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At least 613 records · Page 34

Extragalactic gamma radiation: Use of galaxy counts as a galactic tracer

A derivation of the extragalactic diffuse gamma radiation with energies above 35 MeV was carried out using galaxy counts as a tracer of galactic matter. The extragalactic radiation has a differential photon number spectrum which may be expressed as a power law with index 2.35 (+0.4, -0.3) and an intensity above 35 MeV of (5.5 + or - 1.3) 0.00001 photons sq cm/s/ster, consistent with previous derivations. Use of a 1/sin of the absolute value of b expression of the galactic component produces a poorer fit, suggesting that the high-latitude galactic gamma-ray production may be dominated by cosmic ray interactions with matter rather than by Compton interactions of cosmic rays with photon fields.

Thompson, D. J.↗

Measurements of Higgs boson production cross sections and couplings in the diphoton decay channel at $ \sqrt{\mathrm{s}} $ = 13 TeV

Measurements of Higgs boson production cross sections and couplings in events where the Higgs boson decays into a pair of photons are reported. Events are selected from a sample of proton-proton collisions at s√ = 13 TeV collected by the CMS detector at the LHC from 2016 to 2018, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 137 fb -1 . Analysis categories enriched in Higgs boson events produced via gluon fusion, vector boson fusion, vector boson associated production, and production associated with top quarks are constructed. The total Higgs boson signal strength, relative to the standard model (SM) prediction, is measured to be 1.12±0.09. Other properties of the Higgs boson are measured, including SM signal strength modifiers, production cross sections, and its couplings to other particles. These include the most precise measurements of gluon fusion and vector boson fusion Higgs boson production in several different kinematic regions, the first measurement of Higgs boson production in association with a top quark pair in five regions of the Higgs boson transverse momentum, and an upper limit on the rate of Higgs boson production in association with a single top quark. All results are found to be in agreement with the SM expectations.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Impedance matched superconducting nanowire photodetector for single- and multi-photon detection

Conventional readout of a superconducting nanowire single-photon detector (SNSPD) sets an upper bound on the output voltage to be the product of the bias current and the load impedance, IB×Zload, where Zload is limited to 50Ω in standard RF electronics. This limit is broken/exceeded by interfacing the 50Ω load and the SNSPD using an integrated superconducting transmission line taper. The taper is a transformer that effectively loads the SNSPD with high impedance without latching. The taper increases the amplitude of the detector output while preserving the fast rising edge. Using a taper with a starting width of 500 nm, a 3.6× higher pulse amplitude, 3.7× faster slew rate, and 25.1 ps smaller timing jitter was observed. The taper also makes the detector's output voltage sensitive to the number of photon-induced hotspots and enables photon number resolution.

Zhu, Di↗

Characterization of carrier behavior in photonically excited 6H silicon carbide exhibiting fast, high voltage, bulk transconductance properties

Abstract Unabated, worldwide trends in CO 2 production project growth to > 43-BMT per year over the next two decades. Efficient power electronics are crucial to fully realizing the CO 2 mitigating benefits of a worldwide smart grid (~ 18% reduction for the United States alone). Even state-of-the-art SiC high voltage junction devices are inefficient because of slow transition times (~ 0.5-μs) and limited switching rates at high voltage (~ 20-kHz at ≥ 15-kV) resulting from the intrinsically limited charge carrier drift speed (< 2 × 10 7 -cm-s −1 ). Slow transition times and limited switch rates waste energy through transition loss and hysteresis loss in external magnetic components. Bulk conduction devices, where carriers are generated and controlled nearly simultaneously throughout the device volume, minimize this loss. Such devices are possible using below bandgap excitation of semi-insulating (SI) SiC single crystals. We explored carrier dynamics with a 75-fs single wavelength pump/supercontinuum probe and a modified transient spectroscopy technique and also demonstrated a new class of efficient, high-speed, high-gain, bi-directional, optically-controlled transistor-like power device. At a performance level six times that of existing devices, for the first time we demonstrated prototype operation at multi-10s of kW and 20-kV, 125-kHz in a bulk conduction transistor-like device using direct photon-carrier excitation with below bandgap light.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Physics of Nonmagnetic Relativistic Thermal Plasmas

