Exclusive photoproduction of mesons at HERA

The exclusive photoproduction reaction γp→p has been studied with the ZEUS experiment in ep collisions at HERA using an integrated luminosity of 468 pb⁻¹. The measurement covers the kinematic range 60<W<220 GeV and Q²<1 GeV², where W is the photon–proton centre-of-mass energy and Q² is the photon virtuality. These results, which represent the analysis of the full ZEUS data sample for this channel, are compared to predictions based on perturbative QCD.     

0-extended supergravity and Chern-Simons theories

We give generalizations of extended Poincaré supergravity with arbitrarily many supersymmetries in the absence of central charges in three dimensions by gauging its intrinsic global SO(N) symmetry. We call these ₀ (Aleph-null) supergravity theories. We further couple a non-Abelian supersymmetric Chern-Simons theory and an Abelian topological BF theory to ₀ supergravity. Our result overcomes the previous difficulty for supersymmetrization of Chern-Simons theories beyond N = 4. This feature is peculiar to the Chern-Simons and BF theories including supergravity in three dimensions. We also show that dimensional reduction schemes for four-dimensional theories such as N = 1 self-dual supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory or N = 1 supergravity theory that can generate ₀ globally and locally supersymmetric theories in three dimensions. As an interesting application, we present ₀ supergravity Liouville theory in two dimensions after appropriate dimensional reduction from three dimensions.     

-Particle radioactivity from LR 115 by two methods of analysis

LR115 track detectors were exposed to samples of Moroccan phosphate and phosphogypsum to measure their -particle radioactivity. Then two formalisms were used for the dosimetry: simulation by a Monte Carlo method and determination of concentrations from a numerically integrated track registration equation. The results were compared with those deduced γ-ray spectrometry.     

Contours of constant Δ and Ψ in the 2–4 plane for the ellipsometric functions

Contour graphs of ₂ vs ₄ for different film thicknesses and a range of angles of incidence have been plotted for the ellipsometric functions Δ and Ψ in both the reflection and transmission modes. In the case of reflection ellipsometry, when the plots for Δ_R and Ψ_R are superimposed, the two sets of contours cross nearly at right angles over a large part of the field, this being indicative of the high accuracy obtainable in using this technique to determine ₄ and ₂ and hence the optical constants, n and k, for the film material. The reflection ellipsometric technique is accurate over angles of incidence between 30° and 75° and for a range of film thicknesses between λ/30 and 5λ. Transmission ellipsometry is less useful, due to anomalies in both X_s and X_p where sudden phase changes of ±π occur in regions of interest. There is also the possibility of multiple solutions, although the use of a multiangle technique would enable the “correct” values to be more easily determined.     

(Q) corrections to particle multiplicity ratios in gluon and quark jets

The order (Q²) correction to the particle multiplicity ratio in gluon and quark jets is calculated in QCD. Through (Q²) we find

, with r = <n>_{gluon jet}/<n>_{quark jet}. This ratio is independent of the opening angle chosen to define the jets.     

Real next-to-next-to-leading-order QCD corrections to and hadroproduction in association with a photon

We update the study of the QCD corrections to direct J/ψ and hadroproduction in association with a photon in the QCD-based approach of the Colour-Singlet (CS) Model. After comparison with the recent full next-to-leading-order (NLO) computation for this process, we provide an independent confirmation to the inclusive case that NLO QCD corrections to quarkonium-production processes whose LO exhibits a non-leading P_T behaviour can be reliably computed at mid and large P_T by considering only the real emission contributions accompanied with a kinematical cut. In turn, we evaluate the leading part of the contributions, namely those coming from (J/ψ,)+γ associated with two light partons. We find that they are dominant at mid and large P_T. This confirms our expectations from the leading P_T scaling of the new topologies appearing at NNLO. We obtain that the yield from the CS becomes one order of magnitude larger than the upper value of the potential colour-octet yield. The polarisation of the quarkonia produced in association with a photon is confirmed to be longitudinal at mid and large P_T.     

