Non-relativistic Regime Research Articles

Quantified asymptotic analysis for the relativistic quantum mechanical system with electromagnetic fields

We study the asymptotic analysis of a relativistic quantum mechanical system interacting with self-consistent electromagnetic fields, with a specific focus on the Maxwell–Klein–Gordon (MKG) system. Firstly, we show that the MKG system is globally well-posed under the Coulomb gauge condition, even in the presence of self-interacting potential. Furthermore, to derive the asymptotic analysis, we consider the non-relativistic and semi-classical regime simultaneously, introducing a single scaling parameter that serves to parameterize both the speed of light and the Planck constant. As the scaling parameter approaches zero, we obtain rigorous and quantified estimates on the asymptotic convergence of the electrostatic MKG system toward the classical Euler–Poisson system. Our analytical framework relies on the modulated energy estimate.

Discovery of persistent quasi-periodic oscillations in accreting white dwarfs: a new link to X-ray binaries

ABSTRACT Almost all accreting black hole and neutron star (NS) X-ray binary systems (XRBs) exhibit prominent brightness variations on a few characteristic time-scales and their harmonics. These quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) are thought to be associated with the precession of a warped accretion disc, but the physical mechanism that generates the precessing warp remains uncertain. Relativistic frame dragging (Lense–Thirring precession) is one promising candidate, but a misaligned magnetic field is an alternative, especially for NS XRBs. Here, we report the discovery of five accreting white dwarf systems (AWDs) that display strong optical QPOs with characteristic frequencies and harmonic structures that suggest they are the counterpart of the QPOs seen in XRBs. Since AWDs are firmly in the classical (non-relativistic) regime, Lense–Thirring precession cannot account for these QPOs. By contrast, a weak magnetic field associated with the white dwarf can drive disc warping and precession in these systems, similar to what has been proposed for NS XRBs. Our observations confirm that magnetically driven warping is a viable mechanism for generating QPOs in disc-accreting astrophysical systems, certainly in AWDs and possibly also in NS XRBs. Additionally, they establish a new way to estimate magnetic field strengths, even in relatively weak-field systems where other methods are not available.

Cosmological scaling of precursor domain walls

Domain wall (DW) networks have a large impact on cosmology and present interesting dynamics that can be controlled by various scaling regimes. In the first stage after spontaneous breaking of the discrete symmetry, the network is seeded with “DW precursors,” the zeros of a tachyonic field. At sufficiently weak coupling, this stage can be quite long. The network is then driven to a nonrelativistic scaling regime; in flat spacetime the correlation length grows like L∼tκ with κ=1/2. We focus on the precursor regime in cosmology, assuming a power law scale factor a∝tα. We obtain the scaling exponent as a function of the external parameter, κ(α), by explicit computation in 1+1 and 2+1 dimensions, and find a smooth transition from nonrelativistic scaling with κ≃1/2 for α≲1/2 to DW gas regime κ≃α for α≳1/2, confirming previous arguments. The precise form of the transition κ(α) is surprisingly independent of dimension, suggesting that similar results should also be valid in 3+1 dimensions. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Non-relativistic expansion of open strings and D-branes

We expand the relativistic open bosonic string in powers of 1/c2 where c is the speed of light. We perform this expansion to next-to-leading order in 1/c2 and relate our results to known descriptions of non-relativistic open strings obtained by taking limits. Just as for closed strings the non-relativistic expansion is well-defined if the open string winds a circle in the target space. This direction must satisfy Dirichlet boundary conditions. It is shown that the endpoints of the open string behave as Bargmann particles in the non-relativistic regime. These open strings end on nrDp-branes with p ≤ 24. When these nrDp-branes do not fluctuate they correspond to (p + 1)-dimensional Newton-Cartan submanifolds of the target space. When we include fluctuations and worldvolume gauge fields their dynamics is described by a non-relativistic version of the DBI action whose form we derive from symmetry considerations. The worldvolume gauge field and scalar field of a nrD24-brane make up the field content of Galilean electrodynamics (GED), and the effective theory on the nrD24-brane is precisely a non-linear version of GED. We generalise these results to actions for any nrDp-brane by demanding that they have the same target space gauge symmetries that the non-relativistic open and closed string actions have. Finally, we show that the nrDp-brane action is transverse T-duality covariant. Our results agree with the findings of Gomis, Yan and Yu in [1].

