Matsubara, H. et al, & Rubio, B. (2015). Nonquenched Isoscalar Spin-M1 Excitations in sd-Shell Nuclei. Phys. Rev. Lett., 115(10), 102501–6pp.
Abstract: Differential cross sections of isoscalar and isovector spin-M1 (0(+) -> 1(+)) transitions are measured using high-energy-resolution proton inelastic scattering at E-p = 295 MeV on Mg-24, Si-28, S-32, and Ar-36 at 0 degrees-14 degrees. The squared spin-M1 nuclear transition matrix elements are deduced from the measured differential cross sections by applying empirically determined unit cross sections based on the assumption of isospin symmetry. The ratios of the squared nuclear matrix elements accumulated up to E-x = 16 MeV compared to a shell-model prediction are 1.01(9) for isoscalar and 0.61(6) for isovector spin-M1 transitions, respectively. Thus, no quenching is observed for isoscalar spin-M1 transitions, while the matrix elements for isovector spin-M1 transitions are quenched by an amount comparable with the analogous Gamow-Teller transitions on those target nuclei.
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Martinez Torres, A., & Oset, E. (2010). Novel Interpretation of the “Theta(+)(1540) Pentaquark” Peak. Phys. Rev. Lett., 105(9), 092001–4pp.
Abstract: We use a theoretical model of the gamma d --> K+K- np reaction adapted to the experiment done at LEPS where a peak was observed and associated with the Theta(+)(1540) pentaquark. The study shows that the method used in the experiment to assign momenta to the undetected proton and neutron, together with the chosen cuts, necessarily creates an artificial broad peak in the assumed K(+)n invariant mass in the region of the claimed Theta(+)(1540), such that the remaining strength seen for the experimental peak is compatible with a fluctuation of 2 sigma significance.
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Marchi, T. et al, & Gadea, A. (2014). Quadrupole Transition Strength in the Ni-74 Nucleus and Core Polarization Effects in the Neutron-Rich Ni Isotopes. Phys. Rev. Lett., 113(18), 182501–5pp.
Abstract: The reduced transition probability B(E2;0(+) -> 2(+)) has been measured for the neutron-rich nucleus Ni-74 in an intermediate energy Coulomb excitation experiment performed at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory at Michigan State University. The obtained B(E2;0(+) -> 2(+)) = 642(-226)(+216) e(2) fm(4) value defines a trend which is unexpectedly small if referred to Ni-70 and to a previous indirect determination of the transition strength in Ni-74. This indicates a reduced polarization of the Z = 28 core by the valence neutrons. Calculations in the pfgd model space reproduce well the experimental result indicating that the B(E2) strength predominantly corresponds to neutron excitations. The ratio of the neutron and proton multipole matrix elements supports such an interpretation.
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Maiezza, A., Nemevsek, M., & Nesti, F. (2015). Lepton Number Violation in Higgs Decay at LHC. Phys. Rev. Lett., 115(8), 081802–7pp.
Abstract: We show that within the left-right symmetric model, lepton number violating decays of the Higgs boson can be discovered at the LHC. The process is due to the mixing of the Higgs boson with the triplet that breaks parity. As a result, the Higgs boson can act as a gateway to the origin of the heavy Majorana neutrino mass. To assess the LHC reach, a detailed collider study of the same-sign dileptons plus jets channel is provided. This process is complementary to the existing nuclear and collider searches for lepton number violation and can probe the scale of parity restoration even beyond other direct searches.
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Lorusso, G. et al, & Montaner-Piza, A. (2015). beta-Decay Half-Lives of 110 Neutron-Rich Nuclei across the N=82 Shell Gap: Implications for the Mechanism and Universality of the Astrophysical r Process. Phys. Rev. Lett., 114(19), 192501–7pp.
Abstract: The beta-decay half-lives of 110 neutron-rich isotopes of the elements from 37 Rb to 50 Sn were measured at the Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory. The 40 new half-lives follow robust systematics and highlight the persistence of shell effects. The new data have direct implications for r-process calculations and reinforce the notion that the second (A approximate to 130) and the rare-earth-element (A approximate to 160) abundance peaks may result from the freeze-out of an (n, gamma) reversible arrow (gamma, n) equilibrium. In such an equilibrium, the new half-lives are important factors determining the abundance of rare-earth elements, and allow for a more reliable discussion of the r process universality. It is anticipated that universality may not extend to the elements Sn, Sb, I, and Cs, making the detection of these elements in metal-poor stars of the utmost importance to determine the exact conditions of individual r-process events.
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Liddick, S. N., Spyrou, A., Crider, B. P., Naqvi, F., Larsen, A. C., Guttormsen, M., et al. (2016). Experimental Neutron Capture Rate Constraint Far from Stability. Phys. Rev. Lett., 116(24), 242502–6pp.
