Annual Review of Nuclear and Particle Science - Volume 56, 2006
Volume 56, 2006
- Preface
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Hadronic Parity Violation: A New View Through the Looking Glass
Vol. 56 (2006), pp. 1–52More Less▪ AbstractStudies of the strangeness-changing hadronic weak interaction have produced a number of puzzles that have evaded a complete explanation within the Standard Model. Their origin may lie either in dynamics peculiar to weak interactions involving strange quarks or in more general aspects of the interplay between strong and weak interactions. In principle, studies of the strangeness-conserving hadronic weak interaction using parity-violating hadronic and nuclear observables provide a complementary window to this question. However, progress in this direction has been hampered by the lack of a suitable theoretical framework for interpreting hadronic parity violation measurements in a model-independent way. Recent work involving effective field theory ideas has led to the formulation of such a framework, simultaneously motivating the development of a number of new hadronic parity violation experiments in few-body systems. We review these recent developments and discuss the prospects and opportunities for further experimental and theoretical progress.
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Physics of a Rare Isotope Accelerator*
Vol. 56 (2006), pp. 53–92More Less▪ AbstractMajor progress in nuclear research and in observations of the cosmos has made it clear that critical issues in understanding the nucleus and astrophysical processes require abundant new sources of exotic nuclei, away from the realm of the stable ones. Recent advances in accelerator and isotope-production technology make access to these rare isotopes possible. This review examines the impact of the new reach in physics provided by a rare isotope accelerator in nuclear structure, astrophysics, and searches for physics beyond the standard model. We also touch briefly on some of the benefits of these isotopes for other important societal needs.
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Results from the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider
Vol. 56 (2006), pp. 93–135More Less▪ AbstractThis review describes the current status of the heavy ion research program at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). The new suite of experiments and the collider energies have opened up new probes of the medium created in the collisions. Our review focuses on the experimental discoveries to date at RHIC and their interpretation in light of the field's present theoretical understanding of the dynamics of relativistic heavy ion collisions and of the structure of strongly interacting matter at high energy density.
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Primordial Neutrinos
Vol. 56 (2006), pp. 137–161More Less▪ AbstractThis review discusses in detail the connection between cosmological observations and neutrino physics. Neutrinos decouple from thermal contact in the early universe at a temperature of order 1 MeV, which coincides with the temperature at which light-element synthesis occurs. Observations of light-element abundances therefore provide important information about properties such as neutrino energy density and chemical potential. Precision observations of the cosmic microwave background and large-scale structure of galaxies can be used to probe neutrino masses with greater precision than current laboratory experiments. This review discusses current cosmological bounds on neutrino properties, as well as possible bounds from upcoming measurements.
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Hydrodynamic Models for Heavy Ion Collisions
Vol. 56 (2006), pp. 163–206More Less▪ AbstractApplication of hydrodynamics for modeling of heavy ion collisions is reviewed. We consider several physical observables that can be calculated in this approach and compare them to the experimental measurements.
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The Physics of DAΦNE and KLOE
Vol. 56 (2006), pp. 207–251More Less▪ AbstractDAΦNE, the Frascati ϕ factory, has been in operation since 1999. At the center of the physics program is the KLOE experiment, a multipurpose detector with optimizations for tagged and interferometry-based measurements of the neutral kaon system. KLOE has been taking data since 2000 and has helped to explore a wide array of topics in kaon and hadronic physics, including a comprehensive set of measurements to determine the CKM matrix element , and a measurement of the cross section for the determination of the hadronic contribution to the muon anomaly. In addition, the DEAR experiment has measured the X-ray spectrum of kaonic hydrogen, and the FINUDA experiment has conducted its first studies in hypernuclear spectroscopy and a search for -nuclear bound states. We review the design, construction, and operation of the DAΦNE facility, with an emphasis on the physics program of the KLOE experiment.
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Charge Symmetry Breaking and QCD
Vol. 56 (2006), pp. 253–292More Less▪ AbstractCharge symmetry breaking (CSB) in the strong interaction occurs because of the difference between the masses of the up and down quarks. The use of effective field theories allows us to follow this influence of confined quarks in hadronic and nuclear systems. We review the progress in observing and understanding CSB, with particular attention to the recent successful observations of CSB in measurements involving the production of a single neutral pion, and to the related theoretical progress.
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Searches for Astrophysical and Cosmological Axions*
Vol. 56 (2006), pp. 293–326More Less▪ AbstractThe axion, a favored dark matter candidate, is expected to have a very small mass and extraordinarily weak couplings. Although it has eluded discovery or exclusion for three decades, it remains the most compelling solution to the strong-CP problem. Axions may be detected by their resonant conversion to RF photons in a microwave cavity permeated by a magnetic field. Experiments have already set significant limits on the axion's mass and photon coupling; progress in photon detection schemes at or below the standard quantum limit will soon enable definitive searches. Similarly, axions produced in the solar burning core may be detectable by their conversion to X rays in a magnetic helioscope. Significant improvements in both mass range and sensitivity of the axion helioscope will likewise be forthcoming in the next few years.
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Dense Matter in Compact Stars: Theoretical Developments and Observational Constraints
Dany Page, and Sanjay ReddyVol. 56 (2006), pp. 327–374More Less▪ AbstractWe review theoretical developments in studies of dense matter and its phase structure of relevance to compact stars. Observational data on compact stars, which can constrain the properties of dense matter, are presented critically and interpreted.