Unitarity in the non-relativistic regime and implications for dark matter

Unitarity sets upper limits on partial-wave elastic and inelastic cross-sections, which are often violated by perturbative computations. We discuss the dynamics underlying these limits in the non-relativistic regime, namely long-range interactions, and show how the resummation of the 2-particle-irreducible diagrams arising from squaring inelastic processes unitarizes both elastic and inelastic cross-sections. We provide a simple prescription to obtain the unitarized cross-sections from those that do not include resummation of the squared inelastic processes. Our results are model-independent, apply to all partial waves, and affect elastic and inelastic cross-sections, with extensive implications for new physics scenarios, such as dark-matter freeze-out, indirect detection and self-interactions.

Trembling Motion of Exciton Polaritons Close to the Rashba-Dresselhaus Regime.

We report the experimental observation of trembling quantum motion, or Zitterbewegung, of exciton polaritons in a perovskite microcavity at room temperature. By introducing liquid-crystal molecules into the microcavity, we achieve spinor states with synthetic Rashba-Dresselhaus spin-orbit coupling and tunable energy splitting. Under a resonant excitation, the polariton fluid exhibits clear trembling motion perpendicular to its flowing direction, accompanied by a unique spin pattern resembling interlocked fingers. Furthermore, leveraging the sizable tunability of energy gaps by external electrical voltages, we observe the continuous transition of polariton Zitterbewegung from relativistic (small gaps) to nonrelativistic (large gaps) regimes. Our findings pave the way for using exciton polaritons in the emulation of relativistic quantum physics.

Implicit-explicit Runge-Kutta for radiation hydrodynamics I: Gray diffusion

Radiation hydrodynamics are a challenging multiscale and multiphysics set of equations. To capture the relevant physics of interest, one typically must time step on the hydrodynamics timescale, making explicit integration the obvious choice. On the other hand, the coupled radiation equations have a scaling such that implicit integration is effectively necessary in non-relativistic regimes. A first-order Lie-Trotter-like operator split is the most common time integration scheme used in practice, alternating between an explicit hydrodynamics step and an implicit radiation solve and energy deposition step. However, such a scheme is limited to first-order accuracy, and nonlinear coupling between the radiation and hydrodynamics equations makes a more general additive partitioning of the equations non-trivial. Here, we develop a new formulation and partitioning of radiation hydrodynamics with gray diffusion that allows us to apply (linearly) implicit-explicit Runge-Kutta time integration schemes. We prove conservation of total energy in the new framework, and demonstrate 2nd-order convergence in time on multiple radiative shock problems, achieving error 3–5 orders of magnitude smaller than the first-order Lie-Trotter operator split at the hydrodynamic CFL, even when Lie-Trotter applies a 3rd-order TVD Runge-Kutta scheme to the hydrodynamics equations.

Error estimates of exponential wave integrators for the Dirac equation in the massless and nonrelativistic regime

AbstractWe present exponential wave integrator Fourier pseudospectral (EWI‐FP) methods and establish their error estimates of the fully discrete schemes for the Dirac equation in the massless and nonrelativistic regime. This regime involves a small dimensionless parameter where , and is inversely proportional to the speed of light. The solution exhibits highly oscillatory behavior in time and rapid wave propagation in space in this regime. Specifically, the time oscillations have a wavelength of , while the spatial oscillations have a wavelength of , with a wave speed of . We employ (symmetric) exponential wave integrators for temporal derivatives and Fourier spectral discretization for spatial derivatives. We rigorously derive the error bounds which explicitly depend on the mesh size , the time step and the small dimensionless parameter . The error estimates for the EWI‐FP methods demonstrate that their meshing strategy requirement (‐scalability) necessitates setting and when . Finally, some numerical examples are provided to validate the error bounds.

Anisotropic effects in the nondipole relativistic photoionization of hydrogen

In the nonrelativistic and dipole regime of multiphoton ionization, spherical symmetry in all but the polarization direction of the laser pulse ensures that directional dependency in the photoelectron spectra is limited to the laser polarization direction, with the final distribution exhibiting no asymmetry along the propagation direction of the laser. When relativistic effects and spatial dependency in the external potential are accounted for however, the addition of time dilation and radiation pressure both impose anisotropic effects. Previously we have found that nondipole effects induce a redshift in the photoelectron energy distribution, while conversely relativistic effects induce a blueshift, with the net effect of an apparent near-cancellation of the two. In this work we study these effects further. By examining photoelectron momentum distributions acquired from simulations with the time-dependent Dirac equation we propose explanatory models for both phenomena and present a simplified model of the shifts as a function of the angle relative to the propagation direction of the laser pulse. It is found that both nondipole and relativistic effects must be accounted for on an equal footing in order to correctly describe the photoelectron momentum distribution in the high-intensity regime.

