Measuring the Higgs branching fraction into two photons at future linear {\mathrm e}^+{\mathrm e}^- colliders

We examine the prospects for a measurement of the branching fraction of the decay mode of a Standard Model-like Higgs boson with a mass of 120 GeV at the future TESLA linear collider, assuming an integrated luminosity of 1 ab and centre-of-mass energies of 350 GeV and 500 GeV. A relative uncertainty on BF(\hgg) of 16% can be achieved in unpolarised collisions at = 500 GeV, while for = 350 GeV the expected precision is slightly poorer. With appropriate initial state polarisations the uncertainty can be improved to 10%. If this measurement is combined with a measurement of the total Higgs width, a precision of 10% on the Higgs boson partial width for the decay mode appears feasible. Received: 6 December 2000 / Revised version: 19 February 2001 / Published online: 23 March 2001     

Interfacial interactions and the polymer/polyurethane bond

Lap shear measurements of adhesion in joints of polymers bonded with polyurethane adhesives varied significantly with time at elevated temperature. The effect has been linked with the ability of polyurethane molecules to restructure in response to the orienting strength of substrate surfaces, as defined by their non-dispersive surface energy component. Acid/base interactions at the polymer/adhesive interface further affect the bond strength, increasing this important property when acid/base pairs are located at the interface, and diminishing the variable when acid/base interactions are absent.