Measurement of A_{FB}^{\mathrm{b}\overline{\mathrm{b}}} in hadronic Z decays using a jet charge technique

The b[`b]\mbox{b}\bar{\mbox{b}} forward-backward asymmetry has been determined from the average charge flow measured in a sample of 3,500,000 hadronic Z decays collected with the DELPHI detector in 1992–1995. The measurement is performed in an enriched b[`b]\mbox{b}\bar{\mbox{b}} sample selected using an impact parameter tag and results in the following values for the b[`b]\mbox{b}\bar{\mbox{b}} forward-backward asymmetry: $ \begin{gathered} A_{FB}^{b\bar b} \left( {89.55 GeV} \right) = 0.068 \pm 0.018 \left( {stat.} \right) \pm 0.0013\left( {syst.} \right) \hfill \\ A_{FB}^{b\bar b} \left( {91.26 GeV} \right) = 0.0982 \pm 0.0047 \left( {stat.} \right) \pm 0.0016\left( {syst.} \right) \hfill \\ A_{FB}^{b\bar b} \left( {92.94 GeV} \right) = 0.123 \pm 0.016 \left( {stat.} \right) \pm 0.0027\left( {syst.} \right) \hfill \\ \end{gathered} $ \begin{gathered} A_{FB}^{b\bar b} \left( {89.55 GeV} \right) = 0.068 \pm 0.018 \left( {stat.} \right) \pm 0.0013\left( {syst.} \right) \hfill \\ A_{FB}^{b\bar b} \left( {91.26 GeV} \right) = 0.0982 \pm 0.0047 \left( {stat.} \right) \pm 0.0016\left( {syst.} \right) \hfill \\ A_{FB}^{b\bar b} \left( {92.94 GeV} \right) = 0.123 \pm 0.016 \left( {stat.} \right) \pm 0.0027\left( {syst.} \right) \hfill \\ \end{gathered} The b[`b]\mbox{b}\bar{\mbox{b}} charge separation required for this analysis is directly measured in the b tagged sample, while the other charge separations are obtained from a fragmentation model precisely calibrated to data. The effective weak mixing angle is deduced from the measurement to be: $ sin^2 \theta _{eff}^1 = 0.23186 \pm 0.00083 $ sin^2 \theta _{eff}^1 = 0.23186 \pm 0.00083      

Measurements of the electronic conductivities of In-doped CaZrO<Subscript>3</Subscript> by a DC polarization technique

The following hydrogen and oxygen concentration cells using the oxide protonic conductors, \textCaZ\textr_0.98\textI\textn_0.02\textO_{3 - d} {\text{CaZ}}{{\text{r}}_{0.98}}{\text{I}}{{\text{n}}_{0.02}}{{\text{O}}_{3 - \delta }} and \textCaZ\textr_0.9\textI\textn_0.1\textO_{3 - d} {\text{CaZ}}{{\text{r}}_{0.{9}}}{\text{I}}{{\text{n}}_{0.{1}}}{{\text{O}}_{{3} - \delta }} , as the solid electrolyte were constructed, and their polarization behavior was studied,

