Computation of Λˉ\bar{\Lambda} and λ1\lambda_1 with Lattice QCD

We pursue a new method, based on lattice QCD, for determining the quantities $\bar{\Lambda}$, $\lambda_1$, and $\lambda_2$ of heavy-quark effective theory. We combine Monte Carlo data for the meson mass spectrum with perturbative calculations of the short-distance behavior, to extract $\bar{\Lambda}$ and $\lambda_1$ from a formula from HQET. Taking into account uncertainties from fitting the mass dependence and from taking the continuum limit, we find $\bar{\Lambda} = 0.68{+0.02}_{-0.12} \text{GeV}$ and $\lambda_1 = -(0.45 \pm 0.12) \text{GeV}^2$ in the quenched approximation.Comment: 7 pp, 4 figs (in v2 Fig. 4 now shows Ref. 13, as advertised); in v3 error in BLM scale is correcte

Charmonium mass splittings at the physical point

We present results from an ongoing study of mass splittings of the lowest lying states in the charmonium system. We use clover valence charm quarks in the Fermilab interpretation, an improved staggered (asqtad) action for sea quarks, and the one-loop, tadpole-improved gauge action for gluons. This study includes five lattice spacings, 0.15, 0.12, 0.09, 0.06, and 0.045 fm, with two sets of degenerate up- and down-quark masses for most spacings. We use an enlarged set of interpolation operators and a variational analysis that permits study of various low-lying excited states. The masses of the sea quarks and charm valence quark are adjusted to their physical values. This large set of gauge configurations allows us to extrapolate results to the continuum physical point and test the methodology.Comment: 7 pp, 6 figs, Lattice 201

Low lying charmonium states at the physical point

We present results for the mass splittings of low-lying charmonium states from a calculation with Wilson clover valence quarks with the Fermilab interpretation on an asqtad sea. We use five lattice spacings and two values of the light sea quark mass to extrapolate our results to the physical point. Sources of systematic uncertainty in our calculation are discussed and we compare our results for the 1S hyperfine splitting, the 1P-1S splitting and the P-wave spin orbit and tensor splittings to experiment.Comment: For the Fermilab Lattice and MILC Collaborations; 7 pages, 6 figures; Contribution to the 32nd International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory, 23-28 June, 2014, Columbia University New York, N

Modulation of galactic protons in the heliosphere during the unusual solar minimum of 2006 to 2009

The last solar minimum activity period, and the consequent minimum modulation conditions for cosmic rays, was unusual. The highest levels of galactic protons were recorded at Earth in late 2009 in contrast to expectations. Proton spectra observed for 2006 to 2009 from the PAMELA cosmic ray detector on-board the Resurs-DK1 satellite are presented together with the solutions of a comprehensive numerical model for the solar modulation of cosmic rays. The model is used to determine what mechanisms were mainly responsible for the modulation of protons during this period, and why the observed spectrum for 2009 was the highest ever recorded. From mid-2006 until December 2009 we find that the spectra became significantly softer because increasingly more low energy protons had reached Earth. To simulate this effect, the rigidity dependence of the diffusion coefficients had to decrease significantly below ~3 GeV. The modulation minimum period of 2009 can thus be described as relatively more "diffusion dominated" than previous solar minima. However, we illustrate that drifts still had played a significant role but that the observable modulation effects were not as well correlated with the waviness of the heliospheric current sheet as before. Protons still experienced global gradient and curvature drifts as the heliospheric magnetic field had decreased significantly until the end of 2009, in contrast to the moderate decreases observed during previous minimum periods. We conclude that all modulation processes contributed to the observed increases in the proton spectra for this period, exhibiting an intriguing interplay of these major mechanisms