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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2018

Search for weakly decaying b -flavored pentaquarks

Investigations of the existence of pentaquark states containing a single b (anti)quark decaying weakly into four specific final states J/ψK + π – p, J/ψK – π – p, J/ψK – π + p, and J/ψΦ(1020)p are reported. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 3.0 fb –1 in 7 and 8 TeV pp collisions acquired with the LHCb detector. Signals are not observed and upper limits are set on the product of the production cross section times branching fraction with respect to that of the Λ 0 b .

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2010

Delayed clusters accompanying nonmesonic weak decay of the Λ-hypernuclei: a clue to nonleptonic processes

The nonmesonic decay of Λ-hypernuclei provides access to the nonleptonic weak decay process Λ N → NN, which is achievable only through the observation of hypernuclear ground-state decays. We continue the discussion of some specific cases which make it possible to detect a few exclusive transitions, namely, the stripping of nucleon from the ground state results in a resonance state decaying via emission of two clusters. Delayed clusters accompanying weak decay of light hypernuclei give a unique information on spin dependence of the weak decay matrix elements.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2011

Stellar weak decay rates in neutron-deficient medium-mass nuclei

Weak decay rates under stellar density and temperature conditions holding at the rapid proton-capture process are studied in neutron-deficient medium-mass waiting-point nuclei extending from Ni up to Sn. Neighboring isotopes to these waiting-point nuclei are also included in the analysis. The nuclear structure part of the problem is described within a deformed Skyrme Hartree-Fock+BCS+quasiparticle random-phase-approximation approach, which reproduces not only the {beta}-decay half-lives but also the available Gamow-Teller strength distributions, measured under terrestrial conditions. The various sensitivities of the decay rates to both density and temperature are discussed. In particular, we study the impact of contributions coming from thermally populated excited states in the parent nucleus and the competition between {beta} decays and continuum electron captures.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Weak decays of heavy hadrons into dynamically generated resonances

In this study, we present a review of recent works on weak decay of heavy mesons and baryons with two mesons, or a meson and a baryon, interacting strongly in the final state. The aim is to learn about the interaction of hadrons and how some particular resonances are produced in the reactions. It is shown that these reactions have peculiar features and act as filters for some quantum numbers which allow to identify easily some resonances and learn about their nature. The combination of basic elements of the weak interaction with the framework of the chiral unitary approach allow for an interpretation of results of many reactions and add a novel information to different aspects of the hadron interaction and the properties of dynamically generated resonances.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2010

Role of ground-state correlations in hypernuclear nonmesonic weak decay

The contribution of ground-state correlations (GSCs) to the nonmesonic weak decay of {sub L}AMBDA{sup 12}C and other medium to heavy hypernuclei is studied within a nuclear-matter formalism implemented in a local-density approximation. We adopt a weak transition potential including the exchange of the complete octets of pseudoscalar and vector mesons, as well as a residual strong interaction modeled on the Bonn potential. Leading GSC contributions, at first order in the residual strong interaction, are introduced on the same footing for all isospin channels of one- and two-nucleon induced decays. Together with fermion antisymmetrization, GSCs turn out to be important for an accurate determination of the decay widths. Besides opening the two-nucleon stimulated decay channels, for {sub L}AMBDA{sup 12}C GSCs are responsible for 14% of the rate GAMMA{sub 1} while increasing the GAMMA{sub n}/GAMMA{sub p} ratio by 4%. Our final results for {sub L}AMBDA{sup 12}C are GAMMA{sub NM}=0.98, GAMMA{sub n}/GAMMA{sub p}=0.34, and GAMMA{sub 2}/GAMMA{sub NM}=0.26. The saturation property of GAMMA{sub NM} with increasing hypernuclear mass number is clearly observed. The agreement with data of our predictions for GAMMA{sub NM}, GAMMA{sub n}/GAMMA{sub p}, and GAMMA{sub 2} is rather good.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2010

