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At least 523 records · Page 29

Search for Higgs boson pairs decaying to WW*WW*, WW* ττ , and ττττ in proton-proton collisions at $ \sqrt{s} $ = 13 TeV

The results of a search for Higgs boson pair (HH) production in the WW*WW*, WW*$ττ$, and $ττττ$ decay modes are presented. The search uses 138 fb –1 of proton-proton collision data recorded by the CMS experiment at the LHC at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV from 2016 to 2018. Analyzed events contain two, three, or four reconstructed leptons, including electrons, muons, and hadronically decaying tau leptons. No evidence for a signal is found in the data. Upper limits are set on the cross section for nonresonant HH production, as well as resonant production in which a new heavy particle decays to a pair of Higgs bosons. For nonresonant production, the observed (expected) upper limit on the cross section at 95% confidence level (CL) is 21.3 (19.4) times the standard model (SM) prediction. The observed (expected) ratio of the trilinear Higgs boson self-coupling to its value in the SM is constrained to be within the interval –6.9 to 11.1 (–6.9 to 11.7) at 95% CL, and limits are set on a variety of new-physics models using an effective field theory approach. The observed (expected) limits on the cross section for resonant HH production range from 0.18 to 0.90 (0.08 to 1.06) pb at 95% CL for new heavy-particle masses in the range 250–1000 GeV.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

First observation of the production of three massive vector bosons and search for long-lived particles using delayed photons in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13\text{ TeV}$

This thesis presents the first observation of the production of three massive vector bosons (VVV with V = W, Z) in proton-proton collisions at the LHC at $\sqrt{s}=13\text{ TeV}$. The search was performed in final states with two same-sign charged leptons (electrons or muons) plus one or two jets, and three, four, five, or six leptons from WWW, WWZ, WZZ and ZZZ decays, with a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 137 fb -1 collected by the CMS experiment during 2016-2018. The observed (expected) significance of the combined VVV production is 5.7 (5.9) standard deviations, and the production cross section is measured to be 1010$^{+210}_{-200}$(stat) $^{+150}_{-120}$(syst) fb, corresponding to a signal strength of 1.02$^{+0.26}_{-0.23}$. We also found evidence for WWW and for WWZ production, with observed significances of 3.3 and 3.4 standard deviations, respectively. The measured production cross sections for individual VVV processes are also reported. The establishment of VVV production opens a new program of many standard model studies (such as gauge-gauge and Higgs-gauge couplings), and provides a new tool for many new physics searches (such as anomalous gauge coupling searches, new resonance searches). This thesis also reports a search for long-lived supersymmetry particles decaying to photons in proton-proton collisions at the LHC at $\sqrt{s} = 13 TeV$, with a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 77.4 fb -1 collected by CMS during 2016-2017. Results are interpreted with a gauge-mediated supersymmetry breaking model, where the long-lived particle is a neutralino and the lightest supersymmetry particle is a gravitino. For neutralino proper decay lengths of 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 m, masses up to 320, 525, 360, and 215 GeV are excluded at 95% confidence level, respectively. This result extends the limits from previous searches by one order of magnitude for the neutralino proper decay length and up to 100 GeV more for the neutralino mass. Motivated by the need for precision timing measurements for long-lived particle searches, as well as for improvements in general object reconstruction performance, the timing performance of two types of sensors are studied in this thesis: one with a Cerium doped Lutetium Yttrium Orthosilicate (LYSO:Ce) crystal as the scintillator and a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) as the photodetector, another with a Cadmium-Telluride sensor as the active material for a sampling calorimeter. Both setups have been demonstrated with test beams to be able to provide timing measurements of particles with a resolution below 30 ps.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

PICSAR-QED: a Monte Carlo module to simulate strong-field quantum electrodynamics in particle-in-cell codes for exascale architectures

Abstract Physical scenarios where the electromagnetic fields are so strong that quantum electrodynamics (QED) plays a substantial role are one of the frontiers of contemporary plasma physics research. Investigating those scenarios requires state-of-the-art particle-in-cell (PIC) codes able to run on top high-performance computing (HPC) machines and, at the same time, able to simulate strong-field QED processes. This work presents the PICSAR-QED library, an open-source, portable implementation of a Monte Carlo module designed to provide modern PIC codes with the capability to simulate such processes, and optimized for HPC. Detailed tests and benchmarks are carried out to validate the physical models in PICSAR-QED, to study how numerical parameters affect such models, and to demonstrate its capability to run on different architectures (CPUs and GPUs). Its integration with WarpX, a state-of-the-art PIC code designed to deliver scalable performance on upcoming exascale supercomputers, is also discussed and validated against results from the existing literature.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Comparison of Fission Product Release Predictions using PARFUME with Results from the AGR-2 Irradiation Experiment

