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Observation of an Energy-Dependent Difference in Elliptic Flow between Particles and Antiparticles in Relativistic Heavy Ion Collisions
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Baryogenesis via particle-antiparticle oscillations
CP violation, which is crucial for producing the baryon asymmetry of the Universe, is enhanced in particle-antiparticle oscillations. We study particle-antiparticle oscillations [of a particle with mass O(100GeV)] with CP violation in the early Universe in the presence of interactions with O(ab-fb) cross sections. We show that if baryon-number-violating interactions exist, a baryon asymmetry can be produced via out-of-equilibrium decays of oscillating particles. As a concrete example we study a U(1)R-symmetric, R-parity-violating supersymmetry model with pseudo-Dirac gauginos, which undergo particle-antiparticle oscillations. Hence, taking bino to be the lightest U(1) R -symmetric particle, and assuming it decays via baryon-number-violating interactions, we show that bino-antibino oscillations can produce the baryon asymmetry of the Universe.
Redistribution of particle and antiparticle entanglement in noninertial frames
We analyze the entanglement tradeoff between particle and antiparticle modes of a Dirac field from the perspective of inertial and uniformly accelerated observers. Our results show that a redistribution of entanglement between particle and antiparticle modes plays a key role in the survival of femionic field entanglement in the infinite-acceleration limit.
Searching for squeezed particle-antiparticle correlations in high-energy heavy-ion collisions
Squeezed correlations of particle-antiparticle pairs were predicted to exist if the hadron masses were modified in the hot and dense medium formed in high-energy heavy-ion collisions. Although well-established theoretically, they have not yet been observed experimentally. We suggest here a clear method to search for such a signal by analyzing the squeezed correlation functions in terms of measurable quantities. We illustrate this suggestion for simulated {phi}{phi} pairs at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) energies.
Suppression of back-to-back particle-antiparticle correlations in high-energy nuclear collisions
Analytical formulas are presented which provide quantitative estimates for the suppression of the anticipated back-to-back particle-antiparticle correlations in high-energy nuclear collisions, due to both the finite duration of the transition dynamics and the continuous freeze-out. They show that the effect is unlikely to be observed.
CPT violation and particle-antiparticle asymmetry in cosmology
General features of generation of the cosmological charge asymmetry in CPT noninvariant world are discussed. If the effects of CPT violationmanifest themselves only inmass differences of particles and antiparticles, the baryon asymmetry of the Universe hardly can be explained solely by breaking of CPT invariance. However, CPT noninvariant theories may lead to a new effect of distorting the usual equilibrium distributions. If this takes place, CPT violation may explain the baryon asymmetry of the Universe.
Current Status and Future Plans for the General Antiparticle Spectrometer (GAPS)
We discuss current progress and future plans for the general antiparticle spectrometer experiment (GAPS). GAPS detects antideuterons through the X-rays and pions emitted during the deexcitation of exotic atoms formed when the antideuterons are slowed down and stopped in targets. GAPS provides an exceptionally sensitive means to detect cosmic-ray antideuterons. Cosmic-ray antideuterons can provide indirect evidence for the existence of dark matter in such form as neutralinos or Kaluza-Klein particles. We describe results of accelerator testing of GAPS prototypes, tentative design concepts for a flight GAPS detector, and near-term plans for flying a GAPS prototype on a balloon.
The General Antiparticle Spectrometer (GAPS) Antarctic Balloon Payload
The General Antiparticle Spectrometer (GAPS) is an Antarctic stratospheric balloon mission designed to provide unmatched sensitivity to low-energy (<0.25 GeV/n) cosmic-ray antiprotons, antideuterons, and antihelium nuclei as signatures of dark matter. The distinctive GAPS particle identification technique relies on measuring the energy loss along the track of an incoming antinucleus as it slows down and is captured into an exotic atom, and then detecting the de-excitation X-rays and the nuclear annihilation products. This measurement is realized using a Tracker composed of more than 1000 custom silicon strip detectors and a plastic scintillator time-of-flight (TOF) system instrumenting more than 40m$^2$. Together, these subsystems provide the velocity and energy resolution, stopping power, particle tracking, and X-ray identification necessary to distinguish rare antinucleus signals from the abundant positive-nucleus backgrounds, all within the constraints of a high-altitude mission. A multi-loop capillary heat pipe system has been developed to maintain the tracker operating temperature with significant mass and power savings over a conventional pump-based system. The first GAPS science payload flew for 25 days during the 2025/26 NASA Antarctic balloon campaign. We detail the design, integration, and commissioning of the payload prior to flight.
Theory of self-resonance after inflation. II. Quantum mechanics and particle-antiparticle asymmetry
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The Lowest Level of the Combinatorial Hierarchy as Particle Antiparticle Quantum Bootstrap
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Plasma and trap-based techniques for science with antimatter
Positrons (i.e., antielectrons) find use in a wide variety of applications, and antiprotons are required for the formation and study of antihydrogen. Available sources of these antiparticles are relatively weak. To optimize their use, most applications require that the antiparticles be accumulated into carefully prepared plasmas. We present an overview of the techniques that have been developed to efficiently accumulate low energy antiparticles and create, in particular, tailored antiparticle plasmas. Techniques are also described to create tailored antiparticle beams. Many of these techniques are based on methods first developed by the nonneutral plasma community using electron plasmas for increased data rate. They have enabled the creation and trapping of antihydrogen, have been critical to studies of positron and positronium interactions with matter, including advanced techniques to characterize materials and material surfaces, and have led to the creation and study of the positronium molecule. Rather than attempting to be comprehensive, we focus on techniques that have proven most useful, applications where there has been significant, recent progress, and areas that hold promise for future advances. Examples of the latter include the ever more precise comparisons of the properties of antihydrogen and hydrogen, tests of gravity using antihydrogen and positronium atoms, and efforts to create and study phases of the many-electron, many-positron system.
Observation of the doubly strange b-Baryon Ω b -
This thesis reports the first experimental evidence of the doubly strange b-baryon Ω b - (ssb) following the decay channel Ω b - → J/Ψ(1S) μ + μ - Ω - Λ K - p π - in p$\bar{p}$ collisions at √s = 1.96 Tev. Using approximately 1.3 fb -1 of data collected with the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider, they observe 17.8 ± 4.9(stat) ± 0.8(syst) Ω b - signal events at 6.165 ± 0.010(stat) ± 0.013(syst) GeV/c 2 with a corresponding significance of 5.4 σ, meaning that the probability of the signal coming from a fluctuation in the background is 6.7 x 10 -8 . The theoretical model we have to describe what we believe are the building blocks of nature and the interactions between them, is known as Standard Model. The Standard Model is the combination of Electroweak Theory and Quantum Chromodynamics into a single core in the attempt to include all interactions of subatomic particles except those due to gravity in a simple framework. This model has proved highly accurate in predicting certain interactions, but it does not explain all aspects of subatomic particles. For example, it cannot say how many particles there should be or what their masses are. The search goes on for a more complete theory, and in particular an unified field theory describing the strong, weak, and electromagnetic forces. Twelve elementary particles are known in the Standard Model: the Fermions. They have spin -1/2 and obey the Pauli Exclusion Principle. Fermions are divided into six Quarks: up u, down d, charm c, strange s, top t and, bottom b; and six Leptons: electron e, muon μ, ττ, electron neutrino v e , muon neutrino v μ and, τ neutrino v τ . Quarks interact via the strong force because they carry color charge, electromagnetically because of their electric charge and via the weak nuclear interaction because of the weak isospin. Quarks form color-neutral composite particles known as Hadrons which are divided in Mesons, containing a quark and an antiquark and Baryons, made up three quarks. Leptons have no color charge and can not interact via the strong force. Only three of them have electric charge, hence interact electromagnetically. The motion of non-electrically charged leptons, the neutrinos, is influenced only by the weak nuclear interaction. Every fermion have an associated antiparticle. For quarks, the antiparticle carry opposite electric charge, color charge and baryon number. For leptons, the antiparticle carry opposite electric charge and lepton number. Fermions are suitably grouped together considering their properties and three generations of them are defined. A higher generation fermion have greater mass than those in lower generations. Charged members of the first generation do not decay and form the ultimate building blocks for all the baryonic matter we know about. Charged members of higher generations have very short half lives and are found normally in high-energy environments. Non-electrically charged fermions do not decay and rarely interact with baryonic matter. The way particles interact and influence each other in the Standard Model is result from matter particles exchanging other particles, known as Force Mediating Particles. They are believed to be the reason of the existence of the forces and interactions between particles observed in the laboratory and the universe. Force mediating particles have spin 1, i.e., they are Bosons, and do not follow the Pauli Exclusion Principle. The types of force mediating particles are: the photon γ, three gauge bosons W ± and Z and, eight gluons g. Photons have no mass, the theory of Quantum Electrodynamics describe them very well and are responsible for mediation of the electromagnetic force between electrically charged particles. Gauge bosons are massive, being Z heavier than W ± . They are responsible for the mediation of the weak interactions between particles of different flavors but W ± act only on left-handed particles and right-handed antiparticles while Z with both left-handed particles and antiparticles. Due to the electric charge of W ± , they couple also to electromagnetic interactions. Photons and the three gauge bosons are grouped together and collectively mediate the electroweak interactions. Finally, gluons have no mass, the theory of Quantum Chromodynamics describe them and are responsible for the mediation of the strong interactions between particles with color charge. Having an effective color charge, gluons can interact among themselves. The Higgs Boson is the only particle in the SM without direct experimental evidence. Its detection would help in the explanation of the difference between massive bosons mediating the weak force and the massless photon mediating the electromagnetism.
