12245422
Momentum broadening in weakly coupled quark-gluon plasma
We calculate the probability distribution P(k⊥) for the momentum perpendicular to its original direction of motion that an energetic quark or gluon picks up as it propagates through weakly coupled quark-gluon plasma in thermal equilibrium.
119204877
Consistent Factorization of Jet Observables in Exclusive Multijet Cross-Sections
Abstract We demonstrate the consistency at the next-to-leading-logarithmic (NLL) level of a factorization theorem based on Soft-Collinear Effective Theory (SCET) for jet shapes in e + e − collisions. We consider measuring jet observables in exclusive multijet final states defined with cone and k T -type jet algorithms. Consistency of the factorization theorem requires that the renormalization group evolution of hard, jet, and soft functions is such that the physical cross section is independent of the factorization scale μ . The anomalous dimensions of the various factorized pieces, however, depend on the color representation of jets, choice of jet observable, the number of jets whose shapes are measured, and the jet algorithm, making it highly nontrivial to satisfy the consistency condition. We demonstrate the intricate cancellations between anomalous dimensions that occur at the NLL level, so that, up to power corrections that we identify, our factorization of the jet shape distributions is consistent for any number of quark and gluon jets, for any number of jets whose shapes are measured or unmeasured, for any angular size R of the jets, and for any of the algorithms we consider. Corrections to these results are suppressed by the SCET expansion parameter λ (set by the ratio of the typical momentum in a jet transverse to the jet axis to the total jet energy) and in the jet separation measure 1 / t 2 = tan 2 ( R / 2 ) / tan 2 ( ψ / 2 ) , where ψ is the angular separation between jets. Our results can be used to calculate a wide variety of jet observables in multijet final states to NLL accuracy.
118867883
Enhanced nonperturbative effects in Z decays to hadrons
We use soft collinear effective field theory (SCET) to study nonperturbative strong interaction effects in Z decays to hadronic final states that are enhanced in corners of phase space. These occur, for example, in the jet energy distribution for two jet events near E_J=M_Z/2, the thrust distribution near unity and the jet invariant mass distribution near zero. The extent to which such nonperturbative effects for different observables are related is discussed.
119187963
Jet shapes and jet algorithms in SCET
Jet shapes are weighted sums over the four-momenta of the constituents of a jet and reveal details of its internal structure, potentially allowing discrimination of its partonic origin. In this work we make predictions for quark and gluon jet shape distributions in N-jet final states in e+e− collisions, defined with a cone or recombination algorithm, where we measure some jet shape observable on a subset of these jets. Using the framework of Soft-Collinear Effective Theory, we prove a factorization theorem for jet shape distributions and demonstrate the consistent renormalization-group running of the functions in the factorization theorem for any number of measured and unmeasured jets, any number of quark and gluon jets, and any angular size R of the jets, as long as R is much smaller than the angular separation between jets. We calculate the jet and soft functions for angularity jet shapes τα to one-loop order $ \left( {\mathcal{O}\left( {{\alpha_s}} \right)} \right) $ and resum a subset of the large logarithms of τα needed for next-to-leading logarithmic (NLL) accuracy for both cone and kT-type jets. We compare our predictions for the resummed τα distribution of a quark or a gluon jet produced in a 3-jet final state in e+e− annihilation to the output of a Monte Carlo event generator and find that the dependence on a and R is very similar.
119269079
Double non-global logarithms in-n-out of jets
A bstractWe derive the leading non-global logarithms (NGLs) of ratios of jet masses m1,2 and a jet energy veto Λ due to soft gluons splitting into regions in and out of jets. Such NGLs appear in any exclusive jet cross section with multiple jet measurements or with a veto imposed on additional jets. Here, we consider back-to-back jets of radius R produced in e+e− collisions, found with a cone or recombination algorithm. The leading NGLs are of the form $\alpha_{\text{s}}^2{\text{l}}{{\text{n}}^2}(\Lambda /{m_{{1},{2}}})$ or $\alpha_{\text{s}}^2{\text{l}}{{\text{n}}^2}({m_1}/{m_2})$. Their coefficients depend both on the algorithm and on R. We consider cone, kT, anti-kT, and Cambridge-Aachen algorithms. In addition to determining the full algorithmic and R dependence of the leading NGLs, we derive new relations among their coefficients. We also derive to all orders in αs a factorized form for the soft function S(kL, kR, Λ) in the cross section σ(m1, m2, Λ) in which dependence on each of the global logs of μ/kL, μ/kR and μ/Λ determined by the renormalization group are separated from one another and from the non-global logs. The same kind of soft function, its associated non-global structure, and the algorithmic dependence we derive here will also arise in exclusive jet cross sections at hadron colliders, and must be understood and brought under control to achieve precise theoretical predictions.