The PARFUME (PARticle FUel ModEl) code was used to predict fission product release from tristructural isotropic (TRISO) coated fuel particles and compacts during the second irradiation experiment (AGR-2) of the Advanced Gas Reactor Fuel Development and Qualification Program. The PARFUME model for the Advanced Gas reactor (AGR)GR-2 experiment used the fuel compact volume average temperature for each of the 560 days of irradiation to calculate the release of fission products of silver, cesium, and strontium from a representative particle for a select number of AGR -2 compacts. In addition, safety tests were performed on 15 compacts ranging from 1500 to 1800°C to determine fission product release at temperatures that bound reactor accident conditions. PARFUME was used to calculate the fission product release of silver, cesium, strontium, and krypton during these safety tests. Post-irradiation examination (PIE) measurements provided the data on release of fission products from the fuel compacts and fuel particles, and retention of fission products in the compacts outside the silicon carbide (SiC) layer. The predicted fraction release from PARFUME was then compared to PIE measurements.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Search for chargino-neutralino production in events with Higgs and W bosons using 137 fb$^{−1}$ of proton-proton collisions at $ \sqrt{s} $ = 13 TeV

A search for electroweak production of supersymmetric (SUSY) particles in final states with one lepton, a Higgs boson decaying to a pair of bottom quarks, and large missing transverse momentum is presented. The search uses data from proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV collected using the CMS detector at the LHC, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 137 fb$^{−1}$. The observed yields are consistent with backgrounds expected from the standard model. The results are interpreted in the context of a simplified SUSY model of chargino-neutralino production, with the chargino decaying to a W boson and the lightest SUSY particle (LSP) and the neutralino decaying to a Higgs boson and the LSP. Charginos and neutralinos with masses up to 820 GeV are excluded at 95% confidence level when the LSP mass is small, and LSPs with mass up to 350 GeV are excluded when the masses of the chargino and neutralino are approximately 700 GeV.[graphic not available: see fulltext]

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Cascade Models in Simulation of Extended Heavy Targets Irradiated by Accelerated Proton and Deuteron Beams

The paper presents a survey of the main numerical models used for simulation of interaction of accelerated particle beams with target nuclei. These models form the core of the software for simulation of various experiments and experimental facilities both for scientific and applied purposes. The beam and target parameters considered in detail in this study (protons and deuterons with energies from 0.66 to 4 AGeV and bulk U targets) cover the range of interest in development of new concepts of nuclear power production aided by accelerated particle beams.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Effects of cluster correlations on fragment emission in 12 C+ 12 C at 50 MeV/nucleon

The effects of cluster correlations have been studied in the 12 C + 12 C reaction at 50 MeV/nucleon, using three AMD models, the AMD (AMD/D) without any additional cluster correlations, AMD/D-COALS with nucleon correlations based on a coalescence prescription for light cluster formations with A ≤ 4 and AMD-Cluster with an extended cluster correlation in two-nucleon collision processes and a special treatment for intermediate fragment formation with A ≤ 9. The angular distributions and energy spectra of fragments have been simulated and compared with the available experimental data. It is found that the cluster correlations take a crucial role to describe the productions of light charged particles (LCPs) and intermediate mass fragments (IMFs), and the AMD-cluster studied here provides a consistent overall reproduction of the experimental data. It is also shown that the significant effects of the secondary decay processes are involved for the fragment production besides the dynamical productions in the AMD stage. Detailed LCP and IMF production mechanisms involved in the intermediate energy heavy ion collisions are discussed.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Pion, kaon, and (anti)proton production in $\cup + \cup$ collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 193$ GeV measured with the STAR detector

We present the first measurements of transverse momentum spectra of $π^±, K^±, p(\overline{p})$ at midrapidity ($|y|$ < 0.1) in $\cup + \cup$ collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 193$ GeV with the STAR detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). The centrality dependence of particle yields, average transverse momenta, particle ratios and kinetic freezeout parameters are discussed. The results are compared with the published results from Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 200$ GeV in STAR. The results are also compared to those from A Multi Phase Transport (AMPT) model.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

