Solid Inflation
We develop a cosmological model where primordial inflation is driven by a ‘solid’, defined as a system of three derivatively coupled scalar fields obeying certain symmetries and spontaneously breaking a certain subgroup of these. The symmetry breaking pattern differs drastically from that of standard inflationary models: time translations are unbroken. This prevents our model from fitting into the standard effective field theory description of adiabatic perturbations, with crucial consequences for the dynamics of cosmological perturbations. Most notably, non-gaussianities in the curvature perturbations are unusually large, with fNL ∼ 1/( cs), and have a novel shape: peaked in the squeezed limit, with anisotropic dependence on how the limit is approached. Other unusual features include the absence of adiabatic fluctuation modes during inflation— which does not impair their presence and near scale-invariance after inflation—and a slightly blue tilt for the tensor modes.

title: Dissipation in the effective field theory for hydrodynamics: First order effects
abstract: We introduce dissipative effects in the effective field theory of hydrodynamics. We do this in a model-independent fashion by coupling the long-distance degrees of freedom explicitly kept in the effective field theory to a generic sector that "lives in the fluid", which corresponds physically to the microscopic constituents of the fluid. At linear order in perturbations, the symmetries, the derivative expansion, and the assumption that this microscopic sector is thermalized, allow us to characterize the leading dissipative effects at low frequencies via three parameters only, which correspond to bulk viscosity, shear viscosity, and--in the presence of a conserved charge--heat conduction. Using our methods we re-derive the Kubo relations for these transport coefficients.

title: Classical stability of the Galileon
abstract: A bstractWe consider the classical equations of motion for a single Galileon field with generic parameters in the presence of non-relativistic sources. We introduce the concept of absolute stability of a theory: if one can show that a field at a single point — like infinity for instance — in spacetime is stable, then stability of the field over the rest of spacetime is guaranteed for any positive energy source configuration. The Dvali-Gabadadze-Porrati (DGP) model is stable in this manner, and previous studies of spherically symmetric solutions suggest that certain classes of the single field Galileon (of which the DGP model is a subclass) may have this property as well. We find, however, that when general solutions are considered this is not the case. In fact, when considering generic solutions there are no choices of free parameters in the Galileon theory that will lead to absolute stability except the DGP choice. Our analysis indicates that the DGP model is an exceptional choice among the large class of possible single field Galileon theories. This implies that if general solutions (non-spherically symmetric) exist they may be unstable. Given astrophysical motivation for the Galileon, further investigation into these unstable solutions may prove fruitful.

title: No-go theorems for generalized chameleon field theories.
abstract: The chameleon, or generalizations thereof, is a light scalar that couples to matter with gravitational strength, but whose manifestation depends on the ambient matter density. A key feature is that the screening mechanism suppressing its effects in high-density environments is determined by the local scalar field value. Under very general conditions, we prove two theorems limiting its cosmological impact: (i) the Compton wavelength of such a scalar can be at most ~/= 1 MPc at the present cosmic density, which restricts its impact to nonlinear scales; and (ii) the conformal factor relating Einstein- and Jordan-frame scale factors is essentially constant over the last Hubble time, which precludes the possibility of self-acceleration. These results imply that chameleonlike scalar fields have a negligible effect on the linear-scale growth history; theories that invoke a chameleonlike scalar to explain cosmic acceleration rely on a form of dark energy rather than a genuine modified gravity effect. Our analysis applies to a broad class of chameleon, symmetron, and dilaton theories.

title: Dynamical electroweak breaking and latticized extra dimensions
abstract: Using gauge invariant effective Lagrangians in 1+3 dimensions describing the Standard Model in 1+4 dimensions, we explore dynamical electroweak symmetry breaking. The Top Quark Seesaw model arises naturally, as well as the full CKM structure. We include a discussion of effects of warping, and indicate how other dynamical schemes may also be realized.

title: Broad‐line Balmer decrements in blue active galactic nuclei
abstract: We have investigated the broad-line Balmer decrements (H alpha/H beta) for a large, homogeneous sample of Seyfert 1 galaxies and quasi-stellar objects (QSOs) using spectroscopic data obtained in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. The sample, drawn from the Fourth Data Release, comprises 446 low-redshift (z less than or similar to 0.35) active galactic nuclei (AGN) that have blue optical continua as indicated by the spectral slopes in order to minimize the effect of dust extinction. We find that (i) the distribution of the intrinsic broad-line H alpha/H beta ratio can be well described by log-Gaussian, with a peak at H alpha/H beta = 3.06 and a standard deviation of about 0.03 dex only; (ii) the Balmer decrement does not correlate with AGN properties such as luminosity, accretion rate and continuum slope, etc.; (iii) on average, the Balmer decrements are found to be only slightly larger in radio-loud sources (3.37) and sources having double-peaked emission-line profiles (3.27) compared to the rest of the sample. We therefore suggest that the broad-line H alpha/H beta ratio can be used as a good indicator for dust extinction in the AGN broad-line region; this is especially true for radio-quiet AGN with regular emission-line profiles, which constitute the vast majority of the AGN population.

title: Results of the SLAC LCLS gun high-power RF tests
abstract: The beam quality and operational requirements for the Linac coherent light source (LCLS) currently being constructed at SLAC are exceptional, requiring the design of a new RF photocathode gun for the electron source. Based on operational experience at SLAC's GTF and SDL and ATF at BNL as well as other laboratories, the 1.6 cell s-band (2856 MHz) gun was chosen to be the best electron source for the LCLS, however a significant re-design was necessary to achieve the challenging parameters. Detailed 3-D analysis and design was used to produce near-perfect rotationally symmetric rf fields to achieve the emittance requirement. In addition, the thermo-mechanical design allows the gun to operate at 120 Hz and a 140 MV/m cathode field, or to an average power dissipation of 4 kW. Both average and pulsed heating issues are addressed in the LCLS gun design. The first LCLS gun is now fabricated and has been operated with high-power RF. The results of these high-power tests are presented and discussed.

title: Next-to-leading order QCD effect of $W'$ on top quark Forward-Backward Asymmetry
abstract: We present the calculations of the complete next-to-leading order (NLO) QCD corrections to the total cross section, invariant mass distribution and the forward-backward asymmetry ($\rm A_{FB}$) of top quark pair production mediated by $W'$ boson. Our results show that in the best fit point in the parameter space allowed by data at the Tevatron, the NLO corrections change the new physics contributions to the total cross section slightly, but increase the $\rm A_{FB}$ in the large invariant mass region by about 9%. Moreover, we evaluate the total cross section and charge asymmetry ($\rm{A}_{\rm{C}}$) of top pair production at the LHC, and find that both total cross section and $A_{\rm C}$ can be used to distinguish NP from SM with the integrated luminosity increasing.

title: Phenomenology of an extended Higgs portal inflation model after Planck 2013
abstract: We consider an extended inflation model in the frame of Higgs portal model, assuming a nonminimal coupling of the scalar field to the gravity. Using the new data from Planck $$2013$$2013 and other relevant astrophysical data, we obtain the relation between the nonminimal coupling $$\xi $$ξ and the self-coupling $$\lambda $$λ needed to drive the inflation, and find that this inflationary model is favored by the astrophysical data. Furthermore, we discuss the constraints on the model parameters from the experiments of particle physics, especially the recent Higgs data at the LHC.