Π0 Decay Research Articles

Constraining axion-gluon coupling in monohadron processes

The axion-gluon coupling can be constrained directly through hard exclusive processes at the LHC. Specifically, we study the associated production of a long-lived axion with a ρ0 meson in ultraperipheral AA collisions and in pp collisions. With the axion escaped from the detector, the final state is characterized by a monohadron signature. The main background in our analysis originates from the ρ0+π0 process, where the photons from the π0 decay are undetected due to limited detector performance. Our analysis yields an exclusion limit of the axion-gluon coupling that is comparable to the limit obtained from the monojet process at the LHC. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Measurements of the branching fractions of the P -wave charmonium spin-singlet state hc(P11)→h+h−π0/η

Based on (2712.4±14.3)×106 ψ(3686) events, we investigate four hadronic decay modes of the P-wave charmonium spin-singlet state hc(1P1)→h+h−π0/η (h=π or K) via the process ψ(3686)→π0hc at BESIII. The hc→π+π−π0 decay is observed with a significance of 9.6σ after taking into account systematic uncertainties. Evidences for hc→K+K−π0 and hc→K+K−η are found with significances of 3.5σ and 3.3σ, respectively, after considering the systematic uncertainties. The branching fractions of these decays are measured to be B(hc→π+π−π0)=(1.36±0.16±0.14)×10−3, B(hc→K+K−π0)=(3.26±0.84±0.36)×10−4, and B(hc→K+K−η)=(3.13±1.08±0.38)×10−4, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic. No significant signal of hc→π+π−η is found, and the upper limit of its decay branching fraction is determined to be B(hc→π+π−η)<4.0×10−4 at the 90% confidence level. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Anomalies in string-inspired nonlocal extensions of QED

We investigate anomalies in the class of nonlocal field theories that have been proposed as an ultraviolet completion of four-dimensional quantum field theory with generalizing the kinetic energy operators to an infinite series of higher derivatives inspired by the string field theory and ghost-free nonlocal approaches to quantum gravity. We explicitly calculate the vector and chiral anomalies in a string-inspired nonlocal extension of QED. We show that the vector anomaly vanishes as required by gauge invariance and the Ward identity. On the other hand, although the chiral anomaly vanishes to the leading order with massless fermions, it nonetheless does not vanish with the massive fermions and we calculate it to the leading order in the scale of nonlocality. We also calculate the nonlocal vector and axial currents explicitly and present an illustrative example by applying our results to the decay of π0→γγ. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Stellar wind bubbles of OB stars as Galactic cosmic-ray re-accelerators

Abstract Cosmic rays are highly energetic messengers propagating in magnetized plasma, which are, possibly but not exclusively, accelerated at astrophysical shocks. Amongst the variety of astrophysical objects presenting shocks, the huge circumstellar stellar wind bubbles forming around very massive stars, are potential non-thermal emitters. We present the 1D magneto-hydrodynamical simulation of the evolving magnetized surroundings of a single, OB-type main-sequence $60\, \rm M_{\odot }$ star, which is post-processed to calculate the re-acceleration of pre-existing non-thermal particles of the Galactic cosmic ray background. It is found that the forward shock of such circumstellar bubble can, during the early phase ($1\, \rm Myr$) of its expansion, act as a substantial re-accelerator of pre-existing interstellar cosmic rays. This results in an increasing excess emission flux by a factor of 5, the hadronic component producing γ-rays by π0 decay being more important than those by synchrotron and inverse Compton radiation mechanisms. We propose that this effect is at work in the circumstellar environments of massive stars in general and we conjecture that other nebulae such as the stellar wind bow shocks of runaway massive stars also act as Galactic cosmic-ray re-accelerators. Particularly, this study supports the interpretation of the enhanced hadronic emission flux measured from the surroundings of κ Ori as originating from the acceleration of pre-existing particles at the forward shock of its wind bubble.

