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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 325 records · Page 18
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
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↗
DOE OSTI2025

Search for Lepton-Flavor-Violating Decay Modes 𝐵 0 →𝐾$^0_𝑆$⁢𝜏 ± ⁢ℓ ∓ with Hadronic 𝐵 Tagging at Belle and Belle II

We present the first search for the lepton-flavor-violating decay modes 𝐵 0 →𝐾$^0_𝑆$⁢𝜏 ± ⁢ℓ ∓ (ℓ=𝜇,𝑒) using the 711 and 365 fb −1 data samples recorded by the Belle and Belle II detectors, respectively. We use a hadronic 𝐵-tagging technique to fully reconstruct a 𝐵 meson and search for signal decays in the system recoiling against the tagged meson, considering 𝜏 decays to either light leptons, one charged hadron, or one charged hadron and a neutral pion. We find no evidence for 𝐵 0 →𝐾$^0_𝑆$⁢𝜏 ± ⁢ℓ ∓ decays and set 90% confidence level upper limits on the branching fractions in the range of [0.8,3.6] ×10 −5 .

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Comparative Penicillium spp. Transcriptomics: Conserved Pathways and Processes Revealed in Ungerminated Conidia and during Postharvest Apple Fruit Decay

Blue mold, caused by Penicillium spp., is an impactful postharvest disease resulting in significant economic losses due to reduced pome fruit quality and mycotoxin contamination. Using two Penicillium species with different levels of aggressiveness, transcriptomics were implemented in order to identify genes expressed during apple fruit decay and loci expressed in ungerminated conidia. Total RNA was isolated from ungerminated conidia and decayed apple fruit infected with P. expansum R19 or P. polonicum RS1. There were 2442 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the R19 and RS1 in apple. Comparisons within species between apple and conidia revealed 4404 DEGs for R19 and 2935 for RS1, respectively. Gene ontology (GO) analysis revealed differential regulation in fungal transport and metabolism genes during decay, suggesting a flux in nutrient acquisition and detoxification strategies. In R19, the oxidoreductase GO category comprised 20% of all DEG groups in apple verses conidia. Ungerminated conidia from both species showed DEGs encoding the glyoxylate shunt and beta-oxidation, specifying the earliest metabolic requirements for germination. This is the first study to identify pre-loaded transcripts in conidia from blue mold fungi, reveal unique genes between species expressed during apple decay, and show the expression dynamics of known fungal virulence factors. These findings will enable development of targeted approaches for blue mold abatement strategies.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

β − decay of exotic P and S isotopes with neutron number near 28

β - decay of very neutron-rich isotopes of P and S, studied at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (NSCL) using the Beta Counting Station (BCS) consisting of a Double Sided Strip Detector surrounded by clovers detectors for observing delayed γ transitions is reported here. β-decay half-lifes and delayed neutron emission probabilities were extracted for 42,43,44 P and 44,46 S by analyzing spatial and temporal correlations between implants and decay events in the Si detector with further coincidence with γ transitions. Detection of delayed γ rays allowed for the identification of negative parity 1p1h states in 42 S for the first time, also constraining the parent ( 42 P) spin/parity to 2 - or 3 - . For the most exotic isotope studied, 46 S, no strong γ transition was observed unlike lighter even-even S isotopes, thus implying the shift of Gamow Teller (GT) strength distribution to higher energies. In conclusion, comparison of experimental observations to detailed shell-model calculations using the SDPFSDG-MU interaction allowed us to infer the importance and role of First Forbidden (FF) β transitions as the neutron number approaches and then exceeds N = 28.

