Abstract: The branching fraction B(B-0 -> D*(-)tau(+)nu(tau)) is measured relative to that of the normalization mode B-0 -> D*(-) pi(+)pi(-)pi(+) using hadronic tau(+) -> pi(+)pi(-)pi(+) (pi(0))(nu) over bar (tau) decays in proton-proton collision data at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV collected by the LHCb experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2 fb(-1). The measured ratio is B(B-0 -> D*(-)tau(+)nu(tau))/B(B-0 -> D*(-) pi(+)pi(-)pi(+)) = 1.70 +/- 0.10(-0.10)(+0.11), where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is related to systematic effects. Using established branching fractions for the B-0 -> D*(-) pi(+)pi(-)pi(+) and B-0 -> D*(-)mu(+)nu(mu) modes, the lepton universality test R(D*(-)) = B(B-0 -> D*(-)tau(+)nu(tau))/B(B-0 -> D*(-)mu(+)nu(mu)) is calculated, R(D*(-)) = 0.247 +/- 0.015 +/- 0.015 +/- 0.012, where the third uncertainty is due to the uncertainties on the external branching fractions. This result is consistent with the Standard Model prediction and with previous measurements.

Abstract: A search for K-S(L)(0) -> mu(+) mu(-) mu(+) mu(-) decays is performed using proton-proton collision data collected by the LHCb experiment at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.1 fb(-1). No evidence for signal is found. The 90% confidence level upper limits are the first set for both decays and are B(K-S(0)) -> mu(+) mu(-) mu(+) mu(-)) < 5.1 x 10(-12) and B(K-L(0))-> mu(+) mu(-) mu(+) mu(-)) < 2.3 x 10(-9).

Abstract: We discuss the present state and planned updates of Cosmo Lattice, a cutting-edge code for lattice simulations of non-linear dynamics of scalar-gauge field theories in an expanding background. We first review the current capabilities of the code, including the simulation of interacting singlet scalars and of Abelian and non-Abelian scalar-gauge theories. We also comment on new features recently implemented, such as the simulation of gravitational waves from scalar and gauge fields. Secondly, we discuss new extensions of C osmo L attice that we plan to release publicly. We comment on new physics modules, which include axion-gauge interactions phi FF , non-minimal gravitational couplings phi R-2 , creation and evolution of cosmic-defect networks, and magnetohydrodynamics. We also discuss new technical features, including evolvers for non-canonical interactions, arbitrary initial conditions, simulations in 2+1 dimensions, and higher-accuracy spatial derivatives.

Abstract: As part of the R2D2 (Rare Decays with Radial Detector) R &D, the use of a gas detector with a spherical or cylindrical cathode, equipped with a single anode and operating at high pressure, was studied for the search of rare phenomena such as neutrinoless double-beta decay. The presented measurements were obtained with a cylindrical detector, covering gas pressures ranging from 1 to 10 bar in argon and 1 to 6 bar in xenon, using both a point-like source of 210 \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$<^>{210} $$\end{document} Po (5.3 MeV alpha \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\alpha $$\end{document} ) and a diffuse source of 222 \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$<^>{222}$$\end{document} Rn (5.5 MeV alpha \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\alpha $$\end{document} ). Analysis and interpretation of the data were developed using the anodic current waveform. Similar detection performances were achieved with both gases, and comparable energy resolutions were measured with both sources. As long as the purity of the gas was sufficient, no significant degradation of the measured energy was observed by increasing the pressure. At the highest operating pressure, an energy resolution better than 1.5% full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) was obtained for both gaseous media, although optimal noise conditions were not reached.

Abstract: Noble element time projection chambers are a leading technology for rare event detection in physics, such as for dark matter and neutrinoless double beta decay searches. Time projection chambers typically assign event position in the drift direction using the relative timing of prompt scintillation and delayed charge collection signals, allowing for reconstruction of an absolute position in the drift direction. In this paper, alternate methods for assigning event drift distance via quantification of electron diffusion in a pure high pressure xenon gas time projection chamber are explored. Data from the NEXT-White detector demonstrate the ability to achieve good position assignment accuracy for both high- and low-energy events. Using point-like energy deposits from Kr-83m calibration electron captures (E similar to 45 keV), the position of origin of low-energy events is determined to 2 cm precision with bias <1 mm. A convolutional neural network approach is then used to quantify diffusion for longer tracks (E >= 1.5 MeV), from radiogenic electrons, yielding a precision of 3 cm on the event barycenter. The precision achieved with these methods indicates the feasibility energy calibrations of better than 1% FWHM at Q(beta beta) in pure xenon, as well as the potential for event fiducialization in large future detectors using an alternate method that does not rely on primary scintillation.