Matter–antimatter asymmetry and neutrino properties

The cosmological baryon asymmetry can be explained as remnant of heavy Majorana neutrino decays in the early universe. We study this mechanism for two models of neutrino masses with a large ν_μ−ν_τ mixing angle which are based on the symmetries SU(5)×U(1)_F and SU(3)_c×SU(3)_L×SU(3)_R×U(1)_F, respectively. In both cases B−L is broken at the unification scale Λ_GUT. The models make different predictions for the baryogenesis temperature and the gravitino abundance.     

Universal enveloping algebra and differential calculi on inhomogeneous orthogonal q-groups

We review the construction of the multiparametric quantum group ISO_q,r(N) as a projection from SO_q,r (N + 2) and show that it is a bicovariant bimodule over SO_q,r(N). The universal enveloping algebra U_q,r(iso(N)), characterized as the Hopf algebra of regular functionals on ISO_q,r(N), is found as a Hopf subalgebra of U_q,r(so(N + 2)) and is shown to be a bicovariant bimodule over U_q,r(so(N)).

An R-matrix formulation of U_q,r(iso(N)) is given and we prove the pairing U_q,r(iso(N)) — ISO_q,r(N)). We analyze the subspaces of U_q,r(iso(N)) that define bicovariant differential calculi on ISO_q,r(N).     

N=2 6-dimensional supersymmetric E6 breaking

We study the N=2 supersymmetric E₆ models on the 6-dimensional space–time where the supersymmetry and gauge symmetry can be broken by the discrete symmetry. On the space–time M⁴×S¹/(Z₂×Z₂′)×S¹/(Z₂×Z₂′), for the zero modes, we obtain the 4-dimensional N=1 supersymmetric models with gauge groups SU(3)×SU(2)×SU(2)×U(1)², SU(4)×SU(2)×SU(2)×U(1), and SU(3)×SU(2)×U(1)³ with one extra pair of Higgs doublets from the vector multiplet. In addition, considering that the extra space manifold is the annulus A² and disc D², we list all the constraints on constructing the 4-dimensional N=1 supersymmetric SU(3)×SU(2)×U(1)³ models for the zero modes, and give the simplest model with Z₉ symmetry. We also comment on the extra gauge symmetry breaking and its generalization.     

The spectral density of the QCD Dirac operator and patterns of chiral symmetry breaking

We study the spectrum of the QCD Dirac operator for two colors with fermions in the fundamental representation and for two or more colors with adjoint fermions. For N_f flavors, the chiral flavor symmetry of these theories is spontaneously broken according to SU (2N_f → Sp (2N_f) and SU (N_f → O (N_f), respectively, rather than the symmetry breaking pattern SU (N_f) × SU (N_f) → SU (N_f) for QCD with three or more colors and fundamental fermions. In this paper we study the Dirac spectrum for the first two symmetry breaking patterns. Following previous work for the third case we find the Dirac spectrum in the domain λ Λ_QCD by means of partially quenched chiral perturbation theory. In particular, this result allows us to calculate the slope of the Dirac spectrum at λ = 0. We also show that for λ 1/L₂ Λ_QCD (wing L the linear size fo the system) the Dirac spectrum is given by a chiral Random Matrix Theory with the symmetries of the Dirac operator.     

M-theory on AdS4 × M: the complete Osp(2|4) × SU(3) × SU(2) spectrum from harmonic analysis

We reconsider the Kaluza-Klein compactifications of D = 11 supergravity on AdS₄ × (G/H)₇ manifolds that were classified in the eighties, in the modern perspective of AdS₄/CFT₃ correspondence. We focus on one of the three N = 2 cases: (G/H)₇ = M¹¹¹ = SU(3) × SU(2) × U(1) /SU(2) × U(1)′ × U(1)′'. Relying on the systematic use of the harmonic analysis techniques developed in the eighties by one of us (P. Fré) with R. D'Auria, we derive the complete spectrum of long, short and massless Osp(2|4) × SU(3) × SU(2) unitary irreducible representations obtained in this compactification. Our result also provides a general scheme for the other N = 2 compactifications. Furthermore, it is a necessary comparison term in the AdS₄/CFT₃ correspondence: the complete AdS/CFT match of the spectra that we obtain will provide a much more stringent proof of the ACS/CFT correspondence than in the S⁷ case, since the structure of the superconformal field theory on the M2-brane world volume must be such as to reproduce, at the level of composite operators, the flavor group representations, the conformal dimensions and the hyperchanges that we obtain in the present article. The investigation of this match is left to future publications. Here we provide an exhaustive construction of the Kaluza-Klein side of our spectroscopy.     

