Gauged B−3LτB - 3 L_\tau and Baryogenesis

It has recently been shown that by extending the minimal standard model to include a right-handed partner to $\nu_\tau$, it is possible to gauge the $B - 3 L_\tau$ quantum number consistently. If we add two scalar triplets, one trivial ($\xi_1$) and one nontrivial ($\xi_2$) under $B - 3 L_\tau$, it is possible also to have desirable neutrino masses and mixing for neutrino oscillations. At the same time, a lepton asymmetry can be generated in the early universe through the novel mechanism of the decay of the heavier $\xi_1$ into the lighter $\xi_2$ plus a neutral singlet ($\zeta^0$). This lepton asymmetry then gets converted into a baryon asymmetry at the electroweak phase transition.Comment: 16 pages including two postscript figure

Allowable Low-Energy E_6 Subgroups from Leptogenesis

There are only two viable low-energy $E_6$ subgroups: $SU(3)_C \times SU(2)_L \times U(1)_Y \times U(1)_N$ or $SU(3)_C \times SU(2)_L \times SU(2)'_R \times U(1)_{Y_L + Y'_R}$, which would not erase any preexisting lepton asymmetry of the Universe that may have been created by the decay of heavy singlet (right-handed) neutrinos or any other mechanism. They are also the two most favored $E_6$ subgroups from a recent analysis of present neutral-current data. We study details of the leptogenesis, as well as some salient experimental signatures of the two models.Comment: 12 page

Airborne Particles in Museums

Presents one in a series of research activities aimed at a better understanding of the origin and fate of air pollution within the built environment

Tri-Bimaximal Neutrino Mixing and the Family Symmetry Z_7 x Z_3

The Non-Abelian finite group PSL_2(7) is the only simple subgroup of SU(3) with a complex three-dimensional irreducible representation. It has two maximal subgroups, S_4 which, along with its own A_4 subgroup, has been successfully applied in numerous models of flavor, as well as the 21 element Frobenius group Z_7 x Z_3, which has gained much less attention. We show that it can also be used to generate tri-bimaximal mixing in the neutrino sector, while allowing for quark and charged lepton hierarchies.Comment: 15 pages, matches published version, updated reference

Development of C-Line plot technique for the characterization of edge effects in acoustic imaging: A case study using flip chip package geometry

Edge effect is a common phenomenon observed in acoustic micro-imaging of microelectronic packages. In this paper, using flip chip package geometry as a test vehicle, finite element modelling is carried out to study the fundamental mechanism of the edge effect phenomenon. C-Line plot technique is developed for the characterization of edge effects in acoustic C-scan images, in particular solder joint C-scan images. Simulated results are compared to experimental results. Results reveal that edge effect generation is mainly attributed to the under-bump-metallisation structure. In addition, through analysis of the C-Line profile of edge effects, the impact of the transducer focal point and the spot size on the edge effect is investigated. Results show that slight off-focus can reduce the severity of the edge effect in which image sharpness is a trade-off

Supersymmetric Triplet Higgs Model of Neutrino Masses and Leptogenesis

We construct a supersymmetric version of the triplet Higgs model for neutrino masses, which can generate a baryon asymmetry of the Universe through lepton-number violation and is consistent with the gravitino constraints.Comment: 24 pages, 4 figure

The Stability of Zirconia-Saturated Perovskite and Conditions in the Early Solar System

Perovskite and tazheranite (cubic zirconia) are among the most refractory oxides in nebular vapors [1] and important repositories for several refractory elements whose concentrations can potentially be used to constrain the environments of formation. There are numerous studies on the phase relations and thermodynamic properties of zirconias containing Al, Ca, Mg, Sc, Ti, and the REE [e.g., 2-4], but meteoritic zirconia is rare [5]. Meteoritic perovskite is much more common [e.g., 5-9], but there are few constraints on thermodynamic properties of the relevant solid solutions. Here, we describe experiments to determine the partitioning of minor elements between perovskite and zirconia of variable Zr/Ti; the results will be used to constrain thermodynamic modeling for the solid solutions represented by meteoritic perovskite

Leptogenesis from Neutralino Decay with Nonholomorphic R-Parity Violation

In supersymmetric models with lepton-number violation, hence also R-parity violation, it is easy to have realistic neutrino masses, but then leptogenesis becomes difficult to achieve. After explaining the general problems involved, we study the details of a model which escapes these constraints and generates a lepton asymmetry, which gets converted into the present observed baryon asymmetry of the Universe through the electroweak sphalerons. This model requires the presence of certain nonholomorphic R-parity violating terms. For completeness we also present the most general R-parity violating Lagrangian with soft nonholomorphic terms and study their consequences for the charged-scalar mass matrix. New contributions to neutrino masses in this scenario are discussed.Comment: 30 pages, 6 figure

Finite Element Modelling for the Investigation of Edge Effect in Acoustic Micro Imaging of Microelectronic Packages

In acoustic micro imaging of microelectronic packages, edge effect is often presented as artifacts of C-scan images, which may potentially obscure the detection of defects such as cracks and voids in the solder joints. The cause of edge effect is debatable. In this paper, a two-dimensional finite element model is developed on the basis of acoustic micro imaging of a flip-chip package using a 230 MHz focused transducer to investigate acoustic propagation inside the package in attempt to elucidate the fundamental mechanism that causes the edge effect. A virtual transducer is designed in the finite element model to reduce the coupling fluid domain, and its performance is characterised against the physical transducer specification. The numerical results showed that the Under Bump Metallization (UBM) structure inside the package has a significant impact on the edge effect. Simulated wavefields also showed that the edge effect is mainly attributed to the horizontal scatter, which is observed in the interface of silicon die-to-the outer radius of solder bump. The horizontal scatter occurs even for a flip-chip package without the UBM structure