High-spin study of Xe

High-spin states have been populated in ₅₄¹¹⁹Xe via the ⁹⁶Mo(²⁷Al,p3n) reaction at 133 MeV, using the γ-ray spectrometer to record triple γ-ray coincidences. The known level scheme has been significantly extended and several band crossings identified. In particular, the νh_11/2 yrast band has been extended to I^π = (83/2⁻) and shows features which are consistent with those of smooth band termination at high spin. Theoretical results for ¹¹⁹Xe at high spin are discussed within the framework of cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky calculations, together with results for ¹¹⁷Xe.     

On the rotational partition function for tetrahedral molecules

A rigorous calculation of the quantum-mechanical rotational partition function for tetrahedral XY₄ molecules yields Q_r = ( )(2I_Y + 1)⁴π ^- exp(/4), where I_Y is the spin of the Y nucleus, and ≡ Bhc/kT. This result is accurate to 1 per cent or better for all values of B and T such that < .     

On the pp → ppη(η′) reactions near threshold

The production rate for η′ in pp → ppη′ at rest is calculated in a covariant one boson exchange model, previously applied to study π⁰ and η production in NN collisions. The transition amplitudes for the elementary BN → η′N processes with B being the meson exchanged (B = π, σ, η, , ω and a₀) are taken to be the sum of s- and u-channels with a nucleon in the intermediate states, and an a₀ meson pole in a t-channel. The couplings of the η′ to hadrons are a factor 0.4 weaker than the respective η-hadron couplings, as suggested by a quark model and a singlet-octet mixing angle θ = −23°. The model reproduces near threshold cross sections for the quasielastic processes π⁻p → nη(η′) and pp → ppη(η′) reactions.     

Measurement of transition quadrupole moments of high-spin states in the N=74 isotones Pr, Ce and La

The Doppler-Shift Attenuation Method has been used to extract transition quadrupole moments of high-spin bands in the N=74 isotones ¹³³Pr, ¹³²Ce and ¹³¹La, produced in the ³⁷Cl + ¹⁰⁰Mo reaction. The results appear to be configuration dependent and, for ¹³³Pr and ¹³²Ce, the involvement of Ω=1/2 νh_9/2 and νf_7/2 intruder orbitals appears to enhance the collectivity at high spin (I>25 ).     

Two separate Li ionic motions observed by Li and B NMR in xLi2S + (1 − x)B2S3 glassy fast ionic conductors

Studies of ion dynamics in the highly conductive glassy fast ionic conductor (FIC) xLi₂S + (1 − x)B₂S₃ (x = 0.65 and 0.70) were made with NMR nuclear spin lattice relaxation (NSLR) R₁(ω, T) of both mobile ⁷Li and immobile ¹¹B ions, and ⁷Li NMR line narrowing δν(T). The possible dependence of ion dynamics on the short range order structures (SRO) and the distribution of activation energies (DAE) in this highly conductive FIC was investigated. Two Gaussian DAE were employed to fit ⁷Li NSLR data, where each Gaussian DAE was correlated to a separate ¹¹B NSLR in a BS₃ and in a BS₄ group. The long range diffusion of Li ions among BS₃ groups and a seemingly localized ionic hopping motion around BS₄ group is suggested as a microscopic model for the ion dynamics in thioborate glasses, namely a ‘two channel relaxation’.     

What can we learn from B→DsKπ, Bd→DsKπ and Bd→DsK decays?

We study the nonresonant three-body decays of B⁺→D^(*)−_sK⁺π⁺ and B_d→D_s^(*)−K⁰π⁺. We find that these decays can provide the information on the time-like form factors of D^(*)_sK. We also explicitly investigate B_d→D_s^(*)−K^*+ decays by discriminating the nonresonant contributions with the unknown D^(*)_s wave functions being fixed by the measured mode of B_d→D_s⁻K⁺.     

