119407227
Optimization and the Ultimate Convergence of QCD Perturbation Theory
Abstract I suggest that QCD perturbation theory can be convergent, and that “optimization” of the renormalization scheme choice is essential in achieving this. Arguing that higher orders probe shorter distances, I suggest that the effective expansion parameter (the “optimized” couplant) decreases at high orders, leading to an induced convergence. The mechanism is illustrated by a simple mathematical example. The point is that, even if the perturbation series is divergent in all fixed renormalization schemes, the sequence of “optimized” approximations may still converge. It is emphasized that the limit approached by perturbation theory, if any, will not be the exact result of the full theory. Allegations that QCD series are not Borel-summable are critically re-examined in this light.
119042764
Resolution of the lambda phi**4 puzzle and a 2-TeV Higgs boson
We argue that massless (lambda Phi^4)_4 is "trivial" without being entirely trivial. It has a non-trivial effective potential which leads to spontaneous symmetry breaking, but the particle excitations above the broken vacuum are non-interacting. The key to this picture is the realization that the constant background field (the mode with zero 4-momentum) renormalizes differently from the fluctuation field (the finite-momentum modes). This picture reconciles rigorous results and lattice calculations with one-loop and Gaussian-approximation analyses. Because of "triviality", these latter two methods should be effectively exact. Indeed, they yield the same renormalized effective potential and the same relation m_h^2 = 8 pi^2 v^2 between the particle mass and the physical vacuum expectation value. This relation predicts a Higgs mass m_h about 2 TeV in the standard model. The non-interacting nature of the scalar sector implies, by the equivalence theorem, that Higgs and gauge bosons interact only weakly, through their gauge and Yukawa couplings.
121312073
Gluon enhancements in charmed-meson decays
We address tests of nonspectator diagrams in charmed-meson decays. In particular, we explore the consequences of a model in which such diagrams are enhanced by the emission of a single gluon. For a lifetime ratio tau(D/sup +/)/tau(D/sup 0/)=5, we predict (i) tau(F/sup +/)/tau(D/sup +/) approx. = 0.6, (ii) an enhanced ..delta..S=0 rate for D/sup +/, (iii) a substantial multipion branching fraction for the F/sup +/, (iv) an F/sup +/ ..-->.. tau/sup +/..nu.. branching fraction of order 10 --20%, and (v) restrictive bounds on the D/sup 0/ ..-->.. K-bar/sup 0/..pi../sup 0/ mode.
17579087
The Banks-Zaks Expansion and "Freezing" in Perturbative QCD
The recent calculation of the four-loop beta function in QCD provides further evidence that the Banks-Zaks expansion in 16half-n_f is sufficiently well behaved to be useful even for n_f=2 light flavours. This expansion inherently predicts "freezing" of the QCD couplant at low energies as a perturbative effect. We consider the e+e- and Bjorken-sum-rule cases as examples.
119264999
Optimization of QCD perturbation theory: Results for Re+e− at fourth order
Abstract Physical quantities in QCD are independent of renormalization scheme (RS), but that exact invariance is spoiled by truncations of the perturbation series. “Optimization” corresponds to making the perturbative approximant, at any given order, locally invariant under small RS changes. A solution of the resulting optimization equations is presented. It allows an efficient algorithm for finding the optimized result. Example results for R e + e − = 3 ∑ q i 2 ( 1 + R ) to fourth order (NNNLO) are given that show nice convergence, even down to arbitrarily low energies. The Q = 0 “freezing” behavior, R = 0.3 ± 0.3 , found at third order is confirmed and made more precise; R = 0.2 ± 0.1 . Low-energy results in the MS ¯ scheme, by contrast, show the typical pathologies of a non-convergent asymptotic series.
120633210
Comments on the Sterman-Weinberg jet formula
Abstract A simple derivation of the Sterman-Weinberg jet formula (the QCD perturbation theory formula for the 2-jet cross section) is described. Conditions on the jet parameters ϵ and δ for this formula to be applicable are discussed and the corrections to the formula up to O(ϵ 2 ), O(δ 2 ) are presented.
