Xie, J. J., Wang, E., & Nieves, J. (2014). Re-analysis of the A(1520) photoproduction reaction. Phys. Rev. C, 89(1), 015203–10pp.
Abstract: Based on previous studies that support the important role of the N*(2120)D-13 resonance in the gamma p -> K+ A(1520) reaction, we make a re-analysis of this A(1520) photoproduction reaction taking into account the recent CLAS differential cross-section data. In addition to the contact, t-channel (K) over bar exchange, s-channel nucleon pole, and N*(2120) [previously called N*(2080)] resonance contributions, which have been considered in previous works, we also study the u-channel A(1115) hyperon pole term. The latter mechanism has always been ignored in all theoretical analysis, which has mostly relied on the very forward K+ angular LEPS data. It is shown that when the contributions from the N*(2120) resonance and the A(1115) hyperon are taken into account, both the new CLAS and the previous LEPS data can be simultaneously described. We also show that the contribution from the u-channel A(1115) pole term produces an enhancement for large K+ angles, and it becomes more and more relevant as the photon energy increases, being essential to describe the CLAS differential cross sections at backward angles. Furthermore, we find that the new CLAS data also favor the existence of the N*(2120) resonance and that these measurements can be used to further constrain its properties.
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Wang, E., Alvarez-Ruso, L., & Nieves, J. (2014). Photon emission in neutral-current interactions at intermediate energies. Phys. Rev. C, 89(1), 015503–21pp.
Abstract: Neutral-current photon emission reactions with nucleons and nuclei are studied. These processes are important backgrounds for nu(mu) -> nu(e) ((nu) over bar (mu) -> (nu) over bar (e)) appearance oscillation experiments where electromagnetic showers instigated by electrons (positrons) and photons are not distinguishable. At intermediate energies, these reactions are dominated by the weak excitation of the Delta(1232) resonance and its subsequent decay into N gamma. There are also nonresonant contributions that, close to threshold, are fully determined by the effective chiral Lagrangian of strong interactions. In addition, we have also included mechanisms mediated by nucleon excitations (N*) from the second resonance region above the Delta(1232). From these states, the contribution of the D-13 N*(1520) turns out to be sizable for (anti) neutrino energies above 1.5 GeV. We have extended the model to nuclear targets taking into account Pauli blocking, Fermi motion, and the in-medium Delta resonance broadening. We present our predictions for both the incoherent and coherent channels, showing the relevance of the nuclear corrections. We also discuss the target mass dependence of the cross sections. This study is important to reduce systematic effects in neutrino oscillation experiments.
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Aceti, F., Bayar, M., Oset, E., Martinez Torres, A., Khemchandani, K. P., Dias, J. M., et al. (2014). Prediction of an I=1 D(D)over-bar* state and relationship to the claimed Z(c)(3900), Z(c)(3885). Phys. Rev. D, 90(1), 016003–13pp.
Abstract: We study here the interaction of D (D) over bar* in the isospin I = 1 channel in light of recent theoretical advances that allow us to combine elements of the local hidden gauge approach with heavy quark spin symmetry. We find that the exchange of light q (q) over bar is Okubo-Zweig-Iizuka (OZI) suppressed and thus we concentrate on the exchange of heavy vectors and of two pion exchange. The latter is found to be small compared to the exchange of heavy vectors, which then determines the strength of the interaction. A barely D (D) over bar* bound state decaying into eta(c)rho and pi J/psi is found. At the same time we reanalyze the data of the BESIII experiment on e(+)e(-) -> pi(+/-)(D (D) over bar*)(-/+), from where a Z(c)(3885) state was claimed, associated to a peak in the (D (D) over bar*)(-/+) invariant mass distribution close to threshold, and we find the data compatible with a resonance with mass around 3875 MeV and width around 30 MeV. We discuss the possibility that this and the Z(c)(3900) state found at BESIII, reconfirmed at 3894 MeV at Belle, or 3885 MeV at CLEO, could all be the same state and correspond to the one that we find theoretically.
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de Gouvea, A., Herrero-Garcia, J., & Kobach, A. (2014). Neutrino masses, grand unification, and baryon number violation. Phys. Rev. D, 90(1), 016011–11pp.
