How should we measure spatial distances?

The use of time-like geodesics to measure temporal distances is better justified than the use of space-like geodesics for a measurement of spatial distances. We give examples where a spatial distance cannot be appropriately determined by the length of a space-like geodesic.     

Stick-slip motion in spite of a slippery contact: do we get what we see in atomic friction?

Atomic force microscopy provides direct atomic-scale access to friction. In this paper, unexpected and potentially dramatic consequences of the tip elasticity are discussed. Under certain natural conditions an essentially new, nontrivial regime can be entered. Although the tip appears to perform typical stick-slip motion, the tip-surface contact is fully "lubricated" by fast thermal motion of the tip apex. The interpretation of the observations needs to be changed completely in this case.     

Should we still believe in constrained supersymmetry?

We calculate partial Bayes factors to quantify how the feasibility of the constrained minimal supersymmetric standard model (CMSSM) has changed in the light of a series of observations. This is done in the Bayesian spirit where probability reflects a degree of belief in a proposition and Bayes’ theorem tells us how to update it after acquiring new information. Our experimental baseline is the approximate knowledge that was available before LEP, and our comparison model is the Standard Model with a simple dark matter candidate. To quantify the amount by which experiments have altered our relative belief in the CMSSM since the baseline data we compute the partial Bayes factors that arise from learning in sequence the LEP Higgs constraints, the XENON100 dark matter constraints, the 2011 LHC supersymmetry search results, and the early 2012 LHC Higgs search results. We find that LEP and the LHC strongly shatter our trust in the CMSSM (with M ₀ and M _1/2 below 2 TeV), reducing its posterior odds by approximately two orders of magnitude. This reduction is largely due to substantial Occam factors induced by the LEP and LHC Higgs searches.     

What do we learn from the CMB observations?

We give an account, at nonexpert and quantitative level, of physics behind the CMB temperature anisotropy and polarization and their peculiar features. We discuss, in particular, how cosmological parameters are determined from the CMB measurements and their combinations with other observations. We emphasize that CMB is the major source of information on the primordial density perturbations and, possibly, gravitational waves, and discuss the implication for our understanding of the extremely early Universe.     

韦尔特曼：We go on until we go wrong

正2021年1月4日,荷兰国家亚原子物理研究所教授、1999年诺贝尔物理学奖获得者马丁努思·韦尔特曼(Martinus Veltman)教授在家中与世长辞,享年89岁。听闻此讯,我的脑海中立即涌现出韦尔特曼的名言:We go on until we go wrong。很多粒子物理学家在探索微观世界的职业生涯中,不论成功或失败,都以自己的实际行动反复印证了这句话。     

Software Process Improvement in CMS—Are we Different？

One of the most challenging issues faced in HEP in recent years is the question of how to capitalise on software development and maintenance experience in a continuous manner.To capitalise inour context means to evaluate and apply new technologies as they arise,and to further evolve technologies arlready widely in use,It also implies the definition and adoption of standards,while ensuring reproducibility and quality of results.The CMS process improvement effort is two-pronged.It aims at continuous improve ment of the ways we do Object Oriented software,as well as continuous improvement in the efficiency of the working enviuronment.In particular the use and creation of de-facto software process standards within CMS has proven to be key to our successful software process improvement program.We describe the successful CMS implementation of a software process improvement strategy,following ISO 15504 since three years.We give the current status of the most important processes families formally established in CMS,and provide the guidelines we followed both for tool development,and methodology establishment.     

Can we extract lambda-lambda interaction from two-particle momentum correlation?

We analyze the invariant mass spectrum of Λ-Λ in ¹²C(K⁻, K⁺ ΛΛ) reaction at P_K⁻ = 1.65 GeV/c by using a combined framework of IntraNuclear Cascade (INC) model and the correlation function technique. The observed enhancement at low-invariant masses can be well reproduced with attractive Λ-Λ interactions with the scattering length either in the range a = −6 −4 fm (no bound state) or a = 7 12 fm (with bound state). We also discuss Λ-Λ correlation functions in central relativistic heavy-ion collisions as a possible way to eliminate this discrete ambiguity.     

What do we learn from the ρ-π puzzle

The experimental observation indicates that the branching ratio of ψ＇→ρπ is very small while the ρ-π channel is a main one in J/ψ decays. To understand the puzzle, various interpretations have been proposed. Meanwhile according to the hadronic helicity selection rule, this decay mode should be suppressed. Numerical calculations are needed to determine how it is suppressed. We calculate the branching ratios of J/ψ→ρπ and ππ in the framework of QCD. The results show that the branching ratios are proportional to （mu＋md/MJ/ψ）^2 for the ρπ mode and （mu-md/MJ/ψ）^2 for the ππ mode which is isospin violated. The theoretical prediction of the ratio of J/ ψ→ρπ is smaller than data, but not too small to invoke a completely new mechanism. Thus the puzzle is still standing even though we learn much knowledge towards the puzzle and this will help to finally interpret the puzzle and then gain a deeper insight to the heavy quarkonia.     

What do we learn from the ρ-π puzzle

The experimental observation indicates that the branching ratio of ψ→ρπ is very small while the ρ-π channel is a main one in J/ψ decays.To understand the puzzle,various interpretations have been proposed.Meanwhile according to the hadronic helicity selection rule,this decay mode should be suppressed.Numerical calculations are needed to determine how it is suppressed.We calculate the branching ratios of J/ψ→ρπ and ππ in the framework of QCD.The results show that the branching ratios are proportional to [(Mu+md)/(mJ/ψ)]2 for the ρπ mode and [(Mu-md)/(mJ/ψ)]2 for the ππ mode which is isospin violated.The theoretical prediction of the ratio of J/ψ→ρπ is smaller than data,but not too small to invoke a completely new mechanism.Thus the puzzle is still standing even though we learn much knowledge towards the puzzle and this will help to finally interpret the puzzle and then gain a deeper insight to the heavy quarkonia.     

