Study of the flavour violating (μ,e) conversion in nuclei

The muon number violating (μ⁻, e⁻) conversion in the presence of nuclei is investigated. The effective operators resulting from various mechanisms, both photonic and non-photonic, are expressed in terms of nuclear coordinates: (i) for intermediate neutrino models, and (ii) for supersymmetric theories. Using these operators the (A, Z) dependence of the corresponding widths is discussed throughout the periodic table. For the coherent process the dependence of the conversion rate on the nuclear parameters is given in terms of the elastic nuclear form factors, which are obtained in the context of shell model, taking into account finite nucleon-size effects. For the inclusive μ−e conversion process the total rates are calculated for closed-shell nuclei. The method of calculation utilizes microscopic non-energy-weighted sum rules (closure). The isospindependent part of the total (μ⁻, e⁻) rate is also related to that of the total (μ⁻, _vμ capture rate, the latter being calculated with Primakoff's phenomenological method. The agreement between the two provides a good test of the reliability of the shell-model closure calculations. For non-closed-shell nuclei the relevant rates can be obtained by interpolation techniques from the functions obtained in the present work for closed-shell nuclei. Finally the experimentally interesting ratio of the coherent to the total μ−e conversion rate is discussed.     

Calculation of the beta decay of Pd. Quasiparticle random phase approximation results

Single beta decay transitions in ^114–120Pd are calculated. Theoreticalβ⁺ and β⁻ strength distributions, for transitions to 1⁺ states in the nuclei ^114–120Ag and ^114–120Rh, are obtained in the framework of the quasiparticle random phase approximation (QRPA). The effective two-body interaction which is used in the calculations is constructed from the Bonn one-boson-exchange potential (OBEP). Particle-hole and particle-particle like channels of the two-body force are included in the definition of the QRPA matrix equations. Effects associated with the particle number violation of the quasiparticle mean field are accounted for by using a particle-number-projected version of the QRPA formalism. Theoretical strength distributions for the β⁻ and β⁺ braches are shown and compared with data.     

Electron-muon permutation symmetry and multiplicatively conserved lepton number in gauge theories

The similarity between the weak interactions of electron and muon is extended to the principle that all e and μ interactions in gauge models are invariant under e ↔ μ exchange. This necessitates the existence of two Higgs doublets φ_e and φ_μ, and an extended e ↔ μ permutation invariance. After symmetry-breaking, a multiplicatively conserved “permutation parity” π = ± 1 for all particles naturally emerges, with π_μ = −π_e = 1. The model forbids μ → eγ but predicts e⁻e⁻ → μ⁻μ⁻ mediated by π = −1 Higgs bosons at 10⁻¹¹ times the rate of typical weak cross sections.     

Cross section of the charged current reaction C(ve, e)Ng.s.

The charged current nuclear transition ¹²C(v_e, e⁻)¹²N_g.s. has been observed in the KARMEN experiment. The flux average cross section for v_e from μ⁺ decay at rest is determined to be σ = [8.1±0.9(stat.)±0.75 (syst.)]×10⁻⁴²cm². For the first time also the energy dependence of the cross section has been measured for neutrino energies up to 50 MeV.     

Neutrino masses, muon g−2, and lepton-flavour violation in the supersymmetric see-saw model

