arXiv subjects

Francesco Giacosa

Publications and source records attributed to Francesco Giacosa.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2022

The phenomenology of the exotic hybrid nonet with $π_1(1600)$ and $η_1(1855)$

We study the decays of the $J^{PC}=1^{-+}$ hybrid nonet using a Lagrangian invariant under the flavor symmetry, parity reversal, and charge conjugation. We use the available experimental data, the lattice predictions, and the flavor constraints to evaluate the coupling strengths of the $π_1(1600)$ to various two-body mesonic states. Using these coupling constants, we estimate the partial widths of the two-body decays of the hybrid pion, kaon and the isoscalars. We find that the hybrid kaon can be nearly as broad as the $π_1(1600)$. Quite remarkably, we find also that the light isoscalar must be significantly narrow while the width of the heavy isoscalar can be matched to the recently observed $η_1(1855)$.

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arXiv2022

Multichannel decay: alternative derivation of the $i$-th channel decay probability

In the study of decays, it is quite common that an unstable quantum state/particle has multiple distinct decay channels. In this case, besides the survival probability $p(t)$, also the probability $w_{i}(t)$ that the decay occurs between $(0,t)$ in the $i$-th channel is a relevant object. The general form of the function $w_{i}(t)$ was recently presented in PLB \textbf{831} (2022), 137200. Here, we provide a novel and detailed `joint' derivation of both $p(t)$ and $w_{i}(t)$. As it is well known, $p(t)$ is not an exponential function; similarly, $w_{i}(t)$ is also not such. In particular, the ratio $w_{i}/w_{j}$ (for $i\neq j)$ is not a simple constant, as it would be in the exponential limit. The functions $w_{i}(t)$ and their mutual ratios may therefore represent a novel tool to study the non-exponential nature of the decay law.

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arXiv2022

From well-known tensor mesons to yet unknown axial-tensor mesons

While the ground-state tensor ($J^{PC}=2^{++}$) mesons $a_{2}(1320)$, $K_{2}^{\ast}(1430)$, $f_{2}(1270)$, and $f_{2}^{\prime}(1525)$ are well known experimentally and form an almost ideal nonet of quark-antiquark states, their chiral partners, the ground-states axial-tensor ($J^{PC}=2^{--}$) mesons are poorly settled: only the kaonic member $K_2(1820)$ of the nonet has been experimentally found, whereas the isovector state $ρ_2$ and two isoscalar states $ω_2$ and $ϕ_2$ are still missing. Here, we study masses, strong, and radiative decays of tensor and axial-tensor mesons within a chiral model that links them: the established tensor mesons are used to test the model and to determine its parameters, and subsequently various predictions for their chiral partners, the axial-tensor mesons, are obtained. The results are compared to current lattice QCD outcomes as well as to other theoretical approaches and show that the ground-state axial-tensor mesons are expected to be quite broad, the vector-pseudoscalar mode being the most prominent decay mode followed by the tensor-pseudoscalar one. Nonetheless, their experimental finding seems to be possible in ongoing and/or future experiments.

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arXiv2022

Multichannel decay law

It is well known, both theoretically and experimentally, that the survival probability for an unstable quantum state, formed at $t=0,$ is not a simple exponential function, even if the latter is a good approximation for intermediate times. Typically, unstable quantum states/particles can decay in more than a single decay channel. In this work, the general expression for the probability that an unstable state decays into a certain $i$-th channel between the initial time $t=0$ and an arbitrary $t>0$ is provided, both for nonrelativistic quantum states and for relativistic particles. These partial decay probabilities are also not exponential and their ratio turns out to be not a simple constant, as it would be in the exponential limit. Quite remarkably, these deviations may last relatively long, thus making them potentially interesting in applications. Thus, multichannel decays represent a promising and yet unexplored framework to search for deviations from the exponential decay law in quantum mechanical systems, such as quantum tunnelling, and in the context of particle decays.

