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At least 1,387 records · Page 77

Search for electroweak production of supersymmetric particles in final states with two τ -leptons in $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV pp collisions with the ATLAS detector

Three searches for the direct production of τ-sleptons or charginos and neutralinos in final states with at least two hadronically decaying τ-leptons are presented. For chargino and neutralino production, decays via intermediate τ-sleptons or W and h bosons are considered. The analysis uses a dataset of pp collisions corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 139 fb -1 , recorded with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. No significant deviation from the expected Standard Model background is observed and supersymmetric particle mass limits at 95% confidence level are obtained in simplified models. For direct production of $\sim\atop{\chi}$ $^+_1$ $\sim\atop{\chi}$ $^-_1$, chargino masses are excluded up to 970 GeV, while $\sim\atop{\chi}$ $^±_1$ and $\sim\atop{\chi}$ $^0_2$ masses up to 1160 GeV (330 GeV) are excluded for $\sim\atop{\chi}$ $^±_1$ $\sim\atop{\chi}$ $^0_2$ / $\sim\atop{\chi}$ $^+_1$ $\sim\atop{\chi}$ $^-_1$ production with subsequent decays via τ-sleptons (W and h bosons). Masses of τ-sleptons up to 500 GeV are excluded for mass degenerate $\sim\atop{\tau}$ L,R scenarios and up to 425 GeV for $\sim\atop{\tau}$ L-only scenarios. Sensitivity to $\sim\atop{\tau}$ R -only scenarios from the ATLAS experiment is presented here for the first time, with $\sim\atop{\tau}$ R masses excluded up to 350 GeV.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

First Constraints on the Photon Coupling of Axionlike Particles from Multimessenger Studies of the Neutron Star Merger GW170817

We use multimessenger observations of the neutron star merger event GW170817 to derive new constraints on axionlike particles (ALPs) coupling to photons. ALPs are produced via Primakoff and photon coalescence processes in the merger, escape the remnant, and decay back into two photons, giving rise to a photon signal approximately along the line of sight to the merger. We analyze the spectral and temporal information of the ALP-induced photon signal and use the Fermi Large Area Telescope (Fermi-LAT) observations of GW170817 to derive our new ALP constraints. We also show the improved prospects with future MeV 𝛾-ray missions, taking the spectral and temporal coverage of Fermi-LAT as an example.

Physics↗

Improving Fission Products at CARIBU: Near Field Detection (Q2/FY24 Quarterly Progress Report)

We continue to make progress in the analysis of 111 Ag decay data to determine gamma-ray intensities with the aim of improving these intensities to below 1% precision. The correctness of detection efficiencies is integral to obtaining accurate and precise results. While Geant4 provides us with efficiencies for detection of a coincidence event of a beta-particle with a 96, 245, or 342 gamma-ray, as outlined in Figure 1, it is important that we validate these results with the efficiencies obtained from the experimental decay data.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Novel method for the identification of the production flavor of neutral charmed mesons

We propose a new algorithm for the identification of the production flavor of neutral D mesons in the Belle II experiment. The algorithm exploits the correlation between the flavor of a reconstructed neutral D meson (signal D meson) and the electric charges of particles reconstructed in the rest of the e + e – →$c\bar{c}$ event. These include those originating from the decay of the other charm hadron produced in the event, as well as those possibly produced in association with the signal D meson. We develop the algorithm using simulation and calibrate it in data using decay modes that identify the flavor of the decaying neutral D meson. We use a data sample of e + e – collisions, corresponding to 362 fb –1 of integrated luminosity, collected by Belle II at center-of-mass energies near the Υ(4S) mass. The effective tagging efficiency in data is (47.91±0.07 (stat) ±0.51 (syst)) %, independent of the neutral-D-meson decay mode. This charm flavor tagger will approximately double the effective sample size of many CP-violation and charm-mixing measurements that so far have exclusively relied on neutral D mesons originating from D* ± decays. While developed for Belle II, the basic principles underlying the charm flavor tagger can be used in other experiments, including those at hadron colliders.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Constraints on the Decay of 180⁢𝑚 Ta

180m Ta is a rare nuclear isomer whose decay has never been observed. Its remarkably long lifetime surpasses the half-lives of all other known β and electron capture decays due to the large K-spin differences and small energy differences between the isomeric and lower energy states. Detecting its decay presents a significant experimental challenge but could shed light on neutrino-induced nucleosynthesis mechanisms, the nature of dark matter and K-spin violation. For this study, we repurposed the Majorana Demonstrator, an experimental search for the neutrinoless double-beta decay of 76 Ge using an array of high-purity germanium detectors, to search for the decay of 180m Ta. More than 17 kilograms, the largest amount of tantalum metal ever used for such a search was installed within the ultra-low background Majorana Demonstrator detector array. In this paper we present results from the first year of Ta data taking and provide an updated limit for the 180m Ta half-life on the different decay channels. With new limits up to 1.5 × 10 19 years, we improved existing limits by one to two orders of magnitude. Furthermore, this result is the most sensitive search for a single β and electron capture decay ever achieved.