Modelling the expected very high energy γ-ray emission from accreting neutron stars in X-ray binaries

ABSTRACT The detection of γ-ray emission from accreting pulsars in X-ray binaries (XRBs) has long been sought after. For some high-mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs), marginal detections have recently been reported. Regardless of whether these will be confirmed or not, future telescopes operating in the γ-ray band could offer the sensitivity needed to achieve solid detections and possibly spectra. In view of future observational advances, we explored the expected emission above 10 GeV from XRBs, based on the Cheng & Ruderman model, where γ-ray photons are produced by the decay of π0 originated by protons accelerated in the magnetosphere of an accreting pulsar fed by an accretion disc. We improved this model by considering, through Monte Carlo simulations, the development of cascades inside of and outside the accretion disc, taking into account pair and photon production processes that involve interaction with nuclei, X-ray photons from the accretion disc, and the magnetic field. We produced grids of solutions for different input parameter values of the X-ray luminosity (Lx), magnetic field strength (B), and for different properties of the region where acceleration occurs. We found that the γ-ray luminosity spans more than five orders of magnitude, with a maximum of ∼1035 erg s−1. The γ-ray spectra show a large variety of shapes: some have most of the emission below ∼100 GeV, others are harder (emission up to 10–100 TeV). We compared our results with Fermi/LAT and VERITAS detections and upper limits of two HMXBs: A0535+26 and GRO J1008−57. More consequential comparisons will be possible when more sensitive instruments will be operational in the coming years.

Evidence for a gamma-ray molecular target in the enigmatic PeVatron candidate LHAASO J2108+5157

Context. Peta-eV (PeV) astronomy emerged in 2021 with the discovery of ultra-high-energy gamma-ray sources associated with powerful natural particle accelerators known as PeVatrons. In order to determine the nature of their emission, namely whether it has a hadronic or leptonic origin, it is essential to characterise the physical parameters of the environment where it originates. Aims. We unambiguously confirm the association of molecular gas with the PeVatron candidate LHAASO J2108+5157 using unprecedented high angular-resolution (17″) 12, 13CO(J = 1 → 0) observations carried out with the Nobeyama 45m radio telescope. Methods. We characterised a molecular cloud in the vicinity of the PeVatron candidate LHAASO J2108+5157 by determining its physical parameters from our 12, 13CO(J = 1 → 0) line observations. We used an updated estimation of the distance to the cloud, which provided a more reliable result. The molecular emission was compared with excess gamma-ray images obtained with Fermi-LAT at energies above 2 GeV to search for spatial correlations and test a possible hadronic (π0 decay) origin for the gamma-ray emission. Results. We find that the morphology of the spatial distribution of the CO emission is strikingly similar to that of the Fermi-LAT excess gamma ray. By combining our observations with archival 21 cm HI line data, the nucleons (HI + H2) number density of the target molecular cloud is found to be 133.0 ± 45.0 cm−3, for the measured angular size of 0.55 ± 0.02° at a distance of 1.6 ± 0.1 kpc. The resulting total mass of the cloud is M(HI + H2) = 7.5±2.9×103 M⊙. Under a hadronic scenario, we obtain a total energy of protons of Wp = 4.3 ± 1.5 × 1046 erg with a cutoff of 700±300 TeV, which reproduces the sub-PeV gamma-ray emission. Conclusions. We identified a molecular cloud in the vicinity of LHAASO J2107+5157 as the main target where cosmic rays from an unknown PeVatron produce the observed gamma-ray emission via π0 decay.

Earth mover’s distance as a measure of CP violation

We introduce a new unbinned two sample test statistic sensitive to CP violation utilizing the optimal transport plan associated with the Wasserstein (earth mover’s) distance. The efficacy of the test statistic is shown via two examples of CP asymmetric distributions with varying sample sizes: the Dalitz distributions of B0 → K+π−π0 and of D0 → π+π−π0 decays. The windowed version of the Wasserstein distance test statistic is shown to have comparable sensitivity to CP violation as the commonly used energy test statistic, but also retains information about the localized distributions of CP asymmetry over the Dalitz plot. For large statistic datasets we introduce two modified Wasserstein distance based test statistics — the binned and the sliced Wasserstein distance statistics, which show comparable sensitivity to CP violation, but improved computing time and memory scalings. Finally, general extensions and applications of the introduced statistics are discussed.

