Deviation from the standard model in the decay <Emphasis Type="Italic">π</Emphasis><Superscript>+</Superscript> → <Emphasis Type="Italic">e</Emphasis><Superscript>+</Superscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">νγ</Emphasis>

A precise investigation of radiative pion decay (π⁺ → e⁺νγ) in a pion beam from the meson factory of the Paul Scherrer Institute (Switzerland) was performed by the PIBETA Collaboration with the aid of the PIBETA detector. This resulted in finding 41 601 events of radiative pion decay in three kinematical regions. The absolute values of the branching ratio for radiative pion decay were determined in each of these regions. To a precision approximately four times higher than that known previously, the ratio of the axial-vector to the vector form factor was found to be γ ≡ F _A /F _V = 0.443 (15), the latter being fixed at F _V = 0.0259. The number of events found in the kinematical region specified by photon energies of E_γ > 55.6 MeV, positron energies of E _e > 20.0 MeV, and angles of θ_{γ, e} > 40° between the momenta of the corresponding particles (B region) was 5233. In region B, the measured branching ratio for radiative pion decay, R_π→evγ(expt) = 11.6(3) × 10^?8, proved to be smaller by eight standard deviations than that which follows from the Standard Model, R_π→evγ (theor) = 14.34(1) × 10^?8.     

Search for a light dark photon in muonium decay

About 0.85 × 10⁵ events involving stopped μ ⁺ and muonium decay were observed in a nuclear photoemulsion with the aim of searches for a light dark photon (DPh) in the decay process DPh → e ⁺ e ^?. With a probability of about 10^?5, no event of the decay μ⁺ → е ⁺ ν _μ ν _е accompanied by an electron–positron pair was observed. In the interval of 1.1 MeV ≤ m _DPh ≤ 60 MeV, the mixing parameter ε ² was estimated at about 10^?5 to 10^?4.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">K</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">e</Emphasis>3</Subscript> Decay Studies in the OKA Experiment

Recent results from OKA setup concerning form factor studies in K_e3 decay are presented. About 5.25 M events obtained for decays of 17.7 GeV/cK⁺ are selected for the analysis. The linear and quadratic slopes for the decay form factor f₊(t) are measured: λ'₊ = 2.95 ± 0.022 ± 0.018 × 10 ^-2 for the linear slope fit and λ₊ = 2.611 ± 0.035 ± 0.028 × 10 ^-2, λ"₊ = 1.91 ± 0.19 ± 0.14 × 10 ^-3 for the quadratic one. The scalar and tensor contributions are compatible with zero. Several alternative parametrizations are tried: the Pole fit parameter is found to be M _V = 891 ± 3 MeV; the parameter of the dispersive parametrization is measured to be Λ₊ = 2.458 ± 0.018 × 10^-2.     

Charge transfer over localized states in a TlS single crystal

It is revealed that TlS single crystals exhibit a variable range hopping conduction along a normal to their natural layers at temperatures T ≤ 230 K in a dc electric field and a nonactivated hopping conduction at low temperatures in strong electric fields. Estimates are made for the density of states near the Fermi level (N _F = 2.8 × 10²⁰ eV^?1 cm^?3 and their energy spread (ΔW = 0.02 eV), the localization radius (a = 33 Å), the average jump distance in the region of activated (R _av(T) = 40 Å) and nonactivated (R _av(F) = 78 Å) hopping conduction, and also the drop in the charge carrier potential energy along the jump distance in an electric field F: eFR = 0.006 and 0.009 eV at F = 7.50 × 10³ and 1.25 × 10⁴ V/cm, respectively.     

A study of the neutrino production of <Emphasis Type="Italic">φ</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">D</Emphasis><Stack><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">s</Emphasis></Subscript><Superscript>+</Superscript></Stack> mesons

