Abstract: Background: Levels fulfilling the seniority scheme and relevant isomers are commonly observed features in semimagic nuclei; for example, in Sn isotopes (Z = 50). Seniority isomers in Sn, with dominantly pure neutron configurations, directly probe the underlying neutron-neutron (vv) interaction. Furthermore, an addition of a valence proton particle or hole, through neutron-proton (v pi) interaction, affects the neutron seniority as well as the angular momentum. Purpose: Benchmark the reproducibility of the experimental observables, like the excitation energies (E-x) and the reduced electric-quadrupole transition probabilities [B(E2)], with the results obtained from shell-model interactions for neutron-rich Sn and Sb isotopes with N < 82. Study the sensitivity of the aforementioned experimental observables to the model interaction components. Furthermore, explore from a microscopic point of view the structural similarity between the isomers in Sn and Sb, and thus the importance of the valence proton. Methods: The neutron-rich Sb122-131 isotopes were produced as fission fragments in the reaction Be-9(U-238, f) with 6.2 MeV/u beam energy. A unique setup, consisting of AGATA, VAMOS++, and EXOGAM detectors, was used which enabled the prompt-delayed gamma-ray spectroscopy of fission fragments in the time range of 100 ns to 200 μs. Results: New isomers and prompt and delayed transitions were established in the even-A Sb122-131 isotopes. In the odd-A Sb122-131 isotopes, new prompt and delayed gamma-ray transitions were identified, in addition to the confirmation of the previously known isomers. The half-lives of the isomeric states and the B(E2) transition probabilities of the observed transitions depopulating these isomers were extracted. Conclusions: The experimental data was compared with the theoretical results obtained in the framework of large-scale shell-model (LSSM) calculations in a restricted model space. Modifications of several components of the shell-model interaction were introduced to obtain a consistent agreement with the excitation energies and the B(E2) transition probabilities in neutron-rich Sn and Sb isotopes. The isomeric configurations in Sn and Sb were found to be relatively pure. Furthermore, the calculations revealed that the presence of a single valence proton, mainly in the g(7/2) orbital in Sb isotopes, leads to significant mixing (due to the v pi interaction) of (i) the neutron seniorities (upsilon(v)) and (ii) the neutron angular momentum (I-v). The above features have a weak impact on the excitation energies, but have an important impact on the B(E2) transition probabilities. In addition, a constancy of the relative excitation energies irrespective of neutron seniority and neutron number in Sn and Sb was observed.

Abstract: A production representation of partial-wave S matrix is utilized to construct low-energy elastic pion-nucleon scattering amplitudes from cuts and poles on complex Riemann sheets. Among them, the contribution of left-hand cuts is estimated using the O (p(3)) results obtained in covariant baryon chiral perturbation theory within the extendedon-nass-shell scheme. By fitting to data on partial-wave phase shifts, it is indicated that the existences of hidden poles in S-11 and P-11 channels, as conjectured in our previous paper [Eur. Phys. J. C, 78(7): 543 (2018)], are firmly established. Specifically, the pole mass of the S-11 hidden resonance is determined to be (895 +/- 81)-(164 +/- 23)i MeV, whereas, the virtual pole in the P-11 channel locates at (966 +/- 18) MeV. It is found that analyses at the O (p(3)) level improves significantly the fit quality, comparing with the previous O (p(2)) one. Quantitative studies with cautious physical discussions are also conducted for the other S- and P-wave channels.

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 the correspondence that connects the space of solutions of general relativity (GR) with that of Ricci-based gravity theories (RBGs) of the f(R, Q) type in the metric-affinc formulation, where Q = R(mu nu)R(mu nu). We focus on the case of scalar matter and show that when one considers a free massless scalar in the GR frame, important simplifications arise that allow one to establish the correspondence for arbitrary f (R, Q) Lagrangian. We particularize the analysis to a quadratic f (R, Q) theory and use the spherically symmetric, static solution of Jannis-Newman-Winicour as seed to generate new compact objects in our target theory. We find that two different types of solutions emerge, one representing naked singularities and another corresponding to asymmetric wormholes with bounded curvature scalars everywhere. The latter solutions, nonetheless, are geodesically incomplete.

Abstract: The post-inflationary breaking of Peccei-Quinn (PQ) symmetry can lead to the cosmic domain wall catastrophe. In this paper we show how to avoid domain walls by implementing the instanton interference effect with a new interaction which itself breaks PQ symmetry and confines at an energy scale smaller than Lambda(QCD). We give a general description of the mechanism and consider its cosmological implications and constraints within a minimal model. Contrary to other mechanisms, we do not require an inverse phase transition or fine-tuned bias terms. Incidentally, the mechanism leads to the introduction of new self-interacting dark matter candidates and the possibility of producing gravitational waves in the frequency range of SKA. Unless a fine-tuned hidden sector is introduced, the mechanism predicts a QCD axion in the mass range 1-15 meV.