Search

We study the transitions ${\Lambda_b \to \Lambda_c\left({1 \over 2}^\pm \right)}$ in the Bakamjian-Thomas (BT) relativistic quark model formalism, which describes hadrons with a fixed number of constituents. In the heavy quark limit, the BT model yields covariant form factors and Isgur-Wise (IW) scaling, regardless of the spectroscopic model used to describe the bound states. It has been extensively applied to heavy mesons where subtle properties of the IW limit of QCD, including the Bjorken-Uraltsev sum rules, have been shown to be satisfied. The present paper, where the BT construction is applied to baryons, is unavoidably technical because one is dealing with a three-body problem. The complications originate from the natural choice of the Jacobi coordinates ${\vec \rho}$ (relative space coordinate between the two light spectator quarks) and ${\vec \lambda}$ (relative space coordinate between the center-of-mass of the two light quarks and the heavy quark). The corresponding orbital angular momenta are denoted by ${\vec \ell}_\rho$ and ${\vec \ell}_\lambda$, with ${\vec \ell}_\rho + {\vec \ell}_\lambda = {\vec L}$. For the transitions $\Lambda_b \to \Lambda_c\left({1 \over 2}^\pm\right)$, i.e. $L = 0 \to L = 0$ or $L = 0 \to L = 1$, one can see that the moduli $\ell_\rho$ and $\ell_\lambda$ can take an infinite number of values. For $L = 0 \to L = 0$ one has the constraint $\ell_\lambda = \ell_\rho$ and for $L = 0 \to L = 1$ the constraint is $\ell_\lambda = \ell_\rho \pm 1$. We compute explicitly the IW function $\xi_\Lambda (w)$ in the elastic case $\Lambda_b \left({1 \over 2}^+ \right) \to \Lambda_c \left({1 \over 2}^+ \right)$ and the much more involved IW function $\sigma_\Lambda (w)$ in the inelastic case $\Lambda_b \left({1 \over 2}^+ \right) \to \Lambda_c \left({1 \over 2}^- \right)$. These functions exhibit the expected properties of covariance and IW scaling., Comment: 51 pages

We experimentally study the evolution of the magnetic moment $m$ and exchange interaction $J$ as a function of hydrostatic pressure in the zero-field helimagnetic phase of the strongly correlated electron system MnSi. The suppression of magnetic order at $\approx 1.5$~GPa is shown to arise from the $J$ collapse and not from a quantum fluctuations induced reduction of $m$. Our work provides benchmarks for first principles theories that are challenged by the presence of strong correlations and the possible role of Hund's coupling. In addition, our experimental data are consistent with a reorientation of the magnetic propagation wavevector recently evidenced above $\approx 1.2$~GPa. This result calls for a thorough investigation of the crystal structure in this pressure range., Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures + supplemental material

At ICHEP 2024 CMS has published RUN2 results for X650->ZZ->4leptons and reached the conclusion that there is no evidence for a scalar resonance H650 decaying into ZZ, as was also concluded by ATLAS using an MVA analysis optimised for a scalar particle. Since this resonance is indicated into ZZ in a Cut Based Analysis and into three other modes: WW, H95H125 and A450Z, the present paper is an attempt to understand these apparent contradictions. Our conclusion, to be confirmed by ATLAS and CMS experiments, is that strict selections for the reaction H650->ZZ mode seem inadequate, cutting as much into the signal than into the background, therefore reducing its statistical significance. A possible interpretation of this behaviour is that these selections are inefficient for a tensor particle produced by VBF and decaying into ZZ with an angular distributions similar to the Drell Yan background. If true, our description of the various findings in term of the Georgi Machacek model needs to be deeply revised, which is attempted in the present note. A scenario with T650 as a spin 2 resonance is presented which naturally accommodates WW/ZZ and H95H125 decays, while we suggest that A420Z could come from a H650 resonance degenerate in mass with T650. We propose a scheme in which scalar resonances are accommodated in three doublets, T650 in an isosinglet, T450++, T375+ and T350 belong to an isofiveplet., Comment: 18 pages, 11 figures, Presented at the 3rd ECFA workshop on e+e- Higgs/EW/Top Factories, Paris, 9-11 Oct. 24

Using recent measurements of exclusive B-meson decays we extract the $a_1$ factorization parameter in ${\overline{B}^{0}_{d}} \to D^{(*)^+} K^-/\pi^-$ decay channels. { The values obtained in the four channels are very similar, in agreement with the theoretical expectations obtained in the $m_Q \to \infty$ limit, but the measured values differ definitely from the expected central values. } Such differences have already been observed. Using recent data, we improve the accuracy by {a factor close to two} in this comparison. We study possible interpretations for such a difference and conclude that the claimed accuracy of corrections due to soft gluon contributions and finite mass effects has to be revisited before arguing for possible "New-Physics" effects. We observe that the corrections to the $m_Q \to \infty$ limit are larger in the spectator topology than effects from exchange amplitude contributions. We discuss also the way expected ratios of $a_1$ values, involving hypotheses from theory, are used to obtain the fraction of $B^0_s$ meson production in jets at LHC and conclude that the uncertainties attached to this approach are not well established. Finally, the $a_1$ values extracted from $\overline{B}^{0}_{d} \to D^{(*)+} D_s^-$ decays are found to be similar, within uncertainties, to the ones obtained with $K^-$ emission, once expected penguin contributions are corrected. Using the same approach, we note that $a_1$ values measured in channels with a $D_s^{*-}$ emission are about two standard deviations lower than $a_1(D^{(*)+}K^-$)., Comment: 40 pages