The charged current neutrino production of φ and D _s ⁺ mesons is studied, using the data obtained with the SKAT bubble chamber exposed to the Serpukhov accelerator neutrino beam. It is found that the φ production occurs predominantly in the forward hemisphere of the hadronic c.m.s. (at x _F > 0, x _F being the Feynman variable), with the mean yield strongly exceeding the expected yield of directly produced φ mesons and varying from 〈n _φ(x _F s 0)〉 = (0.92 ± 0.34) × 10^?2 at W > 2 GeV up to (1.23 ± 0.53) × 10^?2 at W > 2.6 GeV and (1.44 ± 0.69) × 10^?2 at W > 2.9 GeV, W being the invariant mass of the hadronic system. For the first time, the inclusive yield of leading D _s ⁺ mesons carrying more than z = 0.85 of the current c-quark energy is estimated: 〈n _{D s} ⁺ (z > 0.85, W > 2.9 GeV)〉 = (6.64 ± 1.91) × 10^?2. It is shown that the shape of measured φ meson differential spectrum on xF is reproduced by that expected from the D _s ⁺ → φX decays. An indication was obtained that this expected spectrum underestimates the measured φ yield.     

Study of the reaction π–<Emphasis Type="Italic">A</Emphasis> π<Superscript>+</Superscript>π<Superscript>–</Superscript>π<Superscript>–</Superscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">A</Emphasis> at large statistics with VES setup

Partial wave analysis of the π–A π⁺π^–π^– system produced by 29 GeV/cπ^– beam on a beryllium target is presented. About 30 × 10⁶ |events in the wide t′|range 0–0.8 GeV²/c ² are collected with upgraded VES setup. The size of the data sample is 2.5 times larger than one previously analyzed by VES. Data are analyzed using formalism of the density matrix with unlimited rank. We discuss status of the a ₁(1420) a ₂(1700) a ₃(1875) states and a structure of exotic ρ(770)π P-wave with J ^PC = 1^-+. Parameters of a ₃(1875) are estimated as M = 1985 ± 20 MeV/c ², Γ = 200 ± 50 MeV/c ² (preliminary).     

Effects of Final State Interactions in Pure Annihilation Decay of B+ → D+K0*

The decay of the B ⁺ meson to the D ⁺ and K ⁰* mesons is a pure annihilation decay. For this reason, in the framework of the quantum chromodynamics factorization (QCDF) approach, this decay has a small amplitude and a small branching ratio. In this research we find that, before the D ⁺ and K ⁰* mesons are produced in the final states, pair mesons such as D _s ⁺* and D _s ⁺ρ⁰ are produced. The intermediate-state mesons via the exchange of K ⁰(K ⁰*) and D ⁺(D ⁺*) go to the D ⁺ and K ⁰* final state mesons. However we calculate the B ₊ → D ⁺ K ⁰* decay in two different frameworks. The first framework is the QCDF method and the second one is final state interaction (FSI). The experimental branching ratio of B ₊ → D ₊ K ⁰* decay is less than 3 × 10^–6, and our results obtained by the QCDF method and FSI are (0.35 ± 0.04) × 10^–6 and (2.94 ± 0.10) × 10^–6, respectively.     

Formfaktor des π-Mesons und Struktur der Nukleonen

Recent measurements of electron-proton scattering at Stanford have shown that the electric and magnetic form factors are not equal. Therefore, the isotopic vector parts of the form factorsG _e ^v andG _m ^v are recalculated with unsubtracted dispersion relations in the 2π-approximation. For the isotopic scalar parts we useG _e ^s (s)≈G _e ^v (s) andG _m ^s (s)≈ 0 which is known to be valid for moderate energy-momentum transfers. We obtain a simple closed expression for the electromagnetic form factor of the pionF _π in terms of the scattering lengtha ₁ and the effective ranger ₁ of the π-π-scattering in the stateL=T=1.a ₁ is roughly known from pion production by pions. With this value and a suitabler ₁,F _π has a resonance in the region of time-like energy-momentum transfer; and the pion rms-radius becomes\(\overline {v_\pi ^2 } = (0.82 \times 10^{ - 13} cm)^2 \). The calculated anomalous magnetic moment, the electric and the magnetic rms-radii of the proton are then within 10% of the experimental values, the electric charge within 30%. Moreover, the proton form factors are different from each other and up to an energy-momentum transfer of\(s = \frac{{ - q^2 }}{{m_\pi ^2 }} = 23\) within the experimental error of the new measurements. The deviations for higher values of the energy-momentum transfer may be explained in terms of the isotopic scalar parts of the form factors. In this case the electric form factor of the neutron will be different from zero in that region and the magnetic form factor of proton and neutron will no longer be equal. For comparison with other experiments we also calculate the π⁺?π^? cross section with neglect of other states thanL=T=1. Under this assumption the π?π cross section has a resonance for low energy-momentum transfer.     

