arXiv subjects

Francesco Giacosa

Publications and source records attributed to Francesco Giacosa.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

arXiv2016

Low-energy limit of the extended Linear Sigma Model

The extended Linear Sigma Model (eLSM) is an effective hadronic model based on the linear realization of chiral symmetry $SU(N_f)_L \times SU(N_f)_R$, with (pseudo)scalar and (axial-)vector mesons as degrees of freedom. In this paper, we study the low-energy limit of the eLSM for $N_f=2$ flavors by integrating out all fields except for the pions, the (pseudo-)Nambu--Goldstone bosons of chiral symmetry breaking. We only keep terms entering at tree level and up to fourth order in powers of derivatives of the pion fields. Up to this order, there are four low-energy coupling constants in the resulting low-energy effective action. We show that the latter is formally identical to Chiral Perturbation Theory (ChPT), after choosing a representative for the coset space generated by chiral symmetry breaking and expanding up to fourth order in powers of derivatives of the pion fields. Two of the low-energy coupling constants of the eLSM are uniquely determined by a fit to hadron masses and decay widths. We find that their tree-level values are in reasonable agreement with the corresponding low-energy coupling constants of ChPT. The other two low-energy coupling constants are functions of parameters that can in principle be determined by $ππ$ scattering, which has not yet been studied within the eLSM. Therefore, we use the respective values from ChPT to make a prediction for the values of these parameters in the eLSM Lagrangian.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2016

The eLSM at nonzero density

The extended Linear Sigma Model (eLSM) is an effective model of QCD which includes in the mesonic sector (pseudo)scalar and (axial-)vector quarkonia mesons as well as one dilaton/glueball field and in the baryonic sector the nucleon doublet and its chiral partner in the mirror assignment. The chiral partner of the pion turns out to be the resonance $f_{0}(1370),$ which is then predominantly a quarkonium state. As a consequence, $f_{0}(500)$ is predominately not a quarkonium state but a four-quark object and is at first not part of the model. Yet, $f_{0}(500)$ is important in the baryonic sector and affects nuclear matter saturation, the high-density behavior, and nucleon-nucleon scattering. In these proceedings, we show how to enlarge the two-flavour version of the eLSM in order to include the four-quark field $f_{0}(500)$ in a chiral invariant manner. We then discuss homogeneous and inhomogeneous chiral restoration in a dense medium.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2016

Decay law and time dilatation

We study the decay law for a moving unstable particle. The usual time-dilatation formula states that the decay width for an unstable state moving with a momentum $p$ and mass $M$ is $\tildeΓ_{p}=ΓM/\sqrt{p^{2}+M^{2}}$ with $Γ$ being the decay width in the rest frame. In agreement with previous studies, we show that in the context of QM as well as QFT this equation is \textit{not} correct provided that the quantum measurement is performed in a reference frame in which the unstable particle has momentum $p$ (note, a momentum eigenstate is \textit{not} a velocity eigenstate in QM). We then give, to our knowledge for the first time, an analytic expression of an improved formula and we show that the deviation from $\tildeΓ_{p}$ has a maximum for $p/M=\sqrt{2/3},$ but is typically \textit{very} small. Then, the result can be easily generalized to a momentum wave packet and also to an arbitrary initial state. Here, we give a very general expression of the non-decay probability. As a next step, we show that care is needed when one makes a boost of an unstable state with zero momentum/velocity: namely, the resulting state has zero overlap with the elements of the basis of unstable states (it is already decayed!). However, when considering a spread in velocity, one finds again that $\tilde{Γ}_{p}$ is typically a very good approximation. The study of a velocity wave-packet represents an interesting subject which constitutes one of the main outcomes of the present manuscript.\textbf{ }In the end, it should be stressed that there is no whatsoever breaking of special relativity, but as usual in QM, one should specify which kind of measurement on which kind of state is performed.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2016

Irrelevance of $f_{0}(500)$ in bulk thermal properties

We discuss why the scalar-isoscalar resonance $f_{0}(500)$ should in practice not be included in thermal models describing the freeze-out of heavy-ion collisions. Its contribution into pion multiplicities is in principle relevant because it is light and it decays only into pions. However, it is cancelled to a very good numerical precision by the non-resonant scalar-isotensor repulsion among pions. Our approach is an application of a well-known theorem relating spectral function to phase shifts. The numerical results are solely based on pion-pion scattering data and thus model independent.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2016

Masses of Heavy and Light Scalar Tetraquarks in a Non-Relativistic Quark Model

Scalar tetraquark states are studied within the diquark-antidiquark picture in a non-relativistic approach. We consider two types of confining potentials, a quadratic and a linear one, to which we also add spin-spin, isospin-isospin, and spin-isospin interactions. We calculate the masses of the scalar diquarks and of the ground-state open and hidden charmed and bottom scalar tetraquarks. Our results indicate that the scalar resonances $D_{0}^{\ast}(2400)$ and $D_{s}(2632)$ have a sizable tetraquark amount in their wave function, while, on the other hand, it turns out that the scalar states $D_{s0}^{\ast}(2317)$ and $X(3915)$ should not be considered as being predominantly diquark-antidiquark bound states. We also investigate the masses of light scalar diquarks and tetraquarks, which are comparable to the measured masses of the light scalar mesons.

