Abstract: According to heavy-meson chiral perturbation theory, the vector form factor f+(q(2)) of exclusive semileptonic decay B -> pi l nu is closely related, at least in the soft-pion region ( i.e., q(2) similar to (m(B) – m(pi))(2)), to the strong coupling g(B*B pi) or the normalized coupling (g)over-cap. Combining the precisely measured q2 spectrum of B -> pi l nu decay by the BABAR and Belle collaborations with several parametrizations of the form factor f +(q(2)), we can extract these couplings from the residue of the form factor at the B* pole, which relies on an extrapolation of the form factor from the semileptonic region to the unphysical point q(2) = m(B*)(2). Comparing the extracted values with the other experimental and theoretical estimates, we can test these various form-factor parametrizations, which differ from each other by the amount of physical information embedded in. It is found that the extracted values based on the Becirevic-Kaidalov, Ball-Zwicky and Bourrely-Caprini-Lellouch parametrizations are consistent with each other and roughly in agreement with the other theoretical and lattice estimates, while the Boyd-Grinstein-Lebed ansatz, featured by a spurious, unwanted pole at the threshold of the cut, gives a neatly larger value.

Abstract: We study the anomalous electromagnetic pion form factor F-pi 0 gamma*gamma* with a set of holographic models. By comparing with the measured value of the linear slope, some of these models can be ruled out. From the remaining models, we obtain predictions for the low-energy quadratic slope parameters of F-pi 0 gamma*gamma* , currently out of experimental reach but testable in the near future. We find it particularly useful to encode this low-energy information in a form factor able to satisfy also QCD short-distance constraints. We choose the form factor introduced by D'Ambrosio, Isidori, and Portoles in kaon decays, which has the right short distance for a particular value of the quadratic slope, which is later shown to be compatible with our holographic predictions. We then turn to a determination of the (dominant) pion exchange diagram in the hadronic light by light scattering contribution to the muon anomalous magnetic moment. We quantify the theoretical uncertainty in (g – 2)(mu) coming from the different input we use: QCD short distances, experimental input, and low-energy holographic predictions. We also test the pion-pole approximation. Our final result is a(mu)(pi 0) = 6: 54(25) x 10(-10), where the error is driven by the linear slope of F-pi 0 gamma*gamma* , soon to be measured with precision at KLOE-2. Our numerical analysis also indicates that large values of the magnetic susceptibility chi 0 are disfavored, therefore pointing at a mild effect from the pion off-shellness. However, in the absence of stronger bounds on chi 0, an additional (10-15)% systematic uncertainty on the previous value for a(mu)(pi 0) cannot be excluded.

Abstract: The neutron-induced fission cross-section of U-233 has been measured at the CERN nTOF facility relative to the standard fission cross-section of U-235 between 0.5 and 20MeV. The experiment was performed with a fast ionization chamber for the detection of the fission fragments and to discriminate against alpha-particles from the natural radioactivity of the samples. The high instantaneous flux and the low background of the nTOF facility result in data with uncertainties of approximate to 3%, which were found in good agreement with previous experiments. The high quality of the present results allows to improve the evaluation of the U-233(n, f) cross-section and, consequently, the design of energy systems based on the Th/U cycle.

Abstract: The T2K experiment is designed to study neutrino oscillation properties by directing a high intensity neutrino beam produced at J-PARC in Tokai, Japan, towards the large Super-Kamiokande detector located 295 km away, in Kamioka, Japan. The experiment includes a sophisticated near detector complex, 280 m downstream of the neutrino production target in order to measure the properties of the neutrino beam and to better understand neutrino interactions at the energy scale below a few GeV. A key element of the near detectors is the ND280 tracker, consisting of two active scintillator-bar target systems surrounded by three large time projection chambers (TPCs) for charged particle tracking. The data collected with the tracker are used to study charged current neutrino interaction rates and kinematics prior to oscillation, in order to reduce uncertainties in the oscillation measurements by the far detector. The tracker is surrounded by the former UA1/NOMAD dipole magnet and the TPCs measure the charges, momenta, and particle types of charged particles passing through them. Novel features of the TPC design include its rectangular box layout constructed from composite panels, the use of bulk micromegas detectors for gas amplification, electronics readout based on a new ASIC, and a photoelectron calibration system. This paper describes the design and construction of the TPCs, the micromegas modules, the readout electronics, the gas handling system, and shows the performance of the TPCs as deduced from measurements with particle beams, cosmic rays, and the calibration system.

Abstract: The search for new interactions of neutrinos beyond those of the standard model may help to elucidate the mechanism responsible for neutrino masses. Here, we combine existing accelerator neutrino data with restrictions coming from a recent atmospheric neutrino data analysis in order to lift parameter degeneracies and improve limits on new interactions of muon neutrinos with quarks. In particular, we reconsider the results of the E-815 experiment at Fermilab (NuTeV) in view of a new evaluation of its systematic uncertainties. We find that, although constraints for muon neutrinos are better than those applicable to tau or electron neutrinos, they lie at the few X 10(-2) level, not as strong as previously believed. We briefly discuss prospects for further improvement.