Search

The rolling tachyon is a non-canonical scalar field model well motivated in string theory which naturally predicts variations of the fine-structure constant. Such variations can in principle lead to interesting observable consequences, but they can also lead to extremely tight constraints on these kinds of models. In this work we subject the rolling tachyon model evolving in a variety of potentials to current data and show that most cosmologically interesting evolutions are already strongly excluded. We find $|1+w_0| < 10^{-3}$ from cosmological data and $|1+w_0| < 10^{-9}$ from fine-structure data, leaving the rolling tachyon to either play a role almost entirely equivalent to a cosmological constant or that of a test field. We also find that in most of the allowed parameter space the field evolves very slowly, allowing its evolution to be approximated as an equivalent canonical scalar field., Comment: 30 pages, 18 figures, 1 table

The current standard model of cosmology successfully describes a variety of measurements, but the nature of its main ingredients, dark matter and dark energy, remains unknown. Euclid is a medium-class mission in the Cosmic Vision 2015-2025 programme of the European Space Agency (ESA) that will provide high-resolution optical imaging, as well as near-infrared imaging and spectroscopy, over about 14,000 deg^2 of extragalactic sky. In addition to accurate weak lensing and clustering measurements that probe structure formation over half of the age of the Universe, its primary probes for cosmology, these exquisite data will enable a wide range of science. This paper provides a high-level overview of the mission, summarising the survey characteristics, the various data-processing steps, and data products. We also highlight the main science objectives and expected performance., Comment: Accepted for publication in the A&A special issue`Euclid on Sky'

We study the $J/\psi \to \phi \pi^+ a_0(980)^- (a_0^- \to \pi^- \eta)$ decay, evaluating the double mass distribution in terms of the $\pi^- \eta$ and $\pi^+ a^-_0$ invariant masses. We show that the $\pi^- \eta$ mass distribution exhibits the typical cusp structure of the $a_0(980)$ seen in recent high statistics experiments, and the $\pi^+ a^-_0$ spectrum shows clearly a peak around $M_{\rm inv}(\pi^+ a^-_0)=1420 \,{\rm MeV}$, corresponding to a triangle singularity. When integrating over the two invariant masses we find a branching ratio for this decay of the order of $10^{-5}$, which is easily accessible in present laboratories. We also call attention to the fact that the signal obtained is compatible with a bump experimentally observed in the $\eta \pi^+\pi^-$ mass distribution in the $J/\psi \to \phi \eta \pi^+\pi^-$ decay and encourage further analysis to extract from there the $\phi \pi^+ a_0^-$ and $\phi \pi^- a_0^+$ decay modes., Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures; V2: discussion added, references added, version to appear in Phys. Rev. D

Our current best guess for a unified theory of gravitation and quantum field theory (string theory) generically predicts a set of requirements for a consistently quantized theory, the Swampland criteria. Refined versions of these criteria have recently been shown to be in mild tension with cosmological observations. We summarize the status of the current impact of and constraints on the Swampland conjectures from cosmology, and subject a variety of dark energy quintessence models to recently released cosmological datasets. We find that instead of tightening the tension, the new data allows for slightly more freedom in the Swampland criteria. We further demonstrate that if there is no theoretical argument made to prevent interactions of the moduli fields with the electromagnetic sector, a novel fine-tuning argument arises from the extremely tight current constraints on such interactions. Finally, we conclude with a cautionary tale on model-independent reconstructions of the Swampland criteria from expansion rate data., Comment: 35 pages, 20 figures, 4 tables. All comments are welcome! [v2: Added citations, corrected eq. 2.6]

The Super $\tau$-Charm facility (STCF) is an electron-positron collider proposed by the Chinese particle physics community. It is designed to operate in a center-of-mass energy range from 2 to 7 GeV with a peak luminosity of $0.5\times 10^{35}{\rm cm}^{-2}{\rm s}^{-1}$ or higher. The STCF will produce a data sample about a factor of 100 larger than that by the present $\tau$-Charm factory -- the BEPCII, providing a unique platform for exploring the asymmetry of matter-antimatter (charge-parity violation), in-depth studies of the internal structure of hadrons and the nature of non-perturbative strong interactions, as well as searching for exotic hadrons and physics beyond the Standard Model. The STCF project in China is under development with an extensive R\&D program. This document presents the physics opportunities at the STCF, describes conceptual designs of the STCF detector system, and discusses future plans for detector R\&D and physics case studies.

