On the pp → ppη(η′) reactions near threshold

The production rate for η′ in pp → ppη′ at rest is calculated in a covariant one boson exchange model, previously applied to study π⁰ and η production in NN collisions. The transition amplitudes for the elementary BN → η′N processes with B being the meson exchanged (B = π, σ, η, , ω and a₀) are taken to be the sum of s- and u-channels with a nucleon in the intermediate states, and an a₀ meson pole in a t-channel. The couplings of the η′ to hadrons are a factor 0.4 weaker than the respective η-hadron couplings, as suggested by a quark model and a singlet-octet mixing angle θ = −23°. The model reproduces near threshold cross sections for the quasielastic processes π⁻p → nη(η′) and pp → ppη(η′) reactions.     

2D gravity+1D matter

We consider a formulation of nonperturbative two-dimensional quantum gravity coupled to a single bosonic field (d=1 matter). Starting from a matrix realization of the discretized model, we express the continuum theory as a double scaling limit in which the 2D cosmological constant g tends towards a critical value g_c, and the string coupling 1/N→0, with the scaling parameter ∝1n (g-g_c)/(g-g_c)N held fixed. We find that in this formulation logarithmic corrections already present at tree level persist to all higher genus, suggesting a behavior different from the previously considered cases of d<1 matter.     

Simulations of migration, fragmentation and coalescence of non-wetting fluids in porous media

A model based on invasion percolation was used to simulate the migration on a non-wetting fluid through a porous medium filled with an immiscible wetting fluid under the influence of a gradient such as that provided by gravity. The migrating fluid clusters undergo both fragmentation and coalescence. The fragment size distribution obtained from two-dimensional simulations in which the gradient g is slowly increased from 0 can be represented by the scaling form N_s(g)s^-2ƒ(s|g|^-z where z=1+(D−1)ν(ν+1). Here D is the fractal dimensionality of invasion percolation, with trapping, and ν is the ordinary percolation correlation length exponent.     

Investigation of light scalar resonances a0(980)/ƒ0(980) with ANKE

A program to investigate the light scalar resonances a₀(980)/ƒ₀(980) in hadronic interactions via their decay into the πη and channels has started at the ANKE spectrometer of COSY-Jülich. As the first step the reactions pp → dπ⁺X and pp → dK⁺X have been measured at two energies, T_p = 2.65 GeV and 2.83 GeV. The status of the analysis at T_p = 2.65 GeV is presented. A total cross section of about 50 nb has been determined for the reaction .     

“Missing moment” and perturbative methods for polynomial iterated function systems

An iterated function system (IFS) over a compact metric space X is defined by a set of contractive maps w_i: X → X, i = 1,…,N, with associated nonzero probabilities p_i > 0, p_i = 1. The “parallel” action of the maps defines a unique compact invariant attractor set A X which supports an invariant measure μ and which is balanced with respect to the p_i. For linear , the invariance of μ yields a relation between the moments g_n = ∫ χⁿ dμ which permits their recursive computation from the initial value g₀ = 1. For nonlinear w_i, however, the moment relations are incomplete and do not permit a recursive computation. This paper describes two methods of obtaining accurate estimates of the moments when the IFS maps w_i are polynomials: (i) application of the necessary Hausdorff conditions on the g_i to obtain convergent upper and lower bounds and (ii) a perturbation expansion approach. The methods are applied to some model problems.     

Search for up-down quark mass differences via isospin symmetry breaking

We performed a series of experiments employing the two pion production reactions p + d → ³He + π⁰ and p + d → ³H + π⁺. The two isopin related reactions differ by a Clebsch Gordan coefficient of 2. We searched for deviations in this ratio in complete angular distributions in the range of the Δ excitation as well as in the vicinity of the η production threshold.     

Some properties of the spectral flow in semiriemannian geometry

Let be the action integral on a semiriemannian manifold ( , g) defined on the space of the curves z : [0, 1] → joining two given points z₀ and z₁. The critical points of ƒ are the geodesics joining z₀ and z₁. Let s ε [0, 1]. We study the behavior, in dependence of s, of the eigenvalues of the Hessian form of ƒ evaluated at z, restricted to the interval [0, s]. A formula for the derivative of the eigenvalues is given and some applications are shown.     

