Geometry description markup language for physics simulation and analysis applications

The Geometry Description Markup Language (GDML) is a specialized XML-based language designed as an application-independent persistent format for describing the geometries of detectors associated with physics measurements. It serves to implement ''geometry trees'' which correspond to the hierarchy of volumes a detector geometry can be composed of, and to allow to identify the position of individual solids, as well as to describe the materials they are made of. Being pure XML, GDML can be universally used, and in particular it can be considered as the format for interchanging geometries among different applications. In this paper we will present the current status of the development of GDML. After having discussed the contents of the latest GDML schema, which is the basic definition of the format, we will concentrate on the GDML processors. We will present the latest implementation of the GDML ''writers'' as well as ''readers'' for either Geant4 [2], [3] or ROOT [4], [10]

The W_L W_L scattering at the LHC: improving the selection criteria

We present a systematic study of the different mechanisms leading to WW pair production at the LHC, both in the same-sign and opposite-sign channels, and we emphasize that the former offers much better potential for investigating non-resonant W_L W_L scattering. We propose a new kinematic variable to isolate the W_L W_L scattering component in same-sign WW production at the LHC. Focusing on purely leptonic W decay channels, we show that it considerably improves the LHC capabilities to shed light on the electroweak symmetry breaking mechanism after collecting 100 fb^{-1} of data at sqrt{s} = 14 TeV. The new variable is less effective in the opposite-sign WW channel due to different background composition.Comment: 25 pages, 32 figure

Generalized Two-Dimensional QCD

We study two-dimensional gauge theories with fundamental fermions and a general first order gauge-field Lagrangian. For the case of U(1) we show how standard bosonization of the Schwinger model generalizes to give mesons interacting through a general Landau-Ginzburg potential. We then show how for a subclass of SU(N) theories, 't Hooft's solution of large N two-dimensional QCD can be generalized in a consistent and natural manner. We finally point out the possible relevance of studying these theories to the string formulation of two-dimensional QCD as well as to understanding QCD in higher dimensions.Comment: LPTENS-94/2, IASSNS-HEP-94/3, and RU-94-8. (harvmac with 4 figures, 23 pp.

Gauge Invariant Cutoff QED

A hidden generalized gauge symmetry of a cutoff QED is used to show the renormalizability of QED. In particular, it is shown that corresponding Ward identities are valid all along the renormalization group flow. The exact Renormalization Group flow equation corresponding to the effective action of a cutoff lambda phi^4 theory is also derived. Generalization to any gauge group is indicated.Comment: V1: 18 pages, 2 figures; V2: Discussions improved. Version accepted for publication in Physica Script

Update on Fermion Mass Models with an Anomalous Horizontal U(1) Symmetry

We reconsider models of fermion masses and mixings based on a gauge anomalous horizontal U(1) symmetry. In the simplest model with a single flavon field and horizontal charges of the same sign for all Standard Model fields, only very few charge assignements are allowed when all experimental data, including neutrino oscillation data, is taken into account. We show that a precise description of the observed fermion masses and mixing angles can easily be obtained by generating sets of the order one parameters left unconstrained by the U(1) symmetry. The corresponding Yukawa matrices show several interesting features which may be important for flavour changing neutral currents and CP violation effects in supersymmetric models.Comment: 23 pages, 8 figure

Neutrinos, Axions and Conformal Symmetry

We demonstrate that radiative breaking of conformal symmetry (and simultaneously electroweak symmetry) in the Standard Model with right-chiral neutrinos and a minimally enlarged scalar sector induces spontaneous breaking of lepton number symmetry, which naturally gives rise to an axion-like particle with some unusual features. The couplings of this `axion' to Standard Model particles, in particular photons and gluons, are entirely determined (and computable) via the conformal anomaly, and their smallness turns out to be directly related to the smallness of the masses of light neutrinos.Comment: 10 pages, 2 figures, expanded version, to be published in EPJ

Merging gauge coupling constants without Grand Unification

The merging of the running couplings constants of the weak, strong, and electromagnetic fields does not require the unification of these gauge fields at high energy. It can, in fact, be the property of a general fermionic system in which gauge bosons are not fundamental.Comment: 11 pages, 1 figure, v3: to appear in JETP Letter

The Price of WMAP Inflation in Supergravity

The three-year data from WMAP are in stunning agreement with the simplest possible quadratic potential for chaotic inflation, as well as with new or symmetry-breaking inflation. We investigate the possibilities for incorporating these potentials within supergravity, particularly of the no-scale type that is motivated by string theory. Models with inflation driven by the matter sector may be constructed in no-scale supergravity, if the moduli are assumed to be stabilised by some higher-scale dynamics and at the expense of some fine-tuning. We discuss specific scenarios for stabilising the moduli via either D- or F-terms in the effective potential, and survey possible inflationary models in the presence of D-term stabilisation.Comment: 15 pages, 6 figures, plain Late

Tools for Deconstructing Gauge Theories in AdS5

We employ analytical methods to study deconstruction of 5D gauge theories in the AdS5 background. We demonstrate that using the so-called q-Bessel functions allows a quantitative analysis of the deconstructed setup. Our study clarifies the relation of deconstruction with 5D warped theories.Comment: 30 pages; v2: several refinements, references adde