150 ≤ A ≤ 189↗

The study of C-13(a, n)O-16 reactions in the Majorana Demonstrator calibration data

Neutron captures and delayed decays of reaction products are common sources of backgrounds in ultra-rare event searches. In this work, we studied 13C(a, n)1640 O reactions induced by a-particles emitted within the calibration sources of the Majorana Demonstrator. These sources are thorium-based calibration standards enclosed in carbon-rich materials. The reaction rate was estimated by using the 6129 keV ?-rays emitted from the excited 1643 O states that are populated when the incoming a-particles have enough energy. Thanks to the excellent energy performance of the Demonstrator’s germanium detectors, these characteristic photons can be clearly observed in the calibration data. Facilitated by Geant4 simulations, a comparison between the observed 6129 keV photon rates and predictions by a TALYS-based software was performed. The measurements and predictions were found to be consistent with each other, albeit with large statistical uncertainties. This agreement provides supports for further background predictions for (a, n)-reactions in future double-beta decay search efforts.

6 ≤ A ≤ 19↗

Long-distance decay-less spin transport in indirect excitons in a van der Waals heterostructure

AbstractIn addition to its fundamental interest, the long-distance spin transport is essential for spintronic devices. However, the spin relaxation caused by scattering of the particles carrying the spin limits spin transport. We explored spatially indirect excitons (IXs) in van der Waals heterostructures composed of atomically thin layers of transition-metal dichalcogenides as spin carries. We observed the long-distance spin transport: the spin polarized excitons travel over the entire sample, ~10 micron away from the excitation spot, with no spin density decay. This transport is characterized by the 1/e decay distances reaching ~100 micron. The 1/e decay distances are extracted from fits over the ~10 micron sample size. The emergence of long-distance spin transport is observed at the densities and temperatures where the IX transport decay distances and, in turn, scattering times are strongly enhanced. The suppression of IX scattering suppresses the spin relaxation and enables the long-distance spin transport.

Science & Technology - Other Topics↗

Moduli stabilisation and the statistics of axion physics in the landscape

String theory realisations of the QCD axion are often said to belong to the anthropic window where the decay constant is around the GUT scale and the initial misalignment angle has to be tuned close to zero. In this paper we revisit this statement by studying the statistics of axion physics in the string landscape. We take moduli stabilisation properly into account since the stabilisation of the saxions is crucial to determine the physical properties of the corresponding axionic partners. We focus on the model-independent case of closed string axions in type IIB flux compactifications and find that their decay constants and mass spectrum feature a logarithmic, instead of a power-law, distribution. In the regime where the effective field theory is under control, most of these closed string axions are ultra-light axion-like particles, while axions associated to blow-up modes can naturally play the role of the QCD axion. Hence, the number of type IIB flux vacua with a closed string QCD axion with an intermediate scale decay constant and a natural value of the misalignment angle is only logarithmically suppressed. In a recent paper we found that this correlates also with a logarithmic distribution of the supersymmetry breaking scale, providing the intriguing indication that most, if not all, of the phenomenologically interesting quantities in the string landscape might feature a logarithmic distribution.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Microphysically modified magnetosonic modes in collisionless, high-β plasmas

With the support of hybrid-kinetic simulations and analytic theory, we describe the nonlinear behaviour of long-wavelength non-propagating (NP) modes and fast magnetosonic waves in high-β collisionless plasmas, with particular attention to their excitation of and reaction to kinetic micro-instabilities. The perpendicularly pressure balanced polarization of NP modes produces an excess of perpendicular pressure over parallel pressure in regions where the plasma β is increased. For mode amplitudes |δB/B 0 |≳0.3, this excess excites the mirror instability. Particle scattering off these micro-scale mirrors frustrates the nonlinear saturation of transit-time damping, ensuring that large-amplitude NP modes continue their decay to small amplitudes. At asymptotically large wavelengths, we predict that the mirror-induced scattering will be large enough to interrupt transit-time damping entirely, isotropizing the pressure perturbations and morphing the collisionless NP mode into the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) entropy mode. In fast waves, a fluctuating pressure anisotropy drives both mirror and firehose instabilities when the wave amplitude satisfies |δB/B 0 |≳2β -1 . The induced particle scattering leads to delayed shock formation and MHD-like wave dynamics. Taken alongside prior work on self-interrupting Alfvén waves and self-sustaining ion-acoustic waves, our results establish a foundation for new theories of electromagnetic turbulence in low-collisionality, high-β plasmas such as the intracluster medium, radiatively inefficient accretion flows and the near-Earth solar wind.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Collision Tracking in OpenMC: Methods and Applications in Neutron Noise, Neutron Imaging, Time-of-Flight, and Multiplicity Counting

