The upper bound on the tensor-to-scalar ratio consistent with quantum gravity

We consider the polynomial inflation with the tensor-to-scalar ratio as large as possible which can be consistent with the quantum gravity(QG) corrections and effective field theory(EFT). To get a minimal field excursion Δ? for enough e-folding number N, the inflaton field traverses an extremely flat part of the scalar potential, which results in the Lyth bound to be violated. We get a CMB signal consistent with Planck data by numerically computing the equation of motion for inflaton ? and using Mukhanov–Sasaki formalism for primordial spectrum. Inflation ends at Hubble slow-roll parameter ■. Interestingly, we find an excellent practical bound on the inflaton excursion in the format ■, where a is a tiny real number and b is at the order 1. To be consistent with QG/EFT and suppress the high-dimensional operators, we show that the concrete condition on inflaton excursion is ■. For n_s= 0.9649,N_e= 55, and ■0.632 MPl, we predict that the tensor-to-scalar ratio is smaller than 0.0012 for such polynomial inflation to be consistent with QG/EFT.     

Flavor-dependent photoproduction in heavy-ion collisions

Strong electromagnetic fields produced in the non-central heavy-ion collisions can induce vector meson photoproduction. In this paper, we study the photoproduction J/ψ and φ mesons in the relativistic heavy-ion collision from ultra-peripheral nuclear collisions to peripheral hadronic heavy ion collisions. And then include both initial hadronic production and thermal production in quark-gluon plasma (QGP). We find, for the charm anti-charm bound state J/ψ, the photoproduced J/ψs are mainly in the very low momentum region and clearly exceed the hadronic production. However, considering the thermal production of strange quark anti-quark pairs in QGP produced in relativistic heavy-ion collisions, the photoproduced φ is usually smaller than the thermal production and only evident at very peripheral collisions as even their photoproduction is much larger than J/ψ.     

Ab initio calculation of the ground and first excited states of the lithium dimer

Based on a high level ab initio calculation which is carried out with the multireference configuration interaction method under the aug-cc-pVXZ (AVXZ) basis sets, X=T, Q, 5, the accurate potential energy curves (PECs) of the ground state ${\rm{X}}{}^{{\rm{1}}}{\rm{\Sigma }}_{g}^{+}$ and the first excited state ${\rm{A}}{}^{{\rm{1}}}{\rm{\Sigma }}_{u}^{+}$ of Li₂ are constructed. By fitting the ab initio potential energy points with the Murrell–Sorbie potential function, the analytic potential energy functions (APEFs) are obtained. The molecular bond length at the equilibrium (R_e), the potential well depth (D_e), and the spectroscopic constants (B_e, ω_e, α_e, and ω_eχ_e) for the ${\rm{X}}{}^{{\rm{1}}}{\rm{\Sigma }}_{g}^{+}$ state and the ${\rm{A}}{}^{{\rm{1}}}{\rm{\Sigma }}_{u}^{+}$ state are deduced from the APEFs. The vibrational energy levels of the two electronic states are obtained by solving the time-independent Schrödinger equation with the Fourier grid Hamiltonian method. All the spectroscopic constants and the vibrational levels agree well with the experimental results. The Franck–Condon factors (FCFs) corresponding to the transitions from the vibrational level (v′=0) of the ground state to the vibrational levels (v″=0–74) of the first excited state have been calculated. The FCF for the vibronic transition of ${\rm{A}}{}^{{\rm{1}}}{\rm{\Sigma }}_{u}^{+}$(v″=0) ←${\rm{X}}{}^{{\rm{1}}}{\rm{\Sigma }}_{g}^{+}$(v′=0) is the strongest. These PECs and corresponding spectroscopic constants provide reliable theoretical references to both the spectroscopic and the molecular dynamic studies of the Li₂ dimer.     

Effects of the dust size distribution in one-dimensional quantum dusty plasma

The effects of the dust size distribution in ultracold quantum dusty plasmas are investigated. The amplitude φ_m and width ω of quantum dust acoustic waves are studied with different dust size distributions in the system. The φ_m and ω of the quantum dust acoustic waves are found to increase as the total number density increases. The φ_m and ω are greater for unusual dusty plasmas than for typical dusty plasmas. Moreover, as the Fermi temperature of the dust grains increases, the φ_m of the wave decreases. The ω of quantum dust acoustic waves increases as the speed u₀ of the wave increases.     