A thermal-driven graupel generation process to explain dry-season convective vigor over the Amazon

Large-eddy simulations (LESs) are conducted for each day of the intensive observation periods (IOPs) of the Green Ocean Amazon (GoAmazon) field campaign to characterize the updrafts and microphysics within deep convective cores while contrasting those properties between Amazon wet and dry seasons. Mean Doppler velocity (V dop ) values simulated using LESs are compared with 2-year measurements from a radar wind profiler (RWP) as viewed by statistical composites separated according to wet- and dry-season conditions. In the observed RWP and simulated LES V dop composites, we find more intense low-level updraft velocity, vigorous graupel generation, and intense surface rain during the dry periods compared with the wet periods. To investigate coupled updraft–microphysical processes further, single-day golden cases are selected from the wet and dry periods to conduct detailed cumulus thermal tracking analysis. Tracking analysis reveals that simulated dry-season environments generate more droplet-loaded low-level thermals than wet-season environments. This tendency correlates with seasonal contrasts in buoyancy and vertical moisture advection profiles in large-scale forcing. Employing a normalized time series of mean thermal microphysics, the simulated cumulus thermals appear to be the primary generator of cloud droplets. When subsequent thermals penetrate the ice crystal layer, droplets within the thermals interact with entrained ice crystals, which enhances riming in the thermals. This appears to be a production pathway of graupel/hail particles within simulated deep convective cores. In addition, less-diluted dry-case thermals tend to be elevated higher, and graupel grows further during sedimentation after spilling out from thermals. Therefore, greater concentrations of low-level moist thermals likely result in more graupel/hail production and associated dry-season convective vigor.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

IRDFF-II: A New Neutron Metrology Library

High quality nuclear data is the most fundamental underpinning for all neutron metrology applications. This paper describes the release of version II of the International Reactor Dosimetry and Fusion File (IRDFF-II) that contains a consistent set of nuclear data for fission and fusion neutron metrology applications up to 60 MeV neutron energy. The library is intended to support: a) applications in research reactors; b) safety and regulatory applications in the nuclear power generation in commercial fission reactors; and c) material damage studies in support of the research and development of advanced fusion concepts. The paper describes the contents of the library, documents the thorough verification process used in its preparation, and provides an extensive set of validation data gathered from a wide range of neutron benchmark fields. The new IRDFF-II library includes 119 metrology reactions, four cover material reactions to support self-shielding corrections, five metrology metrics used by the dosimetry community, and cumulative fission products yields for seven fission products in three different neutron energy regions. In support of characterizing the measurement of the residual nuclei from the dosimetry reactions and the fission product decay modes, the present document lists the recommended decay data, particle emission energies and probabilities for 68 activation products. It also includes neutron spectral characterization data for 29 neutron benchmark fields for the validation of the library contents. Additional six reference fields were assessed (four from plutonium critical assemblies, two measured fields for thermal-neutron induced fission on 233U and 239Pu targets) but not used for validation due to systematic discrepancies in C/E reaction rate values or lack of reaction-rate experimental data. Another ten analytical functions are included that can be useful for calculating average cross sections, average energy, thermal spectrum average cross sections and resonance integrals. The IRDFF-II library and comprehensive documentation is available online at www-nds.iaea.org/IRDFF/. Evaluated cross sections can be compared with experimental data and other evaluations at www-nds.iaea.org/exfor/endf.htm. The new library is expected to become the international reference in neutron metrology for multiple applications.

IAEA IRDFF↗

A search for dark matter produced in association with a dark Higgs boson decaying into a Higgs boson pair in 3b or 4b final states using pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV with the ATLAS detector

A search is performed for dark matter particles produced in association with a resonant pair of Higgs bosons using 140 fb −1 of proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV recorded by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. This signature is expected in some extensions of the Standard Model predicting the production of dark matter particles, and is interpreted in terms of a dark Higgs model containing a Z′ mediator in which the dark Higgs boson s decays into a pair of Higgs bosons. The dark Higgs boson is reconstructed through final states with at least three b-tagged jets, produced by the pair of Higgs boson decays, in events with significant missing transverse momentum consistent with the presence of dark matter. The observed data are found to be in good agreement with Standard Model predictions, constraining scenarios with dark Higgs boson masses within the range of 250 to 400 GeV and Z′ mediators up to 2.3 TeV.

