|
|
Lattanzi, M., Lineros, R. A., & Taoso, M. (2014). Connecting neutrino physics with dark matter. New J. Phys., 16, 125012–19pp.
Abstract: The origin of neutrino masses and the nature of dark matter are two in most pressing open questions in modern astro-particle physics. We consider here the possibility that these two problems are related, and review some theoretical scenarios which offer common solutions. A simple possibility is that the dark matter particle emerges in minimal realizations of the seesaw mechanism, as in the majoron and sterile neutrino scenarios. We present the theoretical motivation for both models and discuss their phenomenology, confronting the predictions of these scenarios with cosmological and astrophysical observations. Finally, we discuss the possibility that the stability of dark matter originates from a flavor symmetry of the leptonic sector. We review a proposal based on an A(4) flavor symmetry.
|
|
|
|
LHCb Collaboration(Aaij, R. et al), Martinez-Vidal, F., Oyanguren, A., Ruiz Valls, P., & Sanchez Mayordomo, C. (2014). Observation of B-s(0) -> K* (+/-) K -/+ and evidence for B-s(0) -> K*(-) pi(+) decays. New J. Phys., 16, 123001–18pp.
Abstract: Measurements of the branching fractions of B-s(0) -> K*K-+/-(-/+) and B-s(0) -> K*(+/-) pi(-/+) decays are performed using a data sample corresponding to 1.0 fb(-1) of protonproton collision data collected with the LHCb detector at a centre-of- mass energy of 7 TeV, where the K*(+/-) mesons are reconstructed in the K-s(0) pi(+/-) final state. The first observation of the B-s(0) -> K*(+/-) K--/+ decay and the first evidence for the B-s(0) -> K*(-) pi(+) decay are reported with branching fractions B(B-s(0) -> K*K-+/-(-/+)) = (12.7 +/- 1.9 +/- 1.9) x 10(-6) , B(B-s(0) -> K*(-) pi(+)) = (3.3 +/- 1.1 +/- 0.5) x 10(-6) , where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic. In addition, an upper limit of B(B-0 -> K*K-+/-(-/+)) < 0.4 (0.5) x 10(-6) is set at 90% (95%) confidence level.
|
|
|
|
ATLAS Collaboration(Aad, G. et al), Cabrera Urban, S., Castillo Gimenez, V., Costa, M. J., Ferrer, A., Fiorini, L., et al. (2014). Measurement of the cross-section of high transverse momentum vector bosons reconstructed as single jets and studies of jet substructure in pp collisions at root s=7 TeV with the ATLAS detector. New J. Phys., 16, 113013–34pp.
Abstract: This paper presents a measurement of the cross-section for high transverse momentum W and Z bosons produced in pp collisions and decaying to allhadronic final states. The data used in the analysis were recorded by the ATLAS detector at the CERN Large Hadron Collider at a centre-of-mass energy of root s = 7 TeV and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 4.6 fb(-1). The measurement is performed by reconstructing the boosted W or Z bosons in single jets. The reconstructed jet mass is used to identify the W and Z bosons, and a jet substructure method based on energy cluster information in the jet centre-ofmass frame is used to suppress the large multi-jet background. The cross-section for events with a hadronically decaying W or Z boson, with transverse momentum p(T) > 320 GeV and pseudorapidity |eta| < 1.9, is measured to be sigma W+ Z= 8.5 +/- 1.7 pb and is compared to next-to-leading-order calculations. The selected events are further used to study jet grooming techniques.This paper presents a measurement of the cross-section for high transverse momentum W and Z bosons produced in pp collisions and decaying to allhadronic final states. The data used in the analysis were recorded by the ATLAS detector at the CERN Large Hadron Collider at a centre-of-mass energy of root s = 7 TeV and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 4.6 fb(-1). The measurement is performed by reconstructing the boosted W or Z bosons in single jets. The reconstructed jet mass is used to identify the W and Z bosons, and a jet substructure method based on energy cluster information in the jet centre-ofmass frame is used to suppress the large multi-jet background. The cross-section for events with a hadronically decaying W or Z boson, with transverse momentum p(T) > 320 GeV and pseudorapidity |eta| < 1.9, is measured to be sigma W+ Z= 8.5 +/- 1.7 pb and is compared to next-to-leading-order calculations. The selected events are further used to study jet grooming techniques.
|
|
|
|
Andrews, H. L., Taheri, F. B., Barros, J., Bartolini, R., Bharadwaj, V., Clarke, C., et al. (2014). Reconstruction of the time profile of 20.35 GeV, subpicosecond long electron bunches by means of coherent Smith-Purcell radiation. Phys. Rev. Spec. Top.-Accel. Beams, 17(5), 052802–13pp.
