arXiv subjects

A. W. Thomas

Publications and source records attributed to A. W. Thomas.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

arXiv2016

Finite Nuclei in the Quark-Meson Coupling (QMC) Model

We report the first use of the effective QMC energy density functional (EDF), derived from a quark model of hadron structure, to study a broad range of ground state properties of even-even nuclei across the periodic table in the non-relativistic Hartree-Fock+BCS framework. The novelty of the QMC model is that the nuclear medium effects are treated through modification of the internal structure of the nucleon. The density dependence is microscopically derived and the spin-orbit term arises naturally. The QMC EDF depends on a single set of four adjustable parameters having clear physical basis. When applied to diverse ground state data the QMC EDF already produces, in its present simple form, overall agreement with experiment of a quality comparable to a representative Skyrme EDF. There exist however multiple Skyrme paramater sets, frequently tailored to describe selected nuclear phenomena. The QMC EDF set of fewer parameters, as derived in this work, is not open to such variation, chosen set being applied, without adjustment, to both the properties of finite nuclei and nuclear matter.

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arXiv2016

Inelastic WIMP-nucleus scattering to the first excited state in $^{125}$Te

The direct detection of dark matter constituents, in particular the weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs), is considered central to particle physics and cosmology. In this paper we study transitions to the excited states, possible in some nuclei, which have sufficiently low lying excited states. Examples considered previously were the first excited states of $^{127}$I and $^{129}$Xe and $^{83}$Kr. Here we examine $^{125}$Te, which offers some advantages and is currently being considered as a target.In all these cases the extra signature of the gamma rays following the de-excitation of these states has definite advantages over the purely nuclear recoil and, in principle, such a signature can be exploited experimentally. A brief discussion of the experimental feasibility is given in the context of the CUORE experiment.

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arXiv2015

Electromagnetic contribution to charge symmetry violation in parton distributions

We report a calculation of the combined effect of photon radiation and quark mass differences on charge symmetry violation (CSV) in the parton distribution functions of the nucleon. Following a recent suggestion of Martin and Ryskin, the initial photon distribution is calculated in terms of coherent radiation from the proton as a whole, while the effect of the quark mass difference is based on a recent lattice QCD simulation. The distributions are then evolved to a scale at which they can be compared with experiment by including both QCD and QED radiation. Overall, at a scale of 5 GeV$^2$, the total CSV effect on the phenomenologically important difference between the $d$ and $u$-quark distributions is some 20\% larger than the value based on quark mass differences alone. In total these sources of CSV account for approximately 40\% of the NuTeV anomaly.

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arXiv2015

Finite-volume Hamiltonian method for $ππ$ scattering in lattice QCD

Within a formulation of $ππ$ scattering, we investigate the use of the finite-volume Hamiltonian approach to resolving scattering observables from lattice QCD spectra. We consider spectra in the centre-of-mass and moving frames for both S- and P-wave cases. Furthermore, we investigate the multi-channel case. Here we study the use of the Hamiltonian framework as a parametrization that can be fit directly to lattice spectra. Through this method, the hadron properties, such as mass, width and coupling, can be directly extracted from the lattice spectra.

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arXiv2015

The spin of the proton in chiral effective field theory

Proton spin is investigated in chiral effective field theory through an examination of the singlet axial charge, $a_0$, and the two non-singlet axial charges, $a_3$ and $a_8$. Finite-range regularization is considered as it provides an effective model for estimating the role of disconnected sea-quark loop contributions to baryon observables. Baryon octet and decuplet intermediate states are included to enrich the spin and flavour structure of the nucleon, redistributing spin under the constraints of chiral symmetry. In this context, the proton spin puzzle is well understood with the calculation describing all three of the axial charges reasonably well. The strange quark contribution to the proton spin is negative with magnitude 0.01. With appropriate $Q^2$ evolution, we find the singlet axial charge at the experimental scale to be ${\hat a}_0 = 0.31^{+0.04}_{-0.05}$, consistent with the range of current experimental values.

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arXiv2015

Quark-Meson Coupling Model, Nuclear Matter Constraints and Neutron Star Properties

We explore the equation of state for nuclear matter in the quark-meson coupling model, including full Fock terms. The comparison with phenomenological constraints can be used to restrict the few additional parameters appearing in the Fock terms which are not present at Hartree level. Because the model is based upon the in-medium modification of the quark structure of the bound hadrons, it can be applied without additional parameters to include hyperons and to calculate the equation of state of dense matter in beta-equilibrium. This leads naturally to a study of the properties of neutron stars, including their maximum mass, their radii and density profiles.