On the three-point order parameters of chiral symmetry breaking

The nonlocal order parameters of the QCD chiral symmetry breaking, namely the nonanomalous three-point Green functions of the quark bilinears belonging to the odd intrinsic parity sector, are studied within the framework of the Resonance chiral theory. The general form of these correlators is then matched with various high energy constraints: the leading and sub-leading OPE for all three momenta simultaneously large, the leading OPE for two momenta large and the leading and sub-leading Brodsky-Lepage limit for the corresponding transition form factor. In order to satisfy these constraints, the Resonance chiral theory has to be enlarged with additional resonance multiplets and with higher derivative operators as well. We discuss a minimal extension of this kind in detail and present corresponding correlators in a closed form. The remaining free parameters are then constrained from lattice data. As a phenomenological application, we discuss the pion-pole contribution to the muon g − 2 and the decay π0→ e+e−.

Search for Lepton Number and Flavour Violation in K+ and π0 Decays

The NA62 experiment at CERN collected a large sample of charged kaon decays into final states with multiple charged particles in Run 1 from 2016 to 2018. This sample provides sensitivities to rare decays with branching fractions as low as 10−11. Results of searches for the lepton number and/or flavour violating decays K+→π±μ∓e+ and π0→μ−e+ are reported. No evidence of these decays is found, and upper limits on the branching fractions are obtained at 90% confidence level: B(K+→π−μ+e+)<4.2×10−11, B(K+→π+μ−e+)<6.6×10−11, and B(π0→μ−e+)<3.2×10−10. These results improve by approximately one order of magnitude over previous results for these decay modes.

Diffuse non-thermal emission in the disks of the Magellanic Clouds

Context. The Magellanic Clouds, two dwarf galaxy companions to the Milky Way, are among the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) brightest γ-ray sources. Aims. We present comprehensive modeling of the non-thermal electromagnetic and neutrino emission in both Clouds. Methods. We self-consistently model the radio and γ-ray spectral energy distribution from their disks based on recently published Murchison Widefield Array and Fermi/LAT data. All relevant radiative processes involving relativistic and thermal electrons (synchrotron, Compton scattering, and bremsstrahlung) and relativistic protons (neutral pion decay following interaction with thermal protons) are considered, using exact emission formulae. Results. Joint spectral analyses indicate that radio emission in the Clouds has both primary and secondary electron synchrotron and thermal bremsstrahlung origin, whereas γ rays originate mostly from π0 decay with some contributions from relativistic bremsstrahlung and Comptonized starlight. The proton spectra in both galaxies are modeled as power laws in energy with similar spectral indices, ~2.4, and energy densities, ~1 eV cm−3. The predicted 0.1–10 GeV neutrino flux is too low for detection by current and upcoming experiments. Conclusions. We confirm earlier suggestions of a largely hadronic origin of the γ-ray emission in both Magellanic Clouds.

Emission from hadronic and leptonic processes in galactic jet-driven bubbles

ABSTRACT We investigate the multiwavelength emission from hadronic and leptonic cosmic rays (CRs) in bubbles around galaxies, analogous to the Fermi bubbles of the Milky Way. The bubbles are modelled using 3D magnetohydrodynamical simulations, and are driven by a 0.3 Myr intense explosive outburst from the nucleus of Milky Way-like galaxies. We compute their non-thermal emission properties at different stages throughout their evolution, up to 7 Myr, by post-processing the simulations. We compare the spectral and spatial signatures of bubbles with hadronic, leptonic, and hybrid hadro-leptonic CR compositions. These each show broadly similar emission spectra, comprised of radio synchrotron, inverse Compton, and non-thermal bremsstrahlung components. However, hadronic and hybrid bubbles were found to be brighter than leptonic bubbles in X-rays, and marginally less bright at radio frequencies, and in γ-rays between ∼0.1 and a few 10s of GeV, with a large part of their emission being driven by secondary electrons formed in hadronic interactions. Hadronic systems were also found to be slightly brighter in high-energy γ-rays than their leptonic counterparts, owing to the π0 decay emission that dominates their emission between energies of 100s of GeV and a few TeV.

