NEXT Collaboration(Novella, P. et al), Carcel, S., Carrion, J. V., Diaz, J., Martin-Albo, J., Martinez, A., et al. (2022). Measurement of the Xe-136 two-neutrino double-beta-decay half-life via direct background subtraction in NEXT. Phys. Rev. C, 105(5), 055501–8pp.
Abstract: We report a measurement of the half-life of the Xe-136 two-neutrino double-beta decay performed with a novel direct-background-subtraction technique. The analysis relies on the data collected with the NEXT-White detector operated with Xe-136-enriched and Xe-136-depleted xenon, as well as on the topology of double-electron tracks. With a fiducial mass of only 3.5 kg of Xe, a half-life of 2.34(-0.46)(+0.80) (stat)(-0.17)(+0.30) (sys) x 10(21) yr is derived from the background-subtracted energy spectrum. The presented technique demonstrates the feasibility of unique background-model-independent neutrinoless double-beta-decay searches.
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Nieves, J., Pavao, R., & Tolos, L. (2020). Xi(c) and Xi(b) excited states within a SU(6)(lsf) x HQSS model. Eur. Phys. J. C, 80(1), 22–12pp.
Abstract: We study odd parity J = 1/2 and J = 3/2 Xi(c) resonances using a unitarized coupled-channel framework based on a SU(6)(lsf) xHQSS-extended Weinberg-Tomozawa baryon-meson interaction, while paying a special attention to the renormalization procedure. We predict a large molecular Lambda(c)(K) over bar component for the Xi(c) (2790) with a dominant 0(-) light-degree-of-freedom spin configuration. We discuss the differences between the 3/2(-) Lambda(c)(2625) and Xi(c)(2815) states, and conclude that they cannot be SU(3) siblings, whereas we predict the existence of other Xi(c)-states, one of them related to the two-pole structure of the Lambda(c)(2595). It is of particular interest a pair of J = 1/2 and J = 3/2 poles, which form a HQSS doublet and that we tentatively assign to the Xi(c)(2930) and Xi(c)(2970), respectively. Within this picture, the Xi(c)(2930) would be part of a SU(3) sextet, containing either the Omega(c)(3090) or the Omega(c)(3119), and that would be completed by the Sigma(c)(2800). Moreover, we identify a J = 1/2 sextet with the Xi(b)(6227) state and the recently discovered Sigma(b)(6097). Assuming the equal spacing rule and to complete this multiplet, we predict the existence of a J = 1/2 Omega(b) odd parity state, with a mass of 6360 MeV and that should be seen in the Xi(b) (K) over bar channel.
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Nieves, J., & Pavao, R. (2020). Nature of the lowest-lying odd parity charmed baryon Lambda(c)(2595) and Lambda(c)(2625) resonances. Phys. Rev. D, 101(1), 014018–17pp.
Abstract: We study the structure of the Lambda(c) (2595) and Lambda(c) (2625) resonances in the framework of an effective field theory consistent with heavy quark spin and chiral symmetries, which incorporates the interplay between Sigma(()(c)*() )pi – ND(*()) baryon-meson degrees of freedom (d.o.f.) and bare P-wave c (u) over bard quark-model states. We show that these two resonances are not heavy quark spin symmetry partners. The J(P) = 3/2(-) Lambda(c) (2625) should be viewed mostly as a dressed three-quark state, whose origin is determined by a bare state, predicted to lie very close to the mass of the resonance. The J(P) = 1/2(-) Lambda(c) (2595) seems to have, however, a predominant molecular structure. This is because it is either the result of the chiral Sigma(c)pi interaction, whose threshold is located much closer than the mass of the bare three-quark state, or because the light d.o.f. in its inner structure are coupled to the unnatural 0(-) quantum numbers. We show that both situations can occur depending on the renormalization procedure used. We find some additional states, but the classification of the spectrum in terms of heavy quark spin symmetry is difficult, despite having used interactions that respect this symmetry. This is because the bare quark-model state and the Sigma(c)pi threshold are located extraordinarily close to the Lambda(c) (2625) and Lambda(c) (2595), respectively, and hence they play totally different roles in each sector.
