Neutrino mixing and see-saw mechanism

Models of neutrino masses are discussed capable of explaining in a natural way the maximal mixing between ν_μ and ν_τ observed by the Super-Kamiokande Collaboration. For three generations of leptons two classes of such models are found implying: a) Δm₂₃²Δm₁₂²≈Δm₁₃² and a small mixing between ν_e and the other two neutrinos, b) Δm₁₂²Δm₁₃²≈Δm₂₃² and a nearly maximal mixing for solar neutrino oscillations in vacuum.     

The Electric Dipole Moment of the CO2–CO van der Waals Complex

Radiofrequency transitions withinK= 2 asymmetry doublets have been observed for the CO₂–CO van der Waals complex. A Stark effect measurement on theJ= 2,K= 2 transition provides an electric dipole moment of μ = 0.2493(1) D. Combining this result with the permanent moment of CO, μ_CO= 0.1098 D, gives a change of moment on complex formation of Δμ = 0.140 D. The sign of Δμ is such that the CO end of the complex is more positive than CO₂. The origin of Δμ should not be attributed to any single mechanism, and several different contributions to Δμ are discussed.     

Orientational dynamics of superfluid He: A “two-fluid” model. II. Orbital dynamics

We present a phenomenological theory of the homogeneous orbital dynamics of the class of “separable” anisotropic superfluid phases which includes the ABM state generally identified with ³He-A. The theory is developed by analogy with the spin dynamics described in the first paper of this series; the basic variables are the orientation of the Cooper-pair wavefunction (in the ABM phase, the l-vector) and a quantity K which we visualize as the “pseudo-angular momentum” of the Cooper pairs but which must be distinguished, in general, from the total orbital angular momentum of the system. In the ABM case l is the analog of d in the spin dynamics and K of the “superfluid spin” S_p. Important points of difference from the spin case which are taken into account include the fact that a rotation of l without a simultaneous rotation of the normal-component distribution strongly increases the energy of the system (“normal locking”), and that the equilibrium value of K is zero even for finite total angular momentum. The theory does not claim to handle correctly effects associated with any intrinsic angular momentum arising from particle-hole asymmetry, but it is shown that the magnitude of this quantity can be estimated directly from experimental data and is extremely small; also, the Landau damping does not emerge automatically from the theory, but can be put in in an ad hoc way. With these provisos the theory should be valid for all frequencies irrespective of the value of ωτ. (Δ = gap parameter, τ = quasi-particle relaxation time.) It disagrees with all existing phenomenological theories of comparable generality, although the disagreement with that of Volovik and Mineev is confined to the “gapless” region very close to T_c.The phenomenological equations of motion, which are similar in general form to those of the spin dynamics with damping, involve an “orbital susceptibility of the Cooper pairs” χ_orb(T). We give a possible microscopic definition of the variable K and use it to calculate χ_orb(T) for a general phase of the “separable” type. The theory is checked by inserting the resulting formula in the phenomenological equations for ωτ 1 and comparing with the results of a fully microscopic calculation based on the collisionless kinetic equation; precise agreement is obtained for both the ABM and the (real) polar phase, showing that the complex nature of the ABM phase and the associated “pair angular momentum” is largely irrelevant to its orbital dynamics. We note also that the phenomenological theory gives a good qualitative picture even when ω Δ(T), e.g., for the flapping mode near T_c. Our theory permits a simple and unified calculation of (1) the Cross-Anderson viscous torque in the overdamped regime, (2) the flapping-mode frequency near zero temperature, (3) orbital effects on the NMR, both at low temperatures and near T_c, (4) the orbit wave spectrum at zero temperature (this requires a generalization to inhomogeneous situations which is possible at T = 0 but probably not elsewhere). We also discuss the possibility of experiments of the Einstein-de Haas type. Generally speaking, our results for any one particular application can be also obtained from some alternative theory, but in the case of orbital and spin relaxation very close to T_c (within the “gapless” region) our predictions, while somewhat tentative and qualitative, appear to disagree with those of all existing theories. We discuss briefly how our approach could be extended to apply to more general phases.     

