Detector signal characterization with a Bayesian network in XENONnT

arXiv preprint arXiv:2403.14878

This paper details the first application of a software tagging algorithm to reduce radon-induced backgrounds in liquid noble element time projection chambers, such as XENON1T and XENONnT. The convection velocity field in XENON1T was mapped out using and events, and the root-mean-square convection speed was measured to be cm/s. Given this velocity field, background events can be tagged when they are followed by and decays, or preceded by decays. This was achieved by propagating a point cloud as directed by the velocity field, and searching for and decays or decays within a volume defined by the point cloud. In XENON1T, this tagging system achieved a background reduction of with an exposure loss of . The tagging algorithm was also used to produce a population of tagged events with a large enhancement in the fraction. We show that the performance can be improved in XENONnT, and that the performance of such a software-tagging approach can be expected to be further improved in a diffusion-limited scenario. Finally, a similar method might be useful to tag the cosmogenic background, which is relevant to the search for neutrinoless double-beta decay.

EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL. C, PARTICLES AND FIELDS

This paper presents a study of Z→ llγ decays with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The analysis uses a proton–proton data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 20.2 fb− 1 collected at a centre-of mass energy√ s= 8 TeV. Integrated fiducial cross-sections together with normalised differential fiducial cross-sections, sensitive to the kinematics of final-state QED radiation, are obtained. The results are found to be in agreement with state of-the-art predictions for final-state QED radiation. First measurements of Z→ llγ γ decays are also reported

The European Physical Journal C

The precision in reconstructing events detected in a dual-phase time projection chamber depends on an homogeneous and well understood electric field within the liquid target. In the XENONnT TPC the field homogeneity is achieved through a double-array field cage, consisting of two nested arrays of field shaping rings connected by an easily accessible resistor chain. Rather than being connected to the gate electrode, the topmost field shaping ring is independently biased, adding a degree of freedom to tune the electric field during operation. Two-dimensional finite element simulations were used to optimize the field cage, as well as its operation. Simulation results were compared to calibration data. This comparison indicates an accumulation of charge on the panels of the TPC which is constant over time, as no evolution of the reconstructed position distribution of events is observed. The simulated electric …

Computing and Software for Big Science

The need for large-scale production of highly accurate simulated event samples for the extensive physics programme of the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider motivates the development of new simulation techniques. Building on the recent success of deep learning algorithms, variational autoencoders and generative adversarial networks are investigated for modelling the response of the central region of the ATLAS electromagnetic calorimeter to photons of various energies. The properties of synthesised showers are compared with showers from a full detector simulation using geant4. Both variational autoencoders and generative adversarial networks are capable of quickly simulating electromagnetic showers with correct total energies and stochasticity, though the modelling of some shower shape distributions requires more refinement. This feasibility study demonstrates the potential of using such algorithms for ATLAS fast calorimeter simulation in the future and shows a possible way to complement current simulation techniques.

Physics Letters B

A search for non-resonant Higgs boson pair production, as predicted by the Standard Model, is presented, where one of the Higgs bosons decays via the H→ b b channel and the other via one of the H→ W W⁎/Z Z⁎/τ τ channels. The analysis selection requires events to have at least two b-tagged jets and exactly two leptons (electrons or muons) with opposite electric charge in the final state. Candidate events consistent with Higgs boson pair production are selected using a multi-class neural network discriminant. The analysis uses 139 fb− 1 of pp collision data recorded at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. An observed (expected) upper limit of 1.2 (0.9− 0.3+ 0.4) pb is set on the non-resonant Higgs boson pair production cross-section at 95% confidence level, which is equivalent to 40 (29− 9+ 14) times the value predicted in the Standard Model.