A global interpretation of several significant indications of scalar resonances observed at LHC is achieved using the Georgi Machacek model. Among many other consequences, one predicts large cross sections for the processes ggFH(320)->h(125)h(125) and A(151)A(151) and ggF->A(420)->H(320)Z, where H(320) has been observed in A(420)->H(320)Z->bbbbl+l- and where A(151) is observed into two photons accompanied by a b jet, a lepton or missing transverse energy. We predict that ggF->H(320) has a cross section of about 2000 fb with a BR into h(125)(125) of 17% and into A(151)A(151) of 45%. Henceforth we predict that ggF->H(320)->hh will dominate over the SM process h*->hh, where h is the SM h(125) scalar. One expects that H(320)->A(151)A(151) can be observed into bbbb, becoming one of the most significant BSM phenomena identified so far. Arguments in favor of a SUSY version of GM are also provided., Comment: 19 pages, 14 figures Work for the 2024 International Workshop on Future Linear Colliders (LCWS2024)

A thorough description of the physics of a magnetic compound requires the validation of its microscopic spin Hamiltonian. Here, from the analysis of muon-spin rotation spectra recorded in the magnetically ordered state at low temperature in zero and finite magnetic fields, we determine the minimal Hamiltonian for the chiral binary intermetallic magnet MnSi, consistent with its high-temperature nonsymmorphic cubic space group P$2_1$3. The model provides constraints for the orientation of the Moriya vector characterizing the microscopic Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction, with respect to the Mn nearest-neighbor bonds. Small twist and canting of the magnetic structure are revealed. Our result indicates that, within experimental uncertainties, the magnetoelastic coupling is not strong enough to lower the paramagnetic crystal symmetry in the magnetically ordered state. Additional implications from our work are discussed and complementary studies are suggested., Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures, and supplemental material

Several indications for neutral scalars are observed at the LHC. One of them, a broad resonance peaked at about 650 GeV which we call H(650), was first observed by an outsider combining published histograms from ATLAS and CMS on ZZ -> 4 leptons searches, and this combination shows a local significance close to 4 s.d. Since then, CMS has reported two other indications at the same mass, with similar local significances: H->WW->2leptons+neutrinos and H(650)->bbh(125) where mbb~90 GeV and h(125)->gam gam. ATLAS has completed its analysis of ZZ->4 leptons from which we infer an indication for H(650) with 3.5 s.d. significance. Combining these three results, one gets a global statistical significance above 6 s.d. H(650) has a coupling to WW similar to h(125) and therefore we argue that a sum rule (SR) required by unitarity for W+W- scattering implies that there should be a compensating effect from a doubly charged scalar H++, with a large coupling to W+W+. We therefore predict that this mode should become visible through the vector boson fusion process W+W+->H++, naturally provided by LHC. A recent indication for H++(450)->W+W+ from ATLAS allows a model independent interpretation of this result through the SR constraint which gives BR(H++->W+W+)~10%, implying the occurrence of additional decay modes H+W+ and H+H+ from one or several light H+ with masses below mH++ - mW or MH++/2, that is mH+ < 370 GeV or 225 GeV. A similar analysis is performed for H+(375)->ZW, indicated by ATLAS and CMS. Both channels suggest a scalar field content similar to the Georgi Machacek model with triplets, at variance with the models usually considered. Implications on precision measurements are presented followed by a complete extraction of the GM parameters. An alternate interpretation of the 650 GeV resonance as a tensor is also briefly discussed. Implications for precision measurements are presented., Comment: 30 pages, 14 figures, Work for the 2023 ECFA Workshop on Higgs/EW/Top factories in Paestum (Salerno) / Italy from 11 - 13 October 2023

In view of the future Higgs factories, this work presents the status of scalar searches at the LHC with an emphasis on the H(650) resonance which has been observed in WW, ZZ and h(95)h(125) channels, with a cumulative evidence of about 7 s.d. global significance. Its interpretation in models, restricted to extension of the scalar sector by SU(2) singlets and doublets, is clearly excluded, while its interpretation in models with additional triplets requires an extension with respect to the conventional Georgi-Machacek model. A general picture of these searches is updated, showing that h(95) is also reaching a similar level of evidence while two other candidates, A(400) and h(151), although less prominent, are above the 4 s.d. global evidence., Comment: 14 pages, 9 figures, Work presented by F. Richard at the ECFA workshop on Higgs/EW/top factories in DESY, October 2022

We consider the polarization function P^{exp}_Z(t) measured by the muon-spin relaxation (muSR) technique for the SrCr8Ga4O19 and ZnCu3(OH)6Cl2 spin-liquid systems. We show the functional form of P^{exp}_Z(t) to imply that, in the temperature range of order 0.1 K, the spectral-weight function F(\omega) of the magnetic correlations scales with 1/|\omega|^{1 -x} (0 < x < 1) in the energy range of one microelectronvolt, i.e. \hbar \omega ~ 1 \mu eV. We derive the parameters involved in F(\omega) from fits to available experimental data. Inelastic neutron scattering data probing F(\omega) in the millielectronvolt energy range are consistent with a more conventional behavior. These differences could be due to a variety of spin-dynamics mechanisms, i.e. intrinsic to the kagome layer or related to the magnetic defects that have been evidenced in these compounds, acting at different energies. New muSR measurements are proposed and theoretical developments are suggested to pinpoint the mechanisms at play., Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures

The low temperature dependence of the nuclear magnetic resonance frequency and spin-lattice relaxation rate measured in the chiral magnet MnSi by Yasuoka and coworkers [J. Phys. Soc. Jpn. 85, 073701 (2016)] is interpreted in terms of helimagnon excitations. The theoretically predicted gapless and anisotropic dispersion relation which is probed at extremely small energy is experimentally confirmed. Whenever comparison is possible, the results are found quantitatively consistent with those of the inelastic neutron scattering and muon spin rotation and relaxation techniques. Further studies are suggested., Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures

We present a model for the vector and axial form factors of the transitions $\overline{B}^0 \to D^{**}$ in good agreement with the presently available data and based on the present theoretical knowledge, combining a) the safe lattice QCD predictions at $m_Q=\infty$ and $w=1$ ; b) the predictions at general $w$ of a relativistic, covariant quark model at $m_Q=\infty$, including the well tested Godfrey and Isgur spectroscopic model and which agrees with lattice QCD at $w=1$ ; c) the constraint of Bjorken and Neubert relating Semi-leptonic (SL) and Class I Non-leptonic (NL) decays, which shows that $\overline{B}^0 \to D_0(2300)^{+} \pi^-$ strongly constrains $\tau_{1/2}(w)$ to be much smaller than $\tau_{3/2}(w)$, in agreement with the theoretical expectation; d) the general HQET expansion which constrains the $1/m_Q$ corrections (cf \cite{LLSW}, denoted hereafter as $LLSW$). An important element in the understanding of data is the large contribution of virtual $D^{(*)}_V$ to the broad structures seen in SL decays at low $D^{(*)} \pi$ masses - which makes it difficult to isolate the broad resonances denoted as $D_{1/2}$ in the following., Comment: revised version with modified formatting, references and comments (section II.B.c) added and errors corrected in the formulas of appendix (no impact on the numbers quoted in main text)

A crystal structure that cannot be superposed on its mirror image by any combination of rotations and translations is classified as chiral. Such crystal structures have gained importance in recent years since they are prone to host unconventional magnetic orders and to exhibit topological magnetic textures. These properties result from the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya antisymmetric exchange interaction which is authorized when space inversion is broken. While recent reports have shown the muon spin rotation and relaxation technique to provide unique information about structural and dynamical properties which are specific to chiral magnets in their ordered phase, the question here is whether this technique is sensitive to paramagnetic chiral correlations that are observed in neutron scattering experiments above the critical temperature. In the relevant long wavelength limit, it is shown that they do not contribute to the relaxation rate, which in turn only probes non-chiral correlations., Comment: 5 pages including an appendix

Motivated by the calculation of observables in the decays $\Lambda_b \to \Lambda_c\left({1 \over 2}^\pm \right) \ell \overline{\nu}$, as tests of Lepton Flavor Universality, we present a calculation of form factors in the quark model. Our scheme combines a spectroscopic model, providing the internal wave functions, and the Bakamjian-Thomas relativistic formalism to deduce the wave functions in motion and current matrix elements, that amount in the heavy quark limit to the Isgur-Wise (IW) function. For baryons we meet difficulties using standard spectroscopic models, leading us to propose a simple phenomenological model : a Q-pointlike-diquark model, non-relativistic with harmonic oscillator forces, with a reasonable low-lying spectrum and good slope of the IW function. We extract this slope from Lattice data and find $\rho_\Lambda^2 \sim 2$. We are not able to reproduce the right $\rho_\Lambda^2$ when using standard linear + Coulomb potential models, both with three quarks $Qqq$ or in a Q-pointlike-diquark picture. These difficulties seem to derive from the high sensitivity of $\rho_\Lambda^2$ to the structure of the light quark subsystem. After fixing the parameters of our interim model to yield correct spectrum and $\rho_\Lambda^2$, we compute observables. Bjorken sum rule shows that the inelastic IW function is large, and therefore $\Lambda_b \to \Lambda_c \left({1 \over 2}^-, {3 \over 2}^- \right) \ell \overline{\nu}$ could be studied at LHCb. Some observables in the $\tau$ case present zeroes for specific values of $q^2$ that could be tests of the Standard Model., Comment: 62 pages, 30 figures

The temperature dependence of the manganese magnetic moment and the spin-lattice relaxation rate measured by the muon spin relaxation technique in the magnetically ordered phase of the chiral intermetallic cubic MnSi system are both explained in terms of helimagnon excitations of a localized spin model. The two free parameters characterizing the helimagnon dispersion relation are determined. A combined analysis of the two data sets cannot be achieved using the self-consistent renormalization theory of spin fluctuations which assumes the magnetism of MnSi to arise uniquely from electronic bands. As a result of this work, MnSi is proposed to be a dual electronic system composed of localized and itinerant magnetic electrons. Finally we note that the analysis framework can be applied to other helimagnets such as the magnetoelectric compound Cu2OSeO3., Comment: 12 pages, 6 figures

Starting from the general formulation of current matrix elements in the Bakamjian-Thomas (BT) approach to quark models, certain aspects of their heavy quark limit are exhibited in an intuitive form, allowing a common treatment for any number of quarks and angular momenta j,j'. We use the general Falk interpretation of Isgur-Wise functions as overlaps of light parton states in motion. Then, in BT, for small collinear velocities, the motion of these states is described by a very simple dimensionless differential operator O acting on the internal wave functions of the light quarks, which is a relativistic generalisation of the dipole operator times the quark mass : it appears as the generator of Lorentz transformations for N free light particles.

Muon spin rotation (muSR) spectra recorded for manganese silicide MnSi and interpreted in terms of a quantitative analysis constrained by symmetry arguments were recently published. The magnetic structures of MnSi in zero-field at low temperature and in the conical phase near the magnetic phase transition were shown to substantially deviate from the expected helical and conical structures. Here, we present material backing the previous results obtained in zero-field. First, from simulations of the field distributions experienced by the muons as a function of relevant parameters we confirm the uniqueness of the initial interpretation and illustrate the remarkable complementarity of neutron scattering and muSR for the MnSi magnetic structure determination. Second we present the result of a muSR experiment performed on MnSi crystallites grown in a Zn-flux and compare it with the previous data recorded with a crystal obtained from Czochralski pulling. We find the magnetic structure for the two types of crystals to be identical within experimental uncertainties. We finally address the question of a possible muon-induced effect by presenting transverse field muSR spectra recorded in a wide range of temperature and field intensity. The field distribution parameters perfectly scale with the macroscopic magnetization, ruling out a muon-induced effect., Comment: 9 pages, 5 figures

We stress that, although the $D^*$ is very narrow (one hundred of keV), the difference between the full $D^*$ contribution to $B \to \bar{D} \pi \pi$ and its zero width limit, which stems from the resonance tail, is surprisingly large~: several percents. This phenomenon is a general effect which appears when considering the production of particles that are coupled to an intermediate virtual state, stable or not, and it persists whether the width is large or not. The effects of various cuts and of the inclusion of damping factors at the strong and weak vertices are discussed. It is shown how the zero width limit, needed to compare with theoretical expectations, can be extracted. One also evaluates the virtual $D^*_V$ contribution, which comes out roughly as expected from theory, but which is however much more dependent on cuts and uncontrollable "off-shell" effects. We suggest a way to estimate the impact of the damping factors., Comment: 26 pages, 7 figures. Second version with corrected numbers in tables, minor corrections and one Appendix added

