Two photons into π<Superscript>0</Superscript>π<Superscript>0</Superscript>

We perform a theoretical study based on dispersion relations of the reaction γγ → π ⁰ π ⁰ emphasizing the low-energy region. We discuss how the ƒ ⁰(980) signal emerges in γγ → ππ within the dispersive approach and how this fixes to a large extent the phase of the isoscalar S-wave γγ → ππ amplitude above the threshold. This allows us to make sharper predictions for the cross-section at lower energies and our results could then be used to distinguish between different ππ isoscalar S-wave parameterizations with the advent of new precise data on ππ → π ⁰ π ⁰. We compare our dispersive approach with an updated calculation employing the unitary chiral perturbation theory (U _gC PT). We also pay special attention to the role played by the σ-resonance in γγ → ππ and calculate its coupling and width to γγ, for which we obtain Γ(σ → γγ) = (1.68 ± 0.15) keV.     

The evaluation of the branching ratios of the decays φ(1020)→2π<Superscript>+</Superscript>2π<Superscript>−</Superscript>π<Superscript>0</Superscript>, π<Superscript>+</Superscript>π<Superscript>−</Superscript>3π<Superscript>0</Superscript>

Combining the Okubo-Zweig-Iizuka rule in the decay φ→ρπ→π⁺π^?π⁰ with the ρ→4π decay amplitudes, we calculate the φ→2π⁺2π^?π⁰ and φ→π⁺π^?3π⁰ ones. The partial widths of the above φ decays are evaluated, and the excitation curves in e⁺e^? annihilation are obtained, assuming reasonable particular relations among the parameters characterizing the anomalous terms of the HLS Lagrangian. The evaluated branching ratios B_φ→π⁺_π^?_3π⁰ ≈ 2 × 10^?7 and B_φ→2π⁺_2π^?_π⁰ ≈ 7 × 10^?7 are such that, with the luminosity L=500 pb^?1 attained at DAΦNE φ factory, one may already possess about 1685 events of the decays φ→5π.     

Photoproduction of π<Superscript>0</Superscript>π<Superscript>+</Superscript> pairs on proton and deuteron

The reaction of π⁰π⁺ photoproduction on free and quasi-free protons with γ-ray energies from 0.5 to 1.5 GeV has been studied. Its cross section was measured in the range θ _π ⁰ ≥ 20°. The distributions of π⁰π⁺, π⁰n, and π⁺n invariant masses were analyzed. The experiment was performed using the Compton back-scattered γ-ray beam at the GRAAL facility (Grenoble, France), applying liquid deuterium and hydrogen targets and a large-aperture (almost 4π) detector. Particular attention was paid to analysis of systematic errors related to the neutron detection efficiency.     

A new determination of the γπ → ππ anomalous amplitude via πe<Superscript>-</Superscript> → π<Superscript>-</Superscript>e<Superscript>-</Superscript>π<Superscript>0</Superscript> data

We discuss the reaction π^-e^- → π^-e^-π⁰ with the purpose of obtaining information on the γπ → ππ anomalous amplitude _3π. We compare a full calculation at (p⁶) in chiral perturbation theory and various phenomenological predictions with the existing data of Amendolia et al. By integrating our theory results using Monte Carlo techniques, we obtain σ = 2.05 nb at (p⁶) and σ = 2.17 nb after including the dominant electromagnetic correction. Both results are in good agreement with the experimental cross-section of σ = (2.11±0.47) nb. On the basis of the ChPT results one would extract from the experimental cross-section as amplitudes _3π^(0)extr = (9.9±1.1) GeV^-3 and _3π^(0)extr = (9.6±1.1) GeV^-3, respectively, which have to be compared with the low-energy theorem _3π = e/(4π²F_π³) = 9.72GeV^-3. We emphasize the need for new data to allow for a comparison of experimental and theoretical distributions and to obtain _3π with smaller uncertainty.     