Dark boson mediation of the π0 → γe+e− decay

The phenomenological implications to the decay of the neutral pion from the introduction of new dark particles are discussed. We calculate the contribution to the π0 decay width and then we extend the theory by adding dark sector vector particles which interact through γμ, σμν and σμνγ5. We calculate the total decay width of π0→γe+e− where the electron-positron pair is produced through a decay of a dark meson. The implication of the presented model on the present and future searches for new dark particles is also discussed.

Can the one-zone hadronuclear model explain the hard-TeV spectrum of BL Lac objects?

Context. The intrinsic TeV emission of some BL Lacs is characterized by a hard spectrum (the hard-TeV spectrum) after correcting for the extragalactic background light. The hard-TeV spectra pose a challenge to conventional one-zone models, including the leptonic model, the photohadronic model, the proton synchrotron model, and others. Aims. In this work, we aim to investigate whether or not the one-zone hadronuclear (pp) model can be used to interpret the hard-TeV spectra of BL Lacs without introducing extreme parameters. Methods. We provide analytical calculations that can be used to study whether or not there is a parameter space, and whether or not the charge neutrality condition of the jet can be satisfied when interpreting the hard-TeV spectra of BL Lacs without introducing a super-Eddington jet power. Results. We find that in a sample of hard-TeV BL Lacs previously collected, only the hard-TeV spectrum of 1ES 0229+200 can be explained by γ-rays from π0 decay produced in the pp interactions, but at the cost of setting a small radius of the radiation region than the Schwarzschild radius of the central black hole. Combining our findings with those of previous studies of other one-zone models, we suggest that the hard-TeV spectra of BL Lacs cannot be explained by a one-zone model without introducing extreme parameters, and should originate from the multiple radiation regions.

TeV and keV–MeV Excesses as Probes for Hadronic Process in BL Lacertaes

Abstract A hard TeV γ-ray component excess over the single-zone leptonic model prediction (TeV excess) is observed in the spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of some BL Lacs. Its origin is uncertain. We revisit this issue with four BL Lacs (1ES 0229+200, 1ES 0347–121, 1ES 1101–232, and H2356–309), in which the TeV excess is detected in their intrinsic SEDs. We represent their SEDs with a single-zone leptohadronic model, where radiations of the electrons and protons as well as the cascade electrons produced by the γγ and pγ interactions within their jets are considered. We show that the observed SEDs below the GeV gamma-ray band are attributed to the synchrotron radiations and self-Compton process of the primary electrons, and the TeV excess is explained with the γ-ray emission from the pγ process via the π 0 decay. The cascade emission of the electrons produced via the γγ and pγ interactions results in a keV–MeV excess in the SEDs, illustrated as a bump or plateau. This extra photon field enhances the production of TeV photons from the p γ process, resulting in a reduction of the proton power by about one order of magnitude. However, the derived powers are still 3–4 orders of magnitude larger than the Eddington limit, being challenged by the current black hole accretion physics. Applying our model to Mrk 421, we propose that synergic observations with current and upcoming TeV and keV–MeV telescopes for its tentative TeV and MeV excesses can give insights to the hadronic process in its jet.