Lassa virus (LASV) outbreaks in West Africa pose a significant public health threat. We investigated the infection phenotype and transmission (horizontal and vertical) of LASV strain Ba366 in its natural host, Mastomys natalensis. Viral RNA levels in body fluids, virus titers in organs and antibody presence in blood were analyzed. In adults and 2-week-old animals, LASV caused transient infections with subsequent seroconversion. However, neonates and younger juveniles exhibited persistent infections lasting up to 16 months despite antibody presence. LASV was detected in various body fluids, organs, and cell types, primarily in lung, kidney, and gonadal epithelial cells. Despite the systemic virus presence, no pathological alterations in organs were observed. Infected individuals efficiently transmitted the virus throughout their lives. Our findings underscore the crucial role of persistently infected individuals, particularly infected females and their progeny, in LASV dissemination within the host population.

arXiv preprint arXiv:2403.14878

This paper details the first application of a software tagging algorithm to reduce radon-induced backgrounds in liquid noble element time projection chambers, such as XENON1T and XENONnT. The convection velocity field in XENON1T was mapped out using and events, and the root-mean-square convection speed was measured to be cm/s. Given this velocity field, background events can be tagged when they are followed by and decays, or preceded by decays. This was achieved by propagating a point cloud as directed by the velocity field, and searching for and decays or decays within a volume defined by the point cloud. In XENON1T, this tagging system achieved a background reduction of with an exposure loss of . The tagging algorithm was also used to produce a population of tagged events with a large enhancement in the fraction. We show that the performance can be improved in XENONnT, and that the performance of such a software-tagging approach can be expected to be further improved in a diffusion-limited scenario. Finally, a similar method might be useful to tag the cosmogenic background, which is relevant to the search for neutrinoless double-beta decay.

The European Physical Journal C

The precision in reconstructing events detected in a dual-phase time projection chamber depends on an homogeneous and well understood electric field within the liquid target. In the XENONnT TPC the field homogeneity is achieved through a double-array field cage, consisting of two nested arrays of field shaping rings connected by an easily accessible resistor chain. Rather than being connected to the gate electrode, the topmost field shaping ring is independently biased, adding a degree of freedom to tune the electric field during operation. Two-dimensional finite element simulations were used to optimize the field cage, as well as its operation. Simulation results were compared to calibration data. This comparison indicates an accumulation of charge on the panels of the TPC which is constant over time, as no evolution of the reconstructed position distribution of events is observed. The simulated electric …

The European Physical Journal C

The precision in reconstructing events detected in a dual-phase time projection chamber depends on an homogeneous and well understood electric field within the liquid target. In the XENONnT TPC the field homogeneity is achieved through a double-array field cage, consisting of two nested arrays of field shaping rings connected by an easily accessible resistor chain. Rather than being connected to the gate electrode, the topmost field shaping ring is independently biased, adding a degree of freedom to tune the electric field during operation. Two-dimensional finite element simulations were used to optimize the field cage, as well as its operation. Simulation results were compared to calibration data. This comparison indicates an accumulation of charge on the panels of the TPC which is constant over time, as no evolution of the reconstructed position distribution of events is observed. The simulated electric …

The Astronomical Journal

Firmamento (https://firmamento. hosting. nyu. edu) is a new-concept, web-based, and mobile-friendly data analysis tool dedicated to multifrequency/multimessenger emitters, as exemplified by blazars. Although initially intended to support a citizen researcher project at New York University–Abu Dhabi, Firmamento has evolved to be a valuable tool for professional researchers due to its broad accessibility to classical and contemporary multifrequency open data sets. From this perspective Firmamento facilitates the identification of new blazars and other multifrequency emitters in the localization uncertainty regions of sources detected by current and planned observatories such as Fermi-LAT, Swift, eROSITA, CTA, ASTRI Mini-Array, LHAASO, IceCube, KM3Net, SWGO, etc. The multiepoch and multiwavelength data that Firmamento retrieves from over 90 remote and local catalogs and databases can be used to …

The European Physical Journal C

Xenon dual-phase time projections chambers (TPCs) have proven to be a successful technology in studying physical phenomena that require low-background conditions. With of liquid xenon (LXe) in the TPC baseline design, DARWIN will have a high sensitivity for the detection of particle dark matter, neutrinoless double beta decay (\(0\upnu\upbeta\upbeta\)), and axion-like particles (ALPs). Although cosmic muons are a source of background that cannot be entirely eliminated, they may be greatly diminished by placing the detector deep underground. In this study, we used Monte Carlo simulations to model the cosmogenic background expected for the DARWIN observatory at four underground laboratories: Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso (LNGS), Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF), Laboratoire Souterrain de Modane (LSM) and SNOLAB. We present here the results of simulations performed to …

