<Emphasis Type="Italic">SU</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">L</Emphasis></Subscript>(4)×<Emphasis Type="Italic">U</Emphasis>(1) model for electroweak unification and sterile neutrinos

Some of the basic problems in neutrino physics, such as new energy scales, the enormous gap between the neutrino masses and the lightest charged fermion mass, and the possible existence of sterile neutrinos in the eV mass range are studied in the local gauge group SU _L (4)×U(1) for electroweak unification, which does not contain fermions with exotic electric charges. It is shown that the neutrino mass spectrum can be decoupled from that of the other fermions. The further normal seesaw mechanism for neutrinos, with right-handed neutrino Majorana masses of order M≫M _weak as well a new eV-scale can be accommodated. The eV-scale seesaw may manifest itself in experiments like the Liquid Scintillation Neutrino Detector (LSND) and MiniBooNE (MB) experimental results and future neutrino experiments.     

δ/γ transformation in non-equilibrium solidified peritectic Fe-Ni alloy

Through phase transformation kinetic analysis and experimental observation, the δ/γ transformation occurring in the non-equilibrium peritectic Fe-4.33at.%Ni alloys was systematically investigated. According to JMA solid-state transformation kinetic theory, the Time-Temperature-Transformation (TTT) curves of the δ/γ transformation in peritectic Fe-Ni alloy were calculated. On this basis, the physical correlation between the δ/γ transformation and the initial undercooling of melt (△T) was elucidated. The results indicate that the change of △T can alter not only the overall δ/γ transformation pathways but also the transformation fraction with respect to each transformation mechanism.     

The determination of <Emphasis Type="Italic">α</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis></Subscript> from <Emphasis Type="Italic">τ</Emphasis> decays revisited

We revisit the determination of α _S (m _τ ²) using a fit to inclusive τ hadronic spectral moments in light of (1) the recent calculation of the fourth-order perturbative coefficient K ₄ in the expansion of the Adler function, (2) new precision measurements from BABAR of e⁺e⁻ annihilation cross sections, which decrease the uncertainty in the separation of vector and axial-vector spectral functions, and (3) improved results from BABAR and Belle on τ branching fractions involving kaons. We estimate that the fourth-order perturbative prediction reduces the theoretical uncertainty, introduced by the truncation of the series, by 20% with respect to earlier determinations. We discuss to some detail the perturbative prediction of two different methods: fixed-order perturbation theory (FOPT) and contour-improved perturbative theory (CIPT). The corresponding theoretical uncertainties are studied at the τ and Z mass scales. The CIPT method is found to be more stable with respect to the missing higher order contributions and to renormalization scale variations. It is also shown that FOPT suffers from convergence problems along the complex integration contour. Nonperturbative contributions extracted from the most inclusive fit are small, in agreement with earlier determinations. Systematic effects from quark-hadron duality violation are estimated with simple models and found to be within the quoted systematic errors. The fit based on CIPT gives α _S (m _τ ²)=0.344±0.005±0.007, where the first error is experimental and the second theoretical. After evolution to M _Z we obtain α _S (M _Z ²)=0.1212±0.0005±0.0008±0.0005, where the errors are respectively experimental, theoretical and due to the evolution. The result is in agreement with the corresponding N³LO value derived from essentially the Z width in the global electroweak fit. The α _S (M _Z ²) determination from τ decays is the most precise one to date.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis> = 4 supersymmetric Eguchi-Hanson sigma model in <Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis> = 1

We show that it is possible to construct a supersymmetric mechanics with four supercharges possessing not conformally flat target space. A general idea of constructing such models is presented. A particular case with Eguchi-Hanson target space is investigated in detail: we present the standard and quotient approaches to get the Eguchi-Hanson model, demonstrate their equivalence, give a full set of nonlinear constraints, study their properties and give an explicit expression for the target space metric. Presented at the International Colloquium “Integrable Systems and Quantum Symmetries”, Prague, 16–18 June 2005.     

Disappearing cosmological constant in <Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>) gravity

For higher-derivative f(R) gravity, where R is the Ricci scalar, a class of models is proposed, which produce viable cosmology different from the ACDM at recent times and satisfy cosmological, Solar System, and laboratory tests. These models have both flat and de Sitter spacetimes as particular solutions in the absence of matter. Thus, a cosmological constant is zero in a flat spacetime, but appears effectively in a curved one for sufficiently large R. A “smoking gun” for these models would be a small discrepancy in the values of the slope of the primordial perturbation power spectrum determined from galaxy surveys and CMB fluctuations. On the other hand, a new problem for dark energy models based on f(R) gravity is pointed out, which is connected with the possible overproduction of new massive scalar particles (scalarons) arising in this theory in the very early Universe. The text was submitted by the author in English.     

