Rare decay π0→e+e−\pi^0\to e^+e^-: on corrections beyond the leading order

The preceding experimental and theoretical results on the rare decay $\pi^0 \to e^+e^-$ are briefly summarized. Already computed two-loop QED corrections are reviewed and the bremsstrahlung contribution beyond the soft-photon approximation is analytically calculated. The possible further contribution of QCD loop corrections is estimated using the leading logarithm approximation. The complete result can be used to fit the value of the contact interaction coupling $\chi^r$ to the recent KTeV experiment with the result $\chi^r(M_\rho) = 4.5 \pm 1.0$.Comment: 10 pages, 9 figures, 1 tabl

Airborne next: rethinking airborne organization and applying new concepts

The airborne concept has had a lasting impact on military force structures since its employment on a large scale during World War II. It is puzzling to consider how little airborne organizational structures and employment concepts have changed in the intervening seven decades, considering the great amount of change occurring in warfare. This thesis examines the future potential of airborne concepts by rethinking traditional airborne organizational structures and employment concepts. Using a holistic approach in the areas of organization, doctrine, technology, and strategy as guiding frames of reference, this thesis recommends updating the organizational structures of airborne forces to model a small and many approach over a large and few approach, while incorporating a swarming concept. Utilizing historical and contemporary vignettes to demonstrate airborne utility, this research reveals how a parachute capability displays the unique attributes to complement a swarming concept. Under an updated organizational structure and new employment concept, airborne forces can offer renewed relevancy to the U.S. Department of Defense against modern adversaries in crises and conflict.http://archive.org/details/airbornenextreth1094545878Major, United States ArmyApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Current profiles and AC losses of a superconducting strip with elliptic cross-section in perpendicular magnetic field

The case of a hard type II superconductor in the form of strip with elliptic cross-section when placed in transverse magnetic field is studied. We approach the problem in two steps, both based on the critical-state model. First we calculate numerically the penetrated current profiles that ensure complete shielding in the interior, without assuming an a priori form for the profiles. In the second step we introduce an analytical approximation that asumes that the current profiles are ellipses. Expressions linking the sample magnetization to the applied field are derived covering the whole range of applied fields. The theoretical predictions are tested by the comparison with experimental data for the imaginary part of AC susceptibility.Comment: 12 pages; 3 figure

Radiative corrections in Dalitz decays of π0\pi^0, η\eta and η′\eta^\prime mesons

We briefly summarize current experimental and theoretical results on the two important processes of the low-energy hadron physics involving neutral pions, the rare decay $\pi^0\to e^+e^-$ and the Dalitz decay of $\pi^0$, and provide a new value for the ratio $R={\Gamma(\pi^0\to e^+e^-\gamma(\gamma))}/{\Gamma(\pi^0\to\gamma\gamma)}=11.978(6)\times10^{-3}$, which is by two orders of magnitude more precise than the current PDG average. This value is obtained using the complete set of the next-to-leading-order radiative corrections in the QED sector, and incorporates up-to-date values of the $\pi^0$-transition-form-factor slope. The ratio $R$ translates into the branching ratios of the two main $\pi^0$ decay modes: $\mathcal{B}(\pi^0\to\gamma\gamma)=98.8131(6)\,\%$ and $\mathcal{B}(\pi^0\to e^+e^-\gamma(\gamma))=1.1836(6)\,\%$. Furthermore, we present the complete set of radiative corrections to the Dalitz decays $\eta^{(\prime)}\to\ell^+\ell^-\gamma$ beyond the soft-photon approximation, i.e. over the whole range of the Dalitz plot and with no restrictions on the energy of a radiative photon. The corrections inevitably depend on the $\eta^{(\prime)}\to\gamma^*\gamma^{(*)}$ transition form factors. For the singly-virtual transition form factor appearing e.g. in the bremsstrahlung correction, recent dispersive calculations are used. For the one-photon-irreducible contribution at the one-loop level (for the doubly-virtual form factor), we use a vector-meson-dominance-inspired model while taking into account the $\eta$-$\eta^{\prime}$ mixing.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figures; contribution to the proceedings of the following conferences: XIIIth Quark Confinement and the Hadron Spectrum, 15th International Workshop on Meson Physics and 9th International Workshop on Chiral Dynamic

Radiative modes K+→π+γ∗γ(∗)K^+\to\pi^+\gamma^*\gamma^{(*)} and the K+→π+4eK^+\to\pi^+4e decay

We discuss radiative transitions of a charged kaon to a pion and two photons. In particular, we have a closer look at radiative corrections for the $K^+\to\pi^+\ell^+\ell^-$ decays and present the branching ratio of the $K^+\to\pi^+e^+e^-e^+e^-$ process calculated for the first time at leading order in the Standard Model.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, 1 table; contribution to the proceedings of International Conference on Kaon Physics 2022 (KAON2022

Search for weakly interacting sub-eV particles with the OSQAR laser-based experiment: results and perspectives

Recent theoretical and experimental studies highlight the possibility of new fundamental particle physics beyond the Standard Model that can be probed by sub-eV energy experiments. The OSQAR photon regeneration experiment looks for "Light Shining through a Wall" (LSW) from the quantum oscillation of optical photons into "Weakly Interacting Sub-eV Particles" (WISPs), like axion or axion-like particles (ALPs), in a 9 T transverse magnetic field over the unprecedented length of $2 \times 14.3$ m. No excess of events has been detected over the background. The di-photon couplings of possible new light scalar and pseudo-scalar particles can be constrained in the massless limit to be less than $8.0\times10^{-8}$ GeV$^{-1}$. These results are very close to the most stringent laboratory constraints obtained for the coupling of ALPs to two photons. Plans for further improving the sensitivity of the OSQAR experiment are presented.Comment: 7 pages, 7 figure