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Study of ${\mathrm{B}}_{\mathrm{c}}^{+}\to \mathrm{J}/\psi {\mathrm{D}}_{\mathrm{s}}^{+}$ and ${\mathrm{B}}_{\mathrm{c}}^{+}\to \mathrm{J}/\psi {\mathrm{D}}_{\mathrm{s}}^{\ast +}$ decays in pp collisions at $\sqrt{\mathrm{s}}$ = 13 TeV with the ATLAS detector

A study of ${B}_c^{+}\to J/\psi {D}_s^{+}$ and ${B}_c^{+}\to J/\psi {D}_s^{\ast +}$ decays using 139 fb –1 of integrated luminosity collected with the ATLAS detector from $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV pp collisions at the LHC is presented. The ratios of the branching fractions of the two decays to the branching fraction of the ${B}_c^{+}$ → J/ψπ + decay are measured: $\mathcal{B}\left({B}_c^{+}\to J/\psi {D}_s^{+}\right)/\mathcal{B}\left({B}_c^{+}\to J/{\psi \pi}^{+}\right)$ = 2.76 ± 0.47 and $\mathcal{B}\left({B}_c^{+}\to J/\psi {D}_s^{\ast +}\right)/\mathcal{B}\left({B}_c^{+}\to J/{\psi \pi}^{+}\right)$ = 5.33 ± 0.96. The ratio of the branching fractions of the two decays is found to be $\mathcal{B}\left({B}_c^{+}\to J/\psi {D}_s^{\ast +}\right)/\mathcal{B}\left({B}_c^{+}\to J/\psi {D}_s^{\ast +}\right)$ = 1.93 ± 0.26. For the ${B}_c^{+}\to J/\psi {D}_s^{\ast +}$ decay, the transverse polarization fraction, Γ ±± /Γ, is measured to be 0.70 ± 0.11. The reported uncertainties include both the statistical and systematic components added in quadrature. The precision of the measurements exceeds that in all previous studies of these decays. These results supersede those obtained in the earlier ATLAS study of the same decays with $\sqrt{s}$ = 7 and 8 TeV pp collision data. A comparison with available theoretical predictions for the measured quantities is presented.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Relations between b → cτν decay modes in scalar models

As a consequence of the Ward identity for hadronic matrix elements, we find relations between the differential decay rates of semileptonic decay modes with the underlying quark-level transition b → cτν, which are valid in scalar models. The decay-mode dependent scalar form factor is the only necessary theoretical ingredient for the relations. Otherwise, they combine measurable decay rates as a function of the invariant mass-squared of the lepton pair $q^2$ in such a way that a universal decay-mode independent function is found for decays to vector and pseudoscalar mesons, respectively. This can be applied to the decays $B → D^{\ast}τv, B_s → D^\ast_sτv, B_c → J/ψτv$ and $B → Dτv, B_s → D_sτv, B_c → η_cτv$, with implications for $R(D^{(\ast)}), R(D^{(\ast)}_s), R(J/ψ), R(η_c)$, and $\mathcal{B}(B_c → τv)$. The slope and curvature of the characteristic $q^2$-dependence is proportional to scalar new physics parameters, facilitating their straight forward extraction, complementary to global fits.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Search for a new heavy scalar particle decaying into a Higgs boson and a new scalar singlet in final states with one or two light leptons and a pair of τ -leptons with the ATLAS detector

A search for a new heavy scalar particle X decaying into a Standard Model (SM) Higgs boson and a new singlet scalar particle S is presented. The search uses a proton-proton (pp) collision data sample with an integrated luminosity of 140 fb -1 recorded at a centre-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The most sensitive mass parameter space is explored in X mass ranging from 500 to 1500 GeV, with the corresponding S mass in the range 200–500 GeV. The search selects events with two hadronically decaying τ-lepton candidates from H → τ + τ - decays and one or two light leptons (ℓ = e, μ) from S → VV (V = W, Z) decays while the remaining V boson decays hadronically or to neutrinos. A multivariate discriminant based on event kinematics is used to separate the signal from the background. No excess is observed beyond the expected SM background and 95% confidence level upper limits between 72 fb and 542 fb are derived on the cross-section σ(pp → X → SH) assuming the same SM-Higgs boson-like decay branching ratios for the S → VV decay. Upper limits on the visible cross-sections σ(pp → X → SH → WWττ) and σ(pp → X → SH → ZZττ) are also set in the ranges 3–26 fb and 6–33 fb, respectively.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Nuclear Structure and Decay Data for A=71 Isobars