P-v criticality and heat engine efficiency for Bardeen Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet AdS black hole

In this paper,we discuss the P-v criticality and the heat engine efficiency in the Bardeen EinsteinGauss-Bonnet (EGB) AdS black hole space-time.From the P-v plane in the extended phase space,we find that the Bardeen EGB-AdS black hole conforms to Van der Waals (VdW) liquid-gas systems in the extended phase space,and P_cv_/T_c=0.369 of the Bardeen EGB-AdS black hole system is between 0.3333 of the Gauss-Bonnet AdS black hole system and 0.375 of the VdW gas system in the 5-dimensions.Then we construct a heat engine by taking the Bardeen EGB-AdS black hole as the working substance,and consider a rectangle heat cycle in the P-v plane.We find that two cases with different Bardeen parameter e and Gauss-Bonnet parameter a both have the same situation,i.e.as the entropy difference between small black hole and large black hole S2 increases,the heat engine efficiency will increase.Furthermore,as the Bardeen parameter e increases,the efficiency will decrease.However,for the Gauss-Bonnet parameter a,the result is contrary.By comparing with the well-know Carnot heat engine efficiency,we have found the efficiency ratioη/η_c versus entropy S_2 is bounded below l,so it is coincided with the thermodynamical second law.     

Decay properties of the X(3872) through the Fierz rearrangement

We systematically construct all the tetraquark currents of J^PC = 1⁺⁺ with the quark configurations $[{cq}][\bar{c}\bar{q}]$, $[\bar{c}q][\bar{q}c]$, and $[\bar{c}c][\bar{q}q]$ (q = u/d). Their relations are derived using the Fierz rearrangement of the Dirac and color indices, through which we study decay properties of the X(3872) under both the compact tetraquark and hadronic molecule interpretations. We conduct a search for the X(3872) → χ_c0π, η_cππ, and χ_c1ππ decay processes in particle experiments.     

Preferential attachment network model with aging and initial attractiveness

In this paper, we generalize the growing network model with preferential attachment for new links to simultaneously include aging and initial attractiveness of nodes. The network evolves with the addition of a new node per unit time, and each new node has m new links that with probability Π_i are connected to nodes i already present in the network. In our model, the preferential attachment probability Π_i is proportional not only to k_i + A, the sum of the old node i's degree k_i and its initial attractiveness A, but also to the aging factor ${\tau }_{i}^{-\alpha }$, where τ_i is the age of the old node i. That is, ${{\rm{\Pi }}}_{i}\propto ({k}_{i}+A){\tau }_{i}^{-\alpha }$. Based on the continuum approximation, we present a mean-field analysis that predicts the degree dynamics of the network structure. We show that depending on the aging parameter α two different network topologies can emerge. For α < 1, the network exhibits scaling behavior with a power-law degree distribution P(k) ∝ k^−γ for large k where the scaling exponent γ increases with the aging parameter α and is linearly correlated with the ratio A/m. Moreover, the average degree k(t_i, t) at time t for any node i that is added into the network at time t_i scales as $k({t}_{i},t)\propto {t}_{i}^{-\beta }$ where 1/β is a linear function of A/m. For α > 1, such scaling behavior disappears and the degree distribution is exponential.     

Higgs–Palatini inflation and unitarity

In the Higgs inflation scenario the Higgs field is strongly coupled to the Ricci scalar in order to drive primordial inflation. However, in its original form in pure metric formulation of gravity, the ultraviolet (UV) cutoff of the Higgs interactions and the Hubble rate are of the same magnitude, and this makes the whole inflationary evolution dependent of the unknown UV completion of the Higgs sector. This problem, the unitarity violation, plagues the Higgs inflation scenario. In this Letter we show that, in the Palatini formulation of gravitation, Higgs inflation does not suffer from unitarity violation since the UV cutoff lies parametrically much higher than the Hubble rate so that unknown UV physics does not disrupt the inflationary dynamics. Higgs–Palatini inflation, as we call it, is, therefore, UV-safe, minimal and endowed with predictive power.     

Two-loop renormalization of tanβ and its gauge dependence

Renormalization of two-loop divergent corrections to the vacuum expectation values (v₁,v₂) of the two Higgs doublets in the minimal supersymmetric standard model, and their ratio tanβ=v₂/v₁, is discussed for general R_ξ gauge fixings. When the renormalized (v₁,v₂) are defined to give the minimum of the loop-corrected effective potential, it is shown that, beyond the one-loop level, the dimensionful parameters in the R_ξ gauge fixing term generate gauge dependence of the renormalized tanβ. Additional shifts of the Higgs fields are necessary to realize the gauge-independent renormalization of tanβ.     

