|
|
Reig, M., Valle, J. W. F., & Wilczek, F. (2018). SO(3) family symmetry and axions. Phys. Rev. D, 98(9), 095008–6pp.
Abstract: Motivated by the idea of comprehensive unification, we study a gauged SO(3) flavor extension of the extended Standard Model, including right-handed neutrinos and a Peccei-Quinn symmetry with simple charge assignments. The model accommodates the observed fermion masses and mixings and yields a characteristic, successful relation among them. The Peccei-Quinn symmetry is an essential ingredient.
|
|
|
|
Reig, M., Valle, J. W. F., & Yamada, M. (2019). Light majoron cold dark matter from topological defects and the formation of boson stars. J. Cosmol. Astropart. Phys., 09(9), 029–25pp.
Abstract: We show that for a relatively light majoron (<< 100 eV) non-thermal production from topological defects is an efficient production mechanism. Taking the type I seesaw as benchmark scheme, we estimate the primordial majoron abundance and determine the required parameter choices where it can account for the observed cosmological dark matter. The latter is consistent with the scale of unification. Possible direct detection of light majorons with future experiments such as PTOLEMY and the formation of boson stars from the majoron dark matter are also discussed.
|
|
|
|
Reig, M., & Srivastava, R. (2019). Spontaneous proton decay and the origin of Peccei-Quinn symmetry. Phys. Lett. B, 790, 134–139.
Abstract: We propose a new interpretation of Peccei-Quinn symmetry within the Standard Model, identifying it with the axial B+L symmetry i.e. U (1)(PQ) equivalent to U (1)(gamma 5)(B+L). This new interpretation retains all the attractive features of Peccei-Quinn solution to strong CP problem but in addition also leads to several other new and interesting consequences. Owing to the identification U (1)(PQ) equivalent to U (1)(gamma 5)(B+L) the axion also behaves like Majoron inducing small seesaw masses for neutrinos after spontaneous symmetry breaking. Another novel feature of this identification is the phenomenon of spontaneous (and also chiral) proton decay with its decay rate associated with the axion decay constant. Low energy processes which can be used to test this interpretation are pointed out.
|
|
|
|
Reig, M., Restrepo, D., Valle, J. W. F., & Zapata, O. (2019). Bound-state dark matter with Majorana neutrinos. Phys. Lett. B, 790, 303–307.
Abstract: We propose a simple scenario in which dark matter (DM) emerges as a stable neutral hadronic thermal relic, its stability following from an exact U(1)(D) symmetry. Neutrinos pick up radiatively induced Majorana masses from the exchange of colored DM constituents. There is a common origin for both dark matter and neutrino mass, with a lower bound for neutrinoless double beta decay. Direct DM searches at nuclear recoil experiments will test the proposal, which may also lead to other phenomenological signals at future hadron collider and lepton flavor violation experiments.
|
|
|
|
ANTARES Collaboration(Reeb, N. et al), Alves, S., Carretero, V., Colomer, M., Hernandez-Rey, J. J., Khan-Chowdhury, N. R., et al. (2023). Studying bioluminescence flashes with the ANTARES deep-sea neutrino telescope. Limnol. Oceanogr. Meth., 21(11), 734–760.
Abstract: We develop a novel technique to exploit the extensive data sets provided by underwater neutrino telescopes to gain information on bioluminescence in the deep sea. The passive nature of the telescopes gives us the unique opportunity to infer information on bioluminescent organisms without actively interfering with them. We propose a statistical method that allows us to reconstruct the light emission of individual organisms, as well as their location and movement. A mathematical model is built to describe the measurement process of underwater neutrino telescopes and the signal generation of the biological organisms. The Metric Gaussian Variational Inference algorithm is used to reconstruct the model parameters using photon counts recorded by photomultiplier tubes. We apply this method to synthetic data sets and data collected by the ANTARES neutrino telescope. The telescope is located 40 km off the French coast and fixed to the sea floor at a depth of 2475 m. The runs with synthetic data reveal that we can model the emitted bioluminescent flashes of the organisms. Furthermore, we find that the spatial resolution of the localization of light sources highly depends on the configuration of the telescope. Precise measurements of the efficiencies of the detectors and the attenuation length of the water are crucial to reconstruct the light emission. Finally, the application to ANTARES data reveals the first localizations of bioluminescent organisms using neutrino telescope data.
|
|
|
|
Real, D., Sanchez Losa, A., Diaz, A., Salesa Greus, F., & Calvo, D. (2023). The Neutrino Mediterranean Observatory Laser Beacon: Design and Qualification. Appl. Sci.-Basel, 13(17), 9935–16pp.
