In this thesis we study non-relativistic, low-energy, s-wave scattering in a four-body spin-1/2 fermion system. The scattering is caused by an attractive twoermion contact interaction which is capable of producing a weakly bound state known as a dimer. This fourermion system is used to study the scattering of a two-dimer system. Using Hybrid Monte Carlo methods we compute the ground state energies of the system on a lattice. Luscher’s finite-volume formula and the Effective Range Expansion are used to calculate the dimer-dimer scattering length add and effective range rdd in terms of the fermionermion scattering length aff. Using these techniques we obtain the values add=aff = 0:60 +/- 0:04 and rdd=aff = 3:2 +/- 0:5. This scattering length shows excellent agreement with the numerous values in the literature. We also compare this effective range with the only currently known value in the literature.

Effective field theory (EFT) provides a framework to exploit separation of scales in the physical system in order to perform systematic model-independent calculations. There has been significant interest in applying the methods of EFT to halo nuclei. Using halo effective field theory, I provide a model-independent calculation of the radiative neutron capture on lithium-7 over an energy range where the contribution from the 3+ resonance becomes important. This reaction initiate the sequence in the carbon-nitrogen-oxygen (CNO) cycle in the inhomogeneous BBN models, and determine the amount of heavy element production from its reaction rate. One finds that a satisfactory description of the capture reaction, in the present single-particle approximation, suggests the use of a resonance width about three times larger than the experimental value. Power counting arguments that establish a hierarchy for the electromagnetic one- and two-body currents is also presented. The neutron capture of Lithium7 calculation has direct impact on the proton capture on beryllium7 which plays an important role in the neutrino experiments studying physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics. As a further study of halo nuclei interactions, the cross section of radiative capture of a neutron by carbon-14 is calculated by considering the dominant contribution from electric dipole transition. This is also a part of the CNO cycle and as the slowest reaction in the chain it limits the flow of the production of heavier nuclei A > 14. The cross section is expressed in terms of the elastic scattering parameters of an effective range expansion. Contributions from both the resonant and non-resonant interactions are calculated. Significant interferences between these leads to a capture contribution that deviates from a simple Breit-Wigner resonance form. Using EFT, I present electromagnetic form factors of several halo nuclei. The magnetic dipole moment and the charge radii of carbon-15, beryllium-11, and carbon-19 halo systems are considered. Prediction is made for the magnetic moment in the leading order. I can only provide some estimates for the form factors in next-to-leading order where two-body currents appear. The estimates are based on power counting unless the effective range and the magnetic moment are known. Charge radii for three systems have also been estimated at LO and NLO.

No description available.

In this work, the radiative capture reactions 7Li(n, γ)8Li, 7Be(p, γ)8B, 3He(α, γ)7Be, and 3H(α, γ)7Li are studied using halo effective field theory (EFT). These capture reac- tions are some of the key nuclear reactions for the solar neutrino production and heavy element production in stellar and primordial nucleosyntheses. At low energy, halo EFT provides a model independent framework to describe physical observable as an expansion of a low momentum scale over a high momentum scale with well-defined error estimates. In this dissertation, electric dipole (E1) capture cross section of 7Li(n, γ)8Li reaction is calculated as a coupled channel using EFT with excited 7Li⋆ core and is compared with EFT without the excited 7Li⋆ core. Then we extend our coupled channel treatment to 7Be(p, γ)8B reaction which is the iso-spin mirror of 7Li(n, γ)8Li by adding the Coulomb force in the calculation. Similar to 7Li(n,γ)8Li calculation, we calculate the astrophys- ical Sactor for 7Be(p,γ)8B reaction using the two halo EFTs, one halo EFT without excited 7Be⋆ core and the other halo EFT with the excited 7Be⋆ core as an explicit degree of freedom. We present a formalism to compare different EFT power countings using Bayesian analysis. This is useful when the EFT couplings are poorly known, and one has competing power counting proposals. The Sactor for 3He(α,γ)7Be reaction was calculated for two competing power countings in halo EFT approach. The two power countings defer in the contribution of the two body currents. In one power counting, the two body currents contribute at the leading order and in the other power counting, the two body currents contribute at higher orders. Bayesian inference is drawn to estimate EFT parameters and calculate the posterior odds in order to do the model comparison. The posterior odds is used to propose the best power counting. We extend our calculation to the iso-spin mirror 3H(α,γ)7Li reaction using the same expressions by making the appropriate changes in masses, charges, and binding momenta. We estimate the EFT parameters and calculate the posterior odds using Bayesian analysis. The best power counting is proposed using the posterior odds.

