Axial Anomaly in SU(N) Yang-Mills Matrix Models.

The SU(N) Yang-Mills matrix model admits self-dual and anti-self-dual instantons. When coupled to N_{f} flavors of massless quarks, the Euclidean Dirac equation in an instanton background has n_{+} positive and n_{-} negative chirality zero modes. The vacua of the gauge theory are N-dimensional representations of SU(2), and the (anti-) self-dual instantons tunnel between two commuting representations, the initial one composed of r_{0}^{(1)} irreps and the final one with r_{0}^{(2)} irreps. We show that the index (n_{+}-n_{-}) in such a background is equal to a new instanton charge T_{new}=±[r_{0}^{(2)}-r_{0}^{(1)}]. Thus T_{new}=(n_{+}-n_{-}) is the matrix model version of the Atiyah-Singer index theorem. Further, we show that the path integral measure is not invariant under a chiral rotation, and relate the noninvariance of the measure to the index of the Dirac operator. Axial symmetry is broken anomalously, with the residual symmetry being a finite group. For N_{f} fundamental fermions, this residual symmetry is Z_{2N_{f}}, whereas for adjoint quarks it is Z_{4N_{f}}.

On the role of non-diagonal system-environment interactions in bridge-mediated electron transfer.

Bridge-mediated electron transfer (ET) between a donor and an acceptor is prototypical for the description of numerous most important ET scenarios. While multi-step ET and the interplay of sequential and direct superexchange transfer pathways in the donor-bridge-acceptor (D-B-A) model are increasingly understood, the influence of off-diagonal system-bath interactions on the transfer dynamics is less explored. Off-diagonal interactions account for the dependence of the ET coupling elements on nuclear coordinates (non-Condon effects) and are typically neglected. Here, we numerically investigate with quasi-adiabatic propagator path integral simulations the impact of off-diagonal system-environment interactions on the transfer dynamics for a wide range of scenarios in the D-B-A model. We demonstrate that off-diagonal system-environment interactions can have profound impact on the bridge-mediated ET dynamics. In the considered scenarios, the dynamics itself does not allow for a rigorous assignment of the underlying transfer mechanism. Furthermore, we demonstrate how off-diagonal system-environment interaction mediates anomalous localization by preventing long-time depopulation of the bridge B and how coherent transfer dynamics between donor D and acceptor A can be facilitated. The arising non-exponential short-time dynamics and coherent oscillations are interpreted within an equivalent Hamiltonian representation of a primary reaction coordinate model that reveals how the complex vibronic interplay of vibrational and electronic degrees of freedom underlying the non-Condon effects can impose donor-to-acceptor coherence transfer on short timescales.

Portable microresonator-based label-free detector: monotonous resonance splitting with particle adsorption.

Whispering gallery mode resonators hold great promises as very sensitive detectors, with a wide range of applications, notably as biosensors. However, in order to monitor the fine variations in their resonances, a costly and bulky apparatus is required, which confines the use of these efficient tools within specialised labs. Here, we consider a micro-ring resonator that is completely covered by a Bragg grating and propose to functionalize it only over a quarter of its perimeter. As target molecules progressively bind to the active region of the resonator, some particular resonances near the edge of the band gap undergo monotonous frequency splitting. Such a splitting, within the GHz range, can be monitored by conventional electronics and, hence, does not require finely tunable lasers or spectrometers. Meanwhile, the ultrahigh sensitivity that is characteristic of whispering gallery mode resonators is maintained. This robust and sensitive self-heterodyne detection scheme may pave the way to portable whispering-gallery-mode-based detectors, and in particular to point-of-care diagnostic tools.

Dispersion relations and bending losses of cylindrical and spherical shells, slabs, and slot waveguides.

We derive formulas for whispering gallery mode resonances and bending losses in infinite cylindrical dielectric shells and sets of concentric cylindrical shells. The formulas also apply to spherical shells and to sections of bent waveguides. The derivation is based on a Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin (WKB) treatment of Helmholtz equation and can in principle be extended to any number of concentric shells. A distinctive limit analytically arises in the analysis when two shells are brought at very close distance to one another. In that limit, the two shells act as a slot waveguide. If the two shells are sufficiently apart, we identify a structural resonance between the individual shells, which can either lead to a substantial enhancement or suppression of radiation losses.