Processes e<Superscript>+</Superscript>e<Superscript>−</Superscript> → π<Superscript>0</Superscript>(π<Superscript>0</Superscript>′) γ in extended NJL model

The processes of electron-positron annihilation into π⁰γ and into π′(1300)γ are considered within an extended NJL model. The intermediate vector mesons ρ ⁰, ω ρ′(1450), and ω(1420) are taken into account. The latter two mesons are treated as the first radial excited states. They are incorporated into the NJL model by means of a polynomial form factor. Numerical predictions for the cross-sections of these processes are received for the center-of-mass energies below 2 GeV. Our results for the π⁰γ production are in agreement with experimental data obtained in the energy region 600–1020 MeV.     

Two-neutrino positron double-beta decay of <Superscript>106</Superscript>Cd for the 0<Superscript>+</Superscript> → 0<Superscript>+</Superscript> transition

The two-neutrino positron double-beta decay of ¹⁰⁶Cd for the 0 ⁺ 0⁺ transition has been studied in the Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov model in conjunction with the summation method. In the first step, the reliability of the intrinsic wave functions of ¹⁰⁶Cd and ¹⁰⁶Pd nuclei has been tested by comparing the theoretically calculated results for yrast spectra, reduced B(E2: 0⁺ 2⁺) transition probabilities, quadrupole moments Q(2⁺) and gyromagnetic factors g(2⁺) with the available experimental data. In the second step, the nuclear transition matrix element M₂ and the half-life T_1/2² for the 0 ⁺ 0⁺ transition have been calculated with these wave functions. Moreover, we have studied the effect of deformation on the nuclear transition matrix element M₂.     

Measurement of the η mass at KLOE<Superscript>⋆</Superscript>

In this report the measurement of the η mass is presented. The analysis has been performed on 450pb^-1 of data collected in the years 2001 and 2002. The measured value is m _η = (547.874±0.07_stat±0.029_syst) MeV. Original article based on material presented at HADRON 2007.     

Study of π<Superscript>0</Superscript>/γ reconstruction and selection efficiency in the LHCb experiment

The reconstruction efficiency of photons and neutral pions is measured using the relative yields of reconstructed B ⁺ → J/ψK*⁺(→K ⁺π⁰) and B ⁺ → J/ψK ⁺ decays. The efficiency is studied using the data set, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3 fb^–1, collected by the LHCb experiment in proton-proton collisions at the centre-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV.     

The formation of the superheavy hydrogen isotope <Superscript>6</Superscript>H in the absorption of stopped π<Superscript>−</Superscript>-mesons by nuclei

An experimental search for the superheavy hydrogen isotope ⁶H was conducted through studying the absorption of stopped π^?-mesons by ⁹Be and ¹¹B nuclei. A structure in the missing mass spectrum caused by the resonance states of ⁶H was observed in three reaction channels, namely, ⁹Be(π^?, pd)X, ¹¹B(π^?, d³He)X, and ¹¹B(π^?, p⁴He)X. The parameters of the lowest state E_r=6.6±0.7 MeV and Γ=5.5±2.0 MeV (E_r is the resonance energy with respect to the disintegration into the triton and three neutrons) are evidence that ⁶H is a more weakly bound system than ⁴H and ⁵H. Three excited states of ⁶H were observed. Their resonance levels (E_1r=10.7±0.7 MeV, Γ_1r=4±2 MeV, E_2r=15.3±0.7 MeV, Γ _2r=3±2 MeV, and E_3r=21.3±0.4 MeV, Γ_3r=3.5±1.0 MeV) are energetically capable of disintegrating into six free nucleons.     