A detailed treatment of the kinematics of relativistic systems of particles and photons is presented. In the case of a relativistic Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution of particles, the reaction rate and luminosity are written as single integrals over the invariant cross section, and the production spectrum is written as a double integral over the cross section differential in the energy of the produced particles (or photons) in the center-of-momentum system of two colliding particles. The results are applied to the calculation of the annihilation spectrum of a thermal electron-positron plasma, confirming previous numerical and analytic results. Relativistic thermal electron-ion and electron-electron bremsstrahlung are calculated exactly to lowest order, and relativistic thermal electron-positron bremsstrahlung is calculated in an approximate fashion. An approximate treatment of relativistic Comptonization is developed. The question of thermalization of a relativistic plasma is considered. A formula for the energy loss or exchange rate from the interaction of two relativistic Maxwell-Boltzmann plasmas at different temperatures is derived. Application to a stable, uniform, nonmagnetic relativistic thermal plasma is made. Comparison is made with other studies.

Dermer, C. D.↗

Enhanced production of active species and NH 3 using non-equilibrium ferroelectric barrier discharge

Non-equilibrium plasma-assisted ammonia synthesis is investigated through enhanced active species production with ferroelectric discharge. Time-resolved in-situ diagnostics of femtosecond two-photon absorption laser-induced fluorescence, coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering, and laser absorption spectroscopy, as well as optical emission spectroscopy, were conducted to probe the key intermediate species, such as H and N radicals as well as N 2 (ν), ions, and NH 3 to achieve better understanding of non-equilibrium energy transfer and ammonia formation. The results reveal that ferroelectric discharge improved ammonia yield by four times. Results also show that ferroelectrics not only enhanced ions (N 2 + ) production, radicals (N, H) number density, but also increased the N 2 vibrational temperature. Further plasma modeling identified the couplings between elevated radical and ion production and enhanced vibrational excitation reactions, e.g., N + H 2 (ν)→NH + H, N 2 (ν)+H → NNH, N 2 + + H 2 → H + N 2 H + , and N 2 H + +e→NH + N, facilitated by ferroelectric discharge. These findings provide critical insight into the mechanism of ferroelectric plasma catalysis and highlight their potential in advancing energy-efficient chemical synthesis.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Evolution of DUNE’s Production System

The DUNE experiment will start running in 2029 and record 30 PB/year of raw waveforms from Liquid Argon TPCs and photon detectors. The size of individual readouts can range from 100 MB to a typical 8 GB full readout of the detector, and even 100 TB for extended readouts from supernova candidates. These data then need to be cataloged, stored and distributed for processing worldwide. This massive amount of data and a heterogeneous computing environment necessitates a powerful and robust distributed computing infrastructure. In the process of building up that infrastructure, DUNE’s production system has recently undergone an overhaul, in which it has integrated 1) a new workflow management system (justIN) 2) a new data catalog (MetaCat) and 3) a state-of-the-art data management system (Rucio). Simulations of DUNE’s Far Detector and its prototypes ProtoDUNE Horizontal Drift (ProtoDUNE-HD) and ProtoDUNE Vertical Drift (ProtoDUNE-VD), as well as data from ProtoDUNE-HD serve as the first tests of this infrastructure.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Multifrequency emission from hot ion disks

