Abstract: This article presents a few selected developments and future ideas related to the measurement of (n, gamma ) data of astrophysical interest at CERN n_TOF. The MC-aided analysis methodology for the use of low-efficiency radiation detectors in time-of-flight neutron-capture measurements is discussed, with particular emphasis on the systematic accuracy. Several recent instrumental advances are also presented, such as the development of total-energy detectors with gamma- ray imaging capability for background suppression, and the development of an array of small-volume organic scintilla tors aimed at exploiting the high instantaneous neutron-flux of EAR2. Finally, astrophysics prospects related to the intermediate i neutron-capture process of nucleosynthesis are discussed in the context of the new NEAR activation area.

Abstract: The correlation functions of Yang-Mills theories formulated in the background field method satisfy linear Slavnov-Taylor identities, which are naive generalizations of simple tree level relations, with no deformations originating from the ghost-sector of the theory. In recent years, a stronger version of these identities has been found to hold at the level of the background gluon self-energy, whose transversality is enforced separately for each special block of diagrams contributing to the gluon Schwinger-Dyson equation. In the present work we demonstrate by means of explicit calculations that the same distinct realization of the Slavnov-Taylor identity persists in the case of the background three-gluon vertex. The analysis is carried out at the level of the exact Schwinger-Dyson equation for this vertex, with no truncations or simplifying assumptions. The demonstration entails the contraction of individual vertex diagrams by the relevant momentum, which activates Slavnov-Taylor identities of vertices and multi-particle kernels nested inside these graphs; the final result emerges by virtue of a multitude of extensive cancellations, without the need of performing explicit integrations. In addition, we point out that background Ward identities amount to replacing derivatives of propagators by zero-momentum background-gluon insertions, in exact analogy to standard properties of Abelian gauge theories. Finally, certain potential applications of these results are briefly discussed.

Abstract: In this work, we study the thermodynamic properties on a non-commutative background via gravitational gauge field potentials. This procedure is accomplished after contracting de Sitter (dS) group, SO(4, 1), with the Poincare group, ISO(3, 1). Particularly, we focus on a static spherically symmetric black hole. In this manner, we calculate the modified Hawking temperature and the other deformed thermal state quantities, namely, entropy, heat capacity, Helmholtz free energy and pressure. Finally, we also investigate the black hole evaporation process in such a context.

Abstract: In this study, we investigate the two step sequential one pion production mechanism, that is, np(I=0)->pi(-)pp followed by the fusion reaction pp ->pi(+)d, to describe the np ->pi(+)pi(-)d reaction with in state I = 0 . In this reaction, a narrow peak identified with a “ d(2380) ” dibaryon has been previously observed. We discover that the second reaction step pp ->pi(+)d is driven by a triangle singularity that determines the position of the peak of the reaction and the high strength of the cross section. The combined cross section of these two mechanisms produces a narrow peak with a position, width, and strength, that are compatible with experimental observations within the applied approximations made. This novel interpretation of the peak accomplished without invoking a dibaryon explains why this peak has remained undetected in other reactions.

Abstract: Compton cameras can offer advantages over gamma cameras for some applications, since they are well suited for multitracer imaging and for imaging high-energy radiotracers, such as those employed in radionuclide therapy. While in conventional clinical settings state-of-the-art Compton cameras cannot compete with well-established methods such as PET and SPECT, there are specific scenarios in which they can constitute an advantageous alternative. The combination of PET and Compton imaging can benefit from the improved resolution and sensitivity of current PET technology and, at the same time, overcome PET limitations in the use of multiple radiotracers. Such a system can provide simultaneous assessment of different radiotracers under identical conditions and reduce errors associated with physical factors that can change between acquisitions. Advances are being made both in instrumentation developments combining PET and Compton cameras for multimodal or three-gamma imaging systems, and in image reconstruction, addressing the challenges imposed by the combination of the two modalities or the new techniques. This review article summarizes the advances made in Compton cameras for medical imaging and their combination with PET.