d+Au Collisions at STAR

STAR has measured forward pi^0 production in p+p and d+Au collisions at sqrt{s_{NN}}=200 GeV. The p+p yield generally agrees with NLO pQCD calculations. The d+Au yield is strongly suppressed at =4.0, well below shadowing expectations. Exploratory measurements of azimuthal correlations between forward pi^0 and mid-rapidity charged hadrons show a recoil peak in p+p that is suppressed in d+Au at low pion energy. These observations are qualitatively consistent with a saturation picture of the low-x gluon structure of heavy nuclei. Future measurements to elucidate the dynamics underlying these observations are also described.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures. To appear in proceedings of DIS200

Transverse Spin Studies with STAR at RHIC

STAR has observed sizable transverse single-spin asymmetries for inclusive pi^0 production at forward rapidity in p+p collisions at sqrt{s}=200 GeV. These asymmetries may arise from either the Sivers or Collins effect. Studies are underway during the current RHIC run to elucidate the dynamics that underlie these single-spin asymmetries. Additional measurements are underway to search for the Sivers effect in mid-rapidity di-jet production.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, to appear in DIS2006 proceeding

Computing Matveev's complexity via crystallization theory: the boundary case

The notion of Gem-Matveev complexity has been introduced within crystallization theory, as a combinatorial method to estimate Matveev's complexity of closed 3-manifolds; it yielded upper bounds for interesting classes of such manifolds. In this paper we extend the definition to the case of non-empty boundary and prove that for each compact irreducible and boundary-irreducible 3-manifold it coincides with the modified Heegaard complexity introduced by Cattabriga, Mulazzani and Vesnin. Moreover, via Gem-Matveev complexity, we obtain an estimation of Matveev's complexity for all Seifert 3-manifolds with base $\mathbb D^2$ and two exceptional fibers and, therefore, for all torus knot complements.Comment: 27 pages, 14 figure

Optical deep space communication via relay satellite

The possible use of an optical for high rate data transmission from a deep space vehicle to an Earth-orbiting relay satellite while RF links are envisioned for the relay to Earth link was studied. A preliminary link analysis is presented for initial sizing of optical components and power levels, in terms of achievable data rates and feasible range distances. Modulation formats are restricted to pulsed laser operation, involving bot coded and uncoded schemes. The advantage of an optical link over present RF deep space link capabilities is shown. The problems of acquisition, pointing and tracking with narrow optical beams are presented and discussed. Mathematical models of beam trackers are derived, aiding in the design of such systems for minimizing beam pointing errors. The expected orbital geometry between spacecraft and relay satellite, and its impact on beam pointing dynamics are discussed

Pedestal and Peak Structure in Jet Correlation

We study the characteristics of correlation between particles in jets produced in heavy-ion collisions. In the framework of parton recombination we calculate the $\eta$ and $\phi$ distributions of a pion associated with a trigger particle. The origin of the pedestal in $\Delta\eta$ is related to the longitudinal expansion of the thermal partons that are enhanced by the energy loss of hard partons traversing the bulk medium. The peaks in $\Delta\eta$ and $\Delta\phi$ are related to the same angular spread of the shower partons in a jet cone. No artificial short- or long-range correlations are put in by hand. A large part of the correlation between hadrons in jets is due to the correlation among the shower partons arising from momentum conservation. Recombination between thermal and shower partons dominates the correlation characterisitics in the intermediate $p_T$ region.Comment: 14 pages in LaTex and 2 figures in ep

Global analysis of muon decay measurements

We have performed a global analysis of muon decay measurements to establish model-independent limits on the space-time structure of the muon decay matrix element. We find limits on the scalar, vector and tensor coupling of right- and left-handed muons to right- and left-handed electrons. The limits on those terms that involve the decay of right-handed muons to left-handed electrons are more restrictive than in previous global analyses, while the limits on the other non-standard model interactions are comparable. The value of the Michel parameter eta found in the global analysis is -0.0036 \pm 0.0069, slightly more precise than the value found in a more restrictive analysis of a recent measurement. This has implications for the Fermi coupling constant G_F.Comment: 5 pages, 3 table