The discovery of a large number of gamma-emitting active galactic nuclei (AGNs) by the EGRET instrument on the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (CGRO) has spawned a lot of theoretical interest in the high-energy and multifrequency emission from these objects. Since most of them show evidence for relativistic outflow, jet models have received most of the attention so far. However, the presence of soft photons at the center of the active nucleus and the resulting Compton drag make it difficult to produce the observed amount of MeV/GeV emission. We explore hot, two-temperature accretion disks around Kerr black holes as an alternative to relativistic beam models for the production of the high-enerty emission. The decay of neutral pions created in the hot region produces photons with energies up to several hundred MeV. Relativistic pairs created as a result of charged pion decays produce additional inverse-Compton radiation in the range of approx. 1 keV-4 MeV if the pairs are exposed to UV radiation, or in the range of approx. 40 keV-150 MeV if the pairs are exposed to soft X-rays. This suggests that high-energy flares in AGNs may be triggered by changes in the disk structure (such as phase transitions or the development of electron scattering coronae) that temporarily shield the hot inner region from UV photons emitted at larger radii, thereby reducing the optical depth for MeV/GeV gamma-rays. Stochastic processes may also play a role in accelerating the utrarelativistic electrons responsible for producing the highest energy (GeV) emission.

Maisack, Michael↗

Observation of W W γ Production and Search for H γ Production in Proton-Proton Collisions at s = 13 TeV

The observation of W W γ production in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV with an integrated luminosity of 138 fb − 1 is presented. The observed (expected) significance is 5.6 (5.1) standard deviations. Events are selected by requiring exactly two leptons (one electron and one muon) of opposite charge, moderate missing transverse momentum, and a photon. The measured fiducial cross section for W W γ is 5.9 ± 0.8 ( stat ) ± 0.8 ( syst ) ± 0.7 ( modeling ) fb , in agreement with the next-to-leading order quantum chromodynamics prediction. The analysis is extended with a search for the associated production of the Higgs boson and a photon, which is generated by a coupling of the Higgs boson to light quarks. The result is used to constrain the Higgs boson couplings to light quarks. © 2024 CERN, for the CMS Collaboration 2024 CERN

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Hunting extreme BL Lacertae blazars with Fermi-Large Area Telescope

ABSTRACT The emission of very-high-energy (VHE) photons ($E\ \gt\ 100\ \mathrm{GeV}$) in blazars is closely connected to the production of ultra-relativistic particles and the role of these γ-ray sources as cosmic particle accelerators. This work focuses on a selection of 22 γ-ray objects from the 2BIGB catalogue of high-synchrotron-peaked sources, which are classified as blazar candidates of uncertain type in the 4FGL-DR2 catalogue. We study these sources by means of a re-analysis of the first 10 yr of γ-ray data taken with the Fermi-Large Area Telescope, including the attenuation by the extragalactic background light. Their broad-band spectral energy distributions are also evaluated, using multiwavelength archival data in the radio, optical, and X-ray bands, in terms of one-zone synchrotron-self-Compton models, adding an external Compton component when needed. Out of this analysis, we identify 17 new extreme high-synchrotron-peaked (EHSP) candidates and compare their physical parameters with those of prototypical EHSP blazars. Finally, the resulting models are used to assess their detectability by the present and future generation of ground-based Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes. We find two VHE candidates within the reach of the current and next generation of Cherenkov telescopes: J0847.0−2336 and J1714.0−2029.

Nievas Rosillo, M. (ORCID:0000000283219168)↗

Light Meson Spectroscopy with GlueX and Beyond

The GlueX experiment at Jefferson Lab was specifically designed for precision studies of the light-meson spectrum. For this purpose, a photon beam with energies up to 12 GeV is directed onto a liquid hydrogen target contained within a hermetic detector with near-complete neutral and charged particle coverage. Linear polarization of the photon beam with a maximum around 9 GeV provides additional information about the production process. In 2018, the experiment completed its first phase, recording data with a total integrated luminosity above 400 pb?1. We highlight a selection of results from this world-leading data set with emphasis on the search for light hybrid mesons. In the mean time, the detector underwent significant upgrades and is currently recording data with an even higher luminosity. The future plans of the GlueX experiment to explore the meson spectrum with unprecedented precision are summarized.

