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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 289 records · Page 16
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

Expected sensitivity to 128 Te neutrinoless double beta decay with the CUORE TeO 2 cryogenic bolometers

The CUORE experiment is a ton-scale array of TeO 2 cryogenic bolometers located at the underground Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso of Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), in Italy. The CUORE detector consists of 988 crystals operated as source and detector at a base temperature of ~ 10 mK. Such cryogenic temperature is reached and maintained by means of a custom built cryogen-free dilution cryostat, designed with the aim of minimizing the vibrational noise and the environmental radioactivity. The primary goal of CUORE is the search for neutrinoless double beta decay of 130 Te , but thanks to its large target mass and ultra-low background it is suitable for the study of other rare processes as well, such as the neutrinoless double beta decay of 128 Te. This tellurium isotope is an attractive candidate for the search of this process, due to its high natural isotopic abundance of 31.75%. The transition energy at (866.7 ± 0.7) keV lies in a highly populated region of the energy spectrum, dominated by the contribution of the two-neutrino double beta decay of 130 Te. As the first ton-scale infrastructure operating cryogenic TeO 2 bolometers in stable conditions, CUORE is able to achieve a factor > 10 higher sensitivity to the neutrinoless double beta decay of this isotope with respect to past direct experiments.

128-Te↗
DOE OSTI2021

Unitarity of quantum tunneling decay for an analytical exact non-Hermitian resonant-state approach

Highlights: • Foundations of quantum mechanics • Quantum decay • Non-Hermitian Hamiltonian • Unitarity • Resonant state By using an analytical exact non-Hermitian formalism for quantum tunneling decay that involves the expansion of the decaying wave function as a linear combination of resonant states and transient functions associated with the complex poles of the outgoing Green’s function to the problem, it is shown that the integrated decaying probability density in the whole space satisfies unitarity at each value of time.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2022

TAUOLA update for decay channels with e + e – pairs in the final state

With the arrival of high luminosity B-factories like the Belle II experiment, τ decay measurements have become more precise than ever, allowing rarer processes to be explored, and finer details of τ decays to be studied. These are important to understand the spectrum of intermediate particles produced in τ decays. Therefore Monte Carlo generators, like the TAUOLA program, have to facilitate precision analysis as well as confront new models that constantly emerge with the availability of high statistics experimental data. New decay channels and models may lead to large variation of matrix elements size within the available phase space, as in the case when e + e - pairs are present in final state. It requires appropriate presampler of the phase space generator and a proper documentation to help users introduce their own models. While releasing a new update, it is important for the TAUOLA Monte Carlo library to maintain the general structure of the previous versions to preserve backward compatibility. The aim is to minimize changes from the user perspective. Finally, this paper presents a demonstration of new models implementation facilitated by the current update.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Impact of the continuum on the γ decay of the lowest 2 + states in 14 C

The half-life, T 1/2 =14.6(33) fs, of the 7012-keV 2$^{+}_{1}$ state in 14 C was measured in an experiment employing the 9 Be( 6 Li,pγ) fusion-evaporation reaction and the GODDESS setup. The γ decay from the 2$^{+}_{2}$ near-threshold resonance, located 142 keV above the 8176-keV neutron-emission threshold, was also investigated. An upper limit of 4.0 × 10 –5 was established for the γ-decay branching ratio with respect to the neutron-decay channel. The B(E2) transition probabilities for these 2$^{+}_{1}$ and 2$^{+}_{2}$ states were compared to predictions from the Shell Model Embedded in the Continuum (SMEC). Significant modifications of these B(E2) probabilities, with respect to the standard shell model, are expected due to the coupling to the continuum. For calculations using the YSOX interaction, agreement was found for large negative values of V 0 , the coupling constant to the continuum. The central value V 0 = −645 MeV fm 3 results in a retardation by a factor ∼ 3.5 for the 2$^{+}_{1}$ → 0$^{+}_{1}$ transition, and an enhanced probability by a factor ∼ 2.5 for the γ-decay out of the 2$^{+}_{2}$ state. The latter factor reflects the effect of collectivization of the 2$^{+}_{2}$ excitation when the coupling to the continuum is taken into account.

