Ab initio studies of the spin-transfer torque in tunnel junctions

We calculate the spin-transfer torque in Fe/MgO/Fe tunnel junctions and compare the results to those for all-metallic junctions. We show that the spin-transfer torque is interfacial in the ferromagnetic layer to a greater degree than in all-metallic junctions. This result originates in the half metallic behavior of Fe for the $\Delta_1$ states at the Brillouin zone center; in contrast to all-metallic structures, dephasing does not play an important role. We further show that it is possible to get a component of the torque that is out of the plane of the magnetizations and that is linear in the bias. However, observation of such a torque requires highly ideal samples. In samples with typical interfacial roughness, the torque is similar to that in all-metallic multilayers, although for different reasons.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Testing the ΔS=ΔQ\Delta S=\Delta Q Rule with Exclusive Semi-Leptonic Kaon Decays

We consider the possibility of violations of the selection rule $\Delta S=\Delta Q$ at an appreciable level in {\it exclusive} semi-leptonic decays of Kaons. At $\Phi$-Factories, intense Kaon beams will be available and will probe among others, the semi-leptonic decays $K_{l4}$ and $K_{l3\gamma}$ in addition to $K_{l3}$ and could provide novel testing grounds for the $\Delta S=\Delta Q$ rule. In particular, the branching ratio of $K_{l3\gamma}$ is non-negligible and could be used to probe new phenomena associated with the violation of this selection rule. Furthermore, we modify certain di-lepton event rate ratios and asymmetries and time asymmetries that have been constructed by Dass and Sarma for di-lepton events from Beon decays to test the $\Delta B=\Delta Q$ at the $\Upsilon (4S)$, to the Kaon system at the $\phi(1020)$. We find that the large width of the $K_S$ relative to that of $K_L$ plays an important role in enhancing some of the time asymmetries.Comment: 10 pages, Plain Latex, To be run twice

On CP Asymmetries in Two-, Three- and Four-Body D Decays

Indirect and direct CP violations have been established in K_L and B_d decays. They have been found in two-body decay channels -- with the exception of K_L to pi^+ pi^- e^+ e^- transitions. Evidence for direct CP asymmetry has just appeared in LHCb data on A_{CP}(D^0 to K^+ K^-) - A_{CP}(D^0 to pi^+ pi^-) with 3.5 sigma significance. Manifestations of New Dynamics (ND) can appear in CP asymmetries just below experimental bounds. We discuss D^{\pm}_{(s)}, D^0/\bar D^0 and D_L/D_S transitions to 2-, 3- and 4-body final states with a comment on predictions for inclusive vs. exclusive CP asymmetries. In particular we discuss T asymmetries in D to h_1 h_2 l^+ l^- in analogy with K_L to pi^+ pi^- e^+ e^- transitions due to interference between M1, internal bremsstrahlung and possible E1 amplitudes. Such an effect depends on the strength of CP violation originating from the ND -- as discussed here for Little Higgs Models with T parity and non-minimal Higgs sectors -- but also in the interferences between these amplitudes even in the Standard Model (SM). More general lessons can be learnt for T asymmetries in non-leptonic D decays like D to h_1h_2 h_3 h_4. Such manifestations of ND can be tested at LHCb and other Super-Flavour Factories like the projects at KEK near Tokyo and at Tor Vergata/Frascati near Rome.Comment: 27 pages, 6 figures. Revised with current results from LHCb and HFAG and further interpretation

Effects of Possible ΔB=−ΔQ\Delta B =- \Delta Q Transitions in Neutral BB Meson Decays}

We explore the possibility that the existing data on like-sign dileptons at the $\Upsilon (4S)$ resonance consist of events arising from $B_{d}^0 -\bar B_{d}^0$ mixing and also from $\Delta B = - \Delta Q$ transitions. The consequences of these nonstandard transitions for certain time-asymmetries which are likely to be measured at the $B$ factories are studied.Comment: {\LARGE \bf 10 pages, no figures, process using latex, TIFR/TH/93-5

A Transient New Coherent Condition of Matter: The Signal for New Physics in Hadronic Diffractive Scattering

