On V_ud determination from kaon decays

The pion beta decay pi^+ -> pi^0 e^+ nu proceeds through pure weak vector hadronic currents and, therefore, the theoretical prediction for it is more reliable than for the processes with axial-vector current contribution. For example, recently the pion beta decay has been used for V_ud determination. The main aim of this letter is to point that kaon beta decay K^0 -> K^+(pi^+ pi^0) e^- nu-bar analogously can be used for this purpose.Comment: 3 pages, no figures, one reference adde

Accessing transversity with interference fragmentation functions

We discuss in detail the option to access the transversity distribution function $h_1(x)$ by utilizing the analyzing power of interference fragmentation functions in two-pion production inside the same current jet. The transverse polarization of the fragmenting quark is related to the transverse component of the relative momentum of the hadron pair via a new azimuthal angle. As a specific example, we spell out thoroughly the way to extract $h_1(x)$ from a measured single spin asymmetry in two-pion inclusive lepton-nucleon scattering. To estimate the sizes of observable effects we employ a spectator model for the fragmentation functions. The resulting asymmetry of our example is discussed as arising in different scenarios for the transversity.Comment: 17 pages, 15 figures in .eps format included, typesetted in RevTeX and epsfig.sty, submitted to Phys. Rev.

Transverse momentum dependence in gluon distribution and fragmentation functions

We investigate the twist two gluon distribution functions for spin 1/2 hadrons, emphasizing intrinsic transverse momentum of the gluons. These functions are relevant in leading order in the inverse hard scale in scattering processes such as inclusive leptoproduction or Drell-Yan scattering, or more general in hard processes in which at least two hadrons are involved. They show up in azimuthal asymmetries. For future estimates of such observables, we discuss specific bounds on these functions.Comment: 14 pages, revtex, 7 Postscript figure

The H-Dibaryon and the Hard Core

The H dibaryon, a single, triply magic bag containing two up, two down and two strange quarks, has long been sought after in a variety of experiments. Its creation has been attempted in $K^-$, proton and most recently in relativistic heavy ion induced reactions. We concentrate on the latter, but our conclusions are more generally applicable. The two baryons coalescing to form the single dibaryon, likely $\Lambda \Lambda$ in the case of heavy ions, must penetrate the short range repulsive barrier which is expected to exist between them. We find that this barrier can profoundly affect the probability of producing the H state, should it actually exist.Comment: 9 pages including 4 figure

Nuclear and nucleon transitions of the H di-baryon

We consider 3 types of processes pertinent to the phenomenology of an H di-baryon: conversion of two $\Lambda$'s in a doubly-strange hypernucleus to an H, decay of the H to two baryons, and -- if the H is light enough -- conversion of two nucleons in a nucleus to an H. We compute the spatial wavefunction overlap using the Isgur-Karl and Bethe-Goldstone wavefunctions, and treat the weak interactions phenomenologically. The observation of $\Lambda$ decays from doubly-strange hypernuclei puts a constraint on the H wavefunction which is plausibly satisfied. In this case the H is very long-lived as we calculate. An absolutely stable H is not excluded at present. SuperK can provide valuable limits

Tau and Charm physics highlights

In tau physics, we are at the frontier between the completion of the LEP program and the start of analyses from b-factories, which are expected to produce results in the coming years. Nice results from CLEO are steadily delivered in the meantime. For charm, impressive progress have been achieved by fixed target experiments in the search for CP violation and D^0 - \bar D^0 oscillations. First results from b-factories demonstrate the power of these facilities in such areas. The novel measurement of the D* width by CLEO happens to be rather different from current expectations. The absence of a charm factory explains the lack or the very slow progress in the absolute scale determinations for charm decays.Comment: "Typos corrected and references added