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arXiv2015

Hybrid Stars using the Quark-Meson Coupling and Proper Time NJL Models

Background: At high density deconfinement of hadronic matter may occur leading to quark matter. The immense densities reached in the inner core of massive neutron stars may be sufficient to facilitate the transition. Purpose: To investigate a crossover transition between two phenomenological models which epitomise QCD in two different regimes, while incorporating the influence of quark degrees of freedom in both. Method: We use the Hartree-Fock quark-meson coupling model and the proper time regularised three flavour NJL model to describe hadronic and quark matter, respectively. Hybrid equations of state are obtained by interpolating the energy density as a function of total baryonic density and calculating the pressure. Results: Equations of state for hadronic, quark and hybrid matter and the resulting mass versus radius curves for hybrid stars are shown, as well as other relevant physical quantities such as species fractions and the speed of sound in matter. Conclusions: The observations of massive neutron stars can certainly be explained within such a construction. However, the so-called thermodynamic correction arising from an interpolation method can have a considerable impact on the equation of state. The interpolation dependency of and physical meaning behind such corrections require further study.

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arXiv2015

Quark-hadron duality constraints on γZ box corrections to parity-violating elastic scattering

We examine the interference γZ box corrections to parity-violating elastic electron--proton scattering in the light of the recent observation of quark-hadron duality in parity-violating deep-inelastic scattering from the deuteron, and the approximate isospin independence of duality in the electromagnetic nucleon structure functions down to Q^2 \approx 1 GeV^2. Assuming that a similar behavior also holds for the γZ proton structure functions, we find that duality constrains the γZ box correction to the proton's weak charge to be \Re e\, \square_{γZ}^V = (5.4 \pm 0.4) \times 10^{-3} at the kinematics of the Q_{\text{weak}} experiment. Within the same model we also provide estimates of the γZ corrections for future parity-violating experiments, such as MOLLER at Jefferson Lab and MESA at Mainz.

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arXiv2015

SU(3) breaking in hyperon transition vector form factors

We present a calculation of the SU(3)-breaking corrections to the hyperon transition vector form factors to $\mathcal{O}(p^4)$ in heavy baryon chiral perturbation theory with finite-range regularisation. Both octet and decuplet degrees of freedom are included. We formulate a chiral expansion at the kinematic point $Q^2=-(M_{B_1}-M_{B_2})^2$, which can be conveniently accessed in lattice QCD. The two unknown low-energy constants at this point are constrained by lattice QCD simulation results for the $Σ^-\rightarrow n$ and $Ξ^0\rightarrow Σ^+$ transition form factors. Hence we determine lattice-informed values of $f_1$ at the physical point. This work constitutes progress towards the precise determination of $|V_{us}|$ from hyperon semileptonic decays.

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arXiv2015

E6 inspired composite Higgs model

We consider a composite Higgs model embedded into a Grand Unified Theory(GUT) based on the E_6 gauge group. The phenomenological viability of this E_6 inspired composite Higgs model (E6CHM) implies that standard model (SM) elementary fermions with different baryon or lepton number should stem from different 27 representations of E_6. We present a six-dimensional orbifold GUT model in which the E_6 gauge symmetry is broken to the SM gauge group so that the appropriate splitting of the bulk 27-plets takes place. In this model the strongly coupled sector is localised on one of the branes and possesses an SU(6) global symmetry that contains the SU(3)_C\times SU(2)_W\times U(1)_Y subgroup. In this case the approximate gauge coupling unification can be attained if the right-handed top quark is a composite state and the elementary sector involves extra exotic matter beyond the SM which ensures anomaly cancellation. The breakdown of the approximate SU(6) symmetry at low energies in this model results in a set of the pseudo-Nambu-Goldstone states which include a Higgs doublet and scalar colour triplet. We discuss the generation of the masses of the SM fermions in the E6CHM. The presence of the TeV scale vector-like exotic quarks and scalar colour triplet may provide spectacular new physics signals that can be observed at the LHC.

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arXiv2015

Pure sea-quark contributions to the magnetic form factors of $Σ$ baryons

We propose the pure sea-quark contributions to the magnetic form factors of $Σ$ baryons, $G_{Σ^-}^u$ and $G_{Σ^+}^d$, as priority observables for the examination of sea-quark contributions to baryon structure, both in present lattice QCD simulations and possible future experimental measurement. $G_{Σ^-}^u$, the $u$-quark contribution to the magnetic form factor of $Σ^-$, and $G_{Σ^+}^d$, the $d$-quark contribution to the magnetic form factor of $Σ^+$, are similar to the strange quark contribution to the magnetic form factor of the nucleon, but promise to be larger by an order of magnitude. We explore the size of this quantity within chiral effective field theory, including both octet and decuplet intermediate states. The finite range regularization approach is applied to deal with ultraviolet divergences. Drawing on an established connection between quenched and full QCD, this approach makes it possible to predict the sea quark contribution to the magnetic form factor purely from the meson loop. In the familiar convention where the quark charge is set to unity $G_{Σ^-}^u = G_{Σ^+}^d$. We find a value of $-0.38^{+0.16}_{-0.17}\ μ_N$, which is about seven times larger than the strange magnetic moment of the nucleon found in the same approach. Including quark charge factors, the $u$-quark contribution to the $Σ^-$ magnetic moment exceeds the strange quark contribution to the nucleon magnetic moment by a factor of 14.

