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The PhD addresses the feasibility of reconstructing open charm mesons with the Compressed Baryonic Matter experiment, which will be installed at the FAIR accelerator complex at Darmstadt/Germany. The measurements will be carried out by means of a dedicated Micro Vertex Detector (MVD), which will be equipped with CMOS Monolithic Active Pixel Sensors (MAPS). The feasibility of reconstructing the particles with a proposed detector setup was studied.
To obtain conclusive results, the properties of a MAPS prototype were measured in a beam test at the CERN-SPS accelerator. Based on the results achieved, a dedicated simulation software for the sensors was developed and implemented into the software framework of CBM (CBMRoot). Simulations on the reconstruction of D0-mesons were carried out. It is concluded that the reconstruction of those particles is possible.
The PhD introduces the physics motivation of doing open charm measurements, represents the results of the measurements of MAPS and introduces the innovative simulation model for those sensors as much as the concept and results of simulations of the D0 reconstruction.
Most elements heavier than iron are synthesized in stars during neutron capture reactions in the r- and s-process. The s-process nucleosynthesis is composed of the main and weak component. While the s-process is considered to be well understood, further investigations using nucleosynthesis simulations rely on measured neutron capture cross sections as crucial input parameters. Neutron capture cross sections
relevant for the s-process can be measured using various experimental methods. A prominent example is the activation method relying on the 7Li(p,n)7Be reaction as a neutron source, which has the advantage of high neutron intensities and is able to create a quasi-stellar neutron spectrum at kBT = 25 keV. Other neutron sources able to provide quasi-stellar spectra at different energies suffer from lower neutron intensities. Simulations using the PINO tool suggest the neutron activation of samples with different neutron spectra, provided by the 7Li(p,n)7Be reaction, and a subsequent linear combination of the obtained spectrum-averaged cross sections
to determine the Maxwellian-averaged cross section (MACS) at various energies of astrophysical relevance. To investigate the accuracy of the PINO tool at proton energies between the neutron emission threshold at Ep = 1880.4 keV and 2800 keV,
measurements of the 7Li(p,n)7Be neutron fields are presented, which were carried out at the PTB Ion Accelerator Facility at the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt in Braunschweig. The neutron fields of ten different proton energies were measured.
The presented neutron fields show a good agreement at proton energies Ep = 1887, 1897, 1907, 1912 and 2100 keV. For the other proton energies, E p = 2000, 2200, 2300, 2500, and 2800 keV, differences between measurement and simulation were found and discussed. The obtained results can be used to benchmark and adapt the PINO tool and provide crucial information for further improvement of the neutron activation method for astrophysics.
An application for the 7Li(p,n)7Be neutron fields is presented as an activation experiment campaign of gallium, an element that is mostly produced during the weak s-process in massive stars. The available cross section data for the 69,71Ga(n,γ)
reactions, mostly determined by activation measurements, show differences up toa factor of three. To improve the data situation, activation measurements were carried out using the 7Li(p,n)7Be reaction. The neutron capture cross sections for
a quasi-stellar neutron spectrum at kBT = 25 keV were determined for 69Ga and 71Ga.
I discuss the investigation of heavy exotic mesons using lattice QCD static potentials and the Born-Oppenheimer approximation. I summarize selected recent results for b¯b¯qq tetraquarks, for I = 0 bottomonium and for I = 1 bottomonium.
Measurements of the production cross sections of prompt D0, D+, D∗+, D+s, Λ+c, and Ξ+c charm hadrons at midrapidity in proton−proton collisions at s√=13 TeV with the ALICE detector are presented. The D-meson cross sections as a function of transverse momentum (pT) are provided with improved precision and granularity. The ratios of pT-differential meson production cross sections based on this publication and on measurements at different rapidity and collision energy provide a constraint on gluon parton distribution functions at low values of Bjorken-x (10−5−10−4). The measurements of Λ+c (Ξ+c) baryon production extend the measured pT intervals down to pT=0(3)~GeV/c. These measurements are used to determine the charm-quark fragmentation fractions and the cc¯¯ production cross section at midrapidity (|y|<0.5) based on the sum of the cross sections of the weakly-decaying ground-state charm hadrons D0, D+, D+s, Λ+c, Ξ0c and, for the first time, Ξ+c, and of the strongly-decaying J/psi mesons. The first measurements of Ξ+c and Σ0,++c fragmentation fractions at midrapidity are also reported. A significantly larger fraction of charm quarks hadronising to baryons is found compared to e+e− and ep collisions. The cc¯¯ production cross section at midrapidity is found to be at the upper bound of state-of-the-art perturbative QCD calculations.
The two-particle momentum correlation functions between charm mesons (D∗± and D±) and charged light-flavor mesons (π± and K±) in all charge-combinations are measured for the first time by the ALICE Collaboration in high-multiplicity proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of s√=13 TeV. For DK and D∗K pairs, the experimental results are in agreement with theoretical predictions of the residual strong interaction based on quantum chromodynamics calculations on the lattice and chiral effective field theory. In the case of Dπ and D∗π pairs, tension between the calculations including strong interactions and the measurement is observed. For all particle pairs, the data can be adequately described by Coulomb interaction only, indicating a shallow interaction between charm and light-flavor mesons. Finally, the scattering lengths governing the residual strong interaction of the Dπ and D∗π systems are determined by fitting the experimental correlation functions with a model that employs a Gaussian potential. The extracted values are small and compatible with zero.
Correlations in azimuthal angle extending over a long range in pseudorapidity between particles, usually called the "ridge" phenomenon, were discovered in heavy-ion collisions, and later found in pp and p−Pb collisions. In large systems, they are thought to arise from the expansion (collective flow) of the produced particles. Extending these measurements over a wider range in pseudorapidity and final-state particle multiplicity is important to understand better the origin of these long-range correlations in small-collision systems. In this Letter, measurements of the long-range correlations in p−Pb collisions at sNN−−−√=5.02 TeV are extended to a pseudorapidity gap of Δη∼8 between particles using the ALICE, forward multiplicity detectors. After suppressing non-flow correlations, e.g., from jet and resonance decays, the ridge structure is observed to persist up to a very large gap of Δη∼8 for the first time in p−Pb collisions. This shows that the collective flow-like correlations extend over an extensive pseudorapidity range also in small-collision systems such as p−Pb collisions. The pseudorapidity dependence of the second-order anisotropic flow coefficient, v2({\eta}), is extracted from the long-range correlations. The v2(η) results are presented for a wide pseudorapidity range of −3.1<η<4.8 in various centrality classes in p−Pb collisions. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the source of anisotropic flow in small-collision systems, the v2(η) measurements are compared to hydrodynamic and transport model calculations. The comparison suggests that the final-state interactions play a dominant role in developing the anisotropic flow in small-collision systems.
The elliptic flow (v2) of D0 mesons from beauty-hadron decays (non-prompt D0) was measured in midcentral (30-50%) Pb-Pb collisions at a centre-of-mass energy per nucleon pair sNN−−−√ = 5.02 TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The D0 mesons were reconstructed at midrapidity (|y|<0.8) from their hadronic decay D0→K−π+, in the transverse momentum interval 2<pT<12 GeV/c. The result indicates a positive v2 for non-prompt D0 mesons with a significance of 2.7σ. The non-prompt D0-meson v2 is lower than that of prompt non-strange D mesons with 3.2σ significance in 2<pT<8 GeV/c, and compatible with the v2 of beauty-decay electrons. Theoretical calculations of beauty-quark transport in a hydrodynamically expanding medium describe the measurement within uncertainties.
Measurements of charged-particle production in pp, p−Pb, and Pb−Pb collisions in the toward, away, and transverse regions with the ALICE detector are discussed. These regions are defined event-by-event relative to the azimuthal direction of the charged trigger particle, which is the reconstructed particle with the largest transverse momentum (ptrigT) in the range 8<ptrigT<15 GeV/c. The toward and away regions contain the primary and recoil jets, respectively; both regions are accompanied by the underlying event (UE). In contrast, the transverse region perpendicular to the direction of the trigger particle is dominated by the so-called UE dynamics, and includes also contributions from initial- and final-state radiation. The relative transverse activity classifier, RT=NTch/⟨NTch⟩, is used to group events according to their UE activity, where NTch is the charged-particle multiplicity per event in the transverse region and ⟨NTch⟩ is the mean value over the whole analysed sample. The energy dependence of the RT distributions in pp collisions at s√=2.76, 5.02, 7, and 13 TeV is reported, exploring the Koba-Nielsen-Olesen (KNO) scaling properties of the multiplicity distributions. The first measurements of charged-particle pT spectra as a function of RT in the three azimuthal regions in pp, p−Pb, and Pb−Pb collisions at sNN−−−√=5.02 TeV are also reported. Data are compared with predictions obtained from the event generators PYTHIA 8 and EPOS LHC. This set of measurements is expected to contribute to the understanding of the origin of collective-like effects in small collision systems (pp and p−Pb).
Measurements of charged-particle production in pp, p−Pb, and Pb−Pb collisions in the toward, away, and transverse regions with the ALICE detector are discussed. These regions are defined event-by-event relative to the azimuthal direction of the charged trigger particle, which is the reconstructed particle with the largest transverse momentum (ptrigT) in the range 8<ptrigT<15 GeV/c. The toward and away regions contain the primary and recoil jets, respectively; both regions are accompanied by the underlying event (UE). In contrast, the transverse region perpendicular to the direction of the trigger particle is dominated by the so-called UE dynamics, and includes also contributions from initial- and final-state radiation. The relative transverse activity classifier, RT=NTch/⟨NTch⟩, is used to group events according to their UE activity, where NTch is the charged-particle multiplicity per event in the transverse region and ⟨NTch⟩ is the mean value over the whole analysed sample. The energy dependence of the RT distributions in pp collisions at s√=2.76, 5.02, 7, and 13 TeV is reported, exploring the Koba-Nielsen-Olesen (KNO) scaling properties of the multiplicity distributions. The first measurements of charged-particle pT spectra as a function of RT in the three azimuthal regions in pp, p−Pb, and Pb−Pb collisions at sNN−−−√=5.02 TeV are also reported. Data are compared with predictions obtained from the event generators PYTHIA 8 and EPOS LHC. This set of measurements is expected to contribute to the understanding of the origin of collective-like effects in small collision systems (pp and p−Pb).
The Chiral Magnetic Wave (CMW) phenomenon is essential to provide insights into the strong interaction in QCD, the properties of the quark-gluon plasma, and the topological characteristics of the early universe, offering a deeper understanding of fundamental physics in high-energy collisions. Measurements of the charge-dependent anisotropic flow coefficients are studied in Pb-Pb collisions at center-of-mass energy per nucleon-nucleon collision sNN−−−√= 5.02 TeV to probe the CMW. In particular, the slope of the normalized difference in elliptic (v2) and triangular (v3) flow coefficients of positively and negatively charged particles as a function of their event-wise normalized number difference, is reported for inclusive and identified particles. The slope rNorm3 is found to be larger than zero and to have a magnitude similar to rNorm2, thus pointing to a large background contribution for these measurements. Furthermore, rNorm2 can be described by a blast wave model calculation that incorporates local charge conservation. In addition, using the event shape engineering technique yields a fraction of CMW (fCMW) contribution to this measurement which is compatible with zero. This measurement provides the very first upper limit for fCMW, and in the 10-60% centrality interval it is found to be 26% (38%) at 95% (99.7%) confidence level.
The ALICE Collaboration reports a differential measurement of inclusive jet suppression using pp and Pb−Pb collision data at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon-nucleon collision sNN−−−√=5.02 TeV. Charged-particle jets are reconstructed using the anti-kT algorithm with resolution parameters R= 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, and 0.6 in pp collisions and R= 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 in central (0−10%), semi-central (30−50%), and peripheral (60−80%) Pb−Pb collisions. A novel approach based on machine learning is employed to mitigate the influence of jet background. This enables measurements of inclusive jet suppression in new regions of phase space, including down to the lowest jet pT≥40 GeV/c at R=0.6 in central Pb−Pb collisions. This is an important step for discriminating different models of jet quenching in the quark-gluon plasma. The transverse momentum spectra, nuclear modification factors, derived cross section, and nuclear modification factor ratios for different jet resolution parameters of charged-particle jets are presented and compared to model predictions. A mild dependence of the nuclear modification factor ratios on collision centrality and resolution parameter is observed. The results are compared to a variety of jet-quenching models with varying levels of agreement.
Although iron-based catalysts are regarded as a promising alternative to precious metal catalysts, their precise electronic structures during catalysis still pose challenges for computational descriptions. A particularly urgent question is the influence of the environment on the electronic structure, and how to describe this properly with computational methods. Here, we study an iron porphyrin chloride complex adsorbed on a graphene sheet using density functional theory calculations to detail how much the electronic structure is influenced by the presence of a graphene layer. Our results indicate that weak interactions due to van der Waals forces dominate between the porphyrin complex and graphene, and only a small amount of charge is transferred between the two entities. Furthermore, the interplay of the ligand field environment, strong p − d hybridization, and correlation effects within the complex are strongly involved in determining the spin state of the iron ion. By bridging molecular chemistry and solid state physics, this study provides first steps towards a joint analysis of the properties of iron-based catalysts from first principles.
Controlling and understanding electron correlations in quantum matter is one of the most challenging tasks in materials engineering. In the past years a plethora of new puzzling correlated states have been found by carefully stacking and twisting two-dimensional van der Waals materials of different kind. Unique to these stacked structures is the emergence of correlated phases not foreseeable from the single layers alone. In Ta-dichalcogenide heterostructures made of a good metallic “1H”- and a Mott insulating “1T”-layer, recent reports have evidenced a cross-breed itinerant and localized nature of the electronic excitations, similar to what is typically found in heavy fermion systems. Here, we put forward a new interpretation based on first-principles calculations which indicates a sizeable charge transfer of electrons (0.4-0.6 e) from 1T to 1H layers at an elevated interlayer distance. We accurately quantify the strength of the interlayer hybridization which allows us to unambiguously determine that the system is much closer to a doped Mott insulator than to a heavy fermion scenario. Ta-based heterolayers provide therefore a new ground for quantum-materials engineering in the regime of heavily doped Mott insulators hybridized with metallic states at a van der Waals distance.
This thesis contains three theoretical works about certain aspects of the interplay of electronic correlations and topology in the Hubbard model.
