Weak Magnetism in Two Neutrino Double Beta Decay

We have extended the formalism for the two-neutrino double beta decay by including the weak-magnetism term, as well as other second-forbidden corrections. The weak magnetism diminishes the calculated half-lives in $\sim 10$, independently of the nuclear structure. Numerical computations were performed within the pn-QRPA, for $^{76}Ge$, $^{82}Se$, $^{100} Mo$, $^{128}Te$ and $^{130}Te$ nuclei. No one of the second-forbidden corrections modifies significantly the spectrum shapes. The total reduction in the calculated half lives varies from 6% up to 32%, and strongly depend on the nuclear interaction in the particle-particle $S=1,T=0$ channel. We conclude that the higher order effects in the weak Hamiltonian would hardly be observed in the two-neutrino double beta experiments.Comment: 8 pages, latex, 1ps figure, to appear in Phys. Lett.

Solving the Constraints of General Relativity

I show in this letter that it is possible to solve some of the constraints of the $SO(3)$-ADM formalism for general relativity by using an approach similar to the one introduced by Capovilla, Dell and Jacobson to solve the vector and scalar constraints in the Ashtekar variables framework. I discuss the advantages of using the ADM formalism and compare the result with similar proposals for different Hamiltonian formulations of general relativity.Comment: 8 pages, LATEX, no figures, Preprint CGPG-94/11-

Competition between standard and exotic double beta decays

We discuss the contributions of higher order terms in weak Hamiltonian to the standard two-neutrino double beta decay. The formalism for the unique first forbidden transitions has been developed, and it is shown that they can alter the two-electron energy spectrum. Yet, their effect is too small to screen the detection of exotic neutrinoless double beta decays, which are candidates for testing the physics beyond the standard model.Comment: 9 pages, latex, 1ps figures, minor changes, to appear in Phys. Lett.

σ\sigma meson exchange effect on nonmesonic hypernuclear weak decay observables

We analyze the influence of $\sigma$ meson exchange on the main nonmesonic hypernuclear weak decay observables: the total rate, $\Gamma_{NM}$, the neutron-to-proton branching ratio, $\Gamma_{n/p}$, and the proton asymmetry parameter, $a_\Lambda$. The $\sigma$ meson exchange is added to the standard strangeness-changing weak $\Lambda N\to NN$ transition potential, which includes the exchange of the complete pseudoscalar and vector mesons octet ($\pi$, $\eta$, $K$, $\rho$, $\omega$, $K^*$). Using a shell model formalism, the $\sigma$ meson weak coupling constants are adjusted to reproduce the recent $\Gamma_{NM}$ and $\Gamma_{n/p}$ experimental data for $^5_{\Lambda}He$. Numerical results for the remaining observables of $^5_{\Lambda}He$ and all the observables of $^{12}_{\Lambda}C$ decays are presented. They clearly show that the addition of the $\sigma$ meson, in spite of improving some observables values, is not enough to reproduce simultaneously all the measurements, and the puzzle posed by the experimental data remains unexplained.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure. Submitted for publication in Phys. Re

SO(4,C)-covariant Ashtekar-Barbero gravity and the Immirzi parameter

An so(4,C)-covariant hamiltonian formulation of a family of generalized Hilbert-Palatini actions depending on a parameter (the so called Immirzi parameter) is developed. It encompasses the Ashtekar-Barbero gravity which serves as a basis of quantum loop gravity. Dirac quantization of this system is constructed. Next we study dependence of the quantum system on the Immirzi parameter. The path integral quantization shows no dependence on it. A way to modify the loop approach in the accordance with the formalism developed here is briefly outlined.Comment: 14 pages, LATEX; minor changes; misprints corrected; commutator of two secondary second class constraints correcte

One pion production in neutrino-nucleon scattering and the different parametrizations of the weak N→ΔN\rightarrow\Delta vertex

The $N \to \Delta$ weak vertex provides an important contribution to the one pion production in neutrino-nucleon and neutrino-nucleus scattering for $\pi N$ invariant masses below 1.4 GeV. Beyond its interest as a tool in neutrino detection and their background analyses, one pion production in neutrino-nucleon scattering is useful to test predictions based on the quark model and other internal symmetries of strong interactions. Here we try to establish a connection between two commonly used parametrizations of the weak $N \to \Delta$ vertex and form factors (FF) and we study their effects on the determination of the axial coupling $C_5^A(0)$, the common normalization of the axial FF, which is predicted to hold 1.2 by using the PCAC hypothesis. Predictions for the $\nu_{\mu} p \to \mu^- p\pi^+$ total cross sections within the two approaches, which include the resonant $\Delta^{++}$ and other background contributions in a coherent way, are compared to experimental data.Comment: Submitted to Physics Letters

Real Ashtekar Variables for Lorentzian Signature Space-times

I suggest in this letter a new strategy to attack the problem of the reality conditions in the Ashtekar approach to classical and quantum general relativity. By writing a modified Hamiltonian constraint in the usual $SO(3)$ Yang-Mills phase space I show that it is possible to describe space-times with Lorentzian signature without the introduction of complex variables. All the features of the Ashtekar formalism related to the geometrical nature of the new variables are retained; in particular, it is still possible, in principle, to use the loop variables approach in the passage to the quantum theory. The key issue in the new formulation is how to deal with the more complicated Hamiltonian constraint that must be used in order to avoid the introduction of complex fields.Comment: 10 pages, LATEX, Preprint CGPG-94/10-