Braid group statistics in two-dimensional quantum field theory

Within the framework of algebraic quantum field theory, we construct explicitly localized morphisms of a Haag-Kastler net in 1+1-dimensional Minkowski space showing abelian braid group statistics. Moreover, we investigate the scattering theory of the corresponding quantum fields.Comment: 19 pages, latex2

Efficient Simulation of Quantum State Reduction

The energy-based stochastic extension of the Schrodinger equation is a rather special nonlinear stochastic differential equation on Hilbert space, involving a single free parameter, that has been shown to be very useful for modelling the phenomenon of quantum state reduction. Here we construct a general closed form solution to this equation, for any given initial condition, in terms of a random variable representing the terminal value of the energy and an independent Brownian motion. The solution is essentially algebraic in character, involving no integration, and is thus suitable as a basis for efficient simulation studies of state reduction in complex systems.Comment: 4 pages, No Figur

Can CPT Symmetry Be Tested With K^0 vs \bar{K}^0--> \pi^+\pi^-\pi^0 Decays?

We show that the CP-violating effect in K^0 vs \bar K^0-->\pi^+\pi^-\pi^0 decays differs from that in K_{\rm L}-->\pi^+\pi^-, K_{\rm L}-->\pi^0\pi^0 or the semileptonic K_{\rm L} transitions, if there exists CPT violation in K^0-\bar{K}^0 mixing. A delicate measurement of this difference in the KTeV experiment and at the \phi factory will provide a new test of CPT symmetry in the neutral kaon system.Comment: RevTex 6 pages. Phys. Rev. D (in printing

Generalized Quantum Dynamics as Pre-Quantum Mechanics

We address the issue of when generalized quantum dynamics, which is a classical symplectic dynamics for noncommuting operator phase space variables based on a graded total trace Hamiltonian ${\bf H}$, reduces to Heisenberg picture complex quantum mechanics. We begin by showing that when ${\bf H}={\bf Tr} H$, with $H$ a Weyl ordered operator Hamiltonian, then the generalized quantum dynamics operator equations of motion agree with those obtained from $H$ in the Heisenberg picture by using canonical commutation relations. The remainder of the paper is devoted to a study of how an effective canonical algebra can arise, without this condition simply being imposed by fiat on the operator initial values. We first show that for any total trace Hamiltonian which involves no noncommutative constants, there is a conserved anti--self--adjoint operator $\tilde C$ with a structure which is closely related to the canonical commutator algebra. We study the canonical transformations of generalized quantum dynamics, and show that $\tilde C$ is a canonical invariant, as is the operator phase space volume element. The latter result is a generalization of Liouville's theorem, and permits the application of statistical mechanical methods to determine the canonical ensemble governing the equilibrium distribution of operator initial values. We give arguments based on a Ward identity analogous to the equipartition theorem of classical statistical mechanics, suggesting that statistical ensemble averages of Weyl ordered polynomials in the operator phase space variables correspond to the Wightman functions of a unitary complex quantum mechanics, with a conserved operator Hamiltonian and with the standard canonical commutation relations obeyed by Weyl ordered operator strings. Thus there is a well--defined sense inComment: 79 pages, no figures, plain te

High transverse momentum suppression and surface effects in Cu+Cu and Au+Au collisions within the PQM model

We study parton suppression effects in heavy-ion collisions within the Parton Quenching Model (PQM). After a brief summary of the main features of the model, we present comparisons of calculations for the nuclear modification and the away-side suppression factor to data in Au+Au and Cu+Cu collisions at 200 GeV. We discuss properties of light hadron probes and their sensitivity to the medium density within the PQM Monte Carlo framework.Comment: Comments: 6 pages, 8 figures. To appear in the proceedings of Hot Quarks 2006: Workshop for Young Scientists on the Physics of Ultrarelativistic Nucleus-Nucleus Collisions, Villasimius, Italy, 15-20 May 200

Direct photons measured by the PHENIX experiment at RHIC

Results from the PHENIX experiment at RHIC on direct photon production in p+p, d+Au, and Au+Au collisions at sqrt(s_NN) = 200 GeV are presented. In p+p collisions, direct photon production at high p_T behaves as expected from perturbative QCD calculations. The p+p measurement serves as a baseline for direct photon production in Au+Au collisions. In d+Au collisions, no effects of cold nuclear matter are found within the large uncertainty of the measurement. In Au+Au collisions, the production of high p_T direct photons scales as expected for particle production in hard scatterings. This supports jet quenching models, which attribute the suppression of high p_T hadrons to the energy loss of fast partons in the medium produced in the collision. Low p_T direct photons, measured via e+e- pairs with small invariant mass, are possibly related to the production of thermal direct photons.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures, Proceedings of the Hot Quarks 2006 Workshop for young scientists on the physics of ultra-relativistic nucleus-nucleus collisions, Villasimius, Sardinia, Italy, May 15--20, 200

Nuclear modification at sqrt{s_{NN}}=17.3 GeV, measured at NA49

Transverse momentum spectra up to 4.5 GeV/c were measured around midrapidity in Pb+Pb reactions at sqrt{s_{NN}}=17.3 GeV, for pi^{+/-}, p, pbar and K^{+/-}, by the NA49 experiment. The nuclear modification factors R_{AA}, R_{AA/pA} and R_{CP} were extracted and are compared to RHIC results at sqrt{s_{NN}}=200 GeV. The modification factor R_{AA} shows a rapid increase with transverse momentum in the covered region. The modification factor R_{CP} shows saturation well below unity in the pi^{+/-} channel. The extracted R_{CP} values follow the 200 GeV RHIC results closely in the available transverse momentum range for all particle species. For pi^{+/-} above 2.5 GeV/c transverse momentum, the measured suppression is smaller than that observed at RHIC. The nuclear modification factor R_{AA/pA} for pi^{+/-} stays well below unity.Comment: Proceedings of Quark Matter 2008 conferenc

Parton recombination at all pTp_T

Hadron production at all $p_T$ in heavy-ion collisions in the framework of parton recombination is reviewed. It is shown that the recombination of thermal and shower partons dominates the hadron spectra in the intermediate $p_T$ region. In $d+Au$ collisions, the physics of particle production at any $\eta$ is basically the same as at $\eta=0$. The Cronin effect is described as a result of the final-state instead of the initial-state interaction. The suppression of $R_{CP}$ at high $\eta$ is due to the reduction of the soft parton density on the deuteron side, thus resulting in less pions produced by recombination, an explanation that requires no new physics. In $Au+Au$ collisions large $p/\pi$ ratio is obtained because the thermal partons can contribute to the formation of proton more than they do to the pion.Comment: 12 pages + 5 figures. Invited talk at Hard Probes 200

Elliptic Flow arising from Ridges due to Semi-hard Scattering

Azimuthal anisotropy in heavy-ion collisions is studied by taking into account the ridges generated by semi-hard scattering of intermediate-momentum partons, which can be sensitive to the initial spatial configuration of the medium in non-central collisions. In a simple treatment of the problem where the recombination of only thermal partons is considered, analytical formulas can be derived that yield results in accord with the data on v_2 for p_T <1-2 GeV/c. Centrality dependence is described by a geometrical factor. Ridge phenomenology is used to determine the initial slopes of v_2 at low p_T for both pion and proton. For higher p_T, shower partons from high-p_T jets must be included, but they are not considered here.Comment: revised version with new title and expanded discussion, to be published in Phys. Lett.