In the first part of this thesis, the applicability of elementary band representations (EBRs) to diagnose interacting topological phases, that are protected by spatial symmetries and time-reversal-symmetry, in terms of their single-particle Matsubara Green’s functions is investigated. EBRs for the Matsubara Green’s function in the zero-temperature limit can be defined via the topological Hamiltonian. It is found that the Green’s function EBR classification can only change by (i) a gap closing in the spectral function at zero frequency, (ii) the Green’s function becoming singular i.e. having a zero eigenvalue at zero frequency or (iii) the Green’s function breaking a protecting symmetry. As an example, the use of the EBRs for Matsubara Green’s functions is demonstrated on the Su-Schriefer-Heeger model with exact diagonalization.
In the second part the Two-Particle Self-Consistent approach (TPSC) is extended to include spin-orbit coupling (SOC). Time-reversal symmetry, that is preserved in the presence of SOC, is used to derive new TPSC self-consistency equations including SOC. SOC breaks spin rotation symmetry which leads to a coupling of spin and charge channel. The local and constant TPSC vertex then consists of three spin vertices and one charge vertex. As a test case to study the interplay of Hubbard interaction and SOC, the Kane-Mele-Hubbard model is studied. The antiferromagnetic spin fluctuations are the leading instability which confirms that the Kane-Mele-Hubbard model is an XY antiferromagnet at zero temperature. Mixed spin-charge fluctuations are found to be small. Moreover, it is found that the transversal spin vertices are more strongly renormalized than the longitudinal spin vertex, SOC leads to a decrease of antiferromagnetic spin fluctuations and the self-energy shows dispersion and sharp features in momentum space close to the phase transition.
In the third part TPSC with SOC is used to calculate the spin Hall conductivity in the Kane-Mele-Hubbard model at finite temperature. The spin Hall conductivity is calculated once using the conductivity bubble and once including vertex corrections. Vertex corrections for the spin Hall conductivity within TPSC corresponds to the analogues of the Maki-Thompson contributions which physically correspond to the excitation and reabsorption of a spin, a charge or a mixed spin-charge excitation by an electron. At all temperatures, the vertex corrections show a large contribution in the vicinity of the phase transition to the XY antiferromagnet where antiferromagnetic spin fluctuations are large. It is found that vertex corrections are crucial to recover the quantized value of −2e^2/h in the zero-temperature limit. Further, at non-zero temperature, increasing the Hubbard interaction leads to a decrease of the spin Hall conductivity. The results indicate that scattering of electrons off antiferromagnetic spin fluctuations renormalize the band gap. Decreasing the gap can be interpreted as an effective increase of temperature leading to a decrease of the spin Hall conductivity.
IHMCIF: an extension of the PDBx/mmCIF data standard for integrative structure determination methods
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IHMCIF (github.com/ihmwg/IHMCIF) is a data information framework that supports archiving and disseminating macromolecular structures determined by integrative or hybrid modeling (IHM), and making them Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR). IHMCIF is an extension of the Protein Data Bank Exchange/macromolecular Crystallographic Information Framework (PDBx/mmCIF) that serves as the framework for the Protein Data Bank (PDB) to archive experimentally determined atomic structures of biological macromolecules and their complexes with one another and small molecule ligands (e.g., enzyme cofactors and drugs). IHMCIF serves as the foundational data standard for the PDB-Dev prototype system, developed for archiving and disseminating integrative structures. It utilizes a flexible data representation to describe integrative structures that span multiple spatiotemporal scales and structural states with definitions for restraints from a variety of experimental methods contributing to integrative structural biology. The IHMCIF extension was created with the benefit of considerable community input and recommendations gathered by the Worldwide Protein Data Bank (wwPDB) Task Force for Integrative or Hybrid Methods (wwpdb.org/task/hybrid). Herein, we describe the development of IHMCIF to support evolving methodologies and ongoing advancements in integrative structural biology. Ultimately, IHMCIF will facilitate the unification of PDB-Dev data and tools with the PDB archive so that integrative structures can be archived and disseminated through PDB.
The spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 is a highly flexible membrane receptor that triggers the translocation of the virus into cells by attaching to the human receptors. Like other type I membrane receptors, this protein has several extracellular domains connected by flexible hinges. The presence of these hinges results in high flexibility, which consequently results in challenges in defining the conformation of the protein. Here, We developed a new method to define the conformational space based on a few variables inspired by the robotic field’s methods to determine a robotic arm’s forward kinematics. Using newly performed atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and publicly available data, we found that the Denavit-Hartenberg (DH) parameters can reliably show the changes in the local conformation. Furthermore, the rotational and translational components of the homogenous transformation matrix constructed based on the DH parameters can identify the changes in the global conformation of the spike and also differentiate between the conformation with a similar position of the spike head, which other types of parameters, such as spherical coordinates, fail to distinguish between such conformations. Finally, the new method will be beneficial for looking at the conformational heterogeneity in all other type I membrane receptors.
The intense photon fluxes from relativistic nuclei provide an opportunity to study photonuclear interactions in ultraperipheral collisions. The measurement of coherently photoproduced π+π−π+π− final states in ultraperipheral Pb-Pb collisions at sNN−−−√=5.02 TeV is presented for the first time. The cross section, dσ/dy, times the branching ratio (ρ→π+π+π−π−) is found to be 47.8±2.3 (stat.)±7.7 (syst.) mb in the rapidity interval |y|<0.5. The invariant mass distribution is not well described with a single Breit-Wigner resonance. The production of two interfering resonances, ρ(1450) and ρ(1700), provides a good description of the data. The values of the masses (m) and widths (Γ) of the resonances extracted from the fit are m1=1385±14 (stat.)±3 (syst.) MeV/c2, Γ1=431±36 (stat.)±82 (syst.) MeV/c2, m2=1663±13 (stat.)±22 (syst.) MeV/c2 and Γ2=357±31 (stat.)±49 (syst.) MeV/c2, respectively. The measured cross sections times the branching ratios are compared to recent theoretical predictions.
Measurements of the pT-dependent flow vector fluctuations in Pb-Pb collisions at sNN−−−√=5.02 TeV using azimuthal correlations with the ALICE experiment at the LHC are presented. A four-particle correlation approach [1] is used to quantify the effects of flow angle and magnitude fluctuations separately. This paper extends previous studies to additional centrality intervals and provides measurements of the pT-dependent flow vector fluctuations at sNN−−−√=5.02 TeV with two-particle correlations. Significant pT-dependent fluctuations of the V⃗ 2 flow vector in Pb-Pb collisions are found across different centrality ranges, with the largest fluctuations of up to ∼15% being present in the 5% most central collisions. In parallel, no evidence of significant pT-dependent fluctuations of V⃗ 3 or V⃗ 4 is found. Additionally, evidence of flow angle and magnitude fluctuations is observed with more than 5σ significance in central collisions. These observations in Pb-Pb collisions indicate where the classical picture of hydrodynamic modeling with a common symmetry plane breaks down. This has implications for hard probes at high pT, which might be biased by pT-dependent flow angle fluctuations of at least 23% in central collisions. Given the presented results, existing theoretical models should be re-examined to improve our understanding of initial conditions, quark--gluon plasma (QGP) properties, and the dynamic evolution of the created system.
The pT-differential production cross sections of non-prompt D0, D+, and D+s mesons originating from beauty-hadron decays are measured in proton−proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy s√ of 13 TeV. The measurements are performed at midrapidity, |y|<0.5, with the data sample collected by ALICE from 2016 to 2018. The results are in agreement with predictions from several perturbative QCD calculations. The fragmentation fraction of beauty quarks to strange mesons divided by the one to non-strange mesons, fs/(fu+fd), is found to be 0.114±0.016 (stat.)±0.006 (syst.)±0.003 (BR)±0.003 (extrap.). This value is compatible with previous measurements at lower centre-of-mass energies and in different collision systems in agreement with the assumption of universality of fragmentation functions. In addition, the dependence of the non-prompt D meson production on the centre-of-mass energy is investigated by comparing the results obtained at s√=5.02 and 13 TeV, showing a hardening of the non-prompt D-meson pT-differential production cross section at higher s√. Finally, the bb¯¯¯ production cross section per unit of rapidity at midrapidity is calculated from the non-prompt D0, D+, D+s, and Λ+c hadron measurements, obtaining dσ/dy=75.2±3.2 (stat.)±5.2 (syst.)+12.3−3.2 (extrap.) μb.
The two-particle momentum correlation functions between charm mesons (D∗± and D±) and charged light-flavor mesons (π± and K±) in all charge-combinations are measured for the first time by the ALICE Collaboration in high-multiplicity proton–proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of √s = 13 TeV. For DK and D∗K pairs, the experimental results are in agreement with theoretical predictions of the residual strong interaction based on quantum chromodynamics calculations on the lattice and chiral effective field theory. In the case of Dπ and D∗π pairs, tension between the calculations including strong interactions and the measurement is observed. For all particle pairs, the data can be adequately described by Coulomb interaction only, indicating a shallow interaction between charm and light-flavor mesons. Finally, the scattering lengths governing the residual strong interaction of the Dπ and D∗π systems are determined by fitting the experimental correlation functions with a model that employs a Gaussian potential. The extracted values are small and compatible with zero.
A powerful technique to distinguish the enantiomers of a chiral molecule is the Coulomb Explosion Imaging (CEI). This technique allows us to determine the handedness of a single molecule. In CEI, the molecule becomes charged by losing many electrons in a very short period of time by interacting with the light. The repulsion forces between the positive charged particles of the molecule leads the molecule to break into parts-fragments. By measuring the three vector momentum of (at least) four fragments, the handedness observable can be determined. In this thesis, CEI is induced by absorption of a single high energy photon, which creates an inner-shell hole (K shell) of the molecule. The subsequent cascade of Auger decays lead to fragmentation. We decided to work with the formic acid molecule in this thesis. Two different experiments were conducted. The first experiment focused on exciting electrons to different energy states, while the second experiment focused on extracting directly a photoelectron to the continuum and measure the angular distribution of the photoelectron in the molecular frame. The primary goal was to search for chiral signal in a pure achiral planar molecule under the previous electron processes. The results of these findings were further implemented to two more molecules.
We carry out an in-depth analysis of the prompt-collapse behaviour of binary neutron star (BNS) mergers. To this end, we perform more than 80 general relativistic BNS merger simulations using a family of realistic Equations of State (EOS) with different stiffness, which feature a first order deconfinement phase transition between hadronic and quark matter. From these simulations we infer the critical binary mass Mcrit that separates the prompt from the non-prompt collapse regime. We show that the critical mass increases with the stiffness of the EOS and obeys a tight quasi-universal relation, Mcrit/MTOV ≈ 1.41 ± 0.06, which links it to the maximum mass MTOV of static neutron stars, and therefore provides a straightforward estimate for the total binary mass beyond which prompt collapse becomes inevitable. In addition, we introduce a novel gauge independent definition for a one-parameter family of threshold masses in terms of curvature invariants of the Riemann tensor which characterizes the development toward a more rapid collapse with increasing binary mass. Using these diagnostics, we find that the amount of matter remaining outside the black hole sharply drops in supercritical mass mergers compared to subcritical ones and is further reduced in mergers where the black hole collapse is induced by the formation of a quark matter core. This implies that Mcrit, particularly for merger remnants featuring quark matter cores, imposes a strict upper limit on the emission of any detectable electromagnetic counterpart in BNS mergers.
A considerable effort has been dedicated recently to the construction of generic equations of state (EOSs) for matter in neutron stars. The advantage of these approaches is that they can provide model-independent information on the interior structure and global properties of neutron stars. Making use of more than 106 generic EOSs, we assess the validity of quasi-universal relations of neutron-star properties for a broad range of rotation rates, from slow rotation up to the mass-shedding limit. In this way, we are able to determine with unprecedented accuracy the quasi-universal maximum-mass ratio between rotating and nonrotating stars and reveal the existence of a new relation for the surface oblateness, i.e., the ratio between the polar and equatorial proper radii. We discuss the impact that our findings have on the imminent detection of new binary neutron-star mergers and how they can be used to set new and more stringent limits on the maximum mass of nonrotating neutron stars, as well as to improve the modeling of the X-ray emission from the surface of rotating stars.
Upon infection, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) releases its cone-shaped capsid into the cytoplasm of infected T-cells and macrophages. As its largest known cargo, the capsid enters the nuclear pore complex (NPC), driven by interactions with numerous FG-repeat nucleoporins (FG-Nups). Whether NPCs structurally adapt to capsid passage and whether capsids are modified during passage remains unknown, however. Here, we combined super-resolution and correlative microscopy with cryo electron tomography and molecular simulations to study nuclear entry of HIV-1 capsids in primary human macrophages. We found that cytosolically bound cyclophilin A is stripped off capsids entering the NPC, and the capsid hexagonal lattice remains largely intact inside and beyond the central channel. Strikingly, the NPC scaffold rings frequently crack during capsid passage, consistent with computer simulations indicating the need for NPC widening. The unique cone shape of the HIV-1 capsid facilitates its entry into NPCs and helps to crack their rings.
This Letter presents the first measurement of event-by-event fluctuations of the net number (difference between the particle and antiparticle multiplicities) of multistrange hadrons Ξ− and Ξ¯¯¯¯+ and its correlation with the net-kaon number using the data collected by the ALICE Collaboration in pp, p−Pb, and Pb−Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon pair sNN−−−√=5.02 TeV. The statistical hadronization model with a correlation over three units of rapidity between hadrons having the same and opposite strangeness content successfully describes the results. On the other hand, string-fragmentation models that mainly correlate strange hadrons with opposite strange quark content over a small rapidity range fail to describe the data.
he first measurement of 3ΛH and 3Λ¯¯¯¯H¯¯¯¯ differential production with respect to transverse momentum and centrality in Pb−Pb collisions at sNN−−−√=5.02~TeV is presented. The 3ΛH has been reconstructed via its two-charged-body decay channel, i.e., 3ΛH→3He+π−. A Blast-Wave model fit of the pT-differential spectra of all nuclear species measured by the ALICE collaboration suggests that the 3ΛH kinetic freeze-out surface is consistent with that of other nuclei. The ratio between the integrated yields of 3ΛH and 3He is compared to predictions from the statistical hadronisation model and the coalescence model, with the latter being favoured by the presented measurements.