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Nieves, J., Pavao, R., & Sakai, S. (2019). Lambda(b) decays into Lambda cl(nu)over-barl and Lambda c*pi(-) [ Lambda(c)* = Lambda(c)( 2595) and Lambda(c)(2625)] and heavy quark spin symmetry. Eur. Phys. J. C, 79(5), 417–20pp.
Abstract: We study the implications for bc=c(2595) and c(2625)] decays that can be deduced from heavy quark spin symmetry (HQSS). Identifying the odd parity c(2595) and c(2625) resonances as HQSS partners, with total angular momentum-parity jqP=1- for the light degrees of freedom, we find that the ratios (bc(2595)-)/(bc(2625)-) and (bc(2595)) agree, within errors, with the experimental values given in the Review of Particle Physics. We discuss how future, and more precise, measurements of the above branching fractions could be used to shed light into the inner HQSS structure of the narrow c(2595) odd-parity resonance. Namely, we show that such studies would constrain the existence of a sizable jqP</mml:msubsup>=0- component in its wave-function, and/or of a two-pole pattern, in analogy to the case of the similar (1405) resonance in the strange sector, as suggested by most of the approaches that describe the c(2595) as a hadron molecule. We also investigate the lepton flavor universality ratios R[c]=B( may be affected by a new source of potentially large systematic errors if there are two) poles.
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Nieves, J., Feijoo, A., Albaladejo, M., & Du, M. L. (2024). Lowest-lying 1/2- and 3/2- ΛQ resonances: From the strange to the bottom sectors. Prog. Part. Nucl. Phys., 137, 104118–23pp.
Abstract: We present a detailed study of the lowest-lying 1/2(-) and 3/2(-) Lambda Q resonances both in the heavy 2 2 quark (bottom and charm) and the strange sectors. We have paid special attention to the interplay between the constituent quark-model and chiral baryon-meson degrees of freedom, which are coupled using a unitarized scheme consistent with leading-order heavy quark symmetries. We show that the Lambda(b)(5912) [J(P) = 1/2(-)], Lambda(b)(5920) [J(P) = 3/2(-)] and the Lambda(c)(2625) [J(P) = 3/2-], and the Lambda(1520) [J(P) = 3/2(-)] admitting larger breaking corrections, are heavyquark spin-flavor siblings. They can be seen as dressed quark-model states with Sigma Q(()*()) pi molecular components of the order of 30%. The J(P)=1(-) Lambda(2595) has, however, a higher molecular 2 probability of at least 50%, and even values greater than 70% can be easily accommodated. This is because it is located almost on top of the threshold of the Sigma(c)pi pair, which largely influences its properties. Although the light degrees of freedom in this resonance would be coupled to spin-parity 1(-) as in the Lambda(b)(5912), Lambda(b)(5920) and Lambda(c)(2625), the Lambda(c)(2595) should not be considered as a heavy-quark spin-flavor partner of the former ones. We also show that the Lambda(1405) chiral two-pole pattern does not have analogs in the 1 – charmed and bottomed sectors, because the 2 N D-(*()) and N (B) over bar (()*()) channels do not play for heavy quarks the decisive role that the N (K) over bar does in the strange sector, and the notable influence of the bare quark-model states for the charm and bottom resonances. Finally, we predict the existence of two Lambda(b)(6070) and two Lambda(c)(2765) heavy-quark spin and flavor sibling odd parity states.
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Nichols, A. L., Dimitriou, P., Algora, A., Fallot, M., Giot, L., Kondev, F. G., et al. (2023). Improving fission-product decay data for reactor applications: part I-decay heat. Eur. Phys. J. A, 59(4), 78–78pp.
Abstract: Effort has been expended to assess the relative merits of undertaking further decay-data measurements of the main fission-product contributors to the decay heat of neutron-irradiated fissionable fuel and related actinides by means of Total Absorption Gamma-ray Spectroscopy (TAGS – sometimes abbreviated to TAS) and Discrete Gamma-ray Spectroscopy (DGS). This review has been carried out following similar work performed under the auspices of OECD/WPEC-Subgroup 25 (2005-2007) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (2009, 2014), and various highly relevant TAGS measurements completed as a consequence of such assessments. We present our recommendations for new decay-data evaluations, along with possible requirements for total absorption and discrete high-resolution gamma-ray spectroscopy studies that cover approximately 120 fission products and various isomeric states.