In the light of the recent muon (g_μ−2) result by the E821 experiment at the Brookhaven National Laboratory, we study the event rates of the charged lepton-flavour-violating (LFV) processes in the supersymmetric standard model (SUSY SM) with the heavy right-handed neutrinos (SUSY see-saw model). Since the left-handed sleptons get the LFV masses via the neutrino Yukawa interaction in this model, the event rate of μ→eγ and the SUSY-SM correction to (g_μ−2)/2 (δa_μ^SUSY) are strongly correlated. When the left-handed sleptons have a LFV mass between the first and second generations ( ) in the mass matrix, it should be suppressed by 10⁻³ (10⁻⁹/δa_μ^SUSY) compared with the diagonal components (m_SUSY²), from the current experimental bound on μ→eγ. The recent (g_μ−2) result indicates δa_μ^SUSY10⁻⁹. The future charged LFV experiments could cover . These experiments will give a significant impact on the flavour models and the SUSY-breaking models. In the SUSY see-saw model is proportional to square of the tau-neutrino Yukawa-coupling constant. In the typical models where the neutrino-oscillation results are explained and the top-quark and tau-neutrino Yukawa couplings are unified at the GUT scale, a large LFV mass of is generated, and the large LFV event rates are predicted. We impose a so-called no-scale condition for the SUSY-breaking parameters at the GUT scale, which suppresses the FCNC processes, and derive the conservative lower bound on μ→eγ. The predicted Br(μ→eγ) could be covered at the future LFV experiments.     

Chemically deposited copper oxide thin films: structural, optical and electrical characteristics

Thin films of copper oxide with thickness ranging from 0.05–0.45 μm were deposited on microscope glass slides by successively dipping them for 20 s each in a solution of 1 M NaOH and then in a solution of copper complex. Temperature of the NaOH solution was varied from 50–90°C, while that of the copper solution was maintained at room temperature. X-ray diffraction patterns showed that the films, as prepared, are of cuprite structure with composition Cu₂O. Annealing the films in air at 350°C converts these films to CuO. This conversion is accompanied by a shift in the optical band gap from 2.1 eV (direct) to 1.75 eV (direct). The films show p-type conductivity, 5×10⁻⁴ Ω⁻¹ cm⁻¹ for a film of thickness 0.15 μm. Electrical conductivity of this film increases by a factor of 3 when illuminated with 1 kW m⁻² tungsten halogen radiation. Annealing in a nitrogen atmosphere at temperatures up to 400°C does not change the composition of the films. However, the conductivity in the dark as well as the photoconductivity of the film increases by an order of magnitude. The electrical conductivity of the CuO thin films produced by air annealing at 400°C, is high, 7×10⁻³ Ω⁻¹ cm⁻¹. These films are also photoconductive.     

Domain wall pinning in polycrystalline perovskite La0.7Sr0.3MnO3

Reversible and irreversible domain wall (DW) motions have been investigated in La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃ ceramic samples using frequency-response complex permeability with various amplitudes of AC field. We also examine the effects of temperature in the range from 293 to 368 K and transverse DC magnetic field with a maximum of 4.40×10⁵ A/m on the real part of permeability (μ′). Two relaxations corresponding to reversible wall motions and domain rotations occur in low and high frequency regions, respectively. The irreversible DW displacements can be activated as the amplitude larger than the pinning field of 3 A/m, leading to an increase in μ′. The μ′ obeys a Rayleigh law at the temperature below 343 K or under DC field of less than 4.22×10⁴ A/m. The Rayleigh constant η increases from 5.45×10⁻² to 1.54×10⁻¹ (A/m)⁻¹ as the temperature rises from 293 to 343 K, and η decreases from 5.58×10⁻² to 3.67×10⁻² (A/m)⁻¹ with increasing DC field from 1.99×10³ to 4.22×10⁴ A/m.     

Band structures and proton-neutron interactions in Ta

Six rotational bands in the odd-odd nucleus ¹⁷⁴Ta have been populated with the ¹⁶⁰Gd(¹⁹F,5n) reaction. High-spin states were identified using the NORDBALL array. Both signatures of the doubly decoupled π1/2⁻ [541] ν1/2⁻ [521] band and semi-decoupled π1/2⁻ [541] ν7/2⁻ [633] band are observed, in addition to the high-K couplings of the π9/2⁻ [514] ν7/2⁺ [633], π9/2⁻ [514] ν5/2⁻ [512], π7/2⁺ [404] ν7/2⁺ [633], and π5/2⁺ [402] ν5/2⁻ [512] configurations. The signature splitting of the π1/2⁻ [541] ν7/2⁺ [633] band is inverted from the expected splitting, and this is interpreted as being due to a residual proton-neutron interaction. It is shown empirically that this interaction, together with deformation changes, can account for the increased crossing frequency associated with the alignment of i_13/2 neutrons in the π1/2⁻ [541] bands of odd-Z nuclei.     

