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At least 163 records · Page 9
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Clarity through the neutrino fog: constraining new forces in dark matter detectors

The PandaX-4T and XENONnT experiments present indications of Coherent Elastic Neutrino Nucleus Scattering (CEνNS) from 8 B solar neutrinos at 2.6σ and 2.7σ, respectively. This constitutes the first observation of the neutrino “floor” or “fog”, an irreducible background that future dark matter searches in terrestrial detectors will have to contend with. Here, we first discuss the contributions from neutrino–electron scattering and from the Migdal effect in the region of interest of these experiments, and we argue that they are non-negligible. Second, we make use of the recent PandaX-4T and XENONnT data to derive novel constraints on light scalar and vector mediators coupling to neutrinos and quarks. We demonstrate that these experiments already provide world-leading laboratory constraints on new light mediators in some regions of parameter space.

neutrino interactions↗
DOE OSTI2026

California Bridge to the EIC: Building a Diverse Workforce for Nuclear Physics Research at the Electron Ion Collider

The California Bridge to the Electron Ion Collider traineeship program established an integrated workforce development effort connecting University of California campuses, California State University Minority Serving Institutions, and DOE national laboratories. The program expanded participation in nuclear physics research among students from underrepresented and socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds while strengthening collaborative activities aligned with the future Electron Ion Collider. During the award period, trainees conducted experimental, theoretical, and computational research, participated in consortium meetings and national laboratory collaborations, and received structured mentoring and professional development. The program achieved strong outcomes in graduate school placement, STEM career transitions, and sustained engagement with DOE Nuclear Physics research.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Glauber-Theory Calculations of High-Energy Nuclear Scattering Observables Using Variational Monte Carlo Wave Functions

Experiments using intermediate- to high-energy radioactive nuclear beams present numerous findings. Extracting important properties of physical observables relies on a firm theoretical analysis. Though Glauber theory is believed to work well, no convincing calculation has so far been done. Here, we perform ab initio Glauber theory calculations of both elastic differential cross sections and total reaction cross sections for p+ 12 C, 12 C+ 12 C, and 6 He+ 12 C systems. The wave functions of both 6 He and 12 C are generated by variational Monte Carlo calculations with spatial and spin-isospin correlations induced by realistic two- and three-nucleon potentials. Glauber’s phase-shift function is computed by Monte Carlo integration up to all orders of nucleon-nucleon multiple scatterings. We show an excellent performance of the Glauber description to the selected data on the above systems. We also find that the cumulant expansion of the phase-shift function converges rapidly up to the second order for the above systems. This finding will open up interesting applications for the analysis of high-energy nuclear experiments.

Horiuchi, W. [Osaka Metropolitan University (Japan↗
DOE OSTI2025

Recent advancements in atomic many-body methods for high-precision studies of isotope shifts

The development of atomic many-body methods, capable of incorporating electron correlation effects accurately, is required for isotope shift (IS) studies. In combination with precise measurements, such calculations help to extract nuclear charge radii differences, and to probe for signatures of physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics. Here, we review here a few recently-developed methods in the relativistic many-body perturbation theory (RMBPT) and relativistic coupled-cluster (RCC) theory frameworks for calculations of IS factors in the highly charged ions (HCIs), and neutral or singly-charged ions, respectively. The results are presented for a wide range of atomic systems in order to demonstrate the interplay between quantum electrodynamics (QED) and electron correlation effects. In view of this, we start our discussions with the RMBPT calculations for a few HCIs by rigorously treating QED effects; then we outline methods to calculate IS factors in the one-valence atomic systems using two formulations of the RCC approach. Then we present calculations for two valence atomic systems, by employing the Fock-space RCC methods. For completeness, we briefly discuss theoretical input required for the upcoming experiments, their possibilities to probe nuclear properties and implications to fundamental physics studies.

