Nuclear Medium Research Articles

Interactions of omega mesons in nuclear matter and with nuclei

In-medium interactions of omega -mesons in infinite nuclear matter and finite nuclei are investigated in a microscopic approach, focused on the particle-hole excitations of the medium involving nucleonic NN^{-1} and N^*N^{-1} modes, where N^* denotes a nucleon resonance. The nuclear polarization tensors include relativistic mean-field dynamics by self–consistent scalar and vector fields. The resulting self-energies are transmitted to finite nuclei in local density approximation. Real and imaginary parts of longitudinal and transversal self-energies are discussed. The relation of the present approach to meson cloud models is addressed and an ambiguity is pointed out. Applications to recent data on the in–medium width of omega mesons scattered on a Niobium target serve to determine unknown N^*Nomega in-medium coupling constants. The data are well described by N^*N^{-1} self–energies containing S–wave and P-wave N^* resonances. Exploratory investigations, however, show that the spectroscopic composition of self-energies depends crucially on the near-threshold properties of the width which at present is known only within large error bars. The calculations predict the prevalence of transversal self–energies, implying that vector current conservation is still maintained in the nuclear medium by slightly more than 90%. Schrödinger-equivalent potentials are derived and scattering lengths and effective range parameters are extracted for the longitudinal and transversal channel. Longitudinal and transversal spectral distributions are discussed and the dependencies on momentum and nuclear density are investigated. Schrödinger-type omega +{}^{93}Nb optical potentials are constructed. Low-energy parameters are determined, are used to study the pole structure of the S-matrix at threshold. The effective range expansion of the omega-nucleus K-matrix led to a omega +{}^{93}Nb bound states with binding energy Re(varepsilon _B)=-448 keV but of width Gamma _B=4445 keV.

First usage of Intra-Nuclear Cascade of Liège (INCL) model for nuclear transport of protons from neutrino-nucleus scattering

Neutrino oscillation physics enters the precision era, and the modeling of neutrino-nucleus interactions constitutes a challenging source of systematic uncertainty for such measurements. A new generation of detectors is being developed to measure the complete (exclusive) final state of particles resulting from neutrino interactions. To fully benefit from the improved detector capabilities, precise simulations of the nuclear effects on the final-state nucleons are needed. We have employed the Intra-Nuclear Cascade of Liège model to simulate the propagation of hadrons through the nuclear medium after the neutrino interaction to address this problem. We present a characterization of the hadronic final state after Final State Interactions (FSI) and comparisons to available measurements of transverse kinematic imbalance. The study presented here [1] is a crucial milestone towards the precise simulation of final state interactions in neutrino-nucleus interactions and a complete estimation of related uncertainties.

Fourier coefficients of noninterdependent collective motions in heavy-ion collisions

We present a scenario in heavy-ion collisions where different modes of collective motions are noninterdependent, driven by factorized actions in the created nuclear medium. Such physics mechanisms could each dominate at a distinct evolution stage, or coexist simultaneously. If the probability of particle emission is modulated by each nondependent collective motion with a single-harmonic Fourier expansion, the particle azimuthal distribution should be the product of all these expansions. Consequently, nonleading cross terms between collectivity modes appear, and their contributions to experimental observables could be significant. In particular, we argue that the chiral magnetic effect (CME) and elliptic flow can develop separately, with their convolution affecting the observable that is sensitive to the shear-induced CME. We will use the event-by-event anomalous-viscous fluid dynamics model to illustrate the effects of this scenario. Besides giving insights into searches for the CME, we also propose feasible experimental tests based on conventional flow harmonics, and demonstrate the emergence of nonleading cross terms with a multiphase transport model.

Neutrino propagation in the neutron star with uncertainties from nuclear, hadron, and particle physics

Abstract In the present work, we investigate the neutral-current neutrino-nucleon scattering in the nuclear medium using various energy-density functional models such as KIDS (Korea-IBS-Daegu-SKKU) and SLy4, together with the quark-meson coupling model for the nucleon form factors at finite density. The differential cross-section and neutrino mean free path are computed numerically, considering the density-dependent nucleon form factors (DDFF) and neutrino structural properties such as the neutrino magnetic moment (NMM) and its electric charge radius (NCR). It turns out that the DDFF decreases the scattering cross-section, whereas the NCR increases it considerably. The effect of the NMM turns out to be almost negligible. We also observe that the value of the neutron effective mass is of importance in the neutron-star cooling process, indicating that for a neutron effective mass larger than the mass in free space, the neutrino can interact with matter at densities ρ ≳ 1.5ρ0 in a neutron star with radius 13 km.