Status of the CHORUS neutrino oscillation experiment

The CHORUS experiment is designed to search for ν_μ → ν_τ oscillation with a hybrid detector system containing 800 kg nuclear emulsions as target and vertex detector. Run I (320 000 recorded ν_μCC in 1994/5) and more than half of the run II (460 000 ν_μCC in 1996/7) data taking have been successfully completed. Approximately 80 000 events have been analyzed so far, searching for and τ⁻ → h⁻ (nπ⁰) ν_τ decays. No candidate has been found, leading to a limit sin² 2θ_μτ ≤ 4.5 10⁻³ for large Δm².     

Kochen–Specker Theorem for von Neumann Algebras

The Kochen–Specker theorem has been discussed intensely ever since its original proof in 1967. It is one of the central no-go theorems of quantum theory, showing the non-existence of a certain kind of hidden states models. In this paper, we first offer a new, non-combinatorial proof for quantum systems with a type I_n factor as algebra of observables, including I_∞. Afterwards, we give a proof of the Kochen–Specker theorem for an arbitrary von Neumann algebra without summands of types I₁ and I₂, using a known result on two-valued measures on the projection lattice . Some connections with presheaf formulations as proposed by Isham and Butterfield are made.     

Extracting (α/π) Σa,μνGμνGμν from gauge theories on a lattice

The quantity G = (α/π) Σ_a,μνG_μν^aG_μν^a is extracted from Monte Carlo data for SU(2) lattice gauge theory We find G = 0.015 ± 0.002 GeV⁴.     

Casimir Force on a Dielectric Cylinder

The Casimir surface force density on a compact material cylinder of radius a is calculated, at zero temperature. A Green function approach is followed. The general theory is formulated so as to hold for arbitrary permittivities ε(ω) and permeabilities μ(ω), whereas when it comes to explicit calculations the condition ε(ω) μ(ω) = 1 is assumed to hold. A simple dispersion relation is chosen, implying a high frequency cutoff ω₀. The theory yet diverges, at high angular momenta. Divergences of this sort usually appear whenever there are curved boundaries present. On physical grounds an angular momentum cutoff m₀ can be introduced, being of order ω₀a. A semi-quantitative calculation of the force thereby becomes possible. The calculated force is attractive.     

KARMEN: Neutrino oscillation limits and new results with the upgrade

The neutrino experiment KARMEN is situated at the beam stop neutrino source ISIS which provides ν_μ's, ν_e's and from the π⁺−μ⁺-decay at rest. The oscillation channels ν_{μ → νe} and are investigated with a 56 t liquid scintillation calorimeter. No evidence for oscillations could be found with KARMEN, resulting in 90% CL exclusion limits of sin²(2Θ) < 8.5 · 10⁻³ ( ) and sin²(2Θ) < 4.0 · 10⁻² (ν_μ → ν_e) for Δm² > 100 eV². In 1996, the experiment has been upgraded by an additional veto counting system with a total coverage of 300 m². The new system allows the identification of cosmic muons in the vicinity of the detector. Vetoing these muons suppresses energetic neutrons from deep inelastic scattering of muons as well as from μ-capture by a factor of 40. Up to 1996, these neutrons represented the main background for oscillation search. The experimental sensitivity for will be significantly enhanced towards sin²(2Θ) 1.0 · 10⁻³ after a further measuring period of 2–3 years.     

Update on the search for μ→ e oscillations by the 2 experiment

The neutrino experiment sets the most stringent exclusion limits for _μ→ _e oscillations. Analyzing the data set recorded from Feb.1997 up to March 2000 with the upgraded experimental configuration, the search of _e appearance via the p( _e, e⁺)n reaction yields no hints for neutrino oscillations. Applying a likelihood method to the measured event sample of 11 events (background expectation 12.3 events), we deduce an upper limit of sin² (2Θ) < 1.3 · 10⁻³ for large Δm² > 100 eV² and Δm² < 0.049 eV² for sin² (2Θ)=1.     

Mid-infrared lasing from self-consistent quantum wells at a type II single broken-gap heterointerface

A new physical approach for the design of mid-IR lasers operating at 3–5 μm based on type II heterojunctions with effective electron–hole confinement owing to a large asymmetric band-offset at the interface (ΔE_C>0.6 eV and ΔE_V>0.35 eV) has been proposed. The creation of high barriers for carriers leads to their strong accumulation in the active region and increases the quantum emission efficiency of the spatially separated electrons and holes across the heteroboundary due to a tunnel-injection radiative recombination mechanism within the device. An extremely weak reduction of the electroluminescence (EL) intensity for the interface tunnelling-assisted emission band with increasing temperature from 77 to 300 K was observed. This coherent emission (λ=3.146 μm at 77 K) was totally polarised in the plane perpendicular to the p–n heterojunction plane, which means the laser emission was TM-polarised due to tunnelling-assisted light-hole–electron recombination across the interface.     