Co-Al-W基高温合金的团簇成分式

Co-Al-W基高温合金具有类似于Ni基高温合金的γ+γ'相组织结构.根据面心立方固溶体的团簇加连接原子结构模型,Ni基高温合金的成分式即最稳定的化学近程序结构单元可以描述为第一近邻配位多面体团簇加上次近邻的三个连接原子.本文应用类似方法,首次给出了Co-Al-W基高温合金的团簇成分式.利用原子半径和团簇共振模型,可计算出Co-Al-W三元合金的团簇成分通式,为[Al-Co_(12)](Co,Al,W)_3,即以Al为中心原子、Co为壳层原子的[Al-Co_(12)]团簇加上三个连接原子.对于多元合金,需要先将元素进行分类:溶剂元素——类Co元素Co (Co, Cr, Fe, Re, Ni,Ir,Ru)和溶质元素——类Al元素Al (Al,W,Mo, Ta,Ti,Nb,V等);进而根据合金元素的配分行为,将类Co元素分为Co~γ(Cr, Fe, Re)和Co~(γ')(Ni, Ir, Ru);根据混合焓,将类Al元素分为Al, W (W, Mo)和Ta (Ta, Ti, Nb, V等).由此,任何多元Co-Al-W基高温合金均可简化为Co-Al伪二元体系或者Co-Al-(W,Ta)伪三元体系,其团簇加连接原子成分式为[Al-Co_(12)](Co_(1.0)Al_(2.0))(或[Al-Co_(12)] Co_(1.0)Al_(0.5)(W,Ta)_(1.5)=Co_(81.250)Al_(9.375)(W,Ta)_(9.375) at.%).其中,γ与γ'相的团簇成分式分别为[Al-Co_(12)](Co_(1.5)Al_(1.5))(或[Al-Co_(12)] Co_(1.5)Al_(0.5)(W,Ta)_(1.0)=Co_(84.375)Al_(9.375)(W,Ta)_(6.250) at.%)和[Al-Co_(12)](Co_(0.5)Al_(2.5))(或[Al-Co_(12)] Co_(0.5)Al_(0.5)(W, Ta)_(2.0)=Co_(78.125)Al_(9.375)(W,Ta)_(12.500)at.%).例如,Co_(82)Al_9W_9合金的团簇成分式为[Al-Co_(12)]Co_(1.1)Al_(0.4)W_(1.4)(～[Al-Co_(12)]Co_(1.0)Al_(0.5)W_(1.5)),其中γ相的团簇成分式为[Al-Co_(12)]Co_(1.6)Al_(0.4)W_(1.0)(～[Al-Co_(12)]Co_(1.5)Al_(0.5)W_(1.0)),γ'相的团簇成分式为[Al-Co_(12)]Co_(0.3)Al_(0.5)W_(2.2)(～[AlCo_(12)]Co_(0.5)Al_(0.5)W_(2.0)).     

Neutral meson oscillations and equivalence principle for particles and antiparticles

Oscillations of neutral meson (K ⁰-$ \overline {K^0 } $ \overline {K^0 } , D ⁰-$ \overline {D^0 } $ \overline {D^0 } , and B ⁰-$ \overline {B^0 } $ \overline {B^0 } are extremely sensitive to the meson and antimeson energies at rest. This energy is determined as mc ²—with the corresponding inertial mass—and as the energy of gravitational interaction. Assuming that the CPT theorem is correct for inertial masses and estimating the gravitational potential for which the largest contribution originates from the field of the galaxy center, we obtain the estimate from experimental data on K ⁰-$ \overline {K^0 } $ \overline {K^0 } oscillations:

Laser-induced optical activity in range of Rydberg autoionizing states of xenon

Optical activity of xenon atoms in the vacuum UV range induced by circularly polarized laser light is studied theoretically. The optical activity arises in the vicinity of the autoionizing state 5p ⁵(² P _1/2)8s′$ \left[ {\frac{1} {2}} \right]_1 $ \left[ {\frac{1} {2}} \right]_1 as a result of its coupling via the laser field with the discrete state 5p ⁵(² P _3/2)7p $ \left[ {\frac{1} {2}} \right]_1 $ \left[ {\frac{1} {2}} \right]_1 . Polarization variations of the vacuum UV radiation upon its propagation through the atomic medium are calculated, and the possibility of controlling this polarization is discussed. Manifestations of nonresonant coupling of the discrete state with the broad autoionizing state 5p ⁵(² P _1/2)6d′$ \left[ {\frac{1} {2}} \right]_1 $ \left[ {\frac{1} {2}} \right]_1 induced by the overlap of the Rydberg autoionizing series in xenon are studied.     

Influence of dephasing on the entanglement teleportation via a two-qubit Heisenberg XYZ system

