Evidence for eta prime - pion splitting in unquenched lattice QCD

We perform an extrapolation from negative to positive flavour numbers of full QCD lattice estimates of the $\eta'$ mass. The extrapolations are carried out by keeping $\rho$ and $\pi$ masses at fixed values. We find an $\eta'$ -- $\pi$ splitting which shows a flavour dependence consistent with the Witten Veneziano formula based on the $U(1)$ anomaly. The quantitative splitting is consistent with the estimates made in the quenched approximation.Comment: 22 pages, uuencoded latex files, text + 8 figure

Universal behaviour of the SU(2) running coupling constant in the continuum limit

We present data from the ALPHA Collaboration about lattice calculation of SU(2) pure--gauge running coupling constant, obtained with two different definitions of the coupling itself, which show universality of the continuum limit and clarify the applicability of renormalized perturbation theory.Comment: 3 pages, postscript, contribution to LAT94 also available at http://sutova.roma2.infn.it/preprints/TovApe/lat94m.ps (eq. (3) corrected

Pseudofermion observables for static heavy meson decay constants on the lattice

A method based on the Monte Carlo inversion of the Dirac operator on the lattice provides low noise results for the correlations entering the definition of the heavy meson decay constant in the static limit. The method is complementary to the usual method of smeared sources, avoids the systematic error arising from optimizing the size of the smearing volume and is more efficient for the values of lattice parameters that we have explored.Comment: 11 pages, uuencoded ps file, 2 figures include

Non-perturbative renormalization constants on the lattice from flavour non-singlet Ward identities

By imposing axial and vector Ward identities for flavour-non-singlet currents, we estimate in the quenched approximation the non-perturbative values of combinations of improvement coefficients, which appear in the expansion around the massless case of the renormalization constants of axial, pseudoscalar, vector, scalar non-singlet currents and of the renormalized mass. These coefficients are relevant for the completion of the improvement programme to O(a) of such operators. The simulations are performed with a clover Wilson action non-perturbatively improved.Comment: 9 pages, latex file + 4 eps files of figure

On the extraction of zero momentum form factors on the lattice

We propose a method to expand correlation functions with respect to the spatial components of external momenta. From the coefficients of the expansion it is possible to extract Lorentz-invariant form factors at zero spatial momentum transfer avoiding model dependent extrapolations. These objects can be profitably calculated on the lattice. We have explicitly checked the validity of the proposed procedure by considering two-point correlators with insertions of the axial current, the form factors of the semileptonic decay of pseudoscalar mesons, and the hadronic vacuum polarization tensor entering, for example, the lattice calculation of the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figures, published versio

Light meson decay constants beyond the quenched approximation

We calculate the effects of including dynamical fermion loops in the lattice QCD estimates of meson decay constants, by extrapolating the results from negative flavour numbers after a suitable matching of the pion and rho mass. For moderately light quarks, the values of the decay constants not corrected for the renormalization constants increase with respect to their quenched values.Comment: 9 pages, uuencoded PS file, 2 figures include

Quenched lattice calculation of the B --> D l nu decay rate

We calculate, in the continuum limit of quenched lattice QCD, the form factor that enters in the decay rate of the semileptonic decay B --> D l nu. Making use of the step scaling method (SSM), previously introduced to handle two scale problems in lattice QCD, and of flavour twisted boundary conditions we extract G(w) at finite momentum transfer and at the physical values of the heavy quark masses. Our results can be used in order to extract the CKM matrix element Vcb by the experimental decay rate without model dependent extrapolations.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication on Phys. Lett. B, corrected one typ

Impact of floats on water

The impact of a wedge-shaped body on the free surface of a weightless inviscid incompressible liquid is considered. Both symmetrical and unsymmetrical entries at constant velocity are dealt with. The differential problem corresponds to the physico-mathematical model of a distribution of potential singularities and, in particular, the flow singularities at the ends of the wetted regions are represented by sinks. A conformal transformation of the flow field is adopted and the unknown intensities of the discontinuities are found by an optimization procedure, together with the solution of the nonlinear free-surface problem. The flow separation at a sideslip is also considered.Comment: 26 pages, 10 figure

Hadronic Decays of Excited Heavy Mesons

We studied the hadronic decays of excited states of heavy mesons (D, D_s, B and B_s) to lighter states by emission of pi, eta or K. Wavefunctions and energy levels of these excited states are determined using a Dirac equation for the light quark in the potential generated by the heavy quark (including first order corrections in the heavy quark expansion). Transition amplitudes are computed in the context of the Heavy Chiral Quark Model.Comment: 4 pages (incl. figures), proceedings of the IV International Conference on "Hyperons, Charm and Beauty Hadrons", Valencia (Spain