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DOE OSTI2025

Thermal modifications of mesons and energy-energy correlators from real-time simulations of a 𝑈⁡(1) lattice gauge theory

We investigate thermal properties of a 𝑈⁡(1) lattice gauge theory in 1 + 1 dimensions through real-time simulations. We extract the spectral functions directly coupling to the pseudoscalar and scalar mesons, demonstrating the thermal modifications of these states with increasing temperatures. Introducing the notion of energy-flow operators, we quantify the temporal buildup of correlations in the energy flows across the lattice. We demonstrate that energy-energy correlators fail to factorize to products of energy flows, both in the vacuum and at nonzero temperature, indicating the presence of nontrivial correlations in the quantum states. Our results constitute a first real-time ab initio study of bound-state thermal broadening and finite temperature energy-flow correlations in a gauge theory, providing a benchmark for future studies of hadronic matter under extreme conditions.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2026

Axionlike particles and sterile neutrinos solve the 𝐵 → 𝐾⁢$𝜈⁢\bar{𝜈}$ and 𝐵 → 𝜋⁢𝐾 puzzles

The recent measurement of the branching ratio of 𝐵 + → 𝐾 + +inv (where “inv” denotes invisible states) by the Belle II Collaboration is enhanced relative to the standard model expectation by 2.7⁢𝜎. An older puzzle persists in measurements of the branching ratios and 𝐶⁢𝑃 asymmetries of 𝐵 → 𝜋⁢𝐾 decays. We address these two anomalies in flavor-changing neutral current 𝐵 decays, with a short-lived axionlike particle (ALP) with mass close to that of the 𝜋 0 . In the model with the minimum number of new couplings, the ALP has couplings to the photon, top quark and a heavy sterile neutrino. The ALP contributes to the 𝐵 → 𝜋 0 ⁢𝐾 decays by mixing with the 𝜋 0 . It contributes to 𝐵 + → 𝐾 + + inv by its off-shell coupling to sterile neutrino pairs. The model can explain the excess in the total rate, but not the observed distribution of signal events. We make predictions for all 𝐵 → 𝐾 (*) + inv modes and for the rare kaon decays, 𝐾 + → 𝜋 + + inv and 𝐾 𝐿 → 𝜋 0 + inv. We find an appreciable contribution to the magnetic moment of the muon, and negligible contributions to the magnetic moment of the electron and 𝑏 → 𝑠⁢𝑒 + ⁢𝑒 − .

axion-like particles↗

DOE OSTI2024

Novel cross section ratios as possible signals of saturation in ultraperipheral collisions

We propose new cross section ratios in ultraperipheral A + A and p + A collisions (UPCs) as a potential experimental signal of saturation physics. We consider the ratio R 1 of elastic vector meson photoproduction cross section to the inclusive hadron or jet photoproduction cross section. The ratio can be measured in the γ + A and γ + p collisions taking place in the UPCs. We label the ratios R 1 ( A ) and R 1 ( p ) , respectively. Constructing the double ratio R UPC ( A ) = R 1 ( A ) / R 1 ( p ) , and performing a small- x calculation both in the quasiclassical approximation and by including small- x evolution, we observe that R UPC ( A ) exhibits a markedly different dependence on the nuclear atomic number inside and outside the saturation region. This result indicates that R UPC ( A ) and R 1 ( A ) measurements in UPCs may help in the experimental searches for the evidence of saturation physics. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2025

Isolating Unisolated Upsilons with Anomaly Detection in CMS Open Data

We present the first study of anti-isolated Upsilon decays to two muons (ϒ→𝜇⁺⁢𝜇⁻) in proton-proton collisions at the Large Hadron Collider. Using a machine learning (ML)-based anomaly detection strategy, we “rediscover” the ϒ in 13 TeV CMS Open Data from 2016, despite overwhelming anti-isolated backgrounds. We elevate the signal significance to 6.4⁢𝜎 using these methods, starting from 1.6⁢𝜎 using the dimuon mass spectrum alone. Moreover, we demonstrate improved sensitivity from using an ML-based estimate of the multifeature likelihood compared to traditional “cut-and-count” methods. This is the first ever detection of anti-isolated Upsilons, which can be useful in the study of heavy-flavor fragmentation in quantum chromodynamics. Our Letter demonstrates that it is possible and practical to find real signals in experimental collider data using ML-based anomaly detection, and we distill a readily accessible benchmark dataset from the CMS Open Data to facilitate future anomaly detection developments.

