Search

Highlights • High resolution analysis of AlD+ (A2Π - X 2 Σ +) FTS spectra. • Improved molecular constants of the X 2 Σ + state of AlD+. • Experimental and theoretical study of the Λ-doubling of the A2Π v=0,1 levels. • Spin-orbit potentials to the first two atomic limits. • Calculated lifetimes and branching ratios for the A2Π and B 2 Σ + states of AlD +. Graphical abstract Abstract The spectrum of the AlD + isotopologue has been investigated at high resolution in the 27 , 000 − 29 , 000 cm − 1 region using a Fourier transform emission spectroscopy technique. The AlD + molecules were produced within a water-cooled aluminum hollow-cathode lamp in the presence of 1.5 Torr of Ne and 0.8 Torr of ND 3. The (0, 0) and (1, 1) bands belonging to the A 2 Π − X 2 Σ + system were recorded with an instrumental resolution of 0.03 cm − 1. In total, almost 500 rotational frequencies were measured with an absolute accuracy of about 0.005 cm − 1. It improved the experimental accuracy of the determined frequencies by the factor 10 compared to the previous work [J Phys B: Mol Phys 1984;17:L861-L866]. The rotational analysis has shown irregularities in the Λ − doubling splitting of the A2Π v = 0 , 1. Consequently, the A2Π state has been represented by the rotational term values, while the regular X 2 Σ + state by the molecular constants. The causes of the irregularities were identified in the interaction between the A2Π and the B 2 Σ + states, which lies about 3720 cm − 1 above. Supporting ab initio quantum chemical calculations, including spin-orbit effects, reproduce the observed spectroscopic constants including the small energy splittings due to spin-rotation interactions (for 2 Σ + states) and Λ − doubling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motivated by recent R D , R D ⁎ and R J / ψ anomalies in B → D ℓ − ν ¯ ℓ , B → D ⁎ ℓ − ν ¯ ℓ and B c → J / ψ ℓ − ν ¯ ℓ decays, respectively, we study possible R-parity violating supersymmetric effects in B c → J / ψ ℓ − ν ¯ ℓ , η c ℓ − ν ¯ ℓ and Λ b → Λ c ℓ − ν ¯ ℓ decays, which are also induced by b → c ℓ − ν ¯ ℓ at quark level. We find that (I) the constrained slepton exchange couplings λ i 33 λ ˜ i 23 ′ ⁎ involving in b → c τ − ν ¯ τ transition from relevant latest experimental data still have quite large effects on all (differential) branching ratios and the normalized forward–backward asymmetries of the exclusive semileptonic b → c τ − ν ¯ τ decays as well as the ratios of the (differential) branching ratios; (II) after satisfying the data of R D and R D ⁎ , the upper limit of R J / ψ , R η c and R Λ c could be increased by 10%, 112% and 24%, respectively, from their upper limits of the Standard Model predictions by the λ i 33 λ ˜ ′ ⁎ i 23 couplings. The results in this work could be used to probe R-parity violating effects and will correlate with searches for direct supersymmetric signals at the running LHCb and the forthcoming Belle-II. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Degenerate pump-probe experiment at wavelength of 400 nm, was performed to study the effect of the pump power condition on the excited state decay dynamics of tri-branched derivatives based on 1,3,5-triazine. These two styryl derivatives were dissolved in CHCl 3 solutions, and different pump power densities were selected for the research in degenerated pump-probe measurement. Obvious different excited state decay dynamics were obtained under two conditions. When a relative low pump power density is chosen, the two tri-branched compounds show three processes: an ultrafast process approximately sub-ps (was ascribed to the coherent artifacts), a fast process approximately several ps (was ascribed to the formation of the intramolecular charge transfer state), and a long process approximately several hundreds of ps (was ascribed to the evolution of the intramolecular charge transfer state), respectively. When a high pump power density is employed, these processes were accelerated obviously, indicating some other processes of different mechanism involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we present the results of applying the new approach for calculating coincidence summing effects. The application of analytical approaches to coincidence summing effects makes it possible to predict all summation peaks that occur in the spectrum. Accordingly, based on the value of the peak area in the spectrum and knowledge of probability transitions between excited states of a nucleus, it is possible to determine the efficiency of detection and activity of radioactive sources. This method is successfully applied to the decay of the radionuclide europium 152 Eu. It provides a detailed description of the method of forming the matrix corresponding to the final result – determined activities and the efficiency of detection. The importance of the new method is that it allows us to determine the efficiency of detection and activity of radioactive sources directly without calibration of the detector, which is very important in metrology of radionuclides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Gamma rays following the β − decay of the 245Am radionuclide (T 1 / 2 = 2.05 h) were measured in early 1970s with a co-axial Ge(Li) detector using a chemically and isotopically pure, mass-separated 245Am source. These data were analyzed in the present work where several weak γ rays in 245Cm were identified. The 