Experimental nuclear spectroscopic data are evaluated for 12 known nuclides of mass number=71 (Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Ge, As, Se, Br, Kr). Detailed compiled and evaluated information is presented for each reaction and decay experiment. The β – n decay of 72 Co to 71 Ni is included in this work, while for β – n decay of 71 Co to 70 Ni, consult Nuclear Data Sheets for A=70 (2016Gu11) or the ENSDF database for 70 Ni. Combining all the available data, recommended values are provided for energies, spins and parities, and half-lives of levels, with energies, branching ratios and multipolarities of γ radiations, and characteristics of β and α radiations in radioactive decays. Excited-states have not yet been identified in 71 Mn, 71 Fe, and 71 Kr, with the ground-state half-life remaining unknown only for 71 Mn; data for excited states in 71 Co and 71 Ni are very limited; 71 Ga, 71 Ge and 71 As are the most extensively studied nuclides via various reactions and decays, followed by 71 Cu, 71 Zn, 71 Se, and 71 Br, however, except for 71 Ge, the decay schemes of all other nuclides are considered as incomplete due to a large gap between the decay Q-value and the highest observed level. Lastly, this work supersedes earlier evaluations of A=71 by 2011Ab01.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Decay spectroscopy at the two-proton drip line: Radioactivity of the new nuclides 160 Os and 156 W

The radioactivity of $^{160}_{76}$Os 84 and $^{156}_{74}$W 82 that lie at the two-proton drip line has been measured in an experiment performed at the Accelerator Laboratory of the University of Jyväskylä. The 160 Os nuclei were produced using fusion-evaporation reactions induced by a beam of 310 MeV 58 Ni ions bombarding a 106 Cd target. The 160 Os ions were separated in flight using the recoil separator MARA and implanted into a double-sided silicon strip detector, which was used to measure their decays. The α decays of the ground state of 160 Os (Ε α = 7092(15) keV, t 1/2 = 97$^{+97}_{-32}$ μs) and its isomeric state (Ε α = 8890(10) keV, t 1/2 = 41$^{+15}_{-9}$ μs) were measured, allowing the excitation energy of the isomer to be determined as 1844(18) keV. These α-decay properties and the excitation energy of the isomer are compared with systematics. The α decays were correlated with subsequent decays to investigate the β decays of the ground state of 156 W, revealing that unlike its isotones, both low-lying isomers were populated in its daughter nuclide, 156 Ta. An improved value for the half-life of the proton-decaying high-spin isomeric state in $^{156}_{73}$Ta 83 of 333$^{+25}_{-22}$ ms was obtained in a separate experiment using the same experimental systems with a 102 Pd target. This result was employed to improve the precision of the half-life determined for 156 W, which was measured as 157$^{+57}_{-34}$ ms.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

High-temperature 205 Tl decay clarifies 205 Pb dating in early Solar System

Radioactive nuclei with lifetimes on the order of millions of years can reveal the formation history of the Sun and active nucleosynthesis occurring at the time and place of its birth. Among such nuclei whose decay signatures are found in the oldest meteorites, 205 Pb is a powerful example, as it is produced exclusively by slow neutron captures (the s process), with most being synthesized in asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars. However, making accurate abundance predictions for 205 Pb has so far been impossible because the weak decay rates of 205 Pb and 205 Tl are very uncertain at stellar temperatures. To constrain these decay rates, we measured for the first time the bound-state β - decay of fully ionized 205 Tl 81+ , an exotic decay mode that only occurs in highly charged ions. The measured half-life is 4.7 times longer than the previous theoretical estimate and our 10% experimental uncertainty has eliminated the main nuclear-physics limitation. With new, experimentally backed decay rates, we used AGB stellar models to calculate 205 Pb yields. Propagating those yields with basic galactic chemical evolution (GCE) and comparing with the 205 Pb/ 204 Pb ratio from meteorites, we determined the isolation time of solar material inside its parent molecular cloud. We find positive isolation times that are consistent with the other s-process short-lived radioactive nuclei found in the early Solar System. Our results reaffirm the site of the Sun’s birth as a long-lived, giant molecular cloud and support the use of the 205 Pb– 205 Tl decay system as a chronometer in the early Solar System.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Almost medium-free measurement of the Hoyle state direct-decay component with a TPC

