Measurement of |V_{ub}/V_{cb}| (and |V_{ub}|) in Exclusive Nonleptonic Decays, \bar{B}^0 --> D_s^{(*)-}(\pi^+,\rho^+) and \bar{B}^0 --> D_s^{(*)-}D^{(*)+}

We have studied extracting |\vub/\vcb| by calculating the ratios ${\cal B}(\bar{B}^0\to D_s^{(*)-}(\pi^+,\rho^+))/{\cal B}(\bar{B}^0\to D_s^{(*)-}D^{(*)+})$ including penguin effects within the factorization assumption. The ratios involving $\bar{B}^0\to D_s^-D^{+}$ mode have considerable penguin corrections ($\sim 15$ at the amplitude level), but those involving $\bar{B}^0\to D_s^-D^{*+}$ mode have relatively small penguin corrections. On the other hand, the $\bar{B}^0\to D_s^-D^{+}$ mode has smaller form-factor dependance. Therefore, these ratios complement each other in measuring \vub/\vcb. The theoretical uncertainty from the hadronic form factors in our method is at the level of 15%, which is comparable to the model-dependence uncertainty of about 20% in the measurement of | \vub/\vcb | from the exclusive semileptonic B decays. Using the newest upper limit on $B\to D_s \pi$ decay from CLEO, our method sets an upper limit | \vub/\vcb | < 0.13 which is very close to the measured values from the semileptonic B decays. We also discuss the possible breaking of factorization assumption.Comment: 15 pages, LaTe

Structure of Stochastic Dynamics near Fixed Points

We analyze the structure of stochastic dynamics near either a stable or unstable fixed point, where force can be approximated by linearization. We find that a cost function that determines a Boltzmann-like stationary distribution can always be defined near it. Such a stationary distribution does not need to satisfy the usual detailed balance condition, but might have instead a divergence-free probability current. In the linear case the force can be split into two parts, one of which gives detailed balance with the diffusive motion, while the other induces cyclic motion on surfaces of constant cost function. Using the Jordan transformation for the force matrix, we find an explicit construction of the cost function. We discuss singularities of the transformation and their consequences for the stationary distribution. This Boltzmann-like distribution may be not unique, and nonlinear effects and boundary conditions may change the distribution and induce additional currents even in the neighborhood of a fixed point.Comment: 7 page

Systematic Investigation of Possibilities for New Physics Effects in b --> s Penguin Processes

Although recent experimental results in b-->s penguin process seem to be roughly consistent with the standard model predictions, there may be still large possibilities of new physics hiding in this processes. Therefore, here we investigate systematically the potential new physics effects that may appear in time-dependent CP asymmetries of B --> phi K^0, B--> eta^\prime K^0 and B--> K^0 \pi^0 decay modes, by classifying the cases for the values of the mixing-induced indirect CP asymmetries, S_{phi K^0}, S_{eta^\prime K^0}, S_{K^0 pi^0} which are compared to S_{J/psi K^0}. We also show that several B_s decay modes may help to resolve the ambiguities in such an analysis. Through combining analysis with the time-dependent CP asymmetries of B_s decay modes such as B_s --> phi eta^\prime, B_s--> eta^\prime pi^0 and B_s --> K^0 bar{K}^0, we can determine where the new CP phases precisely come from.Comment: 17 pages, version to be published in Prog.Theor.Phy

Daytime lidar measurements of tidal winds in the mesospheric sodium layer at Urbana, Illinois

For more than 15 years lidar systems have been used to study the chemistry and dynamics of the mesospheric sodium layer. Because the layer is an excellent tracer of atmospheric wave motions, sodium lidar has proven to be particularly useful for studying the influence of gravity waves and tides on mesospheric dynamics. These waves, which originate in the troposphere and stratosphere, propagate through the mesosphere and dissipate their energy near the mesopause making important contributions to the momentum and turbulence budget in this region of the atmosphere. Recently, the sodium lidar was modified for daytime operation so that wave phenomena and chemical effects could be monitored throughout the complete diurnal cycle. The results of continuous 24 hour lidar observations of the sodium layer structure are presented alond with measurement of the semidiurnal tidal winds