Cosmological constant, gauge hierarchy and warped geometry

It is suggested that the mechanism responsible for the resolution of the gauge hierarchy problem within the warped geometry framework can be generalized to provide a new explanation of the extremely tiny vacuum energy density #rho#_v suggested by recent observations. We illustrate the mechanism with some 5D examples in which the true vacuum energy is assumed to vanish, and #rho#_v is associated with a false vacuum energy such that #rho#_v"1"/"4#propor to#TeV"2/M_P_1#propor to#10"-"3 eV, where M_P_I denotes the reduced Planck mass. We also consider a quintessence-like solution to the dark energy problem. (orig.)Available from TIB Hannover: RA 2999(02-098) / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekSIGLEDEGerman

Majorana neutrinos in a warped 5D standard model

We consider neutrino oscillations and neutrinoless double beta decay in a five dimensional standard model with warped geometry. Although the see-saw mechanism in its simplest form cannot be implemented because of the warped geometry, the bulk standard model neutrinos can acquire the desired (Majorana) masses from dimension five interactions. We discuss how large mixings can arise, why the large mixing angle MSW solution for solar neutrinos is favored, and provide estimates for the mixing angle U_e_3. Implications for neutrinoless double beta decay are also discussed. (orig.)Available from TIB Hannover: RA 2999(02-045) / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekSIGLEDEGerman

Seesaw mechanism in warped geometry

We show how the seesaw mechanism for neutrino masses can be realized within a five dimensional (5D) warped geometry framework. Intermediate scale standard model (SM) singlet neutrino masses, needed to explain the atmospheric and solar neutrino oscillations, are shown to be proportional to M_P_1.exp((2c-1)#pi#kR), where c denotes the coefficient of the 5D Dirac mass term for the singlet neutrino which also has a Planck scale Majorana mass localized on the Planck-brane, and kR#approx#11 in order to resolve the gauge hierarchy problem. The case with a bulk 5D Majorana mass term for the singlet neutrino is briefly discussed. (orig.)Available from TIB Hannover: RA 2999(03-110) / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekSIGLEDEGerman

Kaluza-Klein excitations of W and Z at the LHC?

Deviations from standard electroweak physics arise in the frame-work of a Randall-Sundrum model, with matter and gauge fields in the bulk and the Higgs field localized on the TeV brane. We focus in particular on modifications associated with the weak mixing angle. Comparison with the electroweak precision data yields a rather stringent lower bound of about 10 TeV on the masses of the lowest Kaluza-Klein excitation of the W and Z bosons. With some optimistic assumptions the bound could be lowered to about 7 TeV. (orig.)Available from TIB Hannover: RA 2999(01-201) / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekSIGLEDEGerman

`China Design Now'

This article draws from cultural studies, political theory, international relations, art history and museum studies in order to consider `China Design Now' — the blockbuster exhibition, recently held at the V&A. It argues that, despite the inclusion of a number of interesting exhibits, the attempt to frame contemporary Chinese design independently of political contextualization has led to an exhibition which is largely unsatisfying. The approach taken by the V&A is further shown to have produced several ironic outcomes. First, by attempting to avoid `contentious' political issues, the museum has, in fact, forced the `political' to the fore. Second, by taking such an approach, the V&A demonstrates that it has failed to understand the essentially political nature of the design problem. Third, it has produced an exhibition which appears to advocate a (highly political) neoliberal agenda — one which insists on an inexorable drive towards greater global economic integration. Finally, it has failed to mention its own embeddedness within larger strategies of `cultural diplomacy' and the significance of such strategies for international relations and for cultural production. As well as drawing on a range of relevant literature, the article makes direct reference to exhibition wall texts, exhibit labels and quotations from the catalogue in order to support its argument