Degenerate Domain Wall Solutions in Supersymmetric Theories

A family of degenerate domain wall configurations, partially preserving supersymmetry, is discussed in a generalized Wess-Zumino model with two scalar superfields. We establish some general features inherent to the models with continuously degenerate domain walls. For instance, for purely real trajectories additional "integrals of motion" exist. The solution for the profile of the scalar fields for any wall belonging to the family is found in quadratures for arbitrary ratio of the coupling constants. For a special value of this ratio the solution family is obtained explicitly in terms of elementary functions. We also discuss the threshold amplitudes for multiparticle production generated by these solutions. New unexpected nullifications of the threshold amplitudes are found.Comment: 21 pages, LaTeX, 3 figures using epsf.st

Neutrino Spin Flavor Precession and Leptogenesis

We argue that \Delta L=2 neutrino spin flavor precession, induced by the primordial magnetic fields, could have a significant impact on the leptogenesis process that accounts for the baryon asymmetry of the universe. Although the extra galactic magnetic fields is extremely weak at present time (about 10^{-9} Gauss), the primordial magnetic filed at the electroweak scale could be quite strong (of order 10^{17} Gauss). Therefore, at this scale, the effects of the spin flavor precession are not negligible. We show that the lepton asymmetry may be reduced by 50% due to the spin flavor precession. In addition, the leptogenesis will have different feature from the standard scenario of leptogenesis, where the lepton asymmetry continues to oscillate even after the electroweak phase transition.Comment: 5 pages, one figure. References adde

Stochastic current switching in bistable resonant tunneling systems

Current-voltage characteristics of resonant-tunneling structures often exhibit intrinsic bistabilities. In the bistable region of the I-V curve one of the two current states is metastable. The system switches from the metastable state to the stable one at a random moment in time. The mean switching time \tau depends exponentially on the bias measured from the boundary of the bistable region V_{th}. We find full expressions for \tau (including prefactors) as functions of bias, sample geometry, and in-plane conductivity. Our results take universal form upon appropriate renormalization of the threshold voltage V_{th}. We also show that in large samples the switching initiates inside, at the edge, or at a corner of the sample depending on the parameters of the system.Comment: 21 pages, 5 figure

Decay of metastable current states in one-dimensional resonant tunneling devices

Current switching in a double-barrier resonant tunneling structure is studied in the regime where the current-voltage characteristic exhibits intrinsic bistability, so that in a certain range of bias two different steady states of current are possible. Near the upper boundary V_{th} of the bistable region the upper current state is metastable, and because of the shot noise it eventually decays to the stable lower current state. We find the time of this switching process in strip-shaped devices, with the width small compared to the length. As the bias V is tuned away from the boundary value V_{th} of the bistable region, the mean switching time \tau increases exponentially. We show that in long strips \ln\tau \propto (V_{th} -V)^{5/4}, whereas in short strips \ln\tau \propto (V_{th} -V)^{3/2}. The one-dimensional geometry of the problem enables us to obtain analytically exact expressions for both the exponential and the prefactor of \tau. Furthermore, we show that, depending on the parameters of the system, the switching can be initiated either inside the strip, or at its ends.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figures, update to published versio

Catalyzed decay of false vacuum in four dimensions

The probability of destruction of a metastable vacuum state by the field of a highly virtual particle with energy $E$ is calculated for a (3+1) dimensional theory in the leading WKB approximation in the thin-wall limit. It is found that the induced nucleation rate of bubbles, capable of expansion, is exponentially small at any energy. The negative exponential power in the rate reaches its maximum at the energy, corresponding to the top of the barrier in the bubble energy, where it is a finite fraction of the same power in the probability of the spontaneous decay of the false vacuum, i.e. at $E=0$.Comment: 9 pages (standard LaTeX)+ 3 figures (one figure in LaTeX, two are appended in PostScript). TPI-MINN-92/31-

Measurement of stresses in polymeric films with Braille and tactile elements

The paper is devoted to the problem of stress measurements in polymeric films with Braille and tactile relief elements by using the method of photo-elasticity. A separate Braille and tactile relief element is analyzed numerically by using an axisymmetric model and the problem of determination of distribution of equivalent stress is investigated. Nodal stresses are calculated by using the procedure of conjugate approximation. Equivalent stresses are represented by intensity of the image. A special experimental setup was developed for the measurement of stresses in polymeric materials. The obtained results of investigations are used in the process of design of polymeric films with Braille and tactile relief elements by taking into account the stress distributions in them

Flavour-conserving oscillations of Dirac-Majorana neutrinos

We analyze both chirality-changing and chirality-preserving transitions of Dirac-Majorana neutrinos. In vacuum, the first ones are suppressed with respect to the others due to helicity conservation and the interactions with a (``normal'') medium practically does not affect the expressions of the probabilities for these transitions, even if the amplitudes of oscillations slightly change. For usual situations involving relativistic neutrinos we find no resonant enhancement for all flavour-conserving transitions. However, for very light neutrinos propagating in superdense media, the pattern of oscillations $\nu_L \to \nu^C_L$ is dramatically altered with respect to the vacuum case, the transition probability practically vanishing. An application of this result is envisaged.Comment: 14 pages, latex 2E, no figure

Observing Spontaneous Strong Parity Violation in Heavy-Ion Collisions

We discuss the problem of observing spontaneous parity and CP violation in collision systems. We discuss and propose observables which may be used in heavy-ion collisions to observe such violations, as well as event-by-event methods to analyze the data. Finally, we discuss simple monte-carlo models of these CP violating effects which we have used to develop our techniques and from which we derive rough estimates of sensitivities to signals which may be seen at RHIC

Dirac-Neutrino Magnetic Moment and the Dynamics of a Supernova Explosion

The double conversion of the neutrino helicity $\nu_L \to \nu_R \to \nu_L$ has been analyzed for supernova conditions, where the first stage is due to the interaction of the neutrino magnetic moment with plasma electrons and protons in the supernova core, and the second stage, due to the resonance spin flip of the neutrino in the magnetic field of the supernova envelope. It is shown that, in the presence of the neutrino magnetic moment in the range $10^{-13} \mu_{\rm B} < \mu_\nu < 10^{-12} \mu_{\rm B}$ and a magnetic field of $\sim 10^{13}$ G between the neutrinosphere and the shock-stagnation region, an additional energy of about $10^{51}$ erg, which is sufficient for a supernova explosion, can be injected into this region during a typical shock-stagnation time.Comment: 10 pages, LaTeX, 4 EPS figures, accepted to JETP Letter

Measurement of stresses in a vibrating polymeric film

One dimensional model for the investigation of longitudinal vibrations of polymeric film is investigated. Comparison of stroboscopic and time averaged intensities in the photo-elastic images is performed. Results about the required number of images for performing time averaging are provided. Recommendations for simultaneous application of both stroboscopic and time averaged photo-elasticity for measurement of stresses are given. One dimensional model for the investigation of vibrations of polymeric film having two nodal degrees of freedom (longitudinal displacement and displacement of the upper surface, assuming that displacement of the lower surface is of the same value but in the opposite direction) is investigated. This model is applied for the interpretation of results of thermo-elastic analysis. Recommendations for the interpretation of the stress field by using photo-elastic and thermo-elastic methods are provided