Quantizing gravity and spacetime: Where do we stand ?

We review five possible solutions to the riddle posed by Quantum Gravity: (1) Gravity should stay as a classical theory (L. Rosenfeld); (2) Quantum Gravity requires a formalism which will take the human mind (or the intelligent observer) into account, resolving at the same time the riddle of the collapse of the wave function/state vector in Quantum Mechanics in general (Penrose); (3) Perturbative Quantization; (4) Hamiltonian Quantization (Dirac, Ashtekar); (5) String Theory. We also discuss the quantization of spacetime.     

The thawing dark energy dynamics: Can we detect it?

We consider different classes of scalar field models including quintessence and tachyon scalar fields with a variety of generic potentials belonging to the thawing type. We focus on observational quantities like Hubble parameter, luminosity distance as well as quantities related to the Baryon Acoustic Oscillation measurement. Our study shows that with present state of observations, one cannot distinguish amongst various models which in turn cannot be distinguished from cosmological constant. Our analysis indicates that there is a small chance to observe the dark energy metamorphosis in near future.     

What do we really know about cold nuclear matter effects?

The measurement of charmonium suppression in relativistic heavy ion collisions is posited to be an unambiguous probe of the properties of the strongly interacting quark gluon plasma (sQGP). In hot and dense QCD matter Debye color screening prevents charm and anti-charm quark pairs from forming J/ψ mesons if the screening radius is smaller than the binding radius. However, one must have a clear understanding of the expected suppression in normal density QCD matter before interpreting any additional anomalous suppression. The PHENIX experiment has measured J/ψ production from colliding proton + proton and deuteron + gold beams at 200 GeV from the relativistic heavy ion collider (RHIC). The deuteron + gold data can be compared to the proton + proton baseline in order to establish the typical suppression in cold nuclear matter (CNM). For PHENIX, a suppression of J/ψ in cold nuclear matter is observed as one goes forward in rapidity (in the deuteron-going direction), corresponding to a region more sensitive to initial state low-x gluons in the gold nucleus. These results can be convoluted with the nuclear-environment-modified parton distribution functions, extracted from deep inelastic scattering (DIS) and Drell-Yan (DY) data, in order to estimate the J/ψ break up cross section in cold nuclear matter. One can also use a data driven method that does not rely on the assumption of the production mechanism, or PDF parameterization, to extrapolate to the heavy ion collision case. At this time both the predictions for CNM effect suppression in heavy ion collisions are somewhat ambiguous. Future results using the data acquired by the PHENIX experiment in run-6 (p + p) and run-8 (d + Au) will be vital for our understanding. These data, which are in the process of being analyzed, will provide a needed improvement in the statistical and systematic precision of constraints for CNM effects. These constraints must be improved in order to make firm conclusions concerning additional hot nuclear matter charmonium suppression in the sQGP.     

Can we achieve ultra-low resistivity in carbon nanotube-based metal composites?

A concept for creating a future ultra-low-resistivity material based on a carbon nanotube–metal composite is presented. Using a simple effective-medium model it is shown that a room-temperature resistivity 50% lower than Cu is achievable. This article sets a goal for future R&D activities, although a number of technical as well as scientific problems are to be solved before realising the suggested concept. The ultra-low resistivity is possible because the ballistic conducting carbon nanotubes have an electron mean free path several orders of magnitude longer than metals like Cu and Ag. This implies that a system with parallel-connected tubes can indeed have a room-temperature resistivity far below the resistivity of conventional metal conductors like Al, Cu and Ag. PACS 72.15.-v; 81.05.Zx     

Precocious signs of new physics: Are we eight now?

Although the CKM-paradigm seems to work to an accuracy of about 15–20%, we emphasize that there are by now several indications that suggest the need for a beyond the Standard Model CP-odd phase. The value of sin 2β measured via the goldplated (tree) mode, B → ψK _s is smaller than the value deduced by using improved lattice matrix elements. The value of sin 2β measured via ‘penguin-dominated’ (loop) decays tends to be even smaller still. There is also a rather large difference between the direct CP asymmetries in → K ⁻ π ⁺ and B ⁻ → K ⁻ π ⁰ that is rather difficult to understand. More recently, CDF and D0 are finding about a 2σ signal in CP asymmetry in the corresponding gold-plated mode B _s → ψϕ. If true, this would be consistent with the indications of new CP-phase in penguin b → s transitions seen at B-factories. After describing these possible signs of trouble for the SM-CKM paradigm, we give a brief discussion of some of the BSM scenarios that could be the underlying cause of these deviations. In particular, we find that the data are quite suggestive of a fourth family with m′ _t in the range of 400–600 GeV as perhaps the simplest BSM candidate which ‘naturally’ explains the data.      

How well do we know atomic motions of simple liquids?

Microscopic motions in molten potassium spanning three frequency decades are studied by neutron-scattering techniques. These comprise well-defined density oscillations and stochastic particle rearrangements and both are modeled on microscopic grounds. While vibratory motions are shown to share characteristics with those of their parent crystals, dynamic correlations between a diffusing particle and its neighbors can be accounted for only semiquantitatively.