Remarks on the f_0(400-1200) scalar meson as the dynamically generated chiral partner of the pion

The quark-level linear sigma model is revisited, in particular concerning the identification of the f_0(400-1200) (or \sigma(600)) scalar meson as the chiral partner of the pion. We demonstrate the predictive power of the linear sigma model through the pi-pi and pi-N s-wave scattering lengths, as well as several electromagnetic, weak, and strong decays of pseudoscalar and vector mesons. The ease with which the data for these observables are reproduced in the linear sigma model lends credit to the necessity to include the sigma as a fundamental q\bar{q} degree of freedom, to be contrasted with approaches like chiral perturbation theory or the confining NJL model of Shakin and Wang.Comment: 15 pages, plain LaTeX, 3 EPS figure

SU(3) Mass Splittings for qˉq\bar{q}q Mesons and qqqqqq Baryons

By comparing SU(3)-breaking scales of linear mass formulae, it is shown that the lowest vector, axial-vector, and scalar mesons all have a $\bar{q}q$ configuration, while the ground-state octet and decuplet baryons are $qqq$. Also, the quark-level linear $\sigma$ model is employed to predict similar $\bar{q}q$ and $qqq$ states. Finally, the approximate mass degeneracy of the scalar $a_0$(980) and $f_0$(980) mesons is demonstrated to be accidental.Comment: 8 Pages, AIP Proc. Style; Contribution to the High-Energy Physics Workshop "Scalar Mesons: an Interesting Puzzle for QCD", May 16-18, 2003, SUNY Institute of Technology, Utica (NY

Images in Christmas Balls

We describe light-reflection properties of spherically curved mirrors, like balls in the Christmas tree. In particular, we study the position of the image which is formed somewhere beyond the surface of a spherical mirror, when an eye observes the image of a pointlike light source. The considered problem, originally posed by Abu Ali Hasan Ibn al-Haitham -- alias Alhazen -- more than a millennium ago, turned out to have the now well known analytic solution of a biquadratic equation, being still of great relevance, e.g. for the aberration-free construction of telescopes. We do not attempt to perform an exhaustive survey of the rich historical and engineering literature on the subject, but develop a simple pedagogical approach to the issue, which we believe to be of continuing interest in view of its maltreating in many high-school textbooks.Comment: 13 pages, 7 figures plain LaTeX; Also see http://cft.fis.uc.pt/eef/mirrors.htm, revised version has simplified formulas, more transparent for a wider audience, one reference adde

The Separable Kernel of Nucleon-Nucleon Interaction in the Bethe-Salpeter Approach

The dispersion relations for nucleon-nucleon (NN) T-matrix in the framework of Bethe-Salpeter equation for two spin one-half particle system and with separable kernel of interaction are considered in the paper. The developed expressions are applied for construction of the separable kernel of interaction for S partial-waves in singlet and triplet channels. We calculate the low energy scattering parameters and the phase shifts and also the deuteron binding energy with the separable interaction. The approach can be easily extended to higher partial-waves for NN-scattering and other reactions (anti N N-, pi N-scattering).Comment: RevTex 4 style, 9 pages, 1 figur

Cadmiumtoxizität bei Weinreben

Toxicity of cadmium to grapevineCultings of the cv. Riesling were cultivated in nutrient solutions with different amounts of cadmium.Cadmium inhibited the growth of shoot and of leaf area and produced chlorosis, necroses and leaf deformations. Old leaves showed no symptoms at all, but with high cadmium levels leaf fall occurred.The threshold of cadmium damage was beneath a level of 0.1 ppm Cd of the nutrient solution.The dry matter production of the plants was reduced by cadmium: 0.66 mg Cd/l of nutrient solution caused an inhibition of 50 %.Cadmium reduced the chlorophyll content of the leaves.The transport of iron from roots to leaves was inhibited nearly complete ly by medium to high levels of cadmium {1.0, 3.0, 10.0 ppm). Iron was accumulated in the roots. Thus cadmium may have caused an iron deficiency chloros is in grapevines.The uptake of cadmium showed a clear dependence on the amount of cadmium in the nutrient solution . Within the plants, decreasing amounts of cadmium were found following the pattern roots - stem - leaves

Relativistic three-particle scattering equations

We derive a set of relativistic three-particle scattering equations in the three-particle c.m. frame employing a relativistic three-particle propagator suggested long ago by Ahmadzadeh and Tjon in the c.m. frame of a two-particle subsystem. We make the coordinate transformation of this propagator from the c.m. frame of the two-particle subsystem to the three-particle c.m. frame. We also point out that some numerical applications of the Ahmadzadeh and Tjon propagator to the three-nucleon problem use unnecessary nonrelativistic approximations which do not simplify the computational task, but violate constraints of relativistic unitarity and/or covariance.Comment: 5pages, text and one ps figure (in revtex) include

Relativistic Contributions to Deuteron Photodisintegration in the Bethe-Salpeter Formalism

In plane wave one-body approximation the reaction of deuteron photodisintegration is considered in the framework of the Bethe-Salpeter formalism for two-nucleon system. Results are obtained for deuteron vertex function, which is the solution of the homogeneous Bethe-Salpeter equation with a multi-rank separable interaction kernel, with a given analytical form. A comparison is presented with predictions of non-relativistic, quasipotential approaches and the equal time approximation. It is shown that important contributions come from the boost in the arguments of the initial state vertex function and the boost on the relative energy in the one-particle propagator due to recoil.Comment: 29 pages, 6 figure