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arXiv2016

A Three-Flavor Chiral Effective Model with Four Baryonic Multiplets within the Mirror Assignment

In the case of three quark flavors, (pseudo)scalar diquarks transform as antiquarks under chiral transformations. We construct four spin-1/2 baryonic multiplets from left- and right-handed quarks as well as left- and right-handed diquarks. The fact that two of these multiplets transform in a "mirror" way allows for chirally invariant mass terms. We then embed these baryonic multiplets into the Lagrangian of the so-called extended Linear Sigma Model, which features (pseudo)scalar and (axial-)vector mesons, as well as glueballs. Reducing the Lagrangian to the two-flavor case, we obtain four doublets of nucleonic states. These mix to produce four experimentally observed states with definite parity: the positive-parity nucleon $N(939)$ and Roper resonance $N(1440)$, as well as the negative-parity resonances $N(1535)$ and $N(1650)$. We determine the parameters of the nucleonic part of the Lagrangian from a fit to masses and decay properties of the aforementioned states. Studying the limit of vanishing quark condensate, we conclude that $N(939)$ and $N(1535)$, as well as $N(1440)$ and $N(1650)$ form pairs of chiral partners.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2016

$a_{0}(980)$ as a companion pole of $a_{0}(1450)$

Light scalar hadrons are often understood as dynamically generated resonances. These arise as `companion poles' in the propagators of $q\bar{q}$ seed states when accounting for meson-loop contributions to the self-energies of the latter. Following this idea, we demonstrate that for the scalar--isovector state $a_{0}(1450)$ the full one-loop propagator has two poles: a pole of the seed state $a_{0}(1450)$ and a companion pole corresponding to $a_{0}(980)$. The positions of these poles are studied by varying the relative coupling strength between the non-derivative and derivative parts of the interactions.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2016

$a_{0}(980)$ revisited

Light scalar hadrons can be understood as dynamically generated resonances. These arise as `companion poles' in the propagators of quark-antiquark seed states when accounting for meson-loop contributions to the self-energies of the latter. Along this line, we extend previous calculations of Törnqvist and Roos and of Boglione and Pennington, where the resonance $a_{0}(980)$ appears as companion pole in the propagator of $a_{0}(1450)$ which is predominantly a quark-antiquark state. We also construct an effective Lagrangian where $a_{0}(1450)$ couples to pseudoscalar mesons with both non-derivative and derivative interactions. Computing the one-loop self-energy, we demonstrate that the propagator has two poles: a companion pole corresponding to $a_{0}(980)$ and a pole of the seed state $a_{0}(1450)$. The positions of these poles are in quantitative agreement with experimental data.

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arXiv2016

Inhomogeneous condensation in effective models for QCD using the finite-mode approach

We use a numerical method, the finite-mode approach, to study inhomogeneous condensation in effective models for QCD in a general framework. Former limitations of considering a specific ansatz for the spatial dependence of the condensate are overcome. Different error sources are analyzed and strategies to minimize or eliminate them are outlined. The analytically known results for $1+1$ dimensional models (such as the Gross-Neveu model and extensions of it) are correctly reproduced using the finite-mode approach. Moreover, the NJL model in $3+1$ dimensions is investigated and its phase diagram is determined with particular focus on the inhomogeneous phase at high density.

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arXiv2016

Mesons beyond the quark-antiquark picture

The vast majority of mesons can be understood as quark-antiquark states. Yet, various other possibilities exists: glueballs (bound-state of gluons), hybrids (quark-antiquark plus gluon), and four-quark states (either as diquark-antidiquark or molecular objects) are expected. In particular, the existence of glueballs represents one of the first predictions of QCD, which relies on the nonabelian feature of its structure; this is why the search for glueballs and their firm discovery would be so important, both for theoretical and experimental developments. At the same time, many new resonances ($X,Y,$ and $Z$ states) were discovered experimentally, some of which can be well understood as four-quark objects. In this lecture, we review some basic aspects of QCD and show in a pedagogical way how to construct an effective hadronic model of QCD. We then present the results for the decays of the scalar and the pseudoscalar glueballs within this approach and discuss the future applications to other glueball states. In conclusion, we briefly discuss the status of four-quark states, both in the low-energy domain (light scalar mesons) as well as in the high-energy domain (in the charmonia region).

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arXiv2015

Phenomenology of charmed mesons in the extended Linear Sigma Model

We study the so-called extended linear sigma model for the case of four quark flavors. This model is based on global chiral symmetry and dilatation invariance and includes, besides scalar and pseudoscalar mesons, vector and axial-vector mesons. Most of the parameters of the model have been determined in previous work by fitting properties of mesons with three quark flavors. Only three new parameters, all related to the current charm quark mass, appear when introducing charmed mesons. Surprisingly, within the accuracy expected from our approach, the masses of open charmed mesons turn out to be in quantitative agreement with experimental data. On the other hand, with the exception of $J/ψ$, the masses of charmonia are underpredicted by about 10\%. It is remarkable that our approach correctly predicts (within errors) the mass splitting between spin-0 and spin-1 negative-parity open charm states. This indicates that, although the charm quark mass breaks chiral symmetry quite strongly explicitly, this symmetry still seems to have some influence on the properties of charmed mesons.

