Eric Scerri and Elena Ghibaudi,eds: What is an element? A collection of essays by chemists,philosophers, historians,and educators

Foundations of Chemistry -     

A determination of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa parameter |V us| using KL decays

We present a determination of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa parameter |V(us)| based on new measurements of the six largest K(L) branching fractions and semileptonic form factors by the KTeV (E832) experiment at Fermilab. We find |V(us)|=0.2252+/-0.0008(KTeV)+/-0.0021(ext), where the errors are from KTeV measurements and from external sources. We also use the measured branching fractions to determine the CP violation parameter |eta(+-)|=(2.228+/-0.005(KTeV)+/-0.009(ext))x10(-3).     

Measurements of the Decay KL-->e+ e- mu+ mu-

The KTeV experiment at Fermilab has isolated a total of 132 events from the rare decay K(L)-->e+ e- mu+ mu-, with an estimated background of 0.8 events. The branching ratio of this mode is determined to be [2.69+/-0.24(stat)+/-0.12(syst)]x10(-9), with a radiative cutoff of M(2)(ee mu mu)/M(2)(K)>0.95. The first measurement using this mode of the parameter alpha from the D'Ambrosio-Isidori-Portolès (DIP) model of the K(L)gamma*gamma* vertex yields a result of -1.59+/-0.37, consistent with values obtained from other decay modes. Because of the limited statistics, no sensitivity is found to the DIP parameter beta. We use this decay mode to set limits on CP and lepton violation.     

Finite element modelling of surface waves in a channel

A variational formulation of the vertically-integrated differential equations for free surface wave motion is presented. A finite element model is derived for solving this nonlinear system of hydrodynamic equations. The time integration scheme employed is discussed and the results obtained demonstrate its good stability and accuracy.Several applications of the model are considered: the first problem is an open channel of uniform depth and the second an open channel of linearly varying depth. The ‘inflow’ boundary condition is prescribed in terms of the velocity which represents a wavemaker and/or a flow source, while the ‘outflow’ boundary condition is specified in terms of the water elevation. The outflow condition is adjusted for two cases, a reflecting boundary (finite channel) and a non-reflecting boundary (open-ended channel). The latter boundary condition is examined in some detail and the results obtained show that the numerical model can produce the non-reflecting boundary that is similar to the analytical radiation condition for waves. Computational results for a third problem, involving wave reflection from a submerged cylinder, are also presented and compared with both experimental data and analytical predictions.The simplicity and the performance of the computational model suggest that free surface waves can be simulated without excessively complicated numerical schemes. The ability of the model to simulate outflow boundary conditions properly is of special importance since these conditions present serious problems for many numerical algorithms.     

A limit on the lepton-family number violating process π → μe

A FNAL E799 Collaboration has carried out a search for the lepton-family number violating decay π⁰ → μ^±e using π⁰'s produced from K_L → π⁰π⁰π⁰ decays in flight. No events were observed. Assuming that lepton-family number violation is charge independent, the 90% confidence level upper limit on

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was determined to be 8.6 × 10⁻⁹.