Magnetic systems with spins sitting on a lattice of corner sharing regular tetrahedra have been particularly prolific for the discovery of new magnetic states for the last two decades. The pyrochlore compounds have offered the playground for these studies, while little attention has been comparatively devoted to other compounds where the rare earth R occupies the same sub-lattice, e.g. the spinel chalcogenides CdR2X4 (X = S, Se). Here we report measurements performed on powder samples of this series with R = Yb using specific heat, magnetic susceptibility, neutron diffraction and muon-spin-relaxation measurements. The two compounds are found to be magnetically similar. They long-range order into structures described by the \Gamma_5 irreducible representation. The magnitude of the magnetic moment at low temperature is 0.77 (1) and 0.62 (1) mu_B for X = S and Se, respectively. Persistent spin dynamics is present in the ordered states. The spontaneous field at the muon site is anomalously small, suggesting magnetic moment fragmentation. A double spin-flip tunneling relaxation mechanism is suggested in the cooperative paramagnetic state up to 10 K. The magnetic space groups into which magnetic moments of systems of corner-sharing regular tetrahedra order are provided for a number of insulating compounds characterized by null propagation wavevectors., Comment: 11 pages, 14 figures, 2 tables, among which a list of the magnetic space groups of frustrated magnets on the pyrochlore lattice with null propagation wavevectors

In the light of recent results obtained for the prototype helimagnet MnSi we examine the possible magnetic structures of compounds of the same family, consistent with the crystal symmetries when the magnetic propagation vector is parallel to the [001] axis. The analysis of a published muon spin rotation spectrum recorded in MnGe [Phys. Rev. B 93, 174405 (2016)] shows no deviation from the canonical helimagnetic structure, unlike in MnSi. This qualitative difference calls for further theoretical works on chiral magnets., Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures

Semileptonic transitions $\overline{B} \to D^{(n)} \ell \overline{\nu}$, where $D^{(n)} (n \not = 0)$ is a radially excited meson, have recently attracted much attention as a way to understand some puzzles between theory and data. Following closely the formalism of Falk and Neubert for the elastic case, we study the $1/m_Q$ corrections to the heavy quark limit, in which the inelastic Isgur-Wise function vanishes at zero recoil, $\xi^{(n)}(1) = 0\ (n \not = 0)$. We find simple formulas that involve the derivative $\xi^{(n)'}(1)$, and we propose a number of ways of isolating this quantity in practice. We formulate also a generalization to the inelastic case of Luke's theorem. On the other hand, although some $1/m_Q$ HQET results are satisfied in the Bakamjian-Thomas relativistic quark model, we emphasize the problems concerning these corrections in this scheme., Comment: 13 pages

Motivated by the claimed possibility of a large contribution of the first radial excitation of the $D^{(\ast )}$ to the $B$ semileptonic decay into charmed mesons, also invoked to solve the "$1/2$ vs. $3/2$ semileptonic puzzle", we discuss the transitions to heavy-light radial excitations by a heavy $b \to c$ quark current. We first consider a HQET sum rule, which provides a bound on the slopes of Isgur-Wise functions which we then calculate in the Bakamjian-Thomas framework which both guaranties covariance in the heavy quark limit and satisfies a set of HQET sum rules. We observe a remarkable property that for a large variety of wave functions the transition to the first radial excitation is very small while the transition matrix element to the second radial excitation is large and dominant in saturating the HQET sum rule. This is opposite to what is found in non-relativistic models, where the transition to the first radial excitation dominates the sum rule. The relative magnitude of the transition to the second excitation appears to be weakly dependent on the dynamical scale (radius of the bound states), and the same holds true for the slope of the elastic transition. These features could be tested in the heavy mass limit of lattice QCD. This pattern is shown to be related to the general structure of the Bakamjian-Thomas model, it is independent of the spin structure of the approach and derives mainly from the Lorentz transformation of the spatial wave function, a feature often disregarded in quark models., Comment: 21 pages

In the temperature-magnetic field phase diagram, the binary metallic compound MnSi exhibits three magnetic phases below Tc ~ 29 K. An unconventional helicoidal phase is observed in zero field. At moderate field intensity a conical phase sets in. Near Tc, in an intermediate field range, a skyrmion lattice phase appears. Here we show the magnetic structure in the conical phase to strongly depend on the field direction and to deviate substantially from a conventional conical structure., Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures

The insulating pyrochlore compound Nd2Sn2O7 has been shown to undergo a second order magnetic phase transition at Tc ~ 0.91 K to a noncoplanar all-in--all-out magnetic structure of the Nd3+ magnetic moments. An anomalously slow paramagnetic spin dynamics has been evidenced from neutron backscattering and muon spin relaxation (muSR). In the case of muSR this has been revealed through the strong effect of a 50 mT longitudinal field on the spin-lattice relaxation rate. Here, motivated by a recent successful work performed for Yb2Ti2O7 and Yb2Sn2O7, analyzing the shape of the muSR longitudinal polarization function, we substantiate the existence of extremely slow paramagnetic spin dynamics in the microsecond time range for Nd2Sn2O7. Between 1.7 and 7 K, this time scale is temperature independent. This suggests a double spin-flip tunneling relaxation mechanism to be at play, probably involving spin substructures such as tetrahedra. Unexpectedly, the standard deviation of the field distribution at the muon site increases as the system is cooled. This exotic spin dynamics is in sharp contrast with the dynamics above 100 K which is driven by the Orbach relaxation mechanism involving single Nd3+ magnetic moments., Comment: 7 pages, 6 figures

