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Cottin, G., Helo, J. C., & Hirsch, M. (2018). Searches for light sterile neutrinos with multitrack displaced vertices. Phys. Rev. D, 97(5), 055025–6pp.
Abstract: We study discovery prospects for long-lived sterile neutrinos at the LHC with multitrack displaced vertices, with masses below the electroweak scale. We reinterpret current displaced vertex searches making use of publicly available, parametrized selection efficiencies for modeling the detector response to displaced vertices. We focus on the production of right-handed WR bosons and neutrinos N in a left-right symmetric model, and find poor sensitivity. After proposing a different trigger strategy ( considering the prompt lepton accompanying the neutrino displaced vertex) and optimized cuts in the invariant mass and track multiplicity of the vertex, we find that the LHC with root s = 13 TeV and 300 fb(-1) is able to probe sterile neutrino masses between 10 GeV < m(N) < 20 GeV ( for a right-handed gauge boson mass of 2 TeV < m(WR) < 3.5 TeV). To probe higher masses up to m(N) similar to 30 GeV and m(WR) < 5 TeV, 3000 fb(-1) will be needed. This work joins other efforts in motivating dedicated experimental searches to target this low sterile neutrino mass region.
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n_TOF Collaboration(Barbagallo, M. et al), Domingo-Pardo, C., & Tain, J. L. (2018). Experimental setup and procedure for the measurement of the Be-7(n,p)Li-7 reaction at n_TOF. Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. A, 887, 27–33.
Abstract: Following the completion of the second neutron beam line and the related experimental area (EAR2) at the n_TOF spallation neutron source at CERN, several experiments were planned and performed. The high instantaneous neutron flux available in EAR2 allows to investigate neutron induced reactions with charged particles in the exit channel even employing targets made out of small amounts of short-lived radioactive isotopes. After the successful measurement of the Be-7(n,alpha)alpha cross section, the Be-7(n,p)Li-7 reaction was studied in order to provide still missing cross section data of relevance for Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN), in an attempt to find a solution to the cosmological Lithium abundance problem. This paper describes the experimental setup employed in such a measurement and its characterization.
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n_TOF Collaboration(Praena, J. et al), Domingo-Pardo, C., Giubrone, G., Tain, J. L., & Tarifeño-Saldivia, A. (2018). Preparation and characterization of S-33 samples for S-33(n,alpha)Si-30 cross-section measurements at the n_TOF facility at CERN. Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. A, 890, 142–147.
Abstract: Thin S-33 samples for the study of the S-33(n,alpha)Si-30 cross-section at the n_TOF facility at CERN were made by thermal evaporation of S-33 powder onto a dedicated substrate made of kapton covered with thin layers of copper, chromium and titanium. This method has provided for the first time bare sulfur samples a few centimeters in diameter. The samples have shown an excellent adherence with no mass loss after few years and no sublimation in vacuum at room temperature. The determination of the mass thickness of S-33 has been performed by means of Rutherford backscattering spectrometry. The samples have been successfully tested under neutron irradiation.
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BABAR Collaboration(Lees, J. P. et al), Martinez-Vidal, F., & Oyanguren, A. (2018). Study of the process e(+)e(-) -> pi(+)pi(-)eta using initial state radiation. Phys. Rev. D, 97(5), 052007–14pp.
Abstract: We study the process e(+)e(-) -> pi(+)pi(-)eta gamma, where the photon is radiated from the initial state. About 8000 fully reconstructed events of this process are selected from the BABAR data sample with an integrated luminosity of 469 fb(-1). Using the pi(+)pi(-)eta invariant mass spectrum, we measure the e(+)e(-) -> pi(+)pi(-)eta cross section in the e(+)e(-) center-of-mass energy range from 1.15 to 3.5 GeV. The cross section is well described by the Vector-Meson dominance model with four.-like states. We observe 49 +/- 9 events of the J/Psi decay to pi(+)pi(-)eta and measure the product Gamma B-J/Psi -> e+e-(J/Psi ->pi+pi-eta) = 2.34 +/- 0.43(stat) +/- 0.16(syst) eV.
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Caputo, A., Zavala, J., & Blas, D. (2018). Binary pulsars as probes of a Galactic dark matter disk. Phys. Dark Universe, 19, 1–11.
Abstract: As a binary pulsar moves through a wind of dark matter particles, the resulting dynamical friction modifies the binary's orbit. We study this effect for the double disk dark matter (DDDM) scenario, where a fraction of the dark matter is dissipative and settles into a thin disk. For binaries within the dark disk, this effect is enhanced due to the higher dark matter density and lower velocity dispersion of the dark disk, and due to its co-rotation with the baryonic disk. We estimate the effect and compare it with observations for two different limits in the Knudsen number (Kn). First, in the case where DDDM is effectively collisionless within the characteristic scale of the binary (Kn >> 1) and ignoring the possible interaction between the pair of dark matter wakes. Second, in the fully collisional case (Kn << 1), where a fluid description can be adopted and the interaction of the pair of wakes is taken into account. We find that the change in the orbital period is of the same order of magnitude in both limits. A comparison with observations reveals good prospects to probe currently allowed DDDM models with timing data from binary pulsars in the near future. We finally comment on the possibility of extending the analysis to the intermediate (rarefied gas) case with Kn similar to 1.
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Olleros, P., Caballero, L., Domingo-Pardo, C., Babiano, V., Ladarescu, I., Calvo, D., et al. (2018). On the performance of large monolithic LaCl3(Ce) crystals coupled to pixelated silicon photosensors. J. Instrum., 13, P03014–17pp.
