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Les modèles de champ moyen en QED apparaissent naturellement dans la modélisation du nuage électronique des atomes lourds. Cette modélisation joue un rôle croissant en physique et chimie quantique, les effets relativistes ne pouvant pas être négligés pour ces atomes. En physique quantique relativiste, le vide est un milieu polarisable, susceptible de réagir à la présence de champ électromagnétique.On se place dans le cadre du modèle variationnel de Bogoliubov-Dirac-Fock (BDF) qui est une approximation de champ moyen de la QED sans photon (en particulier, les interactions considérées sont purement électrostatiques).Il est à noter que pour donner un sens au modèle BDF, il est nécessaire d'introduire une régularisation ultra-violette. Il se produit un phénomène de renormalisation de charge due à la polarisation du vide : la charge de l'électron observée dépend de la charge « nue » de l'électron et du paramètre de régularisation. On étudie rigoureusement ce phénomène ainsi que le problème de la renormalisation de la masse. Cette dernière est en lien avec l'existence d'un état fondamental pour le système d'un électron dans le vide, en l'absence de tout champ extérieur. En revanche, on montre l'absence de minimiseurs dans le cas de deux électrons.Enfin, on exhibe des points critiques de l'énergie BDF, interprétés comme des états excités du vide. On met en évidence le positronium, système métastable d'un électron et de son antiparticule le positron, ainsi que le dipositronium, molécule métastable constituée de deux électrons et de deux positrons.Les méthodes utilisées sont variationnelles (concentration-compacité, lemme de Borwein et Preiss). / In QED, mean-field models appear in the modelling of the electron clouds of heavy atoms. This modelling plays a increasing role in physics and in quantum chemistry: relativistic effects cannot be neglected in these atoms. In relativistic quantum physics the vacuum is a polarizable medium that can react to the presence of an electromagnetic field.We consider the so-called Bogoliubov-Dirac-Fock (BDF) model, a variational model which is a mean-field approximation of no-photon QED (in particular the interactions are purely electrostatic).We point out that an ultraviolet regularisation is necessary to properly define the BDF model. The vacuum polarisation leads to a \emph{renormalisation} phenomenon, the "observed" charge of the electron depends on its "bare" charge and the regularisation parameter. We rigorously study both the problem of charge renormalisation and mass renormalisation. This last one is linked to the existence of ground state in the case of an electron in the vacuum, without any external field. In contrast, we show there is no ground state in the case of two electrons.Finally we exhibit some critical points of the BDF energy which are interpreted as vacuum excited states. In particular, there are the positronium (a metastable system constituted by an electron and its antiparticle called the positron) and the dipositronium (a metastable molecule constituted by two electrons and two positrons).The methods that we use are variational (concentration-compactness, Borwein and Preiss's Lemma).