We explore the field-temperature phase diagram of the XY pyrochlore antiferromagnet Er$_2$Ti$_2$O$_7$, by means of magnetization and neutron diffraction experiments. Depending on the field strength and direction relative to the high symmetry cubic directions $[001], [1\bar{1}0]$ and $[111]$, the refined field induced magnetic structures are derived from the zero field $\psi_2$ and $\psi_3$ states of the $\Gamma_5$ irreducible representation which describes the ground state of XY pyrochlore antiferromagnets. At low field, domain selection effects are systematically at play. In addition, for $[001]$, a phase transition is reported towards a $\psi_3$ structure at a characteristic field $H_c^{001}=$ 43 mT. For $[1\bar{1}0]$ and $[111]$, the spins are continuously tilted by the field from the $\psi_2$ state, and no phase transition is found while domain selection gives rise to sharp anomalies in the field dependence of the Bragg peaks intensity. For $[1\bar{1}0]$, these results are confirmed by high resolution inelastic neutron scattering experiments, which in addition allow us to determine the field dependence of the spin gap. This study agrees qualitatively with the scenario proposed theoretically by Maryasin {\it et al.} [Phys. Rev. B {\bf 93}, 100406(R) (2016)], yet the strength of the field induced anisotropies is significantly different from theory., Comment: 14 pages, 10 figures

Below a temperature of approximately 29 K the manganese magnetic moments of the cubic binary compound MnSi order to a long-range incommensurate helical magnetic structure. Here, we quantitatively analyze a high-statistic zero-field muon spin rotation spectrum recorded in the magnetically ordered phase of MnSi by exploiting the result of representation theory as applied to the determination of magnetic structures. Instead of a gradual rotation of the magnetic moments when moving along a <111> axis, we find that the angle of rotation between the moments of certain subsequent planes is essentially quenched. It is the magnetization of pairs of planes which rotates when moving along a <111> axis, thus preserving the overall helical structure., Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures

We propose a model independent extraction of the hadronic information needed to determine the photon polarization of the b-> s gamma process by the method utilizing the B -> K1 gamma -> K pi pi gamma angular distribution. We show that exactly the same hadronic information can be obtained by using the B -> J/psi K1 -> J/psi K pi pi channel, which leads to a much higher precision., Comment: 12 pages, 1 figure

The pyrochlore insulator Yb2Ti2O7 has attracted the attention of experimentalists and theoreticians alike for about 15 years. Conflicting neutron diffraction data on the possible existence of magnetic Bragg reflections at low temperature have been published. Here we report the observation of magnetic Bragg reflections by neutron powder diffraction at 60 mK. The magnetic diffraction pattern is analyzed using representation theory. We find Yb2Ti2O7 to be a splayed ferromagnet as reported for Yb2Sn2O7, a sibling compound with also dominating ferromagnetic interactions as inferred from the positive Curie-Weiss temperature. However, the configuration of the magnetic moment components perpendicular to the easy axis is of the all-in--all-out type in Yb2Ti2O7 while it is two-in--two-out in Yb2Sn2O7. An overall experimental picture of the magnetic properties emerges., Comment: Revised version accepted for publication. To appear shortly in J. Phys.: Condens. Matter

We report measurements performed on a polycrystalline sample of the pyrochlore compound Nd2Sn2O7. It undergoes a second order magnetic phase transition at Tc ~ 0.91 K to a noncoplanar all-in-all-out magnetic structure of the Nd3+ magnetic moments. The thermal behavior of the low temperature specific heat fingerprints excitations with linear dispersion in a three-dimensional lattice. The temperature independent spin-lattice relaxation rate measured below Tc and the anomalously slow paramagnetic spin dynamics detected up to ~ 30 Tc are suggested to be due to magnetic short-range correlations in unidimensional spin clusters, i.e., spin loops. The observation of a spontaneous field in muon spin relaxation measurements is associated with the absence of a divergence-free field for the ground state of an all-in-all-out pyrochlore magnet as predicted recently., Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures

The Bakamjian-Thomas relativistic quark model, describing hadrons with a fixed number of constituents, yields in the heavy quark limit of QCD covariant Isgur-Wise functions and satisfies the whole tower of lowest moment sum rules (Bjorken-Uraltsev type sum rules). We first recall, as well as earlier results, the new formalism presented in our recent papers on Lorentz representations, which provide an elegant framework for the analysis of this model in the heavy quark limit and stress the results which have been already obtained in this direction. Then, we give some very explicit demonstrations of the fact that the Bakamjian-Thomas framework satifies the sum rules by considering simple cases of Isgur-Wise functions. In addition to the specific Bjorken and Uraltsev sum rules, an important sum rule that involves only heavy mesons with light cloud $j^P = {1 \over 2}^-$ and their radial excitations is demonstrated. This latter sum rule is phenomenologically interesting because it constrains the derivatives of the radially excited Isgur-Wise functions at zero recoil. On the other hand, we recall the limitations of the Bakamjian-Thomas scheme. At finite mass, current matrix elements with the current coupled to the heavy quark are no longer covariant, and higher moment sum rules that hold in the heavy quark limit of QCD are not satisfied.

We report specific heat, magnetic, and muon spin relaxation measurements performed on a polycrystalline sample of the normal spinel CdHo2S4. The rare-earth ions sit on a lattice of corner-sharing regular tetrahedra as in pyrochlore compounds. Magnetic ordering is detected at Tc ~ 0.87 K. From spin-lattice relaxation rate measurements on both sides of Tc we uncover similar magnetic excitation modes driving the so-called persistent spin dynamics at T < Tc. Unidimensional excitations are argued to be at its origin. Often observed spin loop structures are suggested to support these excitations. The possibility of a generic mechanism for their existence is discussed., Comment: 7 pages, 8 figures