245Am decay scheme was deduced and extended when compared to the previously known one. Highlights • Gamma rays following β − decay of the 245Am radionuclide were measured with a 25-cm3 Ge(Li) spectrometer and a mass-separated 245Am source. • Our results provide more accurate values for the gamma-ray energies and intensities for the observed transitions and extend the previously known 245Am β −-decay scheme. • Gamma-ray studies using a mass-separated 245Am source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A standardization of 134 Cs and 131 I was carried out in order to demonstrate the performance and applicability of the 4πβ(LS)-γ coincidence counting system for standardization of radionuclides with complex decay scheme. The coincidence analyzer, capable of analyzing coincidence between beta and two gamma windows simultaneously, was developed and used for the standardization. The use of this dual coincidence analyzer has reduced the total experimental time by half. The activity concentrations obtained using the 4πβ(LS)-γ coincidence counting system, a 4πβ(PC)-γ coincidence counting system, and the CIEMAT/NIST method are in excellent agreement with each other within uncertainty limits and hence demonstrates its performance for standardization of radionuclides decaying with complex decay scheme. Hence use of this 4πβ(LS)-γ coincidence counting system can be an alternative method suitable to standardize radionuclides with complex decay scheme with acceptable precision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluation of the complete decay scheme and data for 125 Sb/ 125m Te decay to nuclear levels in 125 Te is presented in this report; literature data available up to June 2015 are included. The Limitation of Relative Statistical Weight Method (LRSW) was applied to average numbers throughout the evaluation. The uncertainty assigned to the average value was always greater than or equal to the smallest uncertainty of the values used to calculate the average. The half-life has been determined to be 1007.4±0.3 days. All known measured γ-ray absolute or relative intensities have been examined; the γ-ray emission probability of the reference γ-ray line of 427.874 keV is recommended to be 29.54±0.10%. The theoretical internal conversion coefficients and their uncertainties were used to obtain the complete decay scheme intensity balance. The values of other decay characteristics were calculated using the ENSDF analysis program. Finally the updated decay scheme for 125 Sb is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This Letter presents a search for a hidden-beauty counterpart of the X ( 3872 ) in the mass ranges of 10.05–10.31 GeV and 10.40–11.00 GeV, in the channel X b → π + π − ϒ ( 1 S ) ( → μ + μ − ) , using 16.2 fb −1 of s = 8 TeV pp collision data collected by the ATLAS detector at the LHC. No evidence for new narrow states is found, and upper limits are set on the product of the X b cross section and branching fraction, relative to those of the ϒ ( 2 S ) , at the 95% confidence level using the CL S approach. These limits range from 0.8% to 4.0%, depending on mass. For masses above 10.1 GeV, the expected upper limits from this analysis are the most restrictive to date. Searches for production of the ϒ ( 1 3 D J ) , ϒ ( 10 860 ) , and ϒ ( 11 020 ) states also reveal no significant signals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Predictions of energy-shifting formulae for partial reaction and capture probabilities are compared with coupled channels calculations. The quality of the agreement notably improves with increasing mass of the system and/or decreasing mass asymmetry in the heavy-ion collision. The formulae are reliable and useful for circumventing impracticable reaction calculations at low energies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence for the decay mode X(3872)→ψ(2S)γ in B+→X(3872)K+ decays is found with a significance of 4.4 standard deviations. The analysis is based on a data sample of proton-proton collisions, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3 fb-1, collected with the LHCb detector, at centre-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV. The ratio of the branching fraction of the X(3872)→ψ(2S)γ decay to that of the X(3872)→J/ψγ decay is measured to be B(X(3872)→ψ(2S)γ)/B(X(3872)→J/ψγ)=2.46±0.64±0.29, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. The measured value does not support a pure D...* molecular interpretation of the X(3872) state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: During reactor operation 148gPm and 148mPm are formed in large quantities from thermal neutron capture on the fission product 147Pm. Subsequent neutron capture reactions, on the 148Pm ground state and isomer, have cross sections differing by a factor of 5 and so precise knowledge of their decay properties is vitally important. New decay scheme evaluations using the DDEP methodology for 148gPm and 148mPm are presented. The complete data tables and detailed evaluator comments are available through the DDEP website. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study focuses on two radioisotopes of silver, 108mAg and 110mAg, characterized by a complex decay scheme. Each isotope has two disintegration modes, the isomeric transition leading to the daughter isotope (108Ag and 110Ag, respectively) with a short half-life. The radioactive solution was obtained by neutron activation on silver powder enriched in 109Ag. Gamma-spectrometry was carried out using a calibrated high purity germanium detector. The main relative photon emission intensities for both radionuclides were obtained and compared with previously published values. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A combination of three LHCb measurements of the CKM angle γ is presented. The decays and are used, where D denotes an admixture of and mesons, decaying into , , , , , or final states. All measurements use a dataset corresponding to of integrated luminosity. Combining results from decays alone a best-fit value of is found, and confidence intervals are set The best-fit value of γ found from a combination of results from decays alone, is , and the confidence intervals are set, without constraint at CL. The combination of results from and decays gives a best-fit value of and the confidence intervals are set. All values are expressed modulo 180°, and are obtained taking into account the effect of – mixing. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper reports the first measurement of the effective lifetime and an updated measurement of its time-integrated branching fraction. Both measurements are performed with a data sample, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of of pp collisions, recorded by the LHCb experiment in 2011 at a centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV. The results are: and . For the latter measurement, the uncertainty includes both statistical and systematic sources. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) decay heat is removed directly from the reactor core through Safety Grade Decay Heat Removal (SGDHR) circuit. Operation Grade Decay Heat Removal (OGDHR) system offers an alternate decay heat removal path using the heat removal capacity of the main heat transport system. It is preferred path during planned shutdown and also during plant upset conditions when at least one secondary sodium system, steam water system and offsite power are available. Besides removing the decay heat, this system decreases the reactor coolant temperature at a controlled rate and it is able to maintain the plant at cold shutdown condition for fuel handling or maintenance for up to 30 days. This alternate decay heat removal system of PFBR is described in the paper along with system dynamics, analysed based on in-house developed thermal hydraulics code, sequence of the system deployment, system operation and control. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Two new chambers for measuring alpha-particle emissions have been made: a low-geometry chamber with a powerful magnet to eliminate conversion electrons, and an alpha–gamma coincidence chamber. Both devices incorporate a high-resolution Si detector, and the second chamber, a low-energy Ge detector as well. A dual parameter multichannel analyzer was used to register coincidences in the second device. Alpha-particle and gamma-ray detectors work simultaneously in both individual and dual modes, providing single and coincidence spectra. Some preliminary alpha–gamma coincidence spectra have been obtained. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The branching fraction is measured in a data sample corresponding to of integrated luminosity collected with the LHCb detector at the LHC. This channel is sensitive to the penguin contributions affecting the measurement from . The time-integrated branching fraction is measured to be . This is the most precise measurement to date. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A study of coincidence summing of X- and gamma rays of 75Se has been presented in this paper. The computation of the 75Se spectra was performed by application of the previously published theory by Novković et al. The method enables the treatment of all possible single and sum peaks of 75Se. The calculation gave the 419 decay path outcomes, resulting in 84 peak count rate equations and also the total count rate equation. By HPGe spectrometers with 15% and 18% relative efficiency, 20 and 30 peaks were recorded, respectively. Some simplification of the decay scheme was introduced and existing metastable level had to be treated separately. Nevertheless, the experimental values of the peak count rates were in good agreement with the theoretical evaluation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Nuclear excitation by electron transition (NEET) is a fundamental mechanism of atomic deexcitation. In the last decades a series of experiments has been performed to study the NEET probability () of 189Os. The determination of the of 189Os involves a crucial parameter B, which is the branching ratio for populating the isomer state from the 69.535 keV nuclear state in 189Os nucleus. But so far there is still ambiguity in the deduced value of B and no experimental data is available to verify the value. In this work, for the first time we carry out experimental study of nuclear resonance fluorescence in Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF) to attempt to measure B. We put forward an experimental method to determine the value of B by employing monochromatic x-ray beam. The feasibility for the measurement of B is verified through theory analysis and a preparation experiment on the experimental station BL13W1 in SSRF. In the future, once the requirement of the beam flux (up to ) is met, by using this promising method we can conduct the measurement of B readily. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Nanocrystalline (nc)-SiC film has been deposited by helicon wave plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition technique and intense blue-white light emission is obtained. Microstructure analyses show that the 3C–SiC particles are embed in amorphous SiC matrix, and the average size of the nc-SiC is 3.96nm. The photon energy of the main photoluminescence (PL) band is higher than the band gap of bulk SiC, which indicates that the optical emission mainly occurs in quantum states of 3C–SiC nanocrystals. In addition, the band tail states of amorphous SiC also contribute to the optical emission. Three decay processes are obtained from time-resolved PL spectra by deconvolution treatment, and the decay components correspond to the quantum confinement effect (QCE), surface states of nc-SiC particles, and band tail of amorphous SiC, respectively. The fractional integrated PL intensity of QCE related decay process decreases dramatically in the lower PL photon energy, indicating that the QCE mainly contributes to the short wavelength optical emission. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: To enhance the detective quantum efficiency (DQE) of scintillation electron detectors for scanning electron microscopes or scanning transmission electron microscopes (S(T)EM), the cathodoluminescence (CL) decay kinetics of YAG:Ce single crystal scintillators is studied in this paper. Some possibilities for reductions of decay time and afterglow of the mentioned scintillators are presented. The pulse mode utilizing a blanking system and 10keV electrons for the excitation and a sampling oscilloscope for the CL detection were used for the measurement of decay characteristics. The CL decay characteristics of YAG:Ce single crystals of different Ce concentrations, pulled by the Czochralski method and cleaned and annealed under specific conditions, were measured in dependence on excitation pulse duration and on the specimen temperature. To interpret the presented results, a kinetic model of cathodoluminescence of the YAG:Ce single crystals was created. The effects of quenching impurities and of defect centers in YAG:Ce were specified. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper presents several mechanisms expected to be responsible for nuclear excitation in laser-heated plasma. Attempts to detect such processes in nuclei initially in their ground state are discussed in 181Ta and 235U cases. A calculation of the nuclear excitation by electronic transition (NEET) rate is presented in a 201Hg plasma at local thermodynamic equilibrium. We also report on a new way of de-exciting isomeric states in plasma. This indirect decay mode is illustrated in the case of the 84Rb isomer nucleus. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The left–right twin Higgs model predicts a light pseudoscalar boson and opens up some new decay modes for Z-boson, such as and . We examine these decay modes in the parameter space allowed by current experiments, and find that the branching ratios can reach for , which should be accessible at the GigaZ option of the ILC. However, the branching ratios can reach for and , which are hardly accessible at the GigaZ option. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: One of the interesting properties of the NMSSM is that it can accommodate a light pseudoscalar of order 10 GeV. However, such scenarios are challenged by several experimental constraints, especially those related to the fermionic decays of the pseudoscalar. In this Letter, we extend the NMSSM field content by two gauge singlets, with lepton numbers +1 and −1. This serves the twin purpose of generating neutrino masses via the inverse seesaw mechanism and keeping the option of a very light pseudoscalar experimentally viable by opening dominant invisible decay channels of the pseudoscalar which help it evade the existing bounds. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The production of dicalcium phosphate (DCP) is part of the phosphate industry, which has been recently included in the positive list of the NORM industries defined in the revised version of the EU-BSS (Euratom 29/96). The objective of the present work is to study specific concentrations and fluxes of 238,234U, 230Th, 226Ra, 210Pb and 210Po at the different stages of the DCP production. Results showed highest activities of 238U and 210Pb were found in DCP (1500–2000Bqkg−1); 230Th and 210Po were released together with the sludges (1600–2000Bqkg−1) and 226Ra presented particularly high activities in water (48×103 Bqm−3) and in the reactor scales (115×103 Bqkg−1). Fluxes of radionuclides showed that 238U outflows were equally distributed between sludges (16×103 kBqh−1) and dicalcium phosphate (20×103 kBqh−1); 230Th and 210Po were almost entirely released in the sludges (30×103 kBqh−1) and the greatest 210Pb outflow was the DCP current (25×103 kBqh−1). 226Ra was mainly discharged through the water effluent (12×103 kBqh−1). This work highlights the importance of studying the industrial processes involving NORM, as minor changes in the production steps lead to different radionuclide distribution in the process. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: New effects of suppression of the collective spontaneous emission and superradiance have been predicted. At a certain number N of ensemble atoms, the Stark interaction with a vacuum field was shown as being high enough for the excited N-atom ensemble to be stabilized with respect to the collective decay. The result was derived analytically as a consequence of applying the quantum stochastic differential equations to the description of the atomic dynamics in vacuum, where the Stark interaction operator is expressed in terms of the quantum Poisson process. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Using neon hollow cathode lamp and employing laser optogalvanic technique, we have studied population redistribution in the 2p53p multiplet. The spectra recorded in the laser energy region of 23300cm−1 –23600cm−1 show transitions originating from both the laser excited levels as well as from an adjacent level whose population builds up as a result of collisional deactivation. Employing the optical delay technique, we have been able to extract decay rates associated with the collisional population mixing of the p levels. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Charge separation is an important consequence of the Chiral Magnetic Effect. Within the framework of a Multi-Phase Transport model, the effects of final state interactions on initial charge separation are studied. We demonstrate that charge separation can be significantly reduced by the evolution of the Quark–Gluon Plasma produced in relativistic heavy ion collisions. Hadronization and resonance decay can also affect charge separation. Moreover, our results show that the Chiral Magnetic Effect leads to the modification of the relation between the charge azimuthal correlation and the elliptic flow that is expected from transverse momentum conservation only. The transverse momentum and pseudorapidity dependences and the effects of background on the charge azimuthal correlation are also discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A search for the decays and is performed with about of pp collisions at collected by the LHCb experiment at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. The observed numbers of events are consistent with the background expectations. The resulting upper limits on the branching ratios are and at 95% confidence level. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In rare decays experiments an effective online selection is a fundamental part of the data acquisition system (DAQ) in order to reduce both the quantity of data written on tape and the bandwidth requirements for the DAQ system. A multilevel architecture is commonly used to achieve a higher reduction factor, exploiting dedicated custom hardware and flexible software in standard computers. In this paper we discuss the possibility to use commercial video card processors (GPU) to build a fast and effective trigger system, both at hardware and software level. The computing power of the GPUs allows to design a real-time system in which trigger decisions are taken directly in the video processor with a defined maximum latency. This allows building lowest trigger levels based on standard off-the-shelf PCs with CPU and GPU (instead of the commonly adopted solutions based on custom electronics with FPGA or ASICs) with enhanced and high performance computation capabilities, resulting in high rejection power, high efficiency and simpler low level triggers. The ongoing work presented here shows the results achieved in the case of fast pattern matching in the RICH detector of the NA62 at CERN, aiming at measuring the Branching Ratio of the ultra rare decay , is considered as use case, although the versatility and the customizability of this approach easily allow exporting the concept to different contexts. In particular the application is related to particle identification in the RICH detector of the NA62 experiment, where the rate of events to be analyzed will be around 10MHz. The results obtained in lab tests are very encouraging to go towards a working prototype. Due to the use of off-the-shelf technology, in continuous development for other purposes (Video Games, image editing,…), the architecture described would be easily exported into other experiments, for building powerful, flexible and fully customizable trigger systems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The LHCb experiment will search for new physics in CP violation and rare decays from heavy flavour production at the LHC. Particle identification is provided by two Ring Imaging Cherenkov (RICH) detectors, which incorporate a total of 484 Hybrid Photon Detectors (HPDs). The RICH detectors are located in the fringe field of the LHCb dipole magnet and fields as large as 2.5mT have been measured in some regions occupied by the RICH 1 photodetectors. It is necessary to make corrections for the distortion of the ring-images measured by the HPDs. RICH 1 incorporates a magnetic calibration system comprising a series of collimated LEDs mounted on x–y stages which scan over the front-faces of the HPD arrays. A similar system based on commercial projectors is used on RICH 2. The calibration is performed in dedicated runs with dipole field on and off. The calibration parameters are then stored in the Conditions Database and applied to the LHC collision data reconstruction. This report will present the improvement in Cherenkov angular resolutions with the