One of the few firm predictions of string theory is the existence of a massless scalar field coupled to gravity, the dilaton. In its presence, the value of the fundamental constants of the universe, such as the fine-structure constant, will vary with the time-dependent vacuum expectation value of this field, in direct violation of the Einstein Equivalence Principle. The \emph{runaway dilaton} proposed by Damour, Piazza, and Veneziano provides a physically motivated cosmological scenario which reconciles the existence of a massless dilaton with observations, while still providing non-standard and testable predictions. Furthermore, the field can provide a natural candidate for dynamical dark energy. While this model has been previously constrained from local laboratory experiments and low-redshift observations, we provide here the first full self-consistent constraints, also including high redshift data, in particular from the cosmic microwave background. We consider various possible scenarios in which the field could act as quintessence. Despite the wider parameter space, we make use of recent observational progress to significantly improve constraints on the model's coupling parameters, showing that order unity couplings (which would be natural in string theory) are ruled out., Comment: Published in Phys. Rev. D

To support the expected increase in aquaculture production during the next years, a wider range of alternative ingredients to fishmeal is needed, towards contributing to an increase in production sustainability. This study aimed to test diets formulated with non-conventional feed ingredients on gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) growth performance, feed utilization, apparent digestibility of nutrients and nutrient outputs to the environment. Four isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated: a control diet (CTRL) similar to a commercial feed and three experimental diets containing, as main protein sources, plant by-products, glutens and concentrates (PLANT); processed animal proteins (PAP); or micro/macroalgae, insect meals and yeast (EMERG). Diets were tested in triplicate during 80 days. The (EMERG) treatment resulted in lower fish growth performance, higher FCR and lower nutrient and energy retentions than the other treatments. The lowest protein digestibility was found for the EMERG diet, which caused increased nitrogen losses. The PLANT and PAP treatments resulted in better fish growth performance, higher nutrient and energy retentions, and lower FCR than the CTRL treatment. The significant improvement in FCR found for fish fed PLANT and PAP diets and the high protein digestibility of these diets contribute towards minimizing the environmental impacts of seabream production

By looking at the pseudoscalar-vector meson spectra in the $\bar{B}\to J/\psi \rho\bar{K}$ and $\bar{B}\to J/\psi \bar{K}^*\pi$ weak decays, we theoretically investigate the double-pole structure of the $K_1(1270)$ resonance by using the Chiral Unitary approach to account for the final state interactions between the pseudoscalar and vector mesons. The $K_1(1270)$ resonance appears as dynamically generated through these interactions in coupled channels and influence the shape of the invariant mass distributions under consideration. We show how those shapes are affected by the $K_1(1270)$ double-pole structure to confront the results from our model with future experiments that might investigate the $PV$ spectra in these decays., Comment: 26 pages, 12 figures, and 2 Tables. Manuscript published in PRD

Using the vector-exchange interaction in the local hidden gauge approach, which in the light quark sector generates the chiral Lagrangian, and has produced realistic results for $\Omega_c, \Xi_c, \Xi_b$ and the hidden charm pentaquark states, we study the meson-baryon interactions in the coupled channels that lead to the $\Xi_{bb}$ and $\Omega_{bbb}$ excited states of the molecular type. We obtain seven states of the $\Xi_{bb}$ type with energies between $10408$ and $10869$ MeV and one $\Omega_{bbb}$ state at $15212$ MeV., Comment: v1:17 pages, 19 tables; v2: 20 pages, 19 tables, discussion added, references added, version to appear in Chin. Phys. C

We have studied the meson-baryon interaction in coupled channels with the same quantum numbers of $\Xi_{bc}$. The interaction is attractive in some channels and of sufficient intensity to lead to bound states or resonances. We use a model describing the meson-baryon interaction based on an extrapolation of the local hidden gauge approach to the heavy sector, which has been successfully used in predicting $\Omega_c$ and hidden charm states. We obtain many states, some of them narrow or with zero width, as a consequence of the interaction, which qualify as molecular states in those channels. The success in related sectors of the picture used should encourage the experimental search for such states., Comment: 29 pages, 3 figures