Upper limit on the decay Σ(1385)→Σγ and cross section for γΣ→Λπ

Coherent Λπ⁻ production on Pb of 600 GeV Σ⁻ hyperons has been studied with the SELEX facility at Fermilab. Using the Primakoff formalism, we set a 90% CL upper limit on the radiative decay width Γ[Σ(1385)⁻→Σ⁻γ]<9.5 keV, and estimate the cross section for γΣ⁻→Λπ⁻ at  GeV to be 56±16 μb.     

Studies of lithium intercalation in 3R-WS2

The lithium intercalation into the layered dichalcogenide 3R-WS₂ has been investigated by electrochemical reduction and by chemical reaction in n-butyl lithium solution. Essential results are (a) a charge transfer of nearly 0.6e⁻/W in Li_xWS₂, (b) a small increase of the c-axis parameter of about 0.6%, and (c) a high mobility of the Li⁺-ions. The chemical diffusion coefficient of Li⁺-ions is estimated to be 8 × 10⁻⁹ cm² s⁻¹ in the composition range 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.25. The appearance of a structural transformation from 3R-WS₂ to 2H-Li_xWS₂ is interpreted on grounds of instabilities in the interlayer structure.     

Fluctuations in a supersymmetric inflationary universe

It has been demonstrated that fluctuations in the new inflationary universe may be almost scale-invariant, but are unfortunately too large. We show that supersymmetric inflationary models allow the fluctuations to be smaller. In a toy supersymmetric model, the perturbations are O(10⁻⁴) is the Yukawa interactions are O(10⁻⁶μ/m_p) where μ is the magnitude of the Higgs vacuum expectation value driving the inflation. It is therefore easier to have small fluctuations if inflation occurs close to the Planck epoch.     

Single and double dissociation in πp collisions at 11 and 16 GeV/c

The reactions π⁻p → 2π⁻π⁺p, π⁻p → 2π⁻π⁺π^op and π⁻p → 2π⁻2π⁺n are analysed at 11 and 16 GeV/c using longitudinal phase space (LPS) plots. The weighted LPS distributions for π⁻p → 2π⁻π⁺p is dominated by two well separated structures corresponding to single diffraction dissociation of the pion, π⁻p → (2π⁻π⁺)p, and of the proton, π⁻p → π⁻(π⁻π⁺p). The former is more abundant than the latter, and both are approximately constant with energy. In contrast, processes of type π⁻p → (2π)(πp) decrease with increasing energy.

In the five-body reactions the weighted LPS distribution reveals especially at 16 GeV/c a maximum for single dissociation of the proton into 3πp, namely π⁻p → π⁻(π⁻π⁺π^op); this process is likely to be diffractive. The neutron channel has a corresponding maximum displaced toward a multiperipheral configuration π⁻p → π⁻(π⁻2π⁺)n. Another strong maximum corresponds to the pion dissociation π⁻p → (2π⁻π⁺π^o)p. This is interpreted to be an ω-exchange process because no analogous structure occurs in π⁻p → (2π⁻2π⁺)n. Finally, a broad structure reveals double dissociation of both incident particles; it occurs in the two channels π⁻p → (2π⁻π⁺)(π^op) and π⁻p → (2π⁻π⁺)(π⁺n), being stronger in the latter. Further analysis of this process in terms of isospin exchange suggests that it is partially diffractive. Factorization is also discussed.

An appendix gives general aspects of the LPS analysis for the asymptotic study of n-body collisions at very high energy.     