39 ≤ A ≤ 58↗
DOE OSTI2023

First Observation of Cyclotron Radiation from MeV-Scale e ± following Nuclear β Decay

We present an apparatus for detection of cyclotron radiation yielding a frequency-based β ± kinetic energy determination in the 5 keV to 2.1 MeV range, characteristic of nuclear β decays. The cyclotron frequency of the radiating β particles in a magnetic field is used to determine the β energy precisely. Our work establishes the foundation to apply the cyclotron radiation emission spectroscopy (CRES) technique, developed by the Project 8 Collaboration, far beyond the 18-keV tritium endpoint region. We report initial measurements of β – ’s from 6 He and β + ’s from 19 Ne decays to demonstrate the broadband response of our detection system and assess potential systematic uncertainties for β spectroscopy over the full (MeV) energy range. To our knowledge, this is the first direct observation of cyclotron radiation from individual highly relativistic β’s in a waveguide. Furthermore, this work establishes the application of CRES to a variety of nuclei, opening its reach to searches for new physics beyond the TeV scale via precision β-decay measurements.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Search for the Exclusive W Boson Hadronic Decays W ± → π ± γ, W ± → K ± γ and W ± → ρ ± γ with the ATLAS Detector

A search for the exclusive hadronic decays W ± → π ± γ, W ± → K ± γ, and W ± → ρ ± γ is performed using up to 140 fb -1 of proton-proton collisions recorded with the ATLAS detector at a center-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s} =$ 13 TeV. If observed, these rare processes would provide a unique test bench for the quantum chromodynamics factorization formalism used to calculate cross sections at colliders. Additionally, at future colliders, these decays could offer a new way to measure the W boson mass through fully reconstructed decay products. The search results in the most stringent upper limits to date on the branching fractions B(W ± → π ± γ) < 1.9 × 10 -6 , B(W ± → K ± γ) < 1.7 × 10 -6 , B(W ± → ρ ± γ) < 5.2 × 10 -6 at 95% confidence level.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Impact of Clustering on the Li 8 β Decay and Recoil Form Factors

We place unprecedented constraints on recoil corrections in the β decay of 8 Li, by identifying a strong correlation between them and the 8 Li ground state quadrupole moment in large-scale ab initio calculations. The results are essential for improving the sensitivity of high-precision experiments that probe the weak interaction theory and test physics beyond the standard model. In addition, our calculations predict a 2 + state of the α + α system that is energetically accessible to β decay but has not been observed in the experimental 8 Be energy spectrum, and has an important effect on the recoil corrections and β decay for the A = 8 systems. Furthermore, this state and an associated 0 + state are notoriously difficult to model due to their cluster structure and collective correlations, but become feasible for calculations in the ab initio symmetry-adapted no-core shell-model framework.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Rare K 40 Decay with Implications for Fundamental Physics and Geochronology

Potassium-40 is a widespread, naturally occurring isotope whose radioactivity impacts subatomic rare-event searches, nuclear structure theory, and estimated geological ages. A predicted electron-capture decay directly to the ground state of argon-40 has never been observed. Here, the KDK (potassium decay) collaboration reports strong evidence of this rare decay mode. A blinded analysis reveals a nonzero ratio of intensities of ground-state electron-captures (I EC 0 ) over excited-state ones (I EC $\star$ ) of I EC 0 /I EC $\star$ = 0.0095 $^{stat}_{±}$ 0.0022 $^{sys}_{±}$ 0.0010 (68% C.L.), with the null hypothesis rejected at 4σ. In terms of branching ratio, this signal yields I EC 0 = 0.098 % $^{stat}_{±}$ 0.023 % $^{sys}_{±}$ 0.010 % , roughly half of the commonly used prediction, with consequences for various fields [L. Hariasz et al., companion paper, Phys. Rev. C 108, 014327 (2023)].

39 ≤ A ≤ 58↗
DOE OSTI2024

Measurement of the Isolated Nuclear Two-Photon Decay in Ge 72

The nuclear two-photon or double-gamma (2 γ ) decay is a second-order electromagnetic process whereby a nucleus in an excited state emits two gamma rays simultaneously. To be able to directly measure the 2⁢ γ decay rate in the low-energy regime below the electron-positron pair-creation threshold, we combined the isochronous mode of a storage ring with Schottky resonant cavities. The newly developed technique can be applied to isomers with excitation energies down to ~100 keV and half-lives as short as ~10 ms. The half-life for the 2⁢ γ decay of the first-excited 0 + state in bare 72 Ge ions was determined to be 23.9(6) ms, which strongly deviates from expectations.

59 ≤ A ≤ 89↗