Abstract: This paper encapsulates details of the NEMO laser beacon's design, offering a profound contribution to the field of the time calibration of underwater neutrino telescopes. The mechanical design of the laser beacon, which operates at a depth of 3500 m, is presented, together with the design of the antibiofouling system employed to endure the operational pressure and optimize the operational range, enhancing its functionality and enabling time calibration among multiple towers. A noteworthy innovation central to this development lies in the battery system. This configuration enhances the device's portability, a crucial aspect in underwater operations. The comprehensive design of the laser beacon, encompassing the container housing, the requisite battery system for operation, electronics, and an effective antibiofouling system, is described in this paper. Additionally, this paper presents the findings of the laser beacon's qualification process.
|
|
|
|
Real, D., & Calvo, D. (2023). Silicon Photomultipliers for Neutrino Telescopes. Universe, 9(7), 326–14pp.
Abstract: Neutrino astronomy has opened a new window to the extreme Universe, entering into a fruitful era built upon the success of neutrino telescopes, which have already given a new step forward in this novel and growing field by the first observation of steady point-like sources already achieved by IceCube. Neutrino telescopes equipped with Silicon PhotoMultipliers (SiPMs) will significantly increase in number, because of their excellent time resolution and the angular resolution, and will be in better condition to detect more steady sources as well as the unexpected. The use of SiPMs represents a challenge to the acquisition electronics because of the fast signals as well as the high levels of dark noise produced by SiPMs. The acquisition electronics need to include a noise rejection scheme by implementing a coincidence filter between channels. This work discusses the advantages and disadvantages of using SiPMs for the next generation of neutrino telescopes, focusing on the possible developments that could help for their adoption in the near future.
|
|
|
|
Real, D., Calvo, D., Zornoza, J. D., Manzaneda, M., Gozzini, R., Ricolfe-Viala, C., et al. (2024). Fast Coincidence Filter for Silicon Photomultiplier Dark Count Rate Rejection. Sensors, 24(7), 2084–12pp.
Abstract: Silicon Photomultipliers find applications across various fields. One potential Silicon Photomultiplier application domain is neutrino telescopes, where they may enhance the angular resolution. However, the elevated dark count rate associated with Silicon Photomultipliers represents a significant challenge to their widespread utilization. To address this issue, it is proposed to use Silicon Photomultipliers and Photomultiplier Tubes together. The Photomultiplier Tube signals serve as a trigger to mitigate the dark count rate, thereby preventing undue saturation of the available bandwidth. This paper presents an investigation into a fast and resource-efficient method for filtering the Silicon Photomultiplier dark count rate. A low-resource and fast coincident filter has been developed, which removes the Silicon Photomultiplier dark count rate by using as a trigger the Photomultiplier Tube input signals. The architecture of the coincidence filter, together with the first results obtained, which validate the effectiveness of this method, is presented.
|
|
|
|
Real, D., Calvo, D., Diaz, A., Salesa Greus, F., & Sanchez Losa, A. (2022). A Narrow Optical Pulse Emitter Based on LED: NOPELED. Sensors, 22(19), 7683–15pp.
Abstract: Light sources emitting short pulses are needed in many particle physics experiments using optical sensors as they can replicate the light produced by the particles being detected and are also an important calibration and test element. This work presents NOPELED, a light source based on LEDs emitting short optical pulses with typical rise times of less than 3 ns and Full Width at Half Maximum lower than 7 ns. The emission wavelength depends on the model of LED used. Several LED models have been characterized in the range from 405 to 532 nm, although NOPELED can work with LED emitting wavelengths outside of that region. While the wavelength is fixed for a given LED model, the intensity and the frequency of the optical pulse can be controlled. NOPELED, which also has low cost and simple operation, can be operated remotely, making it appropriate for either different physics experiments needing in-place light sources such as astrophysical neutrino detectors using photo-multipliers or positron emission tomography devices using scintillation counters, or, beyond physics, applications needing short pulses of light such as protein fluorescence or chemodetection of heavy metals.
|
|
|
|
Real, D., Calvo, D., Diaz, A., Alves Garre, S., Carretero, V., Sanchez Losa, A., et al. (2023). An Ultra-Narrow Time Optical Pulse Emitter Based on a Laser: UNTOPEL. IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci., 70(10), 2364–2372.
Abstract: Light sources that emit repetitive subnanosecond pulses are used in neutrino telescopes for time calibration. Optical pulses with an ultra-narrow (subnanosecond) width can replicate the light produced by neutrino interactions, and are an important calibration and test element. By measuring the time-of-flight of the light, it is possible to provide a relative time calibration for all the detector photomultipliers. This work presents the ultra-narrow time optical pulse emitter based on a laser (UNTOPEL), an instrument emitting ultra-short laser optical pulses with a duration of 500 ps, energies per pulse of four microjoules at a wavelength of 532 nm, and a timing precision of 400 ps. The UNTOPEL pulse intensity can be fine-tuned, which is a novelty and a significant advantage in those applications that need to illuminate light detectors located at different distances with the same light intensity. The UNTOPEL pulse intensity can be controlled remotely, allowing for its use in operating conditions where physical access is impossible or difficult. Moreover, it is easy to operate and can be easily controlled through an inter-integrated circuit bus. The UNTOPEL is a sound instrument used when subnanosecond pulses and variable energy emissions are needed.
|
|