Off-shell Bethe ansatz equation for osp(21) Gaudin magnets

The semi-classical limit of the algebraic Bethe ansatz method is used to solve the theory of Gaudin models. Via off-shell Bethe ansatz method we find the spectra and eigenvectors of the N−1 independents Gaudin Hamiltonians with symmetry osp(21). We also show how the off-shell Gaudin equation solves the trigonometric Knizhnik–Zamolodchikov equation.     

Pairwise thermal entanglement in the n-qubit (n5) Heisenberg XX chain

In this Letter, we have calculated the concurrence of the pairwise thermal entanglement for the four-qubit and five-qubit Heisenberg XX chain. It is found that there is a great difference between the even-qubit and the odd-qubit chain in the aspect of the critical temperature and of the existence of the entanglement for the case of the qubit number n no more than 5.     

Functionalization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes for reinforcing of poly(l-lactide-co--caprolactone) biodegradable copolymers

Up to now, synthetic polymers and biomacromolecules have been grafted or assembled onto the convex surface of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) via covalent bonds or chemisorptions. In this research, poly(l-lactide-co--caprolactone)-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT-OH-g-PCLA)s are synthesized by in situ ring-opening copolymerization of l-lactide (LA) and -caprolactone (CL) using stannous octanoate and hydroxylated MWCNTs (MWCNT-OHs) as the initiating system. The pristine MWCNTs are modified to possess carboxyl groups and then hydroxyl groups. MWCNT-OHs are used as coinitiators to polymerize LA and CL by the surface-initiated ring-opening polymerization. The FT-IR spectra, SEM and TEM micrographs revealed that the PCLA grafted form the sidewall of MWCNTs strongly. The TGA analysis indicates that about 75 wt% of functionalized MWCNTs with PCLA belongs to grafted PCLA and the remaining 25 wt% to the initial MWCNT-OH.     

A quantum-chemical study of LiC=O interactions in polyester-based polymer electrolytes

Quantum-chemical calculations on model ester molecules have been performed to study the interactions of carbonyl groups with lithium cation. The preferred conformations of the complexes and their stabilization energies have been determined. The largest complexation energy has been obtained for Li⁺ binding to four carbonyl groups. The vibrational frequency calculations have been used to predict the changes in the IR spectrum of polyester upon Li⁺ complexation. For the most stable complex the red-shift of about − 29 to − 24 cm^− 1 in the frequency of the C=O stretching mode has been calculated in a good agreement with the experimental value [I.D. Wu, F. C. Chang, Polymer 48 (2007) 989].     

Diffusive EPR line width behaviour in two-dimensional Cu(Hippurate)2 4H2O single crystal

X-band EPR measurements were performed at room temperature on layered Cu(Hippurate)₂4H₂O single crystals. Despite the dimeric molecular structure the EPR spectra are characteristic for individual Cu-complexes with square-pyramidal structure and g-factors: g_x=2.045, g_y=2.085 and g_z=2.346. The anticipated zero-field splitting from dimers with S=1 is averaged out by interdimer exchange coupling within the layers. The dimers in adjacent layers are not exchange coupled as we determined from the two-component EPR spectra. Thus, the crystal is an ideal 2D magnetic system and shows a strong spin diffusion effect in the EPR line width. The spin diffusion contribution to the line width is described as P(3cos²Θ−1)² with which is much higher compared to other 2D copper(II) crystals. The background line width is due to dipolar coupling and non-resolved hyperfine structure. Exchange coupling was determined from the exchange narrowing effect as of about 0.1 cm⁻¹.     

Size-dependent oxidation of Pdn (n 13) on alumina/NiAl(110): Correlation with Pd core level binding energies

Small Pd clusters Pd_n (n = 1, 4, 7, 10, 13) deposited on alumina/NiAl(110) at room temperature were examined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), as-deposited and after exposure to O₂ at temperatures ranging from 100 to 500 K. After O₂ exposure at 100 K, the Pd clusters showed XPS shifts indicative of oxidation. The exception was Pd₄, which did not oxidize under any conditions. The inertness of Pd₄/alumina/NiAl(110) appears to be correlated with a significantly higher-than-expected Pd 3d binding energy, which we attribute to a particularly stable valence shell. None of the clusters examined oxidized during O₂ exposures at 300 K or above, but He⁺ scattering showed that oxygen was bound on the cluster surfaces. Upon heating, all the oxygen associated with these small clusters appeared to spill over and react with the alumina/NiAl(110) support.     

