Wilson loops in noncommutative Yang–Mills theory using gauge/gravity duality
By using the gauge/gravity duality and the Maldacena prescription we compute the expectation values of the Wilson loops in hot, noncommutative Yang–Mills (NCYM) theory in ( 3 + 1 ) dimensions. We consider both the time-like and the light-like Wilson loops. The gravity dual background is given by a particular decoupling limit of non-extremal (D1, D3) bound state of type IIB string theory. We obtain the velocity dependent quark–antiquark potential and numerically study how the dipole length and the potential change with velocity (for 0 v 1 , i.e., the Wilson loop is time-like) of the dipole as well as noncommutativity. We discuss and compare the results with the known commutative results. We also obtain an analytic expression for the screening length when the rapidity is large and the noncommutativity parameter is small with the product remaining small. When v → 1 , the time-like Wilson loop becomes light-like and in that case we obtain the form of the jet quenching parameter for the strongly coupled noncommutative Yang–Mills plasma which matches with our earlier results obtained using different approach.

title: Holographic quark-antiquark potential in hot, anisotropic Yang-Mills plasma
abstract: Using the gauge/gravity duality we calculate the heavy quark–antiquark potential in a hot, anisotropic and strongly coupled Yang–Mills plasma in ( 3 + 1 )-dimensions. As the anisotropic medium we take a deformed version of N = 4 super Yang–Mills theory at finite temperature following a recent work where the dual type IIB supergravity solution is also proposed. We turn on a small value of the anisotropy parameter, for which the gravity dual is known analytically (perturbatively), and compute the velocity-dependent quark–antiquark interaction potential when the pair is moving through the plasma with a velocity v . By setting v = 0 we recover the static quark–antiquark potential. We numerically study how the potential is modified in the presence of anisotropy. We further show numerically how the quark–antiquark separation (both in the static and the velocity-dependent case) and hence, the screening length gets modified by anisotropy. We discuss various cases depending upon the direction of the dipole and the direction of its propagation and make a comparative study of these cases. We are also able to obtain an analytical expression for the screening length of the dipole moving in a hot, anisotropic plasma in a special case.

title: Wilson loops in (p+1)-dimensional Yang–Mills theories using gravity/gauge theory correspondence
abstract: We compute the expectation values of both the time-like and the light-like Wilson loops in a strongly coupled plasma of ( p + 1 ) -dimensional Yang–Mills theories using gravity/gauge theory correspondence. From the time-like Wilson loop we obtain the velocity dependent quark–antiquark potential where the dipole is moving through the plasma with an arbitrary velocity 0 v 1 and also obtain expressions for the screening lengths. When the velocity v → 1 , the Wilson loop becomes light-like and we obtain the form of the jet quenching parameter in those strongly coupled plasma.

title: Wess-Zumino-Witten Model for Galilean Conformal Algebra
abstract: In this note, we construct a Wess–Zumino–Witten model based on the Galilean conformal algebra in two-spacetime dimensions, which is a nonrelativistic analogue of the relativistic conformal algebra. We obtain exact background corresponding to σ-models in six dimensions (the dimension of the group manifold) and a central charge c = 6. We carry out a Sugawara type construction to verify the conformal invariance of the model. Further, we discuss the feasibility of the background obtained as a physical spacetime metric.

title: Eigenvalue problem in two dimensions for an irregular boundary: Neumann condition
abstract: We formulate a systematic elegant perturbative scheme for determining the eigenvalues of the Helmholtz equation (∇2 + k2)$ \psi$ = 0 in two dimensions when the normal derivative of $ \psi$ vanishes on an irregular closed curve. The unique feature of this method, unlike other perturbation schemes, is that it does not require a separate formalism to treat degeneracies. Degenerate states are handled equally elegantly as the non-degenerate ones. A real parameter, extracted from the parameters defining the irregular boundary, serves as a perturbation parameter in this scheme as opposed to earlier schemes where the perturbation parameter is an artificial one. The efficacy of the proposed scheme is gauged by calculating the eigenvalues for elliptical and supercircular boundaries and comparing with the results obtained numerically. We also present a simple and interesting semi-empirical formula, determining the eigenspectrum of the 2D Helmholtz equation with the Dirichlet or the Neumann condition for a supercircular boundary. A comparison of the eigenspectrum for several low-lying modes obtained by employing the formula with the corresponding numerical estimates shows good agreement for a wide range of the supercircular exponent.