Austregesilo, Alexander↗

Modeling the Progenitor Stars of Observed Type IIP Supernovae

Abstract Type IIP supernovae (SNe IIP) are thought to originate from the explosion of massive stars >10M ⊙ . Their luminosity is primarily powered by the explosion energy and the radioactive decay energy of 56 Co, with the photosphere location regulated by hydrogen recombination. However, the physical connections between SNe IIP and their progenitor stars remain unclear. This paper presents a comprehensive study of SNe IIP and their progenitor stars by using the one-dimensional stellar evolution code,MESA. Our model grids consider the effects of stellar metallicity, mass, and rotation in the evolution of massive stars, as well as the explosion energy and 56 Ni production in modeling supernovae. To elucidate the observed SNe IIP and their origins, we compare their light curves (LCs) with our models. Furthermore, we investigate the impact of stellar parameters on LCs by considering stellar mass, metallicity, rotation, explosion energy, and 56 Ni production. We find that more massive stars exhibit longer plateaus due to increased photon diffusion time caused by massive ejecta. Higher metallicity leads to increased opacity and mass loss of progenitor stars. Rapid rotation affects internal stellar structures, enhancing convective mixing and mass loss, potentially affecting the plateau’s brightness and duration. Higher explosion energy results in brighter but shorter plateaus due to faster-moving ejecta. 56 Ni mass affects late-time luminosity and plateau duration, with larger masses leading to slower declines.

Astronomy & Astrophysics↗

Atomic carbon emission from photodissociation of CO2

Atomic carbon fluorescence, C I 1561, 1657, and 1931 A, has been observed from photodissociation of CO2, and the production cross sections have been measured. A line emission source provided the primary photons at wavelengths from threshold to 420 A. The present results suggest that the excited carbon atoms are produced by total dissociation of CO2 into three atoms. The cross sections for producing the O I 1304-A fluorescence through photodissociation of CO2 are found to be less than 0.01 Mb in the wavelength region from 420 to 835 A. The present data have implications with respect to photochemical processes in the atmospheres of Mars and Venus.

Wu, C. Y. R.↗

O/1S/ yield from O3 photodissociation at 1700-2400 A

The paper discusses the O(1S) yield from O3 photodissociation measured in the 1700-2400 A region using synchrotron radiation as a light source. An upper limit for the yield set at 0.1% for the entire photon energy range indicates that the contribution of O(1S) to atmospheric OH production is not significant. The spin restriction for going into the O(1S) + O2/X3Sigma(-)(g)/ channel appears to be the determining factor in the low yield. There are three spin-allowed channels to produce excited O2 molecules with thresholds between 2300 and 2650 A; it is recommended to investigate these dissociative pathways.

Lee, L. C.↗

A Scintillation Counter System Design To Detect Antiproton Annihilation using the High Performance Antiproton Trap(HiPAT)

The High Performance Antiproton Trap (HiPAT), a system designed to hold up to l0(exp 12) charge particles with a storage half-life of approximately 18 days, is a tool to support basic antimatter research. NASA's interest stems from the energy density represented by the annihilation of matter with antimatter, 10(exp 2)MJ/g. The HiPAT is configured with a Penning-Malmberg style electromagnetic confinement region with field strengths up to 4 Tesla, and 20kV. To date a series of normal matter experiments, using positive and negative ions, have been performed evaluating the designs performance prior to operations with antiprotons. The primary methods of detecting and monitoring stored normal matter ions and antiprotons within the trap includes a destructive extraction technique that makes use of a micro channel plate (MCP) device and a non-destractive radio frequency scheme tuned to key particle frequencies. However, an independent means of detecting stored antiprotons is possible by making use of the actual annihilation products as a unique indicator. The immediate yield of the annihilation event includes photons and pie mesons, emanating spherically from the point of annihilation. To "count" these events, a hardware system of scintillators, discriminators, coincident meters and multi channel scalars (MCS) have been configured to surround much of the HiPAT. Signal coincidence with voting logic is an essential part of this system, necessary to weed out the single cosmic ray events from the multi-particle annihilation shower. This system can be operated in a variety of modes accommodating various conditions. The first is a low-speed sampling interval that monitors the background loss or "evaporation" rate of antiprotons held in the trap during long storage periods; provides an independent method of validating particle lifetimes. The second is a high-speed sample rate accumulating information on a microseconds time-scale; useful when trapped antiparticles are extracted against a target, providing an indication of quantity. This paper details the layout of this system, setup of the hardware components around HiPAT, and applicable checkouts using normal matter radioactive sources.