American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts

The Compton Spectrometer and Imager (COSI) is a NASA Small Explorer (SMEX) satellite mission scheduled for launch in 2027. COSI is a wide-field Compton telescope designed to survey the entire gamma-ray sky at 0.2-5 MeV with excellent energy resolution, providing powerful observations of sources with gamma-ray line emissions. COSI will provide key insights into the creation and evolution of the elements and the mysterious origin of Galactic positrons. In particular, COSI will reveal the core-collapse supernova activity in the Milky Way and determine the role of various stellar processes in massive stars by mapping the diffuse gamma-ray emission from 26 Al and 60 Fe in the Galaxy as a whole, and in individual star groups. It will uncover young and hidden supernova remnants by performing a survey of 44 Ti line emissions and probe the nuclear physics in the core of these supernovae through detailed …

The European Physical Journal C

The precision in reconstructing events detected in a dual-phase time projection chamber depends on an homogeneous and well understood electric field within the liquid target. In the XENONnT TPC the field homogeneity is achieved through a double-array field cage, consisting of two nested arrays of field shaping rings connected by an easily accessible resistor chain. Rather than being connected to the gate electrode, the topmost field shaping ring is independently biased, adding a degree of freedom to tune the electric field during operation. Two-dimensional finite element simulations were used to optimize the field cage, as well as its operation. Simulation results were compared to calibration data. This comparison indicates an accumulation of charge on the panels of the TPC which is constant over time, as no evolution of the reconstructed position distribution of events is observed. The simulated electric …

arXiv preprint arXiv:2403.14878

This paper details the first application of a software tagging algorithm to reduce radon-induced backgrounds in liquid noble element time projection chambers, such as XENON1T and XENONnT. The convection velocity field in XENON1T was mapped out using and events, and the root-mean-square convection speed was measured to be cm/s. Given this velocity field, background events can be tagged when they are followed by and decays, or preceded by decays. This was achieved by propagating a point cloud as directed by the velocity field, and searching for and decays or decays within a volume defined by the point cloud. In XENON1T, this tagging system achieved a background reduction of with an exposure loss of . The tagging algorithm was also used to produce a population of tagged events with a large enhancement in the fraction. We show that the performance can be improved in XENONnT, and that the performance of such a software-tagging approach can be expected to be further improved in a diffusion-limited scenario. Finally, a similar method might be useful to tag the cosmogenic background, which is relevant to the search for neutrinoless double-beta decay.

Physical review letters

The first evidence for the Higgs boson decay to a Z boson and a photon is presented, with a statistical significance of 3.4 standard deviations. The result is derived from a combined analysis of the searches performed by the ATLAS and CMS Collaborations with proton-proton collision datasets collected at the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC) from 2015 to 2018. These correspond to integrated luminosities of around 140 fb− 1 for each experiment, at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. The measured signal yield is 2.2±0.7 times the standard model prediction, and agrees with the theoretical expectation within 1.9 standard deviations.

The European Physical Journal C

The precision in reconstructing events detected in a dual-phase time projection chamber depends on an homogeneous and well understood electric field within the liquid target. In the XENONnT TPC the field homogeneity is achieved through a double-array field cage, consisting of two nested arrays of field shaping rings connected by an easily accessible resistor chain. Rather than being connected to the gate electrode, the topmost field shaping ring is independently biased, adding a degree of freedom to tune the electric field during operation. Two-dimensional finite element simulations were used to optimize the field cage, as well as its operation. Simulation results were compared to calibration data. This comparison indicates an accumulation of charge on the panels of the TPC which is constant over time, as no evolution of the reconstructed position distribution of events is observed. The simulated electric …

arXiv preprint arXiv:2403.14878

This paper details the first application of a software tagging algorithm to reduce radon-induced backgrounds in liquid noble element time projection chambers, such as XENON1T and XENONnT. The convection velocity field in XENON1T was mapped out using and events, and the root-mean-square convection speed was measured to be cm/s. Given this velocity field, background events can be tagged when they are followed by and decays, or preceded by decays. This was achieved by propagating a point cloud as directed by the velocity field, and searching for and decays or decays within a volume defined by the point cloud. In XENON1T, this tagging system achieved a background reduction of with an exposure loss of . The tagging algorithm was also used to produce a population of tagged events with a large enhancement in the fraction. We show that the performance can be improved in XENONnT, and that the performance of such a software-tagging approach can be expected to be further improved in a diffusion-limited scenario. Finally, a similar method might be useful to tag the cosmogenic background, which is relevant to the search for neutrinoless double-beta decay.