Limited impact of jet-induced feedback in the multi-phase nuclear interstellar medium of 4C12.50

Context. 4C12.50 (IRAS 13451+1232) at z = 0.122 is an ultraluminous infared radio galaxy that has often been proposed as a prime candidate for the link between ultraluminous infared galaxies and young radio galaxies. It is also an interesting target to investigate whether and how radio-induced feedback affects the evolution of galaxies in the early phases of radio activity. Aims. We study, in detail for the first time, the hot (≥1500 K) molecular gas in 4C12.50. The potential impact of the radio jet on this gas phase, as well as on the star formation activity, are investigated. We also study the ionised (including coronal) gas as traced by the near-infrared lines. Methods. Using near-infrared long slit spectroscopy obtained with EMIR on GTC and X-shooter on VLT, we analyse the emission line spectrum of the ionised, coronal, and, specially, the hot molecular gas in the western nucleus hosting the compact radio jet. Based on high spatial resolution ALMA CO(2–1) data, we also revise the location of 4C12.50 in the Kennicutt-Schmidt diagram in order to investigate whether star formation is suppressed. Results. 4C12.50 hosts (2.1 ± 0.4) × 104 M⊙ of hot molecular gas. An unusually high rotational temperature Trot = 3020 ± 160 K is inferred. The molecular gas mass obeys a power-law temperature distribution, dMH2/dT ∝ T−5, from T ∼ 300 K and up to ∼3000 K. Both results support the idea that shocks (probably induced by the radio jet) contribute to the heating and excitation of the hot molecular gas. A molecular outflow is not detected. The coupling of the outflowing ionised and neutral outflows with the hot molecular gas is poor. Contrary to other studies, we claim that there is no evidence for star formation suppression in this object. Conclusions. If radio-induced feedback can regulate the star formation activity in galaxies, 4C12.50 is a promising candidate to reveal this phenomenon in action. However, we find no solid evidence for a current or past impact of this mechanism on the evolution of this system, neither by clearing out the dusty central cocoon efficiently, nor by suppressing the star formation activity.

First Measurement of Λ Electroproduction off Nuclei in the Current and Target Fragmentation Regions.

We report results of Λ hyperon production in semi-inclusive deep-inelastic scattering off deuterium, carbon, iron, and lead targets obtained with the CLAS detector and the Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility 5.014GeV electron beam. These results represent the first measurements of the Λ multiplicity ratio and transverse momentum broadening as a function of the energy fraction (z) in the current and target fragmentation regions. The multiplicity ratio exhibits a strong suppression at high z and an enhancement at low z. The measured transverse momentum broadening is an order of magnitude greater than that seen for light mesons. This indicates that the propagating entity interacts very strongly with the nuclear medium, which suggests that propagation of diquark configurations in the nuclear medium takes place at least part of the time, even at high z. The trends of these results are qualitatively described by the Giessen Boltzmann-Uehling-Uhlenbeck transport model, particularly for the multiplicity ratios. These observations will potentially open a new era of studies of the structure of the nucleon as well as of strange baryons.

Chiral Symmetry Breaking and the Masses of Hadrons: A Review

The masses of hadrons in the vacuum, where the chiral symmetry is restored, and in the medium are generally different even when the changes in the order parameters of chiral symmetry are the same. Here, we first discuss the relation between the hadron masses and the chiral symmetry breaking in approaches based on operator product expansion (OPE). We then discuss what additional changes occur to the hadron masses when going from the chiral symmetry restored vacuum to nuclear medium and/or finite temperature. The work will highlight how we can identify the effects of chiral symmetry restoration from experimental observations.