16048292
Spectroscopic calculations of the low-lying structure in exotic Os and W isotopes
This work was supported in part by grants-in-aid for Scientific Research (A) 20244022 and No. 217368 and by the JSPS Core-to-Core Program EFES. K. N. is supported by the JSPS. P. H. R., Z. P., and P. D. S. acknowledge financial support from STFC(UK). Thework of L. M. R., P. S., and R. R. has been supported byMICINN (Spain) under research Grants No. FIS2008-01301, No. FPA2009-08958, and No. FIS2009- 07277, as well as by Consolider-Ingenio 2010 Programs CPAN CSD2007-00042 and MULTIDARK CSD2009-00064
16434094
Skyrme Interaction and Nuclear Matter Constraints
This paper presents a detailed assessment of the ability of the 240 Skyrme interaction parameter sets in the literature to satisfy a series of criteria derived from macroscopic properties of nuclear matter in the vicinity of nuclear saturation density at zero temperature and their density dependence, derived by the liquid-drop model, in experiments with giant resonances and heavy-ion collisions. The objective is to identify those parametrizations which best satisfy the current understanding of the physics of nuclear matter over a wide range of applications. Out of the 240 models, only 16 are shown to satisfy all these constraints. Additional, more microscopic, constraints on the density dependence of the neutron and proton effective mass β-equilibrium matter, Landau parameters of symmetric and pure neutron nuclear matter, and observational data on high- and low-mass cold neutron stars further reduce this number to 5, a very small group of recommended Skyrme parametrizations to be used in future applications of the Skyrme interaction of nuclear-matter-related observables. Full information on partial fulfillment of individual constraints by all Skyrme models considered is given. The results are discussed in terms of the physical interpretation of the Skyrme interaction and the validity of its use in mean-field models. Future work on application of the Skyrme forces, selected on the basis of variables of nuclear matter, in the Hartree-Fock calculation of properties of finite nuclei, is outlined.
121521132
Nuclear Matter and Neutron Star Properties Calculated with a Separable Monopole Interaction
121929671
Nuclear matter and neutron star properties calculated with the skyrme interaction
The effective Skyrme interaction has been used extensively in mean-field models for several decades and many different parametrizations of the interaction have been proposed. All of these give similar agreement with the experimental observables of nuclear ground states as well as with the properties of infinite symmetric nuclear matter at the saturation density n0. However, when applied over a wider range of densities (up to ∼3n0) they predict widely varying behavior for the observables of both symmetric and asymmetric nuclear matter. A particularly relevant example of naturally occurring asymmetric nuclear matter is the material of which neutron stars are composed. At around nuclear matter density, this can be well represented as a mixture of neutrons, protons, electrons, and muons (n+p+e+μ matter) in β-equilibrium, and these densities turn out to be the key ones for determining the properties of neutron-star models with masses near to the widely used “canonical” value of 1.4M⊙. By constructing equations of state for neutron-star matter using the different Skyrme parametrizations, calculating corresponding neutron-star models and then comparing these with observational data, an additional constraint can be obtained for the values of the Skyrme parameters. Such a constraint is particularly relevant because the parametrizations are initially determined by fitting to the properties of doubly closed-shell nuclei and it is an open question how suitable they then are for nuclei with high values of isospin, such as those at the neutron drip-line and beyond. The neutron-star environment provides an invaluable testing ground for this. We have carried out an investigation of 87 different Skyrme parametrizations in order to examine how successful they are in predicting the expected properties of infinite nuclear matter and generating plausible neutron-star models. This is the first systematic study of the predictions of the various Skyrme parametrizations for the density dependence of the characteristic observables of nuclear matter; the density dependence of the symmetry energy for β-equilibrium matter turns out to be a crucial property for indicating which Skyrme parameter sets will apply equally well for finite nuclei and for neutron-star matter. Only 27 of the 87 parametrizations investigated pass the test of giving satisfactory neutron-star models and we present a list of these.
17867643
Shape Evolution in the Neutron-Rich Tungsten Region
Recent experimental data on the low-lying states in {sup 190}W show a change in the E(4{sub 1}{sup +})/E(2{sub 1}{sup +}) behavior compared to less neutron-rich neighbors. Self-consistent axially-deformed Hartree-Fock calculations, using a separable monopole interaction, of nuclei in the vicinity of {sup 190}W are performed to systematically examine the evolution of ground state quadrupole deformations. It is found that the neutron number N=116 causes a coexistence of oblate and prolate shapes, with a weak dependence on proton number, thereby hindering the development of these isotones as well-deformed rotors.