Relationships between nonmesonic weak decays in different hypernuclei

Using as a tool the s-wave approximation (sWA), this work demonstrates that the nonmesonic weak decay transition rates {Gamma}{sub n} and {Gamma}{sub p} can be expressed in all hypernuclei up to {sub {Lambda}}{sup 29}Si (and very likely in heavier ones too) in the same way as in the s-shell hypernuclei, i.e., as a linear combination of only three elementary transition rates. This finding leads to the analytic prediction that, independently of the transition mechanism, all hypernuclei that are on the stability line (N=Z), i.e., {sub {Lambda}}{sup 5}He, {sub {Lambda}}{sup 7}Li, {sub {Lambda}}{sup 9}Be, {sub {Lambda}}{sup 11}B, {sub {Lambda}}{sup 13}C, {sub {Lambda}}{sup 17}O, {sub {Lambda}}{sup 29}Si, etc., should roughly have the same ratio {Gamma}{sub n}/{Gamma}{sub p}, the magnitude of which rapidly increases when one approaches the neutron drip line (N>>Z), and the opposite happens when one goes toward the proton drip line (N<<Z).

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Enhanced antineutrino emission from 𝛽 decay in core-collapse supernovae with self-consistent weak decay rates

Nuclear weak-interaction rates are known to exert a prominent effect in the late stages of stellar collapse. Despite their importance, most studies to date on core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe) have focused primarily on the effects of electron captures, neglecting 𝛽 decay contributions. In this work, we present the first CCSNe simulation incorporating global 𝛽 decay rates from a microscopic theory. These are enabled by a large-scale evaluation of both electron capture and 𝛽 decay rates, obtained self-consistently utilizing the relativistic energy density functional theory and finite-temperature quasiparticle random-phase approximation. Including 𝛽 decay leads to a dramatic enhancement of the pre-bounce antineutrino signal as the antineutrino emissivity increases by more than two orders of magnitude and the luminosity by a factor of 50 relative to thermal emission alone, while the average antineutrino energy increases by over 1 MeV. Furthermore, it is expected that these new rates could help us constrain the model uncertainties related to weak-interaction processes, improving the prediction of antineutrino signal during the final stages of stellar death.

Beta decay↗
DOE OSTI2022

A lattice QCD perspective on weak decays of $b$ and $c$ quarks Snowmass 2022 White Paper

Lattice quantum chromodynamics has proven to be an indispensable method to determine nonperturbative strong contributions to weak decay processes. In this white paper for the Snowmass community planning process we highlight achievements and future avenues of research for lattice calculations of weak $b$ and $c$ quark decays, and point out how these calculations will help to address the anomalies currently in the spotlight of the particle physics community. With future increases in computational resources and algorithmic improvements, percent level (and below) lattice determinations will play a central role in constraining the standard model or identifying new physics.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2010

Nonmesonic Weak Decay of A-Hypernuclei within Independent-Particle Shell-Model

After a short introduction to the nonmesonic weak decay (NMWD)LAMBDAN->nN of LAMBDA-hypernuclei we discuss the long-standing puzzle on the ratio GAMMA{sub n}/GAMMA{sub p}, and some recent experimental evidences that signalized towards its final solution. Two versions of the Independent-Particle-Shell-Model (IPSM) are employed to account for the nuclear structure of the final residual nuclei. They are: (a) IPSM-a, where no correlation, except for the Pauli principle, is taken into account, and (b) IPSM-b, where the highly excited hole states are considered to be quasi-stationary and are described by Breit-Wigner distributions, whose widths are estimated from the experimental data. We evaluate the coincidence spectra in {sub L}AMBDA{sup 4}He, {sub L}AMBDA{sup 5}He, {sub L}AMBDA{sup 12}C, {sub L}AMBDA{sup 16}O, and {sub L}AMBDA{sup 28}Si, as a function of the sum of kinetic energies E{sub nN} = E{sub n}+E{sub N} for N = n, p. The recent Brookhaven National Laboratory experiment E788 on {sub L}AMBDA{sup 4}He, is interpreted within the IPSM. We found that the shapes of all the spectra are basically tailored by the kinematics of the corresponding phase space, depending very weakly on the dynamics, which is gauged here by the one-meson-exchange-potential. In spite of the straightforwardness of the approach a good agreement with data is achieved. This might be an indication that the final-state-interactions and the two-nucleon induced processes are not very important in the decay of this hypernucleus. We have also found that the pi+K exchange potential with soft vertex-form-factor cutoffs (LAMBDA{sub p}iapprox =0.7 GeV, LAMBDA{sub K}approx =0.9 GeV), is able to account simultaneously for the available experimental data related to GAMMA{sub p} and GAMMA{sub n} for {sub L}AMBDA{sup 4}H, and {sub L}AMBDA{sup 5}He.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Search for J / ψ weak decays containing a D meson