Commutator representations of differential calculi on the quantum group SUq(2)

Let (Γ, d) be the 3D-calculus or the 4D_±-calculus on the quantum group SU_q (2). We describe all pairs (π, F) of a ^*-representation π of (SU_q(2)) and of a symmetric operator F on the representation space satisfying a technical condition concerning its domain such that there exist a homomorphism of first order differential calculi which maps dx into the commutator [iF, π(x)] for x ε (SU_q (2)). As an application commutator representations of the two-dimensional left-covariant calculus on Podles quantum 2-sphere S_qc² with c = 0 are given.     

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.     

Gauge-Higgs unification in the left–right model

We construct a supersymmetric left–right model in four dimension with gauge-Higgs unification starting from a SU(3)_c×SU(4)_w×U(1)_B−L gauge symmetry in five dimension. The model has several interesting features, such as, the CKM mixings in the quark sector are naturally small while for the neutrino sector it is not, light neutrino masses can be generated via the seesaw mechanism in the usual way, and the model has a U(1)_R symmetry which naturally forbid dimension five proton decay operators. We also discuss the grand unification of our model in SO(12) in five dimensions.     

Specific scalar mass relations in SU(3) × SU(2) × U(1) orbifold model

We study flat directions and soft scalar masses using a Z₃ orbifold model with SU(3) × SU(2) × U(1) gauge group and extra gauge symmetries including an anomalous U(1) symmetry. Soft scalar masses contain D-term contributions and particle mixing effects after symmetry breaking and they are parametrized by a few parameters. Some specific relations among scalar masses are obtained.     

Fredholm modules for quantum Euclidean spheres

The quantum Euclidean spheres, S_q^N−1, are (noncommutative) homogeneous spaces of quantum orthogonal groups, SO_q(N). The *-algebra A(S^N−1_q) of polynomial functions on each of these is given by generators and relations which can be expressed in terms of a self-adjoint, unipotent matrix. We explicitly construct complete sets of generators for the K-theory (by nontrivial self-adjoint idempotents and unitaries) and the K-homology (by nontrivial Fredholm modules) of the spheres S_q^N−1. We also construct the corresponding Chern characters in cyclic homology and cohomology and compute the pairing of K-theory with K-homology. On odd spheres (i.e., for N even) we exhibit unbounded Fredholm modules by means of a natural unbounded operator D which, while failing to have compact resolvent, has bounded commutators with all elements in the algebra A(S^N−1_q).     

Lithium insertion to ReO3-type metastable phase in the Nb2O5–WO3 system

Lithium insertion to distorted ReO₃-type metastable solid solution Nb_xW_1−xO_3−x/2 (0≤x<0.25) has been studied by chemical and electrochemical methods. In the course of lithium insertion into tetragonal compounds, transition to a cubic phase was found to occur in the region where values of y (in Li_yNb_xW_1−xO_3−x/2) fall between 0.2 and 0.3, and the phase transition was found to depend on the conditions of the reaction. Changes in OCV and lattice parameters in tetragonal region (y<0.2) were discussed from the viewpoint of the ordering of lithium ions. Also, the component diffusion coefficient of lithium in tetragonal compounds Li_0.1Nb_xW_1−xO_3−x/2 (0≤x≤0.23) was found to increase with niobium content when x≤0.10, and to saturate at 4×10⁻⁹ cm²/s.     

Effective activation energy Ue(T,J,H) in textured Bi1.84Pb0.4Sr2Ca2Cu3Oy silver-clamped thick films

We have measured the resistivity of textured Bi_1.84Pb_0.4Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O_y silver-clamped thick films as a function of temperature, current density ranging from 10 to 1×10³ A/cm² and magnetic field up to 0.3 T. We find that the effective activation energy U_e follows U_e(T,J,H)=U₀(1−T/T_p)^mln(J_c0/J)H⁻ with m=1.75 for Hab-plane and 2.5 for Hc-axis and =0.76 for Hab and 0.97 for Hc, for the current density regime above 100 A/cm², where T_p is a function of applied magnetic field and current density. This result suggests the effective activation energy U_e be correlated with the temperature, current density and magnetic field. The possible dissipative mechanisms responsible for the temperature, current density and magnetic field dependence of the effective activation energy are discussed.     