Ion dependence of magnetic anisotropy in MFe2O4 (MFe, Co, Mn) nanoparticles synthesized by high-temperature reaction

The influence of different M²⁺ cations on the effective magnetic anisotropy of systems composed of MFe₂O₄ (M=Fe, Co and Mn) nanoparticles was investigated. Samples were prepared by the high-temperature (538 K) solution phase reaction of Fe (acac)₃, Co (acac)₂ and Mn (acac)₂ with 1,2 octanodiol in the presence of oleic acid and oleylamine. The final particles are coated by an organic layer of oleic acid that prevents agglomeration. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images show that particles present near spherical form and a narrow grain size distribution, with mean diameters in the range of 4.5–7.6 nm. Powder samples were analyzed by ac susceptibility and Mössbauer measurements, and K_eff for all samples was evaluated using both techniques, showing a strong dependence on the nature of the divalent cation.     

: 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.     

Resonances in at rest

Data on at rest show two resonant processes: (a) f₀(1370)η,f₀(1370)→σσ and ρρ, (b) η(1440)σ, η(1440)→ηπ⁺π⁻. The branching ratio BR[f₀(1370)→ρρ]/BR[f₀(1370)→σσ]=0.98±0.25 in the mass range available here. Using data on , the ratio Γ_4π/Γ_2π5 for f₀(1370). The effects of the strongly s-dependent width of f₀(1370) are discussed in some detail.The η(1440) is observed decaying to ησ and a₀(980)π, with strong destructive interference between them. In its decay to a₀(980)π, a narrow peak appears in the ηπ mass spectrum, but 30–50 MeV above that usually attributed to a₀(980) and significantly above the KK threshold. This effect is explained naturally by a two-step process: η(1440)→K^*(890)K followed by rescattering of the two kaons through a₀(980) to ηπ above the KK threshold.     

p elastic scattering in the T-meson region

We have made improved measurements of 43.8 ± 0.8, 41.3 ± 0.4 and 39.3 ± 0.8 mb for the p elastic cross sections at 1.11, 1.33 and 1.52 GeV/c laboratory momenta respectively. Sharp forward peaks in the differential cross sections with broad secondary maxima agree with previous observations [3–6]. The forward differential cross sections are (11 ± 3)% above the optical point in agreement with real amplitudes extended from lower momenta using dispersion relations [7]. The elastic cross sections do not show any structure in the s-channel. Backward differential cross sections show the onset of a “third diffraction peak” but no evidence for other structure in agreement with earlier experiments [6, 13].     

spin-lattice relaxation in cobalt-containing aluminophosphate molecular sieves

Phosphorus spin-lattice relaxation was studied in aluminophosphate molecular sieves containing various concentrations of either framework or non-framework cobalt. The behaviour of nuclear magnetisation in the presence of these paramagnetic centres was described successfully in the limit of no spin-diffusion. The diffusionless regime was strongly indicated with non-exponential magnetisation recovery and was therefore easy to recognise. According to the model, spin-lattice relaxation rates depend on the square of cobalt concentration. Measured relaxation rates agreed well with calculations if effective cobalt concentration was considered rather than the average one. The latter was obtained by bulk elemental analysis, while the former was extracted from cobalt concentration depth-profiles measured with Auger electron spectroscopy. These measurements indicated that in impregnated samples containing non-framework cobalt there could be much more cobalt near the crystal surface than within the crystal. Because high cobalt concentration can lead to an invisible phosphorus, only nuclei deep within the crystal contribute to the NMR signal. In such a case, the effective concentration is simply the concentration of cobalt far from the crystal surface. In our case, two impregnated samples with different bulk cobalt concentrations exhibited equal relaxation rates. Previously, such a case was misinterpreted as a case, in which nuclear spin-lattice relaxation was independent of cobalt concentration. AES measurements, however, revealed, that although average concentrations of the two samples were different by a factor of two, their effective concentrations were equal and thus in complete agreement with observed relaxation rates.