14C↗
DOE OSTI2025

Results of the LEGEND-200 experiment in the search for $0νββ$ decay

The LEGEND experiment is looking for the extremely rare neutrinoless double beta (0νββ) decay of 76 Ge using isotopically-enriched high-purity germanium (HPGe) detectors. The detection of this process would imply that the neutrino is a Majorana particle and the total lepton number would not be conserved, which could be related to the cosmological asymmetry between matter and antimatter through leptogenesis. The long-term goal of the collaboration is LEGEND-1000: a 1-ton detector array planned to run for 10 years, with a projected half-life sensitivity exceeding 10 28 years, fully covering the inverted neutrino mass hierarchy. A first search for the 0νββ decay has been carried out by LEGEND-200 building on the experience gained from GERDA and the MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR. The experiment has been collecting physics data for a year at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory in Italy with 140 kg of HPGe detectors. With a total exposure of 61 kg yr, LEGEND-200 has achieved a background index of $5_{−2}^{+3}$ × 10 −4 counts/(keV kg yr) in the 0νββ decay signal region from the highest performing detectors. After combining the results from GERDA, the MAJORANA Demonstrator and LEGEND-200, an exclusion sensitivity > 2.8 × 10 26 yr has been obtained at 90% confidence level for the 0νββ decay half-life, with no evidence for a signal. A new observed lower limit of $T_{1/2}^{0v} >$ 1.9 × 10 26 yr at 90% confidence level has been established.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Density functional study of the variants of inter-Coulombic decay resonances in the photoionization of Cl@C 60

Inter-Coulombic decay (ICD) resonances in the photoionization of Cl@C 60 endofullerene molecule are calculated using a perturbative density functional theory (DFT) method. This is the first ICD study of an open shell atom in a fullerene cage. Here, three classes of resonances are probed: (i) Cl inner vacancies decaying through C 60 outer continua, (ii) C 60 inner vacancies decaying through Cl outer continua, and (iii) inner vacancies of either system decaying through the continua of Cl-C 60 hybrid levels, the hybrid Auger-ICD resonances. Comparisons with Ar@C 60 results reveal that the properties of hybrid Auger-ICD resonances are affected by the extent of level hybridization.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Bayesian analysis of a future β decay experiment's sensitivity to neutrino mass scale and ordering

Bayesian modeling techniques enable sensitivity analyses that incorporate detailed expectations regarding future experiments. A model-based approach also allows one to evaluate inferences and predicted outcomes, by calibrating (or measuring) the consequences incurred when certain results are reported. In this work, we present procedures for calibrating predictions of an experiment's sensitivity to both continuous and discrete parameters. Using these procedures and a new Bayesian model of the β-decay spectrum, we assess a high-precision β-decay experiment's sensitivity to the neutrino mass scale and ordering for one assumed design scenario. We find that such an experiment could measure the electron-weighted neutrino mass within ~40 meV after 1 year (90% credibility). Neutrino masses > 500 meV could be measured within ≈5 meV. Using only β decay and external reactor neutrino data, we find that next-generation β-decay experiments could potentially constrain the mass ordering using a two-neutrino spectral model analysis. By calibrating mass ordering results, we identify reporting criteria that can be tuned to suppress false ordering claims. In some cases, a two-neutrino analysis can reveal that the mass ordering is inverted, an unobtainable result for the traditional one-neutrino analysis approach.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2021

First measurement of proton decay from a transfer reaction to 21 Na

Decay protons from excited states in Na 21 populated through a previously reported Mg 24 ( p , α ) Na 21 transfer reaction [Cha et al. , Phys. Rev. C 96 , 025810 (2017) ] were analyzed to extract the proton branching ratios of the energy levels. Additionally, by utilizing 31-MeV proton beams from the Holifield Radioactive Ion Beam Facility of Oak Ridge National Laboratory and isotopically enriched Mg 24 solid targets, the decay protons were detected in coincidence with α particles from the ( p , α ) reaction using a silicon strip detector array. Proton decay branching ratios of several Na 21 levels were deduced for the p 0 and p 1 decay channels to the ground and first excited states in Ne 20 , respectively.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

β -delayed charged-particle decay of Si 22 , 23

The β decay of 22,23 Si by emission of delayed charged particles was investigated in an experiment at the Cyclotron Institute of Texas A&M University by means of an optical-readout time-projection chamber. The previously-known decay of the two isotopes by β-delayed one- and two-proton emission was confirmed. Here for the first time, a new, rare, decay mode for 23 Si, β-delayed three-proton emission, was observed and β-delayed proton-α emission tentatively identified. Moreover, the β-decay pattern for the ground state of 23 Si was studied by means of multireference density-functional-rooted calculations.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Neutrinoless double-β decay: Combining quantum Monte Carlo and the nuclear shell model with the generalized contact formalism

Neutrinoless double beta decay searches can determine the Majorana nature of neutrinos, the absolute neutrino mass, and provide invaluable insights on the matter dominance of the universe. However, the uncertainty in the nuclear matrix elements that govern the decay limits the physics reach of these experiments. Here, we devise a novel framework based on the generalized contact formalism that combines the nuclear shell model and quantum Monte Carlo methods and compute the neutrinoless double-beta decay of nuclei used in the most advanced experiments, including 76 Ge, 130 Te, and 136 Xe. Our results cover all relevant terms, including the leading-order short-range operator recognized recently. We validate our method in light nuclei by comparing against accurate variational Monte Carlo results. On heavy systems we obtain reduced nuclear matrix elements compared with previous calculations due to additional correlations captured by quantum Monte Carlo and introduced within the generalized contact formalism, suggesting longer decay half-lives than previously considered. On the other hand, we find an enhancement of the nuclear matrix elements due to the new short-range operator.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Measurement of the branching fractions for Cabibbo-suppressed decays D + → K + K - π + π 0 and D ( s ) + → K + π - π + π 0 at Belle

