Vacuum Polarization Research Articles

QCD bounds on leading-order hadronic vacuum polarization contributions to the muon anomalous magnetic moment

QCD bounds on the leading-order (LO) hadronic vacuum polarization (HVP) contribution to the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon [aμHVP,LO, aμ=(g−2)μ/2] are determined by imposing Hölder inequalities and related inequality constraints on systems of finite-energy QCD sum rules. This novel methodology is complementary to lattice QCD and data-driven approaches to determining aμHVP,LO. For the light-quark (u, d, s) contributions up to five-loop order in perturbation theory in the chiral limit, LO in light-quark mass corrections, next-to-leading order in dimension-four QCD condensates, and to LO in dimension-six QCD condensates, we find that (657.0±34.8)×10−10≤aμHVP,LO≤(788.4±41.8)×10−10, bridging the range between lattice QCD and data-driven values. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

No Black Holes from Light.

We show that it is not possible to concentrate enough light to precipitate the formation of an event horizon. We argue that the dissipative quantum effects coming from the self-interaction of light (such as vacuum polarization) are enough to prevent any meaningful buildup of energy that could create a black hole in any realistic scenario.

Precision electroweak tensions and a dark photon

We examine how different assumptions about the hadronic vacuum polarization, the W boson mass, and the forward-backward asymmetry in b-quarks at the Z pole can impact the precision electroweak fit. We study the implications for a kinetically mixed dark photon, addressing the complementarity of precision bounds and direct searches, particularly in the case where the dark photon can decay into the dark sector, and we consider implications for future Large Hadron Collider searches. We comment on cases where the precision effects of the dark photon may not be well-described by the oblique parameters.

Four-Dimensional Scaling of Dipole Polarizability: From Single-Particle Models to Atoms and Molecules.

Scaling laws enable the determination of physicochemical properties of molecules and materials as a function of their size, density, number of electrons or other easily accessible descriptors. Such relations can be counterintuitive and nonlinear, and ultimately yield much needed insight into quantum mechanics of many-particle systems. In this work, we show on the basis of single-particle models, multielectron atoms and molecules that the dipole polarizability of quantum systems is generally proportional to the fourth power of a characteristic length, computed from the ground-state wave function. This four-dimensional (4D) scaling is independent of the ratio of bound-to-bound and bound-to-continuum electronic transitions and applies to many-electron atoms when a correlated length metric is used. Finally, this scaling law is applied to predict the polarizability of molecules by electrostatically coupled atoms-in-molecules approach, obtaining approximately 8% absolute and relative accuracy with respect to hybrid density functional theory (DFT) on the QM7-X data set of organic molecules, providing an efficient and scalable model for the anisotropic polarizability tensors of extended (bio)molecules.

Smoothed asymptotics: From number theory to QFT

Inspired by the method of smoothed asymptotics developed by Terence Tao, we introduce a new ultraviolet regularization scheme for loop integrals in quantum field theory which we call η regularization. This reveals a connection between the elimination of divergences in divergent series of powers and the preservation of gauge invariance in the regularization of loop integrals in quantum field theory. In particular, we note that a method for regularizing the series of natural numbers so that it converges to minus one-twelfth inspires a regularization scheme for non-Abelian gauge theories coupled to Dirac fermions that preserves the Ward identity for the vacuum polarization tensor and other higher point functions. We also comment on a possible connection to Schwinger proper time integrals. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Thermodynamics of Magnetic Black Holes with Nonlinear Electrodynamics in Extended Phase Space

We study Einstein’s gravity in AdS space coupled to nonlinear electrodynamics. Thermodynamics in extended phase space of magnetically charged black holes is investigated. We compute the metric and mass functions and their asymptotics, showing that black holes may have one or two horizons. The metric function is regular, f(0)=1, and corrections to the Reissner–Nordström solution are in the order of O(r−3) when the Schwarzschild mass is zero. We prove that the first law of black hole thermodynamics and the generalized Smarr relation hold. The magnetic potential and vacuum polarization conjugated to coupling are computed and depicted. We calculate the Gibbs free energy and the heat capacity showing that first-order and second-order phase transitions take place.