First measurements of hadron(h)−Λ azimuthal angular correlations in p−Pb collisions at sNN−−−√ = 5.02 TeV using the ALICE detector at the LHC are presented. These correlations are used to separate the production of associated Λ baryons into three different kinematic regions, namely those produced in the direction of the trigger particle (near-side), those produced in the opposite direction (away-side), and those whose production is uncorrelated with the jet-axis (underlying event). The per-trigger associated Λ yields in these regions are extracted, along with the near- and away-side azimuthal peak widths, and the results are studied as a function of associated particle pT and event multiplicity. Comparisons with the DPMJET event generator and previous measurements of the ϕ(1020) meson are also made. The final results indicate that strangeness production in the highest multiplicity p−Pb collisions is enhanced relative to low multiplicity collisions in the jet-like regions, as well as the underlying event. The production of Λ relative to charged hadrons is also enhanced in the underlying event when compared to the jet-like regions. Additionally, the results hint that strange quark production in the away-side of the jet is modified by soft interactions with the underlying event.
Measurements of (anti)deuteron and (anti)3He production in the rapidity range |y|< 0.5 as a function of the transverse momentum and event multiplicity in Xe−Xe collisions at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon−nucleon pair of sNN−−−√ = 5.44 TeV are presented. The coalescence parameters B2 and B3 are measured as a function of the transverse momentum per nucleon. The ratios between (anti)deuteron and (anti)3He yields and those of (anti)protons and pions are reported as a function of the mean charged-particle multiplicity density, and compared with two implementations of the statistical hadronization model (SHM) and with coalescence predictions. The elliptic flow of (anti)deuterons is measured for the first time in Xe−Xe collisions and shows features similar to those already observed in Pb−Pb collisions, i.e., the mass ordering at low transverse momentum and the meson−baryon grouping at intermediate transverse momentum. The production of nuclei is particularly sensitive to the chemical freeze-out temperature of the system created in the collision, which is extracted from a grand-canonical-ensemble-based thermal fit, performed for the first time including light nuclei along with light-flavor hadrons in Xe−Xe collisions. The extracted chemical freeze-out temperature Tchem = (154.2 ± 1.1) MeV in Xe−Xe collisions is similar to that observed in Pb−Pb collisions and close to the crossover temperature predicted by lattice QCD calculations.
The transverse momentum (pT) differential production cross section of the promptly-produced charm-strange baryon Ξ0c (and its charge conjugate Ξ0c¯¯¯¯¯¯) is measured at midrapidity via its hadronic decay into π+Ξ− in p−Pb collisions at a centre-of-mass energy per nucleon−nucleon collision sNN−−−√ = 5.02 TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The Ξ0c nuclear modification factor (RpPb), calculated from the cross sections in pp and p−Pb collisions, is presented and compared with the RpPb of Λ+c baryons. The ratios between the pT-differential production cross section of Ξ0c baryons and those of D0 mesons and Λ+c baryons are also reported and compared with results at forward and backward rapidity from the LHCb Collaboration. The measurements of the production cross section of prompt Ξ0c baryons are compared with a model based on perturbative QCD calculations of charm-quark production cross sections, which includes only cold nuclear matter effects in p−Pb collisions, and underestimates the measurement by a factor of about 50. This discrepancy is reduced when the data is compared with a model in which hadronisation is implemented via quark coalescence. The pT-integrated cross section of prompt Ξ0c-baryon production at midrapidity extrapolated down to pT = 0 is also reported. These measurements offer insights and constraints for theoretical calculations of the hadronisation process. Additionally, they provide inputs for the calculation of the charm production cross section in p−Pb collisions at midrapidity.
Investigating strangeness enhancement with multiplicity in pp collisions using angular correlations
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A study of strange hadron production associated with hard scattering processes and with the underlying event is conducted to investigate the origin of the enhanced production of strange hadrons in small collision systems characterised by large charged-particle multiplicities. For this purpose, the production of the single-strange meson K0S and the double-strange baryon Ξ± is measured, in each event, in the azimuthal direction of the highest-pT particle (``trigger" particle), related to hard scattering processes, and in the direction transverse to it in azimuth, associated with the underlying event, in pp collisions at s√=5.02 TeV and s√=13 TeV using the ALICE detector at the LHC. The per-trigger yields of K0S and Ξ± are dominated by the transverse-to-leading production (i.e., in the direction transverse to the trigger particle), whose contribution relative to the toward-leading production is observed to increase with the event charged-particle multiplicity. The transverse-to-leading and the toward-leading Ξ±/K0S yield ratios increase with the multiplicity of charged particles, suggesting that strangeness enhancement with multiplicity is associated with both hard scattering processes and the underlying event. The relative production of Ξ± with respect to K0S is higher in transverse-to-leading processes over the whole multiplicity interval covered by the measurement. The K0S and Ξ± per-trigger yields and yield ratios are compared with predictions of three different phenomenological models, namely PYTHIA 8.2 with the Monash tune, PYTHIA 8.2 with ropes and EPOS LHC. The comparison shows that none of them can quantitatively describe either the transverse-to-leading or the toward-leading yields of K0S and Ξ±.
The first measurement of the impact-parameter dependent angular anisotropy in the decay of coherently photoproduced ρ0 mesons is presented. The ρ0 mesons are reconstructed through their decay into a pion pair. The measured anisotropy corresponds to the amplitude of the cos(2ϕ) modulation, where ϕ is the angle between the two vectors formed by the sum and the difference of the transverse momenta of the pions, respectively. The measurement was performed by the ALICE Collaboration at the LHC using data from ultraperipheral Pb−Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy of sNN−−−√ = 5.02 TeV per nucleon pair. Different impact-parameter regions are selected by classifying the events in nuclear-breakup classes. The amplitude of the cos(2ϕ) modulation is found to increase by about one order of magnitude from large to small impact parameters. Theoretical calculations, which describe the measurement, explain the cos(2ϕ) anisotropy as the result of a quantum interference effect at the femtometer scale that arises from the ambiguity as to which of the nuclei is the source of the photon in the interaction.
Based on 2.7×109 ψ(3686) decays collected with the BESIII detector, the radiative decay ψ(3686)→γ2(π+π−)η is investigated to measure properties of S- and P-wave charmonium states. The branching fraction of the decay ηc(1S)→2(π+π−)η, which is found to have a strong dependence on the interference pattern between ηc(1S) and non-ηc(1S) processes, is measured in both destructive and constructive interference scenarios for the first time. The mass and width of the ηc(1S) are measured to be M=(2984.14±0.13±0.38) MeV/c2 and Γ=(28.82±0.11±0.82) MeV, respectively. Clear signals for the decays of the χcJ(J=0,1,2) and the ηc(2S) to 2(π+π−)η are also observed for the first time, and the corresponding branching fractions are measured. The ratio of the branching fractions between the ηc(2S) and ηc(1S) decays is significantly lower than the theoretical prediction, which might suggest different dynamics in their decays.
Based on (2712.4±14.3)×106 ψ(3686) events, we investigate four hadronic decay modes of the P-wave charmonium spin-singlet state hc(1P1)→h+h−π0/η (h=π or K) via the process ψ(3686)→π0hc at BESIII. The hc→π+π−π0 decay is observed with a significance of 9.6σ after taking into account systematic uncertainties. Evidences for hc→K+K−π0 and hc→K+K−η are found with significances of 3.5σ and 3.3σ, respectively, after considering the systematic uncertainties. The branching fractions of these decays are measured to be B(hc→π+π−π0)=(1.36±0.16±0.14)×10−3, B(hc→K+K−π0)=(3.26±0.84±0.36)×10−4, and B(hc→K+K−η)=(3.13±1.08±0.38)×10−4, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic. No significant signal of hc→π+π−η is found, and the upper limit of its decay branching fraction is determined to be B(hc→π+π−η)<4.0×10−4 at 90% confidence level.
Using data samples with an integrated luminosity of 4.67 fb−1 collected by the BESIII detector operating at the BEPCII collider, we search for the process e+e−→η′ψ(2S) at center-of-mass energies from 4.66 to 4.95 GeV. No significant signal is observed, and upper limits for the Born cross sections σB(e+e−→η′ψ(2S)) at the 90\% confidence level are determined.
Using 9.0 fb−1 of e+e− collision data collected at center-of-mass energies from 4.178 to 4.278 GeV with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider, we perform the first search for the radiative transition χc1(3872)→γψ2(3823). No χc1(3872)→γψ2(3823) signal is observed. The upper limit on the ratio of branching fractions B(χc1(3872)→γψ2(3823),ψ2(3823)→γχc1)/B(χc1(3872)→π+π−J/ψ) is set as 0.075 at the 90\% confidence level. Our result contradicts theoretical predictions under the assumption that the χc1(3872) is the pure charmonium state χc1(2P).
We report the first amplitude analysis of the decays D0→π+π−η and D+→π+π0η using a data sample taken with the BESIII detector at the center-of-mass energy of 3.773 GeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 7.9 fb−1. The contribution from the process D0(+)→a0(980)+π−(0) is significantly larger than the D0(+)→a0(980)−(0)π+ contribution. The ratios B(D0→a0(980)+π−)/B(D0→a0(980)−π+) and B(D+→a0(980)+π0)/B(D+→a0(980)0π+) are measured to be 7.5+2.5−0.8stat.±1.7syst. and 2.6±0.6stat.±0.3syst., respectively. The measured D0 ratio disagrees with the theoretical predictions by orders of magnitudes, thus implying a substantial contribution from final-state interactions.
The process e+e−→pp¯π0 is studied at 20 center-of-mass energies ranging from 2.1000 to 3.0800 GeV using 636.8 pb−1 of data collected with the BESIII detector operating at the BEPCII collider. The Born cross sections for e+e−→pp¯π0 are measured with high precision. Since the lowest center-of-mass energy, 2.1000 GeV, is less than 90 MeV above the pp¯π0 energy threshold, we can probe the threshold behavior for this reaction. However, no anomalous threshold enhancement is found in the cross sections for e+e−→pp¯π0.
Using 7.33~fb−1 of e+e− collision data collected by the BESIII detector at center-of-mass energies in the range of s√=4.128−4.226~GeV, we search for the rare decays D+s→h+(h0)e+e−, where h represents a kaon or pion. By requiring the e+e− invariant mass to be consistent with a ϕ(1020), 0.98<M(e+e−)<1.04 ~GeV/c2, the decay D+s→π+ϕ,ϕ→e+e− is observed with a statistical significance of 7.8σ, and evidence for the decay D+s→ρ+ϕ,ϕ→e+e− is found for the first time with a statistical significance of 4.4σ. The decay branching fractions are measured to be B(D+s→π+ϕ,ϕ→e+e−)=(1.17+0.23−0.21±0.03)×10−5, and B(D+s→ρ+ϕ,ϕ→e+e−)=(2.44+0.67−0.62±0.16)×10−5, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second systematic. No significant signal for the three four-body decays of D+s→π+π0e+e−, D+s→K+π0e+e−, and D+s→K0Sπ+e+e− is observed. For D+s→π+π0e+e−, the ϕ mass region is vetoed to minimize the long-distance effects. The 90% confidence level upper limits set on the branching fractions of these decays are in the range of (7.0−8.1)×10−5.
We search for the di-photon decay of a light pseudoscalar axion-like particle, a, in radiative decays of the J/ψ, using 10 billion J/ψ events collected with the BESIII detector. We find no evidence of a narrow resonance and set upper limits at the 95% confidence level on the product branching fraction B(J/ψ→γa)×B(a→γγ) and the axion-like particle photon coupling constant gaγγ in the ranges of (3.6−49.8)×10−8 and (2.2−103.8)×10−4 GeV−1, respectively, for 0.18≤ma≤2.85 GeV/c2. These are the most stringent limits to date in this mass region.
Based on (2.712±0.014)×109 ψ(3686) events collected by the BESIII collaboration, evidence of the hadronic decay hc→K0SK+π−+c.c. is found with a significance of 4.3σ in the ψ(3686)→π0hc process. The branching fraction of hc→K0SK+π−+c.c. is measured to be (7.3±0.8±1.8)×10−4, where the first and second uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively. Combining with the exclusive decay width of ηc→KK¯π, our result indicates inconsistencies with both pQCD and NRQCD predictions.
Six C-even states, denoted as X, with quantum numbers JPC=0−+, 1±+, or 2±+, are searched for via the e+e−→γD±sD∗∓s process using (1667.39±8.84) pb−1 of e+e− collision data collected with the BESIII detector operating at the BEPCII storage ring at center-of-mass energy of s√=(4681.92±0.30) MeV. No statistically significant signal is observed in the mass range from 4.08 to 4.32 GeV/c2. The upper limits of σ[e+e−→γX]⋅B[X→D±sD∗∓s] at a 90% confidence level are determined.
The processes hc→γP(P=η′, η, π0)) are studied with a sample of (27.12±0.14)×108 ψ(3686) events collected by the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider. The branching fractions of hc→γη′ and hc→γη are measured to be (1.40±0.11±0.04±0.10)×10−3 and (3.77±0.55±0.13±0.26)×10−4, respectively, where the first uncertainties are statistical, the second systematic, and the third from the branching fraction of ψ(3686)→π0hc. The ratio Rhc=B(hc→γη)B(hc→γη′) is calculated to be (27.0±4.4±1.0)%. The measurements are consistent with the previous results with improved precision by a factor of 2. The results are valuable for gaining a deeper understanding of η−η′ mixing, and its manifestation within quantum chromodynamics. No significant signal is found for the decay hc→γπ0, and an upper limit is placed on its branching fraction of B(hc→γπ0)<5.0×10−5, at the 90\% confidence level.
Based on 4.5 fb−1 of e+e− collision data accumulated at center-of-mass energies between 4599.53 MeV and 4698.82 MeV with the BESIII detector, the decay Λ+c→nK0Sπ+π0 is observed for the first time with a significance of 9.2σ. The branching fraction is measured to be (0.85±0.13±0.03)%, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic, which differs from the theoretical prediction based on isospin by 4.4σ. This indicates that there may be resonant contributions or some unknown dynamics in this decay.
Based on 4.5 fb−1 of e+e− collision data accumulated at center-of-mass energies between 4599.53 MeV and 4698.82 MeV with the BESIII detector, the decay Λ+c→nK0Sπ+π0 is observed for the first time with a significance of 9.2σ. The branching fraction is measured to be (0.85±0.13±0.03)%, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic, which differs from the theoretical prediction based on isospin by 4.4σ. This indicates that there may be resonant contributions or some unknown dynamics in this decay.
