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1. Bayesian Search of Massive Scalar Fields from LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA Binaries

   https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.134.191402  

   Xie, Yiqi; Chung, Adrian Ka-Wai; Sotiriou, Thomas P; Yunes, Nicolás (May 2025, Physical Review Letters)

   Massive scalar fields are promising candidates for addressing many unresolved problems in fundamental physics. We report the first model-agnostic Bayesian search of massive scalar fields that are nonminimally coupled to gravity in LIGO/Virgo/KAGRA gravitational-wave data. We find no evidence for such fields and place the most stringent upper limits on their coupling for scalar masses $\lesssim 2\times {10}^{-12}\mathrm{eV}$. We exemplify the strength of these bounds by applying them to massive scalar-Gauss-Bonnet gravity, finding the tightest constraints on the coupling constant to date, $\sqrt{{\alpha }_{\mathrm{GB}}}\lesssim 1\mathrm{km}$for scalar masses $\lesssim {10}^{-13}\mathrm{eV}$to 90% credible level. Published by the American Physical Society2025 

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2. Student attitudes toward quantum information science and technology in a high school outreach program

   https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevPhysEducRes.20.020126  

   Darienzo, Michele; Kelly, Angela M; Schneble, Dominik; Wei, Tzu-Chieh (October 2024, Physical Review Physics Education Research)

   [This paper is part of the Focused Collection in Investigating and Improving Quantum Education through Research.] With the current growth in quantum information science and technology (QIST), there is an increasing need to prepare precollege students for postsecondary QIST study and careers. This mixed methods, explanatory sequential research focused on students’ affective outcomes from a one-week, 25-h summer program for U.S. high school students in grades 10–12. The workshop structure was based upon psychosocial theories of self-determination and planned behavior, where QIST aspirations may be facilitated and viewed as achievable choices if students acquire disciplinary knowledge, self-efficacy, normative expectancy of their capacity in the field, and awareness of vocational roles. The program featured lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on experiences in classical and quantum physics and quantum computing. Students’ attitudes toward QIST ( $N=77$)—including self-efficacy, self-concept, relevance, career aspirations, and perceptions of quantitative fluency—showed improvement with a medium effect size, even though treatment students entered the program with more positive QIST attitudes when compared with a control group of high school physics students ( $N=65$). Postprogram interviews with $n=12$participants identified several explanatory themes: (i) Students tended to comprehend classical and quantum topics taught through multiple representations, regardless of whether they had taken physics previously; (ii) students experienced some challenges with mathematics and science concepts that support quantum understanding, yet they revealed a willingness to learn new concepts outside of their comfort zone; (iii) students expressed motivation for pursuing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and/or quantum-related careers in the future, as well as increased QIST self-concept, largely through understanding the relevance of QIST in solving technological problems; and (iv) students reported increased self-efficacy in understanding QIST topics and performing related tasks. This informal summer program showed promise in promoting positive student attitudes toward QIST, a critical emerging field in advancing technological solutions for global challenges. Published by the American Physical Society2024 

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3. Quark counting, Drell-Yan West, and the pion wave function

   https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.110.L042201  

   Alberg, Mary; Miller, Gerald A (October 2024, Physical Review C)

   The relation between the pion's quark distribution function, $q\left(x\right)$, its light-front wave function, and the elastic charge form factor, $F\left({\mathrm{\Delta }}^2\right)$, is explored. The square of the leading-twist pion wave function at a special probe scale, ${\zeta }_H$, is determined using models and Poincaré covariance from realistic results for $q\left(x\right)$. This wave function is then used to compute form factors with the result that the Drell-Yan-West and quark counting relationships are not satisfied. A new relationship between $q\left(x\right)$and $F\left({\mathrm{\Delta }}^2\right)$is proposed. Published by the American Physical Society2024 

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4. Evidence of Coherent Elastic Neutrino-Nucleus Scattering with COHERENT’s Germanium Array

   https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.134.231801  

   Adamski, S; Ahn, M; Barbeau, P S; Belov, V; Bernardi, I; Bock, C; Bolozdynya, A; Bouabid, R; Browning, J; Cabrera-Palmer, B; et al (June 2025, Physical Review Letters)

   We report the first detection of coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CEvNS) on natural germanium, measured at the Spallation Neutron Source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The Ge-Mini detector of the COHERENT collaboration employs large-mass, low-noise, high-purity germanium spectrometers, enabling excellent energy resolution, and an analysis threshold of 1.5 keV electron-equivalent ionization energy. We observe an on-beam excess of ${20.6}_{-6.3}^{+7.1}$counts with a total exposure of 10.22 GWhkg, and we reject the no-CEvNS hypothesis with $3.9\sigma$significance. The result agrees with the predicted standard model of particle physics signal rate within $2\sigma$. Published by the American Physical Society2025 

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5. Demonstration of new MeV-scale capabilities in large neutrino LArTPCs using ambient radiogenic and cosmogenic activity in MicroBooNE

   https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.111.032005  

   Abratenko, P; Alterkait, O; Andrade_Aldana, D; Arellano, L; Asaadi, J; Ashkenazi, A; Balasubramanian, S; Baller, B; Barnard, A; Barr, G; et al (February 2025, Physical Review D)

   Large neutrino liquid argon time projection chamber (LArTPC) experiments can broaden their physics reach by reconstructing and interpreting MeV-scale energy depositions, or blips, present in their data. We demonstrate new calorimetric and particle discrimination capabilities at the MeV energy scale using reconstructed blips in data from the MicroBooNE LArTPC at Fermilab. We observe a concentration of low-energy ( $<3\mathrm{MeV}$) blips around fiberglass mechanical support struts along the time projection chamber edges with energy spectrum features consistent with the Compton edge of 2.614 MeV ${}^{208}\mathrm{Tl}$decay $\gamma$rays. These features are used to verify proper calibration of electron energy scales in MicroBooNE’s data to few percent precision and to measure the specific activity of ${}^{208}\mathrm{Tl}$in the fiberglass composing these struts, $(11.7\pm 0.2\left(\mathrm{stat}\right)\pm 3.1\left(\mathrm{syst}\right))\mathrm{Bq}/\mathrm{kg}$. Cosmogenically produced blips above 3 MeV in reconstructed energy are used to showcase the ability of large LArTPCs to distinguish between low-energy proton and electron energy depositions. An enriched sample of low-energy protons selected using this new particle discrimination technique is found to be smaller in data than in dedicated cosmic-ray simulations, suggesting either incorrect modeling of incident cosmic fluxes or particle transport modeling issues in eant4. Published by the American Physical Society2025 

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