Ising spin glass on a D = 3 hierarchical lattice: Effects of tailed coupling distributions

Within a real-space renormalization-group framework, we approach the cubic lattice through a D = 3 diamond-like hierarchical lattice. The model is a standard, nearest-neighbor, Ising spin glass with coupling constants {J_ij} distributed according to the family of continuous probability distributions P_q(J_ij) ∝ 1/[1 + (q − 1)J_ij²/2J²]^{1/(q − 1)} (if 1 + (q − 1) J_ij²/2J² > 0, and zero otherwise; q ). Such distributions, which arise naturally in the treatment, within the recently proposed nonextensive thermostatistics, of anomalous diffusion, reproduce the usual, Gaussian case, for q → 1. Moreover, they present a second moment J_ij² proportional to (5 − 3q)⁻¹ for q < 5/3, diverging for q ≥ 5/3, but keeping a finite width at midheight. In the limit q → 3, P_q(J_ij) collapses with the abscissa, and so the width at midheight diverges. We compute the q-dependence of the spin-glass critical temperature T_c. We show numerically that T_c does not scale with J_ij^21/2 (contrary to the usual belief), but rather with the width at midheight of P_q(J_ij). Our results suggest that T_c vanishes as −1/q when q → −∞; furthermore, we verified that T_c diverges exponentially when q approaches 3 from below.     

Charge susceptibility and charge correlation function in the d---p model

The properties of the charge fluctuation are investigated in the d---p model with the repulsion U_pd between holes on the nearest-neighbor Cu and O sites and the infinite on-site repulsion U_d at the Cu site. We calculate the charge susceptibility χ^c(q, iω_n) and the charge correlation function S^c(q) = TΣ_ωn χ^c(q, iω_n). It is found that S^c(q) has a peak at the Γ point and a maximum in a ring around the Γ point. The former is due to Tχ^c(q, 0). Its intensity is proportional to temperature T and strongly enhanced by U_pd. The latter is due to TΣ_{ωn ≠ 0} χ^c(q, iω_n) and shows a weak T and U_pd dependence. The intensity of the diffuse X-ray scattering on taking the charge fluctuation into account is also calculated. The result is consistent with the experiments in La_2−δSr_δCuO₄.     

Mixed electronic and ionic conductivity of LaCo(M)O3 (M=Ga, Cr, Fe or Ni).: V. Oxygen permeability of Mg-doped La(Ga, Co)O3−δ perovskites

The LaGa_1−x−yCo_xMg_yO_3−δ solid solutions with rhombohedrally-distorted perovskite structure were ascertained to form in the concentration range of 0≤y≤0.10 at x=0.60 and 0≤y≤0.20 at x=0.35–0.40. Increasing cobalt content results in increasing electrical conductivity and thermal expansion of the perovskites. Thermal expansion coefficients of the LaGa_1−x−yCo_xMg_yO_3−δ ceramics were calculated from the dilatometric data to vary in the range of 12.4–19.8×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ at 300–1100 K. Doping La(Ga,Co)O_3−δ solid solutions with magnesium leads to increasing oxygen nonstoichiometry, electronic and oxygen ionic conductivity. Oxygen permeation fluxes through LaGa_1−x−yCo_xMg_yO_3−δ membranes were found to be limited by the bulk ionic conduction and to increase with magnesium concentration, being essentially independent of cobalt content.     

Magnetic anisotropy and superconductivity in a model for high-Tc copper oxides

The phase diagram for the CuO₂-based superconductors is found to be consistent with an extended Hubbard Hamiltonian with competing positive-and negative-U interactions on a 2D lattice where sites are plaquettes formed by clusters of Cu and O atoms. The negative-U effective interactions are implied by the XY anisotropy in the Cu-Cu spin couplings and local hole pairing corresponds to vortex-antivortex spin configurations. The phase progression observed with the variation of dopant fraction x can be obtained via gradual implementation of canonical transformation that maps the properties of the positive-U Hubbard model at half-filling into those of the negative-U model away from half-filling. In the strong-coupling limit this process is described in terms of percolation-driven dilute magnetism for both spins (U>0) and pseudospins (U−1_x=ξ⁻¹_o+η⁻¹_x for x→O as seen in La_2-xSr_xCuO₄. (ii) An x-dependent reduction of spin fluctuations at low temperatures that conforms with NMR studies of La_2-xSr_xCuO₄. And, (iii) a reduced superconducting transition locus T_c(x)/T_cmax in agreement with the universal shape and location revealed by analysis of experimental data.     

