Singular tuples of matrices is not a null cone (and the symmetries of algebraic varieties)

The following multi-determinantal algebraic variety plays a central role in algebra, algebraic geometry and computational complexity theory: SING n , m {{\rm SING}_{n,m}} , consisting of all m-tuples of n × n {n\times n} complex matrices which span only singular matrices. In particular, an efficient deterministic algorithm testing membership in SING n , m {{\rm SING}_{n,m}} will imply super-polynomial circuit lower bounds, a holy grail of the theory of computation. A sequence of recent works suggests such efficient algorithms for memberships in a general class of algebraic varieties, namely the null cones of linear group actions. Can this be used for the problem above? Our main result is negative: SING n , m {{\rm SING}_{n,m}} is not the null cone of any (reductive) group action! This stands in stark contrast to a non-commutative analog of this variety, and points to an inherent structural difficulty of SING n , m {{\rm SING}_{n,m}} . To prove this result, we identify precisely the group of symmetries of SING n , m {{\rm SING}_{n,m}} . We find this characterization, and the tools we introduce to prove it, of independent interest. Our work significantly generalizes a result of Frobenius for the special case m = 1 {m=1} , and suggests a general method for determining the symmetries of algebraic varieties.

Global solutions to the spherically symmetric Einstein-scalar field system with a positive cosmological constant in Bondi coordinates

We consider a characteristic initial value problem, with initial data given on a future null cone, for the Einstein (massless) scalar field system with a positive cosmological constant, in Bondi coordinates. We prove that, for small data, this system has a unique global classical solution which is causally geodesically complete to the future and decays polynomially in radius and exponentially in Bondi time, approaching the de Sitter solution.

A link between symmetries of critical states and the structure of SLOCC classes in multipartite systems

Central in entanglement theory is the characterization of local transformations among pure multipartite states. As a first step towards such a characterization, one needs to identify those states which can be transformed into each other via local operations with a non-vanishing probability. The classes obtained in this way are called SLOCC classes. They can be categorized into three disjoint types: the null-cone, the polystable states and strictly semistable states. Whereas the former two are well characterized, not much is known about strictly semistable states. We derive a criterion for the existence of the latter. In particular, we show that there exists a strictly semistable state if and only if there exist two polystable states whose orbits have different dimensions. We illustrate the usefulness of this criterion by applying it to tripartite states where one of the systems is a qubit. Moreover, we scrutinize all SLOCC classes of these systems and derive a complete characterization of the corresponding orbit types. We present representatives of strictly semistable classes and show to which polystable state they converge via local regular operators.

Elastic strips with null and pseudo-null directrix

The solution of the variational problem which gives elastic strips in Minkowski [Formula: see text]-space is separately obtained for elastic strips with null and pseudo-null directrix. First, critical points of the modified Sadowsky functional (which depends on the modified torsion) for elastic strips with null directrix are characterized by three Euler–Lagrange equations. A connection is established between elastic curves on the two-dimensional null cone and elastic strips with null directrix. Then conservation laws of elastic strips with null directrix in Minkowski 3-space are given. Second, equilibrium equations for elastic strips with pseudo-null directrix are determined and solved. It is also shown the tangent and the binormal of a critical curve of the Sadowsky functional correspond to a null elastic curve in de Sitter 2-space and a spacelike elastic curve in the two-dimensional null cone, respectively. Finally, two conservation laws for elastic strips with pseudo-null directrix are derived.