Abstract: Dark matter stability can result from a residual matter-parity symmetry surviving spontaneous breaking of an extended gauge symmetry. We propose the simplest scotogenic dark matter completion of the original SVS theory [1], in which the “dark sector” particles as well as matter-parity find a natural theoretical origin within the model. We briefly comment on its main features.

Abstract: The integrated fiducial cross-section and unfolded differential jet mass spectrum of high transverse momentum Z -> b (b) over bar decays are measured in Z gamma events in proton-proton collisions at root s = 13 TeV. The data analysed were collected between 2015 and 2016 with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 36.1 fb(-1). Photons are required to have a transverse momentum p(T) > 175 GeV. The Z -> b (b) over bar decay is reconstructed using a jet with p(T) > 200 GeV, found with the anti-k(t) R = 1.0 jet algorithm, and groomed to remove soft and wide-angle radiation and to mitigate contributions from the underlying event and additional proton-proton collisions. Two different but related measurements are performed using two jet grooming definitions for reconstructing the Z -> b (b) over bar decay: trimming and soft drop. These algorithms differ in their experimental and phenomenological implications regarding jet mass reconstruction and theoretical precision. To identify Zbosons, b-tagged R = 0.2 track-jets matched to the groomed large-R calorimeter jet are used as a proxy for the b-quarks. The signal yield is determined from fits of the data-driven background templates to the different jet mass distributions for the two grooming methods. Integrated fiducial cross-sections and unfolded jet mass spectra for each grooming method are compared with leading-order theoretical predictions. The results are found to be in good agreement with Standard Model expectations within the current statistical and systematic uncertainties.

Abstract: We study the energy distribution and equation of state of the universe between the end of inflation and the onset of radiation domination (RD), considering observationally consistent single-field inflationary scenarios, with a potential 'flattening' at large field values, and a monomial shape V(phi) proportional to vertical bar phi vertical bar(p) around the origin. As a proxy for (p)reheating, we include a quadratic interaction g(2)phi X-2(2) between the inflaton phi and a light scalar 'daughter' field X, with g(2) > 0. We capture the non-perturbative and non-linear nature of the system dynamics with lattice simulations, obtaining that: i) the final energy transferred to X depends only on p, not on g(2); ii) the final transfer of energy is always negligible for 2 <= p < 4, and of order similar to 50% for p >= 4; iii) the system goes at late times to matter-domination for p = 2, and always to RD for p > 2. In the latter case we calculate the number of e-folds until RD, significantly reducing the uncertainty in the inflationary observables Tl-s and r.

Abstract: We recall the predictions made ten years ago about a bound state of J(P) = 0(+) in I = 0 of the D*(K) over bar* system, which is manifestly exotic, and we associate it to the X-0(2866) state reported in the recent LHCb experiment. Fine tuning the parameters to reproduce exactly the mass and width of the X-0(2866) state, we report two more states stemming from the same interaction, one with 1(+) and the other with 2(+). For reasons of parity, the 1(+) state cannot be observed in D (K) over bar decay, and we suggest to observe it in the D*(K) over bar spectrum. On the other hand, the 2(+) state can be observed in D (K) over bar decay but the present experiment has too small statistics in the region of its mass to make any claim. We note that measurements of the D*(K) over bar spectrum and of the D (K) over bar with more statistics should bring important information concerning the nature of the X-0(2866) and related ones that could be observed.

Abstract: The beta decay of Re-192(75)117, which lies near the boundary between the regions of predicted prolate and oblate deformations, has been investigated using the KEK Isotope Separation System (KISS) in RIKEN Nishina Center. This is the first case in which a low-energy beam of rhenium isotope has been successfully extracted from an argon gas-stopping cell using a laser-ionization technique, following production via multi-nucleon transfer between heavy ions. The ground state of Re-192 has been assigned J(pi) = (0(-)) based on the observed beta feedings and deduced logf t values towards the 0(+) and 2(+) states in Os-192, which is known as a typical gamma-soft nucleus. The shape transition from axial symmetry to axial asymmetry in the Re isotopes is discussed from the viewpoint of single-particle structure using the nuclear Skyrme-Hartree-Fock model.