Study of superconducting state parameters of alkali–alkali binary alloys by a pseudopotential

A detailed study of the superconducting state parameters (SSP) viz. electron–phonon coupling strength λ, Coulomb pseudopotential μ^*, transition temperature T_C, isotope effect exponent and effective interaction strength N_OV of ten alkali–alkali binary alloys i.e. Li_1−xNa_x, Li_1−xK_x, Li_1−xRb_x, Li_1−xCs_x, Na_1−xK_x, Na_1−xRb_x, Na_1−xCs_x, K_1−xRb_x, K_1−xCs_x and Rb_1−xCs_x are made within the framework of the model potential formalism and employing the pseudo-alloy-atom (PAA) model for the first time. We use the Ashcroft’s empty core (EMC) model potential for evaluating the superconducting properties of alkali alloys. Five different forms of local field correction functions viz. Hartree (H), Taylor (T), Ichimaru–Utsumi (IU), Farid et al. (F) and Sarkar et al. (S) are used to incorporate the exchange and correlation effects. A considerable influence of various exchange and correlation functions on λ and μ^* is found from the present study. Reasonable agreement with the theoretical values of the SSP of pure components is found (corresponding to the concentration x = 0 or 1). It is also concluded that nature of the SSP strongly depends on the value of the atomic volume Ω₀ of alkali–alkali binary alloys.     

Magnetic phase transition in (Fe,Mn)65Ni35 alloys

Magnetization measurements on the Fe₆₀Mn₅Ni₃₅ and Fe₅₀Mn₁₅Ni₃₅ alloy samples were carried out in the temperature range 80T300 K and in magnetic fields up to 8 kOe. The Fe₆₀Mn₅Ni₃₅ was found to order ferromagnetically with a Curie temperature, T_c, above 300 K. From the temperature dependence of the spontaneous magnetization, M_s, it was concluded that the magnetic behavior of Fe₆₀Mn₅Ni₃₅ follows Wohlfarth theory of weak itinerant ferromagnet. The Fe₅₀Mn₁₅Ni₃₅ sample exhibits a magnetic phase transition from ferromagnetism to paramagnetism at T_c=242 K. The critical amplitudes and critical exponents (β, γ and δ) have been determined by using Arrott plots, Kouvel–Fisher method and scaling plots of the reduced magnetization and reduced magnetic field. The values of β, γ and δ are discussed and compared with the results obtained for various theoretical models and also with the experimentally determined values for related systems obtained by others.     

Inflation with hyperbolic potential in the braneworld model

In this paper we study inflationary dynamics with a scalar field in an inverse coshyperbolic potential in the braneworld model. We note that a sufficient inflation may be obtained with the potential considering slow-roll approximation in the high energy limit. We determine the minimum values of the initial inflaton field required to obtain sufficient inflation and also determine the relevant inflationary parameters. The numerical values of spectral index of the scalar perturbation spectrum are determined by varying the number of e-foldings for different initial values of the inflaton field. The result obtained here is in good agreement with the current observational limits.      

Horizon feedback inflation

We consider the effect of the Gibbons–Hawking radiation on the inflaton in the situation where it is coupled to a large number of spectator fields. We argue that this will lead to two important effects – a thermal contribution to the potential and a gradual change in parameters in the Lagrangian which results from thermodynamic and energy conservation arguments. We present a scenario of hilltop inflation where the field starts trapped at the origin before slowly experiencing a phase transition during which the field extremely slowly moves towards its zero temperature expectation value. We show that it is possible to obtain enough e-folds of expansion as well as the correct spectrum of perturbations without hugely fine-tuned parameters in the potential (albeit with many spectator fields). We also comment on how initial conditions for inflation can arise naturally in this situation.     

Two-proton radioactivity of exotic nuclei beyond proton drip-line

To search for new candidates of the true and simultaneous two-proton(2 p) radioactivity, the 2 p decay energies(Q2 p) are extracted by the Weizs?cker–Skyrme-4(WS4) model, the finite-range droplet model(FRDM), the Koura–Tachibana–Uno–Yamada(KTUY) model and the Hartree–Fock–Bogoliubov mean-field model with the BSk29 Skyrme interaction(HFB29). Then, the 2 p radioactivity half-lives are calculated within the generalized liquid drop model by inputting the four types of Q2 pvalues. By the energy and half-life constraints, it is found that the probable 2 p decay candidates are the nuclei beyond the proton-drip line in the region of Z≤50 based on the WS4 and KTUY mass models. For the FRDM mass model, the probable 2 p decay candidates are found in the region of Z≤44. However, the 2p-decaying candidates are predicted in the region of Z≤58 by the HFB29 mass model. It means that the probable 2 p decay candidates of Z50 are only predicted by the HFB29 mass model. Finally, the competition between the true 2p radioactivity and α-decay for the nuclei above the N=Z=50 shell closures is discussed. It is shown that ~(101)Te,~(111)Ba and ~(114)Ce prefer to 2p radioactivity and the dominant decay mode of ~(107)Xe and ~(116)Ce is α-decay.     