Solid-State Electronics

Understanding trap dynamics and formation of localized temperature hot-spots due to self-heating is crucial for the design optimization of emerging vertical junctionless nanowire transistors (VNWFET). This work investigates the operation of an 18 nm VNWFET technology, for the first time, leveraging pulsed current–voltage measurements. Results indicate increased trap activity as well as electrothermal effects with increasing pulse width. Multiphysics simulations are then used to provide a deeper insight into the nanoscale transport of the VNWFETs. We then incorporated these effects into the SPICE-compatible VNWFET compact model and further investigated the behaviors of trapping and electrothermal effects in basic logic circuits based on the compact model simulation.

The European Physical Journal C

The precision in reconstructing events detected in a dual-phase time projection chamber depends on an homogeneous and well understood electric field within the liquid target. In the XENONnT TPC the field homogeneity is achieved through a double-array field cage, consisting of two nested arrays of field shaping rings connected by an easily accessible resistor chain. Rather than being connected to the gate electrode, the topmost field shaping ring is independently biased, adding a degree of freedom to tune the electric field during operation. Two-dimensional finite element simulations were used to optimize the field cage, as well as its operation. Simulation results were compared to calibration data. This comparison indicates an accumulation of charge on the panels of the TPC which is constant over time, as no evolution of the reconstructed position distribution of events is observed. The simulated electric …

Journal of Anatomy

Pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis have only normative values for spines comprising five lumbar and five sacral vertebrae. However, it is unclear how pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis are affected by the common segmentation anomalies at the lumbo‐sacral border leading to lumbosacral transitional vertebrae, including lumbarisations and sacralisations. In lumbosacral transitional vertebrae it is not trivial to identify the correct vertebral endplates to measure pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis because ontogenetically the first sacral vertebra represents the first non‐mobile sacral segment in lumbarisations, but the second segment in sacralisations. We therefore assessed pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis with respect to both of these vertebral endplates. The type of segmentation anomaly was differentiated using spinal counts, spatial relationship with the iliac crest and morphological features. We found …

Physical Review D

The precision with which hadronic vacuum polarization (HVP) is obtained determines how accurately important observables, such as the muon anomalous magnetic moment a μ or the low-energy running of the electromagnetic coupling α, are predicted. The two most precise approaches for determining HVP are dispersive relations combined with e+ e−→ hadrons cross section data and lattice QCD. However, the results obtained in these two approaches display significant tensions, whose origins are not understood. Here we present a framework that sheds light on this issue and—if the two approaches can be reconciled—allows them to be combined. Via this framework, we test the hypothesis that the tensions can be explained by modifying the R-ratio in different intervals of center-of-mass energy s. As ingredients, we consider observables that have been precisely determined in both approaches. These are the …

Physical Review D

A search for quantum black holes in electron+ jet and muon+ jet invariant mass spectra is performed with 140 fb− 1 of data collected by the ATLAS detector in proton-proton collisions at s= 13 TeV at the Large Hadron Collider. The observed invariant mass spectrum of lepton+ jet pairs is consistent with Standard Model expectations. Upper limits are set at 95% confidence level on the production cross section times branching fractions for quantum black holes decaying into a lepton and a quark in a search region with invariant mass above 2.0 TeV. The resulting quantum black hole lower mass threshold limit is 9.2 TeV in the Arkani-Hamed-Dimopoulos-Dvali model, and 6.8 TeV in the Randall-Sundrum model.

Physical Review D

A search for quantum black holes in electron+ jet and muon+ jet invariant mass spectra is performed with 140 fb− 1 of data collected by the ATLAS detector in proton-proton collisions at s= 13 TeV at the Large Hadron Collider. The observed invariant mass spectrum of lepton+ jet pairs is consistent with Standard Model expectations. Upper limits are set at 95% confidence level on the production cross section times branching fractions for quantum black holes decaying into a lepton and a quark in a search region with invariant mass above 2.0 TeV. The resulting quantum black hole lower mass threshold limit is 9.2 TeV in the Arkani-Hamed-Dimopoulos-Dvali model, and 6.8 TeV in the Randall-Sundrum model.

