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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

Neutrons in MINERvA and the Antineutrino Multi-Neutron Production Cross Section

Neutrinos are among a handful of particles in the Standard Model of particle physics whose properties have not yet been fully measured. Neutrino oscillations, discovered in the late 1990s, still have yet to be fully characterized. Early evidence suggests that neutrinos and antineutrinos may undergo neutrino oscillations differently. So, multiple collaborations are building and operating kTon-scale particle detectors to try to measure this CP violation in the neutrino sector of the Standard Model. Measuring neutrino and antineutrino energies is essential to characterizing oscillation phenomena. But neutrons interfere with (anti)neutrino energy measurements because they are hard to detect in (anti)neutrino detectors. Furthermore, there are very few measurements of neutrons produced by (anti)neutrinos in the energy range of interest to accelerator-based oscillation experiments. The MINERvA collaboration initially tried to fill this gap by measuring the rate of neutron-induced activity i n plastic. The data deviated significantly from leading model predictions, but it could not be determined which models needed to be tuned. MINERvA’s first neutron counting result also cannot be compared to future models because it was not suitable for unsmearing. This thesis first expands upon MINERvA’s first foray into neutron detection at higher antineutrino energy. Neutron detection efficiency is enhanced by advances in analysis algorithms. Then, an unsmeared cross section for producing two or more neutrons is measured. Existing antineutrino interaction models again over-predict the rate of neutron production by antineutrinos. Preliminary neutron production rate measurements in MINERvA’s iron and lead targets suggest that models are also over-predicting neutron production in heavier nuclei.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Search for the HH → $ b\overline{b}b\overline{b} $ process via vector-boson fusion production using proton-proton collisions at $ \sqrt{s} $ = 13 TeV with the ATLAS detector

A search for Higgs boson pair production via vector-boson fusion (VBF) in the $ b\overline{b}b\overline{b} $ final state is carried out with the ATLAS experiment using 126 fb –1 of proton- proton collision data delivered at $ \sqrt{s} $ = 13 by the Large Hadron Collider. This search is sensitive to VBF production of additional heavy bosons that may decay into Higgs boson pairs, and in a non-resonant topology it can constrain the quartic coupling between the Higgs bosons and vector bosons. No significant excess relative to the Standard Model expectation is observed, and limits on the production cross-section are set at the 95% confidence level for a heavy scalar resonance in the context of an extended Higgs sector, and for non-resonant Higgs boson pair production. Interpretation in terms of the coupling between a Higgs boson pair and two vector bosons is also provided: coupling values normalised to the Standard Model expectation of κ 2V < –0.76 and κ 2V > 2.90 are excluded at the 95% confidence level in data.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Lattice QCD Inputs for nuclear double beta decay

Second order β -decay processes with and without neutrinos in the final state are key probes of nuclear physics and of the nature of neutrinos. Neutrinoful double- β decay is the rarest Standard Model process that has been observed and provides a unique test of the understanding of weak nuclear interactions. Observation of neutrinoless double- β decay would reveal that neutrinos are Majorana fermions and that lepton number conservation is violated in nature. While significant progress has been made in phenomenological approaches to understanding these processes, establishing a connection between these processes and the physics of the Standard Model and beyond is a critical task as it will provide input into the design and interpretation of future experiments. The strong-interaction contributions to double- β decay processes are non-perturbative and can only be addressed systematically through a combination of lattice Quantum Chromoodynamics (LQCD) and nuclear many-body calculations. In this review, current efforts to establish the LQCD connection are discussed for both neutrinoful and neutrinoless double- β decay. LQCD calculations of the hadronic contributions to the neutrinoful process $nn &rarr; ppe^-e^-\bar{v}_e\bar{v}_e$ and to various neutrinoless pionic transitions are reviewed, and the connections of these calculations to the phenomenology of double- β decay through the use of effective field theory (EFTs) is highlighted. At present, LQCD calculations are limited to small nuclear systems, and to pionic subsystems, and require matching to appropriate EFTs to have direct phenomenological impact. However, these calculations have already revealed qualitatively that there are terms in the EFTs that can only be constrained from double- β decay processes themselves or using inputs from LQCD. Finally, future prospects for direct calculations in larger nuclei are also discussed.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Mesogenesis through the ephemeral dark decay of Beauty