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arXiv2015

Charge Symmetry Violation in the Electromagnetic Form Factors of the Proton

Experimental tests of QCD through its predictions for the strange-quark content of the proton have been drastically restricted by our lack of knowledge of the violation of charge symmetry (CSV). We find unexpectedly tiny CSV in the proton's electromagnetic form factors by performing the first extraction of these quantities based on an analysis of lattice QCD data. The resulting values are an order of magnitude smaller than current bounds on proton strangeness from parity violating electron-proton scattering experiments. This result paves the way for a new generation of experimental measurements of the proton's strange form factors to challenge the predictions of QCD.

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arXiv2015

Determination of the strange nucleon form factors

The strange contribution to the electric and magnetic form factors of the nucleon is determined at a range of discrete values of $Q^2$ up to $1.4$ GeV$^2$. This is done by combining recent lattice QCD results for the electromagnetic form factors of the octet baryons with experimental determinations of those quantities. The most precise result is a small negative value for the strange magnetic moment: $G_M^s(Q^2=0) = -0.07\pm0.03\,μ_N$. At larger values of $Q^2$ both the electric and magnetic form factors are consistent with zero to within $2$-sigma.

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arXiv2014

Finite-volume Hamiltonian method for coupled channel interactions in lattice QCD

Within a multi-channel formulation of $ππ$ scattering, we investigate the use of the finite-volume Hamiltonian approach to resolve scattering observables from lattice QCD spectra. The asymptotic matching of the well-known Lüscher formalism encodes a unique finite-volume spectrum. Nevertheless, in many practical situations, such as coupled-channel systems, it is advantageous to interpolate isolated lattice spectra in order to extract physical scattering parameters. Here we study the use of the Hamiltonian framework as a parameterisation that can be fit directly to lattice spectra. We find that with a modest amount of lattice data, the scattering parameters can be reproduced rather well, with only a minor degree of model dependence.

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arXiv2014

On the smallness of the cosmological constant

In N=1 supergravity the scalar potential of the hidden sector may have degenerate supersymmetric (SUSY) and non-supersymmetric Minkowski vacua. In this case local SUSY in the second supersymmetric Minkowski phase can be broken dynamically. Assuming that such a second phase and the phase associated with the physical vacuum are exactly degenerate, we estimate the value of the cosmological constant. We argue that the observed value of the dark energy density can be reproduced if in the second vacuum local SUSY breaking is induced by gaugino condensation at a scale which is just slightly lower than Λ_{QCD} in the physical vacuum. The presence of a third degenerate vacuum, in which local SUSY and electroweak (EW) symmetry are broken near the Planck scale, may lead to small values of the quartic Higgs self--coupling and the corresponding beta function at the Planck scale in the phase in which we live.

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arXiv2014

Cosmological constant in SUGRA models with Planck scale SUSY breaking and degenerate vacua

The empirical mass of the Higgs boson suggests small to vanishing values of the quartic Higgs self--coupling and the corresponding beta function at the Planck scale, leading to degenerate vacua. This leads us to suggest that the measured value of the cosmological constant can originate from supergravity (SUGRA) models with degenerate vacua. This scenario is realised if there are at least three exactly degenerate vacua. In the first vacuum, associated with the physical one, local supersymmetry (SUSY) is broken near the Planck scale while the breakdown of the SU(2)_W\times U(1)_Y symmetry takes place at the electroweak (EW) scale. In the second vacuum local SUSY breaking is induced by gaugino condensation at a scale which is just slightly lower than Λ_{QCD} in the physical vacuum. Finally, in the third vacuum local SUSY and EW symmetry are broken near the Planck scale.

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arXiv2014

Dispersive estimate of the electromagnetic charge symmetry violation in the octet baryon masses

We explore the electromagnetic contribution to the charge symmetry breaking in the octet baryon masses using a subtracted dispersion relation based on the Cottingham formula. For the proton-neutron mass splitting we report a minor revision of the recent analysis of Walker-Loud, Carlson and Miller. For the electromagnetic structure of the hyperons we constrain our analysis, where possible, by a combination of lattice QCD and SU(3) symmetry breaking estimates. The results for the baryon mass splittings are found to be compatible with recent lattice QCD+QED determinations. The uncertainties in the dispersive analysis are dominated by the lack of knowledge of the hyperon inelastic structure.

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arXiv2014

Electromagnetic Contribution to the Proton-Neutron Mass Splitting

We study the electromagnetic contribution to the proton-neutron mass splitting by combining lattice simulations and the modified Cottingham sum rule of Walker-Loud, Carlson and Miller. This analysis yields an estimate of the isovector nucleon magnetic polarizability as a function of pion mass. The physical value, obtained by chiral extrapolation to the physical pion mass, is $β_{p-n}=(-1.12 \pm 0.40)\times 10^{-4}\ \mathrm{fm}^3$, which is in agreement with the empirical result, albeit with a somewhat smaller error. As a result, we find $δM^γ_{p-n}=1.04 \pm 0.11\ \mathrm{MeV}$, which represents a significant improvement in precision.

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