Physical Review D

In this work we analyze the motion of charged particles in the background of the Kiselev geometry, which is considered here as an exact solution in the context of power-Maxwell electrodynamics. As it is well known, one can use either an electric ansatz or a magnetic one for the nonlinear electromagnetic field. We study the motion of an electrically charged particle for an electrically charged black hole and also for a magnetically charged black hole. In the second case the motion is restricted to Poincaré cones of various angles, as expected.

Physical Review D

Ultracold atomic gases can undergo phase transitions that mimic relativistic vacuum decay, allowing us to empirically test early Universe physics in tabletop experiments. We investigate the physics of these analog systems, going beyond previous analyses of the classical equations of motion to study quantum fluctuations in the cold-atom false vacuum. We show that the fluctuation spectrum of this vacuum state agrees with the usual relativistic result in the regime where the classical analogy holds, providing further evidence for the suitability of these systems for studying vacuum decay. Using a suite of semiclassical lattice simulations, we simulate bubble nucleation from this analog vacuum state in a 1D homonuclear potassium-41 mixture, finding qualitative agreement with instanton predictions. We identify realistic parameters for this system that will allow us to study vacuum decay with current experimental …

Physical Review D

The evolution of linear initial conditions present in the early Universe into extended halos of dark matter at late times can be computed using cosmological simulations. However, a theoretical understanding of this complex process remains elusive; in particular, the role of anisotropic information in the initial conditions in establishing the final mass of dark matter halos remains a long-standing puzzle. Here, we build a deep learning framework to investigate this question. We train a three-dimensional convolutional neural network to predict the mass of dark matter halos from the initial conditions, and quantify in full generality the amounts of information in the isotropic and anisotropic aspects of the initial density field about final halo masses. We find that anisotropies add a small, albeit statistically significant amount of information over that contained within spherical averages of the density field about final halo mass …

Physical Review D

We investigate the hypothetical X17 boson on neutron stars and quark stars (QSs) using various hadronic equation of states (EoSs) with phenomenological or microscopic origin. Our aim is to set realistic constraints on its coupling constant and the mass scaling, with respect to causality and various possible upper mass limits and the dimensionless tidal deformability Λ 1.4. In particular, we pay special attention to two main phenomenological parameters of the X17, one is related to the coupling constant g that it has with hadrons or quarks and the other with the in-medium effects through regulator C. Both are very crucial concerning the contribution on the total energy density and pressure. In the case of considering the X17 as a carrier of nuclear force in relativistic mean field theory, an admixture into the vector boson segment was constrained by 20% and 30%. In our investigation, we came to the general conclusion …

Physical Review D

The recent analysis on the central compact object in the HESS J1731-347 remnant suggests interestingly small values for its mass and radius. Such an observation favors soft nuclear models that may be challenged by the observation of massive compact stars. In contrast, the recent PREX-II experiment, concerning the neutron skin thickness of Pb 208, points toward stiff equations of state that favor larger compact star radii. In the present study, we aim to explore the compatibility between stiff hadronic equations of state (favored by PREX-II) and the HESS J1731-347 remnant in the context of hybrid stars. For the construction of hybrid equations of state we use three widely employed Skyrme models combined with the well-known vector MIT bag model. Furthermore we consider two different scenarios concerning the energy density of the bag. In the first case, that of a constant bag parameter, we find that the resulting …

Physical Review D

The second Gravitational-Wave Transient Catalog, GWTC-2, reported on 39 compact binary coalescences observed by the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo detectors between 1 April 2019 15∶ 00 UTC and 1 October 2019 15∶ 00 UTC. Here, we present GWTC-2.1, which reports on a deeper list of candidate events observed over the same period. We analyze the final version of the strain data over this period with improved calibration and better subtraction of excess noise, which has been publicly released. We employ three matched-filter search pipelines for candidate identification, and estimate the probability of astrophysical origin for each candidate event. While GWTC-2 used a false alarm rate threshold of 2 per year, we include in GWTC-2.1, 1201 candidates that pass a false alarm rate threshold of 2 per day. We calculate the source properties of a subset of 44 high-significance candidates that have a …