Abstract: We have used coherent Smith-Purcell radiation (cSPr) in order to determine the temporal profile of sub-ps long electron bunches at the Facility for Advanced Accelerator Experimental Tests, at SLAC. The measurements reported here were carried out in June 2012 and April 2013. The rms values for the bunch length varied between 356 to 604 fs, depending on the accelerator settings. The resolution of the system was limited by the range of detectable wavelengths which was, in turn, determined by the choice of the grating periods used in these experiments and the achievable beam-grating separation. The paper gives the details of the various steps in the reconstruction of the time profile and discusses possible improvements to the resolution. We also present initial measurements of the polarization properties of cSPr and of the background radiation.
|
|
|
|
Belver-Aguilar, C., Faus-Golfe, A., Toral, F., & Barnes, M. J. (2014). Stripline design for the extraction kicker of Compact Linear Collider damping rings. Phys. Rev. Spec. Top.-Accel. Beams, 17(7), 071003–14pp.
Abstract: In the framework of the design study of future linear colliders, the Compact Linear Collider (CLIC) aims for electron-positron collisions with high luminosity at a nominal center-of-mass energy of 3 TeV. To achieve the luminosity requirements, predamping rings ( PDRs) and damping rings ( DRs) are required: they reduce the beam emittance before the beam is accelerated in the main linac. Several kicker systems are needed to inject and extract the beam from the PDRs and DRs. In order to achieve both low beam coupling impedance and reasonable broadband impedance matching to the electrical circuit, striplines have been chosen for the kicker elements. In this paper, we present the complete design of the striplines for the DR extraction kicker, since it is the most challenging from the field homogeneity point of view. The excellent field homogeneity required, as well as a good transmission of the high voltage pulse through the electrodes, has been achieved by choosing a novel electrode shape. With this new geometry, it has been possible to benefit from all the advantages that the most common shapes introduce separately. Furthermore, a detailed study of the different operating modes of a stripline kicker allowed the beam coupling impedance to be reduced at low frequencies: this cannot be achieved by tapering the electrodes. The optimum design of the striplines and their components has been based on studies of impedance matching, field homogeneity, power transmission, beam coupling impedance, and manufacturing tolerances. Finally, new ideas for further improvement of the performance of future striplines are reported.
|
|
|
|
Bruce, R. et al, & Lari, L. (2014). Simulations and measurements of beam loss patterns at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. Phys. Rev. Spec. Top.-Accel. Beams, 17(8), 081004–16pp.
Abstract: The CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is designed to collide proton beams of unprecedented energy, in order to extend the frontiers of high-energy particle physics. During the first very successful running period in 2010-2013, the LHC was routinely storing protons at 3.5-4 TeV with a total beam energy of up to 146 MJ, and even higher stored energies are foreseen in the future. This puts extraordinary demands on the control of beam losses. An uncontrolled loss of even a tiny fraction of the beam could cause a superconducting magnet to undergo a transition into a normal-conducting state, or in the worst case cause material damage. Hence a multistage collimation system has been installed in order to safely intercept high-amplitude beam protons before they are lost elsewhere. To guarantee adequate protection from the collimators, a detailed theoretical understanding is needed. This article presents results of numerical simulations of the distribution of beam losses around the LHC that have leaked out of the collimation system. The studies include tracking of protons through the fields of more than 5000 magnets in the 27 km LHC ring over hundreds of revolutions, and Monte Carlo simulations of particle-matter interactions both in collimators and machine elements being hit by escaping particles. The simulation results agree typically within a factor 2 with measurements of beam loss distributions from the previous LHC run. Considering the complex simulation, which must account for a very large number of unknown imperfections, and in view of the total losses around the ring spanning over 7 orders of magnitude, we consider this an excellent agreement. Our results give confidence in the simulation tools, which are used also for the design of future accelerators.
|
|
|
|
Oset, E., Albaladejo, M., Xie, J. J., & Ramos, A. (2014). Recent developments on hadron interaction and dynamically generated resonances. Int. J. Mod. Phys. E, 23(7), 1461008–8pp.
Abstract: In this talk I report on the recent developments in the subject of dynamically generated resonances. In particular I discuss the gamma p -> K-0 Sigma+ and gamma n -> K-0 Sigma(0) reactions, with a peculiar behavior around the K*(0)Lambda threshold, due to a 1/2(-) resonance around 2035 MeV. Similarly, I discuss a BES experiment, J/psi -> eta K*(0) (K) over bar*(0) decay, which provides evidence for a new h(1) resonance around 1830 MeV that was predicted from the vector-vector interaction. A short discussion is then made about recent advances in the charm and beauty sectors.
|
|
|
|
MoEDAL Collaboration(Acharya, B. et al), Bernabeu, J., Garcia, C., King, M., Mitsou, V. A., Vento, V., et al. (2014). The physics programme of the MoEDAL experiment at the LHC. Int. J. Mod. Phys. A, 29(23), 1430050–91pp.