Isothermal Close Space Sublimation (ICSS) technique was used for embedding porous silicon (PS) films with ZnTe. It was studied the influence of the preparation conditions and in particular of a chemical etching step before the ZnTe growth, on the composition profile and final porosity of ZnTe embedded PS. The structure of the embedded material was determined by x-ray diffraction analysis while the thickness of the samples was determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Rutherford backscattering (RBS) and Energy Dispersive (EDS) spectrometries allowed determining the composition profiles. We conclude that the etching of the PS surface before the ZnTe growth has two main effects: the increase of the porosity and enhancing the reactivity of the inner surface. It was observed that both effects benefit the filling process of the pores. Since RBS and EDS cannot detect the porosity in the present system, we explore the evolution of porosity by the fitting of the UV-VIS reflectance spectra. The atomic percent determined with this method was in relatively good agreement with that obtained from the RBS and EDS measurements., Comment: This article appeared in Microporous and Mesoporous Materials 188 2014 93 98 and may be found at www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S138718111400019

Graded composition CdxZn1-xTe films were prepared by growing several alternate layers of CdTe and ZnTe by the Isothermal Close Space Sublimation technique. The thickness of both kinds of layers was modified along the structure to produce an increase of the average concentration of CdTe towards the surface of the films. Due to Zn/Cd inter-diffusion during the growth process the sequence of layers was converted into a relatively smooth graded composition film. According to X- ray diffraction characterization the layers grew coherently with the (100) oriented GaAs substrates although they showed a relatively high mosaicity. Theta-2theta plots show very wide diffraction peaks as expected from variable composition samples. The band gap grading effect in light absorption was also verified through transmission measurements, using transparent substrates. Graded composition profiles of the thin films were confirmed by x-ray photoelectron and secondary ion mass spectroscopies. Moreover, quantitative Cd, Zn and Te profiles were obtained by the analysis of Rutherford backscattering spectra of the samples. This analysis showed a CdTe molar fraction profile ranging from approximately x = 0.8 at the surface of the sample and x = 0.35 at the interface with the substrate. The possibility of growing graded composition layers using a simple and cost-effective procedure was demonstrated. This could be interesting in technological applications like CdxZn1-xTe layers of variable composition in CdS/CdTe solar cells

In this paper, we investigate channel estimation techniques for 5G multicarrier systems. Due to the characteristics of the 5G application scenarios, channel estimation techniques have been tested in Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) and Generalized Frequency Division Multiplexing (GFDM) systems. The orthogonality between subcarriers in OFDM systems permits inserting and extracting pilots without interference. However, due to pulse shaping, subcarriers in GFDM are no longer orthogonal and interfere with each other. Due to such interference, the channel estimation for GFDM is not trivial. A robust and low-complexity channel estimator can be obtained by combining a minimum mean-square error (MMSE) regularization and the basis expansion model (BEM) approach. In this work, we develop a BEM-type channel estimator along with a strategy to obtain the covariance matrix of the BEM coefficients. Simulations show that the BEM-type channel estimation shows performance close to that of the linear MMSE (LMMSE), even though there is no need to know the channel power delay profile, and its complexity is low., Comment: 2 figures, 7 pages

In this paper, we propose the use of a deterministic sequence, known as unique word (UW), instead of the cyclic prefix (CP) in generalized frequency division multiplexing (GFDM) systems. The UW consists of known sequences that, if not null, can be used advantageously for synchronization and channel estimation purposes. In addition, UW allows the application of a highly efficient linear minimum mean squared error (LMMSE) smoother for noise reduction at the receiver. To avoid the conditions of non-orthogonality caused by the insertion of the UW and performance degradation in time varying frequency-selective channels, we use frequency-shift offset quadrature amplitude modulation (FS-OQAM). We present a signal model of a UW-GFDM system considering a single and multiple UWs. We then develop an LMMSE receive filter for signal reception of the proposed UW-GFDM system. Simulations show that the proposed UW-GFDM system outperforms prior work., Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures

In this talk I briefly review the theory of resonances dynamically generated from hadron-hadron scattering, sometimes referred to as "molecules"S. I give some classical examples of meson-meson and meson-baryon systems, as well as a few examples of different approaches to describe the interaction between hadrons. To conclude, I comment on a few recent works that suggest that some of the five new narrow $\Omega_c$ states, recently discovered by the LHCb collaboration, can be interpreted as meson-baryon molecules., Comment: Presented by Vinicius Rodrigues Debastiani at Excited QCD 2018 - Kapaonik, Serbia. 11-15 March 2018