Localization in quantum field theory

We review the issue of localization in quantum field theory and detail the nonrelativistic limit. Three distinct localization schemes are examined: the Newton–Wigner, the algebraic quantum field theory, and the modal scheme. Among these, the algebraic quantum field theory provides a fundamental concept of localization, rooted in its axiomatic formulation. In contrast, the Newton–Wigner scheme draws inspiration from the Born interpretation, applying mainly to the nonrelativistic regime. The modal scheme, relying on the representation of single particles as positive frequency modes of the Klein–Gordon equation, is found to be incompatible with the algebraic quantum field theory localization.This review delves into the distinctive features of each scheme, offering a comparative analysis. A specific focus is placed on the property of independence between state preparations and observable measurements in spacelike separated regions. Notably, the notion of localization in algebraic quantum field theory violates this independence due to the Reeh–Schlieder theorem. Drawing parallels with the quantum teleportation protocol, it is argued that causality remains unviolated. Additionally, we consider the nonrelativistic limit of quantum field theory, revealing the emergence of the Born scheme as the fundamental concept of localization. Consequently, the nonlocality associated with the Reeh–Schlieder theorem is shown to be suppressed under nonrelativistic conditions.

Recent advances in relativistic excitation of atomic hydrogen

Within the framework of the relativistic regime ( E k > 2700 eV) and the first Born approximation, we investigate the inelastic excitation of atomic hydrogen by electron impact from 1 s to 2 p state. The incoming and outgoing electrons are described by free Dirac spinors, while the hydrogen atom target is described by the exact solutions of Dirac equation with a central potential. A detailed study has been devoted to the non-relativistic regime as well as the relativistic regime of the process, and the results obtained show the differences between the two regimes. These differences have revealed that the differential cross section (DCS) is influenced by the parameters of the 1 s and 2 p states, along with significant effects on diffusion during small pulse transfers. The relativistic effects are responsible for the significant changes in the DCS as a function of diffusion angles which depend on the chosen geometry.

[formula omitted]-dimensional Klein–Gordon equation in presence of deformed generalized Deng–Fan with Yukawa potential class: Approximate bound state solutions in relativistic and non-relativistic regimes

In this paper, we examine the bound state solutions of the D-dimensional Klein–Gordon equation for a deformed Deng–Fan potential in generalized form along with Yukawa potential class. The supersymmetric quantum mechanics method and Nikiforov–Uvarov method are employed, utilizing a proper correspondence to the centrifugal potential term. Remarkably, in both methods, we obtain the same analytical expressions for normalized wave functions and energy eigenvalues, expressed in closed form by hypergeometric functions and Jacobi polynomials, for all l and n quantum states. Additionally, we explore the thermodynamic quantities (internal energy, partition function, specific heat, entropy and free energy) in case of both relativistic and non-relativistic regimes for the aforementioned potential. Finally, we demonstrate energy variation against various potential parameters for a few diatomic molecules pictorially.

Embedded exponential Runge–Kutta–Nyström methods for highly oscillatory Hamiltonian systems

Exponential/extended Runge–Kutta–Nyström (ERKN) methods have been validated by numerous theoretical and numerical results to be more efficient and suitable than classical Runge–Kutta–Nyström (RKN) methods in dealing with highly oscillatory Hamiltonian systems. Once numerical solutions are required to achieve a prescribed local error tolerance for practical problems, the embedded ERKN pairs with adaptive stepsize are needed. Given the higher efficiency of high-order methods than low-order methods, this paper focuses on high-order embedded ERKN pairs. Using the particular mapping from RKN methods into ERKN methods, we establish an approach to constructing high-order embedded ERKN pairs. By diagonalizing the frequency matrix, an implementation algorithm with less calculation amount than the direct calculation procedure is proposed for high-dimensional problems. In addition, the dispersion and dissipation of the ERKN pairs ERKN4(3) and ERKN8(6) are analyzed. Furthermore, the application of ERKN pairs to an important highly oscillatory problem, i.e., the wave equation prescribed with different boundary conditions is discussed. For the periodic boundary condition, a special implementation algorithm incorporated with FFT techniques is presented, which decreases the calculation amount in one time step from O(N2) to O(Nlog⁡N). Finally, numerical results with the FPU problem, the Klein–Gordon equation in the nonrelativistic limit regime, and a two-dimensional wave equation demonstrate the superiority of ERKN pairs over classical RKN pairs.

