Abstract: We consider the coupling of the metric-affine bumblebee gravity model to scalar matter and calculate the lower -order contributions to two -point functions of bumblebee and scalar fields in the weak gravity approximation. We also obtain the one -loop effective potentials for both scalar and vector fields.

Abstract: We explore a mechanism for producing the baryon asymmetry and dark matter in models with multiple hidden sectors that are Standard -Model -like but with varying Higgs mass parameters. If the field responsible for reheating the Standard Model and the exotic sectors carries an asymmetry, it can be converted into a baryon asymmetry using the standard sphaleron process. A hidden sector with positive Higgs mass squared can accommodate dark matter with its baryon asymmetry, and the larger abundance of dark matter relative to baryons is due to dark sphalerons being active all the way down the hidden sector QCD scale. This scenario predicts that dark matter is clustered in large dark nuclei and gives a lower bound on the effective relativistic degrees of freedom, Delta N eff greater than or similar to 0 .05 , which may be observable in the nextgeneration cosmic microwave background experiment CMB-S4.

Abstract: Lifetime measurements of low-lying excited states in the semimagic ( N = 50) nucleus 95 Rh have been performed by means of the fast -timing technique. The experiment was carried out using gamma -ray detector arrays consisting of LaBr 3 (Ce) scintillators and germanium detectors integrated into the DESPEC experimental setup commissioned for the Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research ( FAIR ) Phase -0, Darmstadt, Germany. The excited states in 95 Rh were populated primarily via the /3 decays of 95 Pd nuclei, produced in the projectile fragmentation of a 850 MeV / nucleon 124 Xe beam impinging on a 4 g / cm 2 9 Be target. The deduced electromagnetic E2 transition strengths for the gamma -ray cascade within the multiplet structure depopulating from the isomeric I pi = 21 / 2 + state are found to exhibit strong deviations from predictions of standard shell model calculations which feature approximately conserved seniority symmetry. In particular, the observation of a strongly suppressed E2 strength for the 13 / 2 + -> 9 / 2 + ground state transition cannot be explained by calculations employing standard interactions. This remarkable result may require revision of the nucleon-nucleon interactions employed in state-of-the-art theoretical model calculations, and might also point to the need for including three-body forces in the Hamiltonian.

Abstract: Most advanced medical imaging techniques, such as positron-emission tomography (PET), require tracers that are produced in conventional particle accelerators. This paper focuses on the evaluation of a potential alternative technology based on laser-driven ion acceleration for the production of radioisotopes for PET imaging. We report for the first time the use of a high-repetition rate, ultra-intense laser system for the production of carbon-11 in multi-shot operation. Proton bunches with energies up to 10-14 MeV were systematically accelerated in long series at pulse rates between 0.1 and 1 Hz using a PW-class laser. These protons were used to activate a boron target via the 11 \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$<^>{11}$$\end{document} B(p,n) 11 \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$<^>{11}$$\end{document} C nuclear reaction. A peak activity of 234 kBq was obtained in multi-shot operation with laser pulses with an energy of 25 J. Significant carbon-11 production was also achieved for lower pulse energies. The experimental carbon-11 activities measured in this work are comparable to the levels required for preclinical PET, which would be feasible by operating at the repetition rate of current state-of-the-art technology (10 Hz). The scalability of next-generation laser-driven accelerators in terms of this parameter for sustained operation over time could increase these overall levels into the clinical PET range.

Abstract: The ATLAS experiment will replace its existing Inner Detector with the new all -silicon Inner Tracker (ITk) to cope with the operating conditions of the forthcoming high -luminosity phase of the LHC (HL-LHC). The outer regions of the ITk will be instrumented with similar to 18000 ATLAS18 strip sensors fabricated by Hamamatsu Photonics K.K. (HPK). With the launch of full-scale sensor production in 2021, the ITk strip sensor community has undertaken quality control (QC) testing of these sensors to ensure compliance with mechanical and electrical specifications agreed with HPK. The testing is conducted at seven QC sites on each of the monthly deliveries of similar to 500 sensors. This contribution will give an overview of the QC procedures and analysis; the tests most likely to determine pass/fail for a sensor are IV, long-term leakage current stability, full strip test and visual inspection. The contribution will then present trends in the results and properties following completion of similar to 60% of production testing. It will also mention challenges overcome through collaborative efforts with HPK during the early phases of production. With less than 5% of sensors rejected by QC testing, the overall production quality has been very good.