The photon structure and exclusive production of vector mesons in gamma-gamma collisions

The process of exclusive vector meson production (gamma gamma to J/psi rho^0) is studied for almost real photons. This process may be reduced to photoproduction of J/psi off the rho^0 meson. We discuss the possibility of extracting the gluon distribution of rho^0 and of the photon from such measurement. Predictions are also given for the reaction (e+e- to e+ e- J/psi rho^0) for various e+e- cms energies typical for LEP and for the future linear colliders.Comment: 10 pages with 3 Postscript figure

Tracking icebergs with time-lapse photography and sparse optical flow, LeConte Bay, Alaska, 2016–2017

We present a workflow to track icebergs in proglacial fjords using oblique time-lapse photos and the Lucas-Kanade optical flow algorithm. We employ the workflow at LeConte Bay, Alaska, where we ran five time-lapse cameras between April 2016 and September 2017, capturing more than 400 000 photos at frame rates of 0.5–4.0 min−1. Hourly to daily average velocity fields in map coordinates illustrate dynamic currents in the bay, with dominant downfjord velocities (exceeding 0.5 m s−1 intermittently) and several eddies. Comparisons with simultaneous Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) measurements yield best agreement for the uppermost ADCP levels (∼ 12 m and above), in line with prevalent small icebergs that trace near-surface currents. Tracking results from multiple cameras compare favorably, although cameras with lower frame rates (0.5 min−1) tend to underestimate high flow speeds. Tests to determine requisite temporal and spatial image resolution confirm the importance of high image frame rates, while spatial resolution is of secondary importance. Application of our procedure to other fjords will be successful if iceberg concentrations are high enough and if the camera frame rates are sufficiently rapid (at least 1 min−1 for conditions similar to LeConte Bay).This work was funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (OPP-1503910, OPP-1504288, OPP-1504521 and OPP-1504191).Ye

Charm photoproduction at HERA: kt-factorization versus experimental data

We calculate the cross section of charm photoproduction at HERA collider in the framework of the kt-factorization QCD approach. Our analysis cover the inclusive charm production as well as charm and associated jet production processes. Both photon-gluon and gluon-gluon fusion mechanisms are taken into account. The unintegrated gluon densities in a proton and in a photon obtained from the full CCFM, from unified BFKL-DGLAP evolution equations as well as from the Kimber-Martin-Ryskin prescription are used. Our theoretical results are compared with the recent experimental data taken by the H1 and ZEUS collaborations at HERA. Special attention is put on the specific angular correlations which can provide unique information about non-collinear gluon evolution dynamics.Comment: 33 pages, 15 figures, 2 table

Prompt photon photoproduction at HERA in the k_T-factorization approach

We present calculations of the prompt photon photoproduction at HERA collider in the k_T-factorization approach. Both direct and resolved contributions are taken into account. The conservative error analisys is performed. The unintegrated parton densities in a proton and in a photon are determined using the Kimber-Martin-Ryskin prescription. We investigate both inclusive and associated with jet prompt photon photoproduction rates. In particular, we study the angular correlations between produced photon and hadronic jet in the transverse momentum plane which can provide a unique information about non-collinear evolution dynamics. We compare our theoretical predictions with recent experimental data taken by the H1 and ZEUS collaborations.Comment: 34 pages, 18 figure

Vector Meson Photoproduction from the BFKL Equation II: Phenomenology

Diffractive vector meson photoproduction accompanied by proton dissociation is studied for large momentum transfer. The process is described by the non-forward BFKL equation which we use to compare to data collected at the HERA collider.Comment: 39 pages, 29 figure

Odderon in baryon-baryon scattering from the AdS/CFT correspondence

Based on the AdS/CFT correspondence, we present a holographic description of various C-odd exchanges in high energy baryon-baryon and baryon-antibaryon scattering, and calculate their respective contributions to the difference in the total cross sections. We predict that, due to the warp factor of AdS_5, the total cross section in pp collisions is larger than in p\bar{p} collisions at asymptotically high energies.Comment: 23 pages, v2: minor changes, to be published in JHE

Thin-Film Metamaterials called Sculptured Thin Films

Morphology and performance are conjointed attributes of metamaterials, of which sculptured thin films (STFs) are examples. STFs are assemblies of nanowires that can be fabricated from many different materials, typically via physical vapor deposition onto rotating substrates. The curvilinear--nanowire morphology of STFs is determined by the substrate motions during fabrication. The optical properties, especially, can be tailored by varying the morphology of STFs. In many cases prototype devices have been fabricated for various optical, thermal, chemical, and biological applications.Comment: to be published in Proc. ICTP School on Metamaterials (Augsut 2009, Sibiu, Romania

Beauty photoproduction at HERA: kt-factorization versus experimental data

We present calculations of the beauty photoproduction at HERA collider in the framework of the kt-factorization approach. Both direct and resolved photon contributions are taken into account. The unintegrated gluon densities in a proton and in a photon are obtained from the full CCFM, from unified BFKL-DGLAP evolution equations as well as from the Kimber-Martin-Ryskin prescription. We investigate different production rates (both inclusive and associated with hadronic jets) and compare our theoretical predictions with the recent experimental data taken by the H1 and ZEUS collaborations. Special attention is put on the x_{\gamma}^{obs} variable which is sensitive to the relative contributions to the beauty production cross section.Comment: 29 pages, 15 figures, 2 table

Testing the dynamics of high energy scattering using vector meson production

I review work on diffractive vector meson production in photon-proton collisions at high energy and large momentum transfer, accompanied by proton dissociation and a large rapidity gap. This process provides a test of the high energy scattering dynamics, but is also sensitive to the details of the treatment of the vector meson vertex. The emphasis is on the description of the process by a solution of the non-forward BFKL equation, i.e. the equation describing the evolution of scattering amplitudes in the high-energy limit of QCD. The formation of the vector meson and the non-perturbative modeling needed is also briefly discussed.Comment: 17 pages, 8 figures. Brief review to appear in Mod. Phys. Lett.