We study the entanglement dynamics of an anisotropic two-qubit Heisenberg XYZ system in the presence of intrinsic decoherence. The usefulness of such a system for performance of the quantum teleportation protocol T₀\mathcal{T}_0 and entanglement teleportation protocol T₁\mathcal{T}_1 is also investigated. The results depend on the initial conditions and the parameters of the system. The roles of system parameters such as the inhomogeneity of the magnetic field b and the spin-orbit interaction parameter D, in entanglement dynamics and fidelity of teleportation, are studied for both product and maximally entangled initial states of the resource. We show that for the product and maximally entangled initial states, increasing D amplifies the effects of dephasing and hence decreases the asymptotic entanglement and fidelity of the teleportation. For a product initial state and specific interval of the magnetic field B, the asymptotic entanglement and hence the fidelity of teleportation can be improved by increasing B. The XY and XYZ Heisenberg systems provide a minimal resource entanglement, required for realizing efficient teleportation. Also, in the absence of the magnetic field, the degree of entanglement is preserved for the maximally entangled initial states $\left| {\psi \left. {\left( 0 \right)} \right\rangle = \frac{1} {{\sqrt 2 }}\left( {\left| {\left. {00} \right\rangle \pm } \right|\left. {11} \right\rangle } \right)} \right.$\left| {\psi \left. {\left( 0 \right)} \right\rangle = \frac{1} {{\sqrt 2 }}\left( {\left| {\left. {00} \right\rangle \pm } \right|\left. {11} \right\rangle } \right)} \right.. The same is true for the maximally entangled initial states $\left| {\psi \left. {\left( 0 \right)} \right\rangle = \frac{1} {{\sqrt 2 }}\left( {\left| {\left. {01} \right\rangle \pm } \right|\left. {10} \right\rangle } \right)} \right.$\left| {\psi \left. {\left( 0 \right)} \right\rangle = \frac{1} {{\sqrt 2 }}\left( {\left| {\left. {01} \right\rangle \pm } \right|\left. {10} \right\rangle } \right)} \right., in the absence of spin-orbit interaction D and the inhomogeneity parameter b. Therefore, it is possible to perform quantum teleportation protocol T₀\mathcal{T}_0 and entanglement teleportation T₁\mathcal{T}_1, with perfect quality, by choosing a proper set of parameters and employing one of these maximally entangled robust states as the initial state of the resource.     

Analysis of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Y</Emphasis>(4140) and related molecular states with QCD sum rules

In this article, we assume that there exist scalar D^*[`(D)]<sup>*</sup>{D}^{\ast}{\bar {D}}^{\ast}, D<sub>s</sub><sup>*</sup>[`(D)]_s^*{D}_{s}^{\ast}{\bar{D}}_{s}^{\ast}, B^*[`(B)]<sup>*</sup>{B}^{\ast}{\bar {B}}^{\ast} and B<sub>s</sub><sup>*</sup>[`(B)]_s^*{B}_{s}^{\ast}{\bar{B}}_{s}^{\ast} molecular states, and study their masses using the QCD sum rules. The numerical results indicate that the masses are about (250–500) MeV above the corresponding D ^*–[`(D)]<sup>*</sup>{\bar{D}}^{\ast}, D <sub>s</sub> <sup>*</sup>–[`(D)]_s^*{\bar {D}}_{s}^{\ast}, B ^*–[`(B)]<sup>*</sup>{\bar{B}}^{\ast} and B <sub>s</sub> <sup>*</sup>–[`(B)]_s^*{\bar {B}}_{s}^{\ast} thresholds, the Y(4140) is unlikely a scalar D_s^*[`(D)]<sub>s</sub><sup>*</sup>{D}_{s}^{\ast}{\bar{D}}_{s}^{\ast} molecular state. The scalar D<sup>*</sup>[`(D)]^*D^{\ast}{\bar{D}}^{\ast}, D_s^*[`(D)]<sub>s</sub><sup>*</sup>D_{s}^{\ast}{\bar{D}}_{s}^{\ast}, B<sup>*</sup>[`(B)]^*B^{\ast}{\bar{B}}^{\ast} and B_s^*[`(B)]<sub>s</sub><sup>*</sup>B_{s}^{\ast}{\bar{B}}_{s}^{\ast} molecular states maybe not exist, while the scalar D￠<sup>*</sup>[`(D)]^￠*{D'}^{\ast}{\bar{D}}^{\prime\ast}, D_s^￠*[`(D)]<sub>s</sub><sup>￠*</sup>{D}_{s}^{\prime\ast}{\bar{D}}_{s}^{\prime\ast}, B<sup>￠*</sup>[`(B)]^￠*{B}^{\prime\ast}{\bar{B}}^{\prime\ast} and B_s^￠*[`(B)]_s^￠*{B}_{s}^{\prime\ast}{\bar{B}}_{s}^{\prime\ast} molecular states maybe exist.     

Relationship between capture coefficient and capture cross-section: Average velocity of a maxwellian distribution of carriers in a medium with an anisotropic effective mass tensor

The capture cross section of a trapping or recombination center for a charge carrier has been defined as the quotient of the capture coefficient and the average thermal velocity of the carrier distribution. For a Maxwellian distribution in a semiconductor band with an ellipsoidal effective mass tensor, this average velocity can be expressed as

Small magnetic polaron effect in lithium iron phosphates

The small polarons in LiFePO₄ are associated with the presence of Fe³⁺ ions introduced by the native defects in relative concentration in the samples known to be optimized with respect to their electrochemical properties. The nearest iron neighbours around the central polaron site are spin-polarized by the indirect exchange mediated by the electronic charge in excess. These small magnetic polarons are responsible for the interplay between electronic and magnetic properties that are quantitatively and self-consistently analysed. Comparison is made with other magnetic polaron effects in other members of the family of magnetic semiconductors to which this material belongs. Paper presented at the 11th Euro-Conference on Science and Technology of Ionics, Batz-sur-Mer, France, 9–15 September 2007.     

