Abstract: The OBELIX depleted monolithic active CMOS pixel sensor (DMAPS) is currently developed for the upgrade of the vertex detector of the Belle II experiment located at Tsukuba/Japan. The pixel matrix of OBELIX is inherited from the TJ-Monopix2 chip, but the periphery includes additional features to improve performance and allow the integration into a larger detector system. The new features include a trigger unit to process trigger signals, a precision timing module and a possibility to transmit low granularity hit information with low latency to contribute to the Belle II trigger. Additionally, low dropout voltage regulators and an ADC to monitor power consumption and substrate temperature is developed. This paper will focus on the trigger contribution capabilities of the OBELIX chip.

Abstract: The slowdown of Moore's law and the growing requirements of future HEP experiments with ever-increasing data rates pose important computational challenges for data reconstruction and trigger systems, encouraging the exploration of new computing methodologies. In this work we discuss a FPGA-based tracking system, relying on a massively parallel pattern recognition approach, inspired by the processing of visual images by the natural brain (“retina architecture”). This method allows a large efficiency of utilisation of the hardware, low power consumption and very low latencies. Based on this approach, a device has been designed within the LHCb Upgrade-II project, with the goal of performing track reconstruction in the forward acceptance region in real-time during the upcoming Run 4 of the LHC. This innovative device will perform track reconstruction before the event-building, in a short enough time to provide pre-reconstructed tracks (“primitives”) transparently to the processor farm, as if they had been generated directly by the detector. This allows significant savings in higher-level computing resources, enabling handling higher luminosities than otherwise possible. The feasibility of the project is backed up by the results of tests performed on a realistic hardware prototype, that has been opportunistically processing actual LHCb data in parallel with the regular DAQ in the LHC Run 3.

Abstract: This paper explores the relativistic behavior of spin-half particles possessing an Electric Dipole Moment (EDM) in a curved space-time background induced by a spiral dislocation. A thorough review of the mathematical formulation of the Dirac spinor in the framework of quantum field theory sets the foundation for our investigation. By deriving the action that governs the interaction between the spinor field, the background space-time, and an external electric field, we establish a framework to study the dynamics of the system. Solving the resulting wave equation reveals a set of coupled equations for the radial components of the Dirac spinor, which give rise to a modified energy spectrum attributed to the EDM. To validate our findings, we apply them to the geometric phase and thermodynamics.

Abstract: This work focuses on the examination of a regular black hole within Verlinde's emergent gravity, specifically investigating the Hayward-like (modified) solution. The study reveals the existence of three horizons under certain conditions, i.e. an event horizon and two Cauchy horizons. Our results indicate regions which phase transitions occur based on the analysis of heat capacity and Hawking temperature. To compute the latter quantity, we utilize three distinct methods: the surface gravity approach, Hawking radiation, and the application of the first law of thermodynamics. In the case of the latter approach, it is imperative to introduce a correction to ensure the preservation of the Bekenstein-Hawking area law. Geodesic trajectories and critical orbits (photon spheres) are calculated, highlighting the presence of three light rings. Additionally, we investigate the black hole shadows. Furthermore, the quasinormal modes are explored using third- and sixth-order Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin approximations. In particular, we observe stable and unstable oscillations for certain frequencies. Finally, in order to comprehend the phenomena of time-dependent scattering in this scenario, we provide an investigation of the time-domain solution.

Abstract: Cosmic censorship protects the outside world from black hole singularities and paves the way for assigning entropy to gravity at the event horizons. We point out a tension between cosmic censorship and the quantum backreacted geometry of Schwarzschild black holes, induced by vacuum polarization and driven by the conformal anomaly. A similar tension appears for the Weyl curvature hypothesis at the Big Bang singularity. We argue that the requirement of exact conformal symmetry resolves both conflicts and has major implications for constraining the set of fundamental constituents of the Standard Model.