This work details how to use the Point-Particle Effective Field Theory (PPEFT) framework to make predictions for the nuclear-size contributions to spectroscopic transitions of atoms without the overbearing large uncertainties generally associated with such effects. After a lightning review of Quantum Field Theories, Effective Field Theories and their model-building algorithms, the backbones of the PPEFT formalism are laid down by considering the low-energy effective theories of lumps. Then, by drawing an analogy between a certain type of lumps and a freely propagating point-particle we build a PPEFT for nuclei, which we gradually couple to gauge and fermionic fields. We find that the consequences of having a nucleus in our theory are captured by a set of new near-nucleus boundary conditions its action implies for the surrounding fields, set up on a Gaussian spherical boundary with arbitrary radius, $\epsilon$. Afterwards, we use this formalism to derive the effects of the finite size of the nucleus on bound-state energies in terms of Renormalization Group (RG)-invariant parameters that characterize the running of the PPEFT couplings in $\epsilon$, implied by these new boundary conditions in order to keep physical quantities independent of this fictitious scale. Surprisingly, when comparing to formulae from the literature that express these same energy shifts in terms of nuclear moments there always appear to be fewer RG-invariants than moments. By fitting these handful of parameters using experimental data we then reduce the errors in nuclear-size effect predictions for other transitions by writing them in terms of differences between spectroscopic measurements and their corresponding energy differences predicted by those bound-state Quantum Electrodynamics calculations that assume nuclei to be point-like. Finally, we apply this algorithm to the systems: ${}^4_2 {\rm He}^+$, $\mu \, {}^4_2 {\rm He}^+$, H, and $\mu$H, where we make such predictions. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / The finite size of the nucleus shifts the bound-state energy of electrons (or muons) in atoms. Although these effects had been captured through a large number of nuclear-model independent ``nuclear moments'' closely related to the extent of the nucleus in the past, they introduce large uncertainties into theoretical predictions, which hinders testing fundamental subatomic processes in spectroscopic measurements. In this work it is shown that there is a more manageable number of parameters that control these effects because the above moments always appear in specific combinations. This allows for trading these combinations for differences between experimental values and their theoretically expected ones that assume the nucleus to have no size, which is the key in making predictions for atomic transitions that do not suffer from the large nuclear errors. A large set of such predictions are made for Hydrogen and the principles are applied to its muonic cousin as well.

Effective field theories (EFTs) provide frameworks to systematically improve perturbation expansions in quantum field theory. This improvement is essential in quantum chromodynamics (QCD) predictions, both at low energy in the description of low momentum hadron-hadron scattering and at high energy in the description of electron-positron, proton-proton, proton-electron collisions. It is also important in quantum electrodynamics (QED), when electrons interact with a high-intensity, long-wavelength classical field. I introduce the principles and methods of effective field theory and describe my work in three EFTs: First, in the perturbative QCD region, I use soft collinear effective theory (SCET) to prove that strong interaction soft radiation is universal and to increase the QCD accuracy to next-to-next-to-next-to leading logarithm order for new particle searches in hadron colliders. I also compute a new class of non-perturbative, large logarithmic enhancement arising near the elastic limits of deep inelastic scattering and Drell-Yan processes. Second, in the QCD confinement region, I use heavy hadron chiral perturbation theory to study near-threshold enhancements in the scattering of 𝐷 and 𝜋 mesons near the threshold for the excited 𝐷-meson state, 𝐷*, as well as in the scattering of 𝐷 and 𝐷* mesons near the threshold for the exotic hadron X(3872). This work provides a clear picture of the hadronic molecule X(3872) and more profound understanding of the nuclear force between hadrons. Finally, inspired by SCET, I construct a new electron-laser effective field theory to describe highly-relativistic electrons traveling in strong laser fields, extract the universal distribution of electrons in strong electromagnetic backgrounds and its evolution in energy from the separated momentum scales of emitted photons and classical radiation, and predict the rate of wide angle photon emission. I conclude with limitations of EFT methods and some perspectives on what new work may be achieved with these EFTs.

