Falkowski, A., Gonzalez-Alonso, M., & Naviliat-Cuncic, O. (2021). Comprehensive analysis of beta decays within and beyond the Standard Model. J. High Energy Phys., 04(4), 126–36pp.
Abstract: Precision measurements in allowed nuclear beta decays and neutron decay are reviewed and analyzed both within the Standard Model and looking for new physics. The analysis incorporates the most recent experimental and theoretical developments. The results are interpreted in terms of Wilson coefficients describing the effective interactions between leptons and nucleons (or quarks) that are responsible for beta decay. New global fits are performed incorporating a comprehensive list of precision measurements in neutron decay, superallowed 0(+)-> 0(+) transitions, and other nuclear decays that include, for the first time, data from mirror beta transitions. The results confirm the V-A character of the interaction and translate into updated values for V-ud and g(A) at the 10(-4) level. We also place new stringent limits on exotic couplings involving left-handed and right-handed neutrinos, which benefit significantly from the inclusion of mirror decays in the analysis.
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Balibrea-Correa, J., Lerendegui-Marco, J., Babiano-Suarez, V., Caballero, L., Calvo, D., Ladarescu, I., et al. (2021). Machine Learning aided 3D-position reconstruction in large LaCl3 crystals. Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. A, 1001, 165249–17pp.
Abstract: We investigate five different models to reconstruct the 3D gamma-ray hit coordinates in five large LaCl3(Ce) monolithic crystals optically coupled to pixelated silicon photomultipliers. These scintillators have a base surface of 50 x 50 mm(2) and five different thicknesses, from 10 mm to 30 mm. Four of these models are analytical prescriptions and one is based on a Convolutional Neural Network. Average resolutions close to 1-2 mm fwhm are obtained in the transverse crystal plane for crystal thicknesses between 10 mm and 20 mm using analytical models. For thicker crystals average resolutions of about 3-5 mm fwhm are obtained. Depth of interaction resolutions between 1 mm and 4 mm are achieved depending on the distance of the interaction point to the photosensor surface. We propose a Machine Learning algorithm to correct for linearity distortions and pin-cushion effects. The latter allows one to keep a large field of view of about 70%-80% of the crystal surface, regardless of crystal thickness. This work is aimed at optimizing the performance of the so-called Total Energy Detector with Compton imaging capability (i-TED) for time-of-flight neutron capture cross-section measurements.
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LHCb Collaboration(Aaij, R. et al), Henry, L., Jashal, B. K., Martinez-Vidal, F., Oyanguren, A., Remon Alepuz, C., et al. (2021). Measurement of the CKM angle gamma in B-+/- -> DK +/- and B-+/- -> D pi(+/-) decays with D -> K(S)(0)h(+)h(-). J. High Energy Phys., 02(2), 169–36pp.
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.
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HAWC Collaboration(Albert, A. et al), & Salesa Greus, F. (2020). HAWC and Fermi-LAT Detection of Extended Emission from the Unidentified Source 2HWC J2006+341. Astrophys. J. Lett., 903(1), L14–6pp.
Abstract: The discovery of the TeV point source 2HWC J2006+341 was reported in the second HAWC gamma-ray catalog. We present a follow-up study of this source here. The TeV emission is best described by an extended source with a soft spectrum. At GeV energies, an extended source is significantly detected in Fermi-LAT data. The matching locations, sizes, and spectra suggest that both gamma-ray detections correspond to the same source. Different scenarios for the origin of the emission are considered and we rule out an association to the pulsar PSR J2004+3429 due to extreme energetics required, if located at a distance of 10.8 kpc.
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Vagnozzi, S., Di Valentino, E., Gariazzo, S., Melchiorri, A., Mena, O., & Silk, J. (2021). The galaxy power spectrum take on spatial curvature and cosmic concordance. Phys. Dark Universe, 33, 100851–17pp.
Abstract: The concordance of the ACDM cosmological model in light of current observations has been the subject of an intense debate in recent months. The 2018 Planck Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) temperature anisotropy power spectrum measurements appear at face value to favour a spatially closed Universe with curvature parameter Omega(K) < 0. This preference disappears if Baryon Acoustic Oscillation (BAO) measurements are combined with Planck data to break the geometrical degeneracy, although the reliability of this combination has been questioned due to the strong tension present between the two datasets when assuming a curved Universe. Here, we approach this issue from yet another point of view, using measurements of the full-shape (FS) galaxy power spectrum, P(k), from the Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey DR12 CMASS sample. By combining Planck data with FS measurements, we break the geometrical degeneracy and find Omega(K) = 0.0023 +/- 0.0028. This constrains the Universe to be spatially flat to sub-percent precision, in excellent agreement with results obtained using BAO measurements. However, as with BAO, the overall increase in the best-fit chi(2) suggests a similar level of tension between Planck and P(k) under the assumption of a curved Universe. While the debate on spatial curvature and the concordance between cosmological datasets remains open, our results provide new perspectives on the issue, highlighting the crucial role of FS measurements in the era of precision cosmology.
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