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El-Neaj, Y. A. et al, & Bernabeu, J. (2020). AEDGE: Atomic Experiment for Dark Matter and Gravity Exploration in Space. EPJ Quantum Technol., 7(1), 6–27pp.
Abstract: We propose in this White Paper a concept for a space experiment using cold atoms to search for ultra-light dark matter, and to detect gravitational waves in the frequency range between the most sensitive ranges of LISA and the terrestrial LIGO/Virgo/KAGRA/INDIGO experiments. This interdisciplinary experiment, called Atomic Experiment for Dark Matter and Gravity Exploration (AEDGE), will also complement other planned searches for dark matter, and exploit synergies with other gravitational wave detectors. We give examples of the extended range of sensitivity to ultra-light dark matter offered by AEDGE, and how its gravitational-wave measurements could explore the assembly of super-massive black holes, first-order phase transitions in the early universe and cosmic strings. AEDGE will be based upon technologies now being developed for terrestrial experiments using cold atoms, and will benefit from the space experience obtained with, e.g., LISA and cold atom experiments in microgravity. KCL-PH-TH/2019-65, CERN-TH-2019-126
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Alonso, I. et al, & Bernabeu, J. (2022). Cold atoms in space: community workshop summary and proposed road-map. EPJ Quantum Technol., 9(1), 30–55pp.
Abstract: We summarise the discussions at a virtual Community Workshop on Cold Atoms in Space concerning the status of cold atom technologies, the prospective scientific and societal opportunities offered by their deployment in space, and the developments needed before cold atoms could be operated in space. The cold atom technologies discussed include atomic clocks, quantum gravimeters and accelerometers, and atom interferometers. Prospective applications include metrology, geodesy and measurement of terrestrial mass change due to, e.g., climate change, and fundamental science experiments such as tests of the equivalence principle, searches for dark matter, measurements of gravitational waves and tests of quantum mechanics. We review the current status of cold atom technologies and outline the requirements for their space qualification, including the development paths and the corresponding technical milestones, and identifying possible pathfinder missions to pave the way for missions to exploit the full potential of cold atoms in space. Finally, we present a first draft of a possible road-map for achieving these goals, that we propose for discussion by the interested cold atom, Earth Observation, fundamental physics and other prospective scientific user communities, together with the European Space Agency (ESA) and national space and research funding agencies.
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n_TOF Collaboration(Patronis, N. et al), Babiano-Suarez, V., Balibrea Correa, J., Domingo-Pardo, C., Ladarescu, I., & Lerendegui-Marco, J. (2023). Status report of the n_TOF facility after the 2nd CERN long shutdown period. EPJ Tech. Instrum., 10(1), 13–10pp.
Abstract: During the second long shutdown period of the CERN accelerator complex (LS2, 2019-2021), several upgrade activities took place at the nTOF facility. The most important have been the replacement of the spallation target with a next generation nitrogen-cooled lead target. Additionally, a new experimental area, at a very short distance from the target assembly (the NEAR Station) was established. In this paper, the core commissioning actions of the new installations are described. The improvement in the nTOF infrastructure was accompanied by several detector development projects. All these upgrade actions are discussed, focusing mostly on the future perspectives of the n_TOF facility. Furthermore, some indicative current and future measurements are briefly reported.
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Lerendegui-Marco, J., Babiano-Suarez, V., Balibrea-Correa, J., Caballero, L., Calvo, D., Ladarescu, I., et al. (2024). Simultaneous Gamma-Neutron Vision device: a portable and versatile tool for nuclear inspections. EPJ Tech. Instrum., 11(1), 2–17pp.
Abstract: This work presents GN-Vision, a novel dual gamma-ray and neutron imaging system, which aims at simultaneously obtaining information about the spatial origin of gamma-ray and neutron sources. The proposed device is based on two position sensitive detection planes and exploits the Compton imaging technique for the imaging of gamma-rays. In addition, spatial distributions of slow- and thermal-neutron sources (<100 eV) are reconstructed by using a passive neutron pin-hole collimator attached to the first detection plane. The proposed gamma-neutron imaging device could be of prime interest for nuclear safety and security applications. The two main advantages of this imaging system are its high efficiency and portability, making it well suited for nuclear applications were compactness and real-time imaging is important. This work presents the working principle and conceptual design of the GN-Vision system and explores, on the basis of Monte Carlo simulations, its simultaneous gamma-ray and neutron detection and imaging capabilities for a realistic scenario where a Cf-252 source is hidden in a neutron moderating container.
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Bueno Rogerio, R. J., Lima, R. D., Duarte, L., Hoff da Silva, J. M., Dias, M., & Senise, C. R. (2019). Mass-dimension-one fermions and their gravitational interaction. EPL, 128(2), 20004–6pp.
Abstract: We investigate in detail the interaction between the spin-(1/2) field endowed with mass dimension one and the graviton. We obtain an interaction vertex that combines the characteristics of scalar-graviton and Dirac's fermion-graviton vertices, due to the scalar-dynamic attribute and the fermionic structure of the mass-dimension-one field. It is shown that this vertex obeys the Ward-Takahashi identity, ensuring the gauge invariance for the interaction. In the contribution of the mass-dimension-one fermion to the graviton propagator at one-loop level, we found the conditions for the cancellation of the tadpole term by a cosmological counterterm. We calculate the scattering process for arbitrary momentum. For low energies, the result reveals that only the scalar sector present in the vertex contributes to the gravitational potential. Finally, we evaluate the non-relativistic limit of the gravitational interaction and obtain an attractive Newtonian potential, as required for a dark-matter candidate.
