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At least 19 records

Commissioning the DIRC Detector and Searching for Axion-like Particles at GlueX

This thesis centers around problems in the study of the strong nuclear force. The GlueX DIRC, a Cherenkov radiation-based detector, was proposed to upgrade the particle identification capability of the GlueX experiment, which aims to perform quantitative tests of Quantum Chromodynamics in the nonperturbative regime by searching for and studying hybrid mesons. This thesis describes the construction, commissioning, reconstruction, and calibration of the GlueX DIRC detector. Originally proposed to solve the strong CP problem, axions and axion-like particles are hypothetical pseudoscalar particles found in many proposed extensions to the Standard Model of particle physics. This thesis presents a search for photoproduction of axion-like particles using data in photon-proton interactions collected by the GlueX experiment at Jefferson Laboratory in the $\gamma\gamma$ and $\pi^+\pi^-\pi^0$ final states of the axion-like particles. In addition, the Monte Carlo modeling of the strong interaction at low energies leads to challenges known as the event generator tuning problem. This thesis presents a novel approach to the Monte Carlo event generator tuning problem using Bayesian optimization.

Yang, Yunjie↗

Study of Excited Cascade Baryons and Preliminary Cross-Sections for Ξ(1530) Using Data from the GlueX Experiment

The spectra of predicted particles from elementary quark models (CQMs) are expansive, accurate for the low-lying spectra, but incomplete. The GlueX experiment at Jefferson Lab is a vehicle to study medium energy photoproduction of hadronic states. The primary goal of the GlueX collaboration is to study Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD, also known as the strong nuclear force) and the nature of quark confinement. The GlueX collaboration uses a polarized photon beam incident on a liquid hydrogen target (LH 2 ) to investigate the aftermath of photon-proton interactions. The cascade baryons, denoted by Ξ, are defined by having two, second-generation, strange quarks with an additional first-generation light quark (u or d). Experimentally, few cascades have been discovered, which is the antithesis of what most models expect. The cascades have some favorable attributes but are difficult to detect because the production cross sections are small and direct production is unlikely. Fortunately, in the 12 GeV era of the GlueX experiment, there is sufficient energy, beam time and data analysis tools for the detection of excited cascade states and their properties. From the reaction γ p →Κ + Κ + Ξ - π 0 , the invariant mass spectra of Ξ - π 0 system was surveyed for new possible resonances. The invariant mass spectrum has a strong Ξ(1530) signal with other smaller resonances throughout the spectrum. Preliminary cross sections for the Ξ(1530) that was photoproduced from the proton are presented at energies never before explored. While the Ξ(1530) couples almost exclusively to the Ξπ channel, there is an easily identifiable Ξ(1690) signal decaying Ξπ. Through the use of a simultaneous fitting routing of the Ξ*- mass spectra, I was able to observe the Ξ(1690) decaying to the KΛ, as well as to the Ξ - π 0 branch. With additional statistics, a measurement of the branching ratio should be possible. Lastly, a partial wave analysis (PWA) was completed to verify that the total angular momentum of Ξ(1530) is J = 3/2 and consistent with having positive parity. Additionally, there is evidence of a potentially interesting feature slightly above the mass of the Ξ(1530) that should be more fully explored as new GlueX data becomes available.

Sumner, Brandon↗

Inclusive production of dijets at the LHeC

We investigate the production of a quark-antiquark pair in inclusive photon-proton scattering, considering distinct gluon distribution functions. The role played by the parton saturation effects is studied for the kinematic regime of the upcoming Large Hadron Electron Collider (LHeC). This proposed lepton-hadron (nucleus) collider will reach energies higher than the available at DESY HERA experiment. This fact will open a new regime to probe the gluon and sea quark distributions in nucleon and on nucleus. In deep inelastic scattering in lepton-hadron colliders, events with two jets and the scattered proton in the final state are predicted to be observable, with an important contribution from charm production. Thus, the contribution from heavy quarks should be investigated in details.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Probing GPDs in ultraperipheral collisions

Ultraperipheral collisions in hadron colliders give new opportunities to investigate the hadron structure through exclusive photoproduction processes. We describe the possibility of measuring the Generalized Parton Distributions in the Timelike Compton Scattering process and in the production of heavy vector meson.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

AN ALL-SKY SEARCH FOR THREE FLAVORS OF NEUTRINOS FROM GAMMA-RAY BURSTS WITH THE ICECUBE NEUTRINO OBSERVATORY

We present the results and methodology of a search for neutrinos produced in the decay of charged pions created in interactions between protons and gamma-rays during the prompt emission of 807 gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) over the entire sky. This three-year search is the first in IceCube for shower-like Cherenkov light patterns from electron, muon, and tau neutrinos correlated with GRBs. We detect five low-significance events correlated with five GRBs. These events are consistent with the background expectation from atmospheric muons and neutrinos. The results of this search in combination with those of IceCube’s four years of searches for track-like Cherenkov light patterns from muon neutrinos correlated with Northern-Hemisphere GRBs produce limits that tightly constrain current models of neutrino and ultra high energy cosmic ray production in GRB fireballs.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Exclusive photoproduction of J/ψ and ψ(2S) in pp and AA collisions

The amplitude for γp → J/ψp(γp → ψ'p) is calculated in a pQCD k{sub ⊥}-factorization approach. The total cross section for this process is calculated for different unintegrated gluon distributions and compared with the HERA data and the data extracted recently by the LHCb collaboration. The amplitude for γp → J/ψp(γp → ψ'p) is used to predict the cross section for exclusive photoproduction of the J/ψ(ψ') meson in proton-proton and nucleus-nucleus collisions. In the pp case, compared to earlier calculations we include both Dirac and Pauli electromagnetic form factors. We also discuss the dependence of nuclear shadowing on the charmonium state.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Experimental investigation of ρ{sup 0} photoproduction on the pion in the H1 experiment

Experimental results on quasielastic photoproduction of the ρ{sup 0} meson in association with a neutron, obtained at the HERA collider, are presented. The total and differential cross sections of the γp → ρ{sup 0}nπ{sup +} reaction at the positron–proton center-of-mass energy of √s =319 GeV are measured. The data collected with the H1 detector in 2006 and 2007 correspond to an integrated luminosity of 1.16 pb{sup −1}. The kinematic region of the photon–proton cms energy of 20 < W{sub γp} <100 GeV, photon virtuality of Q{sup 2} < 2 GeV{sup 2}, and the ρ{sup 0} transverse momentum below 1 GeV/c is analyzed. Secondary neutrons with energies x{sub L} > 0.35 (in proton-energy units) and emission angles below 0.75 mrad are selected. The model of double peripheral exchange, in which the ρ{sup 0} is elastically produced via the photon interaction with the virtual pion from the proton–neutron vertex, is employed for interpreting the results. The cross section for the ρ{sup 0} elastic photoproduction on the pion, γπ{sup +}→ ρ{sup 0}π{sup +}, is extracted in the one-pion-exchange approximation. The magnitude of the cross section suggests that the γp → ρ{sup 0}nπ{sup +} reaction is significantly affected by absorption.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Two-particle azimuthal correlations in γp interactions using pPb collisions at s NN = 8.16 TeV

The first measurements of the Fourier coefficients ( V n Δ ) of the azimuthal distributions of charged hadrons emitted from photon-proton (γp) interactions are presented. The data are extracted from 68.8 nb −1 of ultra-peripheral proton-lead (pPb) collisions at s NN = 8.16 TeV using the CMS detector. The high energy lead ions produce a flux of photons that can interact with the oncoming proton. This γp system provides a set of unique initial conditions with multiplicity lower than in photon-lead collisions but comparable to recent electron-positron and electron-proton data. The V n Δ coefficients are presented in ranges of event multiplicity and transverse momentum ( p T ) and are compared to corresponding hadronic minimum bias pPb results. For a given multiplicity range, the mean p T of charged particles is smaller in γp than in pPb collisions. For both the γp and pPb samples, V 1 Δ is negative, V 2 Δ is positive, and V 3 Δ consistent with 0. For each multiplicity and p T range, V 2 Δ is larger for γp events. The γp data are consistent with model predictions that have no collective effects.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Exclusive vector meson production at HERA

The exclusive photoproduction of {Upsilon} has been studied with the ZEUS detector in ep collisions at HERA. The exponential slope, b, of the |t|-dependence of the cross section, where t is the squared four-momentum transfer at the proton vertex, has been measured. This constitutes the first measurement of the |t|-dependence of the {gamma}p{yields}{Upsilon}p cross section. The differential crosssections as a function of t at lower energies of {gamma}p centre-of-mass has been studied in exclusive diffractive photoproduction of J/{psi} mesons with the H1 detector. The exclusive electroproduction of two pions has been measured by the ZEUS experiment. The two-pion invariant-mass distribution is interpreted in terms of the pion electromagnetic form factor, assuming that the studied mass range includes the contributions of the {rho}, {rho} Prime and . {rho}'' vector-meson states.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

The hadronic origin of the hard gamma-ray spectrum from blazar 1ES 1101-232

The very hard γ-ray spectrum from distant blazars challenges the traditional synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) model, which may indicate that there is a contribution from an additional high-energy component beyond the SSC emission. In this paper, we study the possible origin of the hard γ-ray spectrum from distant blazars. We develop a model to explain the hard γ-ray spectrum from blazar 1ES 1101-232. In the model, the optical and X-ray radiation would come from the synchrotron radiation of primary electrons and secondary pairs and the GeV emission would be produced by the SSC process, however, the hard γ-ray spectrum would originate from the decay of neutral pion produced through proton-photon interactions with the synchrotron radiation photons within the jet. Our model can explain the observed spectral energy distribution of 1ES 1101-232 well, especially the very hard γ-ray spectrum. However, our model requires a very large proton power to efficiently produce the γ-ray through proton-photon interactions.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Photoproduction of scalar mesons at medium energies