magnetic calibration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The radionuclides 210Po and 210Pb widely present in the terrestrial environment are the final long-lived radionuclides in the decay of 238U in the earth’s crust. Their presence in the atmosphere is due to the decay of 222Rn diffusing from the ground. The range of activity concentrations in ground level air for 210Po is 0.03–0.3 Bq m−3 and for 210Pb 0.2–1.5 Bq m−3. In drinking water from private wells the activity concentration of 210Po is in the order of 7–48 mBq l−1 and for 210Pb around 11–40 mBq l−1. From water works, however, the activity concentration for both 210Po and 210Pb is only in the order of 3 mBq l−1. Mosses, lichens and peat have a high efficiency in capturing 210Po and 210Pb from atmospheric fallout and exhibit an inventory of both 210Po and 210Pb in the order of 0.5–5 kBq m−2 in mosses and in lichens around 0.6 kBq m−2. The activity concentrations in lichens lies around 250 Bq kg−1, dry mass. Reindeer and caribou graze lichen which results in an activity concentration of 210Po and 210Pb of about 1–15 Bq kg−1 in meat from these animals. The food chain lichen-reindeer or caribou, and Man constitutes a unique model for studying the uptake and retention of 210Po and 210Pb in humans. The effective annual dose due to 210Po and 210Pb in people with high consumption of reindeer/caribou meat is estimated to be around 260 and 132 μSv a−1 respectively. In soils, 210Po is adsorbed to clay and organic colloids and the activity concentration varies with soil type and also correlates with the amount of atmospheric precipitation. The average activity concentration levels of 210Po in various soils are in the range of 20–240 Bq kg−1. Plants become contaminated with radioactive nuclides both by absorption from the soil (supported Po) and by deposition of radioactive fallout on the plants directly (unsupported Po). In fresh leafy plants the level of 210Po is particularly high as the result of the direct deposition of 222Rn daughters from atmospheric deposition. Tobacco is a terrestrial product with high activity concentrations of 210Po and 210Pb. The overall average activity concentration of 210Po is 13 ± 2 Bq kg−1. It is rather constant over time and by geographical origin. The average median daily dietary intakes of 210Po and 210Pb for the adult world population was estimated to 160 mBq day−1 and 110 mBq day−1, corresponding to annual effective doses of 70 μSv a−1 and 28 μSv a−1, respectively. The dietary intakes of 210Po and 210Pb from vegetarian food was estimated to only 70 mBq day−1 and 40 mBq day−1 corresponding to annual effective doses of 30.6 μSv a−1 and 10 μSv a−1, respectively. Since the activity concentration of 210Po and 210Pb in seafood is significantly higher than in vegetarian food the effective dose to populations consuming a lot of seafood might be 5–15 fold higher. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Using 58 million decays obtained by BESII, a charged κ particle is observed in the analysis of the system recoiling against selected in . The mass and width values of the charged κ are obtained to be and for the Breit–Wigner parameters, and the pole position is determined to be . They are in good agreement with those of the neutral κ observed by the BES Collaboration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The alpha induced scintillation of the wavelength shifter 1,1,4,4-tetraphenyl-1,3-butadiene (TPB) was studied to improve the understanding of possible surface alpha backgrounds in the DEAP dark matter search experiment. We found that vacuum deposited thin TPB films emit photons per MeV under alpha particle excitation. The scintillation pulse shape consists of a double exponential decay with lifetimes of and . [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The neutrinoless double beta () decays of 76Ge, 82Se and 136Xe to the first excited states () in 76Se, 82Kr and 136Ba are studied in calculations using different sizes of the single-particle model spaces and different occupancies of the individual orbits. This is a continuation of a similar study [J. Suhonen, O. Civitarese, Effects of orbital occupancies and spin–orbit partners on -decay rates, Nucl. Phys. A 847 (2010) 207–232] of the decays of 76Ge, 82Se, 128Te, 130Te and 136Xe to the ground states of 76Se, 82Kr, 128Xe, 130Xe and 136Ba. The nuclear matrix elements and half-lives of the decays to the states are calculated by the use of the multiple-commutator model with effective, G-matrix-derived nuclear forces. Interestingly, the basic features of the ground-state and excited-state decays are found to be quite different. The half-lives of the excited-state transitions are suppressed by at least one order of magnitude relative to the ground-state transitions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Based on a dynamical Langevin equation coupled with a statistical decay model, we calculate the spin distribution of evaporation residue cross sections of nuclei 190Os and 210Po which have the same neutron-to-proton ratio but have a difference in fissility. We find that a large fissility enhances the sensitivity of the residue spin distribution to pre-saddle friction substantially. The results suggest that on the experimental side, to obtain accurate information of pre-saddle dissipation strength by measuring the evaporation residue spin distribution it is optimal to populate among various compound systems with equal those with high fissility. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The double-electron-capture Q value for the 136Ce decay to 136Ba has been determined at JYFLTRAP. The measured value 2378.53(27) keV excludes the energy degeneracy with the excited state of the decay daughter 136Ba at 2315.32(7) keV in a resonant decay by 11.67 keV. The new Q value differs from the old adopted value 2419(13) keV (Atomic Mass Evaluation 2003) by 40 keV and is 50 times more precise. Our calculations show that the precise Q value renders the resonant decay of 136Ce undetectable by the future underground detectors. We measured also the double-β decay Q value of 136Xe to be 2457.86(48) keV which agrees well with the value 2457.83(37) keV measured at the Florida State University. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Primordial black holes (PBHs) accumulate weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) around them and form ultracompact minihalos (UCMHs), if the WIMP is a dominant component of the dark matter (DM). In this Letter, we discuss that the UCMHs seeded by the PBHs with sub-earth mass enhance the WIMP annihilation in the present Universe and can successfully explain the positron and/or electron excess in cosmic ray observed by PAMELA/Fermi experiments. The signal is very similar to that from a decaying dark matter, which can explain the PAMELA and/or Fermi anomaly without conflict with any constraints as long as the decay mode is proper. In this scenario, the boost factor can be as large as 105. In addition, we discuss testability of our scenario by gamma-ray point source and gravitational-wave experiments. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We show that the newly measured branching ratios of vector charmonia (, and ) into γP, where P stands for light pseudoscalar mesons , η, and , can be well understood in the framework of vector meson dominance (VMD) in association with the mixings due to the axial gluonic anomaly. These two mechanisms behave differently in and . A coherent understanding of the branching ratio patterns observed in can be achieved by self-consistently including those transition mechanisms at hadronic level. The branching ratios for are predicted to be rather small. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The electron capture decay of the isotope 163Ho has been proposed since a long time as a candidate for measuring the electron neutrino mass and recently the interest on this idea has been renewed. In this Letter we note that a direct observation of the cosmic antineutrino background could be made using a target made of this isotope. We further discuss the requirements for an experiment aiming to obtain this result. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: New high-statistics data have been obtained on the decay properties of 253No and its daughters using the reaction 207Pb(48Ca, 2n)253No. This was made possible thanks to an improved transmission of fusion–evaporation residues through the VASSILISSA recoil separator and an increased efficiency of the GABRIELA detector setup. The decay schemes of 253No and 249Fm have been revisited. The known level scheme of 249Fm has been confirmed, including a new level at 669 keV excitation energy. The observation of L X-rays in coincidence with the α decay of 249Fm gives additional support to the ground-state configuration of instead of for 245Cf. In both 249Fm and 245Cf, the interpretation of the data has been checked by comparing experimental α-particle and γ-ray spectra with realistic simulations of the decay cascades and of the interaction of particles and photons in the detectors of GABRIELA. The population of a 0.7 ms isomeric state attributed to 253No is confirmed by an α-tagged calorimetric measurement and the corresponding γ and electron decay spectra are presented. Possible evidence for more than one isomer is given and a tentative partial decay scheme is discussed in the light of the available experimental data, systematics and theoretical expectations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We show that in the Two Higgs Doublet Model (THDM) Type I the partial decay width can be considerably larger than in Type II, due to light charged scalars with , which are not yet excluded in Type I. A possible enhancement of the width compared to the SM is analyzed for different Higgs potentials, subject to constraints from tree-level unitarity, vacuum stability and electroweak precision tests. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We study the light-front zero-mode contribution to the tensor form factors () for the exclusive rare decays using a covariant fermion field theory model in dimensions. While the zero-mode contribution in principle depends on the form of the vector meson vertex , the three tensor form factors are found to be free from the zero mode if the denominator D contains the term proportional to the light-front energy or the longitudinal momentum fraction factor of the struck quark with the power . Since the denominator D used in the light-front quark model (LFQM) has the power , the three tensor form factors () can be computed in LFQM safely without involving any complicate zero-mode contribution. The lack of zero-mode contribution benefits the phenomenology with LFQM. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In addition to the narrow spin-one resonances , and occurring in low-scale technicolor, there will be relatively narrow scalars in the mass range 200 to 600–700 GeV. We study the lightest isoscalar state, . In several important respects it is like a heavy Higgs boson with a small vev. It may be discoverable with high luminosity at the LHC where it is produced via weak boson fusion and likely has substantial and decay modes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The WITCH experiment is a medium-scale experimental set-up located at ISOLDE/CERN. It combines a double Penning trap system with a retardation spectrometer for energy measurements of recoil ions from decay. For a correct operation of such a set-up a whole range of different devices is required. Along with the installation and optimization of the set-up a computer control system was developed to control these devices. The CS-Framework that is developed and maintained at GSI, was chosen as a basis for this control system as it is perfectly suited to handle the distributed nature of a control system.We report here on the required hardware for WITCH, along with the basis of this CS-Framework and the add-ons that were implemented for WITCH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We present a new Micro Pattern Gaseous Detector (MPGD) fabricated with nonpolymeric materials. The device structure is similar to a Microbulk Micromegas design, consisting of a punctured metal grid supported by a continuous perforated insulating structure. In this detector, the supporting structure is made out of silicon oxide. Devices were tested in He/iC4H10 (80/20) and Ar/iC4H10 (80/20) gas mixtures under 55Fe irradiation. Gas gain of 20,000 and energy resolution below 13% FWHM were achieved. The CMOS compatibility of the fabrication process has been studied in Timepix chips as well as individual 0.13-μm technology CMOS transistors. Complete detectors have been fabricated on top of Timepix chips. In an Ar/iC4H10 (80/20) gas mixture 55Fe decay events were recorded operating the Timepix chip in 2D readout mode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In rare decays experiments an effective trigger is crucial to reduce both the quantity of data written on tape and the bandwidth requirements for the DAQ (Data Acquisition) system. A multilevel architecture is commonly used to achieve a higher reduction factor, exploiting dedicated custom hardware and flexible software in standard computers. In this paper we discuss the possibility to use commercial video card processors (GPU) to build a fast and effective trigger system, both at hardware and software level. The case of fast pattern matching in the RICH detector of the NA62 experiment at CERN aiming at measuring the Branching Ratio of the ultra rare decay is considered as use case although the versatility and the customizability of this approach easily allow exporting the concept to different contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A 900-l liquid xenon (LXe) detector was constructed for the MEG experiment to look for . With proper calibration and monitoring the detector was successfully operated during the first physics data taking for three months in 2008. We evaluated the performance of the LXe detector around the energy of 52.8MeV by using 54.9-MeV photons obtained from decays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The goal of the NA62 experiment is to collect about 80 events with a S/B ratio of . The branching ratio (BR) for this decay is and can be predicted in the Standard Model with minimal theoretical uncertainties, making it a sensitive probe for new physics. Measurement of this BR is challenging because of the background from dominant channels. To reduce background from decays (BR=21%) to an acceptable level, the must be detected with an inefficiency of less than 10−8. NA62 will make use of the existing NA48 beam-line and liquid-krypton calorimeter. A new photon veto system consisting of 12 rings placed along the vacuum volume is needed to detect large-angle photons (7–50mrad) with an inefficiency below 10−4 over the energy interval from a few hundred MeV to 35GeV. A comprehensive R&D program was carried out in 2007–2008 to compare different detector technologies, including the re-use of lead-glass blocks from the OPAL barrel calorimeter, ultimately demonstrating the feasibility of this approach. In 2009, a complete prototype of one veto ring was constructed, complete with front-end electronics to measure energies through time-over-threshold with a dynamic range of 1000, and an in situ calibration and monitoring system. The prototype was successfully tested with electron and muon beams at the CERN SPS in fall 2009. The status of the project and present preliminary results from the recent tests will be reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The NA62 experiment at CERN aims to measure the ultra-rare decay with a 10% accuracy; the main background, , is suppressed using kinematical cuts and exploiting the different stopping power of and . A further 0.5% suppression will be provided by a RICH detector, in a momentum range between 15 and 35GeV/c. In this paper the design parameters of a RICH detector that fulfills the NA62 experiment requirements will be described, as well as results from two different beam tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]