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n_TOF Collaboration(Sabate-Gilarte et al.), Domingo-Pardo, C., Tain, J. L., & Tarifeño-Saldivia, A. (2017). High-accuracy determination of the neutron flux in the new experimental area n_TOF-EAR2 at CERNx. Eur. Phys. J. A, 53(10), 210–13pp.
Abstract: A new high flux experimental area has recently become operational at the nTOF facility at CERN. This new measuring station, nTOF-EAR2, is placed at the end of a vertical beam line at a distance of approximately 20m from the spallation target. The characterization of the neutron beam, in terms of flux, spatial profile and resolution function, is of crucial importance for the feasibility study and data analysis of all measurements to be performed in the new area. In this paper, the measurement of the neutron flux, performed with different solid-state and gaseous detection systems, and using three neutronconverting reactions considered standard in different energy regions is reported. The results of the various measurements have been combined, yielding an evaluated neutron energy distribution in a wide energy range, from 2meV to 100MeV, with an accuracy ranging from 2%, at low energy, to 6% in the high-energy region. In addition, an absolute normalization of the n_TOF-EAR2 neutron flux has been obtained by means of an activation measurement performed with 197 Au foils in the beam.
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Rinaldi, M., & Vento, V. (2018). Scalar and tensor glueballs as gravitons. Eur. Phys. J. A, 54(9), 151–7pp.
Abstract: The bottom-up approach of the AdS/CFT correspondence leads to the study of field equations in an AdS(5) background and from their solutions to the determination of the hadronic mass spectrum. We extend the study to the equations of AdS(5) gravitons and determine from them the glueball spectrum. We propose an original presentation of the results which facilitates the comparison of the various models with the spectrum obtained by lattice QCD. This comparison allows to draw some phenomenological conclusions.
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Dai, L. R., & Oset, E. (2018). Polarization amplitudes in VP decay beyond the Standard Model. Eur. Phys. J. A, 54(12), 219–10pp.
Abstract: We study the amplitudes of the -VP decay for the different polarizations of the vector meson V, using a formalism where the mapping from the quark degrees of freedom to the meson ones is done with the P-3(0) model. We extend the formalism to a case, with the operator -5, that can account for different models beyond the Standard Model and study in detail the -K*0K- reaction for the different polarizations of the K*0. The results are shown in terms of the parameter that differs for each model. We find that is very different for each of the third components of the vector spin, M=+/- 1,0, and in particular the magnitude |M=-1 is very sensitive to the parameter, which makes the investigation of this magnitude very useful to test different models beyond the Standard Model.
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Xie, J. J., Liang, W. H., & Oset, E. (2019). eta-He-4 interaction from the dd->eta He-4 reaction near threshold. Eur. Phys. J. A, 55(1), 6–8pp.
Abstract: .We analyze the data on the total cross sections for the dd4 He reaction close to threshold and look for possible 4 He bound states. We develop a framework in which the 4 He optical potential is the key ingredient, rather than parameterizing the scattering matrix, as is usually done. The strength of this potential, together with some production parameters, are fitted to the available experimental data. The relationship of the scattering matrix to the optical potential is established using the Bethe-Salpeter equation and the 4 He loop function incorporates the range of the interaction given by the experimental He-4 density. However, when we look for poles of the scattering matrix, we get poles in the bound region, poles in the positive energy region or no poles at all. If we further restrict the results with constraints from a theoretical model with all its uncertainties the bound states are not allowed. However, we find a bump structure in |T|2 of the 4 He 4 He scattering amplitude below threshold for the remaining solutions.
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n_TOF Collaboration(Mastromarco, M. et al), Domingo-Pardo, C., & Tain, J. L. (2019). Cross section measurements of Gd-155,Gd-157(n,) induced by thermal and epithermal neutrons. Eur. Phys. J. A, 55(1), 9–20pp.
Abstract: Neutron capture cross section measurements on Gd-155 and Gd-157 were performed using the time-of-flight technique at the nTOF facility at CERN on isotopically enriched samples. The measurements were carried out in the nTOF experimental area EAR1, at 185 m from the neutron source, with an array of 4 C6D6 liquid scintillation detectors. At a neutron kinetic energy of 0.0253 eV, capture cross sections of 62.2(2.2) and 239.8(8.4) kilobarn have been derived for Gd-155 and Gd-157, respectively, with up to 6% deviation relative to values presently reported in nuclear data libraries, but consistent with those values within 1.6 standard deviations. A resonance shape analysis has been performed in the resolved resonance region up to 181 eV and 307 eV, respectively for Gd-155 and Gd-157, where on average, resonance parameters have been found in good agreement with evaluations. Above these energies and up to 1 keV, the observed resonance-like structure of the cross section has been analysed and characterised. From a statistical analysis of the observed neutron resonances we deduced: neutron strength function of 2.01(28)x10-4 and 2.17(41)x10-4; average total radiative width of 106.8(14) meV and 101.1(20) meV and s-wave resonance spacing 1.6(2) eV and 4.8(5) eV for n + Gd-155 and n + Gd-157 systems, respectively.
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