In this work we will focus on photoproduction of mesons states a{sub 0}(980), f{sub 0}(1500) and f{sub 0}(1710). The f{sub 0}(1500) and f{sub 0}(1710) mesons will be considered in distinct mixing possibilities and assuming that a{sub 0}(980) is member of the ground-state nonet. The theoretical formalism is the Regge approach with reggeized {rho} and {omega} exchange. The differential and integrated total cross section are computed for the cases of the mesons a{sub 0}(980), f{sub 0}(1500) and f{sub 0}(1710) focusing the GlueX energy regime with photon energy E = 9 GeV.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Measuring the scalar and vector polarizabilities of the nucleon using polarized photons and electrons

The next generation of Compton scattering experiments is underway at Mainz and other laboratories, where the goal is precision measurements of the scalar and vector polarizabilities of the nucleon using polarized photons and polarized targets. Results are presented for the first double polarized Compton scattering experiment utilizing a polarized proton target. Preliminary results are presented for the γ{sub E1E1} spin polarizability. Prospects are discussed for future nucleon polarizability measurements using a high intensity 300 MeV electron machine.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Vector meson production in ultra-peripheral collisions at the LHC

By using a Regge-pole model for vector meson production (VMP), that successfully describes the HERA data, we analyse the connection of VMP cross sections in photon-induced reactions at HERA with those in ultra-peripheral collisions at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The role of the low-energy behaviour of VMP cross sections in γp collisions is scrutinized.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Extracting information from 0νββ decay and LHC pp-cross sections: Limits on the left-right mixing angle and right-handed boson mass

The existence of massive neutrinos forces the extension of the Standard Model of electroweak interactions, to accommodate them and/or right-handed currents. This is one of the fundamental questions in todays’s physics. The consequences of it would reflect upon several decay processes, like the very exotic nuclear double-beta-decay. By the other hand, high-energy proton-proton reactions of the type performed at the LHC accelerator can provide information about the existence of a right-handed generation of the W and Z-bosons. Here we shall address the possibility of performing a joint analysis of the results reported by the ATLAS and CMS collaborations (σ(pp− > 2l + jets)) and the latest measurements of nuclear-double-beta decays reported by the GERDA and EXO collaborations.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

HOW MANY ULTRA-HIGH ENERGY COSMIC RAYS COULD WE EXPECT FROM CENTAURUS A?

The Pierre Auger Observatory has associated a few ultra-high energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) with the direction of Centaurus A. This source has been deeply studied in radio, infrared, X-ray, and {gamma}-rays (MeV-TeV) because it is the nearest radio-loud active galactic nucleus. Its spectral energy distribution or spectrum shows two main peaks, the low-energy peak, at an energy of 10{sup -2} eV, and the high-energy peak, at about 150 keV. There is also a faint very high energy (VHE; E {>=} 100 GeV) {gamma}-ray emission fully detected by the High Energy Stereoscopic System experiment. In this work, we describe the entire spectrum: the two main peaks with a synchrotron/synchrotron self-Compton model, and the VHE emission with a hadronic model. We consider p{gamma} and pp interactions. For the p{gamma} interaction, we assume that the target photons are those produced at 150 keV in leptonic processes. On the other hand, for the pp interaction we consider as targets the thermal particle densities in the lobes. Requiring a satisfactory description of the spectra at very high energies with p{gamma} interaction, we obtain an excessive luminosity in UHECRs (even exceeding the Eddington luminosity). However, when considering the pp interaction to describe the {gamma}-spectrum, the number of UHECRs obtained is in agreement with Pierre Auger observations. We also calculate the possible neutrino signal from pp interactions on a Km{sup 3} neutrino telescope using Monte Carlo simulations.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

EVIDENCE FOR SECONDARY EMISSION AS THE ORIGIN OF HARD SPECTRA IN TeV BLAZARS

We develop a model for the possible origin of hard, very high energy (VHE) spectra from a distant blazar. In the model, both the primary photons produced in the source and secondary photons produced outside it contribute to the observed high-energy {gamma}-ray emission. That is, the primary photons are produced through the synchrotron self-Compton process, and the secondary photons are produced through high-energy proton interactions with background photons along the line of sight. We apply the model to a characteristic case of VHE {gamma}-ray emission in the distant blazar 1ES 1101-232. Assuming suitable electron and proton spectra, we obtain excellent fits to the observed spectra of this blazar. This indicated that the surprisingly low attenuation of the high-energy {gamma}-rays, especially the shape of the VHE {gamma}-ray tail of the observed spectra, can be explained by secondary {gamma}-rays produced in interactions of cosmic-ray protons with background photons in intergalactic space.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Evaluation of the Inclusive Electron Scattering Observables in the Resonance Region from the Experimental Data

The method for evaluation of inclusive electron scattering observables in the resonance region from the experimental data is presented. The computer codes in the web page allow user to evaluate inclusive electron scattering, virtual photon-proton cross sections and the F{sub 1} and F{sub 2} structure functions at the invariant masses of the final hadrons 1.0 < W < 4.0 GeV and at photon virtualities 0.5 < Q {sup 2} < 7.0 GeV{sup 2}. The developed approach is of interest for analyses of the experimental data on exploration of the hadron structure in the experiments with electromagnetic probes.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