Absence of long-range order in one-dimensional spin systems

For a one-dimensional Ising model with interaction energy $$E\left\{ \mu \right\} = - \sum\limits_{1 \leqslant i< j \leqslant N} {J(j - i)} \mu _\iota \mu _j \left[ {J(k) \geqslant 0,\mu _\iota = \pm 1} \right]$$ it is proved that there is no long-range order at any temperature when $$S_N = \sum\limits_{k = 1}^N {kJ\left( k \right) = o} \left( {[\log N]^{{1 \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {1 2}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} 2}} } \right)$$ The same result is shown to hold for the corresponding plane rotator model when $$S_N = o\left( {\left[ {{{\log N} \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{\log N} {\log \log N}}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} {\log \log N}}} \right]} \right)$$      

Measurement of the diffractive cross section in deep inelastic scattering using ZEUS 1994 data

The DIS diffractive cross section, ds^diff_{g^* p ? XN}/dM_Xd\sigma^{di\!f\!f}_{\gamma^* p \to XN}/dM_X, has been measured in the mass range M_X < 15M_X < 15 GeV for g^*p\gamma^*p c.m. energies 60 < W < 20060 < W < 200 GeV and photon virtualities Q² = 7Q^2 = 7 to 140 GeV²^2. For fixed Q²Q^2 and M_XM_X, the diffractive cross section rises rapidly with WW, ds^diff_{g^*p ? XN}(M_X,W,Q²)/dM_X μ W^adiffd\sigma^{di\!f\!f}_{\gamma^*p \to XN}(M_X,W,Q^2)/dM_X \propto W^{a^{diff}} with a^diff = 0.507 ±0.034 (stat)^+0.155_-0.046(syst)a^{diff} = 0.507 \pm 0.034 (stat)^{+0.155}_{-0.046}(syst) corresponding to a t-averaged pomeron trajectory of [`( a<sub>\mathbb P</sub> )] = 1.127 ±0.009 (stat)<sup>+0.039</sup><sub>-0.012</sub> (syst)\overline{ \alpha_{_{{\mathbb P}}} } = 1.127 \pm 0.009 (stat)^{+0.039}_{-0.012} (syst) which is larger than [`( a_{\mathbb P} )]\overline{ \alpha_{_{{\mathbb P}}} } observed in hadron-hadron scattering. The W dependence of the diffractive cross section is found to be the same as that of the total cross section for scattering of virtual photons on protons. The data are consistent with the assumption that the diffractive structure function F^D(3)₂F^{D(3)}_2 factorizes according to x_{\mathbb P} F^D(3)₂ (x_{\mathbb P},b,Q²) = (x₀/ x_{\mathbb P})ⁿ F^D(2)₂(b,Q²)x_{_{{\mathbb P}}} F^{D(3)}_2 (x_{_{{\mathbb P}}},\beta,Q^2) = (x_0/ x_{_{{\mathbb P}}})^n F^{D(2)}_2(\beta,Q^2). They are also consistent with QCD based models which incorporate factorization breaking. The rise of x_{\mathbb P} F^D(3)₂x_{_{{\mathbb P}}} F^{D(3)}_2 with decreasing x_{\mathbb P}x_{_{{\mathbb P}}} and the weak dependence of F^D(2)₂F^{D(2)}_2 on Q²Q^2 suggest a substantial contribution from partonic interactions.     

Comment on “Evaluation of concentration-depth profiles by sputtering in SIMS and AES” by S. Hofmann

The statistics of the sputtering process, which has been used to explain sputterbroadening effect due to surface roughness, has been treated with conditional probabilities. This results in the relationship, , instead of derived by S. Hofmann [Appl. Phys.9, 59 (1976)], where δz,z, and are the depth resolution, sputtered depth and sputtering yield, respectively.     

Weber potential from finite velocity of action?