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Nebot, M. (2020). Bounded masses in two Higgs doublets models, spontaneous CP violation and Z(2) symmetry. Phys. Rev. D, 102(11), 115002–16pp.
Abstract: In two Higgs doublet models (2HDMs) shaped by some unbroken symmetry, imposing perturbativity requirements on the quartic couplings can imply that the allowed masses of all the fundamental scalars are bounded from above. This important property is analyzed in detail for the only two realistic 2HDMs with an exact symmetry, the case with Z(2) symmetry and the case with CP symmetry. It is also noticeable that one exception arises in each case: when the vacuum is assumed to respect the imposed symmetry, a decoupling regime can nevertheless appear without violating perturbativity requirements. In both models with an exact symmetry and no decoupling regime, soft symmetry breaking terms can however lead to a decoupling regime: the possibility that this regime might be unnatural, since it requires some fine-tuning, is also analyzed.
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Nebot, M., Botella, F. J., & Branco, G. C. (2019). Vacuum induced CP violation generating a complex CKM matrix with controlled scalar FCNC. Eur. Phys. J. C, 79(8), 711–23pp.
Abstract: We propose. a viable minimal model with spontaneous CP violation in the framework of a two Higgs doublet model. The model is based on a generalised Branco-Grimus-Lavoura model with a flavoured Z(2) symmetry, under which two of the quark families are even and the third one is odd. The lagrangian respects CP invariance, but the vacuum has a CP violating phase, which is able to generate a complex CKM matrix, with the rephasing invariant strength of CP violation compatible with experiment. The question of scalar mediated flavour changing neutral couplings is carefully studied. In particular we point out a deep connection between the generation of a complex CKM matrix from a vacuum phase and the appearance of scalar FCNC. The scalar sector is presented in detail, showing that the new scalars are necessarily lighter than 1 TeV. A complete analysis of the model including the most relevant constraints is performed, showing that it is viable and that it has definite implications for the observation of New Physics signals in, for example, flavour changing Higgs decays or the discovery of the new scalars at the LHC. We give special emphasis to processes like t -> hc, hu, as well as h -> bs, bd, which are relevant for the LHC and the ILC.
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Navarro-Salas, J. (2024). Black holes, conformal symmetry, and fundamental fields. Class. Quantum Gravity, 41(8), 085003–14pp.
Abstract: Cosmic censorship protects the outside world from black hole singularities and paves the way for assigning entropy to gravity at the event horizons. We point out a tension between cosmic censorship and the quantum backreacted geometry of Schwarzschild black holes, induced by vacuum polarization and driven by the conformal anomaly. A similar tension appears for the Weyl curvature hypothesis at the Big Bang singularity. We argue that the requirement of exact conformal symmetry resolves both conflicts and has major implications for constraining the set of fundamental constituents of the Standard Model.
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Navarro-Salas, J., & Pla, S. (2022). Particle Creation and the Schwinger Model. Symmetry-Basel, 14(11), 2435–9pp.
Abstract: We study the particle creation process in the Schwinger model coupled with an external classical source. One can approach the problem by taking advantage of the fact that the full quantized model is solvable and equivalent to a (massive) gauge field with a non-local effective action. Alternatively, one can also face the problem by following the standard semiclassical route. This means quantizing the massless Dirac field and considering the electromagnetic field as a classical background. We evaluate the energy created by a generic, homogeneous, and time-dependent source. The results match exactly in both approaches. This proves in a very direct and economical way the validity of the semiclassical approach for the (massless) Schwinger model, in agreement with a previous analysis based on the linear response equation. Our discussion suggests that a similar analysis for the massive Schwinger model could be used as a non-trivial laboratory to confront a fully quantized solvable model with its semiclassical approximation, therefore mimicking the long-standing confrontation of quantum gravity with quantum field theory in curved spacetime.
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