Stimulated by the new experimental LHCb findings associated with the $\Omega_c$ states, some of which we have described in a previous work as being dynamically generated through meson-baryon interaction, we have extended this approach to make predictions for new $\Xi_{cc}$ molecular states in the $C=2$, $S=0$ and $I=1/2$ sector. These states manifest themselves as poles in the solution of the Bethe-Salpeter equation in coupled channels. The kernels of this equation were obtained using the Lagrangians coming from the hidden local gauge symmetry, where the interactions are dominated by the exchange of light vector mesons. The extension of this approach to the heavy sector stems from the realization that the dominant interaction corresponds to having the heavy quarks as spectators, which implies the preservation of the heavy quark symmetry. As a result, we get several states: two states from the pseudoscalar meson-baryon interaction with $J^P=1/2^-$, and masses around $4080$ and $4090$ MeV, and one at $4150$ MeV for $J^P=3/2^-$. Furthermore, from the vector meson-baryon interaction we get three states degenerate with $J^P=1/2^-$ and $3/2^-$ from $4220$ MeV to $4330$ MeV, and two more states around $4280$ MeV and $4410$ MeV, degenerate with $J^P=1/2^-,\, 3/2^-$ and $5/2^-$., Comment: 22 pages, 2 figures

We study the weak decay $\Omega_b^- \to (\Xi_c^+ \, K^-) \, \pi^-$, in view of the narrow $\Omega_c$ states recently measured by the LHCb collaboration and later confirmed by the Belle collaboration. The $\Omega_c(3050)$ and $\Omega_c(3090)$ are described as meson-baryon molecular states, using an extension of the local hidden gauge approach in coupled channels. We investigate the $\Xi D$, $\Xi_c \bar K$ and $\Xi_c^\prime \bar K$ invariant mass distributions making predictions that could be confronted with future experiments, providing useful information that could help determine the quantum numbers and nature of these states., Comment: 24 pages, 7 figures

We study the $B_c^- \to \pi^- J/\psi \omega$ and $B_c^- \to \pi^- D^* \bar{D}^*$ reactions and show that they are related by the presence of two resonances, the $X(3940)$ and $X(3930)$, that are of molecular nature and couple most strongly to $D^* \bar{D}^*$, but also to $J/\psi\omega$. Because of that, in the $J/\psi\omega$ mass distribution we find a cusp with large strength at the $D^* \bar{D}^*$ threshold and predict the ratio of strengths between the peak of the cusp and the maximum of the $D^* \bar{D}^*$ distribution close to $D^* \bar{D}^*$ threshold, which are distinct features of the molecular nature of these two resonances., Comment: 13 pages, 6 figures

Using the Fixed Center Approximation to Faddeev equations we have investigated the $DKK$ and $DK\bar{K}$ three-body systems, considering that the $D^*_{s0}(2317)$ acts as the heavy cluster in both cases, generated from the $DK$ interaction in isospin 0. For the $DK\bar{K}$ system we have found evidence of a state with $I(J^P)=1/2(0^-)$ and mass about $2833 - 2858$ MeV, above the threshold of $D^*_{s0}(2317)\bar{K}$. Our results indicate that this state is dominated by a $Df_0(980)$ component, then it could be searched for in the $\pi \pi D$ invariant mass. On the other hand, no clear evidence related to a state from the $DKK$ interaction is found., Comment: Talk presented at the XVII International Conference on Hadron Spectroscopy and Structure - Hadron2017, 25-29 September, 2017, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain

We study three-body systems composed of $D^{(*)}$, $B^{(*)}$ and $\bar{B}^{(*)}$ in order to look for possible bound states or resonances. In order to solve the three-body problem, we use the fixed center approach for the Faddeev equations considering that the $B^*\bar{B}^*(B\bar{B})$ are clusterized systems, generated dynamically, which interact with a third particle $D(D^*)$ whose mass is much smaller than the two-body bound states forming the cluster. In the $DB^*\bar{B}^*$, $D^*B^*\bar{B}^*$, $DB\bar{B}$ and $D^*B\bar{B}$ systems with $I=1/2$, we found clear bound state peaks with binding energies typically a few tens MeV and more uncertain broad resonant states about ten MeV above the threshold with widths of a few tens MeV., Comment: 7 pages, 2 figures