QED effects↗
DOE OSTI2025

Probing Gluon Fluctuations in Nuclei with the First Energy-Dependent Measurement of Incoherent 𝐽/𝜓 Photoproduction in Ultraperipheral PbPb Collisions

Incoherent 𝐽/𝜓 photoproduction in heavy ion ultraperipheral collisions (UPCs) provides a sensitive probe of localized, fluctuating gluonic structures within heavy nuclei. This Letter reports the first measurement of the photon-nucleon center-of-mass energy (𝑊 𝛾⁢N ) dependence of this process in PbPb UPCs at a nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass energy of 5.02 TeV, using 1.52 nb −1 of data recorded by the CMS experiment. The measurement covers a wide 𝑊 𝛾⁢N range of ≈40–400 GeV, probing gluons carrying a fraction 𝑥 of nucleon momentum down to an unexplored regime of 6.5 ×10 −5 . Compared to baseline predictions neglecting nuclear effects, the measured cross sections exhibit significantly greater suppression at lower 𝑥. Additionally, the ratio of incoherent to coherent photoproduction is found to be constant across the probed 𝑊 𝛾⁢N and 𝑥 range, disfavoring the establishment of the black disk limit. This Letter provides critical insights into the 𝑥-dependent evolution of fluctuating gluonic structures within nuclei and calls for further advancements in theoretical models incorporating nuclear shadowing and gluon saturation.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Exploring Hadron Structure with GPDs at EIC: New Topics in Theory, Experiment, Interpretation

Exploring hadron structure with generalized parton distributions (GPDs) and related concepts is an essential part of the physics program of the planned Electron-Ion Collider (EIC). Here, we discuss new topics in GPD physics (theory, experiment, interpretation) that have emerged in the last years and could be included in the EIC program. This includes: (a) D-term and QCD forces in the nucleon; (b) Transversity GPDs in pseudoscalar meson production and high-mass pair production; (c) Pion and kaon form factors and GPDs; (d) Transition distribution amplitudes and backward meson production; (e) Neutron GPDs and nuclear modifications; (f) Nuclear GPDs and quark/gluon imaging of nuclei; (g) Twist-3 GPDs and quark-gluon correlations; (h) Wigner functions and potential observables. We also comment on future theoretical developments needed for the GPD program at EIC and emerging connections with other areas of nuclear physics.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Reconstruction of atmospheric neutrinos in DUNE’s horizontal-drift far-detector module

This paper reports on the capabilities in reconstructing and identifying atmospheric neutrino interactions in one of the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment’s (DUNE) far detector modules, a liquid argon time projection chamber (LArTPC) with horizontal drift (FD-HD) of ionization electrons. The reconstruction is based upon the workflow developed for DUNE’s long-baseline oscillation analysis, with some necessary machine-learning models’ retraining and the addition of features relevant only to atmospheric neutrinos such as the neutrino direction reconstruction. Where relevant, the impact of the detection of the charged particles of the hadronic system is emphasized, and comparisons are carried out between the case when lepton-only information is considered in the reconstruction (as is the case for many neutrino oscillation experiments), versus when all particles identified in the LArTPC were included. Three neutrino direction reconstruction methods have been developed and studied for the atmospheric analyses: using lepton-only information, using all reconstructed particles, and using only correlations from reconstructed hits. The results indicate that incorporating more than just lepton information significantly improves the resolution of both neutrino direction and energy reconstruction. The angle reconstruction algorithms developed in this work result in no strong dependence on particle direction for reconstruction efficiencies or neutrino flavor identification. This comprehensive review of the reconstruction of atmospheric neutrinos in DUNE’s FD-HD LArTPC is the first step towards developing a first neutrino oscillation sensitivity analysis, which will ready DUNE for its first measurements.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Measurement of exclusive 𝜋 + -argon interactions using ProtoDUNE-SP

We present the measurement of 𝜋 + -argon inelastic cross sections using the ProtoDUNE single-phase liquid argon time projection chamber in the incident 𝜋 + kinetic energy range of 500–800 MeV in multiple exclusive channels (absorption, charge exchange, and the remaining inelastic interactions). The results of this analysis are important inputs to simulations of liquid argon neutrino experiments such as the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment and the Short Baseline Neutrino program at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. They will be employed to improve the modeling of final state interactions within neutrino event generators used by these experiments, as well as the modeling of 𝜋 + -argon secondary interactions within the liquid argon. This is the first measurement of 𝜋 + -argon absorption at this kinetic energy range as well as the first ever measurement of 𝜋 + -argon charge exchange.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2025

A review of NEST models for liquid xenon and an exhaustive comparison with other approaches