Little Higgs model effects in <Emphasis Type="Italic">γγ</Emphasis> → <Emphasis Type="Italic">γγ</Emphasis>

Though the predictions of the standard model (SM) are in excellent agreement with experiments, there are still several theoretical problems associated with the Higgs sector of the SM, where it is widely believed that some new physics will take over at the TeV scale. One beyond the SM theory which resolves these problems is the Little Higgs (LH) model. In this work we have investigated the effects of the LH model on γγ → γγ scattering [1].      

Once more about gauge invariance in <Emphasis Type="Italic">ϕ</Emphasis> → <Emphasis Type="Italic">γπ</Emphasis><Superscript>0</Superscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">π</Emphasis><Superscript>0</Superscript>

It is argued that the realization of gauge invariance condition as a consequent of cancellation between the ϕ → γf ₀ → γπ ⁰ π ⁰ resonance contribution and the ϕ → γπ ⁰ π ⁰ background one, suggested by A.V. Anisovich et al., Yad. Fiz. 68, 1614 (2005), is misleading. The text was submitted by the author in English.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Q</Emphasis> kink of the nonlinear <Emphasis Type="Italic">O</Emphasis>(3) <Emphasis Type="Italic">σ</Emphasis> model involving an explicitly broken symmetry

The (1 + 1)-dimensional nonlinear O(3) σ model involving an explicitly broken symmetry is considered. Sphalerons are known to exist in this model. These sphalerons are of a topological origin and are embedded kinks of the sine-Gordon model. In the case of a compact spatial manifold S ¹, sine-Gordon multikinks exist in the model. It is shown that the model admits a nonstatic generalization of the sine-Gordon kink/multikink, Q kink/multikink. Explicit expressions are obtained for the dependence of the Q kink energy and charge on the phase frequency of rotation. The Q kink is studied for stability, and expressions are obtained for the eigenfunctions and eigenfrequencies of the operator of quadratic fluctuations. It is shown that the Q kink is unstable over the entire admissible frequency range ω ∈ [−1, 1]. The one-loop quantum correction to the static-kink mass is calculated, and the Q-kink zero mode is quantized. It is shown that, in a general static case, the field equations of the model are integrable in quadratures.     

Spontaneous edge <Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis> × <Emphasis Type="Italic">B</Emphasis> sheared flow development studies in the TJ-II stellarator

The influence of plasma density and edge gradients in the development of perpendicular sheared flow has been investigated in the plasma edge region of the TJ-II stellarator. It has been experimentally observed that the generation of spontaneous perpendicular sheared flow (i.e. the naturally occurring shear layer) requires a minimum plasma density or gradient. It has been found that there is a coupling between the onset of sheared flow development and an increase in the level of plasma edge turbulence; once sheared flow is fully developed the level of fluctuations and turbulent transport slightly decreases whereas edge gradients and plasma density increase. The resulting shearing rate is close to the one required to trigger a transition to improved confinement regimes with reduction of edge turbulence, showing that spontaneous sheared flows and fluctuations keep themselves near marginal stability. Presented at the Workshop “Electric Fields, Structures and Relaxation in Edge Plasmas”, Tarragona, Spain, July 3–4, 2005.     

Influence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">CP</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">CPT</Emphasis> on production and decay of Dirac and Majorana fermions

The consequences of CP and CPT invariance for production and subsequent decay of Dirac and Majorana fermions in polarized fermion-antifermion annihilation are analytically studied. We derive general symmetry relations for the production spin density matrix and for the three-particle decay matrices and obtain constraints for the polarization and the spin-spin correlations of Dirac and Majorana fermions. We prove that only for Majorana fermions the energy and opening angle distribution factorizes exactly into contributions from production and decay if CP is conserved. Received: 6 November 2001 / Revised version: 23 April 2002 / Published online: 12 July 2002     

Super <Emphasis Type="Italic">D</Emphasis>-Differentiation for <Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis><Superscript> ∞ </Superscript>-Supermanifolds

The concept of ‘D-Differentiation’, which, in the context of smooth manifolds, generalises Lie and covariant differentiation, is extended to R ^∞-supermanifolds under the name of ‘Super D-Differentiation’. This is done by defining new (non-linear) mappings, called ‘μ-mappings’ and by relating their non-linearity to the Leibniz rule that a derivation must satisfy when it acts on a tensor product. The resulting axiomatics, which is basis-independent and coordinate-free, is then expressed in a general basis (not necessarily holonomic). Super Lie and Super covariant differentiation are, amongst others, special cases of Super D-Differentiation. In particular, the transformation rules for the connection coefficients and the commutation coefficients of non-holonomic bases are obtained. These special cases are found to be in agreement with the DeWitt Super covariant and Super Lie derivatives.      