Abstract: We investigate the performance of large area radiation detectors, with high energy-and spatial-resolution, intended for the development of a Total Energy Detector with gamma-ray imaging capability, so-called i-TED. This new development aims for an enhancement in detection sensitivity in time-of-flight neutron capture measurements, versus the commonly used C6D6 liquid scintillation total-energy detectors. In this work, we study in detail the impact of the readout photosensor on the energy response of large area (50 x 50 mm(2)) monolithic LaCl3(Ce) crystals, in particular when replacing a conventional mono-cathode photomultiplier tube by an 8 x 8 pixelated silicon photomultiplier. Using the largest commercially available monolithic SiPM array (25 cm(2)), with a pixel size of 6 x 6 mm(2), we have measured an average energy resolution of 3.92% FWHM at 662 keV for crystal thick-nesses of 10, 20 and 30 mm. The results are confronted with detailed Monte Carlo (MC) calculations, where optical processes and properties have been included for the reliable tracking of the scintillation photons. After the experimental validation of the MC model, we use our MC code to explore the impact of a smaller photosensor segmentation on the energy resolution. Our optical MC simulations predict only a marginal deterioration of the spectroscopic performance for pixels of 3 x 3 mm(2).
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Nygren, D. R., Jones, B. J. P., Lopez-March, N., Mei, Y., Psihas, F., & Renner, J. (2018). Neutrinoless double beta decay with 82SeF6 and direct ion imaging. J. Instrum., 13, P03015–23pp.
Abstract: We present a new neutrinoless double beta decay concept: the high pressure selenium hexafluoride gas time projection chamber. A promising new detection technique is outlined which combines techniques pioneered in high pressure xenon gas, such as topological discrimination, with the high Q-value afforded by the double beta decay isotope Se-82. The lack of free electrons in SeF6 mandates the use of an ion TPC. The microphysics of ion production and drift, which have many nuances, are explored. Background estimates are presented, suggesting that such a detector may achieve background indices of better than 1 count per ton per year in the region of interest at the 100 kg scale, and still better at the ton-scale.
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Caballero, L., Albiol, F., Corbi Bellot, A., Domingo-Pardo, C., Leganes Nieto, J. L., Agramunt Ros, J., et al. (2018). Gamma-ray imaging system for real-time measurements in nuclear waste characterisation. J. Instrum., 13, P03016–23pp.
Abstract: Acompact, portable and large field-of-viewgamma camera that is able to identify, locate and quantify gamma-ray emitting radioisotopes in real-time has been developed. The device delivers spectroscopic and imaging capabilities that enable its use it in a variety of nuclear waste characterisation scenarios, such as radioactivity monitoring in nuclear power plants and more specifically for the decommissioning of nuclear facilities. The technical development of this apparatus and some examples of its application in field measurements are reported in this article. The performance of the presented gamma-camera is also benchmarked against other conventional techniques.
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Kuehn, S. et al, Bernabeu, J., Lacasta, C., Marco-Hernandez, R., Rodriguez Rodriguez, D., Santoyo, D., et al. (2018). Prototyping of petalets for the Phase-II upgrade of the silicon strip tracking detector of the ATLAS experiment. J. Instrum., 13, T03004–22pp.
Abstract: In the high luminosity era of the Large Hadron Collider, the instantaneous luminosity is expected to reach unprecedented values, resulting in about 200 proton-proton interactions in a typical bunch crossing. To cope with the resultant increase in occupancy, bandwidth and radiation damage, the ATLAS Inner Detector will be replaced by an all-silicon system, the Inner Tracker (ITk). The ITk consists of a silicon pixel and a strip detector and exploits the concept of modularity. Prototyping and testing of various strip detector components has been carried out. This paper presents the developments and results obtained with reduced-size structures equivalent to those foreseen to be used in the forward region of the silicon strip detector. Referred to as petalets, these structures are built around a composite sandwich with embedded cooling pipes and electrical tapes for routing the signals and power. Detector modules built using electronic flex boards and silicon strip sensors are glued on both the front and back side surfaces of the carbon structure. Details are given on the assembly, testing and evaluation of several petalets. Measurement results of both mechanical and electrical quantities are shown. Moreover, an outlook is given for improved prototyping plans for large structures.
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LHCb Collaboration(Aaij, R. et al), Garcia Martin, L. M., Henry, L., Martinez-Vidal, F., Oyanguren, A., Remon Alepuz, C., et al. (2018). Measurement of the Ratio of Branching Fractions B(B-c(+) -> J/psi tau(+)nu(tau))/B(B-c(+) -> J/psi mu(+)nu(mu)). Phys. Rev. Lett., 120(12), 121801–10pp.
Abstract: A measurement is reported of the ratio of branching fractions R(J/psi) = B(B-c(+) -> J/psi tau(+)nu(tau))/B(B-c(+) -> J/psi mu(+)nu(mu)), where the tau(+) lepton is identified in the decay mode tthorn tau(+) -> mu(+)nu(mu)(nu) over bar (tau). This analysis uses a sample of proton-proton collision data corresponding to 3.0 fb(-1) of integrated luminosity recorded with the LHCb experiment at center-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV. A signal is found for the decay B-c(+) -> J/psi tau(+)nu(tau) at a significance of 3 standard deviations corrected for systematic uncertainty, and the ratio of the branching fractions is measured to be R(J/psi) = 0.71 +/- 0.17(stat) +/- 0.18(syst). This result lies within 2 standard deviations above the range of central values currently predicted by the standard model.
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