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Palash B. Pal

Publications and source records attributed to Palash B. Pal.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
arXiv2003

Gauged B-3L_τ, low-energy unification and proton decay

We point out that if there is a gauged $B-3L_τ$ symmetry at low energy, it can prevent fast proton decay. This may help building models with theories with extra dimensions at the TeV scale. For purpose of illustration we present an explicit model with large extra dimensions. The Higgs required for a realistic fermion masses and mixing are included. The problem of neutrino masses are solved with triplet Higgs scalars. The proton remains stable even after the $B-3L_τ$ symmetry breaking.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2003

Generalized Fierz identities

Low energy weak interactions calculations with fermions frequently involve a superposition of quartic products of Dirac spinors, in which the order of the spinors is not the same in all the contributing terms. A common trick that is used to bring them to a uniform ordering is the Fierz transformation. We show that the standard Fierz rearrangement formula quoted in textbooks is one element of a class of transformations of a quartic product amplitude, under which the spinors are rearranged with different orderings and, in the general case, some or all of the spinors are transformed to their Lorentz-invariant complex conjugate form. We give a pedagogical derivation of the explicit forms of all such transformation matrices. In addition to the usual Lorentz scalar quartic products, we consider pseudoscalar ones as well. Such manipulations and formulas are useful, in particular, when some of the fermions involved are Majorana particles.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2003

Neutrinos and magnetic fields: a short review

Neutrinos have no electric charge, but a magnetic field can indirectly affect neutrino properties and interactions through its effect on charged particles. After a brief field-theoretic discussion of charged particles in magnetic fields, we discuss two broad kinds of magnetic field effects on neutrinos. First, effects which come through virtual charged particles and alter neutrino properties. Second, effects which alter neutrino interactions through charged particles in the initial or final state. We end with some discussion about possible physical implications of these effects.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2003

Inverse beta-decay of arbitrarily polarized neutrons in a magnetic field

We calculate the cross section of the inverse beta decay process, $ν_e+n\to p+e$, in a background magnetic field which is much smaller than $m_p^2/e$. Using exact solutions of the Dirac equation in a constant magnetic field, we find the cross section for arbitrary polarization of the initial neutrons. The cross section depends on the direction of the incident neutrino even when the initial neutron is assumed to be at rest and has no net polarization. Possible implications of the result are discussed.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2003

Reflection and refraction of electromagnetic waves at the plane boundary between two chiral media

This work is concerned with the propagation of electromagnetic waves in isotropic chiral media and with the effects produced by a plane boundary between two such media. In analogy with the phenomena of reflection and refraction of plane electromagnetic waves in ordinary dielectrics, the kinematical and dynamical aspects of these phenomena are studied, such as the intensity of the various wave components and the change in the polarization of the wave as it crosses the boundary. As a prerequisite of this, we show that the plane wave solution must be written as a suitable superposition of the circularly amplitudes on both sides of the interface, we elucidate which is the appropriate set of conditions that the solution must satisfy at the boundary, and we set down the minimal, and complete, set of equations that must be solved for the coefficient amplitudes in order to satisfy the boundary conditions. The equations are solved explicitly for some particular cases and configurations (e.g., normal incidence), the salient features of those solutions are analyzed in some detail, and the general solution to the equations is given as well.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2003

Nothing but Relativity

We deduce the most general space-time transformation laws consistent with the principle of relativity. Thus, our result contains the results of both Galilean and Einsteinian relativity. The velocity addition law comes as a bi-product of this analysis. We also argue why Galilean and Einsteinian versions are the only possible embodiments of the principle of relativity.

physics.class-ph↗
arXiv2002

CP-violating Majorana phases, lepton-conserving processes and final state interactions

The CP-violating phases associated with Majorana neutrinos can give rise to CP-violating effects even in processes that conserve total Lepton number, such as μ-> eee+, μ+ e -> e + e and others. After explaining the reasons that make this happen, we consider the calculation of the rates for the process of the form \ell_a + \ell_b -> \ell_a + \ell_c, and its conjugate \bar\ell_a + \bar\ell_b -> \bar\ell_a + \bar\ell_c, where \ell_a, \ell_b and \ell_c denote charged leptons of different flavors. In the context of the Standard Model with Majorana neutrinos, we show that the difference in the rates depends on such phases. Our calculations illustrate in detail the mechanics that operate behind the scene, and set the stage for carrying out the analogous, more complicated (as we explain), calculations for other processes such as μ-> eee+ and its conjugate.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2002

A non-singular potential for the Dirac monopole

We propose a new vector potential for the Abelian magnetic monopole. The potential is non-singular in the entire region around the monopole. We argue how the Dirac quantization condition can be derived for any choice of potential.