The structure of the Hoyle state, a highly α -clustered state at 7.65 MeV in 12 C, has long been the subject of debate. Understanding if the system comprises of three weakly interacting α particles in the 0s orbital, known as an α-condensate state, is possible by studying the decay branches of the Hoyle state. The direct decay of the Hoyle state into three α particles, rather than through the 8 Be ground state, can be identified by studying the energy partition of the three α particles arising from the decay. This paper provides details on the breakup mechanism of the Hoyle stating using a new experimental technique. Method: By using β-delayed charged-particle spectroscopy of 12 N using the Texas active target time-projection chamber, a high-sensitivity measurement of the direct 3α decay ratio can be performed without contributions from pileup events. A Bayesian approach to understanding the contribution of the direct components via a likelihood function shows that the direct component is <0.043% at the 95% confidence level. This value is in agreement with several other studies, and, here, we can demonstrate that a small nonsequential component with a decay fraction of about 10 –4 is most likely. Here, the measurement of the non-sequential component of the Hoyle state decay is performed in an almost medium-free reaction for the first time. The derived upper limit is in agreement with previous studies and demonstrates sensitivity to the absolute branching ratio. Further experimental studies would need to be combined with robust microscopic theoretical understanding of the decay dynamics to provide additional insight into the idea of the Hoyle state as an α condensate.

6 ≤ A ≤ 19↗

β decay of neutron-rich 76 Cu and the structure of 76 Zn

In this work, the β decay of 76 Cu to the levels of 76 Zn was studied at the Holifield Radioactive Ion Beam Facility (HRIBF) at Oak Ridge National Lab (ORNL). A purified 76 Cu beam was developed and data were recorded for the decay of the A=76 decay chain using four high-purity germanium (HPGe) clover detectors at the Low-energy Radioactive Ion Beam Spectroscopy Station (LeRIBSS). In this measurement, data on γ-ray emission following β decay, including βγ and γγ coincidences, were collected and γγ spectra were analyzed to identify the statistically significant coincidences. From this analysis, we propose a level scheme for 76 Zn which contains a total of 59 energy levels up to 6.0 MeV containing 105 γ rays. We have identified an additional 53 γ rays associated with this decay which could not be place in the decay scheme due to insufficient coincidence information or no energy match to identified levels. No γ rays from states in 75 Zn fed in the delayed-neutron branch were observed even though other γ rays in the A=75 decay chain were observed. Spin and parity assignments are proposed for some levels based on comparison to systematics and shell model calculations.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Search for D 0 meson decays to π + π − e + e − and K + K − e + e − final states

A search for D 0 meson decays to the π + π − e + e − and K + K − e + e − final states is reported using a sample of proton-proton collisions collected by the LHCb experiment at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 6 fb − 1 . The decay D 0 → π + π − e + e − is observed for the first time when requiring that the two electrons are consistent with coming from the decay of a ϕ or ρ 0 / ω meson. The corresponding branching fractions are measured relative to the D 0 → K − π − [ e + e − ] ρ 0 / ω decay, where the two electrons are consistent with coming from the decay of a ρ 0 or ω meson. No evidence is found for the D 0 → K + K − e + e − decay and world-best limits are set on its branching fraction. The results are compared to, and found to be consistent with, the branching fractions of the D 0 → π + π − μ + μ − and D 0 → K + K − μ + μ − decays recently measured by LHCb and confirm lepton universality at the current precision. © 2025 CERN, for the LHCb Collaboration 2025 CERN

Aaij, R. (ORCID:0000000305331952)↗

Search for Double Beta Decays of Xe134 with EXO-200 Phase II

EXO-200 was a leading double beta decay experiment consisting of a single-phase, enriched liquid xenon time projection chamber filled with an admixture of 80.672% ^{136}Xe and 19.098% ^{134}Xe. The detector operated at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant between 2010 and 2018 and was designed to search for double beta decay of ^{136}Xe. Data were acquired in two phases separated by a period of detector upgrades. We report on the search for 0νββ and 2νββ decay of ^{134}Xe with Phase II EXO-200 data, with median 90% CL exclusion sensitivity to half-life T_{1/2}^{0ν}≥3.7×10^{23} yr and T_{1/2}^{2ν}≥2.6×10^{21} yr, respectively. No statistically significant signal is observed for either decay mode. We set a world-leading lower limit on the half-life of the neutrinoless decay mode of ^{134}Xe of T_{1/2}^{0ν}≥8.7×10^{23} (90% CL) and the second strongest constraint on the two-neutrino decay of T_{1/2}^{2ν}≥2.9×10^{21} (90% CL), a threefold improvement over the EXO-200 Phase I measurement. New constraints are also set for the 2νββ and 0νββ decays of ^{134}Xe to the lowest excited state of ^{134}Ba.