We present measurements of the branching fractions for the singly Cabibbo-suppressed decays and , and the doubly Cabibbo-suppressed decay , based on of data recorded by the Belle experiment at the KEKB e + ⁢e - collider. We measure these modes relative to the Cabibbo-favored modes D + → K - ⁢π + ⁢π + ⁢π 0 and D$^{+}_{s}$ → K + ⁢K -⁢ π + ⁢π 0 . Our results for the ratios of branching fractions are $\mathscr{B}$⁡(D + →K + ⁢K -⁢ π + ⁢π 0 )/$\mathscr{B}$⁡(D + → K - ⁢π + ⁢π + ⁢π 0 ) =(11.32±0.13±0.26)%, $\mathscr{B}$⁡(D + →K + π - ⁢π + ⁢π 0 )/$\mathscr{B}$(D + →K -⁢ π + ⁢π + ⁢π 0 ) =(1.68±0.11±0.03)%, and $\mathscr{B}$⁡(D$^{+}_{s}$ → K + ⁢π - π + ⁢π 0 )/$\mathscr{B}$⁡(D$^{+}_{s}$ → K + ⁢K - π + π 0 ) =(17.13±0.62±0.51)%, where the uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively. The second value corresponds to (5.83 ±0.42) ×tan 4 ⁡θ C , where θ C is the Cabibbo angle; this value is larger than other measured ratios of branching fractions for a doubly Cabibbo-suppressed charm decay to a Cabibbo-favored decay. Multiplying these results by world average values for $\mathscr{B}$⁡(D + → K - ⁢π + ⁢π + ⁢π 0 ) and $\mathscr{B}$⁡(D$^{+}_{s}$ → K + ⁢K - π + π 0 ) yields $\mathscr{B}$( + →K + ⁢K -⁢ π + ⁢π 0 ) = (7.08±0.08±0.16±0.20)×10 -3 , $\mathscr{B}$⁡(D + → K +⁢ π - π + ⁢π 0 ) =(1.05±0.07±0.02±0.03)×10 -3 , and $\mathscr{B}$⁡(D$^{+}_{s}$ → K + ⁢π - π + ⁢π 0 ) =(9.44±0.34±0.28±0.32)×10 -3 , where the third uncertainty is due to the branching fraction of the normalization mode. The first two results are consistent with, but more precise than, the current world averages. The last result is the first measurement of this branching fraction.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Measurement of the B 0 lifetime and flavor-oscillation frequency using hadronic decays reconstructed in 2019–2021 Belle II data

We measure the B0 lifetime and flavor-oscillation frequency using B 0 → D(*) – π + decays collected by the Belle II experiment in asymmetric-energy e + ⁢e – collisions produced by the SuperKEKB collider operating at the Υ⁡(4⁢S) resonance. We fit the decay-time distribution of signal decays, where the initial flavor is determined by identifying the flavor of the other B meson in the event. The results, based on 33000 signal decays reconstructed in a data sample corresponding to 190 fb –1 , are τ B 0 = (1.499 ± 0.013 ± 0.008) ps, Δ⁢m d = (0.516 ± 0.008 ± 0.005) ps –1 , where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic. These results are consistent with the world-average values.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Measurement of lepton universality parameters in B + → K + ℓ + ℓ – and B 0 → K* 0 ℓ + ℓ – decays

A simultaneous analysis of the B + → K + ℓ + ℓ – and B 0 → K* 0 ℓ + ℓ – decays is performed to test muon-electron universality in two ranges of the square of the dilepton invariant mass, q 2 . The measurement uses a sample of beauty meson decays produced in proton-proton collisions collected with the LHCb detector between 2011 and 2018, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9 fb –1 . A sequence of multivariate selections and strict particle identification requirements produce a higher signal purity and a better statistical sensitivity per unit luminosity than previous LHCb lepton universality tests using the same decay modes. Residual backgrounds due to misidentified hadronic decays are studied using data and included in the fit model. Each of the four lepton universality measurements reported is either the first in the given q 2 interval or supersedes previous LHCb measurements. The results are compatible with the predictions of the Standard Model.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Model-independent predictions for decays of double-heavy hadrons into pairs of heavy hadrons

