Abstract: We discuss recent lattice data for the T-cc(3875)(+) state to stress, for the first time, a potentially strong impact of left-hand cuts from the one-pion exchange on the pole extraction for near-threshold exotic states. In particular, if the left-hand cut is located close to the two-particle threshold, which happens naturally in the DD* system for the pion mass exceeding its physical value, the effective-range expansion is valid only in a very limited energy range up to the cut and as such is of little use to reliably extract the poles. Then, an accurate extraction of the pole locations requires the one-pion exchange to be implemented explicitly into the scattering amplitudes. Our findings are general and potentially relevant for a wide class of hadronic near-threshold states.

Abstract: We discuss the interpretation of the detected signal by pulsar timing array (PTA) observations as a gravitational wave background of cosmological origin. We combine NANOGrav 15-years and EPTADR2new datasets and confront them against backgrounds from supermassive black hole binaries (SMBHBs), and cosmological signals from inflation, cosmic (super)strings, first-order phase transitions, Gaussian and non-Gaussian large scalar fluctuations, and audible axions. We find that scalar-induced, and to a lesser extent audible axion and cosmic superstring signals, provide a better fit than SMBHBs. These results depend, however, on modeling assumptions, so further data and analysis are needed to reach robust conclusions. Independently of the signal origin, the data strongly constrain the parameter space of cosmological signals, for example, setting an upper bound on primordial non-Gaussianity at PTA scales as jfnlj less than or similar to 2.34 at 95% C.L.

Abstract: Isomer spectroscopy of heavy neutron-rich nuclei beyond the N = 126 closed shell has been performed for the first time at the Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory of the RIKEN Nishina Center. New millisecond isomers have been identified at low excitation energies, 985.3(19) keV in Tl-213 and 874(5) keV in Tl-215. The measured half-lives of 1.34(5) ms in Tl-213 and 3.0(3) ms in Tl-215 suggest spins and parities 11/2(-) with the single proton-hole configuration pi h(11/2) as leading component. They are populated via E1 transitions by the decay of higher-lying isomeric states with proposed spin and parity 17/2(+), interpreted as arising from a single pi s(1/2) proton hole coupled to the 8(+) seniority isomer in the PbA + 1 cores. The lowering of the 11/2(-) states is ascribed to an increase of the pi h(11/2) proton effective single-particle energy as the second nu g(9/2) orbital is filled by neutrons, owing to a significant reduction of the proton-neutron monopole interaction between the pi h(11/2) and nu g(9/2) orbitals. The new ms isomers provide the first experimental observation of shell evolution in the almost unexplored N > 126 nuclear region below doubly magic Pb-208.

Abstract: Compton cameras are gamma-ray imaging systems which have been proposed for a wide variety of applications such as medical imaging, nuclear decommissioning or homeland security. In the design and optimization of such a system Monte Carlo simulations play an essential role. In this work, we propose a generic module to perform Monte Carlo simulations and analyses of Compton Camera imaging which is included in the open-source GATE/Geant4 platform. Several digitization stages have been implemented within the module to mimic the performance of the most commonly employed detectors (e.g. monolithic blocks, pixelated scintillator crystals, strip detectors...). Time coincidence sorter and sequence coincidence reconstruction are also available in order to aim at providing modules to facilitate the comparison and reproduction of the data taken with different prototypes. All processing steps may be performed during the simulation (on-the-fly mode) or as a post-process of the output files (offline mode). The predictions of the module have been compared with experimental data in terms of energy spectra, angular resolution, efficiency and back-projection image reconstruction. Consistent results within a 3-sigma interval were obtained for the energy spectra except for low energies where small differences arise. The angular resolution measure for incident photons of 1275 keV was also in good agreement between both data sets with a value close to 13 degrees. Moreover, with the aim of demonstrating the versatility of such a tool the performance of two different Compton camera designs was evaluated and compared.

Abstract: Compton Cameras are electronically collimated photon imagers suitable for sub-MeV to few MeV gamma-ray detection. Such features are desirable to enablein vivorange verification in hadron therapy, through the detection of secondary Prompt Gammas. A major concern with this technique is the poor image quality obtained when the incoming gamma-ray energy is unknown. Compton Cameras with more than two detector planes (multi-layer Compton Cameras) have been proposed as a solution, given that these devices incorporate more signal sequences of interactions to the conventional two interaction events. In particular, three interaction events convey more spectral information as they allow inferring directly the incident gamma-ray energy. A three-layer Compton Telescope based on continuous Lanthanum (III) Bromide crystals coupled to Silicon Photomultipliers is being developed at the IRIS group of IFIC-Valencia. In a previous work we proposed a spectral reconstruction algorithm for two interaction events based on an analytical model for the formation of the signal. To fully exploit the capabilities of our prototype, we present here an extension of the model for three interaction events. Analytical expressions of the sensitivity and the System Matrix are derived and validated against Monte Carlo simulations. Implemented in a List Mode Maximum Likelihood Expectation Maximization algorithm, the proposed model allows us to obtain four-dimensional (energy and position) images by using exclusively three interaction events. We are able to recover the correct spectrum and spatial distribution of gamma-ray sources when ideal data are employed. However, the uncertainties associated to experimental measurements result in a degradation when real data from complex structures are employed. Incorrect estimation of the incident gamma-ray interaction positions, and missing deposited energy associated with escaping secondaries, have been identified as the causes of such degradation by means of a detailed Monte Carlo study. As expected, our current experimental resolution and efficiency to three interaction events prevents us from correctly recovering complex structures of radioactive sources. However, given the better spectral information conveyed by three interaction events, we expect an improvement of the image quality of conventional Compton imaging when including such events. In this regard, future development includes the incorporation of the model assessed in this work to the two interaction events model in order to allow using simultaneously two and three interaction events in the image reconstruction.