Al Kharusi, S↗

Search for $D^{*}(2007)^{0} \rightarrow \mu ^{+} \mu ^{-}$ in $B^{-}\rightarrow \pi ^{-} \mu ^{+} \mu ^{-}$ decays

The very rare D* (2007) 0 → μ + μ – decay is searched for by analysing B – → μ + μ – decays. The analysis uses a sample of beauty mesons produced in proton–proton collisions collected with the LHCb detector between 2011 and 2018, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9 fb –1 . The signal signature corresponds to simultaneous peaks in the μ + μ – and π – μ + μ – invariant masses. No evidence for an excess of events over background is observed and an upper limit is set on the branching fraction of the decay at B (D* (2007) 0 → μ + μ – ) < 2.6 x 10 –8 at 90% confidence level. This is the first limit on the branching fraction of D* (2007) 0 → μ + μ – decays and the most stringent limit on D* (2007) 0 decays to leptonic final states. The analysis is the first search for a rare charm-meson decay exploiting production via beauty decays.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Assessment of the beta-delayed proton decay rate of 11 Be

The 11 Be neutron halo nucleus appears to decay into 10 Be with a rate that exceeds expectations. Neutron disappearance into dark matter, beta decay of a halo neutron, or beta-delayed proton decay have been offered as explanations. In this work we study the latter option; we carry out shell model calculations and sequential decay analysis examining the beta-delayed proton decay going through a resonance in 11 B. Finally, the narrow energy window, lack of states with sufficient spectroscopic strength, overwhelming alpha decay branch, all make reconciling the observed rate with beta-delayed proton decay difficult.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Dark Matter Search in Pu-241 Beta Decays

Our universe is predominantly composed of mysterious unknowns: Dark Matter (DM) and Dark Energy. DM constitutes approximately 27% of the universe, yet its nature and origins remain elusive. Among the various candidates for dark matter, this project focuses on the search for keV-scale sterile neutrinos. A sterile neutrino is a hypothetical particle that belongs to the neutrino family and may possess a higher mass than ordinary neutrinos. They are considered a compelling warm dark matter candidate if their mass is on the order of kilo-electronvolts. Existence of sterile neutrinos can be investigated via high precision beta spectroscopy. Sterile neutrinos can be produced during nuclear beta decay processes, similar to ordinary active neutrinos, but they uniquely alter the beta decay spectrum. The emission of sterile neutrinos will introduce a distinctive "kink" structure in the middle of the beta spectrum. This project investigated the existence of sterile neutrino dark matter by employing high-precision decay energy spectroscopy of Pu-241 beta decays using magnetic microcalorimeters (MMCs). The Pu-241 source material is embedded within the microcalorimeter detectors, enabling the measurement of full beta decay energies with ultra-high energy resolution. In this project, the most precise Pu-241 spectrum to date was obtained by collecting a total of 1 billion beta decay events in the MMC detectors. This extensive data set allows us to investigate evidence of keV sterile neutrino emission in beta decays with unprecedented sensitivity.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Ring current proton decay by charge exchange

Explorer 45 measurements during the recovery phase of a moderate magnetic storm have confirmed that the charge exchange decay mechanism can account for the decay of the storm-time proton ring current. Data from the moderate magnetic storm of 24 February 1972 was selected for study since a symmetrical ring current had developed and effects due to asymmetric ring current losses could be eliminated. It was found that after the initial rapid decay of the proton flux, the equatorially mirroring protons in the energy range 5 to 30 keV decayed throughout the L-value range of 3.5 to 5.0 at the charge exchange decay rate calculated by Liemohn. After several days of decay, the proton fluxes reached a lower limit where an apparent equilibrium was maintained, between weak particle source mechanisms and the loss mechanisms, until fresh protons were injected into the ring current region during substorms. While other proton loss mechanisms may also be operating, the results indicate that charge exchange can entirely account for the storm-time proton ring current decay, and that this mechanism must be considered in all studies involving the loss of proton ring current particles.

