Abstract: A complete methodology for detector calibration and energy-loss correction in charged-particle spectroscopy is presented. This has been applied to a compact set-up of four silicon detectors used for beta-delayed particle spectroscopy. The characterisation of the set-up was carried out using GEANT4 Monte Carlo simulations and standard alpha-calibration sources. The response function of the system was in this way accurately determined to be used for spectral unfolding.

Abstract: Motivated by the recent XENON1T results, we explore various new physics models that can be discovered through searches for electron recoils in O(keV)-threshold direct-detection experiments. First, we consider the absorption of axion-like particles, dark photons, and scalars, either as dark matter relics or being produced directly in the Sun. In the latter case, we find that keV mass bosons produced in the Sun provide an adequate fit to the data but are excluded by stellar cooling constraints. We address this tension by introducing a novel Chameleon-like axion model, which can explain the excess while evading the stellar bounds. We find that absorption of bosonic dark matter provides a viable explanation for the excess only if the dark matter is a dark photon or an axion. In the latter case, photophobic axion couplings are necessary to avoid X-ray constraints. Second, we analyze models of dark matter-electron scattering to determine which models might explain the excess. Standard scattering of dark matter with electrons is generically in conflict with data from lower-threshold experiments. Momentum-dependent interactions with a heavy mediator can fit the data with dark matter mass heavier than a GeV but are generically in tension with collider constraints. Next, we consider dark matter consisting of two (or more) states that have a small mass splitting. The exothermic (down)scattering of the heavier state to the lighter state can fit the data for keV mass splittings. Finally, we consider a subcomponent of dark matter that is accelerated by scattering off cosmic rays, finding that dark matter interacting though an O(100 keV)-mass mediator can fit the data. The cross sections required in this scenario are, however, typically challenged by complementary probes of the light mediator. Throughout our study, we implement an unbinned Monte Carlo analysis and use an improved energy reconstruction of the XENON1T events.

Abstract: A measurement of CP-violating observables is performed using the decays B-+/- -> DK +/- and B-+/- -> D pi(+/-), where the D meson is reconstructed in one of the self-conjugate three-body final states K-S(0)pi(+)pi(-) and (KSK+K-)-K-0 (commonly denoted K(S)(0)h(+)h(-)). The decays are analysed in bins of the D-decay phase space, leading to a measurement that is independent of the modelling of the D-decay amplitude. The observables are inter- preted in terms of the CKM angle gamma. Using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9 fb(-1) collected in proton-proton collisions at centre-of mass energies of 7, 8, and 13 TeV with the LHCb experiment, gamma is measured to be (68.7(-5.1)(+5.2))degrees. The hadronic parameters r(B)(DK), r(B)(D pi), delta(DK)(B), and delta(D pi)(B), which are the ratios and strong-phase differences of the suppressed and favoured B-+/- decays, are also reported.