NLO Corrections to the kernel of the BKP-equations

We present results for the NLO kernel of the BKP equations for composite states of three reggeized gluons in the Odderon channel, both in QCD and in N=4 SYM. The NLO kernel consists of the NLO BFKL kernel in the color octet representation and the connected $3\to3$ kernel, computed in the tree approximation.Comment: 28 pages, 7 figure

Off-Shell Scattering Amplitudes for WW Scattering and the Role of the Photon Pole

We derive analytic expressions for high energy $2 \to 2$ off-shell scattering amplitudes of weak vector bosons. They are obtained from six fermion final states in processes of the type $e^+ e^- \to \bar\nu_e + (WW) + \nu_e \to \bar\nu_e + (l\nu)(l\nu) + \nu_e$. As an application we reconsider the unitarity bounds on the Higgs mass. Particular attention is given to the role of the photon exchange which has not been considered in earlier investigations; we find that the photon weakens the bound of the Higgs mass.Comment: 16 pages, 8 figure

Exclusive diffractive processes at HERA within the dipole picture

We present a simultaneous analysis, within an impact parameter dependent saturated dipole model, of exclusive diffractive vector meson (J/psi, phi and rho) production, deeply virtual Compton scattering and the total gamma* p cross section data measured at HERA. Various cross sections measured as a function of the kinematic variables Q^2, W and t are well described, with little sensitivity to the details of the vector meson wave functions. We determine the properties of the gluon density in the proton in both longitudinal and transverse dimensions, including the impact parameter dependent saturation scale. The overall success of the description indicates universality of the emerging gluon distribution and proton shape.Comment: 48 pages, 28 figures, the final version to appear in Physical Review

Pore Stabilization in Cohesive Granular Systems

Cohesive powders tend to form porous aggregates which can be compacted by applying an external pressure. This process is modelled using the Contact Dynamics method supplemented with a cohesion law and rolling friction. Starting with ballistic deposits of varying density, we investigate how the porosity of the compacted sample depends on the cohesion strength and the friction coefficients. This allows to explain different pore stabilization mechanisms. The final porosity depends on the cohesion force scaled by the external pressure and on the lateral distance between branches of the ballistic deposit r_capt. Even if cohesion is switched off, pores can be stabilized by Coulomb friction alone. This effect is weak for round particles, as long as the friction coefficient is smaller than 1. However, for nonspherical particles the effect is much stronger.Comment: 10 pages, 15 figure

Colored Spin Systems, BKP Evolution and finite N_c effects

Even within the framework of the leading logarithmic approximation the eigenvalues of the BKP kernel for states of more than three reggeized gluons are unknown in general, contrary to the planar limit case where the problem becomes integrable. We consider a 4-gluon kernel for a finite number of colors and define some simple toy models for the configuration space dynamics, which are directly solvable with group theoretical methods. Then we study the dependence of the spectrum of these models with respect to the number of colors and make comparisons with the large limit case.Comment: 17 pages, 4 figures, references update, to appear on EPJ

Unifying approach to hard diffraction

We find a consistency between two different approaches of hard diffraction, namely the QCD dipole model and the Soft Colour Interaction approach. A theoretical interpretation in terms of S-Matrix and perturbative QCD properties in the small $x_{Bj}$ regime is proposed.Comment: 4pages, 1 figure, letter submitted for publicatio

Strategien zur Reduzierung der Kupferaufwandmengen im ökologischen Kartoffelanbau – Projekt “ÖKO-SIMPHYT“

Potato late blight (Phytophthora infestans) is still an unsolved problem in organic farming. Up to now the disease can only be controlled by copper fungicides. Our project is aiming to reduce the application of copper-containing fungicides by introduc-tion of the new blight forecasting system “ÖKO-SIMPHYT” based on meteorological parameters. Primary stem infections should be reduced by seed treatment with copper fungicides thus to postpone the beginning of the blight epidemic as well as the start of spraying. To control secondary infections on the foliage, fungicide strategies should be elaborated to achieve best efficacy with reduced amounts of copper. Therefore copper amounts and spraying intervals should be adjusted to the infection pressure. Based on the biological and epidemiological conditions for primary and secondary infections the new developed potato blight forecast system ÖKO-SIMPHYT should be optimized