Using a sample of about 10 billion J / ψ events with the BESIII detector, we search for the weak decays of J / ψ → D ¯ 0 π 0 + c . c . , J / ψ → D ¯ 0 η + c . c . , J / ψ → D ¯ 0 ρ 0 + c . c . , J / ψ → D − π + + c . c . , and J / ψ → D − ρ + + c . c . . Since no significant signal is observed, we set the upper limits of the branching fractions of these decays to be B ( J / ψ → D ¯ 0 π 0 + c . c . ) < 4.7 × 10 − 7 , B ( J / ψ → D ¯ 0 η + c . c . ) < 6.8 × 10 − 7 , B ( J / ψ → D ¯ 0 ρ 0 + c . c . ) < 5.2 × 10 − 7 , B ( J / ψ → D − π + + c . c . ) < 7.0 × 10 − 8 , and B ( J / ψ → D − ρ + + c . c . ) < 6.0 × 10 − 7 at the 90% confidence level. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Astronomy & Astrophysics↗
DOE OSTI2020

Detection prospects for the second-order weak decays of 124 Xe in multi-tonne xenon time projection chambers

We investigate the detection prospects for two-neutrino and neutrinoless second-order weak decays of 124 Xe – double-electron capture (0/2νECEC), electron capture with positron emission (0/2νECβ + ) and double-positron emission (0/2νβ + β + ) – in multi-tonne xenon time projection chambers. We simulate the decays in a liquid xenon medium and develop a reconstruction algorithm which uses the multi-particle coincidence in these decays to separate signal from background. This is used to compute the expected detection efficiencies as a function of position resolution and energy threshold for planned experiments. In addition, we consider an exhaustive list of possible background sources and find that they are either negligible in rate or can be greatly reduced using our topological reconstruction criteria. In particular, we draw two conclusions: First, with a theoretical half-life of $T^{2νECβ^+}_{1/2}$= (1.7 ± 0.6) ∙10 23 year, the 2νECβ + decay of 124 Xe will likely be detected in upcoming Dark Matter experiments (e.g. XENONnT or LZ), and their major background will be γ-rays from detector construction materials. Second, searches for the 0νECβ + decay mode will likely be background-free, and new parameter space may be within reach. To this end we investigate two different scenarios of existing experimental constraints on the effective neutrino mass. The necessary 500 kg-year exposure of 124 Xe could be achieved by the baseline design of the DARWIN observatory, or by extracting and using the 124 Xe from the tailings of the nEXO experiment. We demonstrate how a combination of 124 Xe results with those from 0νβ - β - searches in 136 Xe could help to identify the neutrinoless decay mechanism.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2025

Weak decays in superheavy nuclei

Superheavy nuclei represent the extreme atoms and nuclides known at the limit of mass and charge. The observed superheavy nuclei are all proton-rich; they decay primarily by emitting 𝛼 particles and by fission with a possible small electron capture (EC) branch. Here, due to the huge atomic numbers and associated relativistic effects, EC decays of superheavy systems are expected to differ from what is known in lighter nuclei. In this letter, using the quantified relativistic nuclear density functional theory and the quasiparticle random-phase approximation with the interaction optimized to experimental EC/𝛽 ± -decay half-lives, and Gamow-Teller resonance energies, we study the EC/𝛽 ± -decays in 𝑍=101–118 nuclei. Both allowed (1 + ) and first-forbidden (0 − ,1 − and 2 − ) transitions are considered. We show that the first-forbidden 1 − transitions dominate the decay rates in almost all studied nuclei. For proton-rich nuclei, EC dominates over 𝛽 + decay. Based on calculations with two relativistic energy density functionals, we identify 45 candidate nuclei in which a competition between weak decays and 𝛼 decay and spontaneous fission is expected.