En esta tesis se presenta un estudio de los vínculos de Dirac asociados a una teoría de campos desde el punto de vista de sistemas diferenciales exteriores (EDS).Con este fin en mente, se estudió una clase mayor de problemas variacionales, deno-minadosproblemas variacionales no estándar, que permiten tratar en pie de igualdad tanto sistemas mecánicos como teorías de campos. Para ello se recurrió al concepto de problema variacional Lepage equivalente (tal como se define en [Got91b]), a través del cual fue posible representar las ecuaciones para las extremales del problema original como un sistema diferencial exterior ZH-C. Este sistema diferencial exterior resulta ser un objeto central en la búsqueda de los vínculos de Dirac de la teoría: introduciendo una descomposi-ción del espacio de campos en hojas de tiempo constante, se muestra que ZH-C permite dar dos versiones equivalentes para dichos vínculos, la usual, en término de funciones sobre un espacio de fases de dimensión infinita, y la novedosa, que los representa como un conjunto de generadores de un siste-ma diferencial exterior asociado a IH-C y la foliación introduci-da.Se aplicó el esquema desarrollado al estudio de una serie de ejemplos, algunos físicamente motivados, como el campo electromagnético, el campo de Yang-Mills y el sistema Toda, como así también para el cálculo de las consecuencias dife-renciales de un sistema de ecuaciones en derivadas parciales. Además fue posible construir un ejemplo de juguete en el cual el método de Dirac falla en alcanzar su culminación, permitién-donos entender fenómenos presentes en teorías de campo más realistas [Got]. / In this thesis, a study of the Dirac constraints arising in the canonical treatment of a field theory, from exterior differential system (EDS) viewpoint, is presented.Keeping this in mind, a bigger class of variational problems, the so called non standard variational problems, was studied, allowing us to deal with both mechanical systems and field theories. In order to achieve this task, it was necessary to use Lepage-equiva-lent variational problems, as defined by [Got91b], permitting us to give a representation of the equations for the extremals in terms of an exterior differential system IH-C.This exterior differential system then becomes a central object in searching the Dirac constraints of the field theory: in fact, by intro-ducing a decomposition of the field space into constant-time slices, it is shown here that IH-C gives two equivalent ver-sions for these constraints, namely,the usual, written in terms of functions on an infinite-dimensional phase space, and the new one, where they are represented as generators of an exterior differential system closely related with IH-C and the slicing. This scheme was applied in a number of examples, some of them physically motivated, such as the electromag-netic field, the Yang-Mills field and the Toda system, and also for the calculation of the differential consequences of a system of partial differential equations. Moreover, it was possible to formulate a toy model where the Dirac method fails in reaching a successful termination, in order to improve our understanding of more realistic field theories [Got].