26881716
Resonant relaxation in electroweak baryogenesis
We compute the leading, chiral charge-changing relaxation term in the quantum transport equations that govern electroweak baryogenesis using the closed time path formulation of nonequilibrium quantum field theory. We show that the relaxation transport coefficients may be resonantly enhanced under appropriate conditions on electroweak model parameters and that such enhancements can mitigate the impact of similar enhancements in the CP-violating source terms. We also develop a power counting in the time and energy scales entering electroweak baryogenesis and include effects through second order in ratios epsilon of the small and large scales. We illustrate the implications of the resonantly enhanced [script O](epsilon 2) terms using the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model, focusing on the interplay between the requirements of baryogenesis and constraints obtained from collider studies, precision electroweak data, and electric dipole moment searches.
14331342
Znajek-Damour horizon boundary conditions with Born-Infeld electrodynamics
In this work, the interaction of electromagnetic fields with a rotating (Kerr) black hole is explored in the context of the Born-Infeld (BI) theory of electromagnetism instead of standard Maxwell theory and particularly BI theory versions of the four horizon boundary conditions of Znajek and Damour are derived. Naturally, an issue to be addressed is then whether they would change from the ones given in the Maxwell theory context and if they do, how. Interestingly enough, as long as one employs the same local null tetrad frame as the one adopted in the works of Damour and of Znajek to read out physical values of electromagnetic fields and a fictitious surface charge and currents on the horizon, it turns out that one ends up with exactly the same four horizon boundary conditions despite the shift of the electrodynamics theory from a linear Maxwell one to a highly nonlinear BI one. Close inspection reveals that this curious and unexpected result can be attributed to the fact that the concrete structure of BI equations happens to be such that it is indistinguishable at the horizon to a local observer, say, in Damour's local tetrad frame from that of standard Maxwell theory.
17997328
Diffuse gamma-ray background and primordial black hole constraints on the spectral index of density fluctuations
We calculate the flux of $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays emitted from primordial black holes (PBHs) which are formed by a ``blue'' power-law spectrum of density fluctuations in the early universe. Gamma-ray emission from such PBHs may contribute significantly to the observed extragalactic diffuse $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray background (DGB). Using the observed DGB flux from the imaging Compton Telescope (COMPTEL) and the Energetic Gamma Ray Experiment Telescope (EGRET) as the upper limit of $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray flux from PBHs, we derive the upper limit on the spectral index n of the density fluctuations. The range of initial PBH masses which can contribute to the DGB is $2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{13} \mathrm{g}\ensuremath{-}5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{14} \mathrm{g},$ corresponding to a cosmic reheating temperature of $7\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{7} \mathrm{GeV}\ensuremath{-}4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{8} \mathrm{GeV}.$ In this range, we find the upper limit to be $n\ensuremath{\lesssim}1.23\ensuremath{-}1.25.$ This limit is stronger than those derived from the energy density in PBHs or PBH relics and matches the value of n required to explain the cosmic microwave background anisotropy.
2435715
Late time behaviors of an inhomogeneous rolling tachyon
We study an inhomogeneous decay of an unstable D-brane in the context of Dirac-Born-Infeld (DBI)-type effective action. We consider tachyon and electromagnetic fields with dependence of time and one spatial coordinate, and an exact solution is found under an exponentially decreasing tachyon potential, e{sup -|T|/{radical}}{sup (2)}, which is valid for the description of the late time behavior of an unstable D-brane. Though the obtained solution contains both time and spatial dependence, the corresponding momentum density vanishes over the entire spacetime region. The solution is governed by two parameters. One adjusts the distribution of energy density in the inhomogeneous direction, and the other interpolates between the homogeneous rolling tachyon and static configuration. As time evolves, the energy of the unstable D-brane is converted into the electric flux and tachyon matter.
55074643
Speculative Reading, Speculative Physics - the Ontology of the Large Hadron Collider
The objective is to illustrate the hermeneutics of reading against the highly image-dependent (rather than object-oriented) world of experimental particle physics. Reading becomes the medium for mediating between the real and the virtual when constructing physical knowledge. "Virtual" particles, produced through material inter-course between machine and nature, are productive for re- thinking the virtual/real entanglement. Reading enables a process of deconstructing and re-naturalizing microphysical trails, objects, and movements 'transformed' into machine code, post-detector. The process of reading is therefore the 'detection,' 'observation,' 'measurement,' 'abduction,' and 'interpretation' of coded information and knowledge; deciphered through data 'selected' for analysis, extrapolated as evidence for the confirmation/re-orientation of theoretical predictions, and included for the re-envisioning and revising of foundational explanations regarding the structure of modern physics. Reading as is explored here is about how reading as an act is inextricably linked with understanding one's perspective and the ideology one is immersed in, thus influencing how discovery is made and articulated through theory-construction.
117905421
The nucleation of false vacuum bubbles with compact geometries
We investigate and classify the possible types of false vacuum bubbles in Einstein gravity. The false vacuum bubbles can occur only if gravity is taken into account. We show that there exist solutions only with compact geometries. The analytic computations for the radius and nucleation rate of a vacuum bubble are evaluated using the thin-wall approximation. We discuss possible cosmological implications of our new solutions.