Particle theory

Abstract:

The sky distribution of cosmic rays with energies above the 'GZK cutoff' holds important clues to their origin. The AGASA data, although consistent with isotropy, shows evidence for small-angle clustering, and it has been argued that such clusters are aligned with BL Lacertae objects, implicating these as sources. It has also been suggested that clusters can arise if the cosmic rays come from the decays of very massive relic particles in the Galactic halo, due to the expected clumping of cold dark matter. We examine these claims and show that both are in fact not justified.

Abstract:

We discuss the theoretical treatment of non-global observables, those quantities that are sensitive only to radiation in a restricted region of phase space, and describe how large `non-global' logarithms arise when we veto the energy flowing into the restricted region. The phenomenological impact of non-global logarithms is then discussed, drawing on examples from event shapes in DIS and energy-flow observables in 2-jet systems. We then describe techniques to reduce the numerical importance of non-global logarithms, looking at clustering algorithms in energy flow observables and the study of associated distribution of multiple observables.

Abstract:

We discuss the principles underlying higher spin glueball calculations on the lattice. For that purpose, we develop numerical techniques to rotate Wilson loops by arbitrary angles in lattice gauge theories close to the continuum. As a first application, we compute the glueball spectrum of the SU(2) gauge theory in 2+1 dimensions for both parities and for spins ranging from 0 up to 4 inclusive. We measure glueball angular wave functions directly, decomposing them in Fourier modes and extrapolating the Fourier coefficients to the continuum. This allows a reliable labelling of the continuum states and gives insight into the way rotation symmetry is recovered. As one of our results, we demonstrate that the D=2+1 SU(2) glueball conventionally labelled as J P =0 - is in fact 4 - and that the lightest "J=1" state has, in fact, spin 3. © 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.