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₊.     

Precision flavour physics and supersymmetry

We review the salient features of a comparative study of the profile of the CKM unitarity triangle, and the resulting CP-violating phases , β and γ in B decays, in the standard model and in several variants of the minimal supersymmetric standard model (MSSM), reported recently by us. These theories are characterized by a single phase in the quark flavour mixing matrix and give rise to well-defined contributions in the flavour-changing-neutral-current transitions in K and B decays. We analyse the supersymmetric contributions to the mass differences in the B_d⁰– and B_s⁰– systems, ΔM_d and ΔM_s, respectively, and to the CP-violating quantity || in K decays. Our analysis shows that the predicted ranges of β in the standard model and in MSSM models are very similar. However, precise measurements at B-factories and hadron machines may be able to distinguish these theories in terms of the other two CP-violating phases and γ.     

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.     

Supersymmetric contributions to direct CP violation in K→ππγ decays

We analyze the supersymmetric contributions to direct–CP–violating observables in K→ππγ decays induced by gluino–mediated magnetic–penguin operators. We find that ε′_+−γ and the differential width asymmetry of K^±→π^±π⁰γ decays could be substantially enhanced with respect to their Standard Model values, especially in the scenario where ε′/ε is dominated by supersymmetric contributions. These observables could therefore provide a useful tool to search for New Physics effects in |ΔS|=1 transitions, complementary to ε′/ε and rare decays.     

Constraints on light bottom squarks from radiative B-meson decays

The presence of a light squark (  GeV) and gluino (  GeV) might explain the observed excess in b-quark production at the Tevatron. Though provocative, this model is not excluded by present data. The light supersymmetric particles can induce large flavor-changing effects in radiative decays of B mesons. We analyze the decays B→X_sγ and B→X_sg in this scenario and derive restrictive bounds on the flavor-changing quark–squark–gluino couplings.     

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).     

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.     

Limits of neutrino stability from the γ-ray flux measured in coincidence with neutrinos from SN 1987a

Limits for the neutrino decay ν_H→ν_L+γ, where ν_H and ν_L are assumed to be massive neutrinos withm_VH>m_VL, are presented using data from the Solar Maximum Mission satellite taken in coincidence with the detected neutrino burst from SN 1987A. These limits are essentially independent of supernova models and are and τ/m_νμ,τ>3.3×10¹⁴ s/eV for a thermal spectrum at a temperature .     

Effect of a magnetic field on MnAs0.88P0.12 below 80 K

MnAs_0.88P_0.12 has been studied by powder neutron diffraction in external magnetic fields up to 15.2 kOe and temperatures down to 4.2 K. MnAs_0.88P_0.12 takes the MnP type atomic arrangement and exists in para-, ferro- and different (essentially) helimagnetic states. The observation of a double 000^± satellite at 4.2 K < T 70 K adds further evidence to the chain of arguments for distinction between the helimagnetic states H'_a (4.2 K < T < T_S,1 ≈ 70 K) and H_a (T_S,2 ≈ 180 K < T < T_N = (243 ± 5) K). External magnetic fields at 4.2 K < T < 70 K evoke a new magnetic state, which is also characterized by a satellite doublet, and is tentatively designated H'_a,fan.     

Virtual corrections to the decay b → s + γ

We calculate the O(_s) virtual corrections to the matrix element for b → sγ, taking into account the contributions of the four-Fermi operator O₂ and the electromagnetic and color dipole-type operators. The results are combined with existing O(_s) Bremsstrahlung corrections in order to obtain the relevant inclusive rate. The new result drastically reduces the large scale dependence of the leading logarithmic approximation. It implies that a very accurate prediction for the branching ratio for B → X_sγ will become possible once also the corrections to the Wilson coefficients are available.     

Matter–antimatter asymmetry and neutrino properties

The cosmological baryon asymmetry can be explained as remnant of heavy Majorana neutrino decays in the early universe. We study this mechanism for two models of neutrino masses with a large ν_μ−ν_τ mixing angle which are based on the symmetries SU(5)×U(1)_F and SU(3)_c×SU(3)_L×SU(3)_R×U(1)_F, respectively. In both cases B−L is broken at the unification scale Λ_GUT. The models make different predictions for the baryogenesis temperature and the gravitino abundance.     

