News on PHOTOS Monte Carlo: gamma^* -> pi^+ pi^-(gamma) and K^\pm -> pi^+ pi^- e^\pm nu (gamma)

PHOTOS Monte Carlo is widely used for simulating QED effects in decay of intermediate particles and resonances. It can be easily connected to other main process generators. In this paper we consider decaying processes gamma^* -> pi^+ pi^-(gamma) and K^\pm -> pi^+ pi^- e^\pm nu (gamma) in the framework of Scalar QED. These two processes are interesting not only for the technical aspect of PHOTOS Monte Carlo, but also for precision measurement of alpha_{QED}(M_Z), g-2, as well as pi pi scattering lengths.Comment: 6 pages, 11 figures, proceedings of the PhiPsi09, Oct. 13-16, 2009, Beijing, Chin

Equations of motion of test particles for solving the spin-dependent Boltzmann-Vlasov equation

A consistent derivation of the equations of motion (EOMs) of test particles for solving the spin-dependent Boltzmann-Vlasov equation is presented. The resulting EOMs in phase space are similar to the canonical equations in Hamiltonian dynamics, and the EOM of spin is the same as that in the Heisenburg picture of quantum mechanics. Considering further the quantum nature of spin and choosing the direction of total angular momentum in heavy-ion reactions as a reference of measuring nucleon spin, the EOMs of spin-up and spin-down nucleons are given separately. The key elements affecting the spin dynamics in heavy-ion collisions are identified. The resulting EOMs provide a solid foundation for using the test-particle approach in studying spin dynamics in heavy-ion collisions at intermediate energies. Future comparisons of model simulations with experimental data will help constrain the poorly known in-medium nucleon spin-orbit coupling relevant for understanding properties of rare isotopes and their astrophysical impacts.Comment: 5 page

5-(Hy­droxy­meth­yl)furan-2-carb­oxy­lic acid

In the title compound, C6H6O4, the furan ring is nearly coplanar with the carboxyl group, the maximum atomic deviation being 0.0248 (9) Å. The crystal packing is stabilized by classical O—H⋯O and weak C—H⋯O hydrogen bonding

An optical fiber tip micrograting thermometer

An ~12 µm long Bragg grating was engraved in an ~5 µm diameter optical fiber tip by focused ion beam (FIB) milling. An ~10-dB extinction was achieved at 1570 nm with only 11 indentations. The grating was used for temperature sensing, and it exhibited a temperature sensitivity of ~22 pm/°C