We present the development and application of a collision tracking feature within the OpenMC Monte Carlo particle transport code, designed for diverse applications such as neutron spectroscopy, scatter camera system, neutron noise, and multiplicity counting simulations. This feature enables the tracking of individual particle collisions, with potential applications in nuclear nonproliferation, reactor physics, and nuclear security. Additionally, the feature holds potential for the calibration of neutron detectors, specifically in converting light output into energy deposited within the detectors. The implementation consists of a set of filters—such as reaction type, energy, cell, and material—that constrain the set of collisions that are tracked, extensions to the Python API to enable simple input specification, and support for writing either OpenMC’s native HDF5-based format or the Monte Carlo particle list format. This feature was added to the official OpenMC release in version 0.15.3. In this work, the feature will be applied to showcase scenarios such as time-of-flight simulations, scatter-camera imaging for neutron source localization, neutron-noise analysis to extract integral kinetic parameters such as the prompt decay constant α, and multiplicity counting to estimate the mass of special nuclear materials. Ultimately, this feature aims to expand the application scope of open-source Monte Carlo particle transport codes such as OpenMC.

Monte Carlo code↗

Measurement of the top-quark pole mass in dileptonic $t\overline{t}$ + 1-jet events at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV with the ATLAS experiment

A measurement of the top-quark pole mass $m$$^{pole}_{t}$ is presented in $t\bar{t}$ events with an additional jet, $t\bar{t}$+ 1-jet, produced in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 13 TeV. The data sample, recorded with the ATLAS experiment during Run 2 of the LHC, corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 140 fb −1 . Events with one electron and one muon of opposite electric charge in the final state are selected to measure the $t\bar{t}$ + 1-jet differential cross-section as a function of the inverse of the invariant mass of the $t\bar{t}$ + 1-jet system. Iterative Bayesian Unfolding is used to correct the data to enable comparison with fixed-order calculations at next-to-leading-order accuracy in the strong coupling. The process pp → $t\bar{t}$j(2 → 3), where top quarks are taken as stable particles, and the process pp → $b\bar{b}$l + vl – $\overline{ν}$j (2 → 7), which includes top-quark decays to the dilepton final state and off-shell effects, are considered. The top-quark mass is extracted using a χ 2 fit of the unfolded normalized differential cross-section distribution. The results obtained with the 2 → 3 and 2 → 7 calculations are compatible within theoretical uncertainties, providing an important consistency check.

Hadron-Hadron Scattering↗

Dark Matter searches with photons at the LHC

We unveil blind spot regions in dark matter (DM) direct detection (DMDD), for weakly interacting massive particles with a mass around a few hundred GeV that may reveal interesting photon signals at the LHC. We explore a scenario where the DM primarily originates from the singlet sector within the Z 3 -symmetric Next-to-Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (NMSSM). A novel DMDD spin-independent blind spot condition is revealed for singlino-dominated DM, in cases where the mass parameters of the higgsino and the singlino-dominated lightest supersymmetric particle (LSP) exhibit opposite relative signs (i.e., κ < 0), emphasizing the role of nearby bino and higgsino-like states in tempering the singlino-dominated LSP. Additionally, proximate bino and/or higgsino states can act as co-annihilation partner(s) for singlino-dominated DM, ensuring agreement with the observed relic abundance of DM. Remarkably, in scenarios involving singlino-higgsino co-annihilation, higgsino-like neutralinos can distinctly favor radiative decay modes into the singlino-dominated LSP and a photon, as opposed to decays into leptons/hadrons. In exploring this region of parameter space within the singlino-higgsino compressed scenario, we study the signal associated with at least one relatively soft photon alongside a lepton, accompanied by substantial missing transverse energy (E T ) and a hard initial state radiation jet at the LHC. In the context of singlino-bino co-annihilation, the bino state, as the next-to-LSP, exhibits significant radiative decay into a soft photon and the LSP, enabling the possible exploration at the LHC through the triggering of this soft photon alongside large E T and relatively hard leptons/jets resulting from the decay of heavier higgsino-like states.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

