Abstract: We perform an analytical study of the scattering matrix and bound states in problems with many physical coupled channels. We establish the relationship of the couplings of the states to the different channels, obtained from the residues of the scattering matrix at the poles, with the wave functions for the different channels. The couplings basically reflect the value of the wave functions around the origin in coordinate space. In the concrete case of the X(3872) resonance, understood as a bound state of D-0(D) over bar*(0) and D+D*(-) (and c.c. From now on, when we refer to D-0(D) over bar*(0), D+D*(-), or D (D) over bar* we are actually referring to the combination of these states with their complex conjugate in order to form a state with positive C-parity), with the D-0(D) over bar*(0) loosely bound, we find that the couplings to the two channels are essentially equal leading to a state of good isospin I = 0 character. This is in spite of having a probability for finding the D-0(D) over bar*(0) state much larger than for D+D*(-) since the loosely bound channel extends further in space. The analytical results, obtained with exact solutions of the Schrodinger equation for the wave functions, can be useful in general to interpret results found numerically in the study of problems with unitary coupled channels methods.

Abstract: Using the ATLAS detector, a centrality-dependent suppression has been observed in the yield of J/psi mesons produced in the collisions of lead ions at the Large Hadron Collider. In a sample of minimum-bias lead-lead collisions at a nucleon-nucleon centre of mass energy root s(NN) = 2.76 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of about 6.7 μb(-1), J/psi mesons are reconstructed via their decays to mu(+)mu(-) pairs. The measured J/psi yield, normalized to the number of binary nucleon-nucleon collisions, is found to significantly decrease from peripheral to central collisions. The centrality dependence is found to be qualitatively similar to the trends observed at previous, lower energy experiments. The same sample is used to reconstruct Z bosons in the mu(+)mu(-) final state, and a total of 38 candidates are selected in the mass window of 66 to 116 GeV. The relative Z yields as a function of centrality are also presented, although no conclusion can be inferred about their scaling with the number of binary collisions, because of limited statistics. This analysis provides the first results on J/psi and Z production in lead-lead collisions at the LHC.

Abstract: We study the viability of generic Higgsless models at low energies when compliance with electroweak precision observables and unitarity constraints up to the TeV scale are imposed. Our analysis shows that consistency with S and T can be achieved at the one-loop level even with a single light vector state, m(V) less than or similar to 500 GeV. However, this scenario turns out to be strongly disfavored when direct resonance searches at the Tevatron are also taken into account. We show that a fully consistent picture can be obtained if an axial state is introduced. Interestingly, mV is still predicted to be light (below 1 TeV) while typical values of m(A) span over the window 1.2m(V) <= m(A) <= 1.4m(V). Our results for the vector channel are rather robust and well within the reach of present-day colliders, while the axial channel is more loosely constrained.

Abstract: The KamLAND and Borexino experiments have detected electron antineutrinos produced in the decay chains of natural thorium and uranium (Th and U geoneutrinos). We analyze the energy spectra of current geoneutrino data in combination with solar and long-baseline reactor neutrino data, with marginalized three-neutrino oscillation parameters. We consider the case with unconstrained Th and U event rates in KamLAND and Borexino, as well as cases with fewer degrees of freedom, as obtained by successively assuming for both experiments a common Th/U ratio, a common scaling of Th + U event rates, and a chondritic Th/U value. In combination, KamLAND and Borexino can reject the null hypothesis (no geoneutrino signal) at 5 sigma. Interesting bounds or indications emerge on the Th + U geoneutrino rates and on the Th/U ratio, in broad agreement with typical Earth model expectations. Conversely, the results disfavor the hypothesis of a georeactor in the Earth's core, if its power exceeds a few TW. The interplay of KamLAND and Borexino geoneutrino data is highlighted.

Abstract: We present a study of 649 +/- 35 e(+)e(-) -> c (c) over bar events produced at root s approximate to 10.6 GeV containing both Lambda(+)(c) baryon and a (Lambda) over bar (-)(c) antibaryon. The number observed is roughly 4 times that expected if the leading charmed hadron types are uncorrelated, confirming an observation by the CLEO Collaboration. We find a 2-jet topology in these events but very few additional baryons, demonstrating that the primary c and (c) over bar are predominantly contained in a correlated baryon-antibaryon system. In addition to the charmed baryons we observe on average 2.6 +/- 0.2 charged intermediate mesons, predominantly pions, carrying 65% of the remaining energy.