Abstract: We consider the space-time metric generated by a global monopole in an extension of general relativity (GR) of the form f(R) = R – lambda R-2. The theory is formulated in the metric-affine (or Palatini) formalism, and exact analytical solutions are obtained. For lambda < 0, one finds that the solution has the same characteristics as the Schwarzschild black hole with a monopole charge in Einstein's GR. For lambda > 0, instead, the metric is more closely related to the Reissner-Nordstrom metric with a monopole charge and, in addition, it possesses a wormhole-like structure that allows for the geodesic completeness of the spacetime. Our solution recovers the expected limits when lambda = 0 and also at the asymptotic far limit. The angular deflection of light in this space-time in the weak field regime is also calculated.

Abstract: We study in detail the method proposed recently to study the vector-vector interaction using the N/D method and dispersion relations, which concludes that, while, for J = 0, one finds bound states, in the case of J = 2, where the interaction is also attractive and much stronger, no bound state is found. In that work, approximations are done for N and D and a subtracted dispersion relation for D is used, with subtractions made up to a polynomial of second degree in s – s(th), matching the expression to 1 – VG at threshold. We study this in detail for the rho rho interaction and to see the convergence of the method we make an extra subtraction matching 1 – VG at threshold up to (s – s(th))(3). We show that the method cannot be used to extrapolate the results down to 1270 MeV where the f(2)(1270) resonance appears, due to the artificial singularity stemming from the “on-shell” factorization of the rho exchange potential. In addition, we explore the same method but folding this interaction with the mass distribution of the rho, and we show that the singularity disappears and the method allows one to extrapolate to low energies, where both the (s – s(th))(2) and (s – s(th))(3) expansions lead to a zero of Re D(s), at about the same energy where a realistic approach produces a bound state. Even then, the method generates a large Im D(s) that we discuss is unphysical.

Abstract: We analyze the constraints on colored scalar bosons imposed by the current LHC data at root s = 13 TeV. Specifically, we consider an additional electroweak doublet of color-octet scalars, satisfying the principle of minimal flavor violation in order to fulfill the stringent experimental limits on flavor-changing neutral currents. We demonstrate that colored scalars with masses below 800 GeV are already excluded, provided they are not fermiophobic.

Abstract: We report new measurements of the drift velocity and longitudinal diffusion coefficients of electrons in pure xenon gas and in xenon-helium gas mixtures at 1-9 bar and electric field strengths of 50-300 V/cm. In pure xenon we find excellent agreement with world data at all E/P, for both drift velocity and diffusion coefficients. However, a larger value of the longitudinal diffusion coefficient than theoretical predictions is found at low E/P in pure xenon, below the range of reduced fields usually probed by TPC experiments. A similar effect is observed in xenon-helium gas mixtures at somewhat larger E/P. Drift velocities in xenon-helium mixtures are found to be theoretically well predicted. Although longitudinal diffusion in xenon-helium mixtures is found to be larger than anticipated, extrapolation based on the measured longitudinal diffusion coefficients suggest that the use of helium additives to reduce transverse diffusion in xenon gas remains a promising prospect.

Abstract: The Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) is a leading experiment in neutrino physics which is presently under construction. DUNE aims to measure the yet unknown parameters in the three flavor oscillation scenario which includes discovery of leptonic CP violation, determination of the mass hierarchy and determination of the octant of theta(23). Additionally, the ancillary goals of DUNE include probing the subdominant effects induced by new physics. A widely studied new physics scenario is that of nonstandard neutrino interactions (NSI) in propagation which impacts the oscillations of neutrinos. We consider some of the essential NSI parameters impacting the oscillation signals at DUNE and explore the space of NSI parameters as well as study their correlations among themselves and with the yet unknown CP violating phase, delta appearing in the standard paradigm. The experiment utilizes a wide band beam and provides us with a unique opportunity to utilize different beam tunes at DUNE. We demonstrate that combining information from different beam tunes (low energy and medium energy) available at DUNE impacts the ability to probe some of these parameters and leads to altering the allowed regions in two-dimensional space of parameters considered.