We demonstrate the existence of an anomalous structure in the data on the diffractive elastic scattering of hadrons at high energies and small momentum transfer. We analyze five sets of experimental data on $p(\overline{p})-p$ scattering from five different experiments with colliding beams, ranging from the first-- and second--generation experiments at $\sqrt{s} = 53$ GeV to the most recent experiments at 546 GeV and at 1800 GeV. All of the data sets exhibit a localized anomalous structure in momentum transfer. We represent the anomalous behavior by a phenomenological formula. This is based upon the idea that a transient coherent condition of matter occurs in some of the intermediate inelastic states which give rise, via unitarity, to diffractive elastic scattering. The Fourier--Bessel transform into momentum--transfer space of a spatial oscillatory behavior of matter in the impact--parameter plane results in a small piece of the diffractive amplitude which exhibits a localized anomalous behavior near a definite value of $-t$. In addition, we emphasize possible signals coming directly from such a new condition of matter that may be present in current experiments on inelastic processes.Comment: 25 pages, LaTeX (12 figures, not included). A complete postscript file (except figures 1 and 11, which are available upon request) is available via anonymous ftp at ttpux2.physik.uni-karlsruhe.de (129.13.102.139) as /ttp94-03 /ttp94-03.ps, Local preprint# TTP94-03 (March 1994

Tests of the Standard Model Using Muon Polarization Asymmetries in Kaon Decays

We have examined the physics and the experimental feasibility of studying various kaon decay processes in which the polarization of a muon in the final state is measured. Valuable information on CP violation, the quark mixing (CKM) matrix, and new physics can be obtained from such measurements. We have considered muon polarization in K_L to mu+ mu- and K to pi mu+ mu- decays. Although the effects are small, or difficult to measure because of the small branching ratios involved, these studies could provide clean measurements of the CKM parameters. The experimental difficulty appears comparable to the observation of K to pi nu barnu. New sources of physics, involving non-standard CP violation, could produce effects observable in these measurements. Limits from new results on the neutron and electron electric dipole moment, and epsilon-prime over epsilon in neutral kaon decays, do not eliminate certain models that could contribute to the signal. A detailed examination of muon polarization out of the decay plane in KMU3 and radiative KMU2 decays also appears to be of interest. With current kaon beams and detector techniques, it is possible to measure the T-violating polarization for KMU3 with uncertainties approaching 0.0001. This level of sensitivity would provide an interesting probe of new physics.Comment: 24 pages, 3 figures, To be published in the International Journal of Modern Physics

Final State Interactions and CP Violation in KL→π+π−e+e−K_L \to \pi^+ \pi^- e^+ e^-

Using chiral perturbation theory we calculate the imaginary parts of the $K_L \rightarrow \pi^+ \pi^- e^+ e^-$ form factors that arise from $\pi \pi \rightarrow \pi^+ \pi^-$ and $\pi \pi \rightarrow \pi^+ \pi^- \gamma^*$ rescattering. We discuss their influence on CP violating variables in $K_L \rightarrow \pi^+ \pi^- e^+ e^-$.Comment: ; 12 pages, 2 figures, TeX format; uses epsf.tex, tables.tex, and phyzzx.te

T-odd correlations in charged Kl4 decays

We analyse the sensitivity to physics beyond the SM of T-odd correlations in $K_{\ell 4}$ decays, which do not involve the lepton polarization. We show that a combined analysis of $K^+_{\mu 4}$ and $K^-_{\mu 4}$ decays can lead to new constraints about CP violation in $\Delta S=1$ charged-current interactions, complementary to those obtained from the transverse muon polarization in $K_{\mu 3}$ and of comparable accuracy.Comment: 6 pages (LaTeX

K^+ -> pi^+pi^0e^+e^-: a novel short-distance probe

We study the decay K^+ -> pi^+ pi^0 e^+ e^-, currently under analysis by the NA62 Collaboration at CERN. In particular, we provide a detailed analysis of the Dalitz plot for the long-distance, gamma^*-mediated, contributions (Bremsstrahlung, direct emission and its interference). We also examine a set of asymmetries to isolate genuine short-distance effects. While we show that charge asymmetries are not required to test short distances, they provide the best environment for its detection. This constitutes by itself a strong motivation for NA62 to study K^- decays in the future. We therefore provide a detailed study of different charge asymmetries and the corresponding estimated signals. Whenever possible, we make contact with the related processes K^+ -> pi^+ pi^0 gamma and K_L -> pi^+ pi^- e^+ e^- and discuss the advantages of K^+ -> pi^+ pi^0 e^+ e^- over them.Comment: 25 pages, 6 figure