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arXiv2022

Glueball-glueball scattering and the glueballonium

The scalar glueball $G$ is the lightest particle of the Yang-Mills sector of QCD, with a lattice predicted mass of about $m_{G}\simeq1.7$ GeV. It is natural to investigate glueball-glueball scattering and the possible emergence of a bound state, that we call glueballonium. We perform this study in the context of a widely used dilaton potential, that depends on a single dimensionful parameter $Λ_G$. We consider a unitarization prescription that allows us to predict the lowest partial waves in the elastic window. These quantities can be in principle calculated on the lattice, thus offering possibility for testing the validity of the dilaton potential and an independent determination of its parameter. Moreover, we also show that a stable glueballonium exists if $Λ_{G}$ is small enough. In particular, for $Λ_{G}$ compatible with the expectations from the gluon condensate, the glueballonium has a mass of about $3.4$ GeV.

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arXiv2022

Constraints imposed by the partial wave amplitudes on the decays of $J=1,2$ mesons

We study the two-body decays of mesons using the covariant helicity formalism. In particular, we show how the partial wave analysis of decays constrains the interacting terms entering the Lagrangian describing the decays of mesons with $J=1$ and $J=2$. We use available information on partial wave analysis to study specific mesonic decays and to make predictions for not yet measured quantities as well as to investigate the isoscalar mixing angle in the axial-vector, pseudovector and pseudotensor sectors. In particular, in the axial-vector sector our result agrees with the LHCb one, and in the pseudotensor sector we confirm a quite large (and negative) angle in the nonstrange-strange basis, which is compatible with a large contribute of the axial anomaly.

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arXiv2021

On the mass of the glueballonium

According to lattice simulations and other theoretical approaches, the scalar glueball is the lightest state in the Yang-Mills sector of QCD. Since within this sector the scalar glueball is stable, the scattering between two glueballs is a well-defined process. Moreover, a glueball-glueball bound state, called glueballonium, might exist if the attraction turns out to be large enough. In this work, we concentrate on the formation of the glueballonium in the context of the dilaton potential. In particular, we investigate the parameter values for which such a glueballonium emerges.

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arXiv2021

Leggett-Garg inequalities and decays of unstable systems

We apply the Leggett-Garg inequalities (LGI) to the case of classical and quantum unstable systems. For classical systems the two assumptions of macroscopic realism and non-invasive measurements imply that the three-measurement string $K_3$ is identically equal to one. Also for quantum mechanical systems -- for which the two assumptions are in general not valid -- we find that $K_3=1$ for purely exponential decays ($K_3\leq1$ is the general LGI). On the other hand, the necessary deviations from the exponential decay law at short and long times predicted by quantum mechanics lead to values of $K_3 \neq 1$. Moreover, a strict violations $K_3>1$ occurs typically at short times. Thus, we conclude that experiments in which such deviations from the exponential decay law have been observed should also find in their data violations of the LGIs.

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arXiv2021

A simple alternative to the Breit-Wigner distribution

First, we discuss the conditions under which the non-relativistic and relativistic types of the Breit-Wigner energy distributions are obtained. Then, upon insisting on the correct normalization of the energy distribution, we introduce a Flatté-like relativistic distribution -- denominated as Sill distribution -- that (i) contains left-threshold effects, (ii) is properly normalized for any decay width, (iii) can be obtained as an appropriate limit in which the decay width is a constant, (iv) is easily generalized to the multi-channel case (v) as well as to a convoluted form in case of a decay chain and -- last but not least -- (vi) is simple to deal with. We compare the Sill distribution to spectral functions derived within specific QFT models and show that it fairs well in concrete examples that involve a fit to experimental data for the $ρ$, $a_1(1260)$, and $K^*(982)$ mesons as well as the $Δ(1232)$ baryon. We also present a study of the $f_2(1270)$ which has more than one possible decay channels. Finally, we discuss the limitations of the Sill distribution using the $a_0(980)$-$a_0(1450)$ and the $K_0^\ast(700)$-$K_0^\ast(1430)$ resonances as examples.

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arXiv2021

Phenomenology of $J^{PC} = 3^{--}$ tensor mesons

We study the strong and radiative decays of the anti-quark-quark ground state $J^{PC} = 3^{--}$ ($n^{2 S + 1} L_J = 1^3 D_3$) nonet {$ρ_{3} (1690)$, $K_{3}^{\ast} (1780)$, $ϕ_{3} (1850)$, $ω_{3} (1670)$} in the framework of an effective quantum field theory approach, based on the $SU_\mathrm{V}(3)$-flavor-symmetry. The effective model is fitted to experimental data listed by the Particle Data Group. We predict numerous experimentally unknown decay widths and branching ratios. An overall agreement of theory (fit and predictions) with experimental data confirms the $\bar{q} q$ nature of the states and qualitatively validates the effective approach. Naturally, experimental clarification as well as advanced theoretical description is needed for trustworthy quantitative predictions, which is observed from some of the decay channels. Besides conventional spin-$3$ mesons, theoretical predictions for ratios of strong and radiative decays of a hypothetical glueball state $G_3 (4200)$ with $J^{PC} = 3^{--}$ are also presented.