Aiming at a systematic inclusion of pseudoscalar and vector mesons as active degrees of freedom in an effective Lagrangian, studies have been performed in this thesis concerning the foundations of such an effective Lagrangian as well as tree-level and beyond-tree-level calculations. Hereby, vector mesons are described by antisymmetric tensor fields. First, an existing power counting scheme for both pseudoscalar and vector mesons is extended to include the pseudoscalar-meson singlet in a systematic way. Based on this, tree-level calculations are carried out which are in good agreement with the available experimental data and several processes are predicted. In particular, the ω-π0 transition form factor is in better agreement with experimental data than the prediction done in the vector-meson-dominance model. Furthermore, a Lagrangian with vector mesons is used together with the leading contributions of chiral perturbation theory in order to calculate tree-level reactions in the sector of odd intrinsic parity. It turns out that both the Lagrangian with vector mesons and the Lagrangian of chiral perturbation theory are needed to describe experimental data. Additionally, a feasibility check for one-loop calculations with pseudoscalar and vector mesons in the loop is performed. Thereby, only a limited number of interaction terms in the Lagrangian with vector mesons is used. The results are used to both renormalise the low-energy constants of chiral perturbation theory up to chiral order Q4 and to determine the influence of loops with vector mesons on masses and decay constants of pseudoscalar mesons.

Effective field theories can be used to describe measurements at e⁺e⁻ colliders over a wide kinematic range while allowing reliable error predictions and systematic extensions. We show this in two physical situations. First, we give a factorization formula for the e⁺e⁻ thrust distribution dσ/dτ with thrust T and τ = 1 − T based on soft collinear effective theory. The result is applicable for all τ, i.e. in the peak, tail, and far-tail regions. We present a global analysis of all available thrust distribution data measured at center-of-mass energies Q = 35 to 207 GeV in the tail region, where a two parameter fit to the strong coupling constant α(s)(m(Z)) and the leading power correction parameter Ω₁ suffices. We find α(s)(m(Z)) = 0.1135 ± (0.0002)expt ± (0.0005)hadr ± (0.0009)pert, with x²/dof = 0.91, where the displayed 1-sigma errors are the total experimental error, the hadronization uncertainty, and the perturbative theory uncertainty, respectively. In addition, we consider cumulants of the thrust distribution using predictions of the full spectrum for thrust. From a global fit to the first thrust moment we extract α(s)(m(Z)) and Ω₁. We obtain α(s)(m(Z)) = 0.1140 ± (0.0004)exp ± (0.0013)hadr ± (0.0007)pert which is compatible with the value from our tail region fit. The n-th thrust cumulants for n ≥ 2 are completely insensitive to Ω₁, and therefore a good instrument for extracting information on higher order power corrections, Ω'(n)/Qⁿ, from moment data. We find (˜Ω₂)^1/2 = 0.74 ± (0.11)exp ± (0.09)pert GeV. Second, we study the differential cross section dσ/dx of e⁺e⁻-collisions producing a heavy hadron with energy fraction x of the beam energy in the center-of-mass frame. Using a sequence of effective field theories we give a definition of the heavy quark fragmentation function in the endpoint region x → 1. From the perspective of our effective field theory approach we revisit the heavy quark fragmentation function away from the endpoint and outline how to develop a description of the heavy quark fragmentation function valid for all x. Our analysis is focused on Z-boson decays producing one B-meson. Finally, we will give a short outlook of how we want to apply our approach to determine the leading nonperturbative power corrections of the b-quark fragmentation function from LEP experiments.