We report a positive muon spin relaxation and rotation (\muSR) study of the quantum spin ice materials Yb2Ti2O7 and Yb2Sn2O7 focusing on the low field response. In agreement with earlier reports, data recorded in small longitudinal fields evidence anomalously slow spin dynamics in the microsecond range below the temperature T_c at which the specific heat displays an intense peak, namely T_c = 0.24 K and 0.15 K, respectively, for the two systems. We found that slow dynamics extends above T_c up to at least 0.7 K for both compounds. The conventional dynamical Gaussian Kubo-Toyabe model describes the \muSR spectra recorded above T_c. At lower temperatures a published analytical extension of the Gaussian Kubo-Toyabe model provides a good description, consistent with the existence of short-range magnetic correlations. While the physical response of the two systems is qualitatively the same, Yb2Ti2O7 exhibits a much larger local magnetic susceptibility than Yb2Sn2O7 below T_c. Considering previously reported ac susceptibility, neutron scattering and \muSR results, we suggest the existence of anomalously slow spin dynamics to be a common physical property of pyrochlore magnetic materials. The possibility of molecular spin substructures to be associated to the slow dynamics and therefore the short-range correlations is mentioned. The slow spin dynamics observed under field does not exclude the presence of much faster dynamics detected in extremely low or zero field., Comment: 11 pages, 10 figures

In the generic phase diagram of heavy fermion systems, tuning an external parameter such as hydrostatic or chemical pressure modifies the superconducting transition temperature. The superconducting phase forms a dome in the temperature-tuning parameter phase diagram, which is associated with a maximum of the superconducting pairing interaction. Proximity to antiferromagnetism suggests a relation between the disappearance of antiferromagnetic order and superconductivity. We combine muon spin rotation, neutron scattering, and x-ray absorption spectroscopy techniques to gain access to the magnetic and electronic structure of CeCo(In$_{1-x}$Cd$_x$)$_5$ at different time scales. Different magnetic structures are obtained that indicate a magnetic order of itinerant character, coexisting with bulk superconductivity. The suppression of the antiferromagnetic order appears to be driven by a modification of the bandwidth/carrier concentration, implying that the electronic structure and consequently the interplay of superconductivity and magnetism is strongly affected by hydrostatic and chemical pressure., Comment: Article + Supplementary information 33 pages, 13 figures

We report magnetic susceptibility, specific heat and muon spin relaxation (muSR) experiments on the triangular antiferromagnet La2Ca2MnO7 which develops a genuine two-dimensional, three-sublattice \sqrt{3} \times \sqrt{3} magnetic order below T_N = 2.8 K. From the susceptibility and specific heat data an estimate of the exchange interaction is derived. A value for the spin-wave gap is obtained from the latter data. The analysis of a previously reported inelastic neutron scattering study yields values for the exchange and spin-wave gap compatible with the results obtained from macroscopic measurements. An appreciable entropy is still missing at 10 K that may be ascribed to intense short-range correlations. The critical paramagnetic fluctuations extend far above T_N, and can be partly understood in terms of two-dimensional spin-wave excitations. While no spontaneous muSR field is observed below T_N, persistent spin dynamics is found. Short-range correlations are detected in this temperature range. Their relation to a possible molecular spin substructure and the observed exotic spin fluctuations is discussed., Comment: 9 pages, 6 figures

It is recalled why, as already stated in a previous paper, there seems to be an inconsistency in identifying the non perturbative ZA,MOM as the renormalisation of the axial current, or equivalently, in setting as normalisation condition that the renormalised vertex=1 at p^2 = mu^2 at some renormalisation scale mu, where p is the momentum in the legs. Indeed, unlike the vector case, the Ward-Takahashi (WT) identity for the axial current is shown to imply both the renormalisation scale independence of ZA and a mu2 dependence of ZA,MOM. This mu^2 dependence is simply related to certain invariants in the pseudoscalar vertex and can persist in the chiral limit due to the spontaneous breaking of chiral symmetry (pion pole). It is seen clearly in the mu^2 dependence of some lattice calculations of ZA,MOM/ZV,MOM near the chiral limit., Comment: One reference added; some minor material errors corrected; no substantial change with respect to the first version

We report synchrotron radiation diffraction and muon spin rotation (muSR) measurements on the frustrated pyrochlore magnet Tb2Ti2O7. The powder diffraction study of a crushed crystal fragment does not reveal any structural change down to 4 K. The muSR measurements performed at 20 mK on a mosaic of single crystals with an external magnetic field applied along a three-fold axis are consistent with published a.c. magnetic-susceptibility measurements at 16 mK. While an inflection point could be present around an internal field intensity slightly above 0.3 T, the data barely support the presence of a magnetization plateau., Comment: To appear in the proceedings of the 13th International Conference on Muon Spin Rotation, Relaxation and Resonance, Grindelwald, Switzerland, 1-6 June 2014

Whenever a compound exhibits a spontaneous muSR oscillation, long-range magnetic ordering is usually inferred. Here we show that some caution is required. The coherence length needs not to be large for a spontaneous muon spin precession to be observed. Establishing the incommensurate nature of a magnetic structure, solely based on muSR measurements, may not be reliable. The absence of a spontaneous muon precession at low temperature does not mean that the system under investigation does not display long-range magnetic ordering. The relaxation measured in zero and longitudinal field in the quasi-static limit is usually analyzed in the framework of the strong-collision model, the static polarization function being taken to be the famous Kubo-Toyabe function. This might not be satisfactory if short-range correlation effects are strong. Here we propose a method based on the maximum entropy concept and reverse Monte Carlo technique which gives results consistent with those obtained in 2013 by analytical means for the considered example., Comment: To appear in the proceedings of the 13th International Conference on Muon Spin Rotation, Relaxation and Resonance, Grindelwald, Switzerland, 1-6 June 2014

We first discuss Uraltsev's and other sum rules constraining the $B \to D^{**}(L=1)$ weak transitions in the infinite mass limit, and compare them with dynamical approaches in the same limit. After recalling these well established facts, we discuss how to apply infinite mass limit to the physical situation. We provide predictions concerning semi-leptonic decays and non-leptonic ones, based on quark models. We then present in more detail the dynamical approaches: the relativistic quark model \`a la Bakamjian-Thomas and lattice QCD. We summarise lattice QCD results in the infinite mass limit and compare them to the quark model predictions. We then present preliminary lattice QCD results with finite $b$ and $c$ quark masses. A systematic comparison between theory and experiment is performed. We show that some large discrepancies exist between different experiments. Altogether the predictions at infinite mass are in fair agreement with experiment for non-leptonic decays contrary to what happens for semileptonic decays. We conclude by considering the prospects to clarify both the experimental situation, the theoretical one and the comparison between both., Comment: 21 pages, one figure, contribution to a book in Memoriam Nikolai Uraltsev