Search for CP violation in {D}_{(s)}^{+}to {h}^{+}{pi}^0 and {D}_{(s)}^{+}to {h}^{+}eta decays

Searches for CP violation in the two-body decays {D}_{(s)}^{+}to {h}^{+}{pi}^0 and {D}_{(s)}^{+}to {h}^{+}eta (where h+ denotes a π+ or K+ meson) are performed using pp collision data collected by the LHCb experiment corresponding to either 9 fb−1 or 6 fb−1 of integrated luminosity. The π0 and η mesons are reconstructed using the e+e−γ final state, which can proceed as three-body decays π0→ e+e−γ and η → e+e−γ, or via the two-body decays π0→ γγ and η → γγ followed by a photon conversion. The measurements are made relative to the control modes {D}_{(s)}^{+}to {K}_{mathrm{S}}^0{h}^{+} to cancel the production and detection asymmetries. The CP asymmetries are measured to beACPD+→π+π0=−1.3±0.9±0.6%,ACPD+→K+π0=−3.2±4.7±2.1%,ACPD+→π+η=−0.2±0.8±0.4%,ACPD+→K+η=−6±10±4%,ACPDs+→K+π0=−0.8±3.9±1.2%,ACPDs+→π+η=0.8±0.7±0.5%,ACPDs+→K+η=0.9±3.7±1.1%,\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\t\t\t\t\\usepackage{amsmath}\t\t\t\t\\usepackage{wasysym}\t\t\t\t\\usepackage{amsfonts}\t\t\t\t\\usepackage{amssymb}\t\t\t\t\\usepackage{amsbsy}\t\t\t\t\\usepackage{mathrsfs}\t\t\t\t\\usepackage{upgreek}\t\t\t\t\\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\t\t\t\t\\begin{document}$$ {\\displaystyle \\begin{array}{c}{\\mathcal{A}}_{CP}\\left({D}^{+}\\to {\\pi}^{+}{\\pi}^0\\right)=\\left(-1.3\\pm 0.9\\pm 0.6\\right)\\%,\\\\ {}{\\mathcal{A}}_{CP}\\left({D}^{+}\\to {K}^{+}{\\pi}^0\\right)=\\left(-3.2\\pm 4.7\\pm 2.1\\right)\\%,\\\\ {}\\begin{array}{c}{\\mathcal{A}}_{CP}\\left({D}^{+}\\to {\\pi}^{+}\\eta \\right)=\\left(-0.2\\pm 0.8\\pm 0.4\\right)\\%,\\\\ {}{\\mathcal{A}}_{CP}\\left({D}^{+}\\to {K}^{+}\\eta \\right)=\\left(-6\\pm 10\\pm 4\\right)\\%,\\\\ {}\\begin{array}{c}{\\mathcal{A}}_{CP}\\left({D}_s^{+}\\to {K}^{+}{\\pi}^0\\right)=\\left(-0.8\\pm 3.9\\pm 1.2\\right)\\%,\\\\ {}\\begin{array}{c}{\\mathcal{A}}_{CP}\\left({D}_s^{+}\\to {\\pi}^{+}\\eta \\right)=\\left(0.8\\pm 0.7\\pm 0.5\\right)\\%,\\\\ {}{\\mathcal{A}}_{CP}\\left({D}_s^{+}\\to {K}^{+}\\eta \\right)=\\left(0.9\\pm 3.7\\pm 1.1\\right)\\%,\\end{array}\\end{array}\\end{array}\\end{array}} $$\\end{document}where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second systematic. These results are consistent with no CP violation and mostly constitute the most precise measurements of {mathcal{A}}_{CP} in these decay modes to date.

Measurements of secondary-particle emissions from copper target bombarded with 24-GeV/c protons

To devise an activation technique for characterizing mixed radiation fields, secondary particles from a copper target irradiated by 24 GeV/c protons were measured at the CERN High-energy AcceleRator Mixed field facility (CHARM). Activation detector sets consisting of aluminum, niobium, indium, and bismuth, were placed at 30 cm from the target at angles of 15° to 160° with respect to the beam axis. The nuclides generated in these detectors due to irradiation by secondary particles were analyzed by γ-ray spectrometry, and the angular distributions of the production rates were obtained. The results of Monte Carlo calculations using FLUKA code was compared with the experimental results. The calculated results well agreed with the measured data at all angles. The influence of competitive reactions on the measured data were also evaluated by FLUKA. The following nuclear reactions, with low affectivity by competitive reactions, were identified as promising tools for characterizing mixed radiation fields: the 115In(n, n′)115mIn reaction for detecting neutrons emitted by the evaporation process, the 93Nb(γ, n)92mNb reaction for verifying the photon distribution generated by neutral-pion decay (π0→2γ), and the 209Bi(p, 4n)206Po reaction, which detects secondary protons.