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arXiv2021

Quantum algorithmic differentiation

In this work we present an algorithm to perform algorithmic differentiation in the context of quantum computing. We present two versions of the algorithm, one which is fully quantum and one which employees a classical step (hybrid approach). Since the implementation of elementary functions is already possible on quantum computers, the scheme that we propose can be easily applied. Moreover, since some steps (such as the CNOT operator) can (or will be) faster on a quantum computer than on a classical one, our procedure may ultimately demonstrate that quantum algorithmic differentiation has an advantage relative to its classical counterpart.

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arXiv2020

QFT treatment of a bound state in a thermal gas

We investigate how to include bound states in a thermal gas in the context of quantum field theory (QFT). To this end, we use for definiteness a scalar QFT with a $φ^{4}$ interaction, where the field $φ$ represents a particle with mass $m$. A bound state of the $φ$-$φ$ type is created when the coupling constant is negative and its modulus is larger than a certain critical value. We investigate the contribution of this bound state to the pressure of the thermal gas of the system by using the $S$-matrix formalism involving the derivative of the phase-shift scattering. Our analysis, which is based on an unitarized one-loop resumed approach which renders the theory finite and well-defined for each value of the coupling constant, leads to following main results: (i) We generalize the phase-shift formula in order to take into account within a unique formal approach the two-particle interaction as well as the bound state (if existent). (ii) \textit{On the one hand}, the number density of the bound state in the system at a certain temperature $T$ is obtained by the standard thermal integral; this is the case for any binding energy, even if it is much smaller than the temperature of the thermal gas. (iii) \textit{On the other hand}, the contribution of the bound state to the total pressure is partly -- but not completely -- canceled by the two-particle interaction contribution to the pressure. (iv) The pressure as function of the coupling constant is \textit{continuous} also at the critical coupling for the bound state formation: the jump in pressure due to the sudden appearance of the bound state is exactly canceled by an analogous jump (but with opposite sign) of the interaction contribution to the pressure.

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arXiv2020

Hybrid phenomenology in a chiral approach

We calculate masses and decays of the (lightest) hybrid nonet with exotic quantum numbers $J^{PC}=1^{-+}$ and the nonet of their chiral partners with $J^{PC}=1^{+-}$ in the framework of the extended Linear Sigma Model (eLSM). As an input, we identify $π_{1}^{hyb}=π_{1}(1600)$ as a low-lying hybrid. We investigated interaction terms which fulfil chiral symmetry. For what concerns $π_{1}^{hyb},$ the most important decays are $π_{1}^{hyb}\rightarrow b_{1}π,$ $π_{1}(1600)\rightarrowρπη,$ $π_{1}^{hyb}% \rightarrowρπ,$ and $π_{1}^{hyb}\rightarrow KK^{\ast}(892).$ The decays $π_{1}^{hyb}\rightarrowηπ$ and $π_{1}^{hyb}\rightarrowη^{\prime }π$ are expected to be small but non-zero: they follow from a chirally symmetric interaction term that breaks explicitly the axial anomaly. For all the other members of the two hybrid nonets (for which no experimental candidates exist yet) we report decay ratios that may guide ongoing and future experiments.

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arXiv2020

Capturing non-exponential dynamics in the presence of two decay channels

The most unstable quantum states and elementary particles possess more than a single decay channel. At the same time, it is well known that typically the decay law is not simply exponential. Therefore, it is natural to ask how to spot the non-exponential decay when (at least) two decay channels are opened. In this work, we study the tunneling phenomenon of an initially localized particle in two spatially opposite directions through two different barriers, mimicking two decay channels. In this framework, through a specific quantum mechanical examples which can be accurately solved, we study general properties of a two-channel decay that apply for various unstable quantum states (among which also for unstable particles). Apart from small deviations at early times, the survival probability and the partial tunneling probability along the chosen direction are very well described by the exponential-decay model. In contrast, the ratios of the decay probabilities and probability currents are evidently not a simple constant (as they would be in the exponential limit) but display time-persisting oscillations. Hence, these ratios are optimal witnesses of deviations from the exponential decay law.

