Sanchis-Lozano, M. A., & Sanz, V. (2024). Observable imprints of primordial gravitational waves on the temperature anisotropies of the cosmic microwave background. Phys. Rev. D, 109(6), 063529–11pp.
Abstract: We examine the contribution of tensor modes, in addition to the dominant scalar ones, on the temperature anisotropies of the cosmic microwave background (CMB). To this end, we analyze in detail the temperature two -point angular correlation function C(Theta) from the Planck 2018 dataset, focusing on large angles (Theta greater than or similar to 120 degrees) corresponding to small l multipoles. A hierarchical set of infrared cutoffs are naturally introduced to the scalar and tensor power spectra of the CMB by invoking an extra Kaluza-Klein spatial dimension compactifying at about the grand unified theory scale between the Planck epoch and the start of inflation. We associate this set of lower scalar and tensor cutoffs with the parity of the multipole expansion of the C(Theta) function. By fitting the Planck 2018 data we compute the multipole coefficients, thereby reproducing the well-known odd -parity preference in angular correlations seen by all three satellite missions: Cosmic Background Explorer, WMAP, and Planck. Our fits improve significantly once tensor modes are included in the analysis, hence providing a hint of the imprints of primordial gravitational waves on the temperature correlations observed in the CMB today. To conclude, we suggest a relationship between, on the one hand, the lack of (positive) large -angle correlations and the odd -parity dominance in the CMB and, on the other hand, the effect of primordial gravitational waves on the CMB temperature anisotropies.
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Sanchis-Lozano, M. A., Melia, F., Lopez-Corredoira, M., & Sanchis-Gual, N. (2022). Missing large-angle correlations versus even-odd point-parity imbalance in the cosmic microwave background. Astron. Astrophys., 660, A121–10pp.
Abstract: Context. The existence of a maximum correlation angle (theta(max) & 60 greater than or similar to degrees) in the two-point angular temperature correlations of cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation, measured by WMAP and Planck, stands in sharp contrast to the prediction of standard inflationary cosmology, in which the correlations should extend across the full sky (i.e., 180 degrees). The introduction of a hard lower cuto ff (k(min)) in the primordial power spectrum, however, leads naturally to the existence of theta(max). Among other cosmological anomalies detected in these data, an apparent dominance of odd-over-even parity multipoles has been seen in the angular power spectrum of the CMB. This feature, however, may simply be due to observational contamination in certain regions of the sky. Aims. In attempting to provide a more detailed assessment of whether this odd-over-even asymmetry is intrinsic to the CMB, we therefore proceed in this paper, first, to examine whether this odd-even parity imbalance also manifests itself in the angular correlation function and, second, to examine in detail the interplay between the presence of theta(max) and this observed anomaly. Methods. We employed several parity statistics and recalculated the angular correlation function for di fferent values of the cuto ff kmin in order to optimize the fit to the di fferent Planck 2018 data. Results. We find a phenomenological connection between these features in the data, concluding that both must be considered together in order to optimize the theoretical fit to the Planck 2018 data. Conclusions. This outcome is independent of whether the parity imbalance is intrinsic to the CMB, but if it is, the odd-over-even asymmetry would clearly point to the emergence of new physics.
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Sanchis-Lozano, M. A. (2022). Stringy Signals from Large-Angle Correlations in the Cosmic Microwave Background? Universe, 8(8), 396–13pp.
Abstract: We interpret the lack of large-angle temperature correlations and the even-odd parity imbalance observed in the cosmic microwave background (CMB) by COBE, WMAP and Planck satellite missions as a possible stringy signal ultimately stemming from a composite inflaton field (e.g., a fermionic condensate). Based on causality arguments and a Fourier analysis of the angular two-point correlation function, two infrared cutoffs k(min)(even,odd) (satisfying k(min)(even) similar or equal to 2k(min)(odd)) are introduced to the CMB power spectrum associated, respectively, with periodic and antiperiodic boundary conditions of the fermionic constituents (echoing the Neveu-Schwarz-Ramond model in superstring theory), without resorting to any particular model.
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Sanchis-Gual, N., & del Rio, A. (2023). Precessing binary black holes as engines of electromagnetic helicity. Phys. Rev. D, 108, 044052–11pp.
Abstract: We show that binary black hole mergers with precessing evolution can potentially excite photons from the quantum vacuum in such a way that total helicity is not preserved in the process. Helicity violation is allowed by quantum fluctuations that spoil the electric-magnetic duality symmetry of the classical Maxwell theory without charges. We show here that precessing binary black hole systems in astrophysics generate a flux of circularly polarized gravitational waves which, in turn, provides the required helical background that triggers this quantum effect. Solving the fully nonlinear Einstein’s equations with numerical relativity we explore the parameter space of binary systems and extract the detailed dependence of the quantum effect with the spins of the two black holes. We also introduce a set of diagrammatic techniques that allows us to predict when a binary black hole merger can or cannot emit circularly polarized gravitational radiation, based on mirror-symmetry considerations. This framework allows to understand and to interpret correctly the numerical results, and to predict the outcomes in potentially interesting astrophysical systems.
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Salesa Greus, F., & Sanchez Losa, A. (2021). Multimessenger Astronomy with Neutrinos. Universe, 7(11), 397–11pp.
Abstract: Multimessenger astronomy is arguably the branch of the astroparticle physics field that has seen the most significant developments in recent years. In this manuscript, we will review the state-of-the-art, the recent observations, and the prospects and challenges for the near future. We will give special emphasis to the observation carried out with neutrino telescopes.