New results from the CUORE experiment

We report that the Cryogenic Underground Observatory for Rare Events (CUORE) is the first bolometric experiment searching for neutrino-less double-beta (0vββ) decay that has been able to reach the one-ton scale. The detector, located at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso in Italy, consists of an array of 988 TeO 2 crystals arranged in a compact cylindrical structure of 19 towers. Following the completion of the detector construction in August 2016, CUORE began its first physics data run in 2017 at a base temperature of about 10 mK. Following multiple optimization campaigns in 2018, CUORE is currently in stable operating mode. In 2019, CUORE released its second result of the search for 0vββ corresponding to a TeO 2 exposure of 372.5 kg∙yr and a median exclusion sensitivity to a 130 Te 0vββ decay half-life of 1.7 ∙ 10 25 yr. We find no evidence for 0vββ decay and set a 90% C.I. Bayesian lower limit of 3.2 ∙ 10 25 yr on the 130 Te 0vββ decay half-life. We present the current status of CUORE’s search for 0vββ. We give an update of the CUORE background model and the measurement of the 130 Te two neutrino double-beta (2vββ) decay half-life. Eventually, we show the preliminary results on half-life limits from the analysis of 130 Te 0vββ and 2vββ decay to the first 0 + excited state of 130 Xe.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Hybrid analysis of radiative corrections to neutron decay with current algebra and effective field theory

We introduce a useful framework for high-precision studies of the neutron beta decay by merging the current algebra description and the fixed-order effective field theory calculation of the electroweak radiative corrections to the neutron axial form factor. We discuss the advantages of this hybrid method and show that it only requires a minimal amount of lattice QCD inputs to achieve a 10 –4 theory accuracy for the Standard Model prediction of the neutron lifetime and the axial-to-vector coupling ratio λ, both important to the search for physics beyond the Standard Model.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

A Study of the Free Oscillations of the Earth

Published observations on the toroidal oscillations of the earth are critically reviewed. A supplementary analysis of the record obtained by the Lamont strain seismometer is presented. Eleven toroidal modes are identified, and it is concluded that the periods are known to within 1 per cent. A perturbation scheme involving the ratio of the angular velocity of the earth to the resonant frequency is used in calculating the effects due to the rotation of the earth on the resonant frequency. The free oscillations are viewed as a superposition of traveling waves. In a nonrotating system two traveling waves combine to produce a stationary standing wave. In a rotating system, the rotation distinguishes between waves that travel in the direction of rotation and those that travel in the opposite direction. Rotation removes a degeneracy and results in a splitting of a spectral peak of order l into 2 times l plus 1 peaks. The fractional displacement in frequency for the lowest-order toroidal oscillations is 1/206 and of the same order as the Q of the peak, so that splitting will probably not be observed in the toroidal oscillations. Viewed locally, rotation causes a particle to precess about a direction parallel to the axis of rotation. This precession will cause a variation of amplitude with time if the motion is recorded by an instrument with an anisotropic response function. Care is therefore needed in studying the time decay of a given spectral peak. Rotation also couples the normal coordinates so that a motion that is initially purely horizontal will develop a vertical component. It is expected that vertical seismometers should record particle motion with the toroidal frequencies. The perturbations of the toroidal oscillations due to core-mantle interaction are treated in detail. An exact expression is obtained for the rate of energy dissipated by a finitely conducting plate oscillating across a magnetic field. The energy dissipated at the core-mantle boundary due to viscous and hydromagnetic coupling is shown to be insignificant as compared with the energy dissipated within the mantle. The toroidal magnetic field leaking into the lower mantle combines with the dipole field, resulting in a stress on the mantle, tending to stiffen the lower boundary. The stress is of sufficient magnitude to produce a displacement toward higher frequency in the lower-order toroidal oscillations. Observations on the (sub 0) T (sub 2) oscillations lead to an estimate of the toroidal magnetic field in the lower mantle. A calculation of elastic energy in the low-order oscillations suggests a value of 10 (sup 18) ergs per cycles per hour for the energy density at low frequencies in the Chilean earthquake. Each mode of oscillation has a characteristic radial distribution of elastic energy associated with it. This distribution determines which parts of the earth contribute most heavily in determining a particular resonant frequency. The distribution of energy for the lower 17 modes for a homogeneous and a Gutenberg model earth is calculated. The resonant frequencies for models of the earth based on the Gutenberg and Lehmann distribution of elastic properties are presented. It is shown that the Gutenberg model earth fits the observations more closely than the Lehmann model and that a slight alteration of the Gutenberg model gives a significantly better fit to the observations. The alteration involves a lower shear-wave velocity in the lower mantle while the Gutenberg velocity distribution is maintained in the upper mantle. Various studies of the earth's oscillations coupled with surface-wave investigations substantiate Gutenberg's hypothesis of a layer of low velocity in the upper mantle. The physical conditions required for the formation of a region of low velocity are examined in detail. The results confirm Birch's earlier statement that a temperature gradient in excess of 6 degrees to 7 degrees per kilometer is needed to produce a decrease in velocity. The low-velocity layer does not require that the temperature approach or exceed the melting temperature. If tile upper mantle is homogeneous, the region of lower velocity should commence at the base of the crust and extend to 150 kilometers under the oceans and about 100 kilometers under continental regions. The distribution of thermal conductivity and radioactivity consistent with the low-velocity layer is also considered.