This paper discusses the microphysical simulation of interactions in liquid xenon, the active detector medium in many leading rare-event searches for new physics, and describes experimental observables useful for understanding detector performance. The scintillation and ionization yield distributions for signal and background are presented using the Noble Element Simulation Technique (NEST), a toolkit based on experimental data and simple empirical formulas, which mimic previous microphysics modeling but are guided by data. The NEST models for light and charge production as a function of the particle type, energy, and electric field are reviewed, along with models for energy resolution and final pulse areas. NEST is compared with other models or sets of models and validated against real data, with several specific examples drawn from XENON, ZEPLIN, LUX, LZ, PandaX, and table-top experiments used for calibrations.

WIMPs↗
DOE OSTI2020

Nuclear modification factors for jet fragmentation

Using a recently-developed perturbative-QCD approach for jet evolution in a dense quark-gluon plasma, we study the nuclear modification factor for the jet fragmentation function. The qualitative behaviour that we find is in agreement with the respective experimental observations in Pb+Pb collisions at the LHC: a pronounced nuclear enhancement at both ends of the spectrum. Our Monte Carlo simulations are supplemented with analytic estimates which clarify the physical interpretation of the results. The main source of theoretical uncertainty is the sensitivity of our calculations to a low-momentum cutoff which mimics confinement. To reduce this sensitivity, we propose a new observable, which describes the jet fragmentation into subjets and is infrared-and-collinear safe by construction. We present Monte Carlo predictions for the associated nuclear modification factor together with their physical interpretation.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2022

Modeling Astrophysical Explosions and Nucleosynthesis (Final Technical Report)

The goal of this project was to further our theoretical understanding of the extreme physics and heavy element nucleosynthesis occurring in stellar explosions, in particular supernovae and neutron star mergers. To study these systems, we further developed and applied numerical simulations (radiation hydrodynamical models and nuclear reaction networks) run on high performance computers. The numerical calculations and companion theoretical analysis helped to better define the sites of astrophysical nucleosynthesis, and make predictions of the associated observables (nucleosynthetic yields and electromagnetic signals) that can be used to anticipate and interpret experimental data. This project enhances the scientific value of the nuclear data obtained from current and future experimental facilities (e.g., rare isotope beams) by improving our understanding of the astrophysical context and specific physical conditions under which we expect such reactions to take place in Nature.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Neutrino Theory in the Precision Era

This document summarises discussions on future directions in theoretical neutrino physics, which are the outcome of a neutrino theory workshop held at CERN in February 2025. The starting point is the realisation that neutrino physics offers unique opportunities to address some of the most fundamental questions in physics. This motivates a vigorous experimental programme which the theory community fully supports. \textbf{A strong effort in theoretical neutrino physics is paramount to optimally take advantage of upcoming neutrino experiments and to explore the synergies with other areas of particle, astroparticle, and nuclear physics, as well as cosmology.} Progress on the theory side has the potential to significantly boost the physics reach of experiments, as well as go well beyond their original scope. Strong collaboration between theory and experiment is essential in the precision era. To foster such collaboration, \textbf{we propose to establish a CERN Neutrino Physics Centre.} Taking inspiration from the highly successful LHC Physics Center at Fermilab, the CERN Neutrino Physics Centre would be the European hub of the neutrino community, covering experimental and theoretical activities.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2025

EIC Physics from Lattice QCD: investigations beyond leading twist

This project proposes theoretical studies of Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD), the theory describing the strong nuclear force among the building blocks (quarks and gluons) of the visible matter. These appear only confined within hadrons, that make up more than 99% of the mass of the matter. Understanding QCD will significantly advance many aspects of science, from the sub-nuclear interactions to astrophysics, and a quantitative theoretical description is imperative. However, this is a challenging task because QCD is a highly nonlinear theory. We propose hadron structure calculations within lattice QCD (LQCD), an ideal ab initio approach based on space-time discretization, which allows the study of the properties of fundamental particles numerically. This is done by defining the continuous equations on a discrete four-dimensional lattice, which results in equations with hundreds of billions of degrees of freedom, and must be simulated in powerful computers.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Quantum many-body physics from a gravitational lens