Using 2.93 fb−1 of e+e− collision data collected with the BESIII detector at the center-of-mass energy of 3.773 GeV, we investigate the semileptonic decays D+→π+π−ℓ+νℓ (ℓ=e and μ). The D+→f0(500)μ+νμ decay is observed for the first time. By analyzing simultaneously the differential decay rates of D+→f0(500)μ+νμ and D+→f0(500)e+νe in different ℓ+νℓ four-momentum transfer intervals, the product of the relevant hadronic form factor ff0+(0) and the magnitude of the c→d Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix element |Vcd| is determined to be ff0+(0)|Vcd|=0.0787±0.0060stat±0.0033syst for the first time. With the input of |Vcd| from the global fit in the standard model, we determine ff0+(0)=0.350±0.027stat±0.015syst. The absolute branching fractions of D+→f0(500)(π+π−)μ+νμ and D+→ρ0(π+π−)μ+νμ are determined as (0.72±0.13stat±0.10syst)×10−3 and (1.64±0.13stat±0.11syst)×10−3. Combining these results with those of previous BESIII measurements on their semielectronic counterparts from the same data sample, we test lepton flavor universality by measuring the branching fraction ratios BD+→ρ0μ+νμ/BD+→ρ0e+νe = 0.88±0.10 and BD+→f0(500)μ+νμ/BD+→f0(500)e+νe = 1.14±0.28, which are compatible with the standard model expectation.
Using 2.93 fb−1 of e+e− collision data collected with the BESIII detector at the center-of-mass energy of 3.773 GeV, we investigate the semileptonic decays D+→π+π−ℓ+νℓ (ℓ=e and μ). The D+→f0(500)μ+νμ decay is observed for the first time. By analyzing simultaneously the differential decay rates of D+→f0(500)μ+νμ and D+→f0(500)e+νe in different ℓ+νℓ four-momentum transfer intervals, the product of the relevant hadronic form factor ff0+(0) and the magnitude of the c→d Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix element |Vcd| is determined to be ff0+(0)|Vcd|=0.0787±0.0060stat±0.0033syst for the first time. With the input of |Vcd| from the global fit in the standard model, we determine ff0+(0)=0.350±0.027stat±0.015syst. The absolute branching fractions of D+→f0(500)(π+π−)μ+νμ and D+→ρ0(π+π−)μ+νμ are determined as (0.72±0.13stat±0.10syst)×10−3 and (1.64±0.13stat±0.11syst)×10−3. Combining these results with those of previous BESIII measurements on their semielectronic counterparts from the same data sample, we test lepton flavor universality by measuring the branching fraction ratios BD+→ρ0μ+νμ/BD+→ρ0e+νe=0.88±0.10 and BD+→f0(500)μ+νμ/BD+→f0(500)e+νe = 1.14±0.28, which are compatible with the standard model expectation.
Using data samples collected with the BESIII detector operating at the BEPCII storage ring, the cross section of the inclusive process e+e−→η+X, normalized by the total cross section of e+e−→hadrons, is measured at eight center-of-mass energy points from 2.0000 GeV to 3.6710 GeV. These are the first measurements with momentum dependence in this energy region. Our measurement shows a significant discrepancy from calculations with the existing fragmentation functions. To address this discrepancy, a new QCD analysis is performed at the next-to-next-to-leading order with hadron mass corrections and higher twist effects, which can explain both the established high-energy data and our measurements reasonably well.
The absolute branching fraction of the decay Λc(2625)+→Λ+cπ+π− is measured for the first time to be (50.7±5.0stat.±4.9syst.)% with 368.48 pb−1 of e+e− collision data collected by the BESIII detector at the center-of-mass energies of s√=4.918 and 4.950 GeV. This result is lower than the naive prediction of 67\%, obtained from isospin symmetry, by more than 2σ, thereby indicating that the novel mechanism referred to as the \textit{threshold effect}, proposed for the strong decays of Λc(2595)+, also applies to Λc(2625)+. This measurement is necessary to obtain the coupling constants for the transitions between s-wave and p-wave charmed baryons in heavy hadron chiral perturbation theory. In addition, we search for the decay Λc(2595)+→Λ+cπ+π−. No significant signal is observed, and the upper limit on its branching fraction is determined to be 80.8\% at the 90\% confidence level.
Using e+e− annihilation data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.93 fb−1 taken at the center-of-mass energy s√=3.773~GeV with the BESIII detector, a joint amplitude analysis is performed on the decays D0→π+π−π+π− and D0→π+π−π0π0(non-η). The fit fractions of individual components are obtained, and large interferences among the dominant components of D0→a1(1260)π, D0→π(1300)π, D0→ρ(770)ρ(770) and D0→2(ππ)S are found in both channels. With the obtained amplitude model, the CP-even fractions of D0→π+π−π+π− and D0→π+π−π0π0(non-η) are determined to be (75.2±1.1stat.±1.5syst.)% and (68.9±1.5stat.±2.4syst.)%, respectively. The branching fractions of D0→π+π−π+π− and D0→π+π−π0π0(non-η) are measured to be (0.688±0.010stat.±0.010syst.)% and (0.951±0.025stat.±0.021syst.)%, respectively. The amplitude analysis provides an important model for binning strategy in the measurements of the strong phase parameters of D0→4π when used to determine the CKM angle γ(ϕ3) via the B−→DK− decay.
Evidence for the singly Cabibbo suppressed decay Λ+c→pπ0 is reported for the first time with a statistical significance of 3.7σ based on 6.0 fb−1 of e+e− collision data collected at center-of-mass energies between 4.600 and 4.843 GeV with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider. The absolute branching fraction of Λ+c→pπ0 is measured to be (1.56+0.72−0.58±0.20)×10−4, which distinctly exceeds the upper limit measured by Belle experiment. Combining with the branching fraction of Λ+c→nπ+, (6.6±1.3)×10−4, the ratio of the branching fractions of Λ+c→nπ+ and Λ+c→pπ0 is calculated to be 3.2+2.2−1.2. As an important input for the theoretical models describing the decay mechanisms of charmed baryons, our result indicates that the non-factorizable contributions play an essential role and their interference with the factorizable contributions should not be significant. In addition, the absolute branching fraction of Λ+c→pη is measured to be (1.63±0.31stat±0.11syst)×10−3, which is consistent with previous measurements.
Evidence for the singly Cabibbo suppressed decay Λ+c→pπ0 is reported for the first time with a statistical significance of 3.7σ based on 6.0 fb−1 of e+e− collision data collected at center-of-mass energies between 4.600 and 4.843 GeV with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider. The absolute branching fraction of Λ+c→pπ0 is measured to be (1.56+0.72−0.58±0.20)×10−4, which distinctly exceeds the upper limit measured by Belle experiment. Combining with the branching fraction of Λ+c→nπ+, (6.6±1.3)×10−4, the ratio of the branching fractions of Λ+c→nπ+ and Λ+c→pπ0 is calculated to be 3.2+2.2−1.2. As an important input for the theoretical models describing the decay mechanisms of charmed baryons, our result indicates that the non-factorizable contributions play an essential role and their interference with the factorizable contributions should not be significant. In addition, the absolute branching fraction of Λ+c→pη is measured to be (1.63±0.31stat±0.11syst)×10−3, which is consistent with previous measurements.
Evidence for the singly Cabibbo suppressed decay Λ+c→pπ0 is reported for the first time with a statistical significance of 3.7σ based on 6.0 fb−1 of e+e− collision data collected at center-of-mass energies between 4.600 and 4.843 GeV with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider. The absolute branching fraction of Λ+c→pπ0 is measured to be (1.56+0.72−0.58±0.20)×10−4. Combining with the branching fraction of Λ+c→nπ+, (6.6±1.3)×10−4, the ratio of the branching fractions of Λ+c→nπ+ and Λ+c→pπ0 is calculated to be 3.2+2.2−1.2. As an important input for the theoretical models describing the decay mechanisms of charmed baryons, our result indicates that the non-factorizable contributions play an essential role and their interference with the factorizable contributions should not be significant. In addition, the absolute branching fraction of Λ+c→pη is measured to be (1.63±0.31stat±0.11syst)×10−3.
Evidence for the singly Cabibbo suppressed decay Λ+c→pπ0 is reported for the first time with a statistical significance of 3.7σ based on 6.0 fb−1 of e+e− collision data collected at center-of-mass energies between 4.600 and 4.843 GeV with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider. The absolute branching fraction of Λ+c→pπ0 is measured to be (1.56+0.72−0.58±0.20)×10−4. Combining with the branching fraction of Λ+c→nπ+, (6.6±1.3)×10−4, the ratio of the branching fractions of Λ+c→nπ+ and Λ+c→pπ0 is calculated to be 3.2+2.2−1.2. As an important input for the theoretical models describing the decay mechanisms of charmed baryons, our result indicates that the non-factorizable contributions play an essential role and their interference with the factorizable contributions should not be significant. In addition, the absolute branching fraction of Λ+c→pη is measured to be (1.63±0.31stat±0.11syst)×10−3.
We present the first observation of the singly Cabibbo-suppressed decay Λ+𝑐→Λ𝐾+𝜋0 with a significance of 5.7𝜎 and the first evidence of Λ+𝑐→Λ𝐾+𝜋+𝜋− decay with a significance of 3.1𝜎, based on 𝑒+𝑒−annihilation data recorded by the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider. The data correspond to an integrated luminosity of 6.4 fb−1, in the center-of-mass energy range from 4.600 to 4.950 GeV. We determine the branching fractions of Λ+𝑐→Λ𝐾+𝜋0 and Λ+𝑐→Λ𝐾+𝜋+𝜋− relative to their Cabibbo-favored counterparts to be ℬ(Λ+𝑐→Λ𝐾+𝜋0)ℬ(Λ+𝑐→Λ𝜋+𝜋0) = (2.09±0.39stat±0.07syst)×10−2 and ℬ(Λ+𝑐→Λ𝐾+𝜋+𝜋−)ℬ(Λ+𝑐→Λ𝜋+𝜋+𝜋−) = (1.13±0.41stat±0.06syst)×10−2, respectively. Moreover, by combining our measured result with the world average of ℬ(Λ+𝑐→Λ𝜋+𝜋0), we obtain the branching fraction ℬ(Λ+𝑐→Λ𝐾+𝜋0) = (1.49±0.27stat±0.05syst±0.08ref)×10−3. This result significantly departs from theoretical predictions based on quark 𝑆𝑈(3) flavor symmetry, which is underpinned by the presumption of meson pair 𝑆-wave amplitude dominance.
We present the first observation of the singly Cabibbo-suppressed decay Λ+c→ΛK+π0 with a significance of 5.7σ and the first evidence of Λ+c→ΛK+π+π− decay with a significance of 3.1σ, based on e+e− annihilation data recorded by the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider. The data correspond to an integrated luminosity of 6.4 fb−1, in the center-of-mass energy range from 4.600 GeV to 4.950 GeV. We determine the branching fractions of Λ+c→ΛK+π0 and Λ+c→ΛK+π+π− relative to their Cabibbo-favored counterparts to be B(Λ+c→ΛK+π0)B(Λ+c→Λπ+π0)=(2.09±0.39stat.±0.07syst.)×10−2 and B(Λ+c→ΛK+π+π−)B(Λ+c→Λπ+π+π−)=(1.13±0.41stat.±0.06syst.)×10−2, respectively. Moreover, by combining our measured result with the world average of B(Λ+c→Λπ+π0), we obtain the branching fraction B(Λ+c→ΛK+π0)=(1.49±0.27stat.±0.05syst.±0.08ref.)×10−3. This result significantly departs from theoretical predictions based on quark SU(3) flavor symmetry, which is underpinned by the presumption of meson pair S-wave amplitude dominance.
A light scalar X0 or vector X1 particles have been introduced as a possible explanation for the (g−2)μ anomaly and dark matter phenomena.
Using (8.998±0.039)×109 $\jpsi$ events collected by the BESIII detector, we search for a light muon philic scalar X0 or vector X1 in the processes J/ψ→μ+μ−X0,1 with X0,1 invisible decays. No obvious signal is found, and the upper limits on the coupling g′0,1 between the muon and the X0,1 particles are set to be between 1.1×10−3 and 1.0×10−2 for the X0,1 mass in the range of 1<M(X0,1)<1000 MeV/c2 at 90% confidence level.
The Cabbibo-favored decay Λ+c→Ξ0K+π0 is studied for the first time using 6.1 fb−1 of e+e− collision data at center-of-mass energies between 4.600 and 4.840 GeV, collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider. With a double-tag method, the branching fraction of the three-body decay Λ+c→Ξ0K+π0 is measured to be (7.79±1.46±0.71)×10−3, where the first and second uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively. The branching fraction of the two-body decay Λ+c→Ξ(1530)0K+ is (5.99±1.04±0.29)×10−3, which is consistent with the previous result of (5.02±0.99±0.31)×10−3. In addition, the upper limit on the branching fraction of the doubly Cabbibo-suppressed decay Λ+c→nK+π0 is 7.1×10−4 at the 90% confidence level. The upper limits on the branching fractions of Λ+c→Σ0K+π0 and ΛK+π0 are also determined to be 1.8×10−3 and 2.0×10−3, respectively.
Using a sample of (10087±44)×106 𝐽/𝜓 events, which is about 45 times larger than that was previously analyzed, a further investigation on the 𝐽/𝜓→𝛾3(𝜋+𝜋−) decay is performed. A significant distortion at 1.84 GeV/𝑐2 in the line shape of the 3(𝜋+𝜋−) invariant mass spectrum is observed for the first time, which could be resolved by two overlapping resonant structures, 𝑋(1840) and 𝑋(1880). The new state 𝑋(1880) is observed with a statistical significance larger than 10𝜎. The mass and width of 𝑋(1880) are determined to be 1882.1±1.7±0.7 MeV/𝑐2 and 30.7±5.5±2.4 MeV, respectively, which indicates the existence of a 𝑝¯ 𝑝 bound state.
Using a sample of (10087±44)×106 J/ψ events, which is about 45 times larger than that was previously analyzed, a further investigation on the J/ψ→γ3(π+π−) decay is performed. A significant distortion at 1.84 GeV/c2 in the line-shape of the 3(π+π−) invariant mass spectrum is observed for the first time, which could be resolved by two overlapping resonant structures, X(1840) and X(1880). The new state X(1880) is observed with a statistical significance larger than 10σ. The mass and width of X(1880) are determined to be 1882.1±1.7±0.7 MeV/c2 and 30.7±5.5±2.4 MeV, respectively, which indicates the existence of a pp¯ bound state.
