Abstract: We conjecture that the proper-time series expansion of the one-loop effective Lagrangian of quantum electrodynamics can be summed in all terms containing the field-strength invariants F = 1/4F F-mu nu(mu nu) (x), G = 1/4 (F) over tilde F-mu nu(mu nu) (x), including those also possessing derivatives of the electromagnetic field strength. This partial resummation is exactly encapsulated in a factor with the same form as the Heisenberg-Euler Lagrangian density, except that now the electric and magnetic fields can depend arbitrarily on spacetime coordinates. We provide strong evidence for this conjecture, which is proved to sixth order in the proper time. Furthermore, and as a byproduct, we generate some solvable electromagnetic backgrounds. We also discuss the implications for a generalization of the Schwinger formula for pair production induced by nonconstant electric fields. Finally, we briefly outline the extension of these results in the presence of gravity.

Abstract: This paper explores the effects of changes in matter density profiles on neutrino oscillation probabilities, and whether these could potentially be seen by the future Hyper-Kamiokande long-baseline oscillation experiment (T2HK). The analysis is extended to include the possibility of having an additional detector in Korea (T2HKK). In both cases, we find that these effects will be immeasurable, as the magnitudes of the changes in the oscillation probabilities induced in all density profile scenarios considered here remain smaller than the estimated experimental sensitivity to the oscillation probabilities of each experiment, for both appearance and disappearance channels. Therefore, we conclude that using a constant density profile is sufficient for both the T2HK and T2HKK experiments.

Abstract: Recently, the Belle Collaboration reported the first measurements of the tau(-) -> nu(tau)pi(-) e(+) e(-) branching fraction and the spectrum of the pion-dielectron system. In an analysis previous to Belle's results, we evaluated this branching fraction which turned out to be compatible with that reported by Belle, although with a large uncertainty. This is the motivation to seek for improvement on our previous evaluation of tau(-) -> nu(tau)pi(-) l(+) l(-) decays (l = e, mu). In this paper we improve our calculation of the WP-gamma* vertex by including flavor-symmetry breaking effects in the framework of the resonance chiral theory. We impose QCD short-distance behavior to constrain most parameters and data on the pi(-) e(+) e(-) spectrum reported by the Belle Collaboration to fix the remaining free ones. As a result, improved predictions for the branching ratios and hadronic/leptonic spectra are reported, which are in good agreement with observations. Analogous calculations for the strangeness-changing tau(-) -> nu(tau) K- l(+) l(-) transitions are reported for the first time. Albeit one expects the m(pi mu+ mu- )spectrum to be measured in Belle-II and the observables with l = e can be improved, it is rather unlikely that the K channels can be measured due to the suppression factor vertical bar V-ud/V-us vertical bar(2) = 0.05.

Abstract: Weak pion production off the nucleon at low energies has been systematically investigated in manifestly relativistic baryon chiral perturbation theory with explicit inclusion of the Delta(1232) resonance. Most of the involved low-energy constants have been previously determined in other processes such as pion-nucleon elastic scattering and electromagnetic pion production off the nucleon. For numerical estimates, the few remaining constants are set to be of natural size. As a result, the total cross sections for single pion production on neutrons and protons, induced either by neutrino or antineutrino, are predicted. Our results are consistent with the scarce existing experimental data except in the nu(mu)n -> mu(-)n pi(+) channel, where higher-order contributions might still be significant. The Delta resonance mechanisms lead to sizeable contributions in all channels, especially in nu(mu)p -> mu(-) p pi(+), even though the considered energies are close to the production threshold. The present study provides a well-founded low-energy benchmark for phenomenological models aimed at the description of weak pion production processes in the broad kinematic range of interest for current and future neutrino-oscillation experiments.

Abstract: We have performed a calculation of the D (D) over bar, D (D) over bar*, D*(D) over bar, D*(D) over bar* components in the wave function of the psi(3770). For this we make use of the P-3(0) model to find the coupling of psi(3770) to these components, that with an elaborate angular momentum algebra can be obtained with only one parameter. Then we use data for the e(+)e(-) -> D (D) over bar reaction, from where we determine a form factor needed in the theoretical framework, as well as other parameters needed to evaluate the meson-meson self-energy of the psi(3770). Once this is done we determine the Z probability to still have a vector core and the probability to have the different meson components. We find Z about 80%-85%, and the individual meson-meson components are rather small, providing new empirical information to support the largely q (q) over bar component of vector mesons, and the psi(3770) in particular. A discussion is done of the meaning of the terms obtained for the case of the open channels where the concept of probability cannot be strictly used.