Charmonia production from bb-hadron decays at LHC with kTk_T-factorization: J/ψJ/\psi, ψ(2S)\psi(2S) and J/ψ+ZJ/\psi + Z

We consider the production of $J/\psi$ and $\psi(2S)$ mesons originating from the decays of $b$-flavored hadrons at the LHC using the $k_T$-factorization approach. Our analysis covers both inclusive charmonia production and production of $J/\psi$ mesons in association with $Z$ bosons. We apply the transverse momentum dependent (or unintegrated) gluon density in a proton derived from Catani-Ciafaloni-Fiorani-Marchesini (CCFM) evolution equation and adopt fragmentation functions based on the non-relativistic QCD factorization to describe the inclusive $b$-hadron decays into the different charmonium states. Our predictions agree well with latest experimental data taken by the CMS, ATLAS and LHCb Collaborations at $\sqrt s = 7$, $8$ and $13$~TeV. The contributions from double parton scattering to the associated non-prompt $J/\psi + Z$ production are estimated and found to be small.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figure

Measurements of the QCD Colour Factors at LEP

A summary of the measurements of the QCD colour factors at LEP is presented. Such measurements provide a test of the gauge group structure underlying the theory of strong interactions. A variety of methods have been applied by the various experiments, and perfect consistency with the expectation of QCD with SU(3) as gauge group is found.Comment: 9 pages, Latex, Talk presented at the 5th Topical Seminar on The Irresistible Rise of the Standard Model, San Miniato, Italy, April 199

Measurement of optical to electrical and electrical to optical delays with ps-level uncertainty

We present a new measurement principle to determine the absolute time delay of a waveform from an optical reference plane to an electrical reference plane and vice versa. We demonstrate a method based on this principle with 2 ps uncertainty. This method can be used to perform accurate time delay determinations of optical transceivers used in fibre-optic time-dissemination equipment. As a result the time scales in optical and electrical domain can be related to each other with the same uncertainty. We expect this method to break new grounds in high-accuracy time transfer and absolute calibration of time-transfer equipment

Contribution of b→sggb \to sgg through the QCD anomaly in exclusive decays B±→(η′,η)(K±,K∗±)B^{\pm}\to (\eta^{\prime},\eta)(K^{\pm}, K^{*\pm}) and B0→(η′,η)(K0,K∗0)B^{0}\to (\eta^{\prime},\eta)(K^{0},K^{*0})

We compute the decay rates for the exclusive decays $B^{\pm} \to (\eta^{\prime},\eta) (K^{\pm}, K^{*\pm})$ and $B^{0}\to (\eta^{\prime},\eta) (K^{0}, K^{*0})$ in a QCD-improved factorization framework by including the contribution from the process $b\to sgg \to s (\eta^{\prime}, \eta)$ through the QCD anomaly. This method provides an alternative estimate of the contribution $b \to s c\bar{c} \to s(\eta,\eta^\prime)$ to these decays as compared to the one using the intrinsic charm content of the $\eta^{\prime}$ and $\eta$ mesons determined through the decays $J/\psi \to (\eta,\eta^\prime ,\eta_c) \gamma$. The resulting branching ratios are compared with the CLEO data on $B^{\pm} \to \eta^{\prime} K^{\pm}$ and $B^{0} \to \eta^{\prime} K^{0}$ and predictions are made for the rest.Comment: 16 pages including 4 postscript figures; uses epsfig. The most recent branching ratios from CLEO, ref. [5], are taken into account. The theory part is unchange

Asymmetric Uncertainties: Sources, Treatment and Potential Dangers

The issue of asymmetric uncertainties resulting from fits, nonlinear propagation and systematic effects is reviewed. It is shown that, in all cases, whenever a published result is given with asymmetric uncertainties, the value of the physical quantity of interest is biased with respect to what would be obtained using at best all experimental and theoretical information that contribute to evaluate the combined uncertainty. The probabilistic solution to the problem is provided both in exact and in approximated forms.Comment: 21 pages, 5 figures. improved version with some corrections, additional remarks and references (download of new version is recommended). This paper and related work are also available at http://www.roma1.infn.it/~dagos/prob+stat.htm

Associated non-prompt J/ψ+μJ/\psi + \mu and J/ψ+J/ψJ/\psi + J/\psi production at LHC as a test for TMD gluon density

We consider the associated production of $J/\psi$ mesons and muons originating from the $b$-flavored hadron decays and non-prompt double $J/\psi$ production at the LHC using the $k_T$-factorization approach. To describe the inclusive $b$-hadron decays into the different charmonium states we apply fragmentation approach and adopt fragmentation functions based on the non-relativistic QCD factorization. The transverse momentum dependent (TMD) gluon densities in a proton are determined using the Catani-Ciafaloni-Fiorani-Marchesini equation and Kimber-Martin-Ryskin prescription. We investigate the effects coming from parton showers, estimate the double parton scattering contribution and compare our predictions with the first experimental data taken by the ATLAS and LHCb Collaborations at $\sqrt s = 8$~TeV. These data can serve as an additional test for TMD gluon density function in a proton.Comment: 14 pages, 12 figure

Closing the light gluino window

The running of the strong coupling constant, $R_{e^+e^-},R_Z$ and $R_\tau$ is studied on the three-loop level. Based on experimental data of $R_{e^+e^-},R_Z$ and $R_\tau$ and the LEP multijet analysis, the light gluino scenario is excluded to 99.97% CL (window I) and 99.89% CL (window III).Comment: 7 pages, 6 figures, talk at HEP97, Jerusale