Using data samples with an integrated luminosity of 22.42 fb−1 collected by the BESIII detector operating at the BEPCII storage ring, we measure the cross sections of the 𝑒+𝑒−→𝜂𝐽/𝜓 process at center-of-mass energies from 3.808 to 4.951 GeV. Three structures are observed in the line shape of the measured cross sections. A maximum-likelihood fit with 𝜓(4040), two additional resonances, and a nonresonant component are performed. The mass and width of the first additional state are (4219.7±2.5±4.5) MeV/𝑐2 and (80.7±4.4±1.4) MeV, respectively, consistent with the 𝜓(4230). For the second state, the mass and width are (4386±13±17) MeV/𝑐2 and (177±32±13) MeV, respectively, consistent with the 𝜓(4360). The first uncertainties are statistical, and the second ones are systematic. The statistical significance of 𝜓(4040) is 8.0𝜎 and those for 𝜓(4230) and 𝜓(4360) are more than 10.0𝜎.
Based on e+e− collision data collected at center-of-mass energies from 2.000 to 3.080 GeV by the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider, a partial wave analysis isperformed for the process e+e− → K0SK0Lπ0. The results allow the Born cross sections of the process e+e− → K0SK0Lπ0, as well as its subprocesses e+e− → K∗(892)0K¯ 0 and K∗2(1430)0K¯ 0 to be measured. The Born cross sections for e+e− → K0SK0 Lπ 0 are consistent with previous measurements by BaBar, but with substantially improved precision. The Born cross section lineshape of the process e+e − → K∗(892)0K¯ 0 is consistent with a vector meson state around 2.2 GeV with a signifcance of 3.2σ. A Breit-Wigner ft determines its mass as MY = (2164.7 ± 9.1 ± 3.1) MeV/c2 and its width as ΓY = (32.4 ± 21.0 ± 1.8) MeV.
The Born cross sections for the process e+e−→ωη′ are measured at 22 center-of-mass energies from 2.000 to 3.080 GeV using data collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider. A resonant structure is observed with a statistical significance of 9.6σ. A Breit-Wigner fit determines its mass to be MR=(2153±30±31) MeV/c2 and its width to be ΓR=(167±77±7) MeV, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic.
Using a data sample of 4.481×108 𝜓(3686) events collected with the BESIII detector, we report the first observation of the four-lepton-decays 𝐽/𝜓→𝑒+𝑒−𝑒+𝑒− and 𝐽/𝜓→𝑒+𝑒−𝜇+𝜇− utilizing the process 𝜓(3686)→𝜋+𝜋−𝐽/𝜓. The branching fractions are determined to be [5.48±0.31(stat)±0.45(syst)]×10−5 and [3.53±0.22(stat)±0.13(syst)]×10−5, respectively. The results are consistent with theoretical predictions. No significant signal is observed for 𝐽/𝜓→𝜇+𝜇−𝜇+𝜇−, and an upper limit on the branching fraction is set at 1.6×10−6 at the 90% confidence level. A 𝐶𝑃 asymmetry observable is constructed for the first two channels, which is measured to be (−0.012±0.054±0.010) and (0.062±0.059±0.006), respectively. No evidence for 𝐶𝑃 violation is observed in this process.
The article investigates the results obtained from numerical simulations and experimental tests concerning the propagation of guided waves in corroded steel plates. Developing innovative methodologies for assessing corrosion-induced degradation is crucial for accurately diagnosing offshore and ship structures exposed to harsh environmental conditions. The main aim of the research is to analyze how surface irregularities affect wave propagation characteristics. An investigation was conducted for antisymmetric fundamental mode A0. Specifically, the study examines the asymmetrical wavefronts generated by nonuniform thickness in damaged specimens. Initially, numerical analysis explores the impact of thickness variation on wave field symmetry. Corroded plates with varying levels of degradation are modeled using the random fields approach, with degradation levels ranging from 0 % to 60 %. Subsequently, the research investigates how the standard deviation of thickness distribution (from 5 % to 20 % of the initial thickness) and excitation frequency (from 50 to 150 kHz) influence recorded signals and the shape of reconstructed wavefronts. Each scenario compares wavefront symmetry levels estimated using rotational and bilateral symmetry degrees as indicative parameters. The numerical simulations are complemented by experimental tests conducted on plates with three different degradation levels. The results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed wave field analysis approach for assessing structural integrity, as evidenced by the agreement between numerical predictions and experimental observations.
Dielectrons are unique observables in ultra-relativistic heavy-ion collisions. Thanks to their penetrating nature, they carry information from all stages of the collision and can provide knowledge about pre-equilibirium dynamics, QGP temperature and transport coefficients, and chiral symmetry restoration. On the other hand, experimental challenges are enormous because production cross sections are small and the signal of interest is eclipsed by a huge combinatorial and physics background from light- and heavy-flavour hadron decays. In this talk the status of dielectron measurements with ALICE is shown and the perspectives with the recently installed and planned ALICE detector upgrades are discussed.
Im Rahmen dieser Doktorarbeit werden drei Schwerpunkte behandelt: 1) Die hocheffektive Beschleunigung von Elektronen und Protonen durch die Wechselwirkung von relativistischen Laserpulsen mit Schäumen. 2) Die Erzeugung und Messung hochintensiver Betatronstrahlung von direkt laserbeschleunigten (DLA-) Elektronen. 3) Die Anwendung von DLA-Elektronen für den biologischen FLASH-Effekt mit einer rekordbrechenden Dosisrate.
Die direkte Laserbeschleunigung von Elektronen wurde durch die Wechselwirkung eines sub-ps-Laserpulses mit einer Intensität von ~ 10^19 W/cm^2 mit einem Plasma nahe kritischer Elektronendichte (NCD) untersucht. Ein sub-mm langes NCD-Plasma wurde durch Erhitzen eines Schaums mit einer niedrigen Dichte mit einem ns-Puls von 10^13-10^14 W/cm^2 erzeugt. Die Experimente wurden an der PHELIX-Anlage (Petawatt Hoch- Energie Laser für Schwerionenexperimente) in den Jahren 2019 – 2023 durchgeführt. Während der Suche nach optimalen Bedingungen für die Beschleunigung von Elektronen und Protonen wurden die Parameter des ns-Pulses variiert und verschiedene Targets verwendet. Es wurde gezeigt, dass das Plasma im Schaum gute Voraussetzungen für die Erzeugung gerichteter, ultrarelativistischer DLA-Elektronen mit Energien von bis zu 100 MeV bietet. Die Elektronen weisen eine Boltzmann-ähnliche Energieverteilung mit einer Temperatur von 10-20 MeV auf.
Optimale Bedingungen für eine effektive Beschleunigung von DLA-Elektronen wurden bei der Kombination eines CHO-Schaums mit einer Dichte von 2 mg/cm3 und einer Dicke von 300-500 µm mit einer Metallfolie erreicht. Die Gesamtladung der detektierten Elektronen mit Energien über 1,5 MeV erreichte 0,5-1 µC mit der Umwandlungseffizienz der Laserenergie von ~ 20-30%.
Außerdem wird die Beschleunigung von Protonen durch DLA-Elektronen anders verursacht als bei typischer Target Normal Sheath Acceleration (TNSA). Für die Untersuchung der lokalen Protonenenergieverteilung wurden Magnetspektrometer unter verschiedenen Winkeln zur Laserachse verwendet. Dafür wurde eine Filtermethode entwickelt, welche es ermöglicht, Spektren von Protonen mit Energien von bis zu 100 MeV zu rekonstruieren. Es wurde gezeigt, dass am PHELIX durch die Kombination von einem ~ 300-400 µm dicken CHO-Schaum mit einer Dichte von 2 mg/cm^3 und einer 10 µm dicken Au-Folie bei einer Intensität des sub-ps-Pulses von ~ 10^19 W/cm^2 und unter Verwendung eines optimierten ns-Vorpulses eine optimale Protonenbeschleunigung erreicht wurde. Es wurde ein TNSA-ähnliches Regime mit einer maximalen Cut-off-Energie von 34±0,5 MeV beobachtet. Im Vergleich dazu wurde bei der typischen TNSA unter Verwendung einer 10 µm dicken Au-Folie als Target und derselben Laserintensität eine maximale Cut-off-Energie von 24±0,5 MeV gemessen. Darüber hinaus beobachteten wir einen sehr schwachen Abfall der Protonenanzahl in Abhängigkeit von der Protonenenergie (anders als bei der typischen TNSA) und eine sehr regelmäßige Protonenstrahlverteilung in einem breiten Winkelbereich bis zu hohen Energien. Dies könnte zur Verbesserung der Qualität der Protonenradiographie von Plasmafeldern genutzt werden.
Beim DLA-Prozess (im NCD-Plasma) entsteht Betatronstrahlung durch die Oszillationen von Elektronen in quasi-statischen elektrischen und magnetischen Feldern des Plasmakanals. Um diese Strahlung zu untersuchen, wurde ein neues modifiziertes Magnetspektrometer (X-MS) konstruiert. Das X-MS ermöglicht die 1D-Auflösung mehrerer Quellen. Dank dieser Spezifikation war es möglich, Betatronstrahlung von Bremsstrahlung der ponderomotorischen Elektronen im Metallhalter zu trennen und zu messen.
Im Experiment mit einem CHO-Schaum mit einer Dichte von 2 mg/cm^3 und einer Dicke von ~ 800 µm als Target wurde die von den optimierten DLA-Elektronen erzeugte Betatronstrahlung gemessen. Bei einer Peak-Intensität des dreieckigen ns-Pulses von ~ 3·10^13 W/cm^2 und des sub-ps-Pulses von ~ 10^19 W/cm^2, welcher 4±0,5 ns gegenüber dem ns-Puls verzögert war, betrug der Halbwinkel im FWHM-Bereich des Elektronenstrahls 17±2°. Unter diesen Bedingungen war die Betatronstrahlung mit einem Halbwinkel im FWHM-Bereich von 11±2° für die Photonen mit Energien über 10 keV ebenfalls gerichtet. Die Photonenanzahl mit Energien über 10 keV wurde auf etwa 3·10^10 / 3·10^11 (gerichtete Photonen / Photonen im Halbraum entlang der Laserstrahlrichtung) abgeschätzt. Die maximale Photonenanzahl pro Raumwinkel betrug ~2·10^11 photons/sr. Die Brillanz der registrierten Betatronstrahlung erreichte ~ 2·10^20 photons/s/mm^2/mrad^2/(0.1% BW) bei 10 keV.
Die Verwendung eines Hochstromstrahls aus DLA-Elektronen für die FLASH-Strahlentherapie ermöglicht das Erreichen einer Dosis von bis zu 50-70 Gy während eines sub-ps-Laserpulses. Im Jahr 2021, während der P213-Strahlzeit am PHELIX wurde der Sauerstoffkonzentrationsabfall bei der Bestrahlung von Medien (Wasser und andere biologische Medien) mit DLA-Elektronen in Abhängigkeit von der Dosis untersucht. Die Strahlendosis wurde hierbei indirekt gemessen. Hierfür wurde eine Rekonstruktionsmethode entwickelt, die es ermöglicht, die Dosis innerhalb des „Wasser-Containers“ auf Basis von Messungen außerhalb des Containers mit einem untersuchten Medium zu ermitteln. Es wurde eine gute Übereinstimmung zwischen dem Experiment und einer Monte-Carlo-Simulation für Wasser gezeigt. Die registrierte Dosisrate erreichte einen Rekordwert von ~ 70 TGy/s.
The strong force is one of the four fundamental interactions, and the theory of it is called Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD). A many-body system of strongly interacting particles (QCD matter) can exist in different phases depending on temperature (T) and baryonic chemical potential (µB). The phases and transitions between them can be visualized as µB−T phase diagram. Extraction of the properties of the QCD matter, such as compressibility, viscosity and various susceptibilities, and its Equation of State (EoS) is an important aspect of the QCD matter study. In the region of near-zero baryonic chemical potential and low temperatures the QCD matter degrees of freedom are hadrons, in which quarks and gluons are confined, while at higher temperatures partonic (quarks and gluons) degrees of freedom dominate. This partonic (deconfined) state is called quark-gluon plasma (QGP) and is intensively studied at CERN and BNL. According to lattice QCD calculations at µB=0 the transition to QGP is smooth (cross-over) and takes place at T≈156 MeV. The region of the QCD phase diagram, where matter is compressed to densities of a few times normal nuclear density (µB of several hundreds MeV), is not accessible for the current lattice QCD calculations, and is a subject of intensive research. Some phenomenological models predict a first order phase transition between hadronic and partonic phases in the region of T≲100 MeV and µB≳500 MeV. Search for signs of a possible phase transition and a critical point or clarifying whether the smooth cross-over is continuing in this region are the main goals of the near future explorations of the QCD phase diagram.
In the laboratory a scan of the QCD phase diagram can be performed via heavy-ion collisions. The region of the QCD phase diagram at T≳150 MeV and µB≈0 is accessible in collisions at LHC energies (√sNN of several TeV), while the region of T≲100 MeV and µB≳500 MeV can be studied with collisions at √sNN of a few GeV. The QCD matter created in the overlap region of colliding nuclei (fireball) is rapidly expanding during the collision evolution. In the fireball there are strong temperature and pressure gradients, extreme electromagnetic fields and an exchange of angular momentum and spin between the system constituents. These effects result in various collective phenomena. Pressure gradients and the scattering of particles, together with the initial spatial anisotropy of the density distribution in the fireball, form an anisotropic flow - a momentum (azimuthal) anisotropy in the emission of produced particles. The correlation of particle spin with the angular momentum of colliding nuclei leads to a global polarization of particles. A strong initial magnetic field in the fireball results in a charge dependence and particle-antiparticle difference of flow and polarization.
Anisotropic flow is quantified by the coefficients vₙ from a Fourier decomposition of the azimuthal angle distribution of emitted particles relative to the reaction plane spanned by beam axis and impact parameter direction. The first harmonic coefficient v₁ quantifies the directed flow - preferential particle emission either along or opposite to the impact parameter direction. The v₁ is driven by pressure gradients in the fireball and thus probes the compressibility of the QCD matter. The change of the sign of v₁ at √sNN of several GeV is attributed to a softening of the EoS during the expansion, and thus can be an evidence of the first order phase transition. The global polarization coefficient PH is an average value of the hyperon’s spin projection on the direction of the angular momentum of the colliding system. It probes the dynamics of the QCD matter, such as vorticity, and can shed light on the mechanism of orbital momentum transfer into the spin of produced particles.
In collisions at √sNN of several GeV, which probe the region of the QCD phase diagram at T≲100 MeV and µB≳500 MeV, hadron production is dominated by u and d quarks. Hadrons with strange quarks are produced near the threshold, what makes their yields and dynamics sensitive to the density of the fireball. Thus measurement of flow and polarization, in particular of (multi-)strange particles, provides experimental constraints on the EoS, that allows to extract transport coefficients of the QCD matter from comparison of data with theoretical model calculations of heavy-ion collisions.
