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This paper presents the effects of non-minimal Lorentz-violation operators in superconductivity. By constructing a Lorentz-Violating Ginzburg-Landau theory of superconductivity with a five-dimensional operator, we discuss the influence of higher dimensional Lorentz-Violating operators in the London's depth penetration, in the coherence length and critical magnetic field., Comment: 6 pages, 2 columns, 1 figure

Studies have shown that remnants of destroyed planets and debris-disk planetesimals can survive the volatile evolution of their host stars into white dwarfs, but detection of intact planetary bodies around white dwarfs are few. Simulations predict that planets in Jupiter-like orbits around stars of $\lt 8 M_\odot$ avoid being destroyed by the strong tidal forces of their stellar host, but as yet there has been no observational confirmation of such a survivor. Here we report on the non-detection of a main-sequence lens star in the microlensing event MOA-2010-BLG-477Lb using near-infrared observations from the Keck Observatory. We determine this system contains a $0.53\pm0.11$ solar mass white dwarf host orbited by a $1.4 \pm 0.3$ Jupiter mass planet with a separation on the plane of the sky of $2.8\pm 0.5$ AU, which implies a semi-major axis larger than this. This system is evidence that planets around white dwarfs can survive the giant and asymptotic giant phases of their host's evolution, and supports the prediction that over half of white dwarfs are predicted to have Jovian planetary companions. Located at approximately 2.0 kpc toward the center of our Galaxy, it likely represents an analog to the end stages of the Sun and Jupiter in our own Solar System., Comment: 15 pages, 10 figures

White dwarfs with emission lines from gaseous debris discs are among the rarest examples of planetary remnant hosts, but at the same time they are key objects for studying the final evolutionary stage of planetary systems. Making use of the large number of white dwarfs identified in Gaia DR2, we are conducting a survey of planetary remnants and here we present the first results of our search: six white dwarfs with gaseous debris discs. This first publication focuses on the main observational properties of these objects and highlights their most unique features. Three systems in particular stand out: WDJ084602.47+570328.64 displays an exceptionally strong infrared excess which defies the standard model of a geometrically-thin, optically-thick dusty debris disc; WDJ213350.72+242805.93 is the hottest gaseous debris disc host known with Teff=29282 K; and WDJ052914.32-340108.11, in which we identify a record number of 51 emission lines from five elements. These discoveries shed light on the underlying diversity in gaseous debris disc systems and bring the total number of these objects to 21. With these numbers we can now start looking at the properties of these systems as a class of objects rather than on a case-by-case basis., Comment: 20 pages, 11 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS. V2 replaced Fig.10 and minor changes to sections 4 and 7

We propose a codimension two warped braneworld model within the teleparallel $f(T)$ gravity. By assuming a global vortex as the source, we found a $l=0$ vortex solution that yields to a thick string-like brane. Asymptotically, the bulk geometry converges to an $AdS_6$ spacetime whose cosmological constant is produced by the torsion parameters. Furthermore, the torsion induces an $AdS-dS$ transition on the exterior region. Inside the brane core, the torsion produces an internal structure even for a single complex scalar field. As the torsion parameters vary, the brane undergoes a phase transition leading to the formation of ring-like structures. The bulk-brane Planck mass ration is modified by the torsion. The analysis of the stress energy condition reveals a splitting brane process satisfying the weak and strong energy conditions for some values of the parameters. In addition, we investigate the behaviour of the gravitational perturbations in this scenario. It turns out that the gravitational spectrum has a linear behaviour for small masses and is independent of the torsion parameters for large masses. In the bulk, the torsion keeps a gapless non-localizable and stable tower of massive modes. Inside the brane core the torsion produces new barriers and potential wells leading to small amplitude massive modes and a massless mode localized around the ring structures., Comment: 25 pages, 11 figures