Dark Energy and Dark Matter↗

A near-explicit mechanistic evaluation of Isoprene photochemical seecondary organic aerosol formation and evolution: simulations of multiple chamber experiments with and without added NOx

Experimentally determined yields of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) from the photochemical oxidation of isoprene in the absence of aqueous acidic aerosol vary substantially, both within a given experiment and across different environmental chamber conditions. The underlying mechanisms driving this variation remain poorly evaluated, leading to significant uncertainty in how to extrapolate laboratory chamber results to the atmosphere. Herein, we compare SOA predictions from a near-explicit gas-phase chemical mechanism of isoprene oxidation by the hydroxyl radical (OH) in the presence and absence of nitrogen oxide radicals (NOx), to multiple chamber experiments on non-aqueous isoprene photochemical SOA (ipSOA) conducted by different groups in different chambers. SOA is predicted by volatility-driven gas-particle partitioning of hundreds of individual reaction products. The mechanism includes simplified descriptions of particle-phase organic chemistry, including organic hydroperoxide photolysis, and organic nitrate hydrolysis and accretion reactions. The model has good skill (mean normalized bias typically within 25%) at predicting the observed formation and evolution of ipSOA across a range of chambers and conditions at low NOx. The model has much less skill at describing the observed non-linear response of ipSOA to elevated NOx. Organic nitrate hydrolysis is unable to explain significant ipSOA at high NOx, whereas particle-phase accretion reactions of tertiary nitrates may play a role. Uncertainties in the chamber radical environment and fate of key organic peroxy radicals (RO2) remain as or even more important than vapor losses to chamber walls in determining how best to extrapolate chamber-based yields to the atmosphere. Implications for likely atmospheric yields of ipSOA and recommendations for future chamber experiments are discussed.

Thornton, Joel A.↗

Search for Dark Matter Produced in Association with a Dark Higgs Boson in the b b ¯ Final State Using p p Collisions at s = 13 TeV with the ATLAS Detector

A search is performed for dark matter particles produced in association with a resonantly produced pair of b -quarks with 30 < m b b < 150 GeV using 140 fb − 1 of proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV recorded by the ATLAS detector at the LHC. This signature is expected in extensions of the standard model predicting the production of dark matter particles, in particular those containing a dark Higgs boson s that decays into b b ¯ . The highly boosted s → b b ¯ topology is reconstructed using jet reclustering and a new identification algorithm. This search places stringent constraints across regions of the dark Higgs model parameter space that satisfy the observed relic density, excluding dark Higgs bosons with masses between 30 and 150 GeV in benchmark scenarios with Z ′ mediator masses up to 4.8 TeV at 95% confidence level. © 2025 CERN, for the ATLAS Collaboration 2025 CERN

Aad, G. (ORCID:0000000266654934)↗

Searching for dark radiation at the LHC

In this work we explore the intriguing connections between searches for long-lived particles (LLPs) at the LHC and early universe cosmology. We study the non-thermal production of ultra-relativistic particles (i.e. dark radiation) in the early universe via the decay of weak-scale LLPs and show that the cosmologically interesting range ΔN eff ~ 0.01–0.1 corresponds to LLP decay lengths in the mm to cm range. These decay lengths lie at the boundary between prompt and displaced signatures at the LHC and can be comprehensively explored by combining searches for both. To illustrate this point, we consider a scenario where the LLP decays into a charged lepton and a (nearly) massless invisible particle. By reinterpreting searches for promptly decaying sleptons and for displaced leptons at both ATLAS and CMS we can then directly compare LHC exclusions with cosmological observables. We find that the CMB-S4 target value of ΔN eff = 0.06 is already excluded by current LHC searches and even smaller values can be probed for LLP masses at the electroweak scale.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

FY2020 Annual Report on Subcontract B631779 with UC Berkeley: Reactive Precursors Additive Manufacturing Report

This work succeeded in reaching each of the stated milestones for developing, printing, reacting, and characterizing the uranium carbide final products. Leveraging experience gained from creating magnesium oxide inks (milestone #1) and prior reactive precursor work with boron carbide (milestone #2) a uranium carbide reactive precursor ink was developed. The chosen composition of ink utilized a mixture of wax, petrolatum, and stearic acid as the binder. The reactive precursor portion of the ink was comprised of uranium oxide and nano particle activated carbon for production of uranium carbide via carbothermal reduction. Following an in-air burnout of the binder at 160C the printed samples were reacted and sintered at 1750C in an argon environment induction furnace. The resulting product has an open porosity dense, foam-like internal structure with a calculated density of 89% in the solid fraction.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