Abstract: Nuclear reactions where an exotic nucleus captures a neutron are critical for a wide variety of applications, from energy production and national security, to astrophysical processes, and nucleosynthesis. Neutron capture rates are well constrained near stable isotopes where experimental data are available; however, moving far from the valley of stability, uncertainties grow by orders of magnitude. This is due to the complete lack of experimental constraints, as the direct measurement of a neutron-capture reaction on a short-lived nucleus is extremely challenging. Here, we report on the first experimental extraction of a neutron capture reaction rate on Ni-69, a nucleus that is five neutrons away from the last stable isotope of Ni. The implications of this measurement on nucleosynthesis around mass 70 are discussed, and the impact of similar future measurements on the understanding of the origin of the heavy elements in the cosmos is presented.
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LHCb Collaboration(Aaij, R. et al), Henry, L., Jashal, B. K., Martinez-Vidal, F., Oyanguren, A., Remon Alepuz, C., et al. (2021). Observation of a New Excited D-s(+) Meson in B-0 -> D- D+ K+ pi(-) Decays. Phys. Rev. Lett., 126(12), 122002–11pp.
Abstract: Using pp collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.4 fb(-1) collected with the LHCb detector at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, the B-0 -> D- D+ K+ pi(-) decay is studied. A new excited D-s(+) meson is observed decaying into the D+K+pi(-) final state with large statistical significance. The pole mass and width, and the spin parity of the new state are measured with an amplitude analysis to be m(R) = 2591 +/- 6 +/- 7 MeV, Gamma(R) = 89 +/- 16 +/- 12 MeV, and J(P) = 0(-), where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. Fit fractions for all components in the amplitude analysis are also reported. The new resonance, denoted as D-s0(2590)(+), is a strong candidate to be the D-s(2(1)S(0))(+) state, the radial excitation of the pseudoscalar ground-state D-s(+) meson.
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LHCb Collaboration(Aaij, R. et al), Henry, L., Jashal, B. K., Martinez-Vidal, F., Oyanguren, A., Remon Alepuz, C., et al. (2021). First Observation of the Decay B-s(0) -> K-mu(+)nu(mu) and a Measurement of vertical bar V-ub vertical bar/vertical bar V-cb vertical bar. Phys. Rev. Lett., 126(8), 081804–11pp.
Abstract: The first observation of the suppressed semileptonic B-s(0) -> K-mu(+)nu(mu) decay is reported. Using a data sample recorded in pp collisions in 2012 with the LHCb detector, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2 fb(-1), the branching fraction B(B-s(0) -> K-mu(+)nu(mu)) is measured to be [1.06 +/- 0.05(stat) +/- 0.08(syst)] x 10(-4), where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second one represents the combined systematic uncertainties. The decay B-s(0) -> D-s(-)mu(+)nu(mu), where D-s(-) is reconstructed in the final state K+K-pi(-), is used as a normalization channel to minimize the experimental systematic uncertainty. Theoretical calculations on the form factors of the B-s(0) -> K- and B-s(0) -> D-s(-) transitions are employed to determine the ratio of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix elements vertical bar V-ub vertical bar/vertical bar V-cb vertical bar at low and high B-s(0) -> K- momentum transfer.
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LHCb Collaboration(Aaij, R. et al), Henry, L., Jashal, B. K., Martinez-Vidal, F., Oyanguren, A., Remon Alepuz, C., et al. (2021). Observation of Multiplicity Dependent Prompt chi(c1) (3872) and psi (2S) Production in pp Collisions. Phys. Rev. Lett., 126(9), 092001–11pp.
Abstract: The production of chi(c1)(3872) and psi(2S) hadrons is studied as a function of charged particle multiplicity in pp collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 8 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2 fb(-1). For both states, the fraction that is produced promptly at the collision vertex is found to decrease as charged particle multiplicity increases. The ratio of chi(c1) (3872) to psi(2S) cross sections for promptly produced particles is also found to decrease with multiplicity, while no significant dependence on multiplicity is observed for the equivalent ratio of particles produced away from the collision vertex in b-hadron decays. This behavior is consistent with a calculation that models the chi(c1) (3872) structure as a compact tetraquark. Comparisons with model calculations and implications for the binding energy of the chi(c1)(3872) state are discussed.
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LHCb Collaboration(Aaij, R. et al), Henry, L., Jashal, B. K., Martinez-Vidal, F., Oyanguren, A., Remon Alepuz, C., et al. (2021). Measurement of CP Violation in the Decay B plus -> K+ pi(0). Phys. Rev. Lett., 126(9), 091802–11pp.
Abstract: A measurement of CP violation in the decay B+ -> K+pi(0) is reported using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.4 fb- 1 collected with the LHCb experiment at a center-of-mass energy of root s = 13 TeV. The CP asymmetry is measured to be 0.025 +/- 0.015 +/- 0.006 +/- 0.003, where the uncertainties are statistical, systematic, and due to an external input. This is the most precise measurement of this quantity. It confirms and significantly enhances the observed anomalous difference between the direct CP asymmetries of the B-0 -> K+pi(-) and B+ -> K+pi 0 decays, known as the K pi puzzle.
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