MacDonald, Gordon J. F.↗

Silicon Anodes with Improved Calendar Life Enabled By Multivalent Additives

Silicon is widely recognized as the most promising upgrade for graphite anodes due to its much higher capacity, natural abundance, and ability to be directly applied in the slurry-based, roll-to-roll production lines. However, in addition to the fast capacity decay, silicon anodes also suffer from inferior calendar life in practical applications due to the unstable solid-electrode interface (SEI). Until now, strategies to effectively improve the calendar life by tailored SEIs remain largely unclear, especially in high-Si content, zero-graphite anodes. Here, silicon anodes with superior calendar life are developed by adding small concentrations of multivalent salts into the baseline electrolyte. The Ca additive reacts with the F ions in the electrolyte, forming a layer of nanocrystalline CaF 2 that is closely coated around the silicon particles. The CaF 2 -enabled new SEI is strong and dense, which effectively protects the silicon core from side reactions, leading to lower capacity decay after calendar aging at high voltage. More importantly, the Ca additive is effective universally for all available commercial silicon or SiO sources. This study provides a feasible and low-cost solution for developing silicon anodes with long calendar life, paving the way towards commercially viable silicon anodes.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Measurements of top-quark pair single- and double-differential cross-sections in the all-hadronic channel in pp collisions at $ \sqrt{\mathrm{s}} $ = 13 TeV using the ATLAS detector

Differential cross-sections are measured for top-quark pair production in the all-hadronic decay mode, using proton-proton collision events collected by the ATLAS experiment in which all six decay jets are separately resolved. Absolute and normalised single- and double-differential cross-sections are measured at particle and parton level as a function of various kinematic variables. Emphasis is placed on well-measured observables in fully reconstructed final states, as well as on the study of correlations between the top-quark pair system and additional jet radiation identified in the event. The study is performed using data from proton-proton collisions at s = 13 TeV collected by the ATLAS detector at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider in 2015 and 2016, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 36.1 fb - 1 . The rapidities of the individual top quarks and of the top-quark pair are well modelled by several independent event generators. Significant mismodelling is observed in the transverse momenta of the leading three jet emissions, while the leading top-quark transverse momentum and top-quark pair transverse momentum are both found to be incompatible with several theoretical predictions.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Observation of flow vector fluctuations in p–Pb collisions at \(\sqrt{{s}_{NN}}=5.02\) TeV

Measurements of transverse momentum (pT) and pseudorapidity (η) dependent flow vector fluctuations in p–Pb collisions at $$\sqrt{{s}_{NN}}=5.02$$ TeV at the CERN Large Hadron Collider are presented. By studying long-range two-particle correlations with a template fit method, potential biases from non-flow effects such as jets and resonance decays are effectively suppressed. Significant pT- and η-dependent fluctuations of the second-harmonic flow vector are observed with more than 5σ confidence in p–Pb collisions, similar to the observations in Pb–Pb collisions. The influence of residual non-flow effects has been evaluated and cannot account for the observed fluctuations, thereby confirming the observation of flow vector fluctuations in small collision systems at the LHC. Comparisons to model calculations from 3DGlauber+MUSIC+UrQMD and the parton transport model from AMPT are also presented. The measurements provide constraints on the theoretical modelling of the three-dimensional initial geometry and its event-by-event fluctuations, offering critical insights into the origin of collective flow in small collision systems at the LHC.

Abdallah, D A H↗