Strange and multistrange particle production in Au + Au collisions at {radical}(s{sub NN})=62.4 GeV
We present results on strange and multistrange particle production in Au + Au collisions at {radical}(s{sub NN})=62.4 GeV as measured with the STAR detector at RHIC. Midrapidity transverse momentum spectra and integrated yields of K{sub S}{sup 0}, {Lambda}, {Xi}, and {Omega} and their antiparticles are presented for different centrality classes. The particle yields and ratios follow a smooth energy dependence. Chemical freeze-out parameters, temperature, baryon chemical potential, and strangeness saturation factor obtained from the particle yields are presented. Intermediate transverse momentum (p{sub T}) phenomena are discussed based on the ratio of the measured baryon-to-meson spectra and nuclear modification factor. The centrality dependence of various measurements presented show a similar behavior as seen in Au + Au collisions at {radical}(s{sub NN})=200 GeV.
Causality Is Inconsistent With Quantum Field Theory
Causality in quantum field theory means the vanishing of commutators for spacelike separated fields (VCSSF). I will show that VCSSF is not tenable. For VCSSF to be tenable, and therefore, to have both retarded and advanced propagators vanish in the elsewhere, a superposition of negative energy antiparticle and positive energy particle propagators, traveling forward in time, and a superposition of negative energy particle and positive energy antiparticle propagators, traveling backward in time, are required. Hence VCSSF predicts non-vanishing probabilities for both negative energy particles in the forward-through-time direction and positive energy antiparticles in the backwards-through-time direction. Therefore, since VCSSF is unrealizable in a stable universe, tachyonic propagation must occur in denial of causality.
Asymmetric thermal-relic dark matter: Sommerfeld-enhanced freeze-out, annihilation signals and unitarity bounds
Dark matter that possesses a particle-antiparticle asymmetry and has thermalised in the early universe, requires a larger annihilation cross-section compared to symmetric dark matter, in order to deplete the dark antiparticles and account for the observed dark matter density. The annihilation cross-section determines the residual symmetric component of dark matter, which may give rise to annihilation signals during CMB and inside haloes today. We consider dark matter with long-range interactions, in particular dark matter coupled to a light vector or scalar force mediator. We compute the couplings required to attain a final antiparticle-to-particle ratio after the thermal freeze-out of the annihilation processes in the early universe, and then estimate the late-time annihilation signals. We show that, due to the Sommerfeld enhancement, highly asymmetric dark matter with long-range interactions can have a significant annihilation rate, potentially larger than symmetric dark matter of the same mass with contact interactions. We discuss caveats in this estimation, relating to the formation of stable bound states. Finally, we consider the non-relativistic partial-wave unitarity bound on the inelastic cross-section, we discuss why it can be realised only by long-range interactions, and showcase the importance of higher partial waves in this regime of large inelasticity. We derive upper bounds on the mass of symmetric and asymmetric thermal-relic dark matter for s -wave and p -wave annihilation, and exhibit how these bounds strengthen as the dark asymmetry increases.
A hydrodynamical model for relativistic spin quantum plasmas
Based on the one-body particle-antiparticle Dirac theory of electrons, a set of relativistic quantum fluid equations for a spin half plasma is derived. The particle-antiparticle nature of the relativistic particles is explicit in this fluid theory, which also includes quantum effects such as spin. The nonrelativistic limit is shown to be in agreement with previous attempts to develop a spin plasma theory derived from the Pauli Hamiltonian. Harnessing the formalism to the study of electromagnetic mode propagation, conceptually new phenomena are revealed; the particle-antiparticle effects increase the fluid opacity to these waves, while the spin effects tend to make the fluid more transparent.
The MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay Experiment
The MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR will search for the neutrinoless double-beta (ββ(0ν)) decay of the isotope 76 Ge with a mixed array of enriched and natural germanium detectors. The observation of this rare decay would indicate that the neutrino is its own antiparticle, demonstrate that lepton number is not conserved, and provide information on the absolute mass scale of the neutrino. The DEMONSTRATOR is being assembled at the 4850-foot level of the Sanford Underground Research Facility in Lead, South Dakota. The array will be situated in a low-background environment and surrounded by passive and active shielding. Here we describe the science goals of the DEMONSTRATOR and the details of its design.