Novel Spin and Statistical Properties of Nonabelian Vortices

We study the statistics of vortices which appear in (2+1)--dimensional spontaneously broken gauge theories, where a compact group G breaks to a finite nonabelian subgroup H. Two simple models are presented. In the first, a quantum state which is symmetric under the interchange of a pair of indistinguishable vortices can be transformed into an antisymmetric state after the passage through the system of a third vortex with an appropriate $H$-flux element. Further, there exist states containing two indistinguishable spinless vortices which obey Fermi statistics. These results generalize to loops of nonabelian cosmic string in 3+1 dimensions. In the second model, fractional analogues of the above behaviors occur. Also, composites of vortices in this theory may possess fractional ``Cheshire spin'' which can be changed by passing an additional vortex through the system.Comment: 11 pages, UICHEP-TH/92-15; FERMILAB-PUB-92/233-T; SLAC-PUB-588

Nonabelian Vortices on Surfaces and Their Statistics

We discuss the physics of topological vortices moving on an arbitrary surface M in a Yang-Mills-Higgs theory in which the gauge group G breaks to a finite subgroup H. We concentrate on the case where M is compact and/or nonorientable. Interesting new features arise which have no analog on the plane. The consequences for the quantum statistics of vortices are discussed, particularly when H is nonabelian.Comment: 27 pages, 6 figures, requires harvma

Lepto-mesons, Leptoquarkonium and the QCD Potential

We consider bound states of heavy leptoquark-antiquark pairs (lepto-mesons) as well as leptoquark-antileptoquark pairs (leptoquarkonium). Unlike the situation for top quarks, leptoquarks (if they exist) may live long enough for these hadrons to form. We study the spectra and decay widths of these states in the context of a nonrelativistic potential model which matches the recently calculated two-loop QCD potential at short distances to a successful phenomenological quarkonium potential at intermediate distances. We also compute the expected number of events for these states at future colliders.Comment: 12 pages, 1 figure, 3 tables, plain TeX, requires harvmac. References updated and minor clarifications made. To appear in Physics Letters

Simple Baryon-Meson Mass Relations For A Logarithmic Interquark Potential

I consider the quantity delta(m_1m_2m_3) = M_{q_1q_2q_3} - [M_{q_1q_2bar} + M_{q_2q_3bar} + M_{q_1q_3bar}]/2, where the M's represent the ground state spin-averaged hadron masses with the indicated quark content and the m's the corresponding constituent quark masses. I assume a logarithmic interquark potential, the validity of a nonrelativistic approach, and various standard potential model inputs. Simple scaling arguments then imply that the quantity R(x)=delta(mmm_3)/delta(m_0m_0m_0) depends only on the ratio x=m/m_3, and is independent of m_0 as well as any parameters appearing in the potential. A simple and accurate analytic determination of delta(mmm_3), and hence R(x), is given using the 1/D expansion where D is the number of spatial dimensions. When applicable, this estimate of R(x) compares very well to experiment -- even for hadrons containing light quarks. A prediction of the above result which is likely to be tested in the near future is M_{Sigma_b^*}/2 + [M_{Lambda_b} + M_{Sigma_b}]/4 = 5774 +/- 4 MeV/c^2.Comment: 13 pages, plain TeX, 1 eps figure, uses harvmac and epsf.st