Abstract: If grand unification is real, searches for baryon-number violation should be included on the list of observables that may reveal information regarding the origin of neutrino masses. Making use of an effective-operator approach and assuming that nature is SU(5) invariant at very short distances, we estimate the consequences of different scenarios that lead to light Majorana neutrinos for low-energy phenomena that violate baryon number minus lepton number (B – L) by two (or more) units, including neutron-antineutron oscillations and B – L violating nucleon decays. We find that, among all possible effective theories of lepton-number violation that lead to nonzero neutrino masses, only a subset is, broadly speaking, consistent with grand unification.
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AGATA Collaboration(John, P. R. et al), & Gadea, A. (2014). Shape evolution in the neutron-rich osmium isotopes: Prompt gamma-ray spectroscopy of Os-196. Phys. Rev. C, 90(2), 021301–6pp.
Abstract: The shape transition in the neutron-rich Os isotopes is studied by investigating the neutron-rich Os-196 nucleus through in-beam gamma-ray spectroscopy using a two-proton transfer reaction from a Pt-198 target to a Se-82 beam. The beam-like recoils were detected and identified with the large-acceptance magnetic spectrometer PRISMA, and the coincident gamma rays were measured with the advanced gamma tracking array (AGATA) demonstrator. The de-excitation of the low-lying levels of the yrast-band of Os-196 were identified for the first time. The results are compared with state-of-the-art beyond-mean-field calculations, performed for the even-even Os188-198 isotopes. The new results suggest a smooth transition in the Os isotopes from a more axial rotational behavior towards predominately vibrational nuclei through triaxial configurations. An almost perfect gamma-unstable/triaxial rotor yrast band is predicted for Os-196 which is in agreement with the experimentally measured excited states.
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n_TOF Collaboration(Zugec, P. et al), Domingo-Pardo, C., Giubrone, G., & Tain, J. L. (2014). Measurement of the C-12(n, p)B-12 cross section at n_TOF at CERN by in-beam activation analysis. Phys. Rev. C, 90(2), 021601–5pp.
Abstract: The integral cross section of the C-12(n, p)B-12 reaction has been determined for the first time in the neutron energy range from threshold to several GeV at the n_TOF facility at CERN. The measurement relies on the activation technique with the beta decay of B-12 measured over a period of four half-lives within the same neutron bunch in which the reaction occurs. The results indicate that model predictions, used in a variety of applications, are mostly inadequate. The value of the integral cross section reported here can be used as a benchmark for verifying or tuning model calculations.
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Granero, D., Perez-Calatayud, J., Vijande, J., Ballester, F., & Rivard, M. J. (2014). Limitations of the TG-43 formalism for skin high-dose-rate brachytherapy dose calculations. Med. Phys., 41(2), 021703–8pp.
Abstract: Purpose: In skin high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy, sources are located outside, in contact with, or implanted at some depth below the skin surface. Most treatment planning systems use the TG-43 formalism, which is based on single-source dose superposition within an infinite water medium without accounting for the true geometry in which conditions for scattered radiation are altered by the presence of air. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the dosimetric limitations of the TG-43 formalism in HDR skin brachytherapy and the potential clinical impact. Methods: Dose rate distributions of typical configurations used in skin brachytherapy were obtained: a 5 cm x 5 cm superficial mould; a source inside a catheter located at the skin surface with and without backscatter bolus; and a typical interstitial implant consisting of an HDR source in a catheter located at a depth of 0.5 cm. Commercially available HDR Co-60 and Ir-192 sources and a hypothetical Yb-169 source were considered. The Geant4Monte Carlo radiation transport code was used to estimate dose rate distributions for the configurations considered. These results were then compared to those obtained with the TG-43 dose calculation formalism. In particular, the influence of adding bolus material over the implant was studied. Results: For a 5 cm x 5 cm Ir-192 superficial mould and 0.5 cm prescription depth, dose differences in comparison to the TG-43 method were about -3%. When the source was positioned at the skin surface, dose differences were smaller than -1% for Co-60 and Ir-192, yet -3% for Yb-169. For the interstitial implant, dose differences at the skin surface were -7% for Co-60, -0.6% for Ir-192, and -2.5% for Yb-169. Conclusions: This study indicates the following: (i) for the superficial mould, no bolus is needed; (ii) when the source is in contact with the skin surface, no bolus is needed for either Co-60 and Ir-192. For lower energy radionuclides like Yb-169, bolus may be needed; and (iii) for the interstitial case, at least a 0.1 cm bolus is advised for Co-60 to avoid underdosing superficial target layers. For Ir-192 and Yb-169, no bolus is needed. For those cases where no bolus is needed, its use might be detrimental as the lack of radiation scatter may be beneficial to the patient, although the 2% tolerance for dose calculation accuracy recommended in the AAPM TG-56 report is not fulfilled.