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arXiv2015

Cancellation of the sigma meson in thermal models

The by now well-established scalar-isoscalar resonance $f_{0}(500)$ (the $σ$ meson) seems potentially relevant in the evaluation of thermodynamic quantities of a hadronic gas, since its mass is low. However, we recall that its contribution to isospin-averaged observables is, to a surprising accuracy, canceled by the repulsion from the pion-pion scalar-isotensor channel. As a result, in practice one should not incorporate $f_0(500)$ in standard hadronic resonance-gas models for studies of isospin averaged quantities. In our analysis we use the formalism of the virial expansion, which allows one to calculate the thermal properties of an interacting hadron gas in terms of derivatives of the scattering phase shifts, hence in a model-independent way directly from experimentally accessible quantities. A similar cancellation mechanism occurs for the scalar kaonic interactions between the $I=1/2$ channel (containing the alleged $K_{0}^{\ast}(800)$ or the $κ$ meson) and the $I=3/2$ channel.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2015

Classical and quantum theory of the massive spin-two field

In this paper, we review classical and quantum field theory of massive non-interacting spin-two fields. We derive the equations of motion and Fierz-Pauli constraints via three different methods: the eigenvalue equations for the Casimir invariants of the Poincaré group, a Lagrangian approach, and a covariant Hamilton formalism. We also present the conserved quantities, the solution of the equations of motion in terms of polarization tensors, and the tree-level propagator. We then discuss canonical quantization by postulating commutation relations for creation and annihilation operators. We express the energy, momentum, and spin operators in terms of the former. As an application, quark-antiquark currents for tensor mesons are presented. In particular, the current for tensor mesons with quantum numbers $J^{PC}=2^{-+}$ is, to our knowledge, given here for the first time.

hep-th↗

arXiv2015

$τ$ vector and axial-vector spectral functions in the extended linear sigma model

The extended linear sigma model describes the vacuum phenomenology of scalar, pseudoscalar, vector and axial-vector mesons at energies $\simeq 1\text{ GeV}$. We combine the chiral $U(2)_L\times U(2)_R$ symmetry of this model with a local $SU(2)_L\times U(1)_Y$ symmetry and obtain a gauge invariant effective description for electroweak interaction of hadrons in the vacuum. Vector and axial-vector spectral functions can be described well by two intermediate resonances $ρ$ and $a_1$. They are implemented into this model as chiral partners and yield the predominant contributions to both spectral functions. However, the contributions that arise from the non-resonant decay channels of the weak charged $W$ bosons are essential for reproducing the lineshapes of the spectral functions.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2015

Non-conventional mesons at PANDA

Non-conventional mesons, such as glueballs and tetraquarks, will be in the focus of the PANDA experiment at the FAIR facility. In this lecture we recall the basic properties of QCD and describe some features of unconventional states.\ We focus on the search of the not-yet discovered glueballs and the use of the extended Linear Sigma Model for this purpose, and on the already discovered but not-yet understood $X,Y,Z$ states.

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arXiv2014

Chiral density wave in nuclear matter

Inspired by recent work on inhomogeneous chiral condensation in cold, dense quark matter within models featuring quark degrees of freedom, we investigate the chiral density-wave solution in nu- clear matter at zero temperature and nonvanishing baryon number density in the framework of the so-called extended linear sigma model (eLSM). The eLSM is an effective model for the strong interaction based on the global chiral symmetry of quantum chromodynamics (QCD). It contains scalar, pseudoscalar, vector, and axial-vector mesons as well as baryons. In the latter sector, the nucleon and its chiral partner are introduced as parity doublets in the mirror assignment. The eLSM simultaneously provides a good description of hadrons in vacuum as well as nuclear matter ground-state properties. We find that an inhomogeneous phase in the form of a chiral density wave is realized, but only for densities larger than 2.4 ρ0, where ρ0 is the nuclear matter ground-state density.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2014

On unitary evolution and collapse in Quantum Mechanics

In the framework of an interference setup in which only two outcomes are possible (such as in the case of a Mach-Zehnder interferometer), we discuss in a simple and pedagogical way the difference between a standard, unitary quantum mechanical evolution and the existence of a real collapse of the wave function. Moreover, we also present the Elitzur-Vaidman bomb, the delayed choice experiment, and the effect of decoherence. In the end, we propose two simple experiments to visualize decoherence and to test the role of an entagled particle.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2014

Influence of the measurement on the decay law: the bang-bang case

After reviewing the description of an unstable state in the framework of nonrelativistic Quantum Mechanics (QM) and relativistic Quantum Field Theory (QFT), we consider the effect of pulsed, ideal measurements repeated at equal time intervals on the lifetime of an unstable system. In particular, we investigate the case in which the `bare' survival probability is an exact exponential (a very good approximation in both QM and QFT), but the measurement apparatus can detect the decay products only in a certain energy range. We show that the Quantum Zeno Effect can occur in this framework as well.

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