Fermionic signal of vacuum polarization in strong laser fields

Vacuum polarization (VP) is investigated for the interaction of a polarized γ-ray beam of GeV photons with a counterpropagating ultraintense laser pulse. In a conventional setup of a vacuum birefringence measurement, a VP signal is the emerging small circular (linear) polarization of the initially linearly (circularly) polarized probe photons. The pair production via the nonlinear Breit-Wheeler process in such a high-energy environment eliminates part of the γ photons in the outgoing γ beam, increasing the statistical error and decreasing the accuracy of this VP signal. In contrast, we investigate the conversion of the emerging circular polarization of γ photons into longitudinal polarization of the created positrons, considering the latter as the main VP signal. To study the VP effects in the highly nonlinear regime, where the Euler-Heisenberg effective Lagrangian method breaks down, we have developed a Monte Carlo simulation method, incorporating vacuum birefringence and dichroism via the one-loop QED probabilities in the locally constant field approximation. Our Monte Carlo method will enable the study of VP effects in strong fields of arbitrary configuration. With 10 PW laser systems, we demonstrate the feasibility of detecting the fermionic signal of the VP effect at the 5σ confidence level with a few hours of measurement time. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Inverse conductivity problem with one measurement: uniqueness of multi-layer structures

In this paper, we study the recovery of multi-layer structures in inverse conductivity problem by using one measurement. First, we define the concept of Generalized Polarization Tensors (GPTs) for multi-layered medium and show some important properties of the proposed GPTs. With the help of GPTs, we present the perturbation formula for general multi-layered medium. Then we derive the perturbed electric potential for multi-layer concentric disks structure in terms of the so-called generalized polarization matrix, whose dimension is the same as the number of the layers. By delicate analysis, we derive an algebraic identity involving the geometric and material configurations of multi-layer concentric disks. This enables us to reconstruct the multi-layer structures by using only one partial-order measurement.

Molecular transport enhancement in pure metallic carbon nanotube porins.

Nanofluidic channels impose extreme confinement on water and ions, giving rise to unusual transport phenomena strongly dependent on the interactions at the channel-wall interface. Yet how the electronic properties of the nanofluidic channels influence transport efficiency remains largely unexplored. Here we measure transport through the inner pores of sub-1 nm metallic and semiconducting carbon nanotube porins. We find that water and proton transport are enhanced in metallic nanotubes over semiconducting nanotubes, whereas ion transport is largely insensitive to the nanotube bandgap value. Molecular simulations using polarizable force fields highlight the contributions of the anisotropic polarizability tensor of the carbon nanotubes to the ion-nanotube interactions and the water friction coefficient. We also describe the origin of the proton transport enhancement in metallic nanotubes using deep neural network molecular dynamics simulations. These results emphasize the complex role of the electronic properties of nanofluidic channels in modulating transport under extreme nanoscale confinement.

Field theory of active chiral hard disks: a first-principles approach to steric interactions

A first-principles approach for active chiral hard disks is presented, that explicitly accounts for steric interactions on the two-body level. We derive an effective one-body equation for the joint probability distribution of positions and angles of the particles. By projecting onto the angular modes, we write a hierarchy for the lowest hydrodynamic modes, i.e. particle density, polarisation, and nematic tensor. Introducing dimensionless variables in the equations, we highlight the assumptions, which—though inherent—are often included implicit in typical closure schemes of the hierarchy. By considering different regimes of the Péclet number, the well-known models in active matter can be obtained through our consideration. Explicitly, we derive an effective diffusive description and by going to higher orders in the closure scheme, we show that this first-principles approach results in the recently introduced Active Model B +, a natural extension of the Model B for active processes. Remarkably, here we find that chirality can change the sign of the phenomenological activity parameters.

Extended phase space thermodynamics of magnetized black holes with nonlinear electrodynamics

Einstein’s gravity in AdS space coupled to nonlinear electrodynamics (NED) with two parameters is studied. We investigate magnetically charged black holes. The metric and mass functions and their asymptotic are obtained showing that black holes may have one or two horizons. Thermodynamics in extended phase space was studied and it was proven that the first law of black hole thermodynamics and the generalized Smarr relation hold. The magnetic potential and the vacuum polarization conjugated to coupling (NED parameter), are computed and depicted. We calculate the Gibbs free energy and heat capacity.

Does the quasi-static polarizability have principal axes?

Beyond strict statics, the dipole polarizability tensor is a complex symmetric matrix. Such matrices may not be diagonalizable by an orthogonal similarity transformation (a rigid rotation of the reference frame). In this paper, we provide examples of polarizability tensors that have no real principal axes and discuss the conditions under which this counter-intuitive phenomenon can occur.

Asymmetric sound scattering by gratings of monopolar and dipolar resonators in a viscoelastic materiala).