B→ηlν decays and the flavor-singlet form factors

We study semileptonic decays B→η^(′)lν, taking into account the flavor-singlet contribution (F^singlet₊) to the B→η^(′) form factors, which arises from the two-gluon emission in a decaying B meson. It has been recently pointed out that, in addition to large weak annihilation effects, the unknown value of F^singlet₊ prevents accurate theoretical estimates in the analysis of B→η′K decays in QCD factorization. We present a certain method to determine F^singlet₊ with a reasonable accuracy, using B→η^(′)lν and B→πlν decays. We also investigate the possible effect of F^singlet₊ on the estimated branching ratios (BRs) for B→η^(′)lν and find that the BR for B→η′lν is particularly sensitive to the effect of F^singlet₊.     

The contribution of Bc mesons to the search for B → τ ντ decays at LEP

We study the contribution of B_c mesons to the search for B → τν_τ decays. We find that at LEP the contributions from B_u and B_c mesons can be comparable. This observation can have a relevant impact on the extraction of constraints on new physics (such as charged-Higgs contributions) from current LEP limits on B → τν final states. Inclusion of the B_c contribution can reduce the current L3 limit on tan β/M_H from 0.38 GeV⁻¹ (90% CL) down to 0.27 GeV⁻¹ (90% CL).     

Interactions between a tetraanionic porphyrin and the methylviologen dication in methanol studied by fluorescence quenching reaction

Fluorescence decay curves for 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)-21H,23H-porphine tetraanion (TPPS⁴⁻) have been measured in the absence and presence of the methylviologen dication (MV²⁺) with various ionic strengths in methanol. In the presence of MV²⁺ the fluorescence decays can be expressed by a double exponential function, I(t = I₁exp(−t/τ₁) + I₂exp(−t/τ₂). The contribution by the faster decay component to the total fluorescence signal increases with increasing MV²⁺ concentration. The faster decay process is attributed to fluorescence from the excited state of a solvent-separated ion pair (SSIP) formed between TPPS⁴⁻ and MV²⁺, and the slower process is attributed to fluorescence from free TPPS⁴⁻ ions in the solution. Rate constants for the quenching of fluorescence from free TPPS⁴⁻ by MV²⁺ (k_q) and formation constants for the SSIP (K_SSIP) were calculated and both are found to decrease with increasing ionic strength. The decrease in k_q and K_SSIP values can be interpreted in terms of the shielding of electrostatic attraction between the ions.     

Measurement of the slope parameter for the neutral pion spectrum in KL → πππ decay

The π⁰ spectrum in the K_L⁰ → 3π decay was measured using a wire chambers magnetic spectrometer. In the usual approximation, the matrix element can be expressed as: M² ≈ 1 + 2a₀(M_K/M_π²)(2T_π⁰−T_π⁰max) + a₁(M_K²/M_π⁴)(2T_π⁰−T_π⁰max)². We obtained a₀ = −0.282 ± 0.011 and a₁ consistent with zero.     

Radiative decay of ρ and φ mesons in a chiral unitary approach

We study the ρ⁰ and φ decays into π⁺π⁻γ, π⁰π⁰γ and φ into π⁰ηγ using a chiral unitary approach to deal with the final state interaction of the MM system. The final state interaction modifies only moderately the large momenta tail of the photon spectrum of the ρ⁰→π⁺π⁻γ decay. In the case of φ decay the contribution to π⁺π⁻γ and π⁰π⁰γ decay proceeds via kaonic loops and gives a distribution of ππ invariant masses in which the f₀(980) resonance shows up with a very distinct peak. The spectrum found for φ→π⁰π⁰γ decay agrees with the recent experimental results obtained at Novosibirsk. The branching ratio for φ→π⁰ηγ, dominated by the a₀(980), is also in agreement with recent Novosibirsk results.     

