Abstract: The Sun may capture asymmetric dark matter (DM), which can subsequently form bound-states through the radiative emission of a sub-GeV scalar. This process enables generation of scalars without requiring DM annihilation. In addition to DM capture on nucleons, the DM-scalar coupling responsible for bound-state formation also induces capture from self-scatterings of ambient DM particles with DM particles already captured, as well as with DM bound-states formed in-situ within the Sun. This scenario is studied in detail by solving Boltzmann equations numerically and analytically. In particular, we take into consideration that the DM self-capture rates require a treatment beyond the conventional Born approximation. We show that, thanks to DM scatterings on bound-states, the number of DM particles captured increases exponentially, leading to enhanced emission of relativistic scalars through bound-state formation, whose final decay products could be observable. We explore phenomenological signatures with the example that the scalar mediator decays to neutrinos. We find that the neutrino flux emitted can be comparable to atmospheric neutrino fluxes within the range of energies below one hundred MeV. Future facilities like Hyper-K, and direct DM detection experiments can further test such scenario.

Abstract: The production of psi(2S) mesons in proton-lead collisions at a centre-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of root s(NN) = 8.16TeV is studied with the LHCb detector using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 34 nb(-1). The prompt and nonprompt psi(2S) production cross-sections and the ratio of the psi(2S) to J/psi cross-section are measured as a function of the meson transverse momentum and rapidity in the nucleon-nucleon centre-of-mass frame, together with forward-to-backward ratios and nuclear modification factors. The production of prompt psi(2S) is observed to be more suppressed compared to pp collisions than the prompt J/psi production, while the nonprompt productions have similar suppression factors.

Abstract: The production cross-section of J/psi pairs in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of root s = 13TeV is measured using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 4.2 fb(-1) collected by the LHCb experiment. The measurement is performed with both J/psi mesons in the transverse momentum range 0 < p(T) < 14 GeV/c and rapidity range 2.0 < y < 4.5. The cross-section of this process is measured to be 16.36 +/- 0.28 (stat) +/- 0.88 (syst) nb. The contributions from single-parton scattering and double-parton scattering are separated based on the dependence of the cross-section on the absolute rapidity difference Delta y between the two J/psi mesons. The effective cross-section of double-parton scattering is measured to be sigma(eff) = 13.1 +/- 1.8 (stat) +/- 2.3 (syst) mb. The distribution of the azimuthal angle phi(CS) of one of the J/psi mesons in the Collins-Soper frame and the p(T)-spectrum of the J/psi pairs are also measured for the study of the gluon transverse-momentum dependent distributions inside protons. The extracted values of < cos4 phi(CS)> and < cos2 phi(CS)> are consistent with zero, but the presence of azimuthal asymmetry at a few percent level is allowed.

Abstract: Axion inflation, i.e. an axion-like inflaton coupled to an Abelian gauge field through a Chern-Simons interaction, comes with a rich and testable phenomenology. This is particularly true in the strong backreaction regime, where the gauge field production heavily impacts the axion dynamics. Lattice simulations have recently demonstrated the importance of accounting for inhomogeneities of the axion field in this regime. We propose a perturbative scheme to account for these inhomogeneities while maintaining high computational efficiency. Our goal is to accurately capture deviations from the homogeneous axion field approximation within the perturbative regime as well as self -consistently determine the onset of the nonperturbative regime.

Abstract: Haloscopes, microwave resonant cavities utilized in detecting dark matter axions within powerful static magnetic fields, are pivotal in modern astrophysical research. This paper delves into the realm of cylindrical geometries, investigating techniques to augment volume and enhance compatibility with dipole or solenoid magnets. The study explores volume constraints in two categories of haloscope designs: those reliant on single cavities and those employing multicavities. In both categories, strategies to increase the expanse of elongated structures are elucidated. For multicavities, the optimization of space within magnets is explored through 1D configurations. Three subcavity stacking approaches are investigated, while the foray into 2D and 3D geometries lays the groundwork for future topological developments. The results underscore the efficacy of these methods, revealing substantial room for progress in cylindrical haloscope design. Notably, an elongated single cavity design attains a three-order magnitude increase in volume compared to a WC-109 standard waveguide-based single cavity. Diverse prototypes featuring single cavities, 1D, 2D, and 3D multicavities highlight the feasibility of leveraging these geometries to magnify the volume of tangible haloscope implementations.