B→ηlν decays and the flavor-singlet form factors

We study semileptonic decays B→η^(′)lν, taking into account the flavor-singlet contribution (F^singlet₊) to the B→η^(′) form factors, which arises from the two-gluon emission in a decaying B meson. It has been recently pointed out that, in addition to large weak annihilation effects, the unknown value of F^singlet₊ prevents accurate theoretical estimates in the analysis of B→η′K decays in QCD factorization. We present a certain method to determine F^singlet₊ with a reasonable accuracy, using B→η^(′)lν and B→πlν decays. We also investigate the possible effect of F^singlet₊ on the estimated branching ratios (BRs) for B→η^(′)lν and find that the BR for B→η′lν is particularly sensitive to the effect of F^singlet₊.     

Generalized Einstein manifolds

A Finslerian manifold is called a generalized Einstein manifold (GEM) if the Ricci directional curvature R(u,u) is independent of the direction. Let F⁰(M, g_t) be a deformation of a compact n-dimensional Finslerian manifold preserving the volume of the unitary fibre bundle W(M). We prove that the critical points g₀ F⁰(g_t) of the integral I(g_t) on W(M) of the Finslerian scalar curvature (and certain functions of the scalar curvature) define a GEM. We give an estimate of the eigenvalues of Laplacian Δ defined on W(M) operating on the functions coming from the base when (M, g) is of minima fibration with a constant scalar curvature H admitting a conformal infinitesimal deformation (CID). We obtain λ ≥ H/(n − 1) (Δf = λf). If M is simply connected and λ = H/(n − 1), then (M, g) is Riemannian and is isometric to an n-sphere. We first calculate, in the general case, the formula of the second variationals of the integral I (g_t) for G = g₀, then for a CID we show that for certain Finslerian manifolds, I″(g₀) > 0. Applications to the gravitation and electromagnetism in general relativity are given. We prove that the spaces characterizing Einstein-Maxwell equations are GEMs.     

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.     

The reactions pp→pΛK and pp→pΣK near their thresholds

The reactions pp→pΛK⁺ and pp→pΣ⁰K⁺ are studied near their thresholds. The strangeness production process is described by the π- and K exchange mechanisms. Effects from the final state interaction in the hyperon-nucleon system are taken into account rigorously. The Λ production turns out to be dominated by K exchange whereas K- as well as π exchange play an important role for the Σ⁰ case. It is shown that the experimentally observed strong suppression of Σ⁰ production compared to Λ production at the same excess energy can be explained by a destructive interference between π and K exchange in the reaction pp→pΣ⁰K⁺. Implications of such an interference on the reaction pp→nΣ⁺K⁺ are pointed out.     

Wγγ production as a test of three- and four-gauge-boson couplings at LHC and SSC

The reaction pp→W^±γγX is considered at centre-of-mass energies √s = 16 and 40 TeV, including anomalous three- and four- gauge-boson couplings κ and λ. Limits are obtained on these quantities by comparison with the standard model.     

The NN → NNη reaction close to threshold

The pp → ppη and np → npη reactions at energies near the η production threshold are studied in a non-relativistic one boson exchange model, where the N^* (1535 MeV) S11 resonance is excited through the exchange of π, η, and ω mesons and subsequently decays into an ηN pair. Energy integrated cross sections and energy spectra of the out going η's are reported. Providing NN and ηN final state interactions are taken into account coherently, the model reproduces both the scale and energy dependence of the cross section for the pp → ppη reactions up to 100 MeV. Final state interaction corrections due to the nucleon-nucleon and meson-nucleon forces influence strongly the scale and shape of the cross sections. The shape of the energy spectra of the outgoing η's provides a clear signature of the ηN force.     

Patterns of lepton-flavour violation motivated by decoupling and sneutrino inflation

We present predictions for flavour-violating charged-lepton decays induced by the seesaw mechanism implemented within the constrained minimal supersymmetric standard model (CMSSM) with universal input soft supersymmetry breaking terms. We assume that one heavy singlet neutrino almost decouples from the seesaw mechanism, as suggested by the pattern of light neutrino masses and mixing angles. This is suggested independently by sneutrino inflation with a low reheating temperature, T_RH10⁷ GeV, so as to avoid overproducing gravitinos. This requirement further fixes the mass of the weakly-coupled sneutrino, whose decays may lead to leptogenesis. We find that BR(μ→eγ)10⁻¹³ but BR(τ→μγ)10⁻⁹ in the bulk of the acceptable parameter space, apart from a few isolated points. The ratio BR(μ→eγ)/BR(τ→eγ) depends on only one complex parameter, and is particularly interesting to compare with experiment.     

