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BABAR Collaboration(del Amo Sanchez, P. et al), Lopez-March, N., Martinez-Vidal, F., Milanes, D. A., & Oyanguren, A. (2011). Search for the decay B-0 -> gamma gamma. Phys. Rev. D, 83(4), 032006–11pp.
Abstract: We report the result of a search for the rare decay B-0 -> gamma gamma in 426 fb(-1) of data, corresponding to 226 x 10(6) B-0(B) over bar (0) pairs, collected on the Y(4S) resonance at the PEP-II asymmetric-energy e(+)e(-) collider using the BABAR detector. We use a maximum likelihood fit to extract the signal yield and observe 21(-12)(+13) signal events with a statistical significance of 1.8 sigma. This corresponds to a branching fraction B(B-0 -> gamma gamma) = (1.7 +/- 1.1(stat.) +/- 0.2(syst.)) X 10(-7). Based on this result, we set a 90% confidence level upper limit of B(B-0 -> gamma gamma) < 3.2 X 10(-7).
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Pierre Auger Collaboration(Abreu, P. et al), & Pastor, S. (2011). The exposure of the hybrid detector of the Pierre Auger Observatory. Astropart Phys., 34(6), 368–381.
Abstract: The Pierre Auger Observatory is a detector for ultra-high energy cosmic rays. It consists of a surface array to measure secondary particles at ground level and a fluorescence detector to measure the development of air showers in the atmosphere above the array. The “hybrid” detection mode combines the information from the two subsystems. We describe the determination of the hybrid exposure for events observed by the fluorescence telescopes in coincidence with at least one water-Cherenkov detector of the surface array. A detailed knowledge of the time dependence of the detection operations is crucial for an accurate evaluation of the exposure. We discuss the relevance of monitoring data collected during operations, such as the status of the fluorescence detector, background light and atmospheric conditions, that are used in both simulation and reconstruction.
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Borja, E. F., Freidel, L., Garay, I., & Livine, E. R. (2011). U(N) tools for loop quantum gravity: the return of the spinor. Class. Quantum Gravity, 28(5), 055005–28pp.
Abstract: We explore the classical setting for the U(N) framework for SU(2) intertwiners for loop quantum gravity and describe the corresponding phase space in terms of spinors with the appropriate constraints. We show how its quantization leads back to the standard Hilbert space of intertwiner states defined as holomorphic functionals. We then explain how to glue these intertwiners states in order to construct spin network states as wavefunctions on the spinor phase space. In particular, we translate the usual loop gravity holonomy observables to our classical framework. Finally, we propose how to derive our phase space structure from an action principle which induces non-trivial dynamics for the spin network states. We conclude by applying explicitly our framework to states living on the simple 2-vertex graph and discuss the properties of the resulting Hamiltonian.
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BABAR Collaboration(del Amo Sanchez, P. et al), Lopez-March, N., Martinez-Vidal, F., & Oyanguren, A. (2011). Measurement of partial branching fractions of inclusive charmless B meson decays to K+, K-0, and pi(+). Phys. Rev. D, 83(3), 031103–8pp.
Abstract: We present measurements of partial branching fractions of B -> K+ X, B -> (KX)-X-0, and B -> pi(+) X, where X denotes any accessible final state above the endpoint for B decays to charmed mesons, specifically for momenta of the candidate hadron greater than 2.34 (2.36) GeV for kaons (pions) in the B rest frame. These measurements are sensitive to potential new-physics particles which could enter the b -> s(d) loop transitions. The analysis is performed on a data sample consisting of 383 X 10(6)B (B) over bar pairs collected with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II e(+)e(-) asymmetric energy collider. We observe the inclusive B -> pi(+) X process, and we set upper limits for B -> K+ X and B -> (KX)-X-0. Our results for these inclusive branching fractions are consistent with those of known exclusive modes, and exclude large enhancements due to sources of new physics.
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CDF Collaboration(Aaltonen, T. et al), & Cabrera, S. (2011). Measurement of the B- lifetime using a simulation free approach for trigger bias correction. Phys. Rev. D, 83(3), 032008–30pp.
Abstract: The collection of a large number of B-hadron decays to hadronic final states at the CDF II Detector is possible due to the presence of a trigger that selects events based on track impact parameters. However, the nature of the selection requirements of the trigger introduces a large bias in the observed proper-decay-time distribution. A lifetime measurement must correct for this bias, and the conventional approach has been to use a Monte Carlo simulation. The leading sources of systematic uncertainty in the conventional approach are due to differences between the data and the Monte Carlo simulation. In this paper, we present an analytic method for bias correction without using simulation, thereby removing any uncertainty due to the differences between data and simulation. This method is presented in the form of a measurement of the lifetime of the B- using the mode B- -> D-0 pi(-). The B- lifetime is measured as tau(-)(B) = 1.663 +/- 0.023 +/- 0.015 ps, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. This new method results in a smaller systematic uncertainty in comparison to methods that use simulation to correct for the trigger bias.
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