We investigate the local and global well-posedness of a variety of nonlinear Dirac type equations with null structure on R1+1. In particular, we prove global existence in L2 for a nonlinear Dirac equation known as the Thirring model. Local existence in Hs for s > 0, and global existence for s > 1/2 , has recently been proven by Selberg-Tesfahun where they used Xs,b spaces together with a type of null form estimate. In contrast, motivated by the recent work of Machihara-Nakanishi-Tsugawa, we prove local existence in the scale invariant class L2 by using null coordinates. Moreover, again using null coordinates, we prove almost optimal local wellposedness for the Chern-Simons-Dirac equation which extends recent work of Huh. To prove global well-posedness for the Thirring model, we introduce a decomposition which shows the solution is linear (up to gauge transforms in U(1)), with an error term that can be controlled in L∞. This decomposition is also applied to prove global existence for the Chern-Simons-Dirac equation. This thesis also contains a study of bilinear estimates in Xs,b± (R2) spaces. These estimates are often used in the theory of nonlinear Dirac equations on R1+1. We prove estimates that are optimal up to endpoints by using dyadic decomposition together with some simplifications due to Tao. As an application, by using the I-method of Colliander-Keel-Staffilani-Takaoka-Tao, we extend the work of Tesfahun on global existence below the charge class for the Dirac-Klein- Gordon equation on R1+1. The final result contained in this thesis concerns the space-time Monopole equation. Recent work of Czubak showed that the space-time Monopole equation is locally well-posed in the Coulomb gauge for small initial data in Hs(R2) for s > 1/4 . Here we show that the Monopole equation has null structure in Lorenz gauge, and use this to prove local well-posedness for large initial data in Hs(R2) with s > 1/4.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento CientÃfico e TecnolÃgico / Neste trabalho estudamos o Oscilador de Dirac (OD) em trÃs diferentes situaÃÃes. Na primeira situaÃÃo estudamos o OD com violaÃÃo da simetria de Lorentz. Referida violaÃÃo à implementada atravÃs de um termo vetorial e de um termo axial. Realizamos o limite nÃo-relativÃstico e obtemos que o campo de background vetorial nÃo modifica o espectro de energia do sistema. Contudo, no caso do campo de background axial, aparece uma correÃÃo similar ao efeito Zeeman. Na segunda questÃo discutida aqui, relatamos os primeiros estudos sobre o oscilador de Dirac com massa variÃvel. Impomos um vÃnculo no sistema de modo a preservar a estrutura supersimÃtrica e obter a soluÃÃo de funÃÃo de onda. Esta condiÃÃo nos permite encontrar uma forma funcional especÃfica para a massa, a qual apresenta interessante caracterÃstica. Devido a esse aspecto, esse modelo melhora duas conhecidas interpretaÃÃes fÃsicas do Oscilador de Dirac, ou seja, aquela onde o OD à visto como uma interaÃÃo entre o momento magnÃtico anÃmalo de fÃrmions neutros e uma esfera carregada, e a interpretaÃÃo como um modelo que descreve aproximadamente o confinamento de quarks. Por outro lado, as autofunÃÃes e a autoenergias do estado fundamental do sistema sÃo tambÃm obtidas. Por fim, na terceira parte do trabalho, usamos a conhecida abordagem de Foldy-Wouthuysen para tratar o problema de ordenamento do operador de energia cinÃtica na teoria de baixas energias. O problema de ordenamento aparece na teoria de Schroedinger quando consideramos massa dependendo da posiÃÃo, uma vez que a presenÃa de dois operadores no termo cinÃtico torna ambÃguo o Hamiltoniano. Neste trabalho, partindo do oscilador de Dirac, no qual a massa depende da posiÃÃo, usamos a transformaÃÃo de Foldy-Wouthuysen para obter um Hamiltoniano nÃo-relativÃstico e anti-hermitiano, sem problemas de ordenamento. Com o intuito de auxilair a leitura do trabalho do ponto de vista tÃcnico, acrescentamos dois apÃndices. No apÃndice A apresentamos as equaÃÃes hipergeomÃtricas confluentes e suas relaÃÃes com diversas funÃÃes especiais. No apÃndice B, revisamos brevemente os conceitos bÃsicos da Supersimetria da MecÃnica QuÃntica. / In this work we study the Dirac Oscillator (DO) in a threefold way. In the first way, we study DO with Lorentz symmetry violation. This violation is implemented through vectorial and an axial terms. We realize a non-relativistic limit and we obtain that the background vector field does not modify the energy spectrum. However, in the case of the background axial field, a correction similar to the Zeeman effect shows up. As the second issue studied here, we report first studies on the Dirac oscillator with variable mass. We impose a constraint in the system in order to preserve a supersymmetric structure and hence to obtain a wave function solution. This condition allows us to find a particular functional form to the mass, which presents an interesting feature. Due to this feature, this model enhances twofold physical equivalence for the Dirac oscillator, namely, an interaction term between an anomalous magnetic moment of neutral fermions and a charged sphere, and the confinement of quarks. Also eigenfunctions and eigenenergy of the fundamental state of the system are obtained. Finally, in the third part of our work, we use the so called Foldy-Wouthuysen approach in order to treat the ordering problem of the kinetic energy operator in the low energy theory. The ordering problem appears in the Schroedinger theory when we consider mass depending on position, since due to the presence of two operators in the kinetic term, the Hamiltonian turns ambiguous. In that work, starting from a Dirac oscillator which mass depends on position, we use the Foldy-Wouthuysen transformation to achieve a non-relativistic anti-Hermitian Hamiltonian with no ordering problem. As a matter of completeness we add two appendix, namely, an appendix A in order to present the confluent hypergeometric equation and their relations with special functions, and an appendix B, where we review briefly the Supersymmetric Quantum Mechanics.

In a thermally equilibrated system, electron behavior in a metal is described by the Fermi-Dirac equation. With ultrafast lasers, electrons can be excited into temporary distributions which are not described by the Fermi-Dirac equation and are therefore not at a well-defined temperature. These nonthermal distributions quickly equilibrate through two primary processes: electron-electron scattering and electron-phonon scattering. In most situations, these effects are unnoticeable, since they are completed within 5 ps. A probabilistic numerical model for electron-electron scattering is presented. The model is robust, scaleable, and requires only one parameter. The success of the model suggests future work on a similar electron-phonon scattering model, which would provide a complete description of the elctron distribution during thermalization. Once complete, this model can be tested by measuring the amount of second harmonic light generated by an ultrafast laser in a pump-probe experiment.