Conformal Continuations in Gravitation Theory with Lagrangian <Emphasis Type="Italic">F</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>)

Static spherically-symmetric vacuum solutions of gravitation theory equations with Lagrangian f(R) are examined, where R is a scalar curvature and f is an arbitrary function. Equations of f(R)-theories are reduced to the Einstein scenario — general relativity theory (GRT) equations with a source in the form of a scalar field with potential — with the use of the well-known conformal transformation. The necessary and sufficient conditions of existence of solutions admitting conformal continuations are formulated. This means that the central singularity of the Einstein scenario is mapped into a regular sphere S_trans of the Jordan scenario (that is, into the manifold corresponding to the initial formulation of the theory), and a solution of the field equations can be smoothly continued through it. The value of curvature R on the sphere S_trans corresponds to an extremum of the function f(R). Concrete examples are considered. __________ Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 9, pp. 46–51, September, 2005.     

The K<Emphasis Type="Italic">π</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">ππ</Emphasis> S-wave amplitude from D-meson decays

The issue of Kπ and ππ S-wave amplitude is addressed using decays of D-mesons. Model-independent measurements of the phases of the π ⁺ π ⁺ and K ^- π ⁺ S-wave amplitude from D ⁺→π ^- π ⁺ π ⁺ and D ⁺→K ^- π ⁺ π ⁺ decays are discussed. The result indicates a deviation from the phase of the K ^- π ⁺ S-wave amplitude obtained by scattering experiments. This could be interpreted as an indication of the presence of 3-body final-state interaction, or in other words, that the phases from production and scattering process cannot be directly compared.     

On the role of FSI in <Emphasis Type="Italic">K</Emphasis> → 2<Emphasis Type="Italic">π</Emphasis> decay

Contrary to widespread opinion that the final-state interaction (FSI) enlarges the amplitude 〈2π; I = 0|K ⁰〉, we argue that FSI is not able to increase the absolute value of this amplitude. The text was submitted by the author in English.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">X</Emphasis>(3): An exactly separable <Emphasis Type="Italic">γ</Emphasis>-rigid version of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">X</Emphasis>(5) critical point symmetry

A γ-rigid version (with γ = 0) of the X(5) critical point symmetry is constructed. The model, to be called X(3) since it is proved to contain three degrees of freedom, utilizes an infinite well potential, is based on exact separation of variables, and leads to parameter-free (up to overall scale factors) predictions for spectra and B(E2) transition rates which are in good agreement with existing experimental data for ¹⁷²Os and ¹⁸⁶Pt. An unexpected similarity of the β ₁ bands of the X(5) nuclei ¹⁵⁰Nd, ¹⁵²Sm, ¹⁵⁴Gd, and ¹⁵⁶Dy to the X(3) predictions is observed. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

The <Emphasis Type="Italic">Φ</Emphasis>→K<Superscript>0</Superscript>¯<Emphasis Type="Italic">γ</Emphasis> decay

The scalar contributions to the radiative decay φ→K ⁰ˉ⁰ γ are studied within the framework of the Linear Sigma Model (LσM). Theoretical predictions for the associated subprocesses φ→f ₀ γ and φ→a ₀ γ as well as the ratio φ→f ₀ γ/a ₀ γ are also given.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Y</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Z</Emphasis> luminescence of polycrystalline cadmium telluride

The properties of polycrystalline CdTe with a grain size of 5–30 μm have been investigated using the microphotoluminescence methods of spectral analysis and topography. This material has been prepared by direct synthesis in a vapor flow of components at a low temperature. The dominance of the Y and Z bands in the spectra reflects a nonequilibrium character of the crystallization processes. The superlinear dependences of the luminescence intensity on the level of the band-to-band excitation indicate the exciton nature of the corresponding transitions. The activation energies for temperature quenching of luminescence in the temperature range T = 100–150 K are found to be 120 meV for the Y luminescence and 180 meV for the Z luminescence, which correspond to the dissociation of excitons bound to defects with the transition of charge carriers to the conduction and valence bands. The monochromatic topography data indicate that Y and Z defects have different material bases.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Λ</Emphasis>N scattering length from the reaction <Emphasis Type="Italic">γ</Emphasis>d→K<Superscript>+</Superscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">Λ</Emphasis>n

The prospects of utilizing the strangeness production reaction γd→K ⁺ Λn for the determination of the Λn low-energy scattering parameters are investigated. The spin observables that need to be measured in order to isolate the Λn singlet (¹ S ₀) and triplet (³ S ₁) states are identified. Possible kinematical regions where the extraction of the Λn scattering lengths might be feasible are discussed.