Magnetic quadrupole transitions in the relativistic energy density functional theory

Magnetic quadrupole (M2) excitation represents a fundamental feature in atomic nucleus associated to nuclear magnetism induced by spin and orbital transition operator. Since it has only been investigated within the non-relativistic theoretical approaches, and available experimental data are rather limited, it is interesting to study the properties of M2 transitions using the framework of relativistic nuclear energy density functional. In this work the nuclear ground state is calculated with relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov model, while the M2 excitations are described using the relativistic quasiparticle random phase approximation with the residual interaction extended with the isovector-pseudovector term. The M2 transition strength distributions are described and analyzed for closed shell nuclei $$^{16}$$ O, $$^{48}$$ Ca, $$^{208}$$ Pb, open-shell $$^{18} \mathrm O$$ , $$^{42}$$ Ca, $$^{56}$$ Fe, and semi-magic $$^{90}$$ Zr. The evolution of M2 transition properties has been investigated within the $$^{36-64} \mathrm Ca$$ isotope chain. The main M2 transitions have rather rich underlying structure and detailed analysis shows that collectivity increases with the mass number due to larger number of contributing particle-hole configurations. Pairing correlations in open shell nuclei have strong effect, causing the reduction of M2 strength and shifts of the centroid energies to higher values. The analysis of M2 transition strengths indicate that considerable amount of experimental strength may be missing, mainly due to limitations to rather restricted energy ranges. The calculated M2 strengths for Ca isotopes, together with the future experimental data will allow constraining the quenching of the g factors in nuclear medium.

Spectral function of the η′ meson in nuclear medium based on phenomenological models

The in-medium modification of the spectral function of the $\eta'$ meson with and without the spatial momentum is studied with the $T\rho$ approximation by employing two phenomenological models for the $\eta'N$ scattering; one is called coupled channels model and the other the $N(1895)$-dominance model. In the former model, the $\eta'N$ scattering amplitude is calculated in the unitarized coupled-channel approach involving the $\eta'N$ channel, while in the latter model the $\eta'N$ scattering process is dominated by the $N(1895)$ resonance with the spin and parity $J^P=1/2^-$. In the \com{coupled channels model}, one single peak of the in-medium $\eta'$ mode appears in the spectral function and the peak position shifts to higher energies along with the increase of the nuclear density reflecting the repulsive $\eta'N$ scattering length of the unitarized coupled-channel amplitude. On the other hand, two branches related to the $\eta'$ and $N(1895)$-hole modes appear in the $N(1895)$-dominance model. In both models, the shift of the peak position and the width in the spectral function are a few tens of MeV at the normal nuclear density for the $\eta'$ meson at rest in the nuclear medium. Once the spatial momentum is turned on, the peak positions in the spectral function approach the energies without the nuclear medium effect. Particularly, in the $N(1895)$-dominance model, the peak strength of the $N(1895)$-hole mode gets smaller with the finite momentum and the spectral function comes to have one single peak.

Impact of globally spin-aligned vector mesons on the search for the chiral magnetic effect in heavy-ion collisions

In high-energy heavy-ion collisions, the chiral magnetic effect (CME) is predicted to arise from the interplay between the chirality imbalance of quarks in the nuclear medium and the intense magnetic field, and will cause a charge separation along the magnetic field direction. While the search for the CME is still ongoing in experiments at Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) and the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), the CME-sensitive observables need to be scrutinized to exclude the non-CME contributions. In this work, we examine the influence of globally spin-aligned ρ mesons on the γ112 correlator, the RΨ2(ΔS) correlator, and the signed balance functions, via a toy model and a multiphase transport model (AMPT). The global spin alignment of vector mesons could originate from non-CME mechanisms in heavy-ion collisions, and is characterized by the 00-component of the spin density matrix, ρ00. We find that the CME observables show similar dependence on ρ00, and could receive a positive (negative) contribution from ρ-decay pions, if the ρ00 of ρ mesons is larger (smaller) than 1/3. Since pions are the most abundant particles in such collisions, the ρ00 measurements for ρ mesons become crucial to the interpretation of the CME data.

Medium modification of singly heavy baryons in a pion-mean-field approach

We investigate how the masses of singly heavy baryons undergo changes in nuclear matter. The mass spectrum of the singly heavy baryons was successfully described in a pion-mean field approach even with isospin symmetry breaking, based on which we extend the investigation to the medium modification of the singly heavy baryons. Since all dynamical parameters were determined by explaining the mass spectrum of the SU(3) light and singly heavy baryons in free space, we can directly implement the density-dependent functionals for the dynamical parameters, of which the density dependence was already fixed by reproducing the bulk properties of nuclear matter and medium modification of the SU(3) light baryons. We predict and discuss the density dependence of the masses of the singly heavy baryons.