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Morales, A. I., Algora, A., Molina, F., & Rubio, B. (2014). Half-Life Systematics across the N=126 Shell Closure: Role of First-Forbidden Transitions in the beta Decay of Heavy Neutron-Rich Nuclei. Phys. Rev. Lett., 113(2), 022702–5pp.
Abstract: This Letter reports on a systematic study of beta-decay half-lives of neutron-rich nuclei around doubly magic Pb-208. The lifetimes of the 126-neutron shell isotone Pt-204 and the neighboring Ir200-202, Pt-203, Au-204 are presented together with other 19 half-lives measured during the “stopped beam” campaign of the rare isotope investigations at GSI collaboration. The results constrain the main nuclear theories used in calculations of r-process nucleosynthesis. Predictions based on a statistical macroscopic description of the first-forbidden beta strength reveal significant deviations for most of the nuclei with N < 126. In contrast, theories including a fully microscopic treatment of allowed and first-forbidden transitions reproduce more satisfactorily the trend in the measured half-lives for the nuclei in this region, where the r-process pathway passes through during beta decay back to stability.
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Lobo, F. S. N., Martinez-Asencio, J., Olmo, G. J., & Rubiera-Garcia, D. (2014). Dynamical generation of wormholes with charged fluids in quadratic Palatini gravity. Phys. Rev. D, 90(2), 024033–15pp.
Abstract: The dynamical generation of wormholes within an extension of General Relativity (GR) containing (Planck's scale-suppressed) Ricci-squared terms is considered. The theory is formulated assuming the metric and connection to be independent (Palatini formalism) and is probed using a charged null fluid as a matter source. This has the following effect: starting from Minkowski space, when the flux is active the metric becomes a charged Vaidya-type one, and once the flux is switched off the metric settles down into a static configuration such that far from the Planck scale the geometry is virtually indistinguishable from that of the standard Reissner-Nordstrom solution of GR. However, the innermost region undergoes significant changes, as the GR singularity is generically replaced by a wormhole structure. Such a structure becomes completely regular for a certain charge-to-mass ratio. Moreover, the nontrivial topology of the wormhole allows us to define a charge in terms of lines of force trapped in the topology such that the density of lines flowing across the wormhole throat becomes a universal constant. In light of our results, we comment on the physical significance of curvature divergences in this theory and the topology change issue, which support the view that space-time could have a foamlike microstructure pervaded by wormholes generated by quantum gravitational effects.
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Makarenko, A. N., Odintsov, S., & Olmo, G. J. (2014). Born-Infeld f(R) gravity. Phys. Rev. D, 90(2), 024066–15pp.
Abstract: Motivated by the properties of matter quantum fields in curved space-times, we work out a gravity theory that combines the Born-Infeld gravity Lagrangian with an f(R) piece. To avoid ghostlike instabilities, the theory is formulated within the Palatini approach. This construction provides more freedom to address a number of important questions, such as the dynamics of the early Universe and the cosmic accelerated expansion, among others. In particular, we consider the effect that adding an f(R) = aR(2) term has on the early-time cosmology. We find that bouncing solutions are robust against these modifications of the Lagrangian whereas the solutions with loitering behavior of the original Born-Infeld theory are very sensitive to the R-2 term. In fact, these solutions are modified in such a way that a plateau in the H-2 function may arise, yielding a period of (approximately) de Sitter inflationary expansion. This inflationary behavior may be found even in a radiation-dominated universe.
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