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General-Purpose Detectors for the Large Hadron Collider
Vol. 56 (2006), pp. 375–440More Less▪ AbstractThis review describes the two general-purpose experiments, ATLAS and CMS, that have been designed to study proton-proton collisions at 14 TeV, the highest center-of-mass energy ever achieved, at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN in Geneva, Switzerland. These experiments have undergone a long research and development and construction period since 1989 and are now in the middle of a strenuous and exciting integration, installation, and commissioning period. After a brief introduction to the physics context and prospects as perceived today, this review presents an overview of both projects in terms of their global design characteristics. The main features and challenges related to the tracking systems, to the calorimetry, and to the muon spectrometers are described. The various aspects of the trigger and data acquisition systems and of the computing and software are also discussed broadly. Finally, we conclude with the lessons learned during the design and construction years.
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Phase Transitions in the Early and Present Universe
Vol. 56 (2006), pp. 441–500More Less▪ AbstractThe evolution of the universe is the ultimate laboratory for studying fundamental physics across energy scales that span approximately 25 orders of magnitude. The standard models of cosmology and particle physics provide the basic understanding of the early and present universe and predict a series of phase transitions that occurred in succession during the universe's expansion and cooling history. We survey these phase transitions, highlighting the equilibrium and nonequilibrium effects as well as their observational and cosmological consequences. We discuss the current theoretical and experimental programs studying phase transitions in QCD and nuclear matter in accelerators. A critical assessment of similarities and differences between the conditions in the early universe and those in ultrarelativistic heavy ion collisions is presented. Cosmological observations and accelerator experiments are converging toward an unprecedented understanding of the early and present universe.
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CP Violation and the CKM Matrix
Vol. 56 (2006), pp. 501–567More Less▪ AbstractOur knowledge of quark-flavor physics and CP violation has increased tremendously over the past five years. It is confirmed that the Standard Model correctly describes the dominant parts of the observed CP-violating and flavor-changing phenomena. Not only does CP violation provide some of the most precise constraints on the flavor sector, but several measurements performed at the B-factories achieved much better precision than expected. We review the present status of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa (CKM) matrix and CP violation, recollect the relevant experimental and theoretical inputs, display the results from the global CKM fit, and discuss their implications for the Standard Model and some of its extensions.
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Neutrino Mass and New Physics
Vol. 56 (2006), pp. 569–628More Less▪ AbstractWe review the present state and future outlook of our understanding of neutrino masses and mixings. We discuss what we think are the most important perspectives on the plausible and natural scenarios for neutrinos and attempt to throw light onto the flavor problem of quarks and leptons. This review focuses on the see-saw mechanism, which fits into a big picture of particle physics such as supersymmetry and grand unification, providing a unified approach to the flavor problem of quarks and leptons. We argue that, in combination with family symmetries, this may be at the heart of a unified understanding of the flavor puzzle. We also discuss other new physics ideas, such as neutrinos in models with extra dimensions, and possible theoretical implications of sterile neutrinos. We outline some tests for the various schemes.
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Previous Volumes
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Volume 73 (2023)
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Volume 72 (2022)
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Volume 71 (2021)
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Volume 70 (2020)
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Volume 69 (2019)
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Volume 68 (2018)
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Volume 67 (2017)
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Volume 66 (2016)
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Volume 65 (2015)
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Volume 64 (2014)
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Volume 63 (2013)
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Volume 62 (2012)
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Volume 61 (2011)
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Volume 60 (2010)
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Volume 59 (2009)
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Volume 58 (2008)
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Volume 57 (2007)
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Volume 56 (2006)
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Volume 55 (2005)
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Volume 54 (2004)
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Volume 53 (2003)
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Volume 52 (2002)
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Volume 51 (2001)
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Volume 50 (2000)
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Volume 49 (1999)
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Volume 48 (1998)
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Volume 47 (1997)
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Volume 46 (1996)
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Volume 45 (1995)
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Volume 44 (1994)
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Volume 43 (1993)
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Volume 42 (1992)
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Volume 41 (1991)
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Volume 40 (1990)
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Volume 39 (1989)
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Volume 38 (1988)
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Volume 37 (1987)
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Volume 36 (1986)
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Volume 35 (1985)
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Volume 34 (1984)
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Volume 33 (1983)
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Volume 32 (1982)
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Volume 31 (1981)
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Volume 30 (1980)
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Volume 29 (1979)
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Volume 28 (1978)
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Volume 27 (1977)
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Volume 26 (1976)
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Volume 25 (1975)
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Volume 24 (1974)
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Volume 23 (1973)
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Volume 22 (1972)
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Volume 21 (1971)
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Volume 20 (1970)
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Volume 19 (1969)
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Volume 18 (1968)
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Volume 17 (1967)
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Volume 16 (1966)
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Volume 15 (1965)
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Volume 14 (1964)
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Volume 13 (1963)
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Volume 12 (1962)
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Volume 11 (1961)
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Volume 10 (1960)
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Volume 9 (1959)
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Volume 8 (1958)
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Volume 7 (1957)
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Volume 6 (1956)
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Volume 5 (1955)
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Volume 4 (1954)
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Volume 3 (1953)
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Volume 2 (1953)
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Volume 1 (1952)
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Volume 0 (1932)