Mesogenesis provides a path for generating the baryon asymmetry of the Universe, using only the CP violation furnished by the Standard Model in the decay of B mesons. While this is an intriguing possibility, it is largely constrained by the data on B meson branching fractions into baryons and missing energy carried into the dark sector. We point out that it is possible to make this branching fraction dominant only in the early Universe, through an ultralight scalar coupled to the dark sector and the Standard Model leptons. A scenario is examined where the thermal density of muons in the early Universe temporarily lowers the mass of a dark fermion, allowing for efficient B meson decays. This `dark’ decay channel is shut off later when the muon number density falls, making the scenario compatible with flavor data. Our model can be consistent with the LHC constraints on color-charged heavy bosons required to implement Mesogenesis; such states may be discovered in the future runs as their masses cannot be far above the current bounds. We also outline other possible signals, which can arise in future displaced vertex searches, long range force searches, and observations of neutron star binary mergers.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Search for lepton-flavor-violating tau-lepton decays to ℓγ at Belle

Charged lepton flavor violation is forbidden in the Standard Model but possible in several new physics scenarios. In many of these models, the radiative decays τ ± → ℓ ± γ (ℓ = e, μ) are predicted to have a sizeable probability, making them particularly interesting channels to search at various experiments. An updated search via τ ± → ℓ ± γ using full data of the Belle experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 988 fb –1 , is reported for charged lepton flavor violation. No significant excess over background predictions from the Standard Model is observed, and the upper limits on the branching fractions, B(τ ± → μ ± γ) ≤ 4.2 × 10 –8 and B(τ ± → e ± γ) ≤ 5.6 × 10 –8 , are set at 90% confidence level.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2022

Constraints on Higgs boson properties using $WW^*(→eνμν)jj$ production in 36.1fb -1 of $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV pp collisions with the ATLAS detector

This article presents the results of two studies of Higgs boson properties using the WW * (→eνμν)jj final state, based on a dataset corresponding to 36.1fb -1 of $\sqrt{s}$ =13 TeV proton–proton collisions recorded by the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider. The first study targets Higgs boson production via gluon–gluon fusion and constrains the CP properties of the effective Higgs–gluon interaction. Using angular distributions and the overall rate, a value of tan(α)=0.0±0.4(stat.)±0.3(syst.) is obtained for the tangent of the mixing angle for CP-even and CP-odd contributions. The second study exploits the vector-boson fusion production mechanism to probe the Higgs boson couplings to longitudinally and transversely polarised W and Z bosons in both the production and the decay of the Higgs boson; these couplings have not been directly constrained previously. The polarisation-dependent coupling-strength scale factors are defined as the ratios of the measured polarisation-dependent coupling strengths to those predicted by the Standard Model, and are determined using rate and kinematic information to be a L =0.91$^{+0.10}_{-0.18}$(stat.)$^{+0.09}_{-0.17}$(syst.) and a T =1.2±0.4(stat.)$^{+0.2}_{-0.3}$(syst.). These coupling strengths are translated into pseudo-observables, resulting in κ VV =0.91$^{+0.10}_{-0.18}$(stat.)$^{+0.09}_{-0.17}$(syst.) and ϵ VV =0.13$^{+0.28}_{-0.20}$ (stat.)$^{+0.08}_{-0.10}$(syst.). All results are consistent with the Standard Model predictions.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Commissioning of the Mu2e tracker DAQ, planning for the Vertical Slice Test and pre-pattern recognition studies