Investigation of the low-lying nucleon resonances in reactions of π<Superscript>+</Superscript>π<Superscript>−</Superscript> pair electroproduction on protons

The cross sections of the reaction ep → e′p′π⁺π^? for small photon virtualities were measured on a CEBAF large acceptance spectrometer (CLAS detector) at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility for the first time. A complete set of one-dimensional cross sections of the reaction was obtained for photon virtualities in the range 0.2 GeV² < Q ² < 0.6 GeV² and invariant masses of the final hadronic system in the range 1.3 GeV < W < 1.6 GeV. A preliminary analysis of the obtained data in the framework of the phenomenological model demonstrated that the Q ² dependence of the electromagnetic form factors for the P ₁₁ (1440) and D ₁₃ (1520) resonances can be determined in the kinematic region (which is the most sensitive to the contribution from the meson cloud) and that the axial transition form factor p → Δ can be derived.     

Study of the πn → π<Superscript>{-}</Superscript>π<Superscript>{-}</Superscript>p reaction at 430 MeV energy

The total cross-section for the ^{-}n ^{-}{-}p reaction has been measured at a pion kinetic energy of 430MeV in a deuterium bubble chamber. The cross-section value was found to be 0.197±0.016mb that is much smaller than the predictions of the chiral perturbation theory. The differential spectra are compared with calculations made in the framework of the model of Bolokhov et al. 13.60.LeMeson production [:AND:]13.85.LgTotal cross-sections     

Study of π<Superscript>0</Superscript>/γ efficiency using B meson decays in the LHCb experiment

The reconstruction efficiency of photons and neutral pions is measured using the relative yields of reconstructed B ⁺ → J/ψK ^*+(→ K ⁺π⁰) and B ⁺ → J/ψK ⁺ decays. The efficiency is studied using the data set, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3 fb^–1, collected by the LHCb experiment in proton-proton collisions at the centre-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV.     

Mechanism of the production of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">a</Emphasis><Subscript>0</Subscript>(980) resonance in the γγ → π<Superscript>0</Superscript>η reaction

High-statistics Belle data on the γγ → π⁰η reaction have been analyzed in order to reveal the mechanism of two-photon production and the nature of the a ₀(980) resonance. The solution obtained for the γγ → π⁰η amplitude is in agreement with the predictions of the chiral theory for the πη-scattering length; with the strong coupling of the a ₀(980) resonance with the πη, K $ \bar K $ \bar K , and πη′ channels; and with the key role of the a ₀(980) → (K $ \bar K $ \bar K + π⁰η + π⁰η′) → γγ rescattering mechanisms in the a ₀(980) → γγ decay. This picture is much in favor of the q ² $ \bar q $ \bar q ² nature of a ₀(980) resonance and is consistent with the properties of its partners, σ₀(600) and f ₀(980) resonances, in particular, with those manifested in the γγ → ππ reactions. The important role of vector exchanges in the formation of the nonresonant background in the γγ → π⁰η reaction has been revealed. Preliminary information on the π⁰η → π⁰η reaction has been obtained.     

Parameters of the collisionally broadened <Emphasis Type="Italic">R22</Emphasis> absorption line of the 10<Superscript>0</Superscript>0–00<Superscript>0</Superscript>1 transition of the CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> molecule

A frequency stabilized, tuneable CO₂ laser is used to measure the unsaturated absorption coefficients of pure carbon dioxide gas at pressures of 1 and 100 Torr and temperatures of 296–700 K. The radiative transition probability and the temperature dependence of the collisional self-broadening coefficient are determined for the R22 absorption line of the 10⁰0-00⁰1 transition of the CO₂ molecule. The exponent on the temperature is found to depend on the method used to determine the collisional self-broadening coefficient.     

Exclusive ωπ<Superscript>0</Superscript> production with muons<Superscript>⋆</Superscript>

Using 160GeV muon scattering data collected with the COMPASS experiment at CERN, the exclusive production of ωπ⁰ via virtual photons was studied. Selective population of a peak around 1250MeV is observed. Possible contributions from spin-parity 1^- are searched for, inspecting decay angular correlations. In particular, the orientation of the ω decay plane may allow a distinction from the 1⁺ b ₁(1235) state. Our observation is compared with indications of a (1250) in annihilation and in γp . Original article based on material presented at HADRON 2007.     