The Kapitza-Dirac effect is similar to the canonical experiment on diffraction of electrons through slits in an opaque screen, except that the diffraction grating has been replaced by a standing wave of light. Remarkably, incident electrons are diffracted by the standing light wave almost as if by a standard diffraction grating. Only recently has this effect been confirmed experimentally in this form [1], although it was originally predicted by Kapitza and Dirac almost 70 years ago. This paper examines the relativistic effects involved in this phenomena using the formalism of quantum field theory.

La nanostructuration de matériaux semi-conducteurs permet de modifier le comportement des porteurs de charge. Ces modifications sont causées par les effets de confinement quantique. Dans cette thèse, nous étudions par des approches théoriques (numériques et analytiques) les propriétés de réseaux cohérents de nanocristaux semi-conducteurs. Ces réseaux sont expérimentalement obtenus par des méthodes ascendantes (bottom-up) d’auto-assemblage orienté. Nous montrons que leurs structures de bandes électroniques peuvent être modélisées par un simple Hamiltonien effectif dont les énergies propres sont analytiques. En outre, nous proposons une méthode descendante (top-down) de nano-fabrication consistant en la gravure de puits quantiques semi-conducteurs par des méthodes de lithographie. Cette approche permet de reproduire artificiellement des réseaux bidimensionnels à fort intérêt et comportant des fermions de Dirac tels que le nid d’abeilles, le kagome et le Lieb. Nous étudions ensuite l’effet d’un champ magnétique statique sur un nanocristal isolé, puis sur un réseau de nanocristaux en nid d’abeilles dans lequel nous prédisons l’apparition de grands moments magnétiques. Enfin, nous montrons que dans les réseaux carrés PbSe, un désordre original portant sur les signes des termes de couplage entre nanocristaux apparaît. Nous montrons que ce désordre est réductible par des transformations de jauge, et nous quantifions le désordre réel (résiduel) ressenti par les électrons. / Semiconductor nanostructuration methods are a new route leading to the tuning of charge carriers behavior. This tuning is a direct consequence of the quantum confinement effect. In this thesis, we study using numerical and analytical approaches the properties of coherent superlattices of semiconductor nanocrystals. These superlattices are synthesized by bottom-up methods of oriented self-assembly. We show that their electronic band structures can be modeled by a simple effective Hamiltonian with analytical eigenvalues. In addition, we propose a top-down method where a periodic arrangement of holes is etched in semiconductor quantum wells using lithography. We show that it is possible to artificially reproduce two-dimensional lattices of high interest such as the honeycomb, the kagome and the Lieb lattices. Most of these lattices host Dirac fermions that we also recover in the superlattices. In another chapter, we study the effect of a static magnetic field on isolated nanocrystals and on honeycomb superlattices. We predict the presence of large magnetic moments in those systems. Finally, we show that, in PbSe square superlattices, a bond-sign disorder should arise. We find that this disorder is reducible by gauge transformations and we quantify the true (residual) disorder felt by electrons.

The atomic and electronic structures of Au-intercalated graphene buffer layer on SiC(0001) surface were investigated using first-principles calculations. The unique Dirac cone of the graphene near K point reappeared as the buffer layer was intercalated by Au atoms. Coherence interfaces were used to study the mismatch and strain at the interfaces. Our calculations showed that the strain at graphene/Au and Au/SiC(0001) interfaces also played a key role in the electronic structures. Futhermore, we found that at Au coverage of 3/8 ML, Au intercalation leads to strong n-type doping of graphene. At 9/8 ML, it exhibited weak p-type doping, meaning that graphene is not fully decoupled from substrate. The shift of Dirac point resulting from electronic doping is not only due to different electronegativities but also strains at the interfaces. Our calculated positions of Dirac points are consistent with those observed in the ARPES experiment [Isabella Gierz et al., Phys. Rev. B 81, 235408 (2010).].

Thesis (Ph.D.)--York University, 2008. Graduate Programme in Physics and Astronomy. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 123-130). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:NR45983