Remarks on the global monopole topological effects on spherical symmetric potentials

In this paper, we study the topological effects of the global monopole spacetime on the energy eigenvalues of spherical symmetric potentials in the nonrelativistic regime. We deal with the radial equation by using the Wentzel, Kramers and Brillouim (WKB) approximation. In the cases where the energy levels of the [Formula: see text]-waves can be achieved, the WKB approximation is used based on the Langer transformation.

On parallel laser beam merger in plasmas

Self-focusing instability is a well-known phenomenon of nonlinear optics, which is of great importance in the field of laser–plasma interactions. Self-focusing instability leads to beam focusing and, consequently, breakup into multiple laser filaments. The majority of applications tend to avoid a laser filamentation regime due to its detrimental role on laser spot profile and peak intensity. In our work, using nonlinear Schrödinger equation solver and particle-in-cell simulations, we address the problem of interaction of multiple parallel beams in plasmas. We consider both non-relativistic and moderately relativistic regimes and demonstrate how the physics of parallel beam interaction transitions from the familiar self- and mutual-focusing instabilities in the non-relativistic regime to a moderately relativistic regime, where an analytical description of filament interaction is not available.

The impact of anisotropy on neutron star properties: insights from 𝖨–𝖿–𝖢 universal relations

Anisotropy in pressure within a star emerges from exotic internal processes. In this study, we incorporate pressure anisotropy using the Quasi-Local model. Macroscopic properties, including mass (M), radius (R), compactness (C), dimensionless tidal deformability (Λ), the moment of inertia (I), and oscillation frequency (f), are explored for the anisotropic neutron star. Magnitudes of these properties are notably influenced by anisotropy degree. Universal I–f–C relations for anisotropic stars are explored in this study. The analysis encompasses various EOS types, spanning from relativistic to non-relativistic regimes. Results show the relation becomes robust for positive anisotropy, weakening with negative anisotropy. The distribution of f-mode across M–R parameter space as obtained with the help of C–f relation was analyzed for different anisotropic cases. Using tidal deformability data from GW170817 and GW190814 events, a theoretical limit for canonical f-mode frequency is established for isotropic and anisotropic neutron stars. For isotropic case, canonical f-mode frequency for GW170817 event is f 1.4 = 2.606+0.457 -0.484kHz; for GW190814 event, it is f 1.4 = 2.097+0.124 -0.149kHz. These relationships can serve as reliable tools for constraining nuclear matter EOS when relevant observables are measured.

Non-Relativistic Regime and Topology: Topological Term in the Einstein Equation

Non-Relativistic Regime and Topology: Topological Term in the Einstein Equation

Optical transmission of a moving Fabry-Perot interferometer.

Fabry-Perot interferometers have been widely studied and used for well over a century. However, they have always been treated as stationary devices in the past. In this Letter, we investigate the optical transmission of a longitudinally moving Fabry-Perot interferometer within the framework of relativity and establish a general relation between the transmission coefficient and the velocity for uniform motions. Several features of the transmission spectrum are analyzed, with special attentions given to the non-relativistic regime, where application prospects are evaluated. New, to the best of our knowledge, potential interferometric schemes, such as velocity-scanning interferometry and hybrid interferometers based on nested configurations, are proposed. Finally, a special case of non-uniform motion is also investigated.

Test for Non-Relativistic QED in decays of positronium atoms

Abstract. Positronium (Ps) is a bound state of electron and positron governed by electromagnetic interactions. Precise measurement of its decay rate is an important observational parameter to test theoretical predictions derived from Non-Relativistic Quantum Electrodynamics (NRQED). In this work, we present a new method for measuring the decay rate of Ps atoms, which has the potential to improve the precision and thus the description of the behavior of particles in bound states and to provide insight into the non-relativistic regime of QED.

Numerical Methods for the Nonlinear Dirac Equation in the Massless Nonrelativistic Regime

Numerical Methods for the Nonlinear Dirac Equation in the Massless Nonrelativistic Regime