N_f Dependence of the Quark Condensate from a Chiral Sum Rule

How fast does the quark condensate in QCD-like theories vary as a function of $N_f$ is inferred from real QCD using chiral perturbation theory at order one-loop. A sum rule is derived for the single relevant chiral coupling-constant, $L_6$. A model independent lower bound is obtained. The spectral function satisfies a Weinberg-type superconvergence relation. It is discussed how this, together with chiral constraints allows a solid evaluation of $L_6$, based on experimental $\pi\pi-K\bar K$ S-wave T-matrix input. The resulting value of $L_6$ is compatible with a strong $N_f$ dependence possibly suggestive of the proximity of a chiral phase transitionComment: 22 pages, 4 figures. A few improvements and corrections mad

Chiral perturbation theory: a basic introduction

Chiral perturbation theory is a very general expansion method which can be applied to any dynamical system which has continuous global symmetries and in which the ground state breaks some of these spontaneously. In these lectures we explain at a basic level and in detail how such symmetries are identified in the case of the QCD Lagrangian and describe the steps which are involved in practice in the construction of a low-energy effective theory for QCD.Comment: Lectures given at the FANTOM study week, Emmen May 24-28 2004. 17 pages, 4figures. v2: eq. (62) correcte

Unified dispersive approach to real and virtual photon-photon scattering at low energy

Previous representations of pion pair production amplitudes by two real photons at low energy, which combine dispersion theoretical constraints with elastic unitariy, chiral symmetry and soft photon constraints are generalized to the case where one photon is virtual. The constructed amplitudes display explicitly the dependence on the $\pi\pi$ phase-shifts, on pion form factors and on pion polarizabilities. They apply both for space-like and time-like virtualities despite the apparent overlap of the left and right-hand cuts, by implementing a definition of resonance exchange amplitudes complying with analyticity and consistent limiting prescriptions for the energy variables. Applications are made to the pion generalized polarizabilies, to vector meson radiative decays, and to the $\sigma\gamma$ electromagnetic form factor. Finally, and evaluation of the contribution of $\gamma\pi\pi$ states in the hadronic vacuum polarization to the muon $g-2$ is given, which should be less model dependent than previous estimates.Comment: 53 pages, 18 figure

Virtual quarks, vacuum stability and scalar meson physics

Results are reviewed, which provide relations between the response (and eventual instability) of the chiral QCD vacuum to an increase of the number of massless quarks in the theory and the observed violations of the large $N_c$ expansion in the scalar meson sector, by combining chiral perturbation theory expansions in $m_s$ with sum rule methods. An approach based on the construction of scalar form-factors was recently confirmed by an independent approach which uses the $\pi K$ scattering amplitudes.Comment: 7 pages, Talk given at " Chiral fluctuations in hadronic matter international workshop", Orsay, September 26-28, 200

Form factors of the isovector scalar current and the ηπ\eta\pi scattering phase shifts

A model for S-wave $\eta\pi$ scattering is proposed which could be realistic in an energy range from threshold up to above one GeV, where inelasticity is dominated by the $K\bar{K}$ channel. The $T$-matrix, satisfying two-channel unitarity, is given in a form which matches the chiral expansion results at order $p^4$ exactly for the $\eta\pi\to\eta\pi$, $\eta\pi\to K\bar{K}$ amplitudes and approximately for $K\bar{K}\to K\bar{K}$. It contains six phenomenological parameters. Asymptotic conditions are imposed which ensure a minimal solution of the Muskhelishvili-Omn\`es problem, thus allowing to compute the $\eta\pi$ and $K\bar{K}$ form factor matrix elements of the $I=1$ scalar current from the $T$-matrix. The phenomenological parameters are determined such as to reproduce the experimental properties of the $a_0(980)$, $a_0(1450)$ resonances, as well as the chiral results of the $\eta\pi$ and $K\bar{K}$ scalar radii which are predicted to be remarkably small at $O(p^4)$. This $T$-matrix model could be used for a unified treatment of the $\eta\pi$ final-state interaction problem in processes such as $\eta'\to \eta \pi\pi$, $\phi\to\eta\pi\gamma$, or the $\eta\pi$ initial-state interaction in $\eta\to3\pi$.Comment: 33 pages, 14 figures. v2: Some clarifications and corrections of typo

Unified dispersive approach to γ∗→γππ\gamma^*\to\gamma\pi\pi and γγ→ππ\gamma\gamma\to\pi\pi

A representation of the amplitude $\gamma^*(q^2)\to\gamma\pi\pi$ is proposed which combines large $N_c$ chiral resonance Lagrangian modelling with general unitarity and analyticity properties. The amplitude is constrained from $\gamma\gamma$ scattering results and $e^+ e^- \to\gamma\pi^0\pi^0$ measurements by the CMD-2 and SND collaborations. As an application, the contribution of the $\pi\pi+\gamma$ states in the HVP contribution to the muon $g-2$ are reconsidered, taking into account the effect of the strong $S$-wave $\pi\pi$ rescattering in a model independent way.Comment: 5 pages. To appear in the proceedings of "The International Workshop on e+e- collisions from Phi to Psi 2013", Rome sept. 201

pi K scattering inputs to ChPT

Experimental information on low energy $\pi K$ scattering would shed light on the poorly known OZI suppressed sector of ChPT. I describe recent work aimed at generating such information based on available experimental data by setting up and then solving with appropriate boundary conditions a non linear system of equations of the Roy and Steiner type. First results of this analysis are presented.Comment: Talk given at QCD'03 conference, 2-9 July 2003, Montpellie

Dispersive evaluation of the second-class amplitude τ→ηπντ\tau\to\eta\pi\nu_\tau in the standard model

We reevaluate the two form factors relevant for the $\eta\pi$ second-class $\tau$ decay mode, making systematic use of analyticity, unitarity, combined with updated inputs to the NLO chiral constraints. We focus, in particular, on the shape of the $\rho$ resonance peak which is a background-free signature of a second-class current. Its dispersive construction requires the $\eta\pi\to\pi\pi$ scattering amplitude which we derive from a family of Khuri-Treiman equations solutions constrained with accurate recent results on the $\eta\to3\pi$ Dalitz plot.Comment: Presented at the 12th International workshop on Tau lepton physics (TAU2012) in Nagoya, Japa