Polarisation circulaire du rayonnement gamma de Sb, Cs et Ag

The βγ circular polarization correlation of the 3⁻(β⁻ 621 keV)3⁻(γ 1692)2⁺ cascade in ¹²⁴Sb, the 4⁺(β⁻ 662)4⁺ (γ 796)2⁺ (γ 605)0⁺ in ^13Z4Cs and the 6⁺(β⁻529)6⁺ (γ 937)4⁺ (γ 885)2⁺ (γ 658)0⁺ in ^110mAg have been studied by using a Compton effect polarimeter. The measured asymmetry parameters are 0.172±0.004, −0.0702 ±0.0024 and 0.0549±0.0013 respectively.     

Davydov splitting and two-photon excitation of cadmium tungstate (CdWO4) single crystal phosphorescence

Phosphorescence characteristics of CdWO₄ excited by one-photon (λ = 308 nm) and two-photon (λ = 570–590 nm) processes were measured. A Davydov splitting of 120 ± 20 cm⁻¹ was obtained in the phosphorescence spectra, suggesting a diffusion coefficient of about 1.2 × 10⁻² cm² s⁻¹, and a diffusion length of about 3.1 × 10⁻⁴ cm for the room temperature measured lifetime of 8μs. The phosphorescence quantum efficiency was less than 2% at low temperatures (only 0.25% at room temperature), indicating that the dominant decay mechanism was radiationless. The radiative lifetime was thus estimated as 1–2 ms. The two-photon phosphorescence excitation is characterized by an absorption cross-section of the order of 10⁻⁴⁹cm⁴s.     

Hypernuclear production in the (K, π) reaction

Cross sections for the production of hypernuclei were measured in the reaction A(K⁻, π⁻) _ΛA. on light and heavy nuclear targets, using a separated K⁻ beam at the CERN Proton Synchrotron. The pions were detected in the forward direction. The results are compared with cross sections calculated under the assumption that the reaction took place on a single neutron. The good agreement between the measured and the calculated cross sections justifies the use of the (K⁻, π⁻) reaction in order to obtain spectroscopic information on hypernuclei.     

Hadronic production by ee collisions at the energy 990 MeV with the Orsay storage ring

Data were taken at the energy 2E = 990 MeV to search for multibody events, with the same large solid angle detector which has been used for the measurement of the , ω andφ production by e⁺e⁻ annilations. Assuming a π⁺π⁻π⁰π⁰ production by the quasi two-body process e⁺e⁻ → → ωπ⁰ we give the correspondi ng cross section σ(e⁺e⁻ → π⁺π⁻π⁰π⁰) = (1.1 ± 0.5) 10⁻³² cm². Since no events with 3 and 4 charged pions have been observed σ(e⁺e⁻ → π⁺π⁻π⁰π⁻) 1.5 × 10⁻³³ cm².     

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.     

Observation of two-photon emission in nuclear pion capture

The emission of two photons above 25 MeV energy was observed in the capture of stopped pions by beryllium and carbon with a rate of (1.0 ± 0.1) × 10⁻⁵, respectively (1.4 ± 0.2) × 10⁻⁵ per capture. These rates are about two to four times greater than various free-nucleon estimates based on the π⁻+π⁺→γγ annihilation mechanism alone.     

Angular distribution of lepton-pairs and QCD

The recently measured angular distribution of one of the leptons produced in π⁻N → μ⁺μ^-+… is compared with theoretical calculations done in the framework of QCD.     

The (p, t) and (p, τ) reactions on O at 39.8 MeV

Differential cross sections have been measured at forward angles for (p, t) and (p, τ) transitions from ¹⁷O to the ⁻ ground states and lowest-energy ⁻ states in the ¹⁵O and ¹⁵N mirror nuclei. The data are compared with DWBA calculations using simple single-particle and single-hole wave functions. When the (p, t) and (p, τ) transitions are considered separately, the calculated and experimental ratios of the ⁻ integrated cross sections to the ⁻ integrated cross sections agree to within 30 %; however, the ratios of (p, τ) cross sections to the mirror state (p, t) cross sections are calculated to be about twice as large as actually measured. This experimentally observed reduction of the (p, τ) cross section relative to the (p, t) cross section can possibly be attributed to interference between the S = 0 and S = 1 components of the (p, τ) transitions.