Abstract: We introduce a novel approach to the hybrid-meson (valence-gluon+quark+antiquark) bound-state problem in relativistic quantum field theory. Exploiting the existence of strong two-body correlations in the gluon-quark, q(g) = [gq], and gluon-antiquark, (q) over bar (g) = [g (q) over bar] channels, we argue that a sound description of hybrids can be obtained by solving a coupled pair of effectively two-body equations; and, consequently, that hybrids may be viewed as highly correlated q(g)(q) over bar <-> q (q) over bar (g) bound states. Analogies may be drawn between this picture of hybrid structure and that of baryons, in which diquark (quark+quark) correlations play a key role. The potential of this formulation is illustrated by calculating the spectrum of light-quark isovector hybrid mesons.

Abstract: We have performed a study of the Lambda(0)(b) -> eta K-c(-) p and Lambda(0)(b) -> eta(c)pi Sigma reactions based on the dominant Cabibbo favored weak decay mechanism. We show that the K- p produced only couples to Lambda* states, not Sigma* and that the pi Sigma state is only generated from final state interaction of (K) over barN and eta Lambda channels which are produced in a primary stage. This guarantees that the pi Sigma state is generated in isospin I=0 and we see that the invariant mass produces a clean signal for the Lambda(1405) of higher mass at 1420 MeV. We also study the eta(c)p final state interaction, which is driven by the excitation of a hidden charm resonance predicted before. We relate the strength of the different invariant mass distributions and find similar strengths that should be clearly visible in an ongoing LHCb experiment. In particular we predict that a clean peak should be seen for a hidden charm resonance that couples to the eta(c)p channel in the invariant eta(c)p mass distribution.

Abstract: We consider the (D) over bar (()*())Sigma(()(c)*()) states, together with J/psi N and other coupled channels, and take an interaction consistent with heavy quark spin symmetry, with the dynamical input obtained from an extension of the local hidden gauge approach. By fitting only one parameter to the recent three pentaquark states reported by the LHCb Collaboration, we can reproduce the three of them in base to the mass and the width, providing for them the quantum numbers and approximate molecular structure as 1/2(-) (D) over bar Sigma(c), 1/2(-) (D) over bar*Sigma(c), and 3/2(-) (D) over bar*Sigma(c), and the isospin I = 1/2. We find another state around 4374 MeV, of the 3/2(-) (D) over bar Sigma(c)* structure, for which indications appear in the experimental spectrum. Two other near degenerate states of a 1/2(-) (D) over bar*Sigma(c)* and 3/2(-) (D) over bar*Sigma(c)* nature are also found around 4520 MeV, which although less clear, are not incompatible with the observed spectrum. In addition, a 5/2(-) (D) over bar*Sigma(c)* state at the same energy appears, which however does not couple to J/psi p in an S wave, and hence, it is not expected to show up in the LHCb experiment.

Abstract: Isomeric states in the neutron-rich nuclei 111Zr [T1/2 = 0.10(7) μs], 113Nb [T1/2 = 0.7(4) μs], 115Mo [T1/2 = 46(3) μs] were first identified at the Radioactive Ion Beam Factory (RIBF) of RIKEN by using in-flight fission and fragmentation of a 238U beam at an energy of 345 MeV/u. This is a brief report of the gamma transitions de -exciting from isomeric states and half-lives measurements, which provides the first spectroscopy in the nuclear region of prolate-to-oblate shape-phase transition around mass A approximate to 110.

Abstract: Dark photon dark matter will resonantly convert into visible photons when the dark photon mass is equal to the plasma frequency of the ambient medium. In cosmological contexts, this transition leads to an extremely efficient, albeit short-lived, heating of the surrounding gas. Existing work in this field has been predominantly focused on understanding the implications of these resonant transitions in the limit that the plasma frequency of the Universe can be treated as being perfectly homogeneous, i.e. neglecting inhomogeneities in the electron number density. In this work we focus on the implications of heating from dark photon dark matter in the presence of inhomogeneous structure (which is particularly relevant for dark photons with masses in the range 10(-15) eV less than or similar to m(A ') less than or similar to 10(-12) eV), emphasizing both the importance of inhomogeneous energy injection, as well as the sensitivity of cosmological observations to the inhomogeneities themselves. More specifically, we derive modified constraints on dark photon dark matter from the Ly-alpha forest, and show that the presence of inhomogeneities allows one to extend constraints to masses outside of the range that would be obtainable in the homogeneous limit, while only slightly relaxing their strength. We then project sensitivity for near-future cosmological surveys that are hoping to measure the 21cm transition in neutral hydrogen prior to reionization, and demonstrate that these experiments will be extremely useful in improving sensitivity to masses near similar to 10(-14) eV, potentially by several orders of magnitude. Finally, we discuss implications for reionization, early star formation, and late-time y-type spectral distortions, and show that probes which are inherently sensitive to the inhomogeneous state of the Universe could resolve signatures unique to the light dark photon dark matter scenario, and thus offer a fantastic potential for a positive detection.