Mechanisms of ionization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">F</Emphasis><Subscript>2</Subscript>-centers in laser media on the basis of LiF crystals

F₂ color centers with a superhigh concentration (5000-cm^–1 absorption coefficient at 450 nm) were formed by high-density electron beams in a layer of LiF crystals of micrometer thickness. The F₂-centers excited by high-power nanosecond wide-band optical pulses (the “soft” pumping regime) efficiently amplified the laser radiation and showed high stability under these conditions. A low stability of F₂-centers to laser radiation (the “hard” excitation regime) is explained by the dissociation of (F ₂ ⁺ , F^–) pairs induced by two-step ionization of F₂-centers: (2hν > 4.5 eV) → F₂ → (F₂)* → F ₂ ⁺ + e; F + e → F^–; F ₂ ⁺ + F^– → 3F.     

Oxidation of the aniline–styrene epoxide-<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-toluenesulfonic acid ternary system in polar solvents: Trends and mechanism

Investigation of the kinetics of oxygen absorption by the aniline–styrene epoxide-p-toluenesulfonic acid ternary system (TS) in an acetonitrile solution led to a simple equation for the oxidation rate: V _TS = k[aniline]⁰ ? [epoxide]⁰[acid]¹ at [aniline], [epoxide] ? [acid], k = 0.77 × 10^–3s^–1, and 343 K. The data obtained indicated that a complex of the three starting reagents formed before oxidation. In a mixed solvent containing tert-butanol, the dependence of V _TS on its composition was extremum. A scheme was suggested that explained the change in the dependence V _TS = k′[aniline]^–0.63[epoxide]^0.86[acid]¹ in the mixed solvent by the decomposition of the complex in the presence of alcohol.     

Thermo- and photostimulated luminescence in LiF : Mg,Ti single crystals irradiated by ions and VUV light

A coordinated study of the relaxation of optical absorption induced by vacuum ultraviolet radiation, x-rays, and α-particles, as well as of photo- and thermostimulated luminescence (TSL) of LiF : Mg, Ti crystals (TLD-100) in the 295–750-K interval, has revealed that TSL regions characterized by activation energies E _a = 2.2–2.4 eV and anomalously high frequency factors p ₀ = 10²¹–10²² s^?1 alternate with regions where E _a = 1.5 eV and p ₀ = 10¹²–10¹⁴ s^?1. The relative intensities of the TSL peaks produced by UV illumination (10–17 eV) differ strongly under the conditions of selective photon-induced generation of anion excitons, free electrons and holes, or near-impurity electronic excitations. The latter are responsible for the high efficiency of tunneling radiative (involving titanium centers) or nonradiative (involving hydroxyl ions) recombination. The analysis of TSL peaks of LiF: Mg, Ti and LiF took into account two-step processes, namely, thermal dissociation of three-fluorine F ₃ ^? molecules and recombination of the products of their decay (V _K and V _F centers, H interstices).     

Recent STAR Spin Results and Spin Measurements at RHIC

The STAR experiment provides measurements of single and double-spin asymmetries in longitudinally and transversely polarized p + p collisions at \(\sqrt s \) = 200 and 510 GeV to deepen our understanding on the proton spin structure and dynamics of parton interactions over a wide range of collision energy, momentum and rapidity of the various produced probes. Polarized processes with W^± production allow us to study the spin-flavor structure of the proton. Recent results obtained by STAR on the double longitudinal asymmetry, A_LL, of pion and jet production at \(\sqrt s \) = 200 and 510 GeV, the single longitudinal, A_L, and transverse, A_N, asymmetry of W^± production at \(\sqrt s \) = 510 GeV are overviewed. STAR results on azimuthal single transverse asymmetry of pion in p^↑ + (p, Au) and jet + π^± in p^↑ + p collisions are discussed. The proposed Forward Calorimeter System (FCS) and Forward Tracking System (FTS) upgrades at STAR would significantly improve the capabilities of existing detectors for measurements of observables such as asymmetries of pion, jet, Drell-Yan pairs produced at forward rapidities.     