Motivated by the recent finding of five $\Omega_c$ states by the LHCb collaboration, and the successful reproduction of three of them in a recent approach searching for molecular states of meson-baryon with the quantum numbers of $\Omega_c$, we extend these ideas and make predictions for the interaction of meson-baryon in the beauty sector, searching for poles in the scattering matrix that correspond to physical states. We find several $\Omega_b$ states: two states with masses 6405~MeV and 6465~MeV for $J^P= \frac{1}{2}^-$; two more states with masses 6427~MeV and 6665~MeV for $\frac{3}{2}^-$; and three states between 6500 and 6820~MeV, degenerate with $J^P=\frac{1}{2}^-,\,\frac{3}{2}^-$, stemming from the interaction of vector-baryon in the beauty sector., Comment: 11 pages, 9 tables; v2: discussion added, version accepted for publication in NPB

Motivated by the experimental measurements of $D^0$ radiative decay modes we have proposed a model to study the $D^0\to \bar{K}^{*0}\gamma$ decay, by establishing a link with $D^0\to \bar{K}^{*0}V$ $(V=\rho^0,\, \omega)$ decays through the vector meson dominance hypothesis. In order to do this properly, we have used the Lagrangians from the local hidden gauge symmetry approach to account for $V\gamma$ conversion. As a result, we have found the branching ratio $\mathcal{B}[D^0\to \bar{K}^{*0}\gamma] =(1.55 - 3.44)\times 10^{-4}$, which is in fair agreement with the experimental values reported by Belle and Babar collaborations., Comment: 14 pages and 3 figures

We have investigated $\Omega_c$ states that are dynamically generated from the meson-baryon interaction. We use an extension of the local hidden gauge to obtain the interaction from the exchange of vector mesons. We show that the dominant terms come from the exchange of light vectors, where the heavy quarks are spectators. This has as a consequence that heavy quark symmetry is preserved for the dominant terms in the $(1/m_Q)$ counting, and also that the interaction in this case can be obtained from the $\textrm{SU(3)}$ chiral Lagrangians. We show that for a standard value for the cutoff regulating the loop, we obtain two states with $J^{P}={1/2}^{-}$ and two more with $J^{P}={3/2}^{-}$, three of them in remarkable agreement with three experimental states in mass and width. We also make predictions at higher energies for states of vector-baryon nature., Comment: New title, extended discussions, new figure, typos corrected. 23 pages, 4 figures

We study theoretically the $BD\bar{D}$ and $BDD$ systems to see if they allow for possible bound or resonant states. The three-body interaction is evaluated implementing the Fixed Center Approximation to the Faddeev equations which considers the interaction of a $D$ or $\bar{D}$ particle with the components of a $BD$ cluster, previously proved to form a bound state. We find an $I(J^P)=1/2(0^-)$ bound state for the $BD\bar{D}$ system at an energy around $8925-8985$ MeV within uncertainties, which would correspond to a bottom--hidden-charm meson. In contrast, the $BDD$ system, which would be bottom--double-charm and hence manifestly exotic, we have found hints of a bound state in the energy region $8935-8985$ MeV, but the results are not stable under the uncertainties of the model, and we cannot assure, neither rule out, the possibility of a $BDD$ three-body state., Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures

Using the Fixed Center Approximation to Faddeev equations we have investigated the $DKK$ and $DK\bar{K}$ three-body systems, considering that the $DK$ dynamically generates, through its $I=0$ component, the $D^*_{s0}(2317)$ molecule. According to our findings, for $DK\bar{K}$ interaction we have found an evidence of a state $I(J^P)=1/2(0^-)$ just above the $D^*_{s0}(2317)\bar{K}$ threshold and around the $Df_0(980)$ thresholds, with mass about $2833 - 2858$ MeV, made mostly of $Df_0(980)$. On the other hand, no evidence related to a state from the $DKK$ interaction is found. The state found could be seen in the $\pi \pi D$ invariant mass., Comment: 10 pages, 6 figures

Many new states in the charmonium mass region were recently discovered by BaBar, Belle, CLEO-c, CDF, D0, BESIII, LHCb and CMS Collaborations. We use the QCD Sum Rule approach to study the possible structure of some of these states., Comment: Contribution for the proceedings of the "XII Quark Confinement and the Hadron Spectrum - CONF12" conference