The past two decades have seen the emergence of remarkable interconnections among previously remotely related disciplines, such as condensed matter, nuclear physics, gravity and quantum information, fuelled both by experimental advances and by the new powerful theoretical methods offered by holographic duality. In this Review, we sample some recent developments in holographic duality in connection with quantum many-body dynamics. These include insights into strongly correlated phases without quasiparticles and their transport properties, quantum many-body chaos and the scrambling of quantum information. We also discuss recent progress in understanding the structure of holographic duality itself using quantum information, including a ‘local’ version of the duality, as well as the quantum error-correction interpretation of quantum many-body states with a gravity dual, and how such notions help to demonstrate the unitarity of black hole evaporation.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2024

The effects of pseudorapidity-dependent observables on (3+1)D Bayesian Inference of relativistic heavy-ion collisions

This proceeding highlights the effects of pseudorapidity-dependent charged hadron observables dN ch /dη and v 2 ch (η) in Au+Au collisions at 200 GeV on constraining the initial-state nuclear stopping for the beam remnants and the effective QGP specific shear viscosity in a recent Bayesian inference analysis using an event-by-event (3+1)D hydrodynamics + hadronic transport theoretical framework.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Optical potentials for the rare-isotope beam era

Abstract We review recent progress and motivate the need for further developments in nuclear optical potentials that are widely used in the theoretical analysis of nucleon elastic scattering and reaction cross sections. In regions of the nuclear chart away from stability, which represent a frontier in nuclear science over the coming decade and which will be probed at new rare-isotope beam facilities worldwide, there is a targeted need to quantify and reduce theoretical reaction model uncertainties, especially with respect to nuclear optical potentials. We first describe the primary physics motivations for an improved description of nuclear reactions involving short-lived isotopes, focusing on its benefits for fundamental science discoveries and applications to medicine, energy, and security. We then outline the various methods in use today to build optical potentials starting from phenomenological, microscopic, and ab initio methods, highlighting in particular, the strengths and weaknesses of each approach. We then discuss publicly-available tools and resources facilitating the propagation of recent progresses in the field to practitioners. Finally, we provide a set of open challenges and recommendations for the field to advance the fundamental science goals of nuclear reaction studies in the rare-isotope beam era. This paper is the outcome of the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams Theory Alliance (FRIB-TA) topical program ‘Optical Potentials in Nuclear Physics’ held in March 2022 at FRIB. Its content is non-exhaustive, was chosen by the participants and reflects their efforts related to optical potentials.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2025

Measurement of the inclusive isolated-photon production cross section in pp collisions at $\mathbf {\sqrt{\textit{s}}=13}$ TeV

The production cross section of inclusive isolated photons has been measured by the ALICE experiment at the CERN LHC in pp collisions at centre-of-momentum energy of $\mathbf {\sqrt{\textit{s}}=13}$ TeV collected during the LHC Run 2 data-taking period. The measurement is performed by combining the measurements of the electromagnetic calorimeter EMCal and the central tracking detectors ITS and TPC, covering a pseudorapidity range of and a transverse momentum range of |η γ | < 0.67 and a transverse momentum range 7 < p$^{γ}_{T}$ < 200 GeV/c. The result extends to lower p$^{γ}_{T}$ and x$^{γ}_{T}$ = 2p$^{γ}_{T}$/$\sqrt{s}$ ranges, the lowest x$^{γ}_{T}$ of any isolated photon measurements to date, extending significantly those measured by the ATLAS and CMS experiments towards lower p$^{γ}_{T}$ at the same collision energy with a small overlap between the measurements. The measurement is compared with next-to-leading order perturbative QCD calculations and the results from the ATLAS and CMS experiments as well as with measurements at other collision energies. The measurement and theory prediction are in agreement with each other within the experimental and theoretical uncertainties.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
NASA NTRS1971

Supernova explosions.

The recent history of theoretical investigations of the supernova mechanism is considered, giving attention also to a number of nuclear physical problems which have yet to be solved in connection with the thermonuclear detonation. A variety of different processes of nucleo-synthesis are expected to occur in association with the supernova explosions. Aspects of the chemical evolution of the galaxy are discussed including the cosmic ray production of lithium, beryllium, and boron in the interstellar medium. Various hypotheses to account for the very large amount of light that comes from a supernova explosion are also examined.

Cameron, A. G. W.↗