A
bstract
The quantum interference between the decays of entangled neutral kaons is studied in the process
ϕ
→ K
S
K
L
→
π
+
π
−
π
+
π
−
, which exhibits the characteristic Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen ...correlations that prevent both kaons to decay into
π
+
π
−
at the same time. This constitutes a very powerful tool for testing at the utmost precision the quantum coherence of the entangled kaon pair state, and to search for tiny decoherence and
CPT
violation effects, which may be justified in a quantum gravity framework.
The analysed data sample was collected with the KLOE detector at DAΦNE, the Frascati
ϕ
-factory, and corresponds to an integrated luminosity of about 1.7 fb
−
1
, i.e. to about 1
.
7 × 10
9
ϕ
→ K
S
K
L
decays produced. From the fit of the observed ∆
t
distribution, being ∆
t
the difference of the kaon decay times, the decoherence and
CPT
violation parameters of various phenomenological models are measured with a largely improved accuracy with respect to previous analyses.
The results are consistent with no deviation from quantum mechanics and
CPT
symmetry, while for some parameters the precision reaches the interesting level at which — in the most optimistic scenarios — quantum gravity effects might show up. They provide the most stringent limits up to date on the considered models.
Dynamic mechanical and dielectric spectroscopy measurements on a polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB54), an oligomeric polystyrene (PS590), and their blend revealed various anomalies: (i) The mechanical ...relaxation times were always smaller (faster relaxation) than the relaxation times extracted from the dielectric modulus. (ii) The fragility (T g-normalized temperature dependence of the relaxation times) for the two neat materials was the same, even though the shapes of the corresponding relaxation functions were quite different. Such a result is at odds with the well-established correlation between these quantities. (iii) The addition of PS590 speeds up dielectric relaxation of the PCB54, even though the former has a higher glass transition temperature. However, the mechanical response is normal; that is, the relaxation times of the mixture are intermediate between those of the pure components. A brief discussion of these anomalies is given.
The existence of a light dark force mediator has been tested with the KLOE detector at DAΦNE. This particle, called U, is searched for using the decay chain ϕ→ηU, η→π+π−π0, U→e+e−. No evidence is ...found in 1.5 fb−1 of data. The resulting exclusion plot covers the mass range 5<MU<470 MeV, setting an upper limit on the ratio between the U boson coupling constant and the fine structure constant, α′/α, of ⩽2×10−5 at 90% C.L. for 50<MU<420 MeV.
The existence of a new force beyond the Standard Model is compelling because it could explain several striking astrophysical observations which fail standard interpretations. We searched for the ...light vector mediator of this dark force, the U boson, with the KLOE detector at the DAΦNE e+e− collider. Using an integrated luminosity of 1.54 fb−1, we studied the process e+e−→Uγ, with U→e+e−, using radiative return to search for a resonant peak in the dielectron invariant-mass distribution. We did not find evidence for a signal, and set a 90% CL upper limit on the mixing strength between the Standard Model photon and the dark photon, ε2, at 10−6–10−4 in the 5–520 MeV/c2 mass range.
The recent interest in a light gauge boson in the framework of an extra U(1) symmetry motivates searches in the mass range below 1 GeV. We present a search for such a particle, the dark photon, in ...e+e−→Uγ, U→π+π− based on 28 million e+e−→π+π−γ events collected at DAΦNE by the KLOE experiment. The π+π− production by initial-state radiation compensates for a loss of sensitivity of previous KLOE U→e+e−, μ+μ− searches due to the small branching ratios in the ρ–ω resonance region. We found no evidence for a signal and set a limit at 90% CL on the mixing strength between the photon and the dark photon, ε2, in the U mass range between 527 and 987MeV. Above 700 MeV this new limit is more stringent than previous ones.
Based on a sample of 300 million KS mesons produced in ϕ→KLKS decays recorded by the KLOE experiment at the DAΦNE e+e− collider we have measured the branching fraction for the decay KS→πμν. The KS ...mesons are identified by the interaction of KL mesons in the detector. The KS→πμν decays are selected by a boosted decision tree built with kinematic variables and by a time-of-flight measurement. Signal efficiencies are evaluated with data control samples of KL→πμν decays. A fit to the reconstructed muon mass distribution finds 7223±180 signal events. Normalising to the KS→π+π− decay events the result for the branching fraction is B(KS→πμν)=(4.56±0.11stat±0.17syst)×10−4. It is the first measurement of this decay mode and the result allows an independent determination of |Vus| and a test of the lepton-flavour universality.
The rheology of high molecular weight, six-arm-star polyisobutylenes (PIB) was measured and compared to the behavior of linear PIB. The polymers had equivalent plateau moduli and conformed well in ...the terminal zone to the time−temperature superposition principle. Moreover, the temperature coefficients of the terminal relaxation times were identical for the star and linear polymers. Since the trans and gauche conformations in PIB have virtually the same energy, this absence of enhanced temperature sensitivity in star PIB, as well as the thermorheological simplicity, is consistent with an interpretation of the rheology of branched polymers based on an arm retraction mechanism.
We have searched for a light vector boson U, the possible carrier of a “dark force”, with the KLOE detector at the DAΦNE e+e− collider, motivated by astrophysical evidence for the presence of dark ...matter in the Universe. Using e+e− collisions collected with an integrated luminosity of 239.3 pb−1, we look for a dimuon mass peak in the reaction e+e−→μ+μ−γ, corresponding to the decay U→μ+μ−. We find no evidence for a U vector boson signal. We set a 90% CL upper limit for the mixing parameter squared between the photon and the U boson of 1.6×10−5 to 8.6×10−7 for the mass region 520<mU<980 MeV.
We have measured the cross section σ(e+e−→π+π−γ(γ)) at DAΦNE, the Frascati ϕ-factory, using events with initial state radiation photons emitted at small angle and inclusive of final state radiation. ...We present the analysis of a new data set corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 240 pb−1. We have achieved a reduced systematic uncertainty with respect to previously published KLOE results. From the cross section we obtain the pion form factor and the contribution to the muon magnetic anomaly from two-pion states in the mass range 0.592<Mππ<0.975 GeV. For the latter we find Δππaμ=(387.2±0.5stat±2.4exp±2.3th)×10−10.
The existence of a light dark force mediator has been tested with the KLOE detector at DA Phi NE. This particle, called U. is searched for using the decay chain phi -> eta U, eta -> ...pi(+)pi(-)pi(0), U -> e(+)e(-). No evidence is found in 1.5 fb(-1) of data. The resulting exclusion plot covers the mass range 5 < M-U < 470 MeV, setting an upper limit on the ratio between the U boson coupling constant and the One structure constant, alpha'/alpha, of <= 2 x 10(-5) at 90% C.L. for 50 < M-U < 420 MeV.
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