On the ξ\xi-Distribution of Inclusively Produced Particles in e+e−e^+e^- Annihilation

We discuss the momentum distributions of inclusively produced particles in $e^+e^-$ annihilation. We show that the dependence of the position of the maxima of the $\xi=\ln(1/z)$ spectra on the mass of the produced particles follows naturally from the general definition of fragmentation functions when energy-momentum conservation is correctly incorporated

Potential surfaces for O atom-polymer reactions

Ab initio quantum chemistry methods are used to study the energetics of interactions of O atoms with organic compounds. Polyethylene (CH2)n has been chosen as the model system to study the interactions of O(3P) and O(1D) atoms with polymers. In particular, H abstraction is investigated and polyethylene is represented by a C3 (propane) oligomeric model. The gradient method, as implemented in the GRADSCF package of programs, is used to determine the geometries and energies of products and reactants. The saddle point, barrier geometry is determined by minimizing the squares of the gradients of the potential with respect to the internal coordinates. To correctly describe the change in bonding during the reaction at least a two configuration MCSCF (multiconfiguration self consistent field) or GVB (generalized valence bond) wave function has to be used. Basis sets include standard Pople and Dunning sets, however, increased with polarization functions and diffuse p functions on both the C and O atoms. The latter is important due to the O(-) character of the wave function at the saddle point and products. Normal modes and vibrational energy levels are given for the reactants, saddle points and products. Finally, quantitative energetics are obtained by implementing a small CAS (complete active space) approach followed by limited configuration interaction (CI) calculations. Comparisons are made with available experimental data

Novel Quark Fragmentation Functions and the Nucleon's Transversity Distribution

We define twist-two and twist-three quark fragmentation functions in Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) and study their physical implications. Using this formalism we show how the nucleon's transversity distribution can be measured in single pion inclusive electroproduction.Comment: 10 pages, uses PHYZZX macro package, 2 PostScript figures (added using FIGURES). MIT-CTP-215

Spin structure and longitudinal polarization of hyperon in e+e- annihilation at high energies

Longitudinal polarizations of different kinds of hyperons produced in e+e- annihilation at LEP I and LEP II energies in different event samples are calculated using two different pictures for the spin structure of hyperon: that drawn from polarized deep inelastic lepton-nucleon scattering data or that using SU(6) symmetric wave functions. The result shows that measurements of such polarizations should provide useful information to the question of which picture is more suitable in describing the spin effects in the fragmentation processes.Comment: 26 pages with 10 figures. Submitted to Phys. Rev.

Cosmological constraints from the X-ray gas mass fraction in relaxed lensing clusters observed with Chandra

We present precise measurements of the X-ray gas mass fraction for a sample of luminous, relatively relaxed clusters of galaxies observed with the Chandra Observatory, for which independent confirmation of the mass results is available from gravitational lensing studies. Parameterizing the total (luminous plus dark matter) mass profiles using the model of Navarro, Frenk & White (1997), we show that the X-ray gas mass fractions in the clusters asymptote towards an approximately constant value at a radius r_2500, where the mean interior density is 2500 times the critical density of the Universe at the redshifts of the clusters. Combining the Chandra results on the X-ray gas mass fraction and its apparent redshift dependence with recent measurements of the mean baryonic matter density in the Universe and the Hubble Constant determined from the Hubble Key Project, we obtain a tight constraint on the mean total matter density of the Universe, Omega_m = 0.30^{+0.04}_{-0.03}, and measure a positive cosmological constant, Omega_Lambda = 0.95^{+0.48}_{-0.72}. Our results are in good agreement with recent, independent findings based on analyses of anisotropies in the cosmic microwave background radiation, the properties of distant supernovae, and the large-scale distribution of galaxies.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS Letters (6 pages, 3 figures

Chiral-Odd and Spin-Dependent Quark Fragmentation Functions and their Applications

We define a number of quark fragmentation functions for spin-0, -1/2 and -1 hadrons, and classify them according to their twist, spin and chirality. As an example of their applications, we use them to analyze semi-inclusive deep-inelastic scattering on a transversely polarized nucleon.Comment: 19 pages in Plain TeX, MIT CTP #221