Investigating the Double Beta Decay of <Superscript>58</Superscript>Ni

Double beta decay (β + EC, EC/EC) of ⁵⁸Ni is investigated at France’s Modane Underground Laboratory (4800 m water equivalent) using the OBELIX ultralow-background HPGe detector with a sensitive volume of 600 cm³ and a natural nickel sample of ~68% 58Ni with a mass of ~21.7 kg. After preliminary analysis of the experimental data accumulated over ~144 days, new experimental limits are obtained for the 2νβ⁺EC decay of ⁵⁸Ni to the 0⁺ ground state and the 2 ₁ ⁺ , 811 keV excited state of ⁵⁸Fe, and for the 2νEC/EC decay of ⁵⁸Ni to the 2 ₁ ⁺ , 811 keV and 2 ₂ ⁺ , 1675 keV excited states of ⁵⁸Fe. The limits are T_1/2(β⁺EC,0→0⁺) > 1.7 × 10²² yr, T_1/2(β⁺EC,0→2 ₁ ⁺ ) > 2.3 × 10²² yr, T_1/2(EC/EC,0→2 ₁ ⁺ ) > 3.3 × 10²² yr, and T_1/2(EC/EC,0→2 ₂ ⁺ ) > 3.4 × 10²² yr. Experimental limit T_1/2(0νEC/EC–res, 1918 keV > 4.1 × 10²² yr is obtained for resonant neutrinoless radiative EC/EC decay with an energy of 1918.3 keV. All limits are at 90% CL.     

Two-dimensional electron-hole system in a HgTe-based quantum well

A two-dimensional electron-hole system consisting of light high-mobility electrons with a density of N _s = (4–7) × 10¹⁰ cm^?2 and a mobility of μ _n = (4–6) × 10⁵ cm²/V s and heavier low-mobility holes with a density of P _s = (0.7–1.6) × 10¹¹ cm^?2 and a mobility of μ _p = (3–7) × 10⁴ cm²/V s has been discovered in a quantum well based on mercury telluride with the (013) surface orientation. The system exhibits a number of specific magnetotransport properties in both the classical magnetotransport (positive magnetoresistance and alternating Hall effect) and the quantum Hall effect regime. These properties are associated with the coexistence of two-dimensional electrons and holes.     

Thermopower in the region of hopping conduction in TlNiS<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Samples of the composition TlNiS₂ in the hexagonal system with the unit cell parameters a=12.28 Å, c=19.32 Å, and ρ=6.90 g/cm³ are synthesized. The results of the investigation into the electrical and thermoelectrical properties of TlNiS₂ samples in the temperature range 80–300 K indicate that TlNiS₂ is a p-type semiconductor. It is found that, at temperatures ranging from 110 to 240 K, TlNiS₂ samples in a dc electric field possess variable-range-hopping conduction at the states localized in the vicinity of the Fermi level. The density of localized states near the Fermi level is determined to be N_F=9×10²⁰ eV^?1 cm^?3, and the scatter of the states is estimated as J≈2×10^?2 eV. In the temperature range 80–110 K, TlNiS₂ exhibits activationless hopping conduction. At low temperatures (80–240 K), the thermopower of TlNiS₂ is adequately described by the relationship α(T)=A+BT, which is characteristic of the hopping mechanism of charge transfer. In the case when the temperature increases to the temperature of the onset of intrinsic conduction with the activation energy ΔE=1.0 eV, there arise majority intrinsic charge carriers of both signs. This leads to an increase in the electrical conductivity σ and, at the same time, to a drastic decrease in the thermopower α; in this case, the thermopower is virtually independent of the temperature.     

