Lattice analysis of semi-leptonic form factors

We present preliminary results from simulations done on 170 $32^3 \times 64$ lattices at $\beta = 6.0$ using quenched Wilson fermions. This talk focuses on the $Q^2$ behavior of the form-factors, extrapolation in quark masses, dependence on renormalization scheme, and comparison with heavy-quark effective theory (HQET). Even though we cannot estimate errors due to quenching and discretization, our results are consistent with experimental results for $D$ decays. We present results for the Isgur-Wise function and estimate $\xi'(w=1) = 0.97(6)$.Comment: 4 pages. Talk presented at Lattice 95. Latex. Modified "axis" source for figures also include

Wilson versus Clover fermions: A case for improvement

We present evidence for improvement with tadpole improved clover fermions based on an analysis of the chiral behavior of $B_K$ and the quark condensate. Also presented are a comparison of the mass splittings in the baryon octet and decuplet, a calculation of $c_A$ using standard 2-point correlation functions, and the problem of zero modes of the Dirac operator.Comment: 3 pages. Makefile and sources included. Talk presented at LATTICE98 (matrixelement

Testing the chiral behavior of the hadron spectrum

We analyze the chiral behavior of the hadron spectrum obtained with quenched Wilson fermions on 170 $32^3 \times 64$ lattices at $\beta = 6.0$. We calculate masses of hadrons composed of both degenerate and non-degenerate quarks. We reduce the statistical errors in mass splittings by directly fitting to the ratio of correlation functions. We find significant deviations from a linear dependence on the quark mass, deviations that are consistent with the higher order terms predicted by quenched chiral perturbation theory. Including these corrections yields splittings in the baryon octet that agree with those observed experimentally. Smaller higher order terms are also present in $m_\rho$ and $m_N$. By contrast, the decuplet baryons are well described by a linear mass term. We find the decuplet splittings to be 30% smaller than experiment. We extrapolate our data to $a \to 0$ by combining with the GF11 results, and the best fit suggests that the quenched approximation is only good to $10-15$.Comment: 4 pages. Poster presented at Lattice 95. Latex with modified "axis" source for figures also include

The Direct Detection of Boosted Dark Matter at High Energies and PeV events at IceCube

We study the possibility of detecting dark matter directly via a small but energetic component that is allowed within present-day constraints. Drawing closely upon the fact that neutral current neutrino nucleon interactions are indistinguishable from DM-nucleon interactions at low energies, we extend this feature to high energies for a small, non-thermal but highly energetic population of DM particle $\chi$, created via the decay of a significantly more massive and long-lived non-thermal relic $\phi$, which forms the bulk of DM. If $\chi$ interacts with nucleons, its cross-section, like the neutrino-nucleus coherent cross-section, can rise sharply with energy leading to deep inelastic scattering, similar to neutral current neutrino-nucleon interactions at high energies. Thus, its direct detection may be possible via cascades in very large neutrino detectors. As a specific example, we apply this notion to the recently reported three ultra-high energy PeV cascade events clustered around $1-2$ PeV at IceCube (IC). We discuss the features which may help discriminate this scenario from one in which only astrophysical neutrinos constitute the event sample in detectors like IC.Comment: v1: 6 pages, 4 figures; v2: More references added, minor text changes for clarification; v3: Title change, major revision, updated references; v4: Corrected Fig. 1b, Version published in JCA

Fixed-point pure gauge action using b=3 b= \sqrt{3} RGT

We present a status report on the construction of the classical perfect action using the $b=\sqrt{3}$ renormalization group transformation (RGT). We investigate finite volume corrections and map the locality of the fixed-point action by tuning the RGT parameter, $\kappa$. We compare results with the previous calculation for b=2 RGT.Comment: 3 pages. Contribution to LATTICE99(Improvement and Renormalization), June 1999, Pisa, Ital