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Agullo, I., Navarro-Salas, J., Olmo, G. J., & Parker, L. (2010). Revising the observable consequences of slow-roll inflation. Phys. Rev. D, 81(4), 043514–14pp.
Abstract: We study the generation of primordial perturbations in a (single-field) slow-roll inflationary Universe. In momentum space, these (Gaussian) perturbations are characterized by a zero mean and a nonzero variance Delta(2) (k, t). However, in position space the variance diverges in the ultraviolet. The requirement of a finite variance in position space forces one to regularize Delta(2) (k, t). This can (and should) be achieved by proper renormalization in an expanding Universe in a unique way. This affects the predicted scalar and tensorial power spectra (evaluated when the modes acquire classical properties) for wavelengths that today are at observable scales. As a consequence, the imprint of slow-roll inflation on the cosmic microwave background anisotropies is significantly altered. We find a nontrivial change in the consistency condition that relates the tensor-to-scalar ratio r to the spectral indices. For instance, an exact scale-invariant tensorial power spectrum, n(t) = 0, is now compatible with a nonzero ratio r approximate to 0.12 +/- 0.06, which is forbidden by the standard prediction (r = -8n(t)). The influence of relic gravitational waves on the cosmic microwave background may soon come within the range of planned measurements, offering a nontrivial test of the new predictions.
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Olmo, G. J., & Sanchis-Alepuz, H. (2011). Hamiltonian formulation of Palatini f(R) theories a la Brans-Dicke theory. Phys. Rev. D, 83(10), 104036–11pp.
Abstract: We study the Hamiltonian formulation of f(R) theories of gravity both in metric and in Palatini formalism using their classical equivalence with Brans-Dicke theories with a nontrivial potential. The Palatini case, which corresponds to the omega = -3/2 Brans-Dicke theory, requires special attention because of new constraints associated with the scalar field, which is nondynamical. We derive, compare, and discuss the constraints and evolution equations for the omega = -3/2 and omega not equal -3/2 cases. Based on the properties of the constraint and evolution equations, we find that, contrary to certain claims in the literature, the Cauchy problem for the omega = -3/2 case is well formulated and there is no reason to believe that it is not well posed in general.
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BABAR Collaboration(del Amo Sanchez, P. et al), Lopez-March, N., Martinez-Vidal, F., & Oyanguren, A. (2011). Searches for the baryon- and lepton-number violating decays B0 -> Lambda_c+ l-, B- --> Lambda l-, and B- --> (Lambda)bar l-. Phys. Rev. D, 83(9), 091101–8pp.
Abstract: Searches for B mesons decaying to final states containing a baryon and a lepton are performed, where the baryon is either Lambda(c) or Lambda and the lepton is a muon or an electron. These decays violate both baryon and lepton number and would be a signature of physics beyond the standard model. No significant signal is observed in any of the decay modes, and upper limits in the range (3.2-520) x 10(-8) are set on the branching fractions at the 90% confidence level.
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CDF Collaboration(Aaltonen, T. et al), & Cabrera, S. (2010). Measurement of the WW plus WZ production cross section using a matrix element technique in lepton plus jets events. Phys. Rev. D, 82(11), 112001–15pp.
Abstract: We present a measurement of the WW + WZ production cross section observed in a final state consisting of an identified electron or muon, two jets, and missing transverse energy. The measurement is carried out in a data sample corresponding to up to 4.6 fb(-1) of integrated luminosity at root s = 1.96 TeV collected by the CDF II detector. Matrix element calculations are used to separate the diboson signal from the large backgrounds. The WW + WZ cross section is measured to be 17.4 +/- 3.3 pb in agreement with standard model predictions. A fit to the dijet invariant mass spectrum yields a compatible cross section measurement.
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CDF Collaboration(Aaltonen, T. et al), & Cabrera, S. (2011). Measurement of the B- lifetime using a simulation free approach for trigger bias correction. Phys. Rev. D, 83(3), 032008–30pp.
Abstract: The collection of a large number of B-hadron decays to hadronic final states at the CDF II Detector is possible due to the presence of a trigger that selects events based on track impact parameters. However, the nature of the selection requirements of the trigger introduces a large bias in the observed proper-decay-time distribution. A lifetime measurement must correct for this bias, and the conventional approach has been to use a Monte Carlo simulation. The leading sources of systematic uncertainty in the conventional approach are due to differences between the data and the Monte Carlo simulation. In this paper, we present an analytic method for bias correction without using simulation, thereby removing any uncertainty due to the differences between data and simulation. This method is presented in the form of a measurement of the lifetime of the B- using the mode B- -> D-0 pi(-). The B- lifetime is measured as tau(-)(B) = 1.663 +/- 0.023 +/- 0.015 ps, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. This new method results in a smaller systematic uncertainty in comparison to methods that use simulation to correct for the trigger bias.
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