Testing the Standard Model and searching for New Physics with Bd→ππB_d \to \pi \pi and Bs→KKB_s \to K K decays

We propose to perform a combined analysis of $B \to \pi\pi$ and $B_s \to K^+ K^-$ modes, in the framework of a global CKM fit. The method optimizes the constraining power of these decays and allows to derive constraints on NP contributions to penguin amplitudes or on the $B_s$ mixing phase. We illustrate these capabilities with a simplified analysis using the recent measurements by the LHCb Collaboration, neglecting correlations with other SM observables.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures. v2: references and clarifications added, version published in JHE

Comment on "First order amorphous-amorphous transformation in silica"

In a recent letter (Phys. Rev. Lett. 84, 4629 (2000)), Lacks presents evidence of a first order amorphous-amorphous transition in silica at T=0. He calculates the free energy along a path of compression and successive decompression of a sample of 108 SiO2 units. The free energy of the two branches cross each other, and this is interpreted as evidence of a first order transition. We show that this conclusion does not follow from the shown data, since qualitatively the same phenomenology is obtained in a model where a first order transition does not exist.Comment: 1 page, 1 figure, to appear in Phys. Rev. Let

Liquid-liquid equilibrium for monodisperse spherical particles

A system of identical particles interacting through an isotropic potential that allows for two preferred interparticle distances is numerically studied. When the parameters of the interaction potential are adequately chosen, the system exhibits coexistence between two different liquid phases (in addition to the usual liquid-gas coexistence). It is shown that this coexistence can occur at equilibrium, namely, in the region where the liquid is thermodynamically stable.Comment: 6 pages, 8 figures. Published versio

Interplay Between Time-Temperature-Transformation and the Liquid-Liquid Phase Transition in Water

We study the TIP5P water model proposed by Mahoney and Jorgensen, which is closer to real water than previously-proposed classical pairwise additive potentials. We simulate the model in a wide range of deeply supercooled states and find (i) the existence of a non-monotonic ``nose-shaped'' temperature of maximum density line and a non-reentrant spinodal, (ii) the presence of a low temperature phase transition, (iii) the free evolution of bulk water to ice, and (iv) the time-temperature-transformation curves at different densities.Comment: RevTeX4, 4 pages, 4 eps figure

Chargino Contributions in B→ϕKSB \to \phi K_S Asymmetry

CP asymmetry in $B \to \phi K_S$ decay is studied in a special context of supersymmetry theories, in which the charginos play an important role. We find that in addition to the gluino, chargino can also make large contributions to CP asymmetry in $B \to \phi K_S$ decay. After considering the constraints from $B \to J/psi K_S$ decay, we study three special scenarios: (a). Large mixing on left-handed charm and top squarks (LL mixing); (b). Large mixing on right-handed charm and top squarks (RR mixing); (c). Large mixing on left-handed charm and top squarks plus right-handed charm and top squarks (LL + RR mixing). We show quantitatively that because of large squark mixing within second and third generations, an $\mathcal O$(1) effect on CP violation in $B \to \phi K_S$ is possible

Thermal Conditions for Scalar Bosons in a Curved Space Time

The conditions that allow us to consider the vacuum expectation value of the energy-momentum tensor as a statistical average, at some particular temperature, are given. When the mean value of created particles is stationary, a planckian distribution for the field modes is obtained. In the massless approximation, the temperature dependence is as that corresponding to a radiation dominated Friedmann-like model.Comment: 14 pages (TeX manuscript

Constraints on Hidden Photon Models from Electron g-2 and Hydrogen Spectroscopy

The hidden photon model is one of the simplest models which can explain the anomaly of the muon anomalous magnetic moment (g-2). The experimental constraints are studied in detail, which come from the electron g-2 and the hydrogen transition frequencies. The input parameters are set carefully in order to take dark photon contributions into account and to prevent the analysis from being self-inconsistent. It is shown that the new analysis provides a constraint severer by more than one order of magnitude than the previous result.Comment: 18 pages, 2 figures, 1 table. v2: minor correction

Supercooling across first-order phase transitions in vortex matter

Hysteresis in cycling through first-order phase transitions in vortex matter, akin to the well-studied phenomenon of supercooling of water, has been discussed in literature. Hysteresis can be seen while varying either temperature T or magnetic field H (and thus the density of vortices). Our recent work on phase transitions with two control variables shows that the observable region of metastability of the supercooled phase would depend on the path followed in H-T space, and will be larger when T is lowered at constant H compared to the case when H is lowered at constant T. We discuss the effect of isothermal field variations on metastable supercooled states produced by field-cooling. This path dependence is not a priori applicable to metastability caused by reduced diffusivity or hindered kinetics.Comment: Tex, 8 pages, 3 Postscripts figures. Submitted to Pramana - J. Physic

Intra-molecular coupling as a mechanism for a liquid-liquid phase transition

We study a model for water with a tunable intra-molecular interaction $J_\sigma$, using mean field theory and off-lattice Monte Carlo simulations. For all $J_\sigma\geq 0$, the model displays a temperature of maximum density.For a finite intra-molecular interaction $J_\sigma > 0$,our calculations support the presence of a liquid-liquid phase transition with a possible liquid-liquid critical point for water, likely pre-empted by inevitable freezing. For J=0 the liquid-liquid critical point disappears at T=0.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figure

The Ultimate Fate of Supercooled Liquids

In recent years it has become widely accepted that a dynamical length scale {\xi}_{\alpha} plays an important role in supercooled liquids near the glass transition. We examine the implications of the interplay between the growing {\xi}_{\alpha} and the size of the crystal nucleus, {\xi}_M, which shrinks on cooling. We argue that at low temperatures where {\xi}_{\alpha} > {\xi}_M a new crystallization mechanism emerges enabling rapid development of a large scale web of sparsely connected crystallinity. Though we predict this web percolates the system at too low a temperature to be easily seen in the laboratory, there are noticeable residual effects near the glass transition that can account for several previously observed unexplained phenomena of deeply supercooled liquids including Fischer clusters, and anomalous crystal growth near T_g