Possible violation of the δS=δQ selection rule in leptonic decays of σ+-hyperons

We have found a possible example of the rare decayσ ⁺ →nΜ ⁺ Ν, which violatesδS=δQ. The positive decay track of theσ ⁺ comes to rest in the hydrogen bubble chamber and decays into ane ⁺. This track has all the characteristics of a stoppingΜ ⁺. The decay neutron fortuitously scatters twice, producing two recoil protons. The only other possible interpretation of the event isσ ⁺→nγ(π ⁺ →Μ ⁺ Ν), where theπ ⁺ →Μ ⁺ Ν decay produces no deflection (θ<0.1 rad) and no significant change in curvature. Using thep-wave radiative decay predictions ofBarshay et al. we calculate that the integrated branching ratio for such “accidental” events isγ(σ ⁺ →nγ(π ⁺ →Μ _stop ⁺ Ν))/γ(σ ⁺ →nπ ⁺)=1.6×10^?6. Most of the contribution to this “accidental” branching ratio comes from radiative decays where theπ ⁺ mesons have ranges less than 1 mm (p _π<20 MeV/c). If one excludes thoseΜ's with ranges less than 1.2 cm the above “accidental” branching ratio becomes 5.5×10^?7. With this figure we estimate that we should have seen 6.5×10^?2 events of this type thusfar in our experiment. The neutron momentum does not help in deciding between the two hypotheses. We therefore assign a confidence level of 7% for the radiative hypothesis. For the leptonic hypothesis we obtain an estimate of the branching ratio,γ(σ ⁺ →nΜ ⁺ Ν)/γ(σ ⁺ →nπ ⁺)=5×10^?5. If one further accepts theσ ⁺ →nπ ⁺ Ν event reported byBarbaro-Galtieri et al. and theσ ⁺ →ne ⁺ Ν event reported byNauenberg et al., one obtains theδS=?δQ leptonic branching ratio [γ(σ ⁺ →nΜ ⁺ Ν)+γ(σ ⁺ →ne ⁺ Ν)]/γ(σ ⁺ →nπ ⁺)=(4±3)×10^?5.     

Adiabatic elastic moduli in ZnSe : Mn<Superscript>2+</Superscript> and ZnSe : V<Superscript>2+</Superscript> crystals

The temperature dependences of the elastic moduli C ₄₄ (C ₁₁ ? C ₁₂)/2 and C _l = (C ₁₁ + C ₁₂ + 2C ₄₄)/2 of ZnSe : V²⁺ (impurity concentration, 6 × 10¹⁸ cm^?3) and ZnSe : Mn²⁺ (9.4 × 10²⁰ cm^?3) are measured in the temperature range 1.4–100.0 K at frequencies of 52 and 156 MHz. The temperature dependences of the adiabatic elastic moduli are derived. It is established that softening of the symmetry modules is observed only in the crystal with an impurity having orbitally degenerate states.     

New measurements on physics of <Emphasis Type="Italic">B</Emphasis>-hadrons in ATLAS experiment

Recent results on B-hadron physics in ATLAS are reviewed. A new measurement of CP-violating parameters in B _s → J/ψφ decay is performed on full Run 1 statistics. Branching fraction BR(B _s → μ⁺μ^?) = (0.9 _?0.8 ^+1.1 )×10^?9 is measured, below the Standard Model (SM) prediction.     

Magnetic characteristics of MgFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanoparticles obtained by glycine–nitrate synthesis

The magnetic properties of magnesium–iron spinel (MgFe₂O₄) powdered nanoparticles obtained by glycine–nitrate synthesis are investigated by X-ray phase analysis and the NMR method. According to the results of X-ray phase analysis, the average size of the crystalline part of nanoparticles of the powder under investigation is 45 ± 4 nm. Magnetization J is determined using the formula J = (B/μ0)–H, where B and H are the induction and strength of the magnetic field in the sample, which are measured by the NMR method. The magnetic characteristics of MgFe₂O₄ are as follows: specific saturation magnetization J_sat = 17.52 A m²/kg, specific residual magnetization J_r = 5.73 A m2/kg, coercive force H_c = 4600 A/m, and magnetic moment P_sat = 371 × 10^–20 A m² in the magnetic saturation state and P_r = 121 × 10^–20 A m² in the residual magnetization state.     

Study of the charge dependence of the pion–nucleon coupling constant on the basis of data on low-energy nucleon–nucleon interactions

The relation between quantities that characterize the pion–nucleon and nucleon–nucleon interactions is studied with allowance for the fact that, at low energies, nuclear forces in nucleon–nucleon systems are mediated predominantly by one-pion exchange. On the basis of the values currently recommended for the low-energy parameters of the proton–proton interaction, the charged pion–nucleon coupling constant is evaluated at g_π²±/4π = 14.55(13). This value is in perfect agreement with the experimental value of g_π²±/4π = 14.52(26) found by the Uppsala Neutron Research Group. At the same time, the value obtained for the charged pion–nucleon coupling constant differs sizably from the value of the pion–nucleon coupling constant for neutral pions, which is g_π² 0/4π = 13.55(13). This is indicative of a substantial charge dependence of the coupling constant.