17056008
Coulomb-oscillator duality in spaces of constant curvature
In this paper we construct generalizations to spheres of the well-known Levi-Civita, Kustaanheimo–Steifel, and Hurwitz regularizing transformations in Euclidean spaces of dimensions two, three, and five. The corresponding classical and quantum mechanical analogs of the Kepler–Coulomb problem on these spheres are discussed.
122430224
Lie theory and separation of variables. 7. The harmonic oscillator in elliptic coordinates and Ince polynomials
As a continuation of Paper 6 we study the separable basis eigenfunctions and their relationships for the harmonic oscillator Hamiltonian in two space variables with special emphasis on products of Ince polynomials, the eigenfunctions obtained when one separates variables in elliptic coordinates. The overlaps connecting this basis to the polar and Cartesian coordinate bases are obtained by computing in a simpler Bargmann Hilbert space model of the problem. We also show that Ince polynomials are intimately connected with the representation theory of SU (2), the group responsible for the eigenvalue degeneracy of the oscillator Hamiltonian.
17212560
Superintegrability on the two-dimensional hyperboloid. II
In this work we examine the basis functions for classical and quantum mechanical systems on the two-dimensional hyperboloid that admit separation of variables in at least two coordinate systems. We present all of these cases from a unified point of view. In particular, all of the special functions that arise via variable separation have their essential features expressed in terms of their zeros. The principal new results are the details of the polynomial bases for each of the nonsubgroup bases, not just the subgroup spherical coordinate cases, and the details of the structure of the quadratic symmetry algebras.
120152328
Lie theory and separation of variables. 11. The EPD equation
We show that the Euler–Poisson–Darboux equation {∂tt−∂rr−[(2m+1)/r]∂r}Θ=0 separates in exactly nine coordinate systems corresponding to nine orbits of symmetric second‐order operators in the enveloping algebra of SL(2,R), the symmetry group of this equation. We employ techniques developed in earlier papers from this series and use the representation theory of SL(2,R) to derive special function identities relating the separated solutions. We also show that the complex EPD equation separates in exactly five coordinate systems corresponding to five orbits of symmetric second‐order operators in the enveloping algebra of SL(2,C).
120822220
Separation of variables in Einstein spaces. I. Two ignorable and one null coordinate
Computes and classifies all Einstein spaces and their corresponding coordinate systems such that the Hamilton-Jacobi equation admits a separation of variables with two ignorable and one essential null coordinates. The authors find that all such spaces correspond to plane-fronted gravitational waves of Petrov type N. They also give necessary conditions which a general space-time must have in order to admit coordinates of the type studied. Furthermore, the integrability conditions for Helmholtz (Schrodinger) separability are completely solved.
119430316
Complete sets of commuting operators and O (3) scalars in the enveloping algebra of SU (3)
We consider the ``missing label'' problem for basis vectors of SU(3) representations in a basis corresponding to the group reduction SU(3)⊃O(3)⊃O(2). We prove that only two independent O (3) scalars exist in the enveloping algebra of S U (3), in addition to the obvious ones, namely the angular momentum L2 and the two SU(3) Casimir operators C(2) and C(3). Any one of these two operators (of third and fourth order in the generators) can be added to C(2), C(3), L2, and L3 to form a complete set of commuting operators. The eigenvalues of the third and fourth order scalars X(3) and X(4) are calculated analytically or numerically for many cases of physical interest. The methods developed in this article can be used to resolve a missing label problem for any semisimple group G, when reduced to any semisimple subgroup H.
11232676
Search for sterile neutrino mixing in the MINOS long-baseline experiment
A search for depletion of the combined flux of active neutrino species over a 735 km baseline is reported using neutral-current interaction data recorded by the MINOS detectors in the NuMI neutrino beam. Such a depletion is not expected according to conventional interpretations of neutrino oscillation data involving the three known neutrino flavors. A depletion would be a signature of oscillations or decay to postulated noninteracting sterile neutrinos, scenarios not ruled out by existing data. From an exposure of 3.18×10^(20) protons on target in which neutrinos of energies between ∼500  MeV and 120 GeV are produced predominantly as ν_μ, the visible energy spectrum of candidate neutral-current reactions in the MINOS far detector is reconstructed. Comparison of this spectrum to that inferred from a similarly selected near-detector sample shows that of the portion of the ν_μ flux observed to disappear in charged-current interaction data, the fraction that could be converting to a sterile state is less than 52% at 90% confidence level (C.L.). The hypothesis that active neutrinos mix with a single sterile neutrino via oscillations is tested by fitting the data to various models. In the particular four-neutrino models considered, the mixing angles θ_(24) and θ_(34) are constrained to be less than 11° and 56° at 90% C.L., respectively. The possibility that active neutrinos may decay to sterile neutrinos is also investigated. Pure neutrino decay without oscillations is ruled out at 5.4 standard deviations. For the scenario in which active neutrinos decay into sterile states concurrently with neutrino oscillations, a lower limit is established for the neutrino decay lifetime τ_3/m_3>2.1×10^(-12) s/eV at 90% C.L.
18536843
Measurement of the underground atmospheric muon charge ratio using the MINOS Near Detector
The magnetized MINOS Near Detector, at a depth of 225 mwe, is used to measure the atmospheric muon charge ratio. The ratio of observed positive to negative atmospheric muon rates, using 301 days of data, is measured to be 1.266±0.001(stat)_(-0.014)^(+0.015)(syst). This measurement is consistent with previous results from other shallow underground detectors and is 0.108±0.019(stat+syst) lower than the measurement at the functionally identical MINOS Far Detector at a depth of 2070 mwe. This increase in charge ratio as a function of depth is consistent with an increase in the fraction of muons arising from kaon decay for increasing muon surface energies
118841620
Cosmic ray events in Soudan 2
The Soudan 2 detector is located at a depth of 2090 meters-water equivalent (mwe). About 2 million muon events have been recorded. Here we report on our plans to analyze them for comparison with expectations from atmospheric cosmic ray models. Plans and capabilities to analyze multiple muons and monopoles are also discussed. 3 refs., 5 figs.
123128720
Observation of a shadow of the Moon in the underground muon flux in the Soudan 2 detector
A shadow of the Moon, with a statistical significance of 5{sigma}, has been observed in the underground muon flux at a depth of 2090 mwe using the Soudan 2 detector. The angular resolution of the detector is well described by a Gaussian with a sigma {<=}0.3 degree sign . The position of the shadow confirms that the alignment of the detector is known to better than 0.15 degree sign and has remained stable during ten years of data taking. (c) 2000 The American Physical Society.
124171013
Status of the Soudan 2 detector experiment
The status of the Soudan 2 experiment is discussed. The detector parameters, running schedule, and physics program are presented. Limits on proton decay, the flux of highly ionizing magnetic monopoles and neutrinos from active galactic nuclei are given.