Lüscher's μ-term and finite volume bootstrap principle for scattering states and form factors

We study the leading order finite size correction (Lüscher's μ-term) associated to moving one-particle states, arbitrary scattering states and finite volume form factors in (1+1)-dimensional integrable models. Our method is based on the idea that the μ-term is intimately connected to the inner structure of the particles, i.e., their composition under the bootstrap program. We use an appropriate analytic continuation of the Bethe–Yang equations to quantize bound states in finite volume and obtain the leading μ-term (associated to symmetric particle fusions) by calculating the deviations from the predictions of the ordinary Bethe–Yang quantization. Our results are compared to numerical data of the E₈ scattering theory obtained by truncated fermionic space approach. As a by-product it is shown that the bound state quantization does not only yield the correct μ-term, but also provides the sum over a subset of higher order corrections as well.     

On the spectrum of a random walk on the discrete Heisenberg group and the norm of Harper''s operator

Harper's operator is the self-adjoint operator on defined by

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. We first show that the determination of the spectrum of the transition operator on the Cayley graph of the discrete Heisenberg group in its standard presentation, is equivalent to the following upper bond on the norm of H_θ,: H_{θ,≤ 2(1 + √2 + cos(2πθ))}. We then prove this bound by reducing it to a problem on periodic Jacobi matrices, viewing H_θ, as the image of H_θ = U_θ + _θ^* + V_θ + V_θ^* in a suitable representation of the rotation algebra A_θ. We also use powers of H_θ to obtain various upper and lower bounds on H_θ = maxH_θ,. We show that “Fourier coefficients” of H_θ^k in A_θ have a combinatorial interpretation in terms of paths in the square lattice ². This allows us to give some applications to asymptotics of lattice paths combinatorics.     

Electron and hole μτ-products in a-Si:H/a-SiNχ:H multilayers

In this work the influence of the interface defect density on the a-Si:H/a-SiN_χ:H multilayers is investigated through photoconductivity, ambipolar diffusion length, dark conductivity activation energy, and defect density measurements. The results show a strong asymmetric dependence of (μτ)_e and μτ)_h on the interface defect density: As the thickness of the well decreases, (μτ)_e decreases strongly, whereas (μτ)_h remains constant. The asymmetry is consistently explained by a simple model, in which recombination of free carriers occurs via midgap defect states (in the bulk and at interfaces) and via trapping of electrons (holes) into their respective deep tail states below (above) their respective demarcation levels. Since the samples are slightly n-type and due to the asymmetric density-of-state distribution we can show analytically that (μτ)_h is indeed insensitive to the midgap defect density. Finally, when fitting the measured mobility-lifetime products to an exponentially decaying defect density profile we can conclude that the interface region is about 5 Åwide.     

Orbifold subfactors from Hecke algebras

We apply the notion of orbifold models ofSU(N) solvable lattice models to the Hecke algebra subfactors of Wenzl and get a new series of subfactors. In order to distinguish our subfactors from those of Wenzl, we compute the principal graphs for both series of subfactors. An obstruction for flatness of connections arises in this orbifold procedure in the caseN=2 and this eliminates the possibility of the Dynkin diagramsD _2n+1 , but we show that no such obstructions arise in the caseN=3. Our tools are the paragroups of Ocneanu and solutions of Jimbo-Miwa-Okado to the Yang-Baxter equation.     

Analysis of inelastic scattering processes of electrons by localized electrons in quantum dots

The inelastic Coulomb scattering rate 1/τ_in of conduction electrons has been theoretically evaluated in the presence of localized states such as quantum dots. By a diagrammatical method, we have formulated 1/τ_in and its relation to the conductivity σ_loc(ω) through localized states. The dependence of τ_in on temperature T is examined in the case that σ_loc(ω) follows the Mott's model. It is found that 1/τ_in varies as T²(ln Δ/T)^d+1 where d is the dimensionality and Δ is tunneling energy between the localized states in the asymptonic T = 0 limit, in agreement with Imry's calculation. It is also found that calculated 1/τ_in deviates from T²(ln Δ/T)^d+1 as T increases, suggesting the importance of correction term at high temperature.     