Photoproduction of Θ and other pentaquark states

We present constraints on the relative photoproduction cross sections of positive parity pentaquark states, Σ₅, Λ₅, and N₅, based on a minimum phenomenology gained in and their baryon–meson couplings as in the work of Close and Dudek. The possibility of anomalous signals in γp→K⁰_S(Θ⁺;Σ_d⁺) is discussed. We emphasize the importance of comparing with “conventional” states such as γN→KΣ(1660).     

Fabrication, microstructure and critical current density of screen-printed Ag-(Bi, Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3Ox superconducting tapes

The influence of the sintering conditions on the microstructure and critical current density J_c has been studied on screen-printed Ag-(Bi, Pb)₂Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O_x tapes with a ceramics mono-layer core. Three kinds of fabrication processes, which consist of a combination of cold working (rolling and/or pressing) and sintering, are applied. Four times repetition of pressing and sintering after the pre-sintering produces the highest c-axis alignment and achieves J_c= 1.5 × 10⁴ A/cm² (77 K, 0 T). The J_c versus θ data with an angle θ between B and the c-axis elucidate the relation between the anisotropy ratio γ=J_c(Bc)/J_c(B|c and the half-height angular width Δθ of a peak for Bc. This is related to both grain alignment and the J_c value. An increase in J_c, which comes from an improvement for grain alignment, enhances γ and narrows Δθ. The J_c versus θ data are fitted to the expression J_c(B, θ)=J _c(B, 90°)/[(γ−1)|cos θ|ⁿ+1] by regarding both γ and n as adjustable parameters. Fabrication of screen-printed tapes with multilayers (1≤N≤5) is presented, where the critical current increases from 8.0 A to 30.2 A at 77 K and 0 T as N increases.     

Nax/2Bi1−x/2MoxV1−xO4 and Bi1−x/3MoxV1−xO4 New Scheelite-related phases

New Scheelite-related solid solutions of the compositions Na_x/2Bi_1−x/2Mo_xV_1−xO₄ (0≤x≤1) and Bi_1−x/3 Mo_xV_1−xO₄(0≤x≤0.2) have been synthesised by the substitution of Na and Mo at the A and B sites respectively of the ABO₄ type ferroelastic BiVO₄. The phases were characterised using chemical analysis, powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, EDAX, and Raman spectroscopy. While almost a continuous solid solution is obtained for the series Na_x/2Bi_1−x/2Mo_xV_1−xO₄, the absence of Na at the A-site results only in a narrow stability region for the other series, Bi_1−x/3 Mo_xV_1−xO₄ where 0≤x≤0.2. Raman spectra of selected samples at room temperature also suggest that vanadium and molybdenum atoms are disordered at the tetrahedral sites.     

Structural and compositional analysis of InBixAsySb(1−x−y) films grown on GaAs(0 0 1) substrates by liquid phase epitaxy

The growth of epitaxial InBi_xAs_ySb_(1−x−y) layers on highly lattice mis-matched semi-insulating GaAs substrates has been successfully achieved via the traditional liquid phase epitaxy. Orientation and single crystalline nature of the film have been confirmed by X-ray diffraction. Scanning electron micrograph shows abrupt interface at micrometer resolution. Surface composition of Bi(x) and As(y) in the InBi_xAs_ySb_(1−x−y) film was measured using energy dispersive X-ray analysis and found to be 2.5 and 10.5 at.%, respectively, and was further confirmed with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Variation of the composition with depth of the film was studied by removing the layers with low current (20 μA) Ar⁺ etching. It was observed that with successive Ar⁺ etching, In/Sb ratio remained the same, while the As/Sb and Bi/Sb ratios changed slightly with etching time. However after about 5 min etching the As/Sb and Bi/Sb ratios reached constant values. The room temperature band gap of InBi_0.025As_0.105Sb_0.870 was found to be in the range of 0.113–0.120 eV. The measured values of mobility and carrier density at room temperature are 3.1×10⁴ cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹ and 8.07×10¹⁶ cm⁻³, respectively.