Double-heavy hadrons can decay into pairs of heavy hadrons through transitions from confining Born-Oppenheimer potentials to heavy-hadron-pair potentials with the same Born-Oppenheimer quantum numbers. The states of the double-heavy hadron are constrained by a Born-Oppenheimer exclusion principle from the identical heavy quarks. The states of a pair of identical heavy hadrons are constrained by exclusion principles from identical particles. The transitions are also constrained by conservation of angular momentum and parity. From these constraints, we derive model-independent selection rules for decays of double-heavy hadrons into pairs of heavy hadrons. The coupling potentials are expressed as sums of products of Born-Oppenheimer transition amplitudes and angular-momentum coefficients. If there is a single dominant Born-Oppenheimer transition amplitude, it factors out of the coupling potentials between double-heavy hadrons in the same Born-Oppenheimer multiplet and pairs of heavy hadrons in specific heavy-quark-spin-symmetry multiplets and out of the corresponding partial decay rates. As examples, we discuss the Born-Oppenheimer potentials and multiplets for conventional double-heavy baryons and for double-heavy tetraquark mesons. We also discuss the relative partial decay rates for conventional double-heavy baryons into pairs of heavy hadrons.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Angular Correlations in the β Decay of B 8 : First Tensor-Current Limits from a Mirror-Nucleus Pair

We present the first measurement of the α–β–ν angular correlation in the Gamow-Teller β + decay of 8 B. This was accomplished using the Beta-decay Paul Trap, expanding on our previous work on the β – decay of 8 Li. The 8 B result is consistent with the V – A electroweak interaction of the standard model and, on its own, provides a limit on the exotic right-handed tensor current relative to the axial-vector current of |C T /C A | 2 < 0.013 at the 95.5% confidence level. This represents the first high-precision angular correlation measurements in mirror decays and was made possible through the use of an ion trap. Here, by combining this 8 B result with our previous 8 Li results, we demonstrate a new pathway for increased precision in searches for exotic currents.

6 ≤ A ≤ 19↗
DOE OSTI2024

Improved Tensor Current Limit from 8 B 𝛽 Decay Including New Recoil-Order Calculations

A precision measurement of the 𝛽 + decay of 8 B was performed using the Beta-decay Paul Trap to determine the 𝛽−𝜈 angular correlation coefficient 𝑎 𝛽⁢𝜈 . The experimental results were combined with new ab initio symmetry-adapted no-core shell-model calculations to yield the second-most precise measurement from Gamow-Teller decays, 𝑎 𝛽⁢𝜈 = −0.3345 ± 0.001⁢9 stat ± 0.002⁢1 syst . This value agrees with the standard model value of −1/3 and improves uncertainties in 8 B by nearly a factor of 2. By combining results from 8 B and 8 Li , a tight limit on tensor current coupling to right-handed neutrinos was obtained. A recent global evaluation of all other precision 𝛽 decay studies suggested a nonzero value for right-handed neutrino coupling in contradiction with the standard model at just above 3⁢𝜎. Finally, the present results are of comparable sensitivity and do not support this finding.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Mechanical Detection of Nuclear Decays

We report the detection of individual nuclear alpha decays through the mechanical recoil of the entire micron-sized particle in which the decaying nuclei are embedded. Momentum conservation ensures that such measurements are sensitive to any particles emitted in the decay, including neutral particles that may otherwise evade detection with existing techniques. Detection of the minuscule recoil of an object more than 10^12 times more massive than the emitted particles is made possible by recently developed techniques in levitated optomechanics, which enable high-precision optical control and measurement of the mechanical motion of optically trapped particles. Observation of a change in the net charge of the particle coincident with the recoil allows decays to be identified with background levels at the micro-Becquerel level. Here, the techniques developed here may find use in fields ranging from nuclear forensics to dark matter and neutrino physics.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Observation of New Charmonium or Charmoniumlike States in B + → D * ± D ∓ K + Decays

A study of resonant structures in B + → D * + D − K + and B + → D * − D + K + decays is performed, using proton-proton collision data at center-of-mass energies of s = 7 , 8, and 13 TeV recorded by the LHCb experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9 fb − 1 . A simultaneous amplitude fit is performed to the two channels with contributions from resonances decaying to D * − D + and D * + D − states linked by C parity. This procedure allows the C parities of resonances in the D * ± D ∓ mass spectra to be determined. Four charmonium or charmoniumlike states are observed decaying into D * ± D ∓ : η c ( 3945 ) , h c ( 4000 ) , χ c 1 ( 4010 ) , and h c ( 4300 ) , with quantum numbers J P C equal to 0 − + , 1 + − , 1 + + , and 1 + − , respectively. At least three of these states have not been observed previously. In addition, the existence of the T c ¯ s ¯ 0 * ( 2870 ) 0 and T c ¯ s ¯ 1 * ( 2900 ) 0 resonances in the D − K + mass spectrum, already observed in the B + → D + D − K + decay, is confirmed in a different production channel. © 2024 CERN, for the LHCb Collaboration 2024 CERN

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