machine learning↗

DOE OSTI2026

Binding energy of the 𝑇 𝑏⁢𝑏 tetraquark from lattice QCD with relativistic and nonrelativistic heavy-quark actions

We present a new determination of the $b\bar{b}$𝑢⁢𝑑 (𝐽 𝑃 = 1 + , 𝐼 = 0) tetraquark binding energy using lattice quantum chromodynamics (QCD) with domain-wall light quarks and a nonperturbatively tuned three-parameter anisotropic-clover “relativistic” action for the 𝑏 quarks. We also perform a direct comparison with a reanalysis of data generated in prior work using a lattice-nonrelativistic QCD (NRQCD) action for the 𝑏 quarks and otherwise identical parameters. Using the new data with relativistic 𝑏 quarks from seven different ensembles with multiple lattice spacings and pion masses, we perform combined chiral and continuum extrapolations and obtain (𝑚 𝑇 𝑏⁢𝑏 −𝑚 𝐵 −𝑚 𝐵* ) RHQ =(−76 ±23) MeV. For the NRQCD data from five ensembles, we perform chiral-only extrapolations and obtain (𝑚 𝑇 𝑏⁢𝑏 −𝑚 𝐵 −𝑚 𝐵* ) NRQCD = (−74 ±17 ±10) MeV. The lower magnitude of the results obtained here, compared to the original analysis in [Phys. Rev. D 100, 014503 (2019)], is due to the use of the symmetric parts of the correlation matrices with local four-quark operators only.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2024

New metric improving Bayesian calibration of a multistage approach studying hadron and inclusive jet suppression

We study parton energy-momentum exchange with the quark gluon plasma (QGP) within a multistage approach composed of in-medium Dokshitzer-Gribov-Lipatov-Altarelli-Parisi evolution at high virtuality, and (linearized) Boltzmann transport formalism at lower virtuality. This multistage simulation is then calibrated in comparison with high- p T charged hadrons, D mesons, and the inclusive jet nuclear modification factors, using Bayesian model-to-data comparison, to extract the virtuality-dependent transverse momentum broadening transport coefficient q ̂ . To facilitate this undertaking, we develop a quantitative metric for validating the Bayesian workflow, which is used to analyze the sensitivity of various model parameters to individual observables. The usefulness of this new metric in improving Bayesian model emulation is shown to be highly beneficial for future such analyses. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2026

Probing late-stage hadronic interactions at high baryon density via $K^{⁎0}$ production in the RHIC beam energy scan program

A precision measurement of the $K^{⁎0}$ meson yield is reported in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 7.7, 11.5, 14.6, 19.6, and 27 GeV using the high-statistics data sample collected by the STAR experiment during the Beam Energy Scan II (BES-II) program at RHIC. The transeverse momentum (p T )-integrated yield ratios $\large{(}K^{⁎0} + \overline{K^{⁎0}}\large{)}/(K^+ + K^{-})$ in central collisions show a suppression relative to peripheral collisions at the (1.7–3.6) σ level, while a thermal model without final-stage rescattering overpredicts this ratio with a deviation of (6.9–8.2) σ. These results indicate a loss of the measured $K^{⁎0}$ signal in central collisions due to re-scattering of its hadronic decay products in the hadronic phase. The p T -integrated yield of charged kaons exhibits an approximate scaling with charged-particle multiplicity, independent of collision energy and system size. A similar trend is observed for the short-lived $K^{⁎0}$ resonance, although significant deviations emerge at lower energies. At BES energies, the $K^{⁎0}/K$ ratio shows stronger suppression than at the highest RHIC and LHC energies within a given multiplicity bin, particularly in central and mid-central collisions. This behavior is consistent with changes in the effective hadronic interaction cross section and is supported by transport model calculations, which indicate dominant meson–baryon interactions at lower energies and meson–meson interactions at higher energies.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2024

Measurement of prompt D + and ${D}_s^{+}$ production in p Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 5.02 TeV

The production of prompt D + and $D^+_s$ mesons is studied in proton-lead collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{^{S}NN}$ = 5.02 TeV. The data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of (1.58 ± 0.02)nb –1 is collected by the LHCb experiment at the LHC. The differential production cross-sections are measured using D + and $D^+_s$ candidates with transverse momentum in the range of 0 < p T < 14 GeV/c and rapidities in the ranges of 1.5 < y* < 4.0 and –5.0 < y* < –2.5 in the nucleon-nucleon centre-of-mass system. For both particles, the nuclear modification factor and the forward-backward production ratio are determined. These results are compared with theoretical models that include initial-state nuclear effects. In addition, measurements of the cross-section ratios between D + , $D^+_s$ and D 0 mesons are presented, providing a baseline for studying the charm hadronization in lead-lead collisions at LHC energies.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2023

Associated production of prompt $J/ψ$ and Υ mesons in $pp$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV

The associated production of prompt J/ψ and Υ mesons in pp collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV is studied using LHCb data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 4 fb -1 . The measurement is performed for J/ψ (Υ) mesons with a transverse momentum p T < 10 (30) GeV/c in the rapidity range 2.0 < y < 4.5. In this kinematic range, the cross-section of the associated production of prompt J/ψ and Υ(1S) mesons is measured to be 133 ± 22 ± 7 ± 3 pb, with a signifcance of 7.9 σ, and that of prompt J/ψ and Υ(2S) mesons to be 76 ± 21 ± 4 ± 7 pb, with a signifcance of 4.9 σ. The frst uncertainty is statistical, the second systematic, and the third due to uncertainties on the used branching fractions. This is the frst observation of the associated production of J/ψ and Υ(1S) in proton-proton collisions. Diferential cross-sections are measured as functions of variables that are sensitive to kinematic correlations between the J/ψ and Υ(1S) mesons. The efective cross-sections of the associated production of prompt J/ψ and Υ mesons are obtained and found to be compatible with measurements using other particle productions.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2021

Measurement of $J/ψ$ production cross-sections in $pp$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 5 TeV

The production cross-sections of J/ψ mesons in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s} = 5 TeV are measured using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9.13 ± 0.18 pb -1 , collected by the LHCb experiment. The cross-sections are measured differentially as a function of transverse momentum, p T , and rapidity, y, and separately for J/ψ mesons produced promptly and from beauty hadron decays (nonprompt). With the assumption of unpolarised J/ψ mesons, the production cross-sections integrated over the kinematic range 0 < p T < 20 GeV/c and 2.0 < y < 4.5 are σ prompt J/Ψ = 8.154 ± 0.010 ± 0.283 μb, σnonprompt J/Ψ = 0.820 ± 0.003 ± 0.034 μb, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second systematic. These cross-sections are compared with those at $\sqrt{s}$ = 8 TeV and 13 TeV, and are used to update the measurement of the nuclear modification factor in proton-lead collisions for J/ψ mesons at a centre-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 5 TeV. The results are compared with theoretical predictions.

quarkonium↗

DOE OSTI2021

Measurement of the production cross section of prompt $ {\Xi}_{\mathrm{c}}^0 $ baryons at midrapidity in pp collisions at $ \sqrt{s} $ = 5.02 TeV

The transverse momentum (p T ) differential cross section of the charm-strange baryon $ {\Xi}_{\mathrm{c}}^0 $ is measured at midrapidity (|y| < 0.5) via its semileptonic decay into e + Ξ - ν e in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 5.02 TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The ratio of the p T -differential $ {\Xi}_{\mathrm{c}}^0 $-baryon and D 0 -meson production cross sections is also reported. The measurements are compared with simulations with different tunes of the PYTHIA 8 event generator, with predictions from a statistical hadronisation model (SHM) with a largely augmented set of charm-baryon states beyond the current lists of the Particle Data Group, and with models including hadronisation via quark coalescence. The p T -integrated cross section of prompt $ {\Xi}_{\mathrm{c}}^0 $-baryon production at midrapidity is also reported, which is used to calculate the baryon-to-meson ratio $ {\Xi}_{\mathrm{c}}^0 $/D 0 = 0.20 ± 0.04 (stat.)$^{+0.08}_{-0.07}$ (syst.). These results provide an additional indication of a modification of the charm fragmentation from e + e - and e - p collisions to pp collisions.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2024

Measurement of beauty production via non-prompt charm hadrons in p–Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\textrm{NN}}}$ = 5.02 TeV

The production cross sections of D 0 , D + , and Λ$^{+}_{c}$ hadrons originating from beauty-hadron decays (i.e. non-prompt) were measured for the first time at midrapidity in proton–lead (p–Pb) collisions at the center-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of $\sqrt{s_{\textrm{NN}}}$ = 5.02 TeV. Nuclear modification factors (R pPb ) of non-prompt D 0 , D + , and Λ$^{+}_{c}$ are calculated as a function of the transverse momentum (p T ) to investigate the modification of the momentum spectra measured in p–Pb collisions with respect to those measured in proton–proton (pp) collisions at the same energy. The R pPb measurements are compatible with unity and with the measurements in the prompt charm sector, and do not show a significant p T dependence. The p T -integrated cross sections and p T -integrated R pPb of non-prompt D 0 and D + mesons are also computed by extrapolating the visible cross sections down to p T = 0. The non-prompt D-meson R pPb integrated over p T is compatible with unity and with model calculations implementing modification of the parton distribution functions of nucleons bound in nuclei with respect to free nucleons. The non-prompt Λ$^{+}_{c}$/D 0 and D + /D 0 production ratios are computed to investigate hadronisation mechanisms of beauty quarks into mesons and baryons. The measured ratios as a function of p T display a similar trend to that measured for charm hadrons in the same collision system.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2024

Identified charged-hadron production in 𝑝+Al, 3 He + Au, and Cu + Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV and in U + U collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 193 GeV

The PHENIX experiment has performed a systematic study of identified charged-hadron (𝜋 ± , 𝐾 ± , 𝑝, $\bar{𝑝}$) production at midrapidity in 𝑝 + Al, 3 He + Au, and Cu + Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV and U + U collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 193 GeV. Identified charged-hadron invariant transverse-momentum (𝑝 𝑇 ) and transverse-mass (𝑚 𝑇 ) spectra are presented and interpreted in terms of radially expanding thermalized systems. The particle ratios of 𝐾/𝜋 and 𝑝/𝜋 have been measured in different centrality ranges of large (Cu + Au and U + U) and small (𝑝 + Al and 3 He + Au) collision systems. The values of 𝐾/𝜋 ratios measured in all considered collision systems were found to be consistent with those measured in 𝑝+𝑝 collisions. However, the values of 𝑝/𝜋 ratios measured in large collision systems reach the values of ≈0.6, which is a factor of ≈2 larger than in 𝑝 + 𝑝 collisions. These results can be qualitatively understood in terms of the baryon enhancement expected from hadronization by recombination. Identified charged-hadron nuclear-modification factors (𝑅 𝐴⁢𝐵 ) are also presented. Enhancement of proton 𝑅 𝐴⁢𝐵 values over meson 𝑅 𝐴⁢𝐵 values was observed in central 3 He + Au, Cu + Au, and U + U collisions. Finally, the proton 𝑅 𝐴⁢𝐵 values measured in the 𝑝 + Al collision system were found to be consistent with 𝑅 𝐴⁢𝐵 values of 𝜙, 𝜋 ± , 𝐾 ± , and 𝜋 0 mesons, which may indicate that the size of the system produced in 𝑝 + Al collisions is too small for recombination to cause a noticeable increase in proton production.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2022

Measurement of beauty production via non-prompt D 0 mesons in Pb-Pb collisions at $ \sqrt{{\textrm{s}}_{\textrm{NN}}} $ = 5.02 TeV

The production of non-prompt D 0 mesons from beauty-hadron decays was measured at midrapidity (|y| < 0.5) in Pb-Pb collisions at a nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$= 5.02 TeV with the ALICE experiment at the LHC. Their nuclear modification factor (R AA ), measured for the first time down to p T = 1 GeV/c in the 0–10% and 30–50% centrality classes, indicates a significant suppression, up to a factor of about three, for p T > 5 GeV/c in the 0–10% central Pb-Pb collisions. The data are described by models that include both collisional and radiative processes in the calculation of beauty-quark energy loss in the quark-gluon plasma, and quark recombination in addition to fragmentation as a hadronisation mechanism. The ratio of the non-prompt to prompt D 0 -meson R AA is larger than unity for p T > 4 GeV/c in the 0–10% central Pb-Pb collisions, as predicted by models in which beauty quarks lose less energy than charm quarks in the quark-gluon plasma because of their larger mass.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2026

Measurement of kaon directed flow in Au+Au collisions in the high baryon density region

Rapidity-odd directed flow v 1 measurements are presented for $K^±$ and $K^0_S$ in Au + Au collisions for $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ from 3.0 to 3.9 GeV with the STAR experiment. For comparison, v 1 of π ± , protons, and Λ from the same collisions are also discussed. The mid-rapidity v 1 slope dv 1 /dy| y=0 for protons and Λ is positive in these collisions. On the other hand, v 1 slope of kaons exhibits a strong dependence: negative at p T < 0.6 GeV/c and positive at higher p T . A similar p T dependence is also evident for the v 1 slope of charged pions. Compared to the spectator-removed calculations in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 3.0–3.9 GeV, the JAM model demonstrates a pronounced shift of the v 1 slopes of mesons towards the negative direction. It suggests that the shadowing effect of the spectators plays an important role in the observed kaon anti-flow at low p T in the high baryon density region of non-central collisions.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2024