WD 1145+017 is currently the only white dwarf known to exhibit periodic transits of planetary debris as well as absorption lines from circumstellar gas. We present the first simultaneous fast optical spectrophotometry and broad-band photometry of the system, obtained with the Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC) and the Liverpool Telescope (LT), respectively. The observations spanned $5.5$ h, somewhat longer than the $4.5$-h orbital period of the debris. Dividing the GTC spectrophotometry into five wavelength bands reveals no significant colour differences, confirming grey transits in the optical. We argue that absorption by an optically thick structure is a plausible alternative explanation for the achromatic nature of the transits that can allow the presence of small-sized ($\sim\mu$m) particles. The longest ($87$ min) and deepest ($50$ per cent attenuation) transit recorded in our data exhibits a complex structure around minimum light that can be well modelled by multiple overlapping dust clouds. The strongest circumstellar absorption line, Fe II $\lambda$5169, significantly weakens during this transit, with its equivalent width reducing from a mean out-of-transit value of $2$ \AA\ to $1$ \AA\ in-transit, supporting spatial correlation between the circumstellar gas and dust. Finally, we made use of the Gaia Data Release 2 and archival photometry to determine the white dwarf parameters. Adopting a helium-dominated atmosphere containing traces of hydrogen and metals, and a reddening $E(B-V)=0.01$ we find $T_\mathrm{eff}=15\,020 \pm 520$ K, $\log g=8.07\pm0.07$, corresponding to $M_\mathrm{WD}=0.63\pm0.05\ \mbox{$\mathrm{M}_{\odot}$}$ and a cooling age of $224\pm30$ Myr., Comment: 13 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (2018 Aug 22)

We present in this work, the calculations of corrections in the Newton's law of gravitation due to Kaluza-Klein gravitons in five-dimensional warped thick braneworld scenarios. We consider here a recently proposed model, namely, the hybrid Bloch brane. This model couples two scalar fields to gravity and is engendered from a domain wall-like defect. Also, two other models the so-called asymmetric hybrid brane and compact brane are considered. As a matter of fact, these models are obtained from deformations of the phi4 and sine-Gordon topological defects. Then, we constructed the branes upon such defects, and the corresponding corrections in Newton's law of gravitation are computed. In order to attain the mass spectrum and its corresponding eigenfunctions which are the essential quantities for computing the correction to the Newtonian potential, we develop a suitable numerical technique., Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures, Proceedings of The XXVth International Conference on Integrable Systems and Quantum symmetries (ISQS-25)

In this work, we compute the corrections in the Newton's law of gravitation due to Kaluza-Klein gravitons in codimension-1 warped thick braneworld scenarios. We focus in some models recently proposed in the literature, the so-called asymmetric hybrid brane and compact brane. Such models are deformations of the $\phi^4$ and sine-Gordon topological defects, respectively. Therefore we consider the branes engendered by such defects and we also compute the corrections in their cases. We use suitable numerical techniques to attain the mass spectrum and its corresponding eigenfunctions which are the essential quantities for computing the correction to the Newtonian potential. Moreover, we discuss that the existence of massive modes is necessary for building a braneworld model with a phenomenology involved. We find that the odd eigenfunctions have non-trivial contributions and the first eigenstate of the Kaluza-Klein tower has the highest contribution. The calculation of slight deviations in the gravitational potential may be used as a selection tool for braneworld scenarios matching with future experimental measurements in high energy collisions., Comment: 24 pages, 15 figures. Replaced in order to match the modified version accepted to PRD. Minor text modifications

In this work, we derive an expression for the correction in the Newton's law of gravitation due to the gravitational Kaluza-Klein states in a general thick string-like braneworld scenario in six dimensions. In order to analyze corrections to Newton's law we study the gravity fluctuations in a 3-brane placed in a transverse resolved conifold and use suitable numerical methods to attain the massive spectrum and the corresponding eigenfunctions. Such braneworld model has a resolution parameter which removes the conical singularity. The correction has an exponentially suppressed mass term and depends on the values of the eigenfunctions and warp factors computed at the core peak of the brane. The spectrum is real and monotonically increased, as desired. However, the resolution parameter must assume moderate values to have physically acceptable states. Moreover, the trapped massless mode regains the 4D gravity and it is displaced from the origin, sharing similar profile with the energy density of brane for small values of resolution parameter. Finally, for the singular conifold, we found that a non-first eigenstate is a resonant mode. Such excited state is the largest contributor to corrections in the Newtonian potential., Comment: 21 pages, 12 figures. 5 new figures. Section V modified in order to include more details and analysis of experimental bounds. Some references added