The primary objective of the Mu2e experiment at Fermilab is to search for the neutrino-less coherent $\mu \rightarrow e$ conversion in the field of an aluminum nucleus ($\mu^- \text{Al} \rightarrow e^- \text{Al}$). The signature of this process is a monochromatic Conversion Electron (CE) with an energy of approximately 104.97 MeV \cite{bartoszek2015mu2e}. Within the Standard Model (SM), the branching ratio for this process, including neutrino masses and oscillation, is expected to be less than $\mathcal{O}(10^{-50})$. This value is far beyond current experimental capabilities. However, models of physics beyond the SM predict much higher relative rates, approaching an observable level. The SINDRUM II experiment set an upper limit on muon conversion at $7 \times 10^{-13}$ (90\% CL) on Au target \cite{SINDRUMII:2006dvw}, and the Mu2e collaboration aims to improve this limit by four orders of magnitude. Observing this process would provide a clear evidence of physics beyond the Standard Model. A brief discussion of the theoretical and experimental aspects is provided in Chapter \ref{intr}. Mu2e adopts a sophisticated experimental setup to achieve its goals, further described in Chapter \ref{mu2echapter}. The central part of the Mu2e detector is the tracker, that consists of 18 tracking stations. The tracker must provide excellent momentum resolution, approximately 1 MeV/c, to distinguish the monochromatic CE signal from the background. To minimize the energy losses, a straw tube tracker will be used \cite{bobbb}. Chapter \ref{chaptertrk} provides an overview of the straw tracker design and its working principles. This Thesis presents a comprehensive study of the Mu2e tracker, covering complementary aspects from initial commissioning to optimization and first steps of the calibration processes. My work at Fermilab has been focused on the complete Data Acquisition (DAQ) testing from both hardware and software perspectives. I was involved in the commissioning of the Mu2e DAQ system and the Vertical Slice Test (VST) of the tracker. The VST encompasses the entire testing chain, from the straws to the readout, and to processed data on disk. I was also focused on the offline analysis, especially on pre-pattern recognition studies, to explore the best methods for identifying $\delta$-electrons during the data taking. Chapter \ref{commissioning} details the commissioning of the tracker DAQ system, emphasizing the importance of understanding of the readout process before the data acquisition. This includes validating the readout logic and firmware through Monte Carlo simulations to confirm functionality and buffering, monitoring the quality of the data from the tracker preamplifiers and front-end electronics, and assessing overall DAQ performance to ensure reliability during future calibration and data-taking. Chapter \ref{planning} discusses the initial steps towards the tracker calibration. The ultimate goal is to perform a time calibration of the first assembled station of the tracker using cosmic muons, aiming for a longitudinal hit position resolution better than 4 cm. This involves determining the signal propagation times and channel-to-channel delays. I performed a Monte Carlo study to determine the impact of the station orientation on the quality of the calibration, in particular on the cosmic track reconstruction, focusing on potential biases that could arise. These studies provide essential insights into the operation, optimization, and calibration of the Mu2e tracker system. Given the high data volume expected during Mu2e operations, estimated at approximately 7 PBytes per year, optimizing memory usage and minimizing CPU consumption are critical. A significant challenge lies in effectively flagging $\delta$-electron hits, which are the primary source of hits in the tracker, without compromising the efficiency of CE hit detection and track reconstruction. A detailed study of pre-pattern recognition and a thorough comparison of two $\delta$-electron flagging algorithms is provided in Chapter \ref{delta}. In Chapter \ref{conclusions}, the findings are concisely summarized, offering a comprehensive synthesis of the research and emphasizing the key insights derived from this study.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Measurements of Higgs boson production via gluon–gluon fusion and vector-boson fusion using $H\rightarrow WW^*\rightarrow \ell \nu \ell \nu$ decays in pp collisions with the ATLAS detector and their effective field theory interpretations

Higgs boson production cross-sections via gluon–gluon fusion and vector-boson fusion in proton–proton collisions are measured in the $H\rightarrow WW^*\rightarrow \ell \nu \ell \nu$ decay channel. The Large Hadron Collider delivered proton–proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV between 2015 and 2018, which were recorded by the ATLAS detector, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $140\,\text {fb}^{-1}.$ The total cross-sections for Higgs boson production by gluon–gluon fusion and vector-boson fusion times the $H\rightarrow WW^*$ branching ratio are measured to be $12.4^{+1.3}_{-1.2}\,\text {pb}$ and $0.79^{+0.18}_{-0.16}\,\text {pb},$ respectively, in agreement with the Standard Model predictions. Higgs boson production is further characterised through measurements of Simplified Template Cross-Sections in a total of fifteen kinematic fiducial regions. A new scheme of kinematic fiducial regions has been introduced to enhance the sensitivity to CP-violating effects in Higgs boson interactions. Both schemes are used to constrain CP-even and CP-odd dimension-six operators in the Standard Model effective field theory.

