Working group report: Flavor physics and model building

This is the report of flavor physics and model building working group at WHEPP-9. While activites in flavor physics have been mainly focused on B-physics, those in model building have been primarily devoted to neutrino physics. We present summary of working group discussions carried out during the workshop in the above fields, and also briefly review the progress made in some projects subsequently.     

Search for a precursor crystal-to-crystal phase transition to amorphization in α-GeO2 and α-AlPO4 under pressure

Recent X-ray diffraction studies on α-quartz (SiO₂) by Kingmaet al [1], have shown the occurrence of a reversible, crystalline-to-crystalline, phase transition just prior to amorphization at ≈ 21 GPa. This precursor transition has also been confirmed by our recent molecular dynamics simulation study [2]. In order to investigate the possibility of a similar behaviour in other isostructural compounds, which also undergo pressure induced amorphization, α-GeO₂ and α-AlPO₄ (berlinite form) were studied using energy dispersive X-ray diffraction. In either of these materials, no such phase transition is detected prior to amorphization. The onset of amorphization and its reversal is found to be time dependent in GeO₂.     

Converse results on equiconvergence of interpolating polynomials

, n- n- 1 , . , , ( « ») f .     

Effect of pressure on the behavior of nontransition metallic superconductors

An explicit expression has been derived for the volume dependence of electron-phonon coupling strength () by using a recently proposed quadratic form of the screened pseudopotential and by considering the variation of Fermi momentum with volume. Variation of Coulomb pseudopotential ( ^*) has also been explicitly considered by varying the Fermi momentum. Dependence of transition temperatureT _c and the logarithm of the effective interaction strength (N ₀ V) on the volume has been studied for eight nontransition metallic superconductors. A linear drop inT _c for small values of (–/ ₀) as well as the calculated values of= InN ₀ V/ In, exhibits better matching with the experimental data, as compared to the earlier theoretical results.     

On the non-BoltzmannA-X emission in Na2 following laser excitation of theB state

A ¹Σ _u ⁺ -X ¹Σ _g ⁺ emission in Na₂ is observed following excitation ofB ¹π _u by various lines of an argon ion laser. The excitation energy ofB ¹π _u is collisionally transferred to the (2)¹Σ _g ⁺ which then radiatively populates theA ¹Σ _u ⁺ state. The Na vapour is contained in a stainless steel crossed heat pipe with Ar buffer gas and temperature around 600°C. For all laser lines except 4579 Å, the coarse features ofA-X emission are independent of the laser wavelength. However, at high resolution the finer differences between different laser line excitation are explained. Variousv′-v″ transitions in this emission are identified. Computer simulation is presented to help explain some features of this emission.     

Potentiometric studies on the complexation equilibria between some trivalent lanthanide metal ions and biologically active 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (HNATS)

Summary The chelation behaviour of some trivalent lanthanide and yttrium metal ion with biologically active 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (HNATS) has been investigated by potentiomotric measurements at 20±0.5°C in 75% (v/v) dioxane-water medium at various ionic strengths of sodium perchlorate. The method of Bjerrum and Calvin, as modified by Irving and Rossotti has been used to find out the values of (average number of ligand bound per metal ion) andpL (free ligand exponent). The formation constants of metal chelates have been computed on a PC-XT computer, using a program patterned after that of Sullivan et al. to give _n values using weighted least squares method. TheS _min values (S _min =²) have been calculated. The order of formation constants of chelates was found to be: La³⁺3+3+3+3+3+3+3+3+3+. The formation constants of the chelates formed have been correlated to size and ionization potentials of the metal ions.

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Potentiometrische Untersuchungen der Komplexierungsgleichgewichte zwischen einigen trivalenten Metallionen und biologisch aktivem 2-Hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyd-thiosemicarbazon (HNATS)

Zusammenfassung Es wurde das Chelierungsverhalten einiger trivalenter Lanthanidenionen mit biologisch aktivem 2-Hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyd-thiosemicarbazon (HNATS) mittels potentiometrischer Messungen bei 20±0.5°C in 75% (v/v) Dioxan-Wasser bei verschiedener Ionenstärke an Natriumperchlorat untersucht. Die Methode nach Bjerrum und Calvin in der Modifikation nach Irving und Rossotti wurde zur Ermittlung der Werte (mittlere Anzahl an Liganden pro Metallion) undpL (Exponent an freiem Liganden) verwendet. Die Komplexbildungskonstanten wurden in Anlehnung an Sullivan et al. an einem PC-XT Computer errechnet. DieS _min-Werte (S _min=²) wurden ebenfalls bestimmt. Die Reihung der Chelatbildungskonstanten war: La³⁺3+3+3+3+3+3+3+3+3+. Die Bildungskonstanten sind mit der Größe und dem Ionisierungspotential der Metallionen zu korrelieren.

     

On the occurrence and role of SnO2, SnS and FeSn2 in coal hydroliquefaction experiments using tin-based catalysts

Mössbauer Spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction and Electron Microscopy were applied to the study of solid residues of coal hydroliquefaction, for which tin-based catalysts were used. In the general case hydroliquefaction runs were performed in the presence of added sulphur and of finely dispersed SnO₂ as a catalyst precursor. The only observed tin species were SnO₂ and SnS, the former with percentages higher than expected from XRD, due to its large f factor, the latter as a symmetric doublet, which suggests that any asymmetry should be ascribed to small particle sizes rather than to structure. When the S content was only that of coal and the catalyst precursor β-Sn, FeSn₂ occurred together with Sn sulfides and oxides, while no β-Sn was detected. The main catalytic role is ascribed to SnS.