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The production of K∗(892)± meson resonance is measured at midrapidity (|y|<0.5) in Pb-Pb collisions at sNN−−−√=5.02 TeV using the ALICE detector at the LHC. The resonance is reconstructed via its hadronic decay channel K∗(892)±→K0Sπ±. The transverse momentum distributions are obtained for various centrality intervals in the pT range of 0.4-16 GeV/c. The reported measurements of integrated yields, mean transverse momenta, and particle yield ratios are consistent with previous ALICE measurements for K∗(892)0. The pT-integrated yield ratio 2K∗(892)±/(K++K−) in central Pb-Pb collisions shows a significant suppression (9.3σ) relative to pp collisions. Thermal model calculations overpredict the particle yield ratio. Although both simulations consider the hadronic phase, only HRG-PCE accurately represents the measurements, whereas MUSIC+SMASH tends to overpredict them. These observations, along with the kinetic freeze-out temperatures extracted from the yields of light-flavored hadrons using the HRG-PCE model, indicate a finite hadronic phase lifetime, which increases towards central collisions. The pT-differential yield ratios 2K∗(892)±/(K++K−) and 2K∗(892)±/(π++π−) are suppressed by up to a factor of five at pT<2 GeV/c in central Pb-Pb collisions compared to pp collisions at s√= 5.02 TeV. Both particle ratios and are qualitatively consistent with expectations for rescattering effects in the hadronic phase. The nuclear modification factor shows a smooth evolution with centrality and is below unity at pT>8 GeV/c, consistent with measurements for other light-flavored hadrons. The smallest values are observed in most central collisions, indicating larger energy loss of partons traversing the dense medium.
The production of K∗(892)± meson resonance is measured at midrapidity (|y|<0.5) in Pb−Pb collisions at √sNN=5.02 TeV using the ALICE detector at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. The resonance is reconstructed via its hadronic decay channel K∗(892)±→K0Sπ±. The transverse momentum distributions are obtained for various centrality intervals in the pT range of 0.4−16 GeV/c . Measurements of integrated yields, mean transverse momenta, and particle yield ratios are reported and found to be consistent with previous ALICE measurements for K∗(892)0 within uncertainties. The pT-integrated yield ratio 2K∗(892)±/(K++K−) in central Pb−Pb collisions shows a significant suppression at a level of 9.3σ relative to pp collisions. Thermal model calculations result in an overprediction of the particle yield ratio. Although both hadron resonance gas in partial chemical equilibrium (HRG-PCE) and music + smash simulations consider the hadronic phase, only HRG-PCE accurately represents the measurements, whereas music + smash simulations tend to overpredict the particle yield ratio. These observations, along with the kinetic freeze-out temperatures extracted from the yields measured for light-flavored hadrons using the HRG-PCE model, indicate a finite hadronic phase lifetime, which decreases with increasing collision centrality percentile. The pT-differential yield ratios 2K∗(892)±/(K++K−) and 2K∗(892)±/(π++π−) are presented and compared with measurements in pp collisions at √s=5.02 TeV. Both pa rticle ratios are found to be suppressed by up to a factor of five at pT<2.0 GeV/c in central Pb−Pb collisions and are qualitatively consistent with expectations for rescattering effects in the hadronic phase. The nuclear modification factor (RAA) shows a smooth evolution with centrality and is found to be below unity at pT>8 GeV/c, consistent with measurements for other light-flavored hadrons. The smallest values are observed in most central collisions, indicating larger energy loss of partons traversing the dense medium.
Long- and short-range correlations for pairs of charged particles are studied via two-particle angular correlations in pp collisions at s√=13 TeV and p−Pb collisions at sNN−−−√=5.02 TeV. The correlation functions are measured as a function of relative azimuthal angle Δφ and pseudorapidity separation Δη for pairs of primary charged particles within the pseudorapidity interval |η|<0.9 and the transverse-momentum interval 1<pT<4 GeV/c. Flow coefficients are extracted for the long-range correlations (1.6<|Δη|<1.8) in various high-multiplicity event classes using the low-multiplicity template fit method. The method is used to subtract the enhanced yield of away-side jet fragments in high-multiplicity events. These results show decreasing flow signals toward lower multiplicity events. Furthermore, the flow coefficients for events with hard probes, such as jets or leading particles, do not exhibit any significant changes compared to those obtained from high-multiplicity events without any specific event selection criteria. The results are compared with hydrodynamic-model calculations, and it is found that a better understanding of the initial conditions is necessary to describe the results, particularly for low-multiplicity events.
The inclusive production of the charm-strange baryon Ω0c is measured for the first time via its semileptonic decay into Ω−e+νe at midrapidity (|y| < 0.8) in proton–proton (pp) collisions at the centre-of-mass energy √s = 13 TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The transverse momentum (pT) differential cross section multiplied by the branching ratio is presented in the interval 2 < pT < 12 GeV/c. The branching-fraction ratio BR(Ω0c → Ω−e+νe)/BR(Ω0c → Ω−π+) is measured to be 1.12 ± 0.22 (stat.) ± 0.27 (syst.). Comparisons with other experimental measurements, as well as with theoretical calculations, are presented.
The inclusive production of the charm-strange baryon Ω0c is measured for the first time via its semileptonic decay into Ω−e+νe at midrapidity (|y| < 0.8) in proton–proton (pp) collisions at the centre-of-mass energy √s = 13 TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The transverse momentum (pT) differential cross section multiplied by the branching ratio is presented in the interval 2 < pT < 12 GeV/c. The branching-fraction ratio BR(Ω0c → Ω−e+νe)/BR(Ω0c → Ω−π+) is measured to be 1.12 ± 0.22 (stat.) ± 0.27 (syst.). Comparisons with other experimental measurements, as well as with theoretical calculations, are presented.
The knowledge of the material budget with a high precision is fundamental for measurements of direct photon production using the photon conversion method due to its direct impact on the total systematic uncertainty. Moreover, it influences many aspects of the charged-particle reconstruction performance. In this article, two procedures to determine data-driven corrections to the material-budget description in ALICE simulation software are developed. One is based on the precise knowledge of the gas composition in the Time Projection Chamber. The other is based on the robustness of the ratio between the produced number of photons and charged particles, to a large extent due to the approximate isospin symmetry in the number of produced neutral and charged pions. Both methods are applied to ALICE data allowing for a reduction of the overall material budget systematic uncertainty from 4.5% down to 2.5%. Using these methods, a locally correct material budget is also achieved. The two proposed methods are generic and can be applied to any experiment in a similar fashion.
Long- and short-range correlations for pairs of charged particles are studied via two-particle angular correlations in pp collisions at √sNN = 13 TeV and p–Pb collisions at √s = 5.02 TeV. The correlation functions are measured as a function of relative azimuthal angle ∆φ and pseudorapidity separation ∆η for pairs of primary charged particles within the pseudorapidity interval |η| < 0.9 and the transverse-momentum interval 1 < pT < 4 GeV/c. Flow coefficients are extracted for the long-range correlations (1.6 < |∆η| < 1.8) in various high-multiplicity event classes using the low-multiplicity template fit method. The method is used to subtract the enhanced yield of away-side jet fragments in high-multiplicity events. These results show decreasing flow signals toward lower multiplicity events. Furthermore, the flow coefficients for events with hard probes, such as jets or leading particles, do not exhibit any significant changes compared to those obtained from high-multiplicity events without any specific event selection criteria. The results are compared with hydrodynamic-model calculations, and it is found that a better understanding of the initial conditions is necessary to describe the results, particularly for low-multiplicity events.
The total charm-quark production cross section per unit of rapidity dσ(cc)/dy, and the fragmentation fractions of charm quarks to different charm-hadron species f(c → hc), are measured for the first time in p–Pb collisions at √sNN = 5.02 TeV at midrapidity (−0.96 < y < 0.04 in the centre-ofmass frame) using data collected by ALICE at the CERN LHC. The results are obtained based on all the available measurements of prompt production of ground-state charm-hadron species: D0, D+,D+s, and J/ψ mesons, and Λ+cand Ξ0cbaryons. The resulting cross section is dσ(cc)/dy = 219.6±6.3 (stat.)+10.5−11.8(syst.)+7.6−2.9(extr.)±5.4 (BR)±4.6 (lumi.)±19.5 (rapidity shape) +15.0 (Ω0c) mb, which is consistent with a binary scaling of pQCD calculations from pp ollisions. The measured fragmentation fractions are compatible with those measured in pp collisions at √s = 5.02 and 13 TeV, showing an increase in the relative production rates of charm baryons with respect to charm mesons in pp and p–Pb collisions compared with e+e − and e−p collisions. The pT-integrated nuclear modification factor of charm quarks, RpPb(cc) = 0.91±0.04 (stat.) +0.08 −0.09 (syst.) +0.04 −0.03 (extr.)±0.03 (lumi.), is found to be consistent with unity and with theoretical predictions including nuclear modifications of the parton distribution functions.
This work aims to differentiate strangeness produced from hard processes (jet-like) and softer processes (underlying event) by measuring the angular correlation between a high-momentum trigger hadron (h) acting as a jet-proxy and a produced strange hadron (φ(1020) meson). Measuring h–φ correlations at midrapidity in p–Pb collisions at √sNN = 5.02 TeV as a function of event multiplicity provides insight into the microscopic origin of strangeness enhancement in small collision systems. The jet-like and the underlying-event-like strangeness production are investigated as a function of event multiplicity. They are also compared between a lower and higher momentum region. The evolution of the per-trigger yields within the near-side (aligned with the trigger hadron) and away-side (in the opposite direction of the trigger hadron) jet is studied separately, allowing for the characterization of two distinct jet-like production regimes. Furthermore, the h–φ correlations within the underlying event give access to a production regime dominated by soft production processes, which can be compared directly to the in-jet production. Comparisons between h–φ and dihadron correlations show that the observed strangeness enhancement is largely driven by the underlying event, where the φ/h ratio is significantly larger than within the jet regions. As multiplicity increases, the fraction of the total φ(1020) yield coming from jets decreases compared to the underlying event production, leading to high-multiplicity events being dominated by the increased strangeness production from the underlying event
Human feline leukaemia virus subgroup C receptor-related proteins 1 and 2 (FLVCR1 and FLVCR2) are members of the major facilitator superfamily1. Their dysfunction is linked to several clinical disorders, including PCARP, HSAN and Fowler syndrome2,3,4,5,6,7. Earlier studies concluded that FLVCR1 may function as a haem exporter8,9,10,11,12, whereas FLVCR2 was suggested to act as a haem importer13, yet conclusive biochemical and detailed molecular evidence remained elusive for the function of both transporters14,15,16. Here, we show that FLVCR1 and FLVCR2 facilitate the transport of choline and ethanolamine across the plasma membrane, using a concentration-driven substrate translocation process. Through structural and computational analyses, we have identified distinct conformational states of FLVCRs and unravelled the coordination chemistry underlying their substrate interactions. Fully conserved tryptophan and tyrosine residues form the binding pocket of both transporters and confer selectivity for choline and ethanolamine through cation–π interactions. Our findings clarify the mechanisms of choline and ethanolamine transport by FLVCR1 and FLVCR2, enhance our comprehension of disease-associated mutations that interfere with these vital processes and shed light on the conformational dynamics of these major facilitator superfamily proteins during the transport cycle.
Das Heidelberger Ionenstrahl-Therapiezentrum (HIT) stellt Protonen-, Helium- und Kohlenstoff-Ionenstrahlen unterschiedlicher Energie und Intensität für die Krebsbehandlung und Sauerstoff-Ionenstrahlen für Experimente zur Verfügung. Der hierfür verwendete Beschleuniger ist darüber hinaus in der Lage auch Ionenstrahlintensitäten unterhalb der für Therapien verwendeten bereitzustellen. Allerdings ist das derzeit installierte Strahldiagnosesystems nicht in der Lage, das Strahlprofil bei solchen geringen Intensitäten (< 10^5 Ionen/s) zu messen. Dabei existieren mögliche medizinische Anwendung für diese niederintensiven Ionen-strahlen, wie beispielsweise eine neuartige und potentiell klinisch vorteilhafte Bildgebung: die Ionenradiographie. Eine essentielle Voraussetzung für diese und andere Anwendungen ist ein System zur Überwachung von Ionenstrahlen niedriger Intensität. Ein solches System wurde im Rahmen dieser Arbeit konzipiert, realisiert, getestet und optimiert.
Das Funktionsprinzip basiert auf szintillierenden Fasern, insbesondere solchen mit erhöhter Strahlungshärte für die Möglichkeit einer dauerhaften Platzierung im Therapiestrahl. Ein diese Fasern durchlaufendes Ion regt den darin enthaltenen Szintillator durch Stoßprozesse kurzzeitig an. Die dabei deponierte Energie wird anschließend in Form von Photonen wieder emittiert. Silizium-Photomultiplier sind an den Enden der Fasern montiert und wandeln die Photonensignale in verstärkte elektrische Impulse um. Diese Impulse werden von einer neuartigen und dedizierten Ausleseelektronik aufgezeichnet und verarbeitet. Ein Prototypaufbau, bestehend aus den genannten Teilen, wurde im Strahl getestet und kann das transversale Strahlprofil erfolgreich im Intensitätsbereich von 10^7 Ionen/s bis hinunter zu 10^2 Ionen/s aufzeichnen. Darüber hinaus konnte, durch die erfolgreiche Ankunftszeitmessung von einzelnen Ionen bis zu Intensitäten von 5*10^4 Ionen/s, ein Machbarkeitsnachweis für die Messung der Spur von einzelnen Teilchen erbracht werden.
We present a relativistic Shakhov-type generalization of the Anderson-Witting relaxation time model for the Boltzmann collision integral to modify the ratio of momentum diffusivity to thermal diffusivity. This is achieved by modifying the path on which the single particle distribution function fk approaches local equilibrium f0k by constructing an intermediate Shakhov-type distribution fSk similar to the 14-moment approximation of Israel and Stewart. We illustrate the effectiveness of this model in case of the Bjorken expansion of an ideal gas of massive particles and the damping of longitudinal waves through an ultrarelativistic ideal gas.
ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters shuttle diverse substrates across biological membranes. They play a role in many physiological processes but are also the reason for antibiotic resistance of microbes and multi drug resistance in cancer, and their dysfunction can lead to serious diseases. Transport is achieved through an ATP-driven closure of the two nucleotide binding sites (NBSs) which induces a transition between an inward-facing (IF) and an outward-facing (OF) conformation of the connected transmembrane domains (TMDs). In contrast to this forward transition, the reverse transition (OF-to-IF) that involves Mg2+-dependent ATP hydrolysis and release is less understood. This is particularly relevant for heterodimeric ABC transporters with asymmetric NBSs. These transporters possess an ATPase active consensus NBS (c-NBS) and a degenerate NBS (d-NBS) with little or no ATPase activity.
Crucial details regarding function and mechanism of the transport cycle remain elusive.
Here, these open questions were addressed using pulse electron-electron double resonance (PELDOR or DEER) spectroscopy of the heterodimeric ABC exporter TmrAB.
To better understand the transport cycle, the underlying kinetics of the conformational transitions need to be elucidated. By introducing paramagnetic nitroxide (NO) spin probes at key positions of TmrAB and employing time-resolved PELDOR spectroscopy, the forward transition could be followed over time and the rate constants for the conformational transition at the TMDs and NBSs were characterized.
The temperature dependence of these rate constants was further analyzed to determine for the first time the activation energy of conformational changes in a large membrane protein. For TMD opening and c-NBS dimerization, values of 75 ± 27 kJ/mol and 56 ± 3 kJ/mol, respectively were found. These values agree with reported activation energies of peptide transport and peptide dissociation in other ABC transporters, suggesting that the forward transition may be the rate-limiting step for substrate translocation.
The functional relevance of asymmetric NBSs is so far not well understood. By combining Mg2+-to-Mn2+ substitution with Mn2+-NO and NO-NO PELDOR spectroscopy, the binding of ATP-Mn2+, the conformation of the NBSs, and the conformation of the TMDs could be simultaneously monitored for the first time. These results reveal an asymmetric post-hydrolytic state. Time-resolved investigation showed that ATP hydrolysis at the active c-NBS triggers the reverse transition, whereas opening of the impaired d-NBS regulates the return to the IF conformation.
Off-central heavy-ion collisions are known to feature magnetic fields with magnitudes and characteristic gradients corresponding to the scale of the strong interactions. In this work, we employ equilibrium lattice simulations of the underlying theory, QCD, involving similar inhomogeneous magnetic field profiles to achieve a better understanding of this system. We simulate three flavors of dynamical staggered quarks with physical masses at a range of magnetic fields and temperatures, and extrapolate the results to the continuum limit. Analyzing the impact of the field on the quark condensate and the Polyakov loop, we find non-trivial spatial features that render the QCD medium qualitatively different as in the homogeneous setup, especially at temperatures around the transition. In addition, we construct leading-order chiral perturbation theory for the inhomogeneous background and compare its prediction to our lattice results at low temperature. Our findings will be useful to benchmark effective theories and low-energy models of QCD for a better description of peripheral heavy-ion collisions.
Based on 7.33 fb−1 of 𝑒+𝑒− collision data collected at center-of-mass energies between 4.128 and 4.226 GeV with the BESIII detector, the experimental studies of the doubly Cabibbo-suppressed decays 𝐷+𝑠→𝐾+𝐾+𝜋− and 𝐷+𝑠→𝐾+𝐾+𝜋−𝜋0 are reported. We determine the absolute branching fraction of 𝐷+𝑠→𝐾+𝐾+𝜋− to be (1.24+0.28−0.26(stat)±0.06(syst))×10−4. No significant signal of 𝐷+𝑠→𝐾+𝐾+𝜋−𝜋0 is observed and the upper limit on its decay branching fraction at 90% confidence level is set to be 1.7×10−4.
We measure the Born cross section for the reaction e+e−→ηhc from s√=4.129 to 4.600~GeV using data sets collected by the BESIII detector running at the BEPCII collider. A resonant structure in the cross section line shape near 4.200~GeV is observed with a statistical significance of 7σ. The parameters of this resonance are measured to be \MeasMass\ and \MeasWidth, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second systematic.
Das radioaktive Edelgas Radon und seine ebenfalls radioaktiven Zerfallsprodukte machen den größten Teil der natürlichen Strahlenbelastung in Deutschland aus. Trotz der Einstufung als krebserregend für Lungenkrebs wird es zur Therapie entzündlicher Krankheiten eingesetzt. Der hauptsächliche Aufnahmemechanismus ist dabei die Inkorporation über die Atmung, wobei Radon auch über die Haut aufgenommen werden kann. Radon wird dabei über das Blut im gesamten Körper verteilt und kann in Gewebe mit hoher Radonlöslichkeit akkumulieren. Die Zerfallsprodukte verbleiben jedoch in der Lunge, zerfallen dort, bevor sie abtransportiert werden können und schädigen das dortige Gewebe.
Die Lungendosis wird laut Simulationen zum größten Teil durch die kleinsten Radon-Zerfallsprodukte (< 10 nm) bestimmt, die besonders effektiv im Respirationstrakt anheften. Die erzeugte Dosis ist dabei aufgrund der inhomogenen Anlagerung der Zerfallsprodukte lokal stark variabel. In Simulationen wurden Bifurkationen als Ort besonders hoher Deposition identifiziert, wobei die experimentelle Datenlage zur Deposition kleinster Radon-Zerfallsprodukte eingeschränkt ist. Aufgrund des Anstiegs der Komplexität von Simulationen oder Experimenten wird in den meisten Betrachtungen nicht der oszillatorische Atemzyklus berücksichtigt, sondern lediglich ein einseitig gerichteter Luftstrom betrachtet. Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit wurde ein experimentelles Modell entwickelt und etabliert, das die Messung der Deposition von Radon-Zerfallsprodukten ermöglicht und zwischen drei Größenfraktionen (Freie Zerfallsprodukte: < 10 nm, Cluster: 20-100 nm, Angelagerte Zerfallsprodukte: > 100 nm) unterscheiden kann. Der Luftfluss durch das Modell bildet sowohl die Inhalation als auch die Exhalation ab. Erste Experimente mit dem neu entwickelten Messaufbau konnten die aus Simulationen bekannte erhöhte Deposition der freien Zerfallsprodukte in einer Bifurkation abbilden. Die Vergrößerung des Bifurkationswinkels von 70° auf 180° zeigte lediglich einen minimalen Anstieg in der Größenordnung des Messfehlers. Der dominierende Prozess der Anlagerung der freien Zerfallsprodukte ist die Brown'sche Molekularbewegung, die unabhängig vom Bifurkationswinkel ist. Dennoch kann ein veränderter Winkel die Luftströmung und entstehende Turbulenzen verändern, wodurch die Deposition beeinflusst werden kann. Dies lässt sich jedoch mit dem hier benutzten Messaufbau nicht auflösen. Entgegen der Beobachtungen in der Literatur führte die Erhöhung der Atemfrequenz von 12 auf 30 Atemzüge pro Minute, in den im Rahmen dieser Arbeit durchgeführten Experimenten, zu keiner messbaren Veränderung der Deposition. Diese Beobachtung ist auf die Entstehung gegensätzlicher Effekte zurückzuführen. Einerseits führt eine schnellere Luftströmung zu kürzeren Aufenthaltszeiten der freien Zerfallsprodukte im Modell, wodurch die Deposition unwahrscheinlicher wird. Andererseits entstehen vermehrt sekundäre Strömungen und absolut betrachtet werden mehr Partikel durch das Modell gepumpt. Es ist davon auszugehen, dass sich diese Effekte im hier getesteten Bereich aufheben.
Als potentielle Schutzmaßnahme zur Reduktion der Lungendosis konnte im Rahmen dieser Arbeit die Filtereffzienz von Gesichtsmasken (OP-Masken, FFP2 Masken) gegenüber Radon und seinen Zerfallsprodukten bestimmt werden. Während Radon nicht gefiltert wird, wurden die freien Zerfallsprodukte fast vollständig (> 98%) und die Cluster zum größten Teil (≈ 80 %) zurückgehalten.
Radon selbst kann im gesamten Organismus verteilt werden und dort in Gewebe akkumulieren. Zur Bestimmung der Dosis wird dabei auf biokinetische Modelle zurückgegriffen. Diese sind von der Qualität ihrer Eingabeparameter abhängig, wobei beispielsweise die Werte zur Verteilung von Radon zwischen Blut und Gewebe auf experimentell gewonnenen Löslichkeitswerten aus Mäusen und Ratten beruhen. Unbekannte Werte werden von der Internationalen Strahlenschutzkommission basierend auf der Gewebezusammensetzung als gewichteter Mittelwert berechnet. In dieser Arbeit wurde die Löslichkeit in humanen Blutproben und wässrigen Lösungen verschiedener Konzentrationen der Blutproteine Hämoglobin und Albumin bestimmt. Es löste sich mehr Radon in Plasma als in Erythrozytenkonzentrat und Vollblut. Die Protein-Lösungen zeigten keine Konzentrationsabhängigkeit der Löslichkeit, sondern lediglich in hitzedenaturiertem Hämoglobin wurde eine niedrigere Löslichkeit gemessen. Basierend auf diesen Beobachtungen, sollte die These überprüft werden, ob sich die Löslichkeit einer Mischung als gewichteter Mittelwert der einzelnen Löslichkeiten berechnen lässt. Daher wurden diese in einer Mischung aus zwei Flüssigkeiten (1-Pentanol, Ölsäure) bestimmt. Die experimentell bestimmte Löslichkeit war dabei fast doppelt so groß wie der berechnete Wert. Dieser Unterschied kann dadurch zustande kommen, dass bei einer Berechnung basierend auf der Zusammensetzung die Wechselwirkungen zwischen den Lösungsmitteln vernachlässigt werden. Dies verdeutlicht die Notwendigkeit experimenteller Daten zur Verteilung und Lösung von Radon in verschiedenem Gewebe.
Motivated by the on-going discussion on the nature of magnetism in the quantum Ising chain CoNb2O6, we present a first-principles-based analysis of its exchange interactions by applying an \textit{ab initio} approach with additional modelling that accounts for various drawbacks of a purely density functional theory ansatz. With this method we are able to extract and understand the origin of the magnetic couplings under inclusion of all symmetry-allowed terms, and to resolve the conflicting model descriptions in CoNb2O6. We find that the twisted Kitaev chain and the transverse-field ferromagnetic Ising chain views are mutually compatible, although additional off-diagonal exchanges are necessary to provide a complete picture. We show that the dominant exchange interaction is a ligand-centered exchange process - involving the eg electrons -, which is rendered anisotropic by the low-symmetry crystal fields environments in CoNb2O6, giving rise to the dominant Ising exchange, while the smaller bond-dependent anisotropies are found to originate from d−d kinetic exchange processes involving the t2g electrons. We demonstrate the validity of our approach by comparing the predictions of the obtained low-energy model to measured THz and inelastic neutron scattering spectra.
he family of cubic noncentrosymmetric 3-4-3 compounds has become a fertile ground for the discovery of novel correlated metallic and insulating phases. Here, we report the synthesis of a new heavy fermion compound, Ce3Bi4Ni3. It is an isoelectronic analog of the prototypical Kondo insulator Ce3Bi4Pt3 and of the recently discovered Weyl-Kondo semimetal Ce3Bi4Pd3. In contrast to the volume-preserving Pt-Pd substitution, structural and chemical analyses reveal a positive chemical pressure effect in Ce3Bi4Ni3 relative to its heavier counterparts. Based on the results of electrical resistivity, Hall effect, magnetic susceptibility, and specific heat measurements, we identify an energy gap of 65–70 meV, about eight times larger than that in Ce3Bi4Pt3 and about 45 times larger than that of the Kondo-insulating background hosting the Weyl nodes in Ce3Bi4Pd3. We show that this gap as well as other physical properties do not evolve monotonically with increasing atomic number, i.e., in the sequence Ce3Bi4Ni3−Ce3Bi4Pd3−Ce3Bi4Pt3, but instead with increasing partial electronic density of states of the 𝑑 orbitals at the Fermi energy. This work opens the possibility to investigate the conditions under which topological states develop in this series of strongly correlated 3-4-3 materials.
The family of cubic noncentrosymmetric 3-4-3 compounds has become a fertile ground for the discovery of novel correlated metallic and insulating phases. Here, we report the synthesis of a new heavy fermion compound, Ce3Bi4Ni3. It is an isoelectronic analog of the prototypical Kondo insulator Ce3Bi4Pt3 and of the recently discovered Weyl-Kondo semimetal Ce3Bi4Pd3. In contrast to the volume-preserving Pt-Pd substitution, structural and chemical analyses reveal a positive chemical pressure effect in Ce3Bi4Ni3 relative to its heavier counterparts. Based on the results of electrical resistivity, Hall effect, magnetic susceptibility, and specific heat measurements, we identify an energy gap of 65-70 meV, about eight times larger than that in Ce3Bi4Pt3 and about 45 times larger than that of the Kondo-insulating background hosting the Weyl nodes in Ce3Bi4Pd3. We show that this gap as well as other physical properties do not evolve monotonically with increasing atomic number, i.e., in the sequence Ce3Bi4Ni3-Ce3Bi4Pd3-Ce3Bi4Pt3, but instead with increasing partial electronic density of states of the d orbitals at the Fermi energy. To understand under which condition topological states form in these materials is a topic for future studies.
Heterostructures of graphene in proximity to magnetic insulators open the possibility to investigate exotic states emerging from the interplay of magnetism, strain and charge transfer between the layers. Recent reports on the growth of self-integrated atomic wires of β-RuCl3 on graphite suggest these materials as versatile candidates to investigate these effects. Here we present detailed first principles calculations on the charge transfer and electronic structure of β-RuCl3/heterostructures and provide a comparison with the work function analysis of the related honeycomb family members α-RuX3 (X = Cl,Br,I). We find that proximity of the two layers leads to a hole-doped graphene and electron-doped RuX3 in all cases, which is sensitively dependent on the distance between the two layers. Furthermore, strain effects due to lattice mismatch control the magnetization which itself has a strong effect on the charge transfer. Charge accumulation in β-RuCl3 strongly drops away from the chain making such heterostructures suitable candidates for sharp interfacial junctions in graphene-based devices.
canning tunneling microscopy (STM) is perhaps the most promising way to detect the superconducting gap size and structure in the canonical unconventional superconductor Sr2RuO4 directly. However, in many cases, researchers have reported being unable to detect the gap at all in simple STM conductance measurements. Recently, an investigation of this issue on various local topographic structures on a Sr-terminated surface found that superconducting spectra appeared only in the region of small nanoscale canyons, corresponding to the removal of one RuO surface layer. Here, we analyze the electronic structure of various possible surface structures using first principles methods, and argue that bulk conditions favorable for superconductivity can be achieved when removal of the RuO layer suppresses the RuO4 octahedral rotation locally. We further propose alternative terminations to the most frequently reported Sr termination where superconductivity surfaces should be observed.