The Weber potential energy U for charges q and q' separated by the distance R is U = (qq'/R)[1 – (dR/dt)²/2c²]. If this potential arises from a finite velocity c of energy transfer Q', where the retarded rate of transfer from q' to q is dQ(t-R/c)/dt = Q'[1 – (dR/dt)/c] and where the advanced rate from q to q' is dQ(t+R/c)/dt = Q'[1 + (dR/dt)/c], then the resultant time-average root-mean-square action is given by . Identifying Q' with the Coulomb potential energy qq'/R, the Weber potential is obtained. Using the same argument, Newtonian gravitation yields a corresponding Weber potential energy, qq'/R being replaced by ( - Gmm'/R).     

Production of the P-wave excited Bc-states through the Z0 boson decays

In Deng et al. (Eur. Phys. J. C 70:113, 2010), we have dealt with the production of the two color-singlet S-wave (c[`(b)])(c\bar{b})-quarkonium states B<sub>c</sub>(|(c[`(b)])₁[¹S₀]?)B_{c}(|(c\bar {b})_{\mathbf{1}}[^{1}S_{0}]\rangle) and B^*_c(|(c[`(b)])<sub>1</sub>[<sup>3</sup>S<sub>1</sub>]?)B^{*}_{c}(|(c\bar{b})_{\mathbf{1}}[^{3}S_{1}]\rangle) through the Z <sup>0</sup> boson decays. As an important sequential work, we make a further discussion on the production of the more complicated P-wave excited (c[`(b)])(c\bar{b})-quarkonium states, i.e. |(c[`(b)])<sub>1</sub>[<sup>1</sup>P<sub>1</sub>]?|(c\bar{b})_{\mathbf{1}}[^{1}P_{1}]\rangle and |(c[`(b)])₁[³P_J]?|(c\bar{b})_{\mathbf{1}}[^{3}P_{J}]\rangle (with J=(1,2,3)). More over, we also calculate the channel with the two color-octet quarkonium states |(c[`(b)])<sub>8</sub>[<sup>1</sup>S<sub>0</sub>]g?|(c\bar{b})_{\mathbf{8}}[^{1}S_{0}]g\rangle and |(c[`(b)])₈[³S₁]g?|(c\bar{b})_{\mathbf{8}}[^{3}S_{1}]g\rangle, whose contributions to the decay width maybe at the same order of magnitude as that of the color-singlet P-wave states according to the naive nonrelativistic quantum chromodynamics scaling rules. The P-wave states shall provide sizable contributions to the B _c production, whose decay width is about 20% of the total decay width \varGamma _{Z⁰? Bc}\varGamma _{Z^{0}\to B_{c}}. After summing up all the mentioned (c[`(b)])(c\bar {b})-quarkonium states’ contributions, we obtain \varGamma _{Z⁰? Bc}=235.9^+352.8_-122.0\varGamma _{Z^{0}\to B_{c}}=235.9^{+352.8}_{-122.0} KeV, where the errors are caused by the main sources of uncertainty.     

Toward a theory of the third-order elastic modulus of crystals with A2 structure: The case of α-Fe