A self-consistent analytical model of a locally resonant coating exhibiting strong asymmetric wave scattering is presented. Gratings of resonant inclusions composed of cavities and hard particles embedded in a soft matrix are translated to the problem of sound scattering by monopolar and dipolar type resonators in a one-dimensional waveguide. Equations of motion for gratings of cavities and hard particles are developed that incorporate added mass, damping, and restoration forces to take into account multiple scattering effects. Expressions for the impedances of the resonators are derived from which the particle velocity fields are obtained. Monopole and dipole strengths are also calculated in terms of polarizability tensor components, which in turn are obtained from a retrieval method. Sound scattering by monopolar and dipolar resonators of different size and distribution within the waveguide are examined. Using detailed understanding of the interaction between groups of resonators, optimized solutions for a new class of acoustic materials can be designed by selecting layers of resonators to produce a given response.

Relativistic atomic structure calculations of Li-like ions used for plasma diagnostic studies

We have carried out atomic structure calculations using systematically enlarged multiconfiguration Dirac-Fock wavefunctions of Li-like ions of the most prominent plasma impurities (Ar, Ti, Fe, Ni, Kr and W) found in presently working tokamaks. Relativistic Breit interaction and quantum electrodynamic (QED) corrections such as vacuum polarization and self-energy corrections are also included in the calculations prior to the evaluation of low lying energy levels, transition probabilities, oscillator strengths and line strengths. Selective radiative data for electric dipole and magnetic quadrupole transitions are also reported. Special emphasis is given in the computations of fundamental quantities such as oscillator strengths as they are widely used in atomic data and analysis structure (ADAS) databases to evaluate quantities such as effective collision strengths. Present computed values are compared with existing available results on NIST database and few similar earlier computations and a good agreement has been found. We believe that the detailed atomic data with the relativistic and QED corrections will assist in spectroscopic studies such as accurate line identification and plasma modelling work in tokamak plasma, laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), highly charged ions clocks and astrophysical observations.

Dimensional regularization and two-loop vacuum polarization operator: Master integrals, analytic results, and energy shifts

We present a complete reevaluation of the irreducible two-loop vacuum-polarization correction to the photon propagator in quantum electrodynamics, i.e. with an electron-positron pair in the fermion propagators. The integration is carried out by reducing the integrations to a limited set of master integrals, which are calculated using integration-by-parts identities. Dimensional regularization is used in D=4−2ε dimensions, and on-mass shell renormalization is employed. The one-loop effect is given to order ε, to be combined with the 1/ε divergence of the two-loop amplitude. Master integrals are given. Final evaluations of two-loop energy shifts for 1S, 2S, and 2P states are done analytically, and results are presented, with an emphasis on muonic hydrogen. For relativistic Dirac-Coulomb reference states, higher-order coefficients are obtained for the Zα-expansion. We compare the results obtained to the existing literature. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Polarization evolution on higher and hybrid-order Poincaré spheres with coaxial polarization holograms

Based on the tensor polarization holography theory, we propose a simple and convenient method in the recording material, phenanthrenequinone-doped polymethylmethacrylate, to generate beams on higher and hybrid-order Poincaré spheres, and realize their polarization evolution on the spheres by combining the recorded phase with the Pancharatnam–Berry phase. By simultaneously adjusting the polarization azimuth angle and relative phase of the recorded waves, independent phase-shifts can be imparted onto two orthogonal circular polarization states in reconstruction process of polarization holography. The beams on basic Poincaré sphere are transformed into that on arbitrary higher or hybrid-order Poincaré spheres. We get the Poincaré spheres’ type and polarization distribution of the reconstructed wave by interferometry and polarizer, and the results match well with the theoretical predictions.

Regge constraints on local four-point scattering amplitudes of massive particles with spin