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Sakai, S., Oset, E., & Guo, F. K. (2020). Triangle singularity in the B-> K- pi X-0 (3872) reaction and sensitivity to the X(3872) mass. Phys. Rev. D, 101(5), 054030–10pp.
Abstract: We have done a study of the B--> K-pi X-0(3872) reaction by means of a triangle mechanism via the chain of reactions: B--> K-D*(0);(D) over bar*(0); D*(0)-> pi D-0(0); D-0(D) over bar*(0)-> X(3872). We show that this mechanism generates a triangle singularity in the pi X-0(3872) invariant mass for a very narrow window of the X(3872) mass, around the present measured values, and show that the peak positions and the shape of the mass distributions arc sensitive to the X(3872) mass, such that a measurement of the reaction can serve to improve on the present values of this mass. In particular, we point out that the X(3872) mass relative to the D-0(D) over bar*(0) threshold may be extracted from the asymmetry of the pi X-0 line shape.
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Sakai, S., Liang, W. H., Toledo, G., & Oset, E. (2020). J/psi -> gamma pi pi, gamma pi(0)eta reactions and the f(0)(980) and a(0)(980) resonances. Phys. Rev. D, 101(1), 014005–9pp.
Abstract: We study the J/psi -> gamma pi(+)pi(-), gamma pi(0)eta reactions from the perspective that they come from the J/psi -> phi(omega)pi(+)pi(-), rho(0)pi(0)eta reactions, where the rho(0), psi, and phi get converted into a photon via vector meson dominance. Using models successfully used previously to study the J/psi -> omega(phi)pi pi reactions, we make determinations of the invariant mass distributions for pi(+)pi(-) in the regions of the f(0)(500), f(0)(980), and for pi(0)eta in the region of the a(0)(980). The integrated differential widths lead to branching ratios below present upper bounds, but they are sufficiently large for future check in updated facilities.
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Saha, S., Arici, T., Gerl, J., Gorska, M., Pietralla, N., Davinson, T., et al. (2020). On the 6-detection efficiency of a combined Si and plastic stack detector for DESPEC. Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. A, 975, 164196–8pp.
Abstract: A Geant4 simulation has been carried out in order to determine the beta-detection efficiency of a rare isotope beam implantation setup, for decay spectroscopy experiments, comprising a number of Double Sided Silicon Strip Detectors (DSSSDs) and two plastic scintillation detectors placed upstream and downstream. The absolute efficiency for the emitted beta-particle detection from radioactive fragments implanted in the DSSSDs using fast-timing plastic-scintillator detector, is calculated. The detection efficiency of the setup has been studied with two different distances between the Si layers and plastics. The requirement for the thickness of the Si detector layers and its implication on the beta-detection efficiency has been investigated for 1 mm and 300 µm thickness of Si layers. The combined efficiency of DSSSD and plastic detectors were also simulated for two different thicknesses of the DSSSD.
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Ruhr, F. et al, Escobar, C., & Miñano, M. (2020). Testbeam studies of barrel and end-cap modules for the ATLAS ITk strip detector before and after irradiation. Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. A, 979, 164430–6pp.
Abstract: In order to cope with the occupancy and radiation doses expected at the High-Luminosity LHC, the ATLAS experiment will replace its Inner Detector with an all-silicon Inner Tracker (ITk), consisting of pixel and strip subsystems. In the last two years, several prototype ITk strip modules have been tested using beams of high energy electrons produced at the DESY-II testbeam facility. Tracking was provided by EUDET telescopes. The modules tested are built from two sensor types: the rectangular ATLAS17LS, which will be used in the outer layers of the central barrel region of the detector, and the annular ATLAS12EC, which will be used in the innermost ring (R0) of the forward region. Additionally, a structure with two RO modules positioned back-to-back has been measured, demonstrating space point reconstruction using the stereo angle of the strips. Finally, one barrel and one RO module have been measured after irradiation to 40% beyond the expected end-of-lifetime fluence. The data obtained allow for thorough tests of the module performance, including charge collection, noise occupancy, detection efficiency, and tracking performance. The results give confidence that the ITk strip detector will meet the requirements of the ATLAS experiment.
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Rossi, R. R., Sanchez Garcia, G., & Tortola, M. (2024). Probing nuclear properties and neutrino physics with current and future CEνNS experiments. Phys. Rev. D, 109(9), 095044–17pp.
Abstract: The recent observation of coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CEvNS) with neutrinos from pion decay at rest (N-DAR) sources by the COHERENT Collaboration has raised interest in this process in the search for new physics. Unfortunately, current uncertainties in the determination of nuclear parameters relevant to those processes can hide new physics effects. This is not the case for processes involving lower-energy neutrino sources such as nuclear reactors. Note, however, that a CEvNS measurement with reactor neutrinos depends largely on a (still-missing) precise determination of the quenching factor at very low energies, making its observation more challenging. In the upcoming years, once this signal is confirmed, a combined analysis of N-DAR and reactor CEvNS experiments will be very useful to probe particle and nuclear physics, with a reduced dependence on nuclear uncertainties. In this work, we explore this idea by simultaneously testing the sensitivity of current and future CEvNS experiments to neutrino nonstandard interactions (NSIs) and the neutron root mean square (rms) radius, considering different neutrino sources as well as several detection materials. We show how the interplay between future reactor and accelerator CEvNS experiments can help to get robust constraints on the neutron rms and to break degeneracies between the NSI parameters. Our forecast could be used as a guide to optimize the experimental sensitivity to the parameters under study.
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