Differential cross section analysis in kaon photoproduction using associated legendre polynomials

Angular distributions of differential cross sections from the latest CLAS data sets \cite{bradford}, for the reaction ${\gamma}+p {\to} K^{+} + {\Lambda}$ have been analyzed using associated Legendre polynomials. This analysis is based upon theoretical calculations in Ref. \cite{fasano} where all sixteen observables in kaon photoproduction can be classified into four Legendre classes. Each observable can be described by an expansion of associated Legendre polynomial functions. One of the questions to be addressed is how many associated Legendre polynomials are required to describe the data. In this preliminary analysis, we used data models with different numbers of associated Legendre polynomials. We then compared these models by calculating posterior probabilities of the models. We found that the CLAS data set needs no more than four associated Legendre polynomials to describe the differential cross section data. In addition, we also show the extracted coefficients of the best model.Comment: Talk given at APFB08, Depok, Indonesia, August, 19-23, 200

Benchmarking nuclear models for Gamow-Teller response

A comparative study of the nuclear Gamow-Teller response (GTR) within conceptually different state-of-the-art approaches is presented. Three nuclear microscopic models are considered: (i) the recently developed charge-exchange relativistic time blocking approximation (RTBA) based on the covariant density functional theory, (ii) the shell model (SM) with an extended "jj77" model space and (iii) the non-relativistic quasiparticle random-phase approximation (QRPA) with a Brueckner G-matrix effective interaction. We study the physics cases where two or all three of these models can be applied. The Gamow-Teller response functions are calculated for 208-Pb, 132-Sn and 78-Ni within both RTBA and QRPA. The strengths obtained for 208-Pb are compared to data that enables a firm model benchmarking. For the nucleus 132-Sn, also SM calculations are performed within the model space truncated at the level of a particle-hole (ph) coupled to vibration configurations. This allows a consistent comparison to the RTBA where ph+phonon coupling is responsible for the spreading width and considerable quenching of the GTR. Differences between the models and perspectives of their future developments are discussed.Comment: 9 pages, 2 figures, 1 table; to be published in Phys. Lett.

Astrophysical weak-interaction rates for selected A=20A=20 and A=24A=24 nuclei

We have evaluated the electron capture rates on $^{20}$Ne, $^{20}$F, $^{24}$Mg, $^{24}$Na and the $\beta$ decay rates for $^{20}$F and $^{24}$Na at temperature and density conditions relevant for the late-evolution stages of stars with $M=8$-12 M$_\odot$. The rates are based on recent experimental data and large-scale shell model calculations. We show that the electron capture rates on $^{20}$Ne, $^{24}$Mg and the $^{20}$F, $^{24}$Na $\beta$-decay rates are based on data in this astrophysical range, except for the capture rate on $^{20}$Ne, which we predict to have a dominating contribution from the second-forbidden transition between the $^{20}$Ne and $^{20}$F ground states in the density range $\log \rho Y_e (\mathrm{g~cm}^{-3}) = 9.3$-9.6. The dominance of a few individual transitions allows us to present the various rates by analytical expressions at the relevant astrophysical conditions. We also derive the screening corrections to the rates.Comment: 21 pages, 12 figure

Exclusive electromagnetic production of strangeness on the nucleon : review of recent data in a Regge approach

In view of the numerous experimental results recently released, we provide in this letter an update on the performance of our simple Regge model for strangeness electroproduction on the nucleon. Without refitting any parameters, a decent description of all measured observables and channels is achieved. We also give predictions for spin transfer observables, recently measured at Jefferson Lab which have high sensitivity to discriminate between different theoretical approaches.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure

Simple compactifications and Black p-branes in Gauss-Bonnet and Lovelock Theories

We look for the existence of asymptotically flat simple compactifications of the form $M_{D-p}\times T^{p}$ in $D$-dimensional gravity theories with higher powers of the curvature. Assuming the manifold $M_{D-p}$ to be spherically symmetric, it is shown that the Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet theory admits this class of solutions only for the pure Einstein-Hilbert or Gauss-Bonnet Lagrangians, but not for an arbitrary linear combination of them. Once these special cases have been selected, the requirement of spherical symmetry is no longer relevant since actually any solution of the pure Einstein or pure Gauss-Bonnet theories can then be toroidally extended to higher dimensions. Depending on $p$ and the spacetime dimension, the metric on $M_{D-p}$ may describe a black hole or a spacetime with a conical singularity, so that the whole spacetime describes a black or a cosmic $p$-brane, respectively. For the purely Gauss-Bonnet theory it is shown that, if $M_{D-p}$ is four-dimensional, a new exotic class of black hole solutions exists, for which spherical symmetry can be relaxed. Under the same assumptions, it is also shown that simple compactifications acquire a similar structure for a wide class of theories among the Lovelock family which accepts this toroidal extension. The thermodynamics of black $p$-branes is also discussed, and it is shown that a thermodynamical analogue of the Gregory-Laflamme transition always occurs regardless the spacetime dimension or the theory considered, hence not only for General Relativity. Relaxing the asymptotically flat behavior, it is also shown that exact black brane solutions exist within a very special class of Lovelock theories.Comment: 30 pages, no figures, few typos fixed, references added, final version for JHE