Structural and optical properties of thermally evaporated thin films

Chalcogenide glass Se₅₅Ge₃₀As₁₅ have amorphous structure in both as-deposited and annealed conditions. The optical properties of the as-deposited and annealed films were studied using spectrophotometric measurements of transmittance, T(λ), and reflectance, R(λ), at normal incidence of light in the wavelength range 200–2500 nm. Neither annealing temperature nor film thickness can influence spectral response on refractive index and absorption index of films. The type of electronic transition responsible for optical properties is indirectly allowed transition with energy gap of 1.94 eV and phonon energy of 40 meV. The dispersion of the refractive index is discussed in terms of the single oscillator Wemple–Didomenico (WD) model. The width of band tails of localized states into the gap (ΔE), the single oscillator energy (E_o), the dispersion energy (E_d), the optical dielectric constant (ε_∞), the lattice dielectric constant (ε_L), the plasma frequency (ω_p) and the free charge carrier concentration (N) were estimated.     

Transition dipole moment measurements for the ν2 band of NH3 with molecular beam laser Stark spectroscopy

Rabi oscillations were observed in the ASR(110), ΔM = 0 and ASQ(222), ΔM = 0 transitions of the ν₂ band of ¹⁴NH₃ in a molecular beam crossed by a CO₂ laser beam. The frequency (in terms of the laser field amplitude) of the oscillations was used to determine the transition dipole moment of the ν₂ band, yielding μ_s←a = 0.261 ± 0.006 D. The hyperfine structure due to the electric quadrupole interaction of the nitrogen nucleus was clearly resolved.     

Laser-Induced Diffraction Rings from an Absorbing Solution

We observed multiple diffraction rings of a cw Ar⁺ laser beam from a nitrobenzene solution of saturable absorber BDN (bis-(4-dimethylaminodithiobenzil)-nickel) caused by the spatial self-phase modulation at low incident optical intensities. We obtained 37 rings for a 200-μm thick sample at an optical intensity of 38 W/mm². The refractive-index change Δ;n and effective nonlinear refractive index n₂ were determined from the number of observed rings and by the z-scan technique. We obtained large values of Δ;n∼0.1 and n₂ = -2.9×;10^-5 cm²/W. This large nonlinearity is attributed to a thermal effect resulting from linear absorption.     

Waveguide and diode heterodyne measurements with CO2 laser and assignment of the CW FIR laser emission of OCS

Heterodyne spectra of carbonyl sulfide have been obtained with saturation in a CO₂ waveguide laser and without saturation with a diode laser. The absolute uncertainties of the measured positions lie between 10⁻⁴ and 7 × 10⁻⁶ cm⁻¹. The CW submillimeter laser line of OCS at 378 μm has been assigned to the J = 65 → 64 transition in the 02²0e state of ¹⁶O¹²C³²S, with a pumping through the R(64) line of 02²0e ← 00⁰0, a Δ-Σ transition weakly allowed by the l-type resonance.     

The isotope dependence of diatomic Dunham coefficients

The isotope dependence of the Dunham vibration-rotation coefficients Y_kl of a diatomic molecule is studied. Rovibronic interactions between different electronic states are taken into account by transformation to an effective vibration-rotation Hamiltonian for each electronic state. This contains modified vibrational and rotational reduced masses as well as the adiabatic correction to the potential energy. The effects of these contributions on the vibration-rotation energies are expressed in terms of two functions and for each atom i. The resultant formula for Y_kl is Y_kl=μ_c^−(k+2l)/2U_kl{1+m_eΔ_kl^a/M_a+m_eΔ_kl^b/M_b+O(m_e²/M_i²)}, where U_kl, Δ_kl^a, and Δ_kl^b are isotopically invariant, M_a and M_b are the atomic masses, and μ_c = M_aM_b/(M_a + M_b − Cm_e) is the atomic reduced mass, modified by the molecular charge number C for charged species. The U_kl with l ≥ 2 can be calculated from those with l = 0 and 1. The corrections U_klΔ_klⁱ are related to the functions and and to the Dunham corrections. Recent data for the CO molecule are discussed, and it is suggested that some large Δ_klⁱ values are associated with accidentally small U_kl values, since the size of U_klΔ_klⁱ is not directly related to that of U_kl.