Experimental study of the time-dependent rate of K → πππ

The time-dependence of the decay rate of initially pure K⁰ into the final state (π⁺π⁻π⁰) has been studied in search for the decay k_S⁰→π⁺π⁻π⁰. No evidence is found in a sample of 384 observed events. The ratio of the CP -violating K_S⁰ amplitude and the K_L⁰ amplitude is η₊₋₀ = (0.13_−0.20^+0.17) + i(0.17_−0.26^+0.27); the ratio of the CP-conserving K_S⁰ amplitude and the K_L⁰ amplitude is < 0.4. The energy dependence of the K⁰→π⁺π⁻π⁰ matrix element is found to be a₊₋₀ = −0.31 ± 0.03.     

Photoproduction of Θ and other pentaquark states

We present constraints on the relative photoproduction cross sections of positive parity pentaquark states, Σ₅, Λ₅, and N₅, based on a minimum phenomenology gained in and their baryon–meson couplings as in the work of Close and Dudek. The possibility of anomalous signals in γp→K⁰_S(Θ⁺;Σ_d⁺) is discussed. We emphasize the importance of comparing with “conventional” states such as γN→KΣ(1660).     

Single and double dissociation in πp collisions at 11 and 16 GeV/c

The reactions π⁻p → 2π⁻π⁺p, π⁻p → 2π⁻π⁺π^op and π⁻p → 2π⁻2π⁺n are analysed at 11 and 16 GeV/c using longitudinal phase space (LPS) plots. The weighted LPS distributions for π⁻p → 2π⁻π⁺p is dominated by two well separated structures corresponding to single diffraction dissociation of the pion, π⁻p → (2π⁻π⁺)p, and of the proton, π⁻p → π⁻(π⁻π⁺p). The former is more abundant than the latter, and both are approximately constant with energy. In contrast, processes of type π⁻p → (2π)(πp) decrease with increasing energy.

In the five-body reactions the weighted LPS distribution reveals especially at 16 GeV/c a maximum for single dissociation of the proton into 3πp, namely π⁻p → π⁻(π⁻π⁺π^op); this process is likely to be diffractive. The neutron channel has a corresponding maximum displaced toward a multiperipheral configuration π⁻p → π⁻(π⁻2π⁺)n. Another strong maximum corresponds to the pion dissociation π⁻p → (2π⁻π⁺π^o)p. This is interpreted to be an ω-exchange process because no analogous structure occurs in π⁻p → (2π⁻2π⁺)n. Finally, a broad structure reveals double dissociation of both incident particles; it occurs in the two channels π⁻p → (2π⁻π⁺)(π^op) and π⁻p → (2π⁻π⁺)(π⁺n), being stronger in the latter. Further analysis of this process in terms of isospin exchange suggests that it is partially diffractive. Factorization is also discussed.

An appendix gives general aspects of the LPS analysis for the asymptotic study of n-body collisions at very high energy.     

Projectile coulomb excitation of Ne and Ne

The static quadrupole moments of the first excited J^π = 2⁺ states in ²⁰Ne and ²²Ne and the reduced electric quadrupole transition probabilities of these states to the ground states were measured via projectile Coulomb excitation. The quadrupole moments were deduced from the shapes of γ-ray angular distributions. The results are: Q(²⁰Ne, 2⁺) = −0.20±0.05 b and Q(²²Ne, 2⁺) = −0.11±0.05 b. The transition strengths were deduced from yield measurements and by comparison with the yields of target γ-rays. The results are: B(E2; 0⁺ → 2⁺, ²⁰Ne) = 0.037±0.003 e² · b² and B(E2; 0⁺ → 2⁺, ²²Ne) = 0.025±0.002 e²· b². The results for the transition strengths are consistent with the results of accurate timing methods and resolve discrepancies between previous experiments. The results for the quadrupole moments are consistent with earlier measurements, although the mean values we obtain are slightly lower. The experimental measurements are compared with theoretical predictions and a detailed discussion is given of corrections to this type of reorientation experiment.     

