We present a search for the e+e− decay of a hypothetical dark photon, also named U vector boson, in inclusive dielectron spectra measured by HADES in the p(3.5 GeV) + p, Nb reactions, as well as the ...Ar (1.756 GeV/u) + KCl reaction. An upper limit on the kinetic mixing parameter squared ϵ2 at 90% CL has been obtained for the mass range MU=0.02–0.55 GeV/c2 and is compared with the present world data set. For masses 0.03–0.1 GeV/c2, the limit has been lowered with respect to previous results, allowing now to exclude a large part of the parameter region favored by the muon g−2 anomaly. Furthermore, an improved upper limit on the branching ratio of 2.3×10−6 has been set on the helicity-suppressed direct decay of the eta meson, η→e+e−, at 90% CL.
We present data on dielectron emission in proton induced reactions on a Nb target at 3.5 GeV kinetic beam energy measured with HADES installed at GSI. The data represent the first high statistics ...measurement of proton-induced dielectron radiation from cold nuclear matter in a kinematic regime, where strong medium effects are expected. Combined with the good mass resolution of 2%, it is the first measurement sensitive to changes of the spectral functions of vector mesons, as predicted by models for hadrons at rest or small relative momenta. Comparing the e+e− invariant mass spectra to elementary p+p data, we observe for e+e− momenta Pee<0.8 GeV/c a strong modification of the shape of the spectrum, which we attribute to an additional ρ-like contribution and a decrease of ω yield. These opposite trends are tentatively interpreted as a strong coupling of the ρ meson to baryonic resonances and an absorption of the ω meson, which are two aspects of in-medium modification of vector mesons.
We present results on dielectron production in {sup 40}Ar+KCl collisions at 1.76A GeV. For the first time {omega} mesons could be reconstructed in a heavy-ion reaction at a bombarding energy which is ...well below the production threshold in free nucleon-nucleon collisions. The {omega} multiplicity has been extracted and compared to the yields of other particles, in particular of the {phi} meson. At intermediate e{sup +}e{sup -} invariant masses, we find a strong enhancement of the pair yield over a reference spectrum from elementary nucleon-nucleon reactions, suggesting the onset of nontrivial effects of the nuclear medium. Transverse-mass spectra and angular distributions have been reconstructed in three invariant mass bins. In the former unexpectedly large slopes are found for high-mass pairs. The latter, in particular the helicity-angle distributions, are largely consistent with expectations for a pair cocktail dominated at intermediate masses by {Delta} Dalitz decays.
.
We present transverse momentum spectra, rapidity distribution and multiplicity of
-hyperons measured with the HADES spectrometer in the reaction Ar(1.76AGeV) + KCl . The yield of
is calculated from ...our previously reported
/(
+
) ratio and compared to other strange particle multiplicities. Employing a strangeness balance equation the multiplicities of the yet unmeasured
-hyperons can be estimated. Finally a statistical hadronization model is used to fit the yields of
, K
+
,
K
0
s
, K
-
,
,
and
. The resulting chemical freeze-out temperature of
T
= (76±2) MeV is compared to the measured slope parameters obtained from fits to the transverse mass distributions of the different particles.
We report measurements of electron pair production in elementary p+p and d+p reactions at 1.25 GeV/u with the HADES spectrometer. For the first time, the electron pairs were reconstructed for n+p ...reactions by detecting the proton spectator from the deuteron breakup. We find that the yield of electron pairs with invariant mass Me+e−>0.15 GeV/c2 is about an order of magnitude larger in n+p reactions as compared to p+p. A comparison to model calculations demonstrates that the production mechanism is not sufficiently described yet. The electron pair spectra measured in C+C reactions are compatible with a superposition of elementary n+p and p+p collisions, leaving little room for additional electron pair sources in such light collision systems.
We present the inclusive invariant mass, transverse momentum and rapidity distributions of dielectrons (e+e- pairs) in p+p interactions at 3.5GeV beam kinetic energy. In the vector meson mass region, ...a distinct peak corresponding to direct ω decays is reconstructed with a 2% mass resolution. The data is compared to predictions from three model calculations. Due to the large acceptance of the HADES apparatus for e+e- invariant masses above 0.2 GeV/c 2 and for transverse pair momenta p t < 1 GeV/c, acceptance corrections are, to a large extent, model independent. This allows us to extract from dielectron data for the first time at this energy the inclusive production cross-sections for light vector mesons. Inclusive production cross-sections for π0 and η mesons are also reported. The obtained results will serve as an important reference for the study of vector meson production in proton-nucleus and heavy-ion collisions. Furthermore, using this data, an improved value for the upper bound of the branching ratio for direct η decays into the electron-positron channel is obtained.
The influence of melt injection temperature on the thermomechanical behaviour of soft–soft overmoulded vulcanized thermoplastic elastomers (TPV) with different elastic properties was studied. Samples ...with two different overmoulding temperatures were tested under uniaxial loading conditions. The full deformation and temperature fields in each TPV were determined using digital image correlation technique and infrared thermography, respectively. The maximum interface strength was found to be equal to 70N for a maximum injection temperature of 260∘C, which is consistent with the fact that high temperatures promote interdiffusion between the molten TPV and the TPV insert. The two TPV have different stiffness, leading to a significant change of the interface position along the specimens during stretching and to a significant necking in the softer material. The zone of influence of the interface in terms of stretch gradient is very different in size from one TPV to the other. In addition, thermal investigations have shown that the elasticity of the two TPV is due to both entropic and non-entropic effects, the former being the most significant at large strains.
Exothermal reaction and rather low thermal conductivity are two important characteristics of thermosetting composite materials, leading to strong temperature and conversion degree gradients ...(especially in thick parts). This creates a heterogeneous volumetric behaviour in the part, which influences the pressure evolution (after the gelation of the injection gate) in an injection mould during the crosslinking. Some defects (warpage, poor surface aspect) can be then easily generated because of a high level of residual stresses and/or the unstuck of the part from the mould wall. We propose a model of the specific volume, which takes into account the temperature and the conversion degree gradients in a 5
mm thick part. This model is based on dilatometric experiments performed on a BMC (Bulk Moulding Compound) composite. After detailed the method and the assumptions leading to an expression of the pressure in a moulding cavity, we compare the experimental and calculated pressure curves for the injection of the BMC. This pressure model gives a good agreement with the experiment.
RTM6 epoxy resin curing is usually characterized by the polymerisation degree. We report in this paper on a refractive index measurement technique applied on an experimental mould to control, ...quantitatively and
in situ, the industrial RTM process. For the first time, we determined simultaneously the thermo-optical coefficient, the refractive index evolution, the specific volume and the polymerisation degree of the resin. The calculation of a “polymerisation degree optical coefficient” led to a quantification of the RTM6 epoxy resin polymerisation process. This calibration coefficient is very useful to perform a real time industrial process control. Furthermore, the optoelectronic system is connected to a data processing unit and is easy to use in an industrial environment.