Four-dimensional calorimeter to discriminate gammas from neutrons for the KOTO experiment

We study the rare decay KL→π0νν̄ at the J-PARC KOTO experiment. This decay mode is highly suppressed in the Standard Model (SM). The signature of the decay is two gammas from a π0 decay and no other detectable particles. In the KOTO experiment, the two gammas are measured with a calorimeter which is composed of undoped cesium iodide (CsI) crystals. Each crystal is read out with a photomultiplier tube (PMT) attached on its rear side. One of the main backgrounds to KL→π0νν̄ is caused by neutrons in the beam halo. To reach the sensitivity predicted in the SM, we need to suppress the background further by a factor of ten. We developed a method to attach Multi Pixel Photon Counters (MPPCs) on the front end of the crystals. The depth of the interaction, measured with the timing difference between the MPPC signal from upstream and the PMT signal from downstream, is used to discriminate gammas from neutrons. We obtain four-dimensional information on the showers (timing and three-dimensional position) as well as their energies from the calorimeter. We installed MPPCs in the autumn of 2018 and took data during the beam time in 2019. Using the four-dimensional calorimeter, the background is suppressed by a factor of 45.

Precision measurement of the neutral pion lifetime.

The explicit breaking of the axial symmetry by quantum fluctuations gives rise to the so-called axial anomaly. This phenomenon is solely responsible for the decay of the neutral pion π0 into two photons (γγ), leading to its unusually short lifetime. We precisely measured the decay width Γ of the [Formula: see text] process. The differential cross sections for π0 photoproduction at forward angles were measured on two targets, carbon-12 and silicon-28, yielding [Formula: see text], where stat. denotes the statistical uncertainty and syst. the systematic uncertainty. We combined the results of this and an earlier experiment to generate a weighted average of [Formula: see text] Our final result has a total uncertainty of 1.50% and confirms the prediction based on the chiral anomaly in quantum chromodynamics.

Proton Decay Search Sensitivity with the Enlarged Fiducial Mass of Super-Kamiokande

We have studied enlarging the fiducial mass of the Super-Kamiokande detector from 22.5 kton to 27.2 kton to improve the proton decay search sensitivity. For the p → e +π0 (μ +π0) decay mode, the estimated efficiency and the expected number of atmospheric neutrino background events in the enlarged region (78 kton⋅years) are 25.8% (25.2%) and 0.10 (0.20), respectively while in the conventional region (372 kton⋅years) they are 39.8% (36.3%) and 0.49 (0.74). As a result, enlarging the fiducial mass increases the proton decay search sensitivity by 12%.

A simulation study to distinguish prompt photon from π0 and beam halo in a granular calorimeter using deep networks

In a hadron collider environment identification of prompt photons originating in a hard partonic scattering process and rejection of non-prompt photons coming from hadronic jets or from beam related sources, is the first step for study of processes with photons in final state. Photons coming from decay of π0's produced inside a hadronic jet and photons produced in catastrophic bremsstrahlung by beam halo muons are two major sources of non-prompt photons. In this paper the potential of deep learning methods for separating the prompt photons from beam halo and π0's in the electromagnetic calorimeter of a collider detector is investigated, using an approximate description of the CMS detector. It is shown that, using only calorimetric information as images with a Convolutional Neural Network, beam halo (and π0) can be separated from photon with 99.96% (97.7%) background rejection for 99.00% (90.0%) signal efficiency which is much better than traditionally employed variables.