Strange form factors in the context of SAMPLE, HAPPEX, and A4 experiments

The strange properties of the nucleon are investigated within the framework of the SU(3) chiral quark-soliton model assuming isospin symmetry and applying the symmetry conserving SU(3) quantization. We present the form factors $G^0_{E,M}(Q^2)$, $G^Z_M(Q^2)$ and the electric and magnetic strange form factors $G^s_{E,M}(Q^2)$ incorporating pion and kaon asymptotics. The results show a fairly good agreement with the recent experimental data from the SAMPLE and HAPPEX collaborations. We also present predictions for future measurements including the A4 experiment at MAMI (Mainz).Comment: 10 pages with four figures. RevTeX4 is used. Few lines are changed. Accepted for publication in Phys.Rev.

Implications of the CP asymmetry in semileptonic B decay

Recent experimental searches for $A_{SL}$, the CP asymmetry in semileptonic B decay, have reached an accuracy of order one percent. Consequently, they give meaningful constraints on new physics. We find that cancellations between the Standard Model (SM) and new physics contributions to $B^0 - \bar B^0$ mixing cannot be as strong as was allowed prior to these measurements. The predictions for this asymmetry within the SM and within models of minimal flavor violation (MFV) are below the reach of present and near future measurements. Including order $m_c^2/m_b^2$ and $\Lambda_{QCD}/m_b$ corrections we obtain the SM prediction: $-1.3 \times 10^{-3} < A_{SL} < -0.5 \times 10^{-3}$. Future measurements can exclude not only the SM, but MFV as well, if the sign of the asymmetry is opposite to the SM or if it is same-sign but much enhanced. We also comment on the CP asymmetry in semileptonic $B_s$ decay, and update the range of the angle $\beta_s$ in the SM: $0.026 < \sin2\beta_s < 0.048$.Comment: 16 pages, a sign typo in eq.(11) fixed, to appear in Phys. Rev.

Probing gluon helicity distribution and quark transversity through hyperon polarization in singly polarized pp collisions

We study the polarization of hyperon in different processes in singly polarized $pp$ collisions, in particular its relation to the polarized parton distributions. We show that by measuring hyperon polarization in particularly chosen processes, one can extract useful information on these parton distributions. We show in particular that, by measuring the $\Sigma^+$ polarization in high $p_T$ direct photon production process, one can extract information on the gluon helicity distribution; and by measuring the transverse polarization of hyeprons with high $p_T$ in singly polarized reactions, one can obtain useful information on the transversity distribution. We present the numerical results obtained for those hyperon polarizations using different models for parton distribution function and those for the spin transfer in fragmentation processes.Comment: 25 pages, 8 figures, to appear in Phys. Rev.

Radiative Scalar Meson Decays in the Light-Front Quark Model

We construct a relativistic $^3P_0$ wavefunction for scalar mesons within the framework of light-front quark model(LFQM). This scalar wavefunction is used to perform relativistic calculations of absolute widths for the radiative decay processes$(0^{++})\to\gamma\gamma,(0^{++})\to\phi\gamma$, and $(0^{++})\to\rho\gamma$ which incorporate the effects of glueball-$q\bar{q}$ mixing. The mixed physical states are assumed to be $f_0(1370),f_0(1500)$,and $f_0(1710)$ for which the flavor-glue content is taken from the mixing calculations of other works. Since experimental data for these processes are poor, our results are compared with those of a recent non-relativistic model calculation. We find that while the relativistic corrections introduced by the LFQM reduce the magnitudes of the decay widths by 50-70%, the relative strengths between different decay processes are fairly well preserved. We also calculate decay widths for the processes $\phi\to(0^{++})\gamma$ and (0^{++})\to\gamma\gamm involving the light scalars $f_0(980)$ and $a_0(980)$ to test the simple $q\bar{q}$ model of these mesons. Our results of $q\bar{q}$ model for these processes are not quite consistent with well-established data, further supporting the idea that $f_0(980)$ and $a_0(980)$ are not conventional $q\bar{q}$ states.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figure