Fermion Masses and Mixings in a String Inspired Model

In the context of Calabi-Yau string models we explore the origin of characteristic pattern of quark-lepton masses and the CKM matrix. The discrete $R$-symmetry $Z_K \times Z_2$ is introduced and the $Z_2$ is assigned to the $R$-parity. The gauge symmetry at the string scale, $SU(6) \times SU(2)_R$, is broken into the standard model gauge group at a very large intermediate energy scale. At energies below the intermediate scale down-type quarks and also leptons are mixed with unobserved heavy states, respectively. On the other hand, there are no such mixings for up-type quarks. Due to the large mixings between light states and heavy ones we can derive phenomenologically viable fermion mass hierarchies and the CKM matrix. Mass spectra for intermediate-scale matter beyond the MSSM are also determined. Within this framework proton lifetime is long enough to be consistent with experimental data. As for the string scale unification of gauge couplings, however, consistent solutions are not yet found.Comment: 49 pages, 1 figure, Latex Revised version includes discussion on FCNC problems. Final version to appear in Prog. Theor. Phys. Vol.96 No.

How Can We Obtain a Large Majorana-Mass in Calabi-Yau Models ?

In a certain type of Calabi-Yau superstring models it is clarified that the symmetry breaking occurs by stages at two large intermediate energy scales and that two large intermediate scales induce large Majorana-masses of right-handed neutrinos. Peculiar structure of the effective nonrenormalizable interactions is crucial in the models. In this scheme Majorana-masses possibly amount to O(10^{9 \sim 10}\gev) and see-saw mechanism is at work for neutrinos. Based on this scheme we propose a viable model which explains the smallness of masses for three kind of neutrinos $\nu _e, \nu _{\mu} \ {\rm and}\ \nu _{\tau}$. Special forms of the nonrenormalizable interactions can be understood as a consequence of an appropriate discrete symmetry of the compactified manifold.Comment: 30-pages + 6-figures, LaTeX, Preprint DPNU-94-02, AUE-01-9

The 144 second periodic flux variations during x ray turn-on of Hercules X-1

Hercules X-1 is a well known bright binary X ray pulsator. It has a 1.70 day orbital period, a pulsation period of 1.24 second, and a 35 day semiperiodic variability. The discovery is reported of a new 144 second periodicity in the X ray emission from Her X-1. The periodicity is seen in X ray observations of Her X-1 by the LAC instrument onboard the Ginga satellite during Aug. to Sep. 1988. The periodic flux variations occur during the time of X ray turnon at the beginning of a high state of Her X-1, in the same time that a pre-eclipse dip also occurs. An analysis of the LAC spectra of Her X-1 during this period is also presented. Large changes in spectral shape occur associated with the dip

Large Lepton Flavor Mixing and E_6-type Unification Models

There are experimental indications of large flavor mixing between $\nu_{\mu }$ and $\nu_{\tau}$. In the unification models, in which the massless sector includes extra particles beyond the standard model, there possibly appear the mixings between quarks (leptons) and the extra particles. When large mixings occur, lepton flavor mixings can be quite different from quark flavor mixings. By taking the string inspired $SU(6) \times SU(2)_R$ model with global flavor symmetries, we obtain the neutrino flavor mixing $\sin \theta_{23} \simeq \lambda = \sin \theta_C$ around the unification scale. It can be expected that due to large Yukawa couplings of neutrinos, the renormalization effect increases $\sin 2 \theta_{23}$ naturally up to $\sim 1$ at the electroweak scale. Fermion mass spectra and the CKM matrix of quarks obtained in this paper are also phenomenologically viable.Comment: 15 pages, Latex, no figures, references adde

Optical to Near-IR Spectrum of a Massive Evolved Galaxy at z = 1.26

We present the optical to near-infrared (IR) spectrum of the galaxy TSPS J1329-0957, a red and bright member of the class of extremely red objects (EROs) at z = 1.26. This galaxy was found in the course of the Tokyo-Stromlo Photometry Survey (TSPS) which we are conducting in the southern sky. The spectroscopic observations were carried out with the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph (GMOS) and the Gemini Near Infra-Red Spectrograph (GNIRS) mounted on the Gemini-South telescope. The wide wavelength coverage of 0.6 - 2.3 um provides useful clues as to the nature of EROs while most published spectra are limited to a narrower spectral range which is dictated by the need for efficient redshift determination in a large survey. We compare our spectrum with several optical composite spectra obtained in recent large surveys, and with stellar population synthesis models. The effectiveness of using near-IR broad-band data, instead of the spectral data, in deriving the galaxy properties are also investigated. We find that TSPS J1329-0957 formed when the universe was 2 - 3 Gyr old, and subsequently evolved passively to become one of the most massive galaxies found in the z = 1 - 2 universe. Its early type and estimated stellar mass of M* = 10^{11.5} Msun clearly point to this galaxy being a direct ancestor of the brightest elliptical and spheroidal galaxies in the local universe.Comment: 18 pages, 4 figures. Accepted for publication in Ap

Frost damage of bricks composing a railway tunnel monument in Central Japan: field monitoring and laboratory simulation

International audienceBricks of tunnels and bridges of Usui Pass railway (Japan) exposed to north are subject to frost damage. Average depth of erosion due to detachment of angular blocks is around 1-1.5 cm. In order to assess this weathering and to understand its mechanism, an experimental study was carried out in the field and laboratory. Field monitoring showed the combination of seasonal and diurnal freezing with a maximum of heave when the freezing front reached 5 cm depth. Bricks taken from the site were submitted to unidirectional freezing at capillary and vacuum saturation in the laboratory. Results showed that frost damage of bricks was favoured by high saturation level and repetition of freeze-thaw cycles