The O(N) vector model in the large-N limit revisited: multicritical points and double scaling limit

The multicritical points of the O(N)-invariant N vector model in the large-N limit are re-examined. Of particular interest are the subtleties involved in the stability of the phase structure at critical dimensions. In the limit N → ∞ while the coupling g → g_c in a correlated manner (the double scaling limit) a massless bound state O(N) singlet is formed and powers of 1/N are compensated by IR singularities. The persistence of the N → ∞ results beyond the leading order is then studied with particular interest in the possible existence of a phase with propagating small mass vector fields and a massless singlet bound state. We point out that under certain conditions the double scaled theory of the singlet field is non-interacting in critical dimensions.     

Regge-pole description of γN→πN backward-scattering data

Baryon Regge-pole contributions to u-channel helicity amplitudes for the γN→πN processes are derived, with attention to kinematic singularities and threshold conditions. An N, Nγ and Δδ Regge-exchange model is proposed that describes the backward scattering data on γp→π^op and γp→π⁺n at high energy. The N and Nγ trajectories are found to be nearly degenerate, with residues in the ratio β(Nγ)/β(N)≈0.6. Structure in the differential cross sections is explained as dominance at small u giving way to dominance at large u. An isoscaar-isovector admixture for the γ-coupling to is required by the fits. The solution extrapolates through the mean γp→π^op 180^o differential cross section at intermediate energies, as required by duality.     

MnO thin film cathode for rechargeable microbatteries

Thin films of MnO were deposited by electron beam evaporation using a MnO or MnO₂ source. The thin films were charaterized by X-ray and electron diffraction. The Coulomb titration curve reveals a potential plateau of 2.9 V over the composition range 0.05<x<2.0. The chemical diffusion coefficient of lithium in thin films at 15°C is 2.7×10⁻¹⁴ cm²/s for 0<x<0.01 and 2.2×10⁻¹⁵ cm²/s for 0.02<x<0.06. Good reversibility for lithium insertion and extraction is demonstrated by cyclic voltammetry.     

Trying to catch the elusive A and more. Reactions initiated by b-quarks and the Higgs sector of the MSSM

We study the cross sections for the production of neneural, intermediate mass Higgs boson in the process pp→ tq′φ, pp→tW⁻φ and pp→bZ⁰φ in the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (φ = H⁰, h⁰ and A⁰) at Supercollider energies. The additional heavy particles (t, W, Z) in the final state can be used for tagging purposes, increasing the signal to background ratio. These reactions are dominated by bg and bg fusion. Their relevance for Higgs particle searches is discussed taking into account the expected efficiencies and purities for b-tagging. We find that, for tan β = 30, the cross sections for pp → bZ⁰φ are larger than 14 pb, over the whole intemediate range of M_A⁰, for A⁰ and at least one of the other two Higgses. Therefore this reaction is an excellent candidate for the discovery of one or more MSSM Higgs particles.     

Transport in solid oxide porous electrodes: Effect of gas diffusion

We extend our previous treatment of a mixed ionic electronic conductor membrane, consisting of a porous cathode and anode separated by a thin non-porous layer, to the case where mass transport of molecules in the porous electrodes can be the rate-limiting step. The linearized transport equations for the ion-hole pairs in the solid and of the gas molecules in the pores are characterized by the length scales L_P = √L_d(1 − φ)/Sτ_s and L_g = 2L_p√[τ_sφ/τ(1 − φ)][D_gc_g/D_IEc_i] respectively, where L_d = D_IE/K is the length scale that determines the transition from diffusion limited to surface exchange limited transport in the non-porous electrodes, K is the surface exchange coefficient, D_IE and D_g are the diffusion coefficients of the ion-hole pairs and of the molecules, c_i and c_g are the concentrations of the ions and molecules, S is the pore surface area per unit volume, φ the porosity and τ_s and τ the tortuosities of the solid and pore phases respectively. When L_g L_p, which is the case treated previously, the rate-limiting step in the transport is ionic diffusion and surface exchange. Enhancements in oxygen ion current of two orders in magnitude, over non-porous electrodes, are in principle achievable with porous perovskite MIEC having surface area s = 10⁶ cm⁻¹. When L_g L_p the rate-limiting step is mass transport in the pores and the enhancement in ion current is substantially reduced.