hep-th↗
arXiv2001

Rephasing-invariant CP violating parameters with Majorana neutrinos

We analyze the dependence of the squared amplitudes on the rephasing-invariant CP-violating parameters of the lepton sector, involving Majorana neutrinos, for various lepton-conserving and lepton-violating processes. We analyze the conditions under which the CP-violating effects in such processes vanish, in terms of the minimal set of rephasing invariants, giving special attention to the dependence on the extra CP-violating parameters that are due to the Majorana nature of the neutrinos.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2001

Gravitational couplings of charged leptons in a medium

We calculate the leading order matter-induced corrections to the gravitational interactions of charged leptons and their antiparticles in a medium that contains electrons but not the other charged leptons, such as normal matter. The gravitational coupling, which is universal at the tree level, is found to be flavor-dependent, and also different for the corresponding antiparticles, when the corrections of $O(α)$ are taken into account. General expressions are obtained for the matter-induced corrections to the gravitational mass in a generic matter background, and explicit formulas for those corrections are given in terms of the macroscopic parameters of the medium for particular conditions of the background gases.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2000

Momentum-dependent contributions to the gravitational coupling of neutrinos in a medium

When neutrinos travel through a normal matter medium, the electron neutrinos couple differently to gravity compared to the other neutrinos, due to the presence of electrons in the medium and the absence of the other charged leptons. We calculate the momentum-dependent part of the matter-induced gravitational couplings of the neutrinos under such conditions, which arise at order $g^2/M^4_W$, and determine their contribution to the neutrino dispersion relation in the presence of a gravitational potential $ϕ^{\mathrm{ext}}$. These new contributions vanish for the muon and tau neutrinos. For electron neutrinos with momentum $K$, they are of the order of the usual Wolfenstein term times the factor $(K^2/M^2_W)ϕ^{\mathrm{ext}}$, for high energy neutrinos. In environments where the gravitational potential is substantial, such as those in the vicinity of Active Galactic Nuclei, they could be the dominant term in the neutrino dispersion relation. They must also be taken into account in the analysis of possible violations of the Equivalence Principle in the neutrino sector, in experimental settings involving high energy neutrinos traveling through a matter background.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2000

Inverse beta-decay in magnetic fields

We calculate the cross section of the inverse beta decay process, $ν_e+n\to p+e$, in a magnetic field which is much smaller than $m_p^2/e$. Using exact solutions of the Dirac equation in a constant magnetic field, we find that the cross section depends on the direction of the incident neutrino even when the initial neutron is assumed to be at rest. We discuss the implication of this result for pulsar kicks.

hep-ph↗
arXiv1999

Faraday effect : a field theoretical point of view

We analyze the structure of the vacuum polarization tensor in the presence of a background electromagnetic field in a medium. We use various discrete symmetries and crossing symmetry to constrain the form factors obtained for the most general case. From these symmetry arguments, we show why the vacuum polarization tensor has to be even in the background field when there is no background medium. Taking then the background field to be purely magnetic, we evaluate the vacuum polarization to linear order in it. The result shows the phenomenon of Faraday rotation, i.e., the rotation of the plane of polarization of a plane polarized light passing through this background. We find that the usual expression for Faraday rotation, which is derived for a non-degenerate plasma in the non-relativistic approximation, undergoes substantial modification if the background is degenerate and/or relativistic. We give explicit expressions for Faraday rotation in completely degenerate and ultra-relativistic media.

hep-ph↗
arXiv1999

Determination of cosmological parameters: an introduction for non-specialists

I start by defining the cosmological parameters $H_0, Ω_m$ and $Ω_Λ$. Then I show how the age of the universe depends on them, followed by the evolution of the scale parameter of the universe for various values of the density parameters. Then I define strategies for measuring them, and show the results for the recent determination of these parameters from measurements on supernovas of type 1a. Implications for particle physics is briefly discussed at the end.

hep-ph↗
arXiv1999

Particle dark matter: an overview

I discuss some compelling suggestions about particles which could be the dark matter in the universe, with special attention to experimental searches for them.

astro-ph↗
arXiv1999

Non-universal gravitational couplings of neutrinos in matter

When neutrinos travel through a normal matter medium, the electron neutrinos couple differently to gravity compared to the other neutrinos, due to the presence of electrons in the medium and the absence of the other charged leptons. The matter-induced gravitational couplings of the neutrinos under such conditions are calculated and their contribution to the neutrino index of refraction in the presence of a gravitational potential is determined.

gr-qc↗