Abstract: Accurate characterization of the electric response of segmented high-purity germanium (HPGe) detectors as a function of the interaction position is one of the current goals of the Nuclear Physics community seeking to perform gamma-ray tracking or even imaging with these detectors. For this purpose, scanning devices must be developed to achieve the signal-position association with the highest precision. With a view to studying the accuracy achieved with SALSA, the SAlamanca Lyso-based Scanning Array, here we report a detailed study on the uncertainty sources and their effect in the position determination inside the HPGe detector to be scanned. The optimization performed on the design of SALSA, aimed at minimizing the effect of the uncertainty sources, afforded an intrinsic uncertainty of 2 mm for large coaxial detectors and 1 mm for planar ones.

Abstract: A new method for measuring (n, gamma) cross-sections aiming at enhanced signal-to-background ratio is presented. This new approach is based on the combination of the pulse-height weighting technique with a total energy detection system that features gamma-ray imaging capability (i-TED). The latter allows one to exploit Compton imaging techniques to discriminate between true capture gamma-rays arising from the sample under study and background gamma-rays coming from contaminant neutron (prompt or delayed) captures in the surrounding environment. A general proof-of-concept detection system for this application is presented in this paper together with a description of the imaging method and a conceptual demonstration based on Monte Carlo simulations.

Abstract: So far we have not been able to establish that, as theoretically expected, neutrinos are their own anti-particles. Here we propose a dynamical way to account for the Dirac nature of neutrinos and the smallness of their mass in terms of a new variant of the seesaw paradigm in which the energy scale of neutrino mass generation could be accessible to the current LHC experiments.

Abstract: The precise connection between the theoretical T, CP, CPT asymmetries, in terms of transition probabilities between the filtered neutral meson B-d states, and the experimental asymmetries, in terms of the double decay rate intensities for Flavour-CP eigenstate decay products in a B-d-factory of entangled states, is established. This allows the identification of genuine Asymmetry Parameters in the time distribution of the asymmetries and their measurability by disentangling genuine and possible fake terms. We express the nine asymmetry parameters three different observables for each one of the three symmetries in terms of the ingredients of the Weisskopf-Wigner dynamical description of the entangled B-d-meson states and we obtain a global fit to their values from the BaBar collaboration experimental results. The possible fake terms are all compatible with zero and the information content of the nine asymmetry parameters is indeed different. The non -vanishing Delta l(c)(T) = 0.687 +/- 0.020 and Delta l(c)(CP) = 0.680 +/- 0.021 are impressive separate direct evidence of Time -Reversal -violation and CP-violation in these transitions and compatible with Standard Model expectations. An intriguing 2 sigma effect for the Re(theta) parameter responsible of CPT -violation appears which, interpreted as an upper limit, leads to vertical bar M (B) over baro (B) over baro vertical bar MBoBo < 4.0 x 10(-5) eV at 95% C.L. for the diagonal flavour terms of the mass matrix. It contributes to the CP-violating Delta l(c)(CP) asymmetry parameter in an unorthodox manner – in its cos(Delta M t) time dependence-, and it is accessible in facilities with non-entangled B-d's, like the LHCb experiment.

Abstract: We study the decoupling process of neutrinos in the early universe in the presence of three-flavour oscillations. The evolution of the neutrino spectra is found by solving the corresponding momentum-dependent kinetic equations for the neutrino density matrix, including for the first time the proper collision integrals for both diagonal and off-diagonal elements. This improved calculation modifies the evolution of the off-diagonal elements of the neutrino density matrix and changes the deviation from equilibrium of the frozen neutrino spectra. However, it does not vary the contribution of neutrinos to the cosmological energy density in the form of radiation, usually expressed in terms of the effective number of neutrinos, N-eff. We find a value of N-eff = 3.045, in agreement with previous theoretical calculations and consistent with the latest analysis of Planck data. This result does not depend on the ordering of neutrino masses. We also consider the effect of non-standard neutrino-electron interactions (NSI), predicted in many theoretical models where neutrinos acquire mass. For two sets of NSI parameters allowed by present data, we find that Neff can be reduced down to 3.040 or enhanced up to 3.059.