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arXiv2020

Chiral anomaly role in $π_{1}(1600)\rightarrowπη^{\prime}$

The ground-state (lightest) hybrid nonet with exotic quantum numbers $J^{PC}=1^{-+}$ and the nonet of their chiral partners with $J^{PC}=1^{+-}$ build a homochiral multiplet involving left- and right-handed currents, which under chiral transformation change just as (axial-)vector mesons. Masses and interactions of hybrids can be obtained in the context of the extended Linear Sigma Model. Here, we concentrate on the decays oh hybrids into two pseudoscalar mesons, such as $ηπ$ and $η^{\prime}π$ modes. Indeed, $π_{1}(1400)\rightarrowπη$ and $π_{1}(1600)\rightarrowπη^{\prime}$ have been seen in experiments. Assuming that $π_{1}(1400)$ and $π_{1}(1600)$ correspond to the same state $π_{1}^{hyb}$, we show that these decays (and similar ones) follow from a chirally symmetric interaction term that breaks explicitly the axial anomaly. In this respect, these decays would be an additional manifestation of the axial (or chiral) anomaly in the mesonic sector.

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arXiv2020

QZE and IZE in a simple approach and the neutron decay

We discuss a simple and analytically solvable measurement model which describes the famous Quantum Zeno Effect (QZE) and Inverse Zeno Effect (IZE), that correspond to the slow down and to the increase of the decay rate caused by measurements (or, more in general, by the interaction of an unstable state with the detector and the environment). Within this model one can understand quite general features of the QZE and IZE: by considering an unstable quantum state, such as an unstable particle, whose decay width as function of energy is $Γ(ω)=g^{2}ω^α,$ then -- under quite general assumptions -- the QZE occurs for $α\in(0,1)$, while the IZE for $α\in(-\infty,0)\cup(1,\infty).$ This result is valid also for more realistic measurement models than the one described in this work. We then apply these considerations to the decay of the neutron, for which $α=5.$ Hence, the realization of the IZE for the neutron decay (and for the majority of weak decays) is in principle possible. Indeed, trap experiments find a lifetime that is $8.7\pm2.1$ s shorter than beam experiments, suggesting that the IZE could have taken place.

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arXiv2020

Measurement of the neutron lifetime and inverse quantum Zeno effect

Quantum mechanics predicts that the decay rate of unstable systems could be effectively modified by the process of the measurement of the survival probability. Depending on the intrinsic properties of the unstable system and the experimental setup for the observation, one could obtain the so called (direct) quantum Zeno and inverse quantum Zeno effects corresponding to a slowing down or a speeding up of the decay, respectively. We argue that the inverse quantum Zeno effect is in principle detectable at a percent level for the neutron decay in experiments with trapped ultracold neutrons. Conversely, this effect is basically undetectable in experiments in which the neutron lifetime is measured by measuring the decays of beams of neutrons. As a test of our claim, we propose a simple qualitative correlation between the number of neutrons in the trap and the neutron lifetime: the larger the number, the faster the decay. Finally we discuss also the presently available measurements of the neutron lifetime and address the issue of the possible discrepancy that has been reported among the results obtained by the different experimental techniques.

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arXiv2020

The Lee model: a tool to study decays

We describe -- in a didactical and detailed way -- the so-called Lee model (which shares similarities with the Jaynes-Cummings and Friedrichs models) as a tool to study unstable quantum states/particles. This Lee model is based on Quantum Mechanics (QM) but possesses some of the features of Quantum Field Theory (QFT). The decay process can be studied in great detail and typical QFT quantities such as propagator, one-loop resummation, and Feynman rules can be introduced. Deviations from the exponential decay law as well as the Quantum Zeno effects can be studied within this framework. The survival probability amplitude as a Fourier transform of the energy distribution, the normalization of the latter, and the Breit-Wigner limit can be obtained in a rigorous mathematical approach.

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