Motivated by recently reported magnetic-field induced topological phases in ultracold atoms and correlated Moiré materials, we investigate topological phase transitions in a minimal model consisting of interacting spinless fermions described by the Hofstadter model on a square lattice. For interacting lattice Hamiltonians in the presence of a commensurate magnetic flux it has been demonstrated that the quantized Hall conductivity is constrained by a Lieb-Schultz-Mattis (LSM)-type theorem due to magnetic translation symmetry. In this work, we revisit the validity of the theorem for such models and establish that a topological phase transition from a topological to a trivial insulating phase can be realized but must be accompanied by spontaneous magnetic translation symmetry breaking caused by charge ordering of the spinless fermions. To support our findings, the topological phase diagram for varying interaction strength is mapped out numerically with exact diagonalization for different flux quantum ratios and band fillings using symmetry indicators. We discuss our results in the context of the LSM-type theorem.
This short paper gives a brief overview of the manifestly covariant canonical gauge gravity (CCGG) that is rooted in the De Donder-Weyl Hamiltonian formulation of relativistic field theories, and the proven methodology of the canonical transformation theory. That framework derives, from a few basic physical and mathematical assumptions, equations describing generic matter and gravity dynamics with the spin connection emerging as a Yang Mills-type gauge field. While the interaction of any matter field with spacetime is fixed just by the transformation property of that field, a concrete gravity ansatz is introduced by the choice of the free (kinetic) gravity Hamiltonian. The key elements of this approach are discussed and its implications for particle dynamics and cosmology are presented. New insights: Anomalous Pauli coupling of spinors to curvature and torsion of spacetime, spacetime with (A)dS ground state, inertia, torsion and geometrical vacuum energy, Zero-energy balance of the Universe leading to a vanishing cosmological constant and torsional dark energy.
The process 𝑒+𝑒−→Σ+¯Σ− is studied from threshold up to 3.04 GeV/𝑐2 via the initial-state radiation technique using data with an integrated luminosity of 12.0 fb−1, collected at center-of-mass energies between 3.773 and 4.258 GeV with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider. The pair production cross sections and the effective form factors of Σ are measured in eleven Σ+¯Σ− invariant mass intervals from threshold to 3.04 GeV/𝑐2. The results are consistent with the previous results from Belle and BESIII. Furthermore, the branching fractions of the decays 𝐽/𝜓→Σ+¯Σ− and 𝜓(3686)→Σ+¯Σ− are determined and the obtained results are consistent with the previous results of BESIII.
Dark Energy (DE) acts as a repulsive force that opposes gravitational attraction. Assuming galaxies maintain a steady state over extended periods, the estimated upper bound on DE studies its resistance to the attractive gravitational force from dark matter. Using the SPARC dataset, we fit the Navarro-Frenk-White (NFW) and Hernquist models to identify the most suitable galaxies for these models. Introducing the presence of DE in these galaxies helps establish the upper limit on its repulsive force. This upper bound on DE sits around ρ(<Λ)∼10−25~kg/m3, only two orders of magnitude higher than the one measured by Planck. We discuss the conditions for detecting DE in different systems and show the consistency of the upper bound from galaxies to other systems. The upper bound is of the same order of magnitude as ρ200=200ρc for both dark matter profiles. We also address the implications for future measurements on that upper bound and the condition for detecting the impact of Λ on galactic scales.
The production cross section of inclusive isolated photons has been measured by the ALICE experiment at the CERN LHC in pp collisions at centre-of-momentum energy of s√=13 TeV collected during the LHC Run 2 data-taking period. The measurement is performed by combining the measurements of the electromagnetic calorimeter EMCal and the central tracking detectors ITS and TPC, covering a pseudorapidity range of |ηγ|<0.67 and a transverse momentum range of 7<pγT<200 GeV/c. The result extends to lower pγT and xγT=2pγT/s√ ranges, the lowest xγT of any isolated photon measurements to date, extending significantly those measured by the ATLAS and CMS experiments towards lower pγT at the same collision energy with a small overlap between the measurements. The measurement is compared with next-to-leading order perturbative QCD calculations and the results from the ATLAS and CMS experiments as well as with measurements at other collision energies. The measurement and theory prediction are in agreement with each other within the experimental and theoretical uncertainties.
The e+e−→D+sDs1(2536)− and e+e−→D+sD∗s2(2573)− processes are studied using data samples collected with the BESIII detector at center-of-mass energies from 4.530 to 4.946~GeV. The absolute branching fractions of Ds1(2536)−→D¯∗0K− and D∗s2(2573)−→D¯0K− are measured for the first time to be (35.9±4.8±3.5)% and (37.4±3.1±4.6)%, respectively. The measurements are in tension with predictions based on the assumption that the Ds1(2536) and D∗s2(2573) are dominated by a bare cs¯ component. The e+e−→D+sDs1(2536)− and e+e−→D+sD∗s2(2573)− cross sections are measured, and a resonant structure at around 4.6~GeV with a width of 50~MeV is observed for the first time with a statistical significance of 15σ in the e+e−→D+sD∗s2(2573)− process. It could be the Y(4626) found by the Belle collaboration in the D+sDs1(2536)− final state, since they have similar masses and widths. There is also evidence for a structure at around 4.75~GeV in both processes.
Experimental data from the NA49 collaboration show an unexpectedly steep rise of the rapidity width of the ϕ meson as function of beam energy, which was suggested as possible interesting signal for novel physics. In this work we show that the Ultra-relativistic Quantum-Molecular-Dynamics (UrQMD) model is able to reproduce the shapes of the rapidity distributions of most measured hadrons and predicts a common linear increase of the width for all hadrons. Only when following the exact same analysis technique and experimental acceptance of the NA49 and NA61/SHINE collaborations, we find that the extracted value of the rapidity width of the ϕ increases drastically for the highest beam energy. We conclude that the observed steep increase of the ϕ rapidity width is a problem of limited detector acceptance and the simplified Gaussian fit approximation.
The dynamics of the torsion field is analyzed in the framework of the Covariant Canonical Gauge Theory of Gravity (CCGG), a De Donder–Weyl Hamiltonian formulation of gauge gravity. The action is quadratic in both, the torsion and the Riemann–Cartan tensor. Since the latter adds the derivative of torsion to the equations of motion, torsion is no longer identical to spin density, as in the Einstein–Cartan theory, but an additional propagating degree of freedom. As torsion turns out to be totally anti-symmetric, it can be parametrised via a single axial vector. It is shown in this paper that, in the weak torsion limit, the axial vector obeys a wave equation with an effective mass term which is partially dependent on the scalar curvature. The source of torsion is thereby given by the fermion axial current which is the net fermionic spin density of the system. Possible measurable effects and approaches to experimental analysis are addressed. For example, neutron star mergers could act as a dipoles or quadrupoles for torsional radiation, and an analysis of radiation of pulsars could lead to a detection of torsion wave background radiation.
In dieser Dissertation werden die Erfahrungen mit verschiedenen Präparationsmethoden für CH-Kavitäten beschrieben, um die Leistung der Kavitäten nach der Herstellung weiter zu steigern. Die Leistung wird anhand von zwei wichtigen HF-Parametern bewertet:
dem elektrischen Feld Ea und der intrinsischen Güte Q0. Im Gegensatz zu normalleitenden (NC) Kavitäten kann die intrinsische Güte von supraleitenden (SC) Kavitäten mit zunehmendem elektrischem Feld erheblich variieren. Das optimale Ergebnis für die Kavitätenpräparation ist die Erhöhung des maximalen elektrischen Feldes unter Beibehaltung eines höheren Q0 über die gesamte Feldspanne. Da Q0 umgekehrt proportional zu den Kavitätsverlusten ist, reduziert eine Erhöhung des Qualitätsfaktors die Kryoverluste für den Betrieb bei gegebenem Feldniveau. Die Entwicklung der Kavitätenperformanz im Verlauf dieser Arbeit dargestellt.
Die meisten SC-Kavitäten sind elliptische Strukturen, welche bei hoher Geschwindigkeit und Tastrate angewendet werden. Die Präparationsmethoden wurden daher überwiegend auf diese Strukturen angewandt und optimiert. Diese Arbeit konzentriert sich auf die Umsetzung der zuverlässigsten und vielversprechendsten Oberflächenbehandlungen mittels des ersten vom IAP entwickelten SC 360MHz CH-Prototyps. Diese Kavität wies nach 11 Jahren Lagerung eine verminderte Leistung auf, welche mit Röntgenstrahlung bei bereits niedrigen elektrischen Feldern einherging. Dies deutet auf eine unbeabsichtigte Belüftung mit normaler Luft hin, durch die Partikel eingeführt wurden, die als verstärkende Quellen von Elektronen fungierten. Außerdem musste der Leistungskoppler aufgrund einer starken Überkopplung neu ausgelegt werden.
Die Kavität wurde für 48 Stunden bei 120◦ C mittels Heizbändern in der Experimentierhalle des IAP’s ausgeheizt, was zu einer Verbesserung des Qualitätsfaktors bei niedrigen Werten und zu einer Verkürzung der für die Konditionierung von Multipacting-Barrieren erforderlichen Zeit führte. Allerdings wurde durch diese Behandlung das maximale erreichbare elektrische Feld weiter verringert. Die Verbesserung der Güte ist auf das Ausgasen der Kohlenwasserstoffe während des Backvorgangs zurückzuführen. Die negative Auswirkung auf das maximale elektrische Feld ist weniger auf das Backen selbst zurückzuführen als auf den Transport der Kavität und die verwendeten Vakuumkomponenten, die in der Versuchshalle gelagert sind.
Die beobachtete Leistungseinschränkung lässt sich hauptsächlich durch Partikel im Inneren des Resonators erklären, da Feldemission bei niedrigen Feldstärken auftrat. Eine Hochdruckspülung mit ultrareinem Wasser (HPR) ist das Standardverfahren, um nach Behandlungen, bei denen das Risiko einer Oberflächenkontamination besteht, eine hohe Reinheit der inneren Oberflächen zu erreichen. Die HPR wurde in Zusammenarbeit mit dem Helmholtz-Institut-Mainz und der Gesellschaft für Schwerionenforschung geplant und durchgeführt. Der Resonator zeigte bereits während der Messung der Q-E-Kurve eine Zunahme der transmittierten Leistung bei konstanter Vorwärtsleistung, was vor der HPR nicht der Fall war. Bei der CW-HF-Konditionierung zeigte die Kavität den höchsten Gradienten bei einem deutlich schwächeren Q-Abfall bei hohen Feldstärken.
Sowohl bei der Messung von 2008 als auch bei der beschriebenen Messung wurde die Kavität mit einer HPR-Behandlung fertiggestellt, aber für die HPR-Behandlung bei HIM in Mainz wurden einige Anpassungen vorbereitet. Der CH Prototyp verfügt über keine zusätzlichen Spülports und wurde daher mit zwei verschiedenen Düsen mit unterschiedlichen Sprühwinkeln gespült, um die erreichbaren inneren Resonatorflächen zu maximieren. Die Verwendung mehrerer Sprühwinkel könnte auch für CH-Kavitäten mit Spülöffnungen von Vorteil sein und sollte für zukünftige HPR-Anwendungen in Betracht gezogen werden.
Die Heliumbehandlung wurde am CH-Prototyp 2,5 Stunden lang durchgeführt und lieferte vielversprechende Ergebnisse in Bezug auf die Güte und die Gradientenoptimierung.
Während dieses Prozesses wurde die emittierte Röntgenstrahlung in Richtung am Arbeitsplatzs gemessen und zeigte starke zeitabhängige Fluktuationen. Dies deutete auf die Beseitigung von Partikeln hin und wurde anschließend durch einen Anstieg des elektrischen Feldes von 8,4 auf 8,7 MV/m bestätigt. Eine unerwartete Auswirkung wurde bei der Q-Steigung im mittleren bis hohen Feld festgestellt, bei der der Qualitätsfaktor im Vergleich zum HF-konditionierten Fall eine Erhöhung von 5% oberhalb von 2MV/m aufwies. Dieser systematische Anstieg wurde für diesen Beschleuniger vor der Behandlung bisher nicht beobachtet. Stickstoffgedopte Kavitäten zeigen ein ähnliches Verhalten, bei dem Wechselwirkungen innerhalb der Oxidschicht mit Änderungen der Qualitätsfaktoren korreliert sind. Da Helium ein nicht reaktives Element ist, sind mögliche Erklärungen für diesen Effekt der Sputterprozess und die Einlagerung von Helium innerhalb der Oberfläche. Eine Serie von Heliumbehandlungen ist geplant, um ein optimiertes und sicheres Rezept für CH-Kavitäten zu finden. Die Q-E-Messung nach der Abkühlung und vor der Behandlung wird auch zeigen, ob der Leistungsgewinn durch ein Aufwärmen auf Raumtemperatur beeinträchtigt wird.
Die in dieser Arbeit skizzierte Behandlungssequenz wird für CH-Kavitäten dringend empfohlen. Das Ausheizen hat sich bei der Verringerung des Multipactings and der Güteabnahme bei hohen Feldern als wirksam erwiesen und bleibt von der anschließenden HPR unbeeinflusst. In dieser Arbeit wurden keine negativen Auswirkungen der HPR auf das Multipactingverhalten festgestellt. Anschließend wird eine CW-HF-Konditionierung durchgeführt, bis keine weitere Leistungszunahme der Kavität mehr zu verzeichnen ist.
Wenn die Kavität immer noch durch Feldemission begrenzt ist, sollte eine Wiederholung der HPR-Behandlung in Betracht gezogen werden, da bei sorgfältiger Durchführung der HPR keine der bisherig gefertigten CH-Kavitäten hierdurch begrenzt war. Es ist auch anzumerken, dass die Heliumbehandlung nur an der 360MHz CH-Kavität durchgeführt wurde, als diese eine geringe Strahlung durch Feldemission aufwies. Das Risiko des Heliumprocessing an CH-Kavitäten unter starker Feldemission ist unbekannt. Es ist zu erwarten, dass die Elektronenströme und damit die Ionenbeschusslawinen zunehmen und ein größeres Risiko für die Beschädigung von der Komponenten darstellen. Nach dem derzeitigen Kenntnisstand sollte die Heliumbehandlung nur für gut vorbereitete Kavitäten mit minimaler Feldemission in Betracht gezogen werden.