High-spin g factors and proton alignment in Pt

The average g factors of high-spin states in ^180,182,184Pt were measured by the transient-field technique. In all three isotopes the quasicontinuum g factor at an angular momentum of 20 is g0.37. This contrasts with similar measurements on other nuclei that have 70Z80, where typical values of g0.22 have been attributed to the influence of quasineutron alignments. Evidently proton and neutron configurations are about equally important at high spin in the Pt isotopes near mid-shell. This inference is consistent with the discrete spectroscopy, including the contention, supported by g_K−g_R values, that h_9/2 proton pairs align along with the i_13/2 neutrons at rotational frequencies of ω≈0.3 MeV in ¹⁸⁴Pt. Links between the quasicontinuum g factors and features in the discrete spectroscopy are explored by comparing and contrasting the behavior of ¹⁸⁴Pt and ¹⁶⁶Hf.     

A microscopic three-cluster model in the hyperspherical formalism

The hyperspherical formalism is applied in the framework of the microscopic generator-coordinate method. Three-cluster systems are described with a single generator coordinate, the hyperradius. This model is a natural extension of previous microscopic theories, and can be applied to bound states and resonances in a range of nuclei exhibiting a cluster structure. As an illustrative example, the model is applied to ⁶He and ⁶Li. Density distributions and electric dipole transition strengths are calculated, including B(E2;0⁺→2⁺) in ⁶He. The results are consistent with a neutron halo structure for the ground state of ⁶He, and with a proton–neutron halo structure of its isobaric analog state in ⁶Li. No 1⁻ “soft dipole” resonance is found in ⁶He.     

Low-energy expansion of meson form factors

We calculate the corrections to various low-energy theorems concerning the behaviour of the pseudoscalar meson form factors near t=0. In particular we discuss (i) the Ademollo-Gatto theorem, (ii) Sirlin's relation between the K_l3 form factor ƒ₊^Kπ(t) and the electromagnetic form factors, (iii) the Callan-Treiman relation, and (iv) the Dashen-Weinstein relation, which connects the slope λ₀ of ƒ₀^Kπ(t) with the ratio F_K/F_π. Furthermore, we point out a remarkable isospin breaking effect which is clearly visible in the experimental rates of the decays K⁺→π⁰e⁺ν, K⁰→π⁻e⁺ν.     

New evidence for a subshell gap at N=32

An 879.9(2) keV γ-ray transition has been identified following the β decay of ⁵⁸V and assigned as the 2⁺₁→0⁺₁ transition in ⁵⁸Cr₃₄. A peak in the energies of the first excited 2⁺ states for the even–even chromium isotopes is now evident at ⁵⁶Cr₃₂, providing empirical evidence for a significant subshell gap at N=32. The appearance of this neutron subshell closure for neutron-rich nuclides may be attributed to the diminished π1f_7/2–ν1f_5/2 monopole proton–neutron interaction as protons are removed from the 1f_7/2 single-particle orbital.     

Renormalization group invariant matrix elements of ΔS=2 and ΔI=3/2 four-fermion operators without quark masses

We introduce a new parameterization of four-fermion operator matrix elements which does not involve quark masses and thus allows a reduction of systematic uncertainties. In order to simplify the matching between lattice and continuum renormalization schemes, we express our results in terms of renormalization group invariant B-parameters which are renormalization-scheme and scale independent. As an application of our proposal, matrix elements of ΔI=3/2 and SUSY ΔS=2 operators have been computed. The calculations have been performed using the tree-level improved Clover lattice action at two different values of the strong coupling constant (β=6/g²=6.0 and 6.2), in the quenched approximation. Renormalization constants and mixing coefficients of lattice operators have been obtained non-perturbatively. Using lowest order χPT, we also obtain ππ|O₇|K^NDR_I=2=(0.11±0.02) GeV⁴ and ππ|O₈|K^NDR_I=2=(0.51±0.05) GeV⁴ at μ=2 GeV.