Smith, P. H.↗

Role of Collective Effects in Dominance of Scattering Off Thermal Ions Over Langmuir Wave Decay: Analysis, Simulations, and Space Applications

Langmuir waves driven to high levels by beam instabilities are subject to nonlinear processes, including the closely related processes of scattering off thermal ions (STI) and a decay process in which the ion response is organized into a product ion acoustic wave. Calculations of the nonlinear growth rates predict that the decay process should always dominate STI, creating two paradoxes. The first is that three independent computer simulation studies show STI proceeding, with no evidence for the decay at all. The second is that observations in space of type 3 solar radio bursts and Earth's foreshock, which the simulations were intended to model, show evidence for the decay proceeding but no evidence for STI. Resolutions to these paradoxes follow from the realization that a nonlinear process cannot proceed when its growth rate exceeds the minimum frequency of the participating waves, since the required collective response cannot be maintained and the waves cannot respond appropriately, and that a significant number of e-foldings and wave periods must be contained in the time available. It is shown that application of these 'collective' and 'time scale' constraints to the simulations explains why the decay does not proceed in them, as well as why STI proceeds in specific simulations. This appears to be the first demonstration that collective constraints are important in understanding nonlinear phenomena. Furthermore, applying these constraints to space observations, it is predicted that the decay should proceed (and dominate STI) in type 3 sources and the high beam speed regions of Earth's foreshock for a specific range of wave levels, with a possible role for STI alone at slightly higher wave levels. Deeper in the foreshock, for slower beams and weaker wave levels, the decay and STI are predicted to become ineffective. Suggestions are given for future testing of the collective constraint and an explanation for why waves in space are usually much weaker than in the simulations.

Cairns, Iver H.↗

Decay of Solar Active Regions

We examine the record of sunspot group areas observed over a period of 100 years to determine the rate of decay of solar active regions. We exclude observations of groups when they are more than 60deg in longitude from the central meridian and only include data when at least three days of observations are available following the date of maximum area for a spot group's disk passage. This leaves data for some 24,000 observations of active region decay. We find that the decay rate is a constant 20 microHem/day for spots smaller than about 200 microHem (about the size of a supergranule). This decay rate increases linearly to about 90 microHem/day for spots with areas of 1000 microHem. We find no evidence for significant variations in active region decay from one solar cycle to another. However, we do find that the decay rate is slower at lower latitudes. This gives a slower decay rate during the declining phase of sunspot cycles.

Hathaway, David H.↗

Composite Stress Rupture: A New Reliability Model Based on Strength Decay

A model is proposed to estimate reliability for stress rupture of composite overwrap pressure vessels (COPVs) and similar composite structures. This new reliability model is generated by assuming a strength degradation (or decay) over time. The model suggests that most of the strength decay occurs late in life. The strength decay model will be shown to predict a response similar to that predicted by a traditional reliability model for stress rupture based on tests at a single stress level. In addition, the model predicts that even though there is strength decay due to proof loading, a significant overall increase in reliability is gained by eliminating any weak vessels, which would fail early. The model predicts that there should be significant periods of safe life following proof loading, because time is required for the strength to decay from the proof stress level to the subsequent loading level. Suggestions for testing the strength decay reliability model have been made. If the strength decay reliability model predictions are shown through testing to be accurate, COPVs may be designed to carry a higher level of stress than is currently allowed, which will enable the production of lighter structures

Reeder, James R.↗

A Search for Heavy Neutral Leptons Decaying to Electron-Positron Pairs and Neutral Pions in the MicroBooNE Detector

This thesis presents a search for heavy neutral leptons (HNLs) decaying inside the MicroBooNE detector. The MicroBooNE detector is a liquid-argon time projection chamber located at Fermilab that receives flux from two neutrino beams; the booster neutrino beam (BNB) and the neutrinos at the main injector (NuMI) beam. The search uses data taken when the NuMI beam was on, with a total exposure of $7.01\times10^{20}$ protons on target. HNLs would be produced in kaon decays, and the source of HNLs targeted in this search is kaons decaying at rest in the NuMI hadron absorber. The kinematics of the HNLs produced in this way allow their decays to be distinguished from the majority of beam-neutrino interactions and cosmic-ray activity that constitute the background. Two HNL decay channels are studied, $\nu$\ee and \vpi. Boosted decision trees (BDTs) are trained to separate the simulated HNL decays from the expected background events. The BDT score distributions are used to calculate upper limits on the mixing angle \umusq in the mass range $10\le m_{\rm HNL}\le 245$~MeV. This is the first direct search for HNL decays to the \vpi channel, and the limits provide the most stringent constraints on \umusq in the mass range $35<\mhnl<175$~MeV.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