We report the discovery of two transiting planetary systems: a super dense, sub-Jupiter mass planet WASP-86b (\mpl\ = 0.82 $\pm$ 0.06 \mj, \rpl\ = 0.63 $\pm$ 0.01 \rj), and a bloated, Saturn-like planet WASP-102b (\mpl\ = 0.62 $\pm$ 0.04 \mj, \rpl\=1.27 $\pm$ 0.03 \rj). They orbit their host star every $\sim$5.03, and $\sim$2.71 days, respectively. The planet hosting WASP-86 is a F7 star (\teff\ = 6330$\pm$110 K, \feh\ = $+$0.23 $\pm$ 0.14 dex, and age $\sim$0.8--1~Gyr), WASP-102 is a G0 star (\teff\ = 5940$\pm$140 K, \feh\ = $-$0.09$\pm$ 0.19 dex, and age $\sim$1~Gyr). These two systems highlight the diversity of planetary radii over similar masses for giant planets with masses between Saturn and Jupiter. WASP-102b shows a larger than model-predicted radius, indicating that the planet is receiving a strong incident flux which contributes to the inflation of its radius. On the other hand, with a density of $\rho_{pl}$ = 3.24$\pm$~0.3~$\rho_{jup}$, WASP-86b is the densest gas giant planet among planets with masses in the range 0.05 $

This work deals with gravity localization on codimension-1 brane worlds engendered by compacton-like kinks, the so-called hybrid branes. In such scenarios, the thin brane behaviour is manifested when the extra dimension is outside the compact domain, where the energy density is non-trivial, instead of asymptotically as in the usual thick brane models. The zero mode is trapped in the brane, as required. The massive modes, although are not localized in the brane, have important phenomenological implications such as corrections to the Newton's law. We study such corrections in the usual thick domain wall and in the hybrid brane scenarios. By means of suitable numerical methods, we attain the mass spectrum for the graviton and the corresponding wavefunctions. The spectra possess the usual linearly increasing behaviour from the Kaluza-Klein theories. Further, we show that the 4D gravitational force is slightly increased at short distances. The first eigenstate contributes highly for the correction to the Newton's law. The subsequent normalized solutions have diminishing contributions. Moreover, we find out that the phenomenology of the hybrid brane is not different from the usual thick domain wall. The use of numerical techniques for solving the equations of the massive modes is useful for matching possible phenomenological measurements in the gravitational law as a probe to warped extra dimensions., Comment: 15 pages, 11 figures

We study the spin 1/2 and spin 3/2 fermion fields in a thick braneworld scenario in six dimensions called string-cigar model. This smooth string-like model has a source that satisfies the dominant energy condition and undergoes a Ricci flow. We propose a new coupling for the fermions with a background gauge field which allows a smooth and normalized massless mode in the brane with positive tension. By numerical methods the mass spectrum and the massive eigenfunctions are obtained. The Kaluza-Klein massive tower exhibits the usual increasing pattern and, in this scenario, the coupling term does not allow tachyonic Kaluza-Klein states. The brane core and the background gauge field alter the properties of the massive KK tower, enhancing the amplitude of the massive states near the origin and changing the properties of the analogue Schroedinger potential. Furthermore, we find massive modes as resonant states in this scenario for both fermionic fields., Comment: Final version to appear in Physical Review D. Section II substantially enlarged in order to do a comprehensive review of the thin string brane model and string cigar brane model. One section added for considering of the Rarita-Schwinger spinor field. Some references added. 35 pgs, 17 figs

The solar system started to form about 4.56 Gyr ago and despite the long intervening time span, there still exist several clues about its formation. The three major sources for this information are meteorites, the present solar system structure and the planet-forming systems around young stars. In this introduction we give an overview of the current understanding of the solar system formation from all these different research fields. This includes the question of the lifetime of the solar protoplanetary disc, the different stages of planet formation, their duration, and their relative importance. We consider whether meteorite evidence and observations of protoplanetary discs point in the same direction. This will tell us whether our solar system had a typical formation history or an exceptional one. There are also many indications that the solar system formed as part of a star cluster. Here we examine the types of cluster the Sun could have formed in, especially whether its stellar density was at any stage high enough to influence the properties of today's solar system. The likelihood of identifying siblings of the Sun is discussed. Finally, the possible dynamical evolution of the solar system since its formation and its future are considered., Comment: 36 pages, 7 figures, invited review in Physica Scripta