In this work, we classify all the possible local four-point couplings relevant for tree-level flat space 2 → 2 scattering of external massive particles of spin one and spin two which do not grow faster than s2 at large s and fixed t. This kinematic constraint on local growth of tree-level S-matrices is known as Classical Regge Growth criteria or CRG [1]. We first construct the spin one and spin two tree-level contact S-matrices as modules of polarisation tensors and momenta over the ring of polynomials generated by Mandelstam invariants. We then consider a general scattering process where the external scattering particles are of different masses but of same spin and constrain this space to obtain a finite number of CRG allowed local Lagrangians. Our concrete results are primarily for D ≥ 8 but the process outlined is easily generalised to lower dimensions to include low dimensional parity violating structures. The space of CRG allowed structures reduces when we specialise to identical scattering and restrict to parity even couplings in D = 4. We show that tree-level scattering amplitudes involving exchange diagrams and contact terms in de Rham-Gabadadze-Tolley massive gravity (dRGT) violate CRG unless the parameters of the theory take special values. The CRG allowed S-matrices, in the context of large N conformal field theories (CFTs), can also be interpreted as bulk AdS counterterms consistent with Chaos bound. Our classified structures therefore can be thought of as ambiguities arising in the context of conformal field theory inversion formula for four point functions of unconserved spin one and spin two operators in large N CFTs.

Relativistic configuration-interaction calculations on K α X-ray satellites of medium-charge Be-like ions

This study puts forward a calculation of the transitions of 1s2s22p 1P1−1s22s2 1S0 and 1s2s22p 3P1−1s22s2 1S0 for Be-like ions (Z = 6–30) using the multiconfiguration Dirac-Hartree–Fock (MCDHF) and relativistic configuration interaction methods. The computational results include transition wavelengths, transition probabilities, line strengths, and weighted oscillator strengths. The calculations also consider the contributions of the Breit interaction and quantum electrodynamics corrections (QED) to these levels. The results show that the contribution of the Breit interaction, self-energy, and vacuum polarization increase rapidly with increasing nuclear charge for certain configurations. The present calculated values are in good agreement with previous theoretical and experimental results, with errors better than 0.3%. A V/A L comparisons demonstrate the reliability of the data.

Large-scale relativistic calculations of spectral data in Zr XXVIII, Nb XXIX and Tc XXXI of tokamak interest

Large-scale relativistic multiconfiguration Dirac–Fock calculations of energy levels and lifetimes of the 206 states arising from the 3s23p, 3p3, 3s3p3d, 3p3d2, 3s24p, 3s24f, 3s3p2, 3s23d, 3s3d2, 3s24d, 3s24s, 3s3p4s, 3s3p4d, 3p23d, 3d3, and 3s3p4p configurations of Zr XXVIII, Nb XXIX, and Tc XXXI of tokamak interest are carried out. The active space approximation is employed for the calculations. To obtain accurate and convergent results, the calculations take into account the valence and core-valence correlations within the n= 9 complex, as well as the Breit interaction, self-energy corrections, and vacuum polarization corrections. Detailed information regarding the decay properties of these ions is provided, including the transition wavelengths, line strengths, and radiative transition rates for various types (electric dipole, electric quadrupole, magnetic dipole, and magnetic quadrupole transitions) of transitions among the levels of the aforementioned configurations. The uncertainties of each dipole transition are evaluated. The present data sets are compared to previous results and a good agreement is observed, which is valuable for emission line identification and fusion modeling, especially in situations where experimental data are scarce.

Hadronic vacuum polarization: Comparing lattice QCD and data-driven results in systematically improvable ways

The precision with which hadronic vacuum polarization (HVP) is obtained determines how accurately important observables, such as the muon anomalous magnetic moment aμ or the low-energy running of the electromagnetic coupling α, are predicted. The two most precise approaches for determining HVP are dispersive relations combined with e+e−→hadrons cross section data and lattice QCD. However, the results obtained in these two approaches display significant tensions, whose origins are not understood. Here we present a framework that sheds light on this issue and—if the two approaches can be reconciled—allows them to be combined. Via this framework, we test the hypothesis that the tensions can be explained by modifying the R-ratio in different intervals of center-of-mass energy s. As ingredients, we consider observables that have been precisely determined in both approaches. These are the leading hadronic contributions to aμ, to the so-called intermediate window observable, and to the running of α between spacelike virtualities 1 and 10 GeV2 (for which only a preliminary lattice result exists). Our tests take into account all uncertainties and correlations, as well as uncertainties on uncertainties in the lattice results. For instance, using this framework we show that results obtained in the two approaches can be made to agree, for all three observables, by modifying the ρ peak in the experimental spectrum. More specifically, we show that this requires a common ∼5% increase in the contributions of the peak to each of the three observables. This result is robust against the presence or absence of the running of α in the comparison. However, such an increase is much larger than the uncertainties on the measured R-ratio. We also discuss a variety of generalizations of the methods used here, as well as the limits in the information that can be extracted from the R-ratio via a finite set of observables. Published by the American Physical Society 2024