The Bakamjian-Thomas relativistic quark model for hadron current matrix elements, while non-covariant at finite mass, is successful in the heavy quark limit : form factors are covariant and satisfy Isgur-Wise scaling and Bjorken-Uraltsev sum rules. Motivated by the so-called "1/2 vs. 3/2 puzzle" in B decays to positive parity D**, we examine the implications of the model at finite mass. In the elastic case 1/2^- -> 1/2^-, the HQET constraints for the O(1/m_Q) corrections are analytically fulfilled. A number of satisfying regularities is also found for inelastic transitions. We compute the form factors using the wave functions given by the Godfrey-Isgur potential. For 1/2^- \to 3/2^+ the departures from the heavy quark limit are small, but we find a strong enhancement in 1/2^- -> 1/2^+ (for 0^- -> 0^+). This enhancement is linked to a serious difficulty of the model at finite mass for the inelastic transitions, namely a violation of the HQET constraints at zero recoil formulated by Leibovich et al. These are nevertheless satisfied in the non-relativistic limit for the light quark. We conclude that these HQET rigorous constraints are crucial in the construction of a sensible relativistic quark model of inelastic form factors., Comment: 27 figures

After improving the knowledge about residua of the semileptonic form factor at its first two poles we show that $f_+^{D\pi}(q^2)$ is not saturated when compared with the experimental data. To fill the difference we approximate the rest of discontinuity by an effective pole and show that the data can be described very well with the position of the effective pole larger than the next excitation in the spectrum of $D^\ast$ state. The results of fits with experimental data also suggest the validity of superconvergence which in the pole models translates to a vanishing of the sum of residua of the form factor at all poles. A similar discussion in the case of $B\to \pi \ell\nu_\ell$ leads to the possibility of extracting $\vert V_{ub}\vert$, the error of which appears to be dominated by $g_{B^\ast B\pi}$, which can be nowadays computed on the lattice. In evaluating the residua of the form factors at their nearest pole we needed the vector meson decay constants $f_{D^\ast}$ and $f_{B^\ast}$, which we computed by using the numerical simulations of QCD on the lattice with $N_{\rm f}=2$ dynamical quarks. We obtain, $f_{D^\ast}/f_D=1.208(27)$ and $f_{B^\ast}/f_B=1.051(17)$., Comment: 33 pages, 5 figs [all available experimental data included!]

We pursue the group theoretical method to study Isgur-Wise functions. We apply the general formalism, formerly applied to the baryon case j^P = 0^+ (for \Lambda_b -> \Lambda_c \ell \nu), to mesons with j^P = 1/2^-, i.e. $\overline{B} -> D(D^{(*)})\ell\nu. In this case, more involved from the angular momentum point of view, only the principal series of unitary representations of the Lorentz group contribute. We obtain an integral representation for the IW function xi(w) with a positive measure, recover the bounds for the slope and the curvature of xi(w) obtained from the Bjorken-Uraltsev sum rule method, and get new bounds for higher derivatives. We demonstrate also that if the lower bound for the slope is saturated, the measure is a delta-function, and xi(w) is given by an explicit elementary function. Inverting the integral formula, we obtain the measure in terms of the IW function, allowing to formulate criteria to decide if a given ansatz for the Isgur-Wise function is compatible or not with the sum rule constraints. Moreover, we have obtained an upper bound on the IW function valid for any value of w. We compare these theoretical constraints to a number of forms for \xi(w) proposed in the literature. The "dipole" function \xi(w) = (2/(w+1))^(2c) satisfies all constraints for c \geq 3/4, while the QCD Sum Rule result including condensates does not satisfy them. Special care is devoted to the Bakamjian-Thomas relativistic quark model in the heavy quark limit and to the description of the Lorentz group representation that underlies this model. Consistently, the IW function satisfies all Lorentz group criteria for any explicit form of the meson Hamiltonian at rest., Comment: arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:1402.0798, arXiv:0904.1942

We have characterized a film of Ge_0.9Mn_0.1 forming self-organized nanocolumns perpendicular to the Ge substrate with high resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy combined with electron energy loss spectroscopy, and bulk magnetization and positive muon spin rotation and relaxation (muSR) measurements. The Mn-rich nanocolumns form a triangular lattice with no detectable Mn atoms in the matrix. They consist of cores surrounded by shells. The combined analysis of bulk magnetization and muSR data enables us to characterize the electronic and magnetic properties of both the cores and shells. The discovered phase separation of the columns between a core and a shell is probably relevant for other transition-metal doped semiconductors., Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures, and supplemental material

The field distribution in the vortex lattice of a pure niobium single crystal with an external field applied along a three-fold axis has been investigated by the transverse-field muon-spin-rotation (TF-$\mu$SR) technique over a wide range of temperatures and fields. The experimental data have been analyzed with the Delrieu's solution for the form factor supplemented by phenomenological formulas for the parameters. This has enabled us to experimentally establish the temperatures and fields for the Delrieu's, Ginzburg-Landau's, and Klein's regions of the vortex lattice. Using the numerical solution of the quasiclassical Eilenberger's equation the experimental results have been reasonably understood. They should apply to all clean BCS superconductors. The analytical Delrieu's model supplemented by phenomenological formulas for its parameters is found to be reliable for analyzing TF-$\mu$SR experimental data for a substantial part of the mixed phase. The Abrikosov's limit is contained in it., Comment: 12 pages, 15 figures