The third-order elastic modulus of α-Fe were calculated based on the computation of lattice sums. The lattice sums were determined using an integer rational basis of invariants composed by vectors connecting equilibrium atomic positions in the crystal lattice. Irreducible interactions within clusters consisting of atomic pairs and triplets were taken into account in performing the calculations. Comparison with experimental data showed that the potential can be written in the form of e₉ = - ?_i,k A₁₉ r_ik ^{- 6} + ?_i,k A₂₉ r_ik ^{- 12} + ?_i,k,l Q₉ I₉ ^{- 1}\varepsilon _9 = - \sum\nolimits_{i,k} {A_{19} r_{ik}^{ - 6} } + \sum\nolimits_{i,k} {A_{29} r_{ik}^{ - 12} + \sum\nolimits_{i,k,l} {Q_9 I_9^{ - 1} } }, where I₉ = [(r)\vec]_ik² [ ( [(r)\vec]_ik [(r)\vec]_kl )² + ( [(r)\vec]_li [(r)\vec]_ik )² ] + [(r)\vec]_kl² [ ( [(r)\vec]_ik [(r)\vec]_kl )² + ( [(r)\vec]_kl [(r)\vec]_li )² ] + [(r)\vec]_li² [ ( [(r)\vec]_li [(r)\vec]_ik )² + ( [(r)\vec]_kl [(r)\vec]_li )² ]I_9 = \vec r_{ik}^2 \left[ {\left( {\vec r_{ik} \vec r_{kl} } \right)^2 + \left( {\vec r_{li} \vec r_{ik} } \right)^2 } \right] + \vec r_{kl}^2 \left[ {\left( {\vec r_{ik} \vec r_{kl} } \right)^2 + \left( {\vec r_{kl} \vec r_{li} } \right)^2 } \right] + \vec r_{li}^2 \left[ {\left( {\vec r_{li} \vec r_{ik} } \right)^2 + \left( {\vec r_{kl} \vec r_{li} } \right)^2 } \right]. If the values of [(r)\vec]_ik\vec r_{ik} are scaled in half-lattice constant units, then A₁₉ = 1.22 ë t⁹ û GPa, A₂₉ = 5.07 ×10² ë t¹⁵ û GPa, Q₉ = 5.31 ë t⁹ û GPaA_{19} = 1.22\left\lfloor {\tau ^9 } \right\rfloor GPa, A_{29} = 5.07 \times 10^2 \left\lfloor {\tau ^{15} } \right\rfloor GPa, Q_9 = 5.31\left\lfloor {\tau ^9 } \right\rfloor GPa, and τ = 1.26 ?. It is shown that the condition of thermodynamic stability of a crystal requires that we allow for irreducible interactions in atom triplets in at least four coordination spheres. The analytical expressions for the lattice sums determining the contributions from irreducible interactions in the atom triplets to the second- and third-order elastic moduli of cubic crystals in the case of interactions determined by I ₉ are presented in the appendix.     

A method to polarise antiprotons in storage rings and create polarised antineutrons

An intense circularly polarised g \gamma -beam interacts with a cooled antiproton beam in a storage ring. Due to spin-dependent absorption cross-sections for the reaction g+[`(p)]?p<sup>-</sup>+[`(n)]\ensuremath \gamma+\overline{p}\rightarrow\pi^{-}+\overline{n} a built-up of polarisation of the stored antiprotons takes place. Figures of merit around 0.1 can be reached in principle over a wide range of antiproton energies. In this process polarised antineutrons with polarisation P_[`(n)] \succ 70%\ensuremath P_{\overline{n}} \succ 70\% emerge. The method is presented for the case of a 300MeV/c cooled antiproton beam.     

Determination of heavy quark non-perturbative parametersfrom spectral moments in semileptonic B decays

Moments of the hadronic invariant mass and of the lepton energy spectra in semileptonic B decays have been determined with the data recorded by the DELPHI detector at LEP. From measurements of the inclusive b-hadron semileptonic decays, and imposing constraints from other measurements on b- and c-quark masses, the first three moments of the lepton energy distribution and of the hadronic mass distribution, have been used to determine parameters which enter into the extraction of |V_cb| from the measurement of the inclusive b-hadron semileptonic decay width. The values obtained in the kinetic scheme are: and include corrections at order 1/m_b³. Using these results, and present measurements of the inclusive semileptonic decay partial width of b-hadrons at LEP, an accurate determination of |V_cb| is obtained: Received: 26 April 2005, Revised: 16 September 2005, Published online: 16 November 2005     

Quantum conformal superspace

For a compact connected orientablen-manifoldM, n 3, we study the structure ofclassical superspace ,quantum superspace ,classical conformal superspace , andquantum conformal superspace . The study of the structure of these spaces is motivated by questions involving reduction of the usual canonical Hamiltonian formulation of general relativity to a non-degenerate Hamiltonian formulation, and to questions involving the quantization of the gravitational field. We show that if the degree of symmetry ofM is zero, thenS,S ₀,C, andC ₀ areilh orbifolds. The case of most importance for general relativity is dimensionn=3. In this case, assuming that the extended Poincaré conjecture is true, we show that quantum superspaceS ₀ and quantum conformal superspaceC ₀ are in factilh-manifolds. If, moreover,M is a Haken manifold, then quantum superspace and quantum conformal superspace arecontractible ilh-manifolds. In this case, there are no Gribov ambiguities for the configuration spacesS ₀ andC ₀. Our results are applicable to questions involving the problem of thereduction of Einstein's vacuum equations and to problems involving quantization of the gravitational field. For the problem of reduction, one searches for a way to reduce the canonical Hamiltonian formulation together with its constraint equations to an unconstrained Hamiltonian system on a reduced phase space. For the problem of quantum gravity, the spaceC ₀ will play a natural role in any quantization procedure based on the use of conformal methods and the reduced Hamiltonian formulation.