In this work we investigate the properties of an Abelian gauge vector field in a thin and in a smoothed string-like braneworld, the so-called string-cigar model. This thick brane scenario satisfies the regularity conditions and it can be regarded as an interior and exterior string-like solution. The source undergoes a geometric Ricci flow which is connected to a variation of the bulk cosmological constant. The Ricci flow changes the width and amplitude of the massless mode at the brane core and recover the usual thin string-like behavior at large distances. By numerical means we obtain the Kaluza-Klein (KK) spectrum for both the thin brane and the string-cigar. It turns out that both models exhibit a mass gap between the massless and the massive modes and between the high and the low mass regimes. The KK modes are smooth near the brane and their amplitude are enhanced by the string-cigar core. The analogue Schr\"odinger potential is also tuned by the geometric flow., Comment: The discussion about the Kaluza-Klein spectrum of the gauge field was improved. Numerical analysis was adapted to the conventional notation on Kaluza-Klein number. Some graphics were modified for considering other notation. Results unchanged. References added. Corrected typos. 17 pages. 6 figures. To match version to appears in Physics Letters B

We propose here a static and axisymmetric braneworld in six dimensions as a string-like model extension. For a subtle warp function, this scenario provides near brane corrections. By varying the bulk cosmological constant, we obtain a source which passes through different phases. The solution is defined both for the interior as for the exterior of the string and satisfies the weak energy condition. Smooth gravitational massless mode is localized on the brane which core is displaced from the origin. In contrast to the thin string model, the massive solutions have high amplitude near the brane. By means of an analogue quantum potential analysis, we show that s-waves gravitational Kaluza-Klein modes are permissible as resonant states., Comment: 8 pages, 10 figures

In this work the gravitational Kaluza-Klein (KK) modes are analysed on string-like braneworlds in six dimensions, namely the thin string-like Gherghetta-Shaposhnikov (GS) and the thick string-cigar model. We find a new massless mode in both modes satisfying the respective Schroedinger equation. By means of numerical analysis for both models, a complete graviton spectrum and eigenfunctions is attained. Besides the linear regime, the KK spectrum exhibits a decreasing behavior with an asymmetric mass gap with respect to the massless mode. The discontinuity is bigger in the GS model, and it is invariant upon the geometrical flow. A massive mode is obtained in the GS model with a tiny mass which does not match in any regime. It turns out that in the string-cigar model, the core brane structure smoothes and amplifies the KK modes near the brane. Further, the presence of a potential well allows the existence of resonant massive gravitons for small masses in the string-cigar scenario., Comment: 15 pages, 12 figures

We have undertaken a thorough dynamical investigation of five extrasolar planetary systems using extensive numerical experiments. The systems Gl 777 A, HD 72659, Gl 614, 47 Uma and HD 4208 were examined concerning the question of whether they could host terrestrial like planets in their habitable zones (=HZ). First we investigated the mean motion resonances between fictitious terrestrial planets and the existing gas giants in these five extrasolar systems. Then a fine grid of initial conditions for a potential terrestrial planet within the HZ was chosen for each system, from which the stability of orbits was then assessed by direct integrations over a time interval of 1 million years. The computations were carried out using a Lie-series integration method with an adaptive step size control. This integration method achieves machine precision accuracy in a highly efficient and robust way, requiring no special adjustments when the orbits have large eccentricities. The stability of orbits was examined with a determination of the Renyi entropy, estimated from recurrence plots, and with a more straight forward method based on the maximum eccentricity achieved by the planet over the 1 million year integration. Additionally, the eccentricity is an indication of the habitability of a terrestrial planet in the HZ; any value of e>0.2 produces a significant temperature difference on a planet's surface between apoapse and periapse. The results for possible stable orbits for terrestrial planets in habitable zones for the five systems are summarized as follows: for Gl 777 A nearly the entire HZ is stable, for 47 Uma, HD 72659 and HD 4208 terrestrial planets can survive for a sufficiently long time, while for Gl 614 our results exclude terrestrial planets moving in stable orbits within the HZ., Comment: 14 pages, 18 figures submitted to A&A