Transverse-field muon-spin rotation ($\mu$SR) experiments were performed on a single crystal sample of the non-centrosymmetric system MnSi. The observed angular dependence of the muon precession frequencies matches perfectly the one of the Mn-dipolar fields acting on the muons stopping at a 4a position of the crystallographic structure. The data provide a precise determination of the magnetic dipolar tensor. In addition, we have calculated the shape of the field distribution expected below the magnetic transition temperature $T_C$ at the 4a muon-site when no external magnetic field is applied. We show that this field distribution is consistent with the one reported by zero-field $\mu$SR studies. Finally, we present ab initio calculations based on the density-functional theory which confirm the position of the muon stopping site inferred from transverse-field $\mu$SR. In view of the presented evidence we conclude that the $\mu$SR response of MnSi can be perfectly and fully understood without invoking a hypothetical magnetic polaron state., Comment: 10 pages, 12 figures

We discuss the possibility to measure in present experiments, especially LHCb, the non leptonic decay branching ratio $B \to D' \pi$, and emphasize phenomenological implications on $B \to D' l \nu$ semileptonic decay. We have estimated by lattice QCD the $D'$ decay constant $f_{D'}$ that parameterizes the $D'$ emission contribution to the Class-III non leptonic decay $B^- \to D^0 \pi^-$. In addition, we provide a new estimate of the decay constants $f_{D_{s,q}}$ which read $f_{D_{s}}=252(3)$ MeV and $f_{D_{s}}/f_{D}=1.23(1)(1)$., Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures. Proceedings of the 31st International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory (Lattice 2013), 29 July - 3 August 2013, Mainz, Germany

We report a $\mu$SR study in a Y$_2$Ti$_2$O$_7$ single crystal. We observe slow local field fluctuations at low temperature which become faster as the temperature is increased. Our analysis suggests that muon diffusion is present in this system and becomes small below 40 K and therefore incoherent. A surprisingly strong electronic magnetic signal is observed with features typical for muons thermally diffusing towards magnetic traps below $\approx 100$ K and released from them above this temperature. We attribute the traps to Ti$^{3+}$ defects in the diluted limit. Our observations are highly relevant to the persistent spin dynamics debate on $R_2$Ti$_2$O$_7$ pyrochlores and their crystal quality.

We investigated the Abrikosov vortex lattice (VL) of a pure Niobium single crystal with the muon spin rotation (\mu SR) technique. Analysis of the \mu SR data in the framework of the BCS-Gor'kov theory allowed us to determine microscopic parameters and the limitations of the theory. With decreasing temperature the field variation around the vortex cores deviates substantially from the predictions of the Ginzburg-Landau theory and adopts a pronounced conical shape. This is evidence of partial diffraction of Cooper pairs on the VL predicted by Delrieu for clean superconductors., Comment: 9 pages, 6 figures

We review the magnetic form factor deduced by Delrieu from the Gorkov's equation for a Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) type-II superconductor near its Bc2 phase boundary, i.e. when its magnetization is small. A numerical study of the form factor, field map, and field distribution follows. The characteristics of the transition from the low-temperature BCS to the high-temperature Ginzburg-Landau vortex lattices is studied. The exotic shape of the component field distribution and the form factor at low temperature and as a function of the external field intensity are discussed. Our numerical work should be helpful for the analysing of small angle neutron scattering and muon spin rotation vortex-lattice data recorded for BCS superconductors and maybe other superconductors in the clean limit., Comment: A mistake for the form factor normalization was made in our original draft. In this version Eqs.: (25), (31), (32), (35), (D5), (D6), and (E4) are corrected by including the missing factor 1/4\pi. Second sentence of Sec. VII referring to Eq. (E4) was also corrected

We discuss the possibilities of testing the recent claims of a relatively large value of the B --> D' transition form factor through B0--> D' pi+ and B- --> D' pi- decay modes. To estimate the width of the latter we need the decay constant of the radially excited D-meson that we computed in lattice QCD with Nf=2 dynamical flavors and after taking the continuum limit we found f(D')=117(25) MeV. We also provide an update for the values of the D-meson decay constants obtained by using maximally twisted mass QCD., Comment: 16 pages including 5 tables and 3 figures [published version]

In the tetragonal heavy fermion system CeCoIn5 the unconventional superconducting state is probed by means of muon spin rotation. The pressure dependence (0-1 GPa) of the basal-plane magnetic penetration depth (\lambda_a), the penetration depth anisotropy (\gamma=\lambda_c/\lambda_a) and the temperature dependence of 1/\lambda_i^2 (i=a,c) were studied in single crystals. A strong decrease of \lambda_a with pressure was observed, while \gamma and \lambda_i^2(0)/\lambda_i^2(T) are pressure independent. A linear relationship between 1/\lambda_a^2(270 mK) and Tc was also found. The large decrease of \lambda_a with pressure is the signature of an increase of the number of superconducting quasiparticles by a factor of about 2., Comment: 5 pages, 6 figures. To appear in PRL

Er2Ti2O7 is believed to be a realization of an XY antiferromagnet on a frustrated lattice of corner-sharing regular tetrahedra. It is presented as an example of the order-by-disorder mechanism in which fluctuations lift the degeneracy of the ground state, leading to an ordered state. Here we report detailed measurements of the low temperature magnetic properties of Er2Ti2O7, which displays a second-order phase transition at T_N \simeq 1.2 K with coexisting short- and long-range orders. Magnetic-susceptibility studies show that there is no spin-glass-like irreversible effect. Heat-capacity measurements reveal that the paramagnetic critical exponent is typical of a 3-dimensional XY magnet while the low-temperature specific heat sets an upper limit on the possible spin-gap value and provides an estimate for the spin-wave velocity. Muon spin relaxation measurements show the presence of spin dynamics in the nanosecond time scale down to 21 mK. This time range is intermediate between the shorter time characterizing the spin dynamics in Tb2Sn2O7, which also displays long- and short-range magnetic order, and the time scale typical of conventional magnets. Hence the ground state is characterized by exotic spin dynamics. We determine the parameters of a symmetry-dictated Hamiltonian restricted to the spins in a tetrahedron, by fitting the paramagnetic diffuse neutron scattering intensity for two reciprocal lattice planes. These data are recorded in a temperature region where the assumption that the correlations are limited to nearest neighbors is fair., Comment: 16 pages, 16 figures