Martin, James J.↗

Photonuclear production of 225 Ac from 226 Ra targets

Herein we report proof of principal production of 225 Ac via 226 Ra(γ , n) 225 Ra $\overset{^-β}{\rightarrow}$ 225 Ac and subsequent chemical separation via extraction chromatography using BDGA and Ln resins. Irradiation of 0.35 µg 226 Ra with 39 MeV bremsstrahlung end-point energy photons produced 225 Ra and 224 Ra at a rate of 754 and 2215 kBq/g 226 Ra/mA/h, respectively. The production rate of 225 Ac determined at its peak radioactivity was 335 kBq/g 226 Ra/mA/h. Radiochemically pure 225 Ac was isolated with a minimum separation factor of 125,000 for 225 Ac: 226 Ra. In conclusion, these results are promising and lay the foundation for future studies to scale-up production for preclinical quantities of high purity 225 Ac using the 226 Ra(γ , n) 225 Ra $\overset{^-β}{\rightarrow}$ 225 Ac approach.

38 - RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCL↗

Lattice QCD Calculation of the Subtraction Function in Forward Compton Amplitude

The subtraction function plays a pivotal role in calculations involving the forward Compton amplitude, which is crucial for predicting the Lamb shift in muonic atoms, as well as the proton-neutron mass difference. In this Letter, we present a lattice QCD calculation of the subtraction function using two domain wall fermion gauge ensembles near the physical pion mass. We utilize a recently proposed subtraction point, demonstrating its advantage in mitigating statistical and systematic uncertainties by eliminating the need for ground-state subtraction. Our results reveal significant contributions from N⁢π intermediate states to the subtraction function. Incorporating these contributions, we compute the proton, neutron, and nucleon isovector subtraction functions at photon momentum transfer Q 2 ϵ[0,2] GeV 2 . For the proton subtraction function, we compare our lattice results with chiral perturbation theory prediction at low Q 2 and with the results from the perturbative operator-product expansion at high Q 2 . Finally, using these subtraction functions as input, we determine their contribution to two-photon exchange effects in the Lamb shift and isovector nucleon electromagnetic self-energy.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Assessing Net Growth of Phytoplankton Biomass on Hourly to Annual Timescales Using the Geostationary Ocean Color Instrument

Questions of whether diurnal changes in carbon fixation affect the global carbon budget cannot be answered using the present generation of polar orbiting ocean color sensors that can only retrieve one image daily. Here, we present novel satellite-derived indices of chlorophyll-based production based on the Geostationary Ocean Color Imager (GOCI), whose hourly imaging capability offer the potential for direct estimates of net phytoplankton growth over hourly to seasonal time scales. Our results reveal large variations in net chlorophyll growth in the GOCI study region, both over the day and between seasons. Hourly changes in chlorophyll concentration are highest during spring while growth rates show maxima during the winter. We show seasonal relationships between growth and photon flux. Our study suggests that Geostationary Ocean Color data can be used to constrain phytoplankton productivity on diurnal time scales and be an essential tool to better understand diurnal growth patterns over large spatial regions.

Joseph E. Salisbury↗