On the NSR formulation of string theory on AdS5×S

We discuss the NSR formulation of the superstring action on AdS₅×S⁵ proposed recently by Kallosh and Tseytlin in the Green-Schwarz formalism. We show that the stress-energy tensor corresponding to the NSR action for AdS superstring contains the branelike terms, corresponding to exotic massless vertex operators (referred to as the branelike vertices)- the 5-form e^φψ_m1ψ_m5 and the 3-form ∂(e^φψ_m1ψ_m3), multiplied by ∂X_m. The corresponding sigma-model action has the manifest SO(1,3)×SO(6) invariance of superstring theory on AdS₅×S⁵. We argue that adding the branelike terms is equivalent to curving the space-time to obtain the AdS₅×S⁵ background. We commence the study of the proposed NSR sigma-model by analyzing the scattering amplitudes involving the branelike vertex operators. The analysis shows quite an unusual momentum dependence of these scattering amplitudes.     

1-forms over the moduli space of irreducible connections defined by the spectrum of Dirac operators

Let (P) be the moduli space of irreducible connections of a G-principal bundle P over a closed Riemannian spin manifold M. Let D_A be the Dirac operator of M coupled to a connection A of P and f a smooth function on M. We consider a smooth variation A(u) of A with tangent vector ω and denote T_ω:= (D_A(u)−f) (u=0. The coefficients of the asymptotic expansion of trace (T_ω · e^-t(D_A−f)2) near t=0 define 1-forms a^(k)_f, K=0, 1, 2, … on (P). In this paper we calculate aa⁽⁰⁾_f, a⁽¹⁾_f, a⁽²⁾_f and study some of their properties. For instance using the 1-form a⁽²⁾_f for suitable functions f we obtain a foliation of codimension 5 of the space of G-instantons of S⁴.     

: a rising star on the stage of flavour physics

Motivated by the new experimental information reported by the BNL-E787 Collaboration, we analyse the present impact and the future prospects opened by the measurement of . Although still affected by a large error, the BNL-E787 result favours values of substantially larger than what expected within the Standard Model. As a result, this data already provide non-trivial constraints on the unitarity triangle, when interpreted within the Standard Model framework. We stress the importance of the clean relation between , sin2β and ΔM_Bd/ΔM_Bs that in the next few years could provide one of the deepest probes of the Standard Model in the sector of quark-flavour dynamics. A speculative discussion about possible non-standard interpretations of a large is also presented. Two main scenarios naturally emerge: those with direct new-physics contributions to the amplitude and those with direct new-physics effects only in B_d– mixing. Realistic models originating these two scenarios and possible future strategies to clearly identify them are briefly discussed.     

Non-1/mb power suppressed contributions to inclusive B → Xsll decays

We compute non-perturbative contributions to B → X_sl⁺l⁻ that are not explicitly suppressed by powers of the b-quark mass. They are proportional to and arise from an interference between the free-quark amplitude and high order terms in the matrix element of the four-quark operator s⁻γ^μ(1 − γ₅)cc^−βγ_μ(1 − γ₅)b_β. This correction is found to be small over most of the dalitz plot except near the charm threshold. Unfortunately, the perturbative computation we have performed is invalid near charm threshold and we do not except to see the structure found at lowest order reproduced in the data. We conclude that these non-perturbative contributions do not significantly modify the previous analysis of B → X_sl⁺l⁻.     

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).     

Understanding DsJ(2317)

We analyze the hadronic and radiative decay modes of the recently observed D_sJ(2317) meson, in the hypothesis that it can be identified with the scalar state of spectrum (D_s0). The method is based on heavy quark symmetries and vector meson dominance ansatz. We find that the hadronic isospin violating mode D_s0→D_sπ⁰ is enhanced with respect to the radiative mode D_s0→D_s^*γ. The estimated width of the meson is Γ(D_s0)7 keV.     

Neutrino oscillations induced by two-loop radiative mechanism

Two-loop radiative mechanism, when combined with an U(1)_L′ symmetry generated by L_e − L_μ − L_τ (=L′), is shown to provide an estimate of Δm²/Δm²_atm εm_e/m_τ, where ε measures the U(1)_L′-breaking. Since Δm²_atm 3.5×10⁻³ eV², we find that Δm² ε10⁻⁶ eV², which will fall into the allowed region of the LOW solution to the solar neutrino problem for ε 0.1.     

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.