More Like this

1. Search for a feebly interacting particle X in the decay K+ → π+X

   https://doi.org/10.1007/JHEP03(2021)058  

   Cortina Gil, E.; Kleimenova, A.; Minucci, E.; Padolski, S.; Petrov, P.; Shaikhiev, A.; Volpe, R.; Numao, T.; Velghe, B.; Bryman, D.; et al (March 2021, Journal of High Energy Physics)

   null (Ed.)

   A bstract A search for the K + → π + X decay, where X is a long-lived feebly interacting particle, is performed through an interpretation of the K + → $$ {\pi}^{+}\nu \overline{\nu} $$ π + ν ν ¯ analysis of data collected in 2017 by the NA62 experiment at CERN. Two ranges of X masses, 0–110 MeV /c 2 and 154–260 MeV /c 2 , and lifetimes above 100 ps are considered. The limits set on the branching ratio, BR( K + → π + X ), are competitive with previously reported searches in the first mass range, and improve on current limits in the second mass range by more than an order of magnitude. 

   more » « less
2. Spectroscopy of A=9 hyperlithium by the (e,e′K+) reaction

   https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.103.L041301  

   T. Gogami, C. Chen (April 2021, Physical review)

   null (Ed.)

   Missing mass spectroscopy with the (e,e′K+) reaction was performed at Jefferson Laboratory's Hall C for the neutron rich Λ hypernucleus 9ΛLi. The ground state energy was obtained to be Bg.s.Λ=8.84±0.17stat.±0.15sys. MeV by using shell model calculations of a cross section ratio and an energy separation of the spin doublet states (3/2+1 and 5/2+1). In addition, peaks that are considered to be states of [8Li(3+)⊗sΛ=3/2+2,1/2+] and [8Li(1+)⊗sΛ=5/2+2,7/2+] were observed at EΛ(no. 2)=1.74±0.27stat.±0.11sys. MeV and EΛ(no. 3)=3.30±0.24stat.±0.11sys. MeV, respectively. The EΛ(no. 3) is larger than shell model predictions by a few hundred keV, and the difference would indicate that a 5He+t structure is more developed for the 3+ state than those for the 2+ and 1+ states in a core nucleus 8Li as a cluster model calculation suggests. 

   more » « less
3. An Improved Average Atomic Number Calculation for Estimating Backscatter and Continuum Production in Compounds

   https://doi.org/10.1093/micmic/ozad069  

   Donovan, John; Ducharme, Andrew; Schwab, Joseph J; Moy, Aurélien; Gainsforth, Zack; Wade, Benjamin; McMorran, Benjamin (July 2023, Microscopy and Microanalysis)

   Abstract It is often assumed that electron backscatter and continuum (bremsstrahlung) productions emitted from electron-solid interactions during X-ray microanalysis in compounds can be extrapolated from pure element observations by means of the assumption of average atomic number, or Z-bar (Z¯). For pure elements the average Z is equal to the atomic number, but this direct approach fails for compounds. The use of simple atomic fractions yields completely spurious results, and while the commonly used mass fraction Z averaging produces fairly reasonable results, we know from physical considerations that the mass of the neutron plays only a negligible role in such interactions below ∼1 MeV. Therefore, including the mass or atomic weight in such calculations can only introduce further errors in these models. We present an expression utilizing atomic fractions of the atomic numbers of the elements in the compound (Z fraction), with an exponent to account for the variation in nuclear screening as a function of the element Z value. 

   more » « less
4. Two-Pole Nature of the Lambda(1405) Resonance from Lattice QCD

   https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.132.051901  

   Bulava, John; Cid-Mora, Bárbara; Hanlon, Andrew D.; Hörz, Ben; Mohler, Daniel; Morningstar, Colin; Moscoso, Joseph; Nicholson, Amy; Romero-López, Fernando; Skinner, Sarah; et al (January 2024, Physical Review Letters)

   This Letter presents the first lattice QCD computation of the coupled channel πΣ−¯KN scattering amplitudes at energies near 1405 MeV. These amplitudes contain the resonance Λ(1405) with strangeness S=−1 and isospin, spin, and parity quantum numbers I(JP)=0(1/2−). However, whether there is a single resonance or two nearby resonance poles in this region is controversial theoretically and experimentally. Using single-baryon and meson-baryon operators to extract the finite-volume stationary-state energies to obtain the scattering amplitudes at slightly unphysical quark masses corresponding to mπ≈200  MeV and mK≈487  MeV, this study finds the amplitudes exhibit a virtual bound state below the πΣ threshold in addition to the established resonance pole just below the ¯KN threshold. Several parametrizations of the two-channel K matrix are employed to fit the lattice QCD results, all of which support the two-pole picture suggested by SU(3) chiral symmetry and unitarity. 

   more » « less
5. Near-band-edge transition in SrTiO3 below 100 K: Role of electron-polarons, defects and sample surface

   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmt.2024.102494  

   Graham, JT; Crespillo, ML; Agulló-López, F; Weber, WJ (December 2024, Applied Materials Today)

   The ionoluminescence of strontium titanate (SrTiO3) under the intense electronic excitation produced by 3 MeV H, 19 MeV Si, and 19 MeV Cl ions was investigated for temperatures between 30 and 100 K. In addition to previously reported emission bands centered at 2.0 eV, 2.5 eV, and 2.8 eV, an asymmetric, narrow emission band centered at 3.15 eV was observed for the first time under ion irradiation. The 3.15 eV band appeared only under heavy ion irradiation (19 MeV Si and Cl) and at temperatures below ~70 K. The absence of the 3.15 eV emission under proton irradiation indicates that impurities and the pre-irradiation defect population likely play little or no role in the emission process, while electronic excitation density does. At the same time, the absence of fluence-dependent growth in the yield suggests that irradiation-induced defects are also unlikely to be the main cause of the emission. Upon comparing the proton induced ionoluminescence, heavy ion induced ionoluminescence, and available literature on low temperature photoluminescence of strontium titanate, a self-consistent interpretation emerges, where the 3.15 eV emission is associated with the recombination of large polarons. 

   more » « less