Observation of pi(+)pi(-)pi(+)pi(-) photoproduction in ultraperipheral heavy-ion collisions at root s(NN)=200 GeV at the STAR detector

We present a measurement of pi(+)pi(-)pi(+)pi(-) photonuclear production in ultraperipheral Au-Au collisions at root s(NN) = 200 GeV from the STAR experiment. The pi(+)pi(-)pi(+)pi(-) final states are observed at low transverse momentum and are accompanied by mutual nuclear excitation of the beam particles. The strong enhancement of the production cross section at low transverse momentum is consistent with coherent photoproduction. The pi(+)pi(-)pi(+)pi(-) invariant mass spectrum of the coherent events exhibits a broad peak around 1540 +/- 40 MeV/c(2) with a width of 570 +/- 60 MeV/c(2), in agreement with the photoproduction data for the rho(0)(1700). We do not observe a corresponding peak in the pi(+)pi(-) final state and measure an upper limit for the ratio of the branching fractions of the rho(0)(1700) to pi(+)pi(-) and pi(+)pi(-)pi(+)pi(-) of 2.5% at 90% confidence level. The ratio of rho(0)(1700) and rho(0)(770) coherent production cross sections is measured to be 13.4 +/- 0.8(stat.) +/- 4.4(syst.)%.

Identified particle production, azimuthal anisotropy, and interferometry measurements in Au plus Au collisions at root s(NN)=9.2 GeV

We present the first measurements of identified hadron production, azimuthal anisotropy, and pion interferometry from Au + Au collisions below the nominal injection energy at the BNL Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider (RHIC) facility. The data were collected using the large acceptance solenoidal tracker at RHIC (STAR) detector at root s(NN) = 9.2 GeV from a test run of the collider in the year 2008. Midrapidity results on multiplicity density dN/dy in rapidity y, average transverse momentum < p(T)>, particle ratios, elliptic flow, and Hanbury-Brown-Twiss (HBT) radii are consistent with the corresponding results at similar root s(NN) from fixed-target experiments. Directed flow measurements are presented for both midrapidity and forward-rapidity regions. Furthermore the collision centrality dependence of identified particle dN/dy, < p(T)>, and particle ratios are discussed. These results also demonstrate that the capabilities of the STAR detector, although optimized for root s(NN) = 200 GeV, are suitable for the proposed QCD critical-point search and exploration of the QCD phase diagram at RHIC.

Longitudinal scaling property of the charge balance function in Au plus Au collisions at root s(NN)=200 GeV

We present measurements of the charge balance function, from the charged particles, for diverse pseudorapidity and transverse momentum ranges in Au + Au collisions at root S-NN = 200 GeV using the STAR detector at RHIC. We observe that the balance function is boost-invariant within the pseudorapidity coverage vertical bar-1.3, 1.3 vertical bar. The balance function properly scaled by the width of the observed pseudorapidity window does not depend on the position or size of the pseudorapidity window. This scaling property also holds for particles in different transverse momentum ranges. In addition, we find that the width of the balance function decreases monotonically with increasing transverse momentum for all centrality classes. (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Infrared light on molecule-molecule and molecule-surface collisions

By analyzing measured infrared absorption of pure CH4 gas under both "free" (large sample cell) and "confined" (inside the pores of a silica xerogel sample) conditions we give a demonstration that molecule-molecule and molecule-surface collisions lead to very different propensity rules for rotational-state changes. Whereas the efficiency of collisions to change the rotational state (observed through the broadening of the absorption lines) decreases with increasing rotational quantum number J for CH4-CH4 interactions, CH4-surface collisions lead to J-independent linewidths. In the former case, some (weak) collisions are inefficient whereas, in the latter case, a single collision is sufficient to remove the molecule from its initial rotational level. Furthermore, although some gas-phase collisions leave J unchanged and only modify the angular momentum orientation and/or symmetry of the level (as observed through the spectral effects of line mixing), this is not the case for the molecule-surface collisions since they always change J (in the studied J=0-14 range).

Search for maximal flavor violating scalars in same-charge lepton pairs in pp̄ collisions at s=1.96TeV

Models of maximal flavor violation (MxFV) in elementary particle physics may contain at least one new scalar SU(2) doublet field ΦFV=(η0,η+) that couples the first and third generation quarks (q1, q3) via a Lagrangian term LFV=ξ13ΦFVq1q3. These models have a distinctive signature of same-charge top-quark pairs and evade flavor-changing limits from meson mixing measurements. Data corresponding to 2fb-1 collected by the Collider Dectector at Fermilab II detector in pp̄ collisions at s=1.96TeV are analyzed for evidence of the MxFV signature. For a neutral scalar η0 with mη0=200GeV/c2 and coupling ξ13=1, ∼11 signal events are expected over a background of 2.1±1.8 events. Three events are observed in the data, consistent with background expectations, and limits are set on the coupling ξ13 for mη0=180-300GeV/c2. © 2009 The American Physical Society.

