Abstract: The lack of evidence for new physics at the Large Hadron Collider so far has prompted the development of model-independent search techniques. In this study, we compare the anomaly scores of a variety of anomaly detection techniques: an isolation forest, a Gaussian mixture model, a static autoencoder, and a beta-variational autoencoder (VAE), where we define the reconstruction loss of the latter as a weighted combination of regression and classification terms. We apply these algorithms to the 4-vectors of simulated LHC data, but also investigate the performance when the non-VAE algorithms are applied to the latent space variables created by the VAE. In addition, we assess the performance when the anomaly scores of these algorithms are combined in various ways. Using supersymmetric benchmark points, we find that the logical AND combination of the anomaly scores yielded from algorithms trained in the latent space of the VAE is the most effective discriminator of all methods tested.

Abstract: We study in detail the method proposed recently to study the vector-vector interaction using the N/D method and dispersion relations, which concludes that, while, for J = 0, one finds bound states, in the case of J = 2, where the interaction is also attractive and much stronger, no bound state is found. In that work, approximations are done for N and D and a subtracted dispersion relation for D is used, with subtractions made up to a polynomial of second degree in s – s(th), matching the expression to 1 – VG at threshold. We study this in detail for the rho rho interaction and to see the convergence of the method we make an extra subtraction matching 1 – VG at threshold up to (s – s(th))(3). We show that the method cannot be used to extrapolate the results down to 1270 MeV where the f(2)(1270) resonance appears, due to the artificial singularity stemming from the “on-shell” factorization of the rho exchange potential. In addition, we explore the same method but folding this interaction with the mass distribution of the rho, and we show that the singularity disappears and the method allows one to extrapolate to low energies, where both the (s – s(th))(2) and (s – s(th))(3) expansions lead to a zero of Re D(s), at about the same energy where a realistic approach produces a bound state. Even then, the method generates a large Im D(s) that we discuss is unphysical.

Abstract: A new detection system has been installed at the RIKEN Nishina Center (Japan) to investigate decay properties of very neutron-rich nuclei. The setup consists of three main parts: a moderated neutron counter, a detection system sensitive to the implantation and decay of radioactive ions, and gamma-ray detectors. We describe here the setup, the commissioning experiment and some selected results demonstrating its performance for the measurement of half-lives and beta-delayed neutron emission probabilities. The methodology followed in the analysis of the data is described in detail. Particular emphasis is placed on the correction of the accidental neutron background.

Abstract: Results of dedicated Monte Carlo simulations of beam-induced background (BIB) in the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) are presented and compared with data recorded in 2012. During normal physics operation this background arises mainly from scattering of the 4 TeV protons on residual gas in the beam pipe. Methods of reconstructing the BIB signals in the ATLAS detector, developed and implemented in the simulation chain based on the FLUKA Monte Carlo simulation package, are described. The interaction rates are determined from the residual gas pressure distribution in the LHC ring in order to set an absolute scale on the predicted rates of BIB so that they can be compared quantitatively with data. Through these comparisons the origins of the BIB leading to different observables in the ATLAS detectors are analysed. The level of agreement between simulation results and BIB measurements by ATLAS in 2012 demonstrates that a good understanding of the origin of BIB has been reached.

Abstract: Parton energy loss in the quark-gluon plasma (QGP) is studied with a measurement of photon-tagged jet production in 1.7 nb-1 of Pb+Pb data and 260 pb-1 of pp data, both at root sNN = 5.02 TeV, with the ATLAS detector. The process pp -> gamma +jet+X and its analogue in Pb+Pb collisions is measured in events containing an isolated photon with transverse momentum (pT) above 50 GeV and reported as a function of jet pT. This selection results in a sample of jets with a steeply falling pT distribution that are mostly initiated by the showering of quarks. The pp and Pb+Pb measurements are used to report the nuclear modification factor, RAA, and the fractional energy loss, Sloss, for photon-tagged jets. In addition, the results are compared with the analogous ones for inclusive jets, which have a significantly smaller quark-initiated fraction. The RAA and Sloss values are found to be significantly different between those for photon-tagged jets and inclusive jets, demonstrating that energy loss in the QGP is sensitive to the colour-charge of the initiating parton. The results are also compared with a variety of theoretical models of colour-charge-dependent energy loss.