Physical Review D

We study the compact binary dynamics in the post-Newtonian approach implemented to the Einstein-Hilbert action adding the cosmological constant Λ at first post-Newtonian (1PN) order. We consider very small values of Λ finding that it plays the role of a PN factor to derive the Lagrangian of a compact two-body system at the center of mass frame at 1PN. Furthermore, the phase function ϕ (t) is obtained from the balance equation, and the two polarizations h+ and h× are also calculated. We observe changes due to Λ only at very low frequencies, and we notice that it plays the role of “stretch” the spacetime such that both amplitudes become smaller. However, given its nearly negligible value, Λ has no relevance at higher frequencies whatsoever.

Physical Review D

The nuclear reaction network within the interior of the Sun is an efficient MeV physics factory and can produce long-lived particles generic to dark sector models. In this work we consider the sensitivity of satellite instruments, primarily the RHESSI spectrometer, that observe the quiet Sun in the MeV regime where backgrounds are low. We find that quiet Sun observations offer a powerful and complementary probe in regions of parameter space, where the long-lived particle decay length is longer than the radius of the Sun and shorter than the distance between the Sun and Earth. We comment on connections to recent model-building work on heavy neutral leptons coupled to neutrinos and high-quality axions from mirror symmetries.

Physical Review D

Within the framework of relative and absolute quantum field theories (QFTs), we present a general formalism for understanding polarizations of the intermediate defect group and constructing noninvertible duality defects in theories in 2 k spacetime dimensions with self-dual gauge fields. We introduce the polarization pair, which fully specifies absolute QFTs as far as their (k− 1)-form defect groups are concerned, including their (k− 1)-form symmetries, global structures (including discrete θ-angle), and local counterterms. Using the associated symmetry topological field theory (TFT), we show that the polarization pair is capable of succinctly describing topological manipulations, eg, gauging (k− 1)-form global symmetries and stacking counterterms, of absolute QFTs. Furthermore, automorphisms of the (k− 1)-form charge lattice naturally act on polarization pairs via their action on the defect group; they can be viewed as …

Physical Review D

Recent measurements of charm-baryon production in hadronic collisions have questioned the universality of charm-quark fragmentation across different collision systems. In this work the fragmentation of charm quarks into charm baryons is probed, by presenting the first measurement of the longitudinal jet momentum fraction carried by Λ c+ baryons, z∥ ch, in hadronic collisions. The results are obtained in proton-proton (p p) collisions at s= 13 TeV at the LHC, with Λ c+ baryons and charged (track-based) jets reconstructed in the transverse momentum intervals of 3≤ p T Λ c+< 15 GeV/c and 7≤ p T jet ch< 15 GeV/c, respectively. The z∥ ch distribution is compared to a measurement of D 0-tagged charged jets in p p collisions as well as to pythia 8 simulations. The data hints that the fragmentation of charm quarks into charm baryons is softer with respect to charm mesons, in the measured kinematic interval, as …

Physical Review D

The second Gravitational-Wave Transient Catalog, GWTC-2, reported on 39 compact binary coalescences observed by the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo detectors between 1 April 2019 15∶ 00 UTC and 1 October 2019 15∶ 00 UTC. Here, we present GWTC-2.1, which reports on a deeper list of candidate events observed over the same period. We analyze the final version of the strain data over this period with improved calibration and better subtraction of excess noise, which has been publicly released. We employ three matched-filter search pipelines for candidate identification, and estimate the probability of astrophysical origin for each candidate event. While GWTC-2 used a false alarm rate threshold of 2 per year, we include in GWTC-2.1, 1201 candidates that pass a false alarm rate threshold of 2 per day. We calculate the source properties of a subset of 44 high-significance candidates that have a …