Fluxbrane inflation

As a first step towards inflation in genuinely F-theoretic setups, we propose a scenario where the inflaton is the relative position of two 7-branes on holomorphic 4-cycles. Non-supersymmetric gauge flux induces an attractive inter-brane potential. The latter is sufficiently flat in the supergravity regime of large volume moduli. Thus, in contrast to brane-antibrane inflation, fluxbrane inflation does not require warping. We calculate the inflaton potential both in the supergravity approximation and via an open-string one-loop computation on toroidal backgrounds. This leads us to propose a generalisation to genuine Calabi-Yau manifolds. We also comment on competing F-term effects. The end of inflation is marked by the condensation of tachyonic recombination fields between the 7-branes, triggering the formation of a bound state described as a stable extension along the 7-brane divisor. Hence our model fits in the framework of hybrid D-term inflation. We work out the main phenomenological properties of our D-term inflaton potential. In particular, our scenario of D7/D7 inflation avoids the familiar observational constraints associated with cosmic strings.     

Vibrationally resolved band profiles for autoionisation of NO (cΠ) nℓλ (vR=0) Rydberg states into NO AΠ (vi=0, 1, 2) vibronic levels

Excitation spectra for dispersed VUV-fluorescence of NO (λ_fl=134–152 nm) were measured in the exciting-photon energy range between 16.9 and 24.8 eV using monochromatised synchrotron radiation at medium bandwidth of 29 meV. Fluorescence from A¹Π (v_i=0, 1, 2) vibronic NO⁺-levels and fluorescence from excited dissociation fragments NI (3s ²P_J) was observed simultaneously by recording the dispersed fluorescence with a monochromator–position-sensitive detector combination. The autoionisation of NO (c³Π) nℓλ (v_R=0) Rydberg levels into the NO⁺ A¹Π (v_i=0, 1, 2) vibronic levels was observed vibrationally resolved. Different Beutler–Fano profiles for autoionisation of one Rydberg level NO (c³Π) nℓλ (v_R=0) into the different vibronic NO⁺ A¹Π (v_i=0, 1, 2) levels are clearly visible. The dependence of the Beutler–Fano profiles on the quantum numbers n, ℓ, and λ of the Rydberg electron is discussed. For the direct photoionisation into the NO⁺ A¹Π (v_i=0, 1, 2) vibronic levels a non-Franck–Condon behaviour was observed.     

Precision measurements and tau neutrino physics in a future accelerator neutrino experiment

We investigate prospects of building a future accelerator-based neutrino oscillation experiment in China, including site selection, beam optimization and tau neutrino physics aspects. CP violation, non-unitary mixing and non-standard neutrino interactions are discussed. We simulate neutrino beam setups based on muon and beta decay techniques and compare Chinese laboratory sites by their expected sensitivities. A case study on the Super Proton–Proton Collider and the China JinPing Laboratory is also presented. It is shown that the muon-decay-based beam setup can measure the Dirac CP phase by about 14.2° precision at 1σ CL, whereas non-unitarity can be probed down to ∣α_ij∣ ≲ 0.37 (i ≠ j = 1, 2, 3) and non-standard interactions to $| {\epsilon }_{{\ell }{\ell }^{\prime} }^{m}| \lesssim $ 0.11 (${\ell }\ne {\ell }^{\prime} =e$, μ, τ) at 90% CL, respectively.     

Absorbing boundary condition as limiting case of imaginary potentials

Imaginary potentials such as V(x)=-iσ1_Ω(x)(with σ> 0 a constant,Ω a subset of 3-space,and 1_Ω its characteristic function) have been used in quantum mechanics as models of a detector.They represent the effect of a ’soft’ detector that takes a while to notice a particle in the detector volume Ω.In order to model a ’hard’ detector(i.e.one that registers a particle as soon as it enters Ω),one may think of taking the limit σ→∞ of increasing detector strength σ.However,as poin...     

On the Riemann–Hilbert problem of a generalized derivative nonlinear Schrödinger equation

In this work,we present a unified transformation method directly by using the inverse scattering method for a generalized derivative nonlinear Schr?dinger(DNLS)equation.By establishing a matrix Riemann-Hilbert problem and reconstructing potential function q(x,t)from eigenfunctions{Gj(x,t,η)}3/1 in the inverse problem,the initial-boundary value problems for the generalized DNLS equation on the half-line are discussed.Moreover,we also obtain that the spectral functions f(η),s(η),F(η),S(η)are not independent of each other,but meet an important global relation.As applications,the generalized DNLS equation can be reduced to the Kaup-Newell equation and Chen-Lee-Liu equation on the half-line.