Searching for G3G^3 in t \tbar Production

The triple gluon field strength operator $G^3$ represents the only genuinely gluonic CP conserving term which can appear at dimension-6 within an effective strong interaction Lagrangian. Previous studies of this operator have revealed that its effect on gluon scattering is surprisingly difficult to detect. In this article, we analyze the impact of $G^3$ upon top quark pair production. We find that it will generate observable cross section deviations from QCD at the LHC for even relatively small values of its coefficient. Furthermore, $G^3$ affects the transverse momentum distribution of the produced top quarks more strongly at high energies than dimension-6 four-quark and chromomagnetic moment terms in the effective Lagrangian. Top-antitop production at the LHC will therefore provide a sensitive and clean probe for the elusive triple gluon field strength operator.Comment: 20 pages, 8 figures (3 updated figures not included but available upon request), CALT-68-1941, BUHEP-94-18. (Some previously overlooked graphs are now included. Our conclusions remain unchanged.

Time-Dependent Fatigue Crack Propagation Behavior of Two Solid-Solution-Strengthened Ni-Based Superalloys—INCONEL 617 and HAYNES 230

The fatigue crack propagation (FCP) as well as the sustained loading crack growth (SLCG) behavior of two solid-solution-strengthened Ni-based superalloys, INCONEL 617 (Special Metals Corporation Family of Companies) and HAYNES 230 (Haynes International, Inc., Kokomo, IN), were studied at increased temperatures in laboratory air under a constant stress-intensity- factor (K) condition. The crack propagation tests were conducted using a baseline cyclic triangular waveform with a frequency of 1 3 Hz. Various hold times were imposed at the maximum load of a fatigue cycle to study the hold time effect. The results show that a linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) parameter, stress intensity factor (K), is sufficient to describe the FCP and SLCG behavior at the testing temperatures ranging from 873 K to 1073 K (600 C to 800 C). As observed in the precipitation-strengthened superalloys, both INCONEL 617 and HAYNES 230 exhibited the time-dependent FCP, steady SLCG behavior, and existence of a damage zone ahead of crack tip. A thermodynamic equation was adapted to correlate the SLCG rates to determine thermal activation energy. The fracture modes associated with crack propagation behavior were discussed, and the mechanism of time-dependent FCP as well as SLCG was identified. Compared with INCONEL 617, the lower crack propagation rates of HAYNES 230 under the time-dependent condition were ascribed to the different fracture mode and the presence of numerous W-rich M6C-type and Cr-rich M23C6-type carbides. Toward the end, a phenomenological model was employed to correlate the FCP rates at cycle/time-dependent FCP domain. All the results suggest that an environmental factor, the stress assisted grain boundary oxygen embrittlement (SAGBOE) mechanism, is mainly responsible for the accelerated time dependent FCP rates of INCONEL 617 and HAYNES 230