Evidence for Bosonic Electroweak Corrections in the Standard Model

We present strong indirect evidence for the contribution of bosonic electroweak corrections in the Standard Model. Although important conceptually, these corrections give subleading contributions in current high energy experiments, and it was previously thought that they are difficult to detect. We also discuss the separate contribution of the Higgs boson.Comment: 9 pages (LaTeX + 3 PS figures, needs psfig

The electroweak form factor \hat{\kappa}(q^2) and the running of \sin^2 \hat{\theta}_W

Gauge independent form factors \rho^(e; e) and \hat{\kappa}^(e; e)(q^2) for Moller scattering at s << m_W^2 are derived. It is pointed out that \hat{\kappa}^(e; e) is very different from its counterparts in other processes. The relation between the effective parameter \hat{\kappa}^(e; e)(q^2,\mu) \sin^2 \hat{\theta}_W(\mu) and \sin^2 \theta_eff is derived in a scale-independent manner. A gauge and process-independent running parameter \sin^2 \hat{\theta}_W (q^2), based on the pinch-technique self-energy a_{\gamma Z} (q^2), is discussed for all q^2 values. At q^2=0 it absorbs very accurately the Czarnecki-Marciano calculation of the Moller scattering asymmetry at low s values, and at q^2 = m^2_Z it is rather close to \sin^2 \theta_eff. The q^2 dependence of \sin^2 \hat{\theta}_W (q^2) is displayed in the space and time-like domains.Comment: A new paragraph has been inserted at the beginning of the discussion in Section

Topics in Electroweak Physics

We briefly discuss five topics in Precision Electroweak Physics: i) the recently proposed Effective Scheme of Renormalization, ii) evidence for electroweak bosonic corrections derived from the radiative correction Delta_r_eff, iii) an approach to estimate the scale of new physics in a hypothetical Higgs-less scenario, iv) simple and accurate formulae for s^2_eff, M_W, Gamma_l, and their physical applications, v) a recent proposal concerning the field renormalization constant for unstable particles.Comment: 5 pages, talk presented at the International Symposium Radcor 2002, September 8-13, Kloster Banz, German

Radiative Correction to the anti-nu_e (nu_e) Spectrum in beta-Decay

We derive an analytic expression for the O(alpha) radiative correction to the anti-nu_e (nu_e) spectrum in allowed beta-decay. The m -> 0 limit is convergent and leads to a very simple result (m is the electron mass). This is in sharp contrast to the correction to the e^- (e^+) spectrum, that diverges as m -> 0, an important difference that we explain on theoretical grounds. After discussing some of their general properties, we use the corrections to the anti-nu_e and e^- spectra to derive the corresponding correction to the e^- -> anti-nu_e conversion, a relation that is of considerable interest for reactor studies of neutrino oscillations.Comment: Sentences added at the end of the conclusions, additional reference included, two typographical errors in the text corrected. 8 page

Micro-precision control/structure interaction technology for large optical space systems

The CSI program at JPL is chartered to develop the structures and control technology needed for sub-micron level stabilization of future optical space systems. The extreme dimensional stability required for such systems derives from the need to maintain the alignment and figure of critical optical elements to a small fraction (typically 1/20th to 1/50th) of the wavelength of detected radiation. The wavelength is about 0.5 micron for visible light and 0.1 micron for ultra-violet light. This lambda/50 requirement is common to a broad class of optical systems including filled aperture telescopes (with monolithic or segmented primary mirrors), sparse aperture telescopes, and optical interferometers. The challenge for CSI arises when such systems become large, with spatially distributed optical elements mounted on a lightweight, flexible structure. In order to better understand the requirements for micro-precision CSI technology, a representative future optical system was identified and developed as an analytical testbed for CSI concepts and approaches. An optical interferometer was selected as a stressing example of the relevant mission class. The system that emerged was termed the Focus Mission Interferometer (FMI). This paper will describe the multi-layer control architecture used to address the FMI's nanometer level stabilization requirements. In addition the paper will discuss on-going and planned experimental work aimed at demonstrating that multi-layer CSI can work in practice in the relevant performance regime

Mass and Width of a Heavy Higgs Boson

The gauge dependence of the Higgs-boson mass and width in the on-shell scheme of renormalization is studied in the heavy-Higgs-boson approximation. The corresponding expansions in the pole scheme are analyzed adopting three frequently employed parametrizations. The convergence properties and other theoretical features of the on-shell and pole expansions, as well as their relative merits, are discussed.Comment: 8 pages (Latex), 1 figure (Postscript

Considerations concerning the generalization of the Dirac equations to unstable fermions

We discuss the generalization of the Dirac equations and spinors in momentum space to free unstable spin-$1/2$ fermions taking into account the fundamental requirement of Lorentz covariance. We derive the generalized adjoint Dirac equations and spinors, and explain the very simple relation that exists, in our formulation, between the unstable and stable cases. As an application of the generalized spinors, we evaluate the probability density. We also discuss the behavior of the generalized Dirac equations under time reversal.Comment: 7 pages, matches journal versio