Decays of baryon resonances into ΛK<Superscript>+</Superscript>, ΣK<Superscript>+</Superscript> and Σ<Superscript>+</Superscript>K<Superscript>0</Superscript>

Cross-sections, beam asymmetries, and recoil polarisations for the reactions γp → K ⁺Λ;γp → K ⁺Σ⁰, and γp → K ⁰Σ⁺ have been measured by the SAPHIR, CLAS, and LEPS Collaborations with high statistics and good angular coverage for centre-of-mass energies between 1.6 and 2.3 GeV. The combined analysis of these data with data from π and η photoproduction reveals evidence for new baryon resonances in this energy region. A new P₁₁ state with mass 1840 MeV and width 140 MeV was observed contributing to most of the fitted reactions. The data demand the presence of two D₁₃ states at 1875 and, optimistically, at 2170 MeV.     

Emission spectroscopy of the A<Superscript>1</Superscript>Π–X<Superscript>1</Superscript>Σ<Superscript>+</Superscript> system of AlH

The high-resolution emission spectrum of the A¹ Π–X¹Σ⁺ transition of AlH was observed in the 18 000–25 000 cm^-1 spectral region using a conventional spectroscopic technique. The AlH molecules were excited in an Al hollow-cathode lamp filled with a mixture of Ne carried gas and a trace amount of NH₃. The emission from the discharge was observed with a plane grating spectrograph and recorded by a photomultiplier tube. In total 163 transition wave numbers belonging to six bands (0-0,1 and 1-0,1,2,3) were precisely measured and rotationally analysed. In the final fit the present data have been combined with available high-resolution measurements of the vibration-rotation bands by White et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 99, 8371 (1993)]. This procedure enabled extracting molecular constants for the A¹ Π and X¹ Σ⁺ states of AlH. A very slight local perturbation has been discovered in the v=1 vibration level of the A¹ Π state at J=5. This was probably caused by the interaction with the a³Π state.     

On the high-statistics investigation of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">a</Emphasis><Subscript>0</Subscript>(980) resonance in the γγ → π<Superscript>0</Superscript>η reaction

High-statistics data on the γγ → π⁰η reaction will make it possible to conclude whether the K ⁺ K ⁻-loop rescattering mechanism, γγ → K ⁺ K ⁻ → a ₀(980) → π⁰η, is the main mechanism of the production of a ₀(980) isovector resonance. This mechanism provides a reasonable value of 20–30 nb at the maximum for the manifestation of a ₀(980) in the γγ → π⁰η cross section. It also gives rise to a noticeable narrowing of the a ₀(980) peak to its effective (observed) width ≈20–30 MeV in the γγ → π⁰η channel. The decay width averaged over the resonance mass distribution is 〈Γ_{α 0} → K ⁺ K ⁻ → γγ〉_πη ≈ 0.13 keV. The experimental confirmation of this scenario would be important evidence in favor of the q ² $ \bar q $ \bar q ² nature of light scalar mesons.     

Two-neutrino double- β decay of 94 ⩽ A ⩽ 110 nuclei for the 0<Superscript>+</Superscript> → 0<Superscript>+</Superscript> transition

The two-neutrino double-beta decay of ^{94, 96}Zr,^98,100Mo,¹⁰⁴Ru and ¹¹⁰Pd nuclei for the 0⁺0⁺ transition is studied in the PHFB model in conjunction with the summation method. In the first step, the reliability of the intrinsic wave functions has been established by obtaining an overall agreement between a number of theoretically calculated spectroscopic properties and the available experimental data for ^{94, 96}Zr,^94,96,98,100Mo, ^98,100,104Ru, ^104,110Pd and ¹¹⁰Cd isotopes. Subsequently, the PHFB wave functions of the above-mentioned nuclei are employed to calculate the nuclear transition matrix elements M₂ as well as half-lives T_1/2². Furthermore, we have studied the effects of deformation on the M₂.