Split Two-Higgs-Doublet Model and Neutrino Condensation

We split the two-Higgs-doublet model by assuming very different vevs for the two doublets: the vev is at weak scale (174 GeV) for the doublet \Phi_1 and at neutrino-mass scale (10^{-2} \sim 10^{-3} eV) for the doublet \Phi_2. \Phi_1 is responsible for giving masses to all fermions except neutrinos; while \Phi_2 is responsible for giving neutrino masses through its tiny vev without introducing see-saw mechanism. Among the predicted five physical scalars H, h, A^0 and H^{\pm}, the CP-even scalar h is as light as 10^{-2} \sim 10^{-3}eV while others are at weak scale. We identify h as the cosmic dark energy field and the other CP-even scalar H as the Standard Model Higgs boson; while the CP-odd A^0 and the charged H^{\pm} are the exotic scalars to be discovered at future colliders. Also we demonstrate a possible dynamical origin for the doublet \Phi_2 from neutrino condensation caused by some unknown dynamics.Comment: version in Europhys. Lett. (discussions added

CP Asymmetry in Charged Higgs Decays in MSSM

We discuss and compare the charge-parity (CP) asymmetry in the charged Higgs boson decays H -> \bar{u}_i d_j for the second and third generation quarks in the minimal supersymmetric standard model. As part of the analysis, we derive some general analytical formulas for the imaginary parts of two-point and three-point scalar one-loop integrals and use them for calculating vectorial and tensorial type integrals needed for the problem under consideration. We find that, even though each decay mode has a potential to yield a CP asymmetry larger than 10%, further analysis based on the number of required charged Higgs events at colliders favors the \bar{t}b, \bar{c}b, and \bar{c}s channels, whose asymmetry could reach 10-15% in certain parts of the parameter space.Comment: 25 pages, 9 figures. Discussion about charged Higgs observability added, typos corrected, accepted for publication in PR

Epigenetic Chromatin Silencing: Bistability and Front Propagation

The role of post-translational modification of histones in eukaryotic gene regulation is well recognized. Epigenetic silencing of genes via heritable chromatin modifications plays a major role in cell fate specification in higher organisms. We formulate a coarse-grained model of chromatin silencing in yeast and study the conditions under which the system becomes bistable, allowing for different epigenetic states. We also study the dynamics of the boundary between the two locally stable states of chromatin: silenced and unsilenced. The model could be of use in guiding the discussion on chromatin silencing in general. In the context of silencing in budding yeast, it helps us understand the phenotype of various mutants, some of which may be non-trivial to see without the help of a mathematical model. One such example is a mutation that reduces the rate of background acetylation of particular histone side-chains that competes with the deacetylation by Sir2p. The resulting negative feedback due to a Sir protein depletion effect gives rise to interesting counter-intuitive consequences. Our mathematical analysis brings forth the different dynamical behaviors possible within the same molecular model and guides the formulation of more refined hypotheses that could be addressed experimentally.Comment: 19 pages, 5 figure

Infrared response of ordered polarons in layered perovskites

We report on the infrared absorption spectra of three oxides where charged superlattices have been recently observed in diffraction experiments. In La$_{1.67}$Sr$_{0.33}$NiO$_4$, polaron localization is found to suppress the low-energy conductivity through the opening of a gap and to split the $E_{2u}$-$A_{2u}$ vibrational manifold of the oxygen octahedra. Similar effects are detected in Sr$_{1.5}$La$_{0.5}$MnO$_4$ and in La$_2$NiO$_{4+y}$, with peculiar differences related to the type of charge ordering.Comment: File latex, 11 p. + 3 Figures, to appear on Phys. Rev. B (Rapid Commun.), 1 Oct. 1996. The figures will be faxed upon request. E-mail:[email protected] Fax: +39-6-446315

The Temporal and Spectral Characteristics of "Fast Rise and Exponential Decay" Gamma-Ray Burst Pulses

In this paper we have analyzed the temporal and spectral behavior of 52 Fast Rise and Exponential Decay (FRED) pulses in 48 long-duration gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) observed by the CGRO/BATSE, using a pulse model with two shape parameters and the Band model with three shape parameters, respectively. It is found that these FRED pulses are distinguished both temporally and spectrally from those in long-lag pulses. Different from these long-lag pulses only one parameter pair indicates an evident correlation among the five parameters, which suggests that at least $\sim$4 parameters are needed to model burst temporal and spectral behavior. In addition, our studies reveal that these FRED pulses have correlated properties: (i) long-duration pulses have harder spectra and are less luminous than short-duration pulses; (ii) the more asymmetric the pulses are the steeper the evolutionary curves of the peak energy ($E_{p}$) in the $\nu f_{\nu}$ spectrum within pulse decay phase are. Our statistical results give some constrains on the current GRB models.Comment: 18 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journa

Induced magnetization in La0.7_{0.7}Sr0.3_{0.3}MnO3_3/BiFeO3_3 superlattices

Using polarized neutron reflectometry (PNR), we observe an induced magnetization of 75$\pm$ 25 kA/m at 10 K in a La$_{0.7}$Sr$_{0.3}$MnO$_3$ (LSMO)/BiFeO$_3$ superlattice extending from the interface through several atomic layers of the BiFeO$_3$ (BFO). The induced magnetization in BFO is explained by density functional theory, where the size of bandgap of BFO plays an important role. Considering a classical exchange field between the LSMO and BFO layers, we further show that magnetization is expected to extend throughout the BFO, which provides a theoretical explanation for the results of the neutron scattering experiment.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, with Supplemental Materials. To appear in Physical Review Letter

Polaron Effects on Superexchange Interaction: Isotope Shifts of TNT_N, TCT_C, and T∗T^* in Layered Copper Oxides

A compact expression has been obtained for the superexchange coupling of magnetic ions via intermediate anions with regard to polaron effects at both magnetic ions and intermediate anions. This expression is used to analyze the main features of the behavior of isotope shifts for temperatures of three types in layered cuprates: the Neel temperatures ($T_N$), critical temperatures of transitions to a superconducting state ($T_C$), and characteristic temperatures of the pseudogap in the normal state ($T^*$).Comment: 4 pages, 1 figur

Signatures of polaronic excitations in quasi-one-dimensional LaTiO3.41_{3.41}

The optical properties of quasi-one-dimensional metallic LaTiO$_{3.41}$ are studied for the polarization along the $a$ and $b$ axes. With decreasing temperature modes appear along both directions suggestive for a phase transition. The broadness of these modes along the conducting axis might be due to the coupling of the phonons to low-energy electronic excitations across an energy gap. We observe a pronounced midinfrared band with a temperature dependence consistent with (interacting) polaron models. The polaronic picture is corroborated by the presence of strong electron-phonon coupling and the temperature dependence of the dc conductivity.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure