We report the results of a search for a new vector boson (
A
′
) decaying into two dark matter particles
χ
1
χ
2
of different mass. The heavier
χ
2
particle subsequently decays to
χ
1
and an ...off-shell Dark Photon
A
′
∗
→
e
+
e
-
. For a sufficiently large mass splitting, this model can explain in terms of new physics the recently confirmed discrepancy observed in the muon anomalous magnetic moment at Fermilab. Remarkably, it also predicts the observed yield of thermal dark matter relic abundance. A detailed Monte-Carlo simulation was used to determine the signal yield and detection efficiency for this channel in the NA64 setup. The results were obtained re-analyzing the previous NA64 searches for an invisible decay
A
′
→
χ
χ
¯
and axion-like or pseudo-scalar particles
a
→
γ
γ
. With this method, we exclude a significant portion of the parameter space justifying the muon g-2 anomaly and being compatible with the observed dark matter relic density for
A
′
masses from 2
m
e
up to 390 MeV and mixing parameter
ε
between
3
×
10
-
5
and
2
×
10
-
2
.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
For the first time, the effect of asymmetry of the membrane transport was studied for organic solvents and solutes upon their nanofiltration through the plasma-modified membranes based on ...poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) (PTMSP). Plasma treatment is shown to provide a marked hydrophilization of the hydrophobic PTMSP surface (the contact angle of water decreases from 88 down to 20°) and leads to the development of a negative charge of −5.2nC/cm2. The XPS measurements prove the formation of the oxygen-containing groups (Si–O and C–O) due to the surface modification. The AFM images show that the small-scale surface roughness of the plasma-treated PTMSP sample is reduced but the large-scale surface heterogeneities become more pronounced. The modified membranes retain their hydrophilic surface properties even after the nanofiltration tests and 30-day storage under ambient conditions. The results of the filtration tests show that when the membrane is oriented so that its modified layer contacts the feed solution, the membrane permeability for linear alcohols (methanol–propanol) and acetone decreases nearly two times. When the modified membrane surface faces the permeate, the membrane is seen to regain its transport characteristics: the flux becomes equal to that of the unmodified PTMSP. The well-pronounced effect of the transport asymmetry is observed for the solution of the neutral dye Solvent Blue 35 in methanol, ethanol, and acetone. For example, the initial membrane shows the negative retention for the Solvent Blue 35 dye (−16%) upon its filtration from the ethanol solution whereas, for the modified PTMSP membrane, the retention increases up to 17%. Various effects contributing to the asymmetry of the membrane transport characteristics are discussed.
Display omitted
•Asymmetry of membrane transport was first shown for organic solvent nanofiltration.•One side of PTMSP membranes was modified by direct current glow discharge in air.•Plasma treatment provides marked hydrophilization of hydrophobic PTMSP surface and negative charge.•Depending on membrane orientation, two times difference in solvent flux•Transport and retention asymmetry for solution of neutral dye
Hunting down the X17 boson at the CERN SPS Depero, E.; Andreev, Yu. M.; Banerjee, D. ...
The European physical journal. C, Particles and fields,
12/2020, Letnik:
80, Številka:
12
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Recently, the ATOMKI experiment has reported new evidence for the excess of
e
+
e
-
events with a mass
∼
17 MeV in the nuclear transitions of
4
He, that they previously observed in measurements with
...8
Be. These observations could be explained by the existence of a new vector
X
17
boson. So far, the search for the decay
X
17
→
e
+
e
-
with the NA64 experiment at the CERN SPS gave negative results. Here, we present a new technique that could be implemented in NA64 aiming to improve the sensitivity and to cover the remaining
X
17
parameter space. If a signal-like event is detected, an unambiguous observation is achieved by reconstructing the invariant mass of the
X
17
decay with the proposed method. To reach this goal an optimization of the
X
17
production target, as well as an efficient and accurate reconstruction of two close decay tracks, is required. A dedicated analysis of the available experimental data making use of the trackers information is presented. This method provides independent confirmation of the NA64 published results
1
, validating the tracking procedure. The detailed Monte Carlo study of the proposed setup and the background estimate show that the goal of the proposed search is feasible.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
We report the first search for dark sectors performed at the NA64 experiment employing a high energy muon beam and a missing energy-momentum technique. Muons from the M2 beamline at the CERN Super ...Proton Synchrotron with a momentum of 160 GeV / c are directed to an active target. The signal signature consists of a single scattered muon with momentum < 80 GeV / c in the final state, accompanied by missing energy, i.e., no detectable activity in the downstream calorimeters. For a total dataset of ( 1.98 ± 0.02 ) × 10 10 muons on target, no event is observed in the expected signal region. This allows us to set new limits on the remaining ( m Z ′ , g Z ′ ) parameter space of a new Z ′ ( L μ − L τ ) vector boson which could explain the muon ( g − 2 ) μ anomaly. Additionally, our study excludes part of the parameter space suggested by the thermal dark matter relic abundance. Our results pave the way to explore dark sectors and light dark matter with muon beams in a unique and complementary way to other experiments. Published by the American Physical Society 2024
Abstract
Refraction between isotropic media is characterized by light bending towards the normal to the boundary when passing from a low- to a high-refractive-index medium. However, refraction ...between anisotropic media is a more exotic phenomenon which remains barely investigated, particularly at the nanoscale. Here, we visualize and comprehensively study the general case of refraction of electromagnetic waves between two strongly anisotropic (hyperbolic) media, and we do it with the use of nanoscale-confined polaritons in a natural medium: α-MoO
3
. The refracted polaritons exhibit non-intuitive directions of propagation as they traverse planar nanoprisms, enabling to unveil an exotic optical effect: bending-free refraction. Furthermore, we develop an in-plane refractive hyperlens, yielding foci as small as λ
p
/6, being λ
p
the polariton wavelength (λ
0
/50 compared to the wavelength of free-space light). Our results set the grounds for planar nano-optics in strongly anisotropic media, with potential for effective control of the flow of energy at the nanoscale.
Photometric measurements are prone to systematic errors presenting a challenge to low-amplitude variability detection. In search for a general-purpose variability detection technique able to recover ...a broad range of variability types including currently unknown ones, we test 18 statistical characteristics quantifying scatter and/or correlation between brightness measurements. We compare their performance in identifying variable objects in seven time series data sets obtained with telescopes ranging in size from a telephoto lens to 1 m-class and probing variability on time-scales from minutes to decades. The test data sets together include light curves of 127 539 objects, among them 1251 variable stars of various types and represent a range of observing conditions often found in ground-based variability surveys. The real data are complemented by simulations. We propose a combination of two indices that together recover a broad range of variability types from photometric data characterized by a wide variety of sampling patterns, photometric accuracies and percentages of outlier measurements. The first index is the interquartile range (IQR) of magnitude measurements, sensitive to variability irrespective of a time-scale and resistant to outliers. It can be complemented by the ratio of the light-curve variance to the mean square successive difference, 1/..., which is efficient in detecting variability on time-scales longer than the typical time interval between observations. Variable objects have larger 1/... and/or IQR values than non-variable objects of similar brightness. Another approach to variability detection is to combine many variability indices using principal component analysis. We present 124 previously unknown variable stars found in the test data. (ProQuest: ... denotes formulae/symbols omitted.)
We report here for the first time a fabrication of betavoltaic battery prototype consisting of 200 single conversion cells based on Schottky barrier diamond diodes which have been vertically stacked ...with ~24% 63Ni radioactive isotope. The maximum electrical output power of about 0.93 μW was obtained in total volume of 5 × 5 × 3.5 mm3. We used the ion-beam assisted lift-off technique to obtain conversion cells of minimal thickness comparable with the characteristic penetration length of beta-particles emitted by 63Ni isotope. The obtained value of 15 μm was limited by the mechanical strength of produced structures and process reliability. To check the performance of thin diamond based conversion cells we carried out IV-curves measurements at electron beam irradiation in SEM. We found that the sacrificial layer for the splitting of such thin conversion cell from HPHT diamond substrate did not cause a considerable degradation of device charge collection efficiency. As a result, the fabricated prototype provided the output power density of about 10 μW/cm3, that is the best known value for nuclear batteries based on 63Ni radioisotope. Moreover, the long half-life of 63Ni isotope gives the battery specific energy of about 3300 mWh/g that is an order of magnitude higher than the typical value of commercial chemical cells.
Display omitted
•We successfully used ion-beam assisted lift-off technique to fabricate 15 μm thick diamond-based energy conversion cells.•The energy conversion efficiency (~5-6 %) of produced cells was limited by relatively low open-circuit voltage (~1.1 V).•For produced conversion cells the charge collection efficiency >90% was demonstrated.•Compact (~90 mm3, 0.35 g) ~1 μW nuclear battery was developed and fabricated by using of 200 cells combined with ~24% 63Ni foil.•The battery power density of 10 μW/cm3 and specific energy of 3300 mWh/g were achieved due to cell thickness decreasing.
The influence of different microstructure of the surface of aluminum alloy on the free convection in the liquid and the evaporation of the water drop were studied experimentally. Various textures ...were created using laser surface treatment. The character of water drop evaporation on heated structured surfaces was compared with that on untreated rough surface. Velocity fields were measured using the Micro Particle Image Velocimetry (Micro PIV) method. A chemical analysis of sample surfaces in the cavity and in its vicinity was carried out. The effect of different textures on the wettability properties is shown. The evaporation rate of a drop depends on several competing factors: the diameter of the wetted drop spot, the drop height, the convection due to the surface thermocapillary forces, and the convection caused by the surface microstructures. The article also assesses the individual impact of these factors. The greatest intensification of convection and evaporation is associated with textures in the form of craters with a diameter of about 50–100 μm. The competing influence of several parameters leads to the need of their optimization. This paper demonstrates a general approach to such an optimization.
Display omitted
•The influence of surface microstructure on wettability, convection and evaporation of water drops has been investigated.•Various textures have been created using laser surface treatment.•Cavities of 50–100 μm demonstrate the highest convection and drop evaporation rate.•The competing influence of several parameters leads to the need of their optimization.
The emergence of a topological transition of the polaritonic dispersion in twisted bilayers of anisotropic van der Waals materials at a given twist angle—the photonic magic angle—results in the ...diffractionless propagation of polaritons with deep-subwavelength resolution. This type of propagation, generally referred to as canalization, holds promise for the control of light at the nanoscale. However, the existence of a single photonic magic angle hinders such control since the canalization direction in twisted bilayers is unique and fixed for each incident frequency. Here we overcome this limitation by demonstrating multiple spectrally robust photonic magic angles in reconfigurable twisted α-phase molybdenum trioxide (α-MoO3) trilayers. We show that canalization of polaritons can be programmed at will along any desired in-plane direction in a single device with broad spectral ranges. These findings open the door for nanophotonics applications where on-demand control is crucial, such as thermal management, nanoimaging or entanglement of quantum emitters.The direction of polariton canalization—its diffractionless propagation—in twisted bilayers at the magic angle is hindered by the lack of multiple magic angles. By controlling the twist angles between three α-MoO3 layers, reconfigurable and spectrally robust polariton canalization along any in-plane direction is demonstrated.
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