Com os próximos grandes projetos the observação do Universo, a cosmologia entrará em uma era de alta precisão de medidas. Novos dados trarão um novo entendimento da evolução do Universo, seus principais componentes e do comportamento da gravi- dade. Sendo assim, é fundamental também ter uma boa predição teórica para a formação de estrutura de larga escala em regime não-linear. A melhor maneira de resolver as equações hidrodinâmicas que descrevem o nosso universo é por meio de simulações cosmológicas na rede. Entretando, estas contém desafios, como a correta inclusão de física bariônica e a diminuição do alto tempo computacional. Uma outra abordagem muito usada é o cálculo das funções de cor- relação por meio de métodos perturbativos (em inglês, Standard Perturbation Theory, ou SPT). Entretanto, esta contém problemas variados: pode não convergir para algu- mas cosmologias e, caso convirja, não há certeza de convergência para o resultado correto. Além disso, há uma escala privilegiada nos limites integrais que envolvem o método perturbativo. Nós calculamos o resultado por esse método até terceira ordem e mostramos que o termo de terceira ordem é ainda maior que o de 2-loops e 3-loops. Isso evidencia alguns problemas descritos com o método perturbativo. O método de Teorias Efetivas de Campo aplicado ao estudo de LSS busca corrigir os problemas da SPT e, desta forma, complementar os resultados de simulações na rede. Em outras áreas da física, como a Cromodinâmica Quântica de baixas energias, EFTs também são usadas como um complemento a essas simulações na rede. EFTs melhoram a predição do espectro de potência da matéria por meio da inclusão dos chamados contra-termos, que precisam ser fitados em simulações. Estes contratermos, que são parâmetros livres, contém importante informação sobre como a física em pequenas escalas afeta a física nas escalas de interesse. Explicaremos os resultados para a predição em 3-loops de EFT, trabalho inédito. É possível usar as EFTs também no problema de conectar a campo de matéria com outros traçadores, como os halos e as galáxias, chamado de bias. Com as EFTs podemos construir uma base completa de operadores para parametrizar o bias. Será explicado como utilizar esses operadores para melhorar a predição do bias em escalas não-lineares. Serão calculados esses termos de EFT em simulações. Também será mostrado como renormalizar o bias em coordenadas de Lagrange. Por fim, será explicada outra importante aplicação das EFTs em cosmologia, mais especificamente em teorias de inflação. EFTs parametrizam desvios nas teorias de um campo único no chamado regime de slow-roll. / With future cosmological surveys, cosmology will enter in the precision era. New data will improve the constraints on the standard cosmological model enhancing our knowledge about the universe history, its components and the behavior of gravity. In this context, it is vital to come up with precise theoretical predictions for the formation of large-scale structure beyond the linear regime. The best way of solving the fluid equations that describe the large-scale universe is through lattice simulations, which faces difficulties in the inclusion of accurate baryonic physics and is very computationally costly. Another approach is the theoreti- cal calculation of the correlation statistics through the perturbative approach, called Standard Perturbation Theory (SPT). However, SPT has several problems: for some cosmologies, it may not converge and even when it converges, we cannot be sure it converges to the right result. Also, it contains a special scale that is the loop momenta upper-bound in the integral. In this work, we show results for the 3-loop calculation. The term of third order is larger than the terms of 2-loops and 3-loops, making explicit SPT problems. In this work, we describe the recent usage of Effective Field Theories (EFTs) on Large Scale Structure problems to correct SPT issues and complement cosmological simulations. EFTs are used in other areas of physics, such as low energy QCD, serving as a complement to lattice calculations. EFT improves the predictions for the matter power spectrum and bispectrum by adding counterterms that need to be fitted. The free parameters, instead of being a problem, bring relevant information about how the small-scale physics affects the scales for which we are trying to make statistical predictions. We show the calculation of the 3-loop EFT counterterms. EFTs are also used to explain main points connecting the matter density field with tracers like galaxies and halos. EFTs highlighted how to construct a complete basis of operators that parametrize the bias. We explain how we can use EFT to improve the bias prediction to non-linear scales. We compute the non-linear halo-bias by fitting the bias parameters in simulations. We also show the EFT renormalization in Lagrangian coordinates. Finally, we explain another critical EFT application to cosmology: in primordial physics. It can be used to parametrize deviations to the slow-roll theory within the inflationary paradigm.

Agricultural producers consider utilizing multiple machines to reduce field completion times for improving effective field capacity. Using a number of smaller machines rather than a single big machine also has benefits such as sustainability via less compaction risk, redundancy in the event of an equipment failure, and more flexibility in machinery management. However, machinery management is complicated due to logistics issues. In this work, the allocation and ordering of field paths among a number of available machines have been transformed into a solvable Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP). A basic heuristic algorithm (a modified form of the Clarke-Wright algorithm) and a meta-heuristic algorithm, Tabu Search, were employed to solve the VRP. The solution considered optimization of field completion time as well as improving the field efficiency. Both techniques were evaluated through computer simulations with 2, 3, 5, or 10 vehicles working simultaneously to complete the same operation. Furthermore, the parameters of the VRP were changed into a dynamic, multi-depot representation to enable the re-route of vehicles while the operation is ongoing. The results proved both the Clarke-Wright and Tabu Search algorithms always generated feasible solutions. The Tabu Search solutions outperformed the solutions provided by the Clarke-Wright algorithm. As the number of the vehicles increased, or the field shape became more complex, the Tabu Search generated better results in terms of reducing the field completion times. With 10 vehicles working together in a real-world field, the benefit provided by the Tabu Search over the Modified Clarke-Wright solution was 32% reduction in completion time. In addition, changes in the parameters of the VRP resulted in a Dynamic, Multi-Depot VRP (DMDVRP) to reset the routes allocated to each vehicle even as the operation was in progress. In all the scenarios tested, the DMDVRP was able to produce new optimized routes, but the impact of these routes varied for each scenario. The ability of this optimization procedure to reduce field work times were verified through real-world experiments using three tractors during a rotary mowing operation. The time to complete the field work was reduced by 17.3% and the total operating time for all tractors was reduced by 11.5%. The task of a single large machine was also simulated as a task for 2 or 3 smaller machines through computer simulations. Results revealed up to 11% reduction in completion time using three smaller machines. This time reduction improved the effective field capacity.