Abstract: The MoEDAL experiment at Point 8 of the LHC ring is the seventh and newest LHC experiment. It is dedicated to the search for highly-ionizing particle avatars of physics beyond the Standard Model, extending significantly the discovery horizon of the LHC. A MoEDAL discovery would have revolutionary implications for our fundamental understanding of the Microcosm. MoEDAL is an unconventional and largely passive LHC detector comprised of the largest array of Nuclear Track Detector stacks ever deployed at an accelerator, surrounding the intersection region at Point 8 on the LHC ring. Another novel feature is the use of paramagnetic trapping volumes to capture both electrically and magnetically charged highly-ionizing particles predicted in new physics scenarios. It includes an array of TimePix pixel devices for monitoring highly-ionizing particle backgrounds. The main passive elements of the MoEDAL detector do not require a trigger system, electronic readout, or online computerized data acquisition. The aim of this paper is to give an overview of the MoEDAL physics reach, which is largely complementary to the programs of the large multipurpose LHC detectors ATLAS and CMS.
|
|
|
|
Pujades, M. C., Granero, D., Vijande, J., Ballester, F., Perez-Calatayud, J., Papagiannis, P., et al. (2014). Air-kerma evaluation at the maze entrance of HDR brachytherapy facilities. J. Radiol. Prot., 34(4), 741–753.
Abstract: In the absence of procedures for evaluating the design of brachytherapy (BT) facilities for radiation protection purposes, the methodology used for external beam radiotherapy facilities is often adapted. The purpose of this study is to adapt the NCRP 151 methodology for estimating the air-kerma rate at the door in BT facilities. Such methodology was checked against Monte Carlo (MC) techniques using the code Geant4. Five different facility designs were studied for Ir-192 and Co-60 HDR applications to account for several different bunker layouts. For the estimation of the lead thickness needed at the door, the use of transmission data for the real spectra at the door instead of the ones emitted by Ir-192 and Co-60 will reduce the lead thickness by a factor of five for Ir-192 and ten for Co-60. This will significantly lighten the door and hence simplify construction and operating requirements for all bunkers. The adaptation proposed in this study to estimate the air-kerma rate at the door depends on the complexity of the maze: it provides good results for bunkers with a maze (i.e. similar to those used for linacs for which the NCRP 151 methodology was developed) but fails for less conventional designs. For those facilities, a specific Monte Carlo study is in order for reasons of safety and cost-effectiveness.
|
|
|
|
Koolen, B. B., Vidal-Sicart, S., Benlloch, J. M., & Olmos, R. A. V. (2014). Evaluating heterogeneity of primary tumor 18 F-FDG uptake in breast cancer with a dedicated breast PET ( MAMMI): a feasibility study based on correlation with PET/CT. Nucl. Med. Commun., 35(5), 446–452.
Abstract: PurposeThe aim of the study was to evaluate the heterogeneity of primary tumor F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (F-18-FDG) uptake in breast cancer patients using a dedicated breast PET.Patients and methodsA positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) of the thorax was performed 60 min after administration of 180-240 MBq of F-18-FDG in patients with breast cancer. Subsequently, 110 min after injection, a scan was taken with a dedicated high-resolution breast PET [MAMmography with Molecular Imaging (MAMMI)]. Both procedures were performed with the patients in the prone position. Four-point scores were used to compare the intensity (0: none; 1: mild; 2: moderate; 3: high) and heterogeneity (0: none; 1: mild; 2: moderate; 3: high) of F-18-FDG uptake between PET/CT and MAMMI images.ResultsThirty-five patients in whom the primary tumor was visualized on both scans were included in this analysis. The mean primary tumor size was 35.1 mm (range 10-108 mm). The mean intensity score was similar on both devices (2.4 for PET/CT and 2.3 for MAMMI; P=0.439), but the mean heterogeneity score on MAMMI images was significantly higher (PET/CT 1.9 vs. MAMMI 2.3; P=0.005). MAMMI showed a higher heterogeneity score in 11 (31%) of 35 patients, especially in tumors with moderate or high intensity. Significantly higher heterogeneity scores on both PET/CT and MAMMI were seen in large tumors (P=0.005 and 0.014, respectively) and in tumors with high intensity scores (P=0.012 and P<0.001, respectively).ConclusionHeterogeneous tumor F-18-FDG uptake in breast cancer is frequently observed, particularly in large tumors with intense F-18-FDG uptake. It is more often seen on MAMMI PET than on conventional PET/CT. Although the observed heterogeneity should be proven histopathologically, this finding offers a rationale for F-18-FDG-guided biopsies.
|
|