Measurement of ratios of fragmentation fractions for bottom hadrons in pp̄ collisions at s=1.96TeV

This paper describes the first measurement of b-quark fragmentation fractions into bottom hadrons in Run II of the Tevatron Collider at Fermilab. The result is based on a 360pb-1 sample of data collected with the CDF II detector in pp̄ collisions at s=1.96TeV. Semileptonic decays of B̄0, B-, and B̄s0 mesons, as well as Λb0 baryons, are reconstructed. For an effective bottom hadron pT threshold of 7GeV/c, the fragmentation fractions are measured to be fu/fd=1.054±0.018(stat)-0.045+0.025(sys)±0. 058(B), fs/(fu+fd)=0.160±0.005(stat)-0.010+0.011(sys)-0.034+0.057(B), and fΛb/(fu+fd)=0.281±0.012(stat)-0.056+0.058(sys)-0.087+0.128(B), where the uncertainty B is due to uncertainties on measured branching ratios. The value of fs/(fu+fd) agrees within one standard deviation with previous CDF measurements and the world average of this quantity, which is dominated by LEP measurements. However, the ratio fΛb/(fu+fd) is approximately twice the value previously measured at LEP. The approximately 2σ discrepancy is examined in terms of kinematic differences between the two production environments. © 2008 The American Physical Society.

Positronium formation in positron-noble gas collisions

Distorted-wave Born approximation calculations for Ps formation in positron impact on He, Ne, Ar, Kr and Xe are reported for the energy range up to 200 eV. Capture into the n = 1, 2 and 3 states of Ps is calculated explicitly and 1/n(3) scaling is used to estimate capture into states with n > 3. The calculations for the heavier noble gases allow for capture not only from the outer np(6) shell of the atom but also from the first inner ns(2) shell. However, the inner shell capture is found to be very small. Although by no means unambiguous, the calculations provide some support to the conjecture of Larrichia et al. [J. Phys. B 35 (2002) 2525] that the double peak and shoulder structures observed experimentally for Ps formation in Ar, Kr and Xe arise from formation in excited states. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Angular distribution for the elastic scattering of electrons from Ar+(3s^2 3p^5 ^2P) above the first inelastic threshold

The measured angular differential cross section (DCS) for the elastic scattering of electrons from Ar+(3s2 3p5 2P) at the collision energy of 16 eV is presented. By solving the Hartree-Fock equations, we calculate the corresponding theoretical DCS including the coupling between the orbital angular momenta and spin of the incident electron and those of the target ion and also relaxation effects. Since the collision energy is above one inelastic threshold for the transition 3s2 3p5 2P–3s 3p6 2S, we consider the effects on the DCS of inelastic absorption processes and elastic resonances. The measurements deviate significantly from the Rutherford cross section over the full angular range observed, especially in the region of a deep minimum centered at approximately 75°. Our theory and an uncoupled, unrelaxed method using a local, spherically symmetric potential by Manson [Phys. Rev. 182, 97 (1969)] both reproduce the overall shape of the measured DCS, although the coupled Hartree-Fock approach describes the depth of the minimum more accurately. The minimum is shallower in the present theory owing to our lower average value for the d-wave non-Coulomb phase shift s2, which is due to the high sensitivity of s2 to the different scattering potentials used in the two models. The present measurements and calculations therefore show the importance of including coupling and relaxation effects when accurately modeling electron-ion collisions. The phase shifts obtained by fitting to the measurements are compared with the values of Manson and the present method.

Étude des collisions proton-proton dans l’expérience ATLAS avec les détecteurs ATLAS-MPX

Les seize détecteurs MPX constituant le réseau ATLAS-MPX ont été placés à différentes positions dans le détecteur ATLAS et sa averne au CERN dans le but de mesurer en emps réel les champs de radiation produits ar des particules primaires (protons des faisceaux) et des particules secondaires (kaons, pions, g, protons) issues des collisions proton-proton. Des films de polyéthylène (PE) et de fluorure de lithium (6LiF) recouvrent les détecteurs afin d’augmenter leur sensibilité aux neutrons produits par les particules primaires et secondaires interagissant avec les matériaux présents dans l’environnement d’ATLAS. La reconnaissance des traces laissées par les particules dans un détecteur ATLAS-MPX se fait à partir des algorithmes du logiciel MAFalda (“Medipix Analysis Framework”) basé sur les librairies et le logiciel d’analyse de données ROOT. Une étude sur le taux d’identifications erronées et le chevauchement d’amas a été faite en reconstruisant les activités des sources 106Ru et 137Cs. L’efficacité de détection des neutrons rapides a été mesurée à l’aide des sources 252Cf et 241AmBe (neutrons d’énergie moyenne de 2.13 et 4.08 MeV respectivement). La moyenne des efficacités de détection mesurées pour les neutrons produits par les sources 252C f et 241AmBe a été calculée pour les convertisseurs 6LiF et PE et donnent (0.8580 ± 0.1490)% et (0.0254 ± 0.0031)% pour LiF et (0.0510 ± 0.0061)% et (0.0591 ± 0.0063)% pour PE à bas et à haut seuil d’énergie respectivement. Une simulation du calcul de l’efficacité de détection des neutrons dans le détecteur MPX a été réalisée avec le logiciel GEANT4. Des données MPX correspondant aux collisions proton-proton à 2.4 TeV et à 7 TeV dans le centre de masse ont été analysées. Les flux détectés d’électrons et de photons sont particulièrement élevés dans les détecteurs MPX01 et MPX14 car ils sont plus près du point de collision. Des flux de neutrons ont été estimés en utilisant les efficacités de détection mesurées. Une corrélation avec la luminosité du LHC a été établie et on prédit que pour les collisions à 14 TeV dans le centre de masse et avec une luminosité de 10^34 cm-1*s-1 il y aura environ 5.1x10^8 ± 1.5x10^7 et 1.6x10^9 ± 6.3x10^7 particules détectées par les détecteurs MPX01 et MPX14 respectivement.

Relativistic ab initio calculations for ion-atom collisions

Within the independent particle model we solve the time-dependent single-particle equation using ab initio SCF-DIRAC-FOCK-SLATER wavefunctions as a basis. To reinstate the many-particle aspect of the collision system we use the inclusive probability formalism to answer experimental questions. As an example we show an application to the case of S{^15+} on Ar where experimental data on the K-K charge transfer are available for a wide range of impact energies from 4.7 to 90 MeV. Our molecular adiabatic calculations and the evaluation using the inclusive probability formalism show good results in the low energy range from 4.7 to 16 MeV impact energy.

{2p_\pi}-{2p_\sigma} crossing in heavy symmetric ion-atom collisions: I. Level structure

Ab initio self-consistent DFS calculations are performed for five different symmetric atomic systems from Ar-Ar to Pb-Pb. The level structure for the {2p_\pi}-{2p_\sigma} crossing as function of the united atomic charge Z_u is studied and interpreted. Manybody effects, spin-orbit splitting, direct relativistic effects as well as indirect relativistic effects are differently important for different Z_u. For the I-I system a comparison with other calculations is given.

Multiple vacancy inclusive probabilities for the scattering system 16 MeV S{^16+} on Ar

To evaluate single and double K-shell inclusive charge transfer probabilities in ion-atom collisions we solve the time-dependent Dirac equation. By expanding the timedependent wavefunction in a set of molecular basis states the time-dependent equation reduces to a set of coupled-channel equations. The energy eigenvalues and matrix elements are taken from self-consistent relativistic molecular many-electron Dirac-Fock-Slater calculations. We present many-electron inclusive probabilities for different final configurations as a function of impact parameter for single and double K-shell vacancy production in collisions of bare S on Ar.

Solution of the time dependent Dirac-Fock-Slater equation for many-electron collisions systems using a time window method

We present a new scheme to solve the time dependent Dirac-Fock-Slater equation (TDDFS) for heavy many electron ion-atom collision systems. Up to now time independent self consistent molecular orbitals have been used to expand the time dependent wavefunction and rather complicated potential coupling matrix elements have been neglected. Our idea is to minimize the potential coupling by using the time dependent electronic density to generate molecular basis functions. We present the first results for 16 MeV S{^16+} on Ar.

Gas collisions and pressure quenching of the photoluminescence of silicon nanopowder grown by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition

The quenching of the photoluminescence of Si nanopowder grown by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition due to pressure was measured for various gases ( H2, O2, N2, He, Ne, Ar, and Kr) and at different temperatures. The characteristic pressure, P0, of the general dependence I(P)=I0exp(-P/P0) is gas and temperature dependent. However, when the number of gas collisions is taken as the variable instead of pressure, then the quenching is the same within a gas family (mono- or diatomic) and it is temperature independent. So it is concluded that the effect depends on the number of gas collisions irrespective of the nature of the gas or its temperature