Aad, G. [CPPM, Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS/IN2P↗
DOE OSTI2025

ComStock Measure Scenario Documentation: Laboratory-Informed Modeling of Standard Performance Heat Pump Rooftop Units

This measure scenario replaces gas and electric resistance RTUs in the U.S. commercial building stock with standard efficiency commercial off the shelf heat pump rooftop units. This study uses performance data informed by NREL laboratory testing of a standard efficiency 7.5-ton heat pump RTU. This is the key distinction between this measure scenario and a similar ComStock measure scenario - Standard Performance Heat Pump Rooftop Units - that uses published manufacturer data tables to inform performance. These two scenarios are compared in this report.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2020

Combination of the W boson polarization measurements in top quark decays using ATLAS and CMS data at $\sqrt{s} =$ 8 TeV

The combination of measurements of the W boson polarization in top quark decays performed by the ATLAS and CMS collaborations is presented. The measurements are based on proton-proton collision data produced at the LHC at a centre-of-mass energy of 8 TeV, and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of about 20 fb$^{−1}$ for each experiment. The measurements used events containing one lepton and having different jet multiplicities in the final state. The results are quoted as fractions of W bosons with longitudinal (F$_{0}$), left-handed (F$_{L}$), or right-handed (F$_{R}$) polarizations. The resulting combined measurements of the polarization fractions are F$_{0}$ = 0.693 ± 0.014 and F$_{L}$ = 0.315 ± 0.011. The fraction F$_{R}$ is calculated from the unitarity constraint to be F$_{R}$ = −0.008 ± 0.007. These results are in agreement with the standard model predictions at next-to-next-to-leading order in perturbative quantum chromodynamics and represent an improvement in precision of 25 (29)% for F$_{0}$ (F$_{L}$) with respect to the most precise single measurement. A limit on anomalous right-handed vector (V$_{R}$), and left- and right-handed tensor (g$_{L}$, g$_{R}$) tWb couplings is set while fixing all others to their standard model values. The allowed regions are [−0.11, 0.16] for V$_{R}$, [−0.08, 0.05] for g$_{L}$, and [−0.04, 0.02] for g$_{R}$, at 95% confidence level. Limits on the corresponding Wilson coefficients are also derived.[graphic not available: see fulltext]

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Higgs boson production cross-section measurements and their EFT interpretation in the $4\ell $ decay channel at $\sqrt{s}=$13 TeV with the ATLAS detector

Higgs boson properties are studied in the four-lepton decay channel (where lepton = e, μ) using 139 fb -1 of proton–proton collision data recorded at $\sqrt{s}=$13 TeV by the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider. The inclusive cross-section times branching ratio for H→ZZ* decay is measured to be 1.34±0.12 pb for a Higgs boson with absolute rapidity below 2.5, in good agreement with the Standard Model prediction of 1.33±0.08 pb. Cross-sections times branching ratio are measured for the main Higgs boson production modes in several exclusive phase-space regions. The measurements are interpreted in terms of coupling modifiers and of the tensor structure of Higgs boson interactions using an effective field theory approach. Exclusion limits are set on the CP-even and CP-odd ‘beyond the Standard Model’ couplings of the Higgs boson to vector bosons, gluons and top quarks.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2025

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↗
DOE OSTI2020

Search for top squarks in events with a Higgs or Z boson using 139 fb -1 of pp collision data at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV with the ATLAS detector

This paper presents a search for direct top squark pair production in events with missing transverse momentum plus either a pair of jets consistent with Standard Model Higgs boson decay into b-quarks or a same-flavour opposite-sign dilepton pair with an invariant mass consistent with a Z boson. The analysis is performed using the proton–proton collision data at √s=13 TeV collected with the ATLAS detector during the LHC Run-2, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 139 fb -1 . No excess is observed in the data above the Standard Model predictions. The results are interpreted in simplified models featuring direct production of pairs of either the lighter top squark ($\tilde{t}_1$) or the heavier top squark ($\tilde{t}_2$), excluding at 95% confidence level $\tilde{t}_1$ and $\tilde{t}_2$ masses up to about 1220 and 875 GeV, respectively.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2024