A ≥ 220↗
DOE OSTI2015

Evidence for the Strangeness-Changing Weak Decay Ξ b – → Λ b 0 π –

Using a pp collision data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0 fb –1 , collected by the LHCb detector, we present the first search for the strangeness-changing weak decay Ξ b – → Λ 0 b π – . No b hadron decay of this type has been seen before. A signal for this decay, corresponding to a significance of 3.2 standard deviations, is reported.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Search for the weak decay ψ (3686) → $Λ^{+}_{c}$ $\overline{Σ}$ - + c.c. *

Using (448.1 ± 2.9) x 10 6 ψ (3686) events collected with the BESIII detector, we perform the first search for the weak baryonic decay ψ (3686) → $Λ^{+}_{c}$ $\overline{Σ}$ - + c.c. . The analysis procedure is optimized using a blinded method. No significant signal is observed, and the upper limit on the branching fraction ($\mathcal{B}$) of ψ (3686) → $Λ^{+}_{c}$ $\overline{Σ}$ - + c.c. is set as 1.4 x 10 -5 at the 90% confidence level.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Longitudinal vector form factors in weak decays of nuclei

The longitudinal form factors of the weak vector current of particles with spin J = 1/2 and isospin I = 1/2 are determined by the mass difference and the charge radii of members of the isotopic doublets. The most promising reactions to measure these form factors are the reactions with large momentum transfers involving the spin-1/2 isotopic doublets with a maximum mass splitting. Numerical estimates of longitudinal form factors are given for nucleons and eight nuclear spin-1/2 isotopic doublets.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2011

Weak decay rates for neutron-deficient Kr isotopes relevant for the rp process

Weak interaction rates under stellar density and temperature conditions relevant for the rp process are studied in neutron-deficient Kr isotopes. The nuclear structure part of the problem is described within the deformed Skyrme Hartree-Fock+BCS+QRPA, which reproduces not only the beta-decay half-lives but also the available Gamow-Teller strength distributions, measured under terrestrial conditions. The various sensitivities of the decay rates to both density and temperature are discussed. In particular, we study the contributions coming from excited states in the parent nucleus, which are thermally populated, and the competition between beta-decays and continuum electron captures.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2011

Determination of the {pi}{Sigma} scattering lengths from the weak decays of {Lambda}{sub c}

The scattering lengths of the {pi}{Sigma} systems are key quantities in understanding the structure of the {Lambda}(1405) resonance and the subthreshold extrapolation of the KN interaction. We demonstrate that the {pi}{Sigma} scattering lengths can be extracted from the threshold cusp phenomena in the weak {Lambda}{sub c}{yields}{pi}{pi}{Sigma} decays, analogously with Cabibbo's method for determination of the {pi}{pi} scattering length. We show that the substantial cusp effect should be observed in the spectrum, when the {pi}{Sigma} interaction in I=0 is strongly attractive to generate a near-threshold singularity, such as a bound state or a virtual state.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Relativistic description of weak decays of B{sub s} mesons

The branching fractions of the semileptonic and rare B{sub s} decays are calculated in the framework of the QCD-motivated relativistic quark model. The form factors of the weak B{sub s} transitions are expressed through the overlap integrals of the initial and final meson wave functions in the whole accessible kinematical range. The momentum transfer dependence of the form factors is explicitly determined without additional model assumptions and extrapolations. The obtained results agree well with available experimental data.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