title: Brownian motion in strongly coupled, anisotropic Yang-Mills plasma: A holographic approach
abstract: We employ methods of gauge/string duality to analyze the Brownian motion and the concomitant Langevin equation of a heavy quark in a strongly coupled, thermal, anisotropic Yang-Mills plasma. We consider fluctuations both along and perpendicular to the direction of anisotropy and study the effects of anisotropy on the drag coefficient, the diffusion constant and the Langevin coefficient for both the directions. We also verify the fluctuation-dissipation theorem for Brownian motion in an anisotropic medium.

title: Quantum cosmology in Ashtekar variables with non-minimally coupled scalar-tensor theory
abstract: Using non-minimally coupled scalar-tensor theory in homogeneous and isotropic cosmological model, quantum cosmology has been developed for Ashtekar variables. The wave function has been evaluated by solving the Wheeler-Dewitt (WD) equation and also using path integral formulation. Semi-classical limit using WKB approximation has also been discussed. Finally, the quantum Bohmian trajectories has been studied in detail.

title: Matter in the Bulk and its Consequences on the Brane: A Possible Source of Dark Energy
abstract: The usual brane world scenario with anti de Sitter bulk has been generalized by considering a general form of energy momentum tensor in the bulk. The modified Einstein equation on the brane has been constructed. Two examples have been cited of which, the first one shows the usual brane equations when matter in the bulk is a negative cosmological constant. In the second example, the bulk matter is in the form of perfect fluid and as a result, an effective perfect fluid is obtained in the brane. Also it is noted that the effect of the dust bulk on the brane shows a dark energy behaviour and may be a possible explanation of the dark energy from the present day observational point of view.

title: Quantum cosmology in anisotropic cosmological models with scalar-tensor theories
abstract: This paper deals with quantum cosmological phenomena in anisotropic cosmological models with nonminimally coupled scalor field. With proper transformation of the field variables, the Wheeler–Dewitt (WD) equation looks simple in form and solutions are obtained using separable form of the wave function. Using part integral formulation, the wave function of the Universe has been evaluated by the method of steepest descent. Finally, the causal interpretation has been done using quantum Bohmian trajectories and also we study the classical limit of some particular solutions of these quantum models.

title: The Higher Dimensional Gravastars
abstract: A new model of gravastar is obtained in D-dimensional Einstein gravity. This class of solutions includes the gravastar as an alternative to D-dimensional versions of the Schwarzschild-Tangherlini black hole. The configuration of this new gravastar consists of three different regions with different equations of state: [I] Interior: 0 ≤ r < r1, ρ = − p;  ≤ r < r2, ρ = p;  The outer region of this gravastar corresponds to a higher dimensional Schwarzschild-Tangherlini black hole.

title: Ground-state configuration of neutron-rich Aluminum isotopes through Coulomb Breakup
abstract: Neutron-rich 34,35Al isotopes have been studied through Coulomb excitation using LAND-FRS setup at GSI, Darmstadt. The method of invariant mass analysis has been used to reconstruct the excitation energy of the nucleus prior to decay. Comparison of experimental CD cross-section with direct breakup model calculation with neutron in p3/2 orbital favours 34Al(g.s) - νp3/2 as ground state configuration of 35Al. But ground state configuration of 34Al is complicated as evident from γ-ray spectra of 33Al after Coulomb breakup of 34Al.