Measurement of beauty-quark production in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV via non-prompt D mesons

The p T -diferential production cross sections of non-prompt D 0 , D + , and D$^+_s$ at a centre-of-mass energy $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV. The measurements are performed at midrapidity, |y| < 0.5, with the data sample collected by ALICE from 2016 to 2018. The results are in agreement with predictions from several perturbative QCD calculations. The fragmentation fraction of beauty quarks to strange mesons divided by the one to non-strange mesons, $f_s$/($f_u$ +$f_d$), is found to be 0.114 ± 0.016 (stat.) ± 0.006 (syst.) ± 0.003 (BR) ± 0.003 (extrap.). This value is compatible with previous measurements at lower centre-of-mass energies and in diferent collision systems in agreement with the assumption of universality of fragmentation functions. In addition, the dependence of the non-prompt D meson production on the centre of-mass energy is investigated by comparing the results obtained at $\sqrt{s}$ = 5.02 and 13 TeV, showing a hardening of the non-prompt D-meson p T -diferential production cross section at higher $\sqrt{s}$. Finally, the $b\overline{b}$ production cross section per unit of rapidity at midrapidity is calculated from the non-prompt D 0 , D + , D$^+_s$, and $Λ^+_c$ hadron measurements, obtaining dσ/dy = 75.2 ± 3.2 (stat.) ± 5.2 (syst.)$^{+12.3}_{-3.2}$ (extrap.) µb.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2023

Charm production and fragmentation fractions at midrapidity in pp collisions at $\sqrt{\textrm{s}}$ = 13 TeV

Measurements of the production cross sections of prompt $D^{0}$, $D^{+}$, $D^{*+}$, $D^{+}_{s}$, $Λ^{+}_{c}$, and $Ξ^{+}_{c}$ charm hadrons at midrapidity in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{\textrm{s}}$ = 13 TeV with the ALICE detector are presented. The D-meson cross sections as a function of transverse momentum (p T ) are provided with improved precision and granularity. The ratios of p T -diferential meson production cross sections based on this publication and on measurements at diferent rapidity and collision energy provide a constraint on gluon parton distribution functions at low values of Bjorken-x (10 —5 –10 —4 ). The measurements of $Λ^{+}_{c}$ ($Ξ^{+}_{c}$) baryon production extend the measured p T intervals down to p T = 0(3) GeV/c. These measurements are used to determine the charm-quark fragmentation fractions and the $c$$\overline{c}$ production cross section at midrapidity (|$y$| < 0.5) based on the sum of the cross sections of the weakly-decaying ground-state charm hadrons $D^{0}$, $D^{+}$, $D^{+}_{s}$, $Λ^{+}_{c}$, and $Ξ^{0}_{c}$ and, for the first time, $Ξ^{+}_{c}$, and of the strongly-decaying J/ψ mesons. The frst measurements of $Ξ^{+}_{c}$and $Σ^{0,++}_{c}$ fragmentation fractions at midrapidity are also reported. A signifcantly larger fraction of charm quarks hadronising to baryons is found compared to e + e — and ep collisions. The $c$$\overline{c}$ production cross section at midrapidity is found to be at the upper bound of state-of-the-art perturbative QCD calculations

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2022

Study of coherent J/ ψ production in lead-lead collisions at $\sqrt{{\mathrm{s}}_{\mathrm{NN}}} $ = 5 TeV

Coherent production of J/ψ mesons is studied in ultraperipheral lead-lead collisions at a nucleon-nucleon centre-of-mass energy of 5 TeV, using a data sample collected by the LHCb experiment corresponding to an integrated luminosity of about 10 μb –1 . The J/ψ mesons are reconstructed in the dimuon final state and are required to have transverse momentum below 1 GeV. The cross-section within the rapidity range of 2.0 < y < 4.5 is measured to be 4.45 ± 0.24 ± 0.18 ± 0.58 mb, where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second systematic and the third originates from the luminosity determination. The cross-section is also measured in J/ψ rapidity intervals. The results are compared to predictions from phenomenological models.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