Fundamental Neutron Physics: Theory and Analysis

The goal of the proposed research is the study of the possible manifestations of new physics beyond the Standard model in fundamental neutron physics, with emphasis on fundamental symmetries and "exotic'' interactions. The main part of the research will be focused on theoretical support of the search for Time Reversal Invariance Violation (TRIV) in neutron nuclei scattering. The existence of our universe, and the prevalence of matter over antimatter, requires TRIV (the impossibility of going from the past to the future). However, the source of TRIV in the Standard model is not strong enough to explain why our universe exists. Thus, the observation of large TRIV effects will be a clear signal of new physics. The proposed research topics include calculations of Parity Violating (PV) and TRIV effects in neutron nuclei scattering on different targets, and the study of the possible manifestations of new physics in neutron-decays, neutron-antineutron oscillations, and in interactions of ultra-cold neutrons with nuclei. This research will provide theoretical support to the ongoing experimental programs related to the search for TRIV in neutron scattering at Los Alamos National Laboratory and J-PARC (Japan), and will contribute in the efforts in searching for new physics in fundamental neutron physics experiments at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and at other national and international neutron research centers.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Search for a heavy pseudoscalar Higgs boson decaying into a 125 GeV Higgs boson and a Z boson in final states with two tau and two light leptons at $\sqrt{s}=$ 13 TeV

A search is performed for a pseudoscalar Higgs boson, A, decaying into a 125 GeV Higgs boson h and a Z boson. The h boson is specifically targeted in its decay into a pair of tau leptons, while the Z boson decays into a pair of electrons or muons. A data sample of proton-proton collisions collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC at $ \sqrt{s} $ = 13 TeV is used, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb$^{−1}$. No excess above the standard model background expectations is observed in data. A model-independent upper limit is set on the product of the gluon fusion production cross section for the A boson and the branching fraction to Zh → ℓℓττ. The observed upper limit at 95% confidence level ranges from 27 to 5 fb for A boson masses from 220 to 400 GeV, respectively. The results are used to constrain the extended Higgs sector parameters for two benchmark scenarios of the minimal supersymmetric standard model.[graphic not available: see fulltext]

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Test of lepton universality in beauty-quark decays

The standard model of particle physics currently provides our best description of fundamental particles and their interactions. The theory predicts that the different charged leptons, the electron, muon and tau, have identical electroweak interaction strengths. Previous measurements have shown that a wide range of particle decays are consistent with this principle of lepton universality. This article presents evidence for the breaking of lepton universality in beauty-quark decays, with a significance of 3.1 standard deviations, based on proton–proton collision data collected with the LHCb detector at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider. The measurements are of processes in which a beauty meson transforms into a strange meson with the emission of either an electron and a positron, or a muon and an antimuon. If confirmed by future measurements, this violation of lepton universality would imply physics beyond the standard model, such as a new fundamental interaction between quarks and leptons.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Search for same-charge top-quark pair production in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV with the ATLAS detector

A search for the production of top-quark pairs with the same electric charge ($tt$ or $\overline{tt}$) is presented. The analysis uses proton-proton collision data at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV, recorded by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 140 fb −1 . Events with two same-charge leptons and at least two b-tagged jets are selected. Neural networks are employed to define two selections sensitive to additional couplings beyond the Standard Model that would enhance the production rate of same-sign top-quark pairs. No significant signal is observed, leading to an upper limit on the total production cross-section of same-sign top-quark pairs of 1.6 fb at 95% confidence level. Corresponding limits on the three Wilson coefficients associated with the $\mathcal{O}^{(1)}_{tu}$, $\mathcal{O}^{(1)}_{Qu}$, and $\mathcal{O}^{(8)}_{Qu}$ operators in the Standard Model Effective Field Theory framework are derived.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Missing in axion: Where are XENON1T’s big black holes?

We pioneer the black hole mass gap as a powerful new tool for constraining new particles. A new particle that couples to the Standard Model – such as an axion – acts as an additional source of loss in the cores of population-III stars, suppressing mass lost due to winds and quenching the pair-instability. This results in heavier astrophysical black holes. As an example, using stellar simulations we show that the solar axion explanation of the recent XENON1T excess implies astrophysical black holes of ~56M ⊙ , squarely within the black hole mass gap predicted by the Standard Model.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