established for the discrete Lagrange problems considered. Finally, the whole theory is illustrated with an example of geometric interest: the discrete harmonic 1-forms on the elliptic or hyperbolic discrete plane, for which we obtain two explicit variational integrators: one with initial conditions (Cauchy problem) and other with boundary conditions (Dirichlet problem).

Local causal states and discrete coherent structures.

Coherent structures form spontaneously in nonlinear spatiotemporal systems and are found at all spatial scales in natural phenomena from laboratory hydrodynamic flows and chemical reactions to ocean, atmosphere, and planetary climate dynamics. Phenomenologically, they appear as key components that organize the macroscopic behaviors in such systems. Despite a century of effort, they have eluded rigorous analysis and empirical prediction, with progress being made only recently. As a step in this, we present a formal theory of coherent structures in fully discrete dynamical field theories. It builds on the notion of structure introduced by computational mechanics, generalizing it to a local spatiotemporal setting. The analysis' main tool employs the local causal states, which are used to uncover a system's hidden spatiotemporal symmetries and which identify coherent structures as spatially localized deviations from those symmetries. The approach is behavior-driven in the sense that it does not rely on directly analyzing spatiotemporal equations of motion, rather it considers only the spatiotemporal fields a system generates. As such, it offers an unsupervised approach to discover and describe coherent structures. We illustrate the approach by analyzing coherent structures generated by elementary cellular automata, comparing the results with an earlier, dynamic-invariant-set approach that decomposes fields into domains, particles, and particle interactions.

Quasi-local holographic dualities in non-perturbative 3D quantum gravity

We present a line of research aimed at investigating holographic dualities in the context of three dimensional quantum gravity within finite bounded regions. The bulk quantum geometrodynamics is provided by the Ponzano–Regge state-sum model, which defines 3D quantum gravity as a discrete topological quantum field theory (TQFT). This formulation provides an explicit and detailed definition of the quantum boundary states, which allows a rich correspondence between quantum boundary conditions and boundary theories, thereby leading to holographic dualities between 3D quantum gravity and 2D statistical models as used in condensed matter. After presenting the general framework, we focus on the concrete example of the coherent twisted torus boundary, which allows for a direct comparison with other approaches to 3D/2D holography at asymptotic infinity. We conclude with the most interesting questions to pursue in this framework.

Cancellation of divergences up to three loops in exceptional field theory

We consider the tetrahedral three-loop diagram in Ed exceptional field theory evaluated as a scalar diagram for four external gravitons. At lowest order in momenta, this diagram contributes to the ∇6R4 term in the low-energy effective action for M-theory. We evaluate explicitly the sums over the discrete exceptional field theory loop momenta that become sums over 1/2-BPS states in the compact exceptional space. These sums can be rewritten as Eisenstein series that solve the homogeneous differential equations that supersymmetry implies for the ∇6R4 coupling. We also show how our results, even though sums over 1/2-BPS states, are consistent with expected 1/4-BPS contributions to the couplings.

Variational integrators for reduced field equations

In the reduction of field theories in principal $G$-bundles, when a subgroup $H\subset G$ acts by symmetries of the Lagrangian, each of the $H$-reduced unknown fields decomposes as a flat principal connection and a parallel H-structure. A suitable variational principle with differential constraints on such fields leads to necessary criticality conditions known as Euler-Poincare equations. We model constrained discrete variational theories on a simplicial complex and generate from the smooth theory, in a covariant way, a discrete variational formulation of $H$-reduced field theories. Critical fields in this formulation are characterized by a corresponding discrete version of Euler-Poincare equations. We present a numerical integration algorithm for discrete Euler-Poincare equations, that extends integration algorithms for Euler-Poincare equations in mechanics to the case of field theories and, also, extends integration algorithms for Euler-Lagrange equations in discrete field theories to the case of variational principles with constraints. For regular reduced discrete Lagrangians, this algorithm allows to univocally propagate initial condition data, on an initial condition band, into a solution of the corresponding equations for the discrete variational principle.

Stress distribution retrieval in granular materials: A multi-scale model and digital image correlation measurements

The promise of nanotechnology lies in the possibility of engineering matter on the nanoscale and creating technological interfaces that, because of their small scales, may directly interact with biological objects, creating new strategies for the treatment of pathologies that are otherwise beyond the reach of conventional medicine. Nanotechnology is inherently a multiscale, multiphenomena challenge. Fundamental understanding and highly accurate predictive methods are critical to successful manufacturing of nanostructured materials, bio/mechanical devices and systems. In biomedical engineering, and in the mechanical analysis of biological tissues, classical continuum approaches are routinely utilized, even if these disregard the discrete nature of tissues, that are an interpenetrating network of a matrix (the extra cellular matrix, ECM) and a generally large but finite number of cells with a size falling in the micrometer range. Here, we introduce a nano-mechanical theory that accounts for the-non continuum nature of bio systems and other discrete systems. This discrete field theory, doublet mechanics (DM), is a technique to model the mechanical behavior of materials over multiple scales, ranging from some millimeters down to few nanometers. In the paper, we use this theory to predict the response of a granular material to an external applied load. Such a representation is extremely attractive in modeling biological tissues which may be considered as a spatial set of a large number of particulate (cells) dispersed in an extracellular matrix. Possibly more important of this, using digital image correlation (DIC) optical methods, we provide an experimental verification of the model.

Multisymplectic effective general boundary field theory

The transfer matrix in lattice field theory connects the covariant and the initial data frameworks; in spin foam models, it can be written as a composition of elementary cellular amplitudes/propagators. We present a framework for discrete spacetime classical field theory in which solutions to the field equations over elementary spacetime cells may be amalgamated if they satisfy simple gluing conditions matching the composition rules of cellular amplitudes in spin foam models. Furthermore, the formalism is endowed with a multisymplectic structure responsible for local conservation laws. Some models within our framework are effective theories modeling a system at a given scale. Our framework allows us to study coarse graining and the continuum limit.

Generating functionals and Lagrangian partial differential equations

The main goal of this paper is to derive an alternative characterization of the multisymplectic form formula for classical field theories using the geometry of the space of boundary values. We review the concept of Type-I/II generating functionals defined on the space of boundary data of a Lagrangian field theory. On the Lagrangian side, we define an analogue of Jacobi's solution to the Hamilton–Jacobi equation for field theories, and we show that by taking variational derivatives of this functional, we obtain an isotropic submanifold of the space of Cauchy data, described by the so-called multisymplectic form formula. As an example of the latter, we show that Lorentz's reciprocity principle in electromagnetism is a particular instance of the multisymplectic form formula. We also define a Hamiltonian analogue of Jacobi's solution, and we show that this functional is a Type-II generating functional. We finish the paper by defining a similar framework of generating functions for discrete field theories, and we show that for the linear wave equation, we recover the multisymplectic conservation law of Bridges.

On discrete field theory properties of the dimer and Ising models and their conformal field theory limits

We study various mathematical aspects of discrete models on graphs, specifically the Dimer and the Ising models. We focus on proving gluing formulas for individual summands of the partition function. We also obtain partial results regarding conjectured limits realized by fermions in rational conformal field theories.

Publisher’s Note: Properties of a discrete quantum field theory [Phys. Rev. D87, 045007 (2013)

Received 13 February 2013DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.87.049902© 2013 American Physical Society