Physical Review D

The second Gravitational-Wave Transient Catalog, GWTC-2, reported on 39 compact binary coalescences observed by the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo detectors between 1 April 2019 15∶ 00 UTC and 1 October 2019 15∶ 00 UTC. Here, we present GWTC-2.1, which reports on a deeper list of candidate events observed over the same period. We analyze the final version of the strain data over this period with improved calibration and better subtraction of excess noise, which has been publicly released. We employ three matched-filter search pipelines for candidate identification, and estimate the probability of astrophysical origin for each candidate event. While GWTC-2 used a false alarm rate threshold of 2 per year, we include in GWTC-2.1, 1201 candidates that pass a false alarm rate threshold of 2 per day. We calculate the source properties of a subset of 44 high-significance candidates that have a …

Physical Review D

A search for quantum black holes in electron+ jet and muon+ jet invariant mass spectra is performed with 140 fb− 1 of data collected by the ATLAS detector in proton-proton collisions at s= 13 TeV at the Large Hadron Collider. The observed invariant mass spectrum of lepton+ jet pairs is consistent with Standard Model expectations. Upper limits are set at 95% confidence level on the production cross section times branching fractions for quantum black holes decaying into a lepton and a quark in a search region with invariant mass above 2.0 TeV. The resulting quantum black hole lower mass threshold limit is 9.2 TeV in the Arkani-Hamed-Dimopoulos-Dvali model, and 6.8 TeV in the Randall-Sundrum model.

Physical Review D

Recent measurements of charm-baryon production in hadronic collisions have questioned the universality of charm-quark fragmentation across different collision systems. In this work the fragmentation of charm quarks into charm baryons is probed, by presenting the first measurement of the longitudinal jet momentum fraction carried by Λ c+ baryons, z∥ ch, in hadronic collisions. The results are obtained in proton-proton (p p) collisions at s= 13 TeV at the LHC, with Λ c+ baryons and charged (track-based) jets reconstructed in the transverse momentum intervals of 3≤ p T Λ c+< 15 GeV/c and 7≤ p T jet ch< 15 GeV/c, respectively. The z∥ ch distribution is compared to a measurement of D 0-tagged charged jets in p p collisions as well as to pythia 8 simulations. The data hints that the fragmentation of charm quarks into charm baryons is softer with respect to charm mesons, in the measured kinematic interval, as …

Physical Review D

A search for quantum black holes in electron+ jet and muon+ jet invariant mass spectra is performed with 140 fb− 1 of data collected by the ATLAS detector in proton-proton collisions at s= 13 TeV at the Large Hadron Collider. The observed invariant mass spectrum of lepton+ jet pairs is consistent with Standard Model expectations. Upper limits are set at 95% confidence level on the production cross section times branching fractions for quantum black holes decaying into a lepton and a quark in a search region with invariant mass above 2.0 TeV. The resulting quantum black hole lower mass threshold limit is 9.2 TeV in the Arkani-Hamed-Dimopoulos-Dvali model, and 6.8 TeV in the Randall-Sundrum model.

Physical Review D

We use data from the Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT) DR4 to search for the presence of neutrino self-interaction in the cosmic microwave background. Consistent with prior works, the posterior distributions we find are bimodal, with one mode consistent with Λ CDM and one where neutrinos strongly self-interact. By combining ACT data with large-scale information from WMAP, we find that a delayed onset of neutrino free streaming caused by significantly strong neutrino self-interaction is compatible with these data at the 2− 3 σ level. As seen in the past, the preference shifts to Λ CDM with the inclusion of Planck data. We determine that the preference for strong neutrino self-interaction is largely driven by angular scales corresponding to 700≲ ℓ≲ 1000 in the ACT E-mode polarization data. This region is expected to be key to discriminate between neutrino self-interacting modes and will soon be probed with …

Physical Review D

We determine the fine-tuning of the Yukawa couplings of supersymmetric QCD, discretized on a lattice. We use perturbation theory at one-loop level. The modified minimal subtraction scheme (MS) is employed; by its definition, this scheme requires perturbative calculations, in the continuum and/or on the lattice. On the lattice, we utilize the Wilson formulation for gluon, quark, and gluino fields; for squark fields we use naive discretization. The sheer difficulties of this study lie in the fact that different components of squark fields mix among themselves at the quantum level and the action’s symmetries, such as parity and charge conjugation, allow an additional Yukawa coupling. Consequently, for an appropriate fine-tuning of the Yukawa terms, these mixings must be taken into account in the renormalization conditions. All Green’s functions and renormalization factors are analytic expressions depending on the number of …