M. E. Convery

Search for disoriented chiral condensate at the Fermilab Tevatron

We present results from MiniMax (Fermilab T-864), a small test/experiment at the Fermilab Tevatron designed to search for the production of a disoriented chiral condensate (DCC) in p-p(bar sign) collisions at {radical}(s)=1.8 TeV in the forward direction, {approx}3.4<{eta}<{approx}4.2. Data, consisting of 1.3x10{sup 6} events, are analyzed using the robust observables developed in an earlier paper. The results are consistent with generic, binomial-distribution partition of pions into charged and neutral species. Limits on DCC production in various models are presented. (c) 2000 The American Physical Society.

Analysis of charged-particle–photon correlations in hadronic multiparticle production

In order to analyze data on joint charged-particle/photon distributions from an experimental search (T-864, MiniMax) for disoriented chiral condensate (DCC) at the Fermilab Tevatron collider, we have identified robust observables, ratios of normalized bivariate factorial moments, with many desirable properties. These include insensitivity to many efficiency corrections and the details of the modeling of the primary pion production, and sensitivity to the production of DCC, as opposed to the generic, binomial-distribution partition of pions into charged and neutral species. The relevant formalism is developed and tested in Monte-Carlo simulations of the MiniMax experimental conditions.

Closed strings with low harmonics and kinks

Low-harmonic formulas for closed relativistic strings are given. General parametrizations are presented for the addition of second- and third-harmonic waves to the fundamental wave. The method of determination of the parametrizations is based upon a product representation found for the finite Fourier series of string motion in which the constraints are automatically satisfied. The construction of strings with kinks is discussed, including examples. A procedure is laid out for the representation of kinks that arise from self-intersection, and subsequent intercommutation, for harmonically parametrized cosmic strings.

A disoriented chiral condensate search at the Fermilab Tevatron

MiniMax (Fermilab T-864) was a small test/experiment at the Tevatron designed to search for disoriented chiral condensates (DCC) in the forward direction. Relativistic quantum field theory treats the vacuum as a medium, with bulk properties characterized by long-range order parameters. This has led to suggestions that regions of {open_quotes}disoriented vacuum{close_quotes} might be formed in high-energy collision processes. In particular, the approximate chiral symmetry of QCD could lead to regions of vacuum which have chiral order parameters disoriented to directions which have non-zero isospin, i.e. disoriented chiral condensates. A signature of DCC is the resulting distribution of the fraction of produced pions which are neutral. The MiniMax detector at the C0 collision region of the Tevatron was a telescope of 24 multi-wire proportional chambers (MWPC`s) with a lead converter behind the eighth MWPC, allowing the detection of charged particles and photon conversions in an acceptance approximately a circle of radius 0.6 in pseudorapidity-azimuthal-angle space, centered on pseudorapidity {eta} {approx} 4. An electromagnetic calorimeter was located behind the MWPC telescope, and hadronic calorimeters and scintillator were located in the upstream anti-proton direction to tag diffractive events.

MiniMax: What has been learned thus far

SummaryA small experiment, «MiniMax», has been set up in the C0 intersection region of the Fermilab Tevatron to seek evidence for disoriented chiral condensates and to study other forward physics phenomena. The experiment consists of a proportional wire chamber telescope accompanied by scintillation (trigger) counters, a lead converter, and followed by an electromagnetic calorimeter. The solid angle accepted is a cone centered at pseudorapidity (η) of 4.1 and of radius (in η-ϕ space) of about 0.6. Over 2.5 million events thus far have demonstrated the successful operation of the apparatus, however to date the analysis has not progressed sufficiently to permit any conclusions concerning disoriented chiral condensates.