Complementary two-particle correlation observables for relativistic nuclear collisions

Two-particle correlations are a widely used tool for studying relativistic nuclear collisions. Multiplicity fluctuations comparing charge and particle species have been studied as a possible signal for quark-gluon plasma (QGP) and the QCD critical point. These fluctuation studies all make use of particle variances which can be shown to originate with a two-particle correlation function. Momentum correlations and covariances of momentum fluctuations, which arise from the same correlation function, have also been used to extract properties of the nuclear collision medium such as the shear viscosity to entropy density ratio, the shear relaxation time, and temperature fluctuations. Searches for critical fluctuations are also done with these correlation observables. We derive a mathematical relationship between several number and momentum density correlation observables and outline the different physics mechanisms often ascribed to each. This set of observables also contains a new multiplicity-momentum correlation. Our mathematical relation can be used as a validation tool for measurements, as a method for interpreting the relative contributions of different physics mechanisms on correlation observables, and as a test for theoretical and phenomenological models to simultaneously explain all observables. We compare an independent source model to simulated events from pythia for all observables in the set.

Interaction of <sup>28</sup>Si with Emulsion Nuclei at 4.5 AGeV/c in View of Thermo-Statistical Approach

In this work, we study some changes of nuclear matter in the interactions of 28S with emulsion nuclei at 4.5 AGeV/c. From the experimental quantities investigated using Tsallis’ statistics, we deduced the temperature, entropy density and non-equilibrium factor of the nuclear medium. These obtained parameters were used to reveal variations in the nuclear matter at the stated interaction energy. The results that came up from this study were compared with their corresponding results obtained from other heavy ion collision experiments at wide energy range.

QCD sum rule analysis of heavy quarkonium states in magnetized matter: Effects of magnetic and inverse magnetic catalysis

In-medium masses of the $1S$ and $1P$ states of heavy quarkonia are investigated in the magnetized asymmetric nuclear medium, accounting for the Dirac sea effects, using a combined approach of chiral effective model and QCD sum rule method. Masses are calculated from the in-medium scalar and twist-2 gluon condensates, calculated within the chiral model. The gluon condensate is simulated through the scalar dilaton field, $\ensuremath{\chi}$ introduced in the model through a scale-invariance breaking logarithmic potential. Contribution of the Dirac sea is incorporated through the nucleonic tadpole diagrams. Treating the scalar fields as classical, the dilaton field, $\ensuremath{\chi}$, the isoscalar nonstrange $\ensuremath{\sigma}(\ensuremath{\sim}(⟨\overline{u}u⟩+⟨\overline{d}d⟩))$, strange $\ensuremath{\zeta}(\ensuremath{\sim}⟨\overline{s}s⟩)$ and isovector $\ensuremath{\delta}(\ensuremath{\sim}(⟨\overline{u}u⟩\ensuremath{-}⟨\overline{d}d⟩))$ fields, are obtained by solving their coupled equations of motion as derived from the chiral model Lagrangian. The effects of magnetic field are incorporated through the Dirac sea as well as the Landau energy levels of the protons, and the anomalous magnetic moments of the nucleons. The scalar fields modify appreciably with magnetic field due to the Dirac sea contribution. In-medium masses of the charmonium and bottomonium ground states are observed to have significant modifications with magnetic field due to the effects of (inverse) magnetic catalysis. In presence of an external magnetic field, there is mixing between the longitudinal component of the vector and the pseudoscalar mesons (PV mixing) in both quarkonia sectors, leading to a rise (drop) of the masses of $J/{\ensuremath{\psi}}^{||}({\ensuremath{\eta}}_{c})$ and ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Upsilon}}}^{||}(1S)({\ensuremath{\eta}}_{b})$ states. These might show in the experimental observables, e.g., the dilepton spectra in the noncentral, ultrarelativistic heavy ion collision experiments at RHIC and LHC, where the produced magnetic field is huge.

Experimental study on the physico-mechanical properties of Tamusu mudstone – A potential host rock for high-level radioactive waste in Inner Mongolia of China

Tamusu mudstone, located in Bayin Gobi Basin in Inner Mongolia of China, has been selected as a potential host rock for high-level radioactive waste (HLW) disposal in China. A series of tests has been carried out, including X-ray diffraction (XRD) tests, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) tests, disintegration tests, permeability tests and triaxial compression tests, to estimate the physico-mechanical properties of Tamusu mudstone in this work. The mineral composition of Tamusu mudstone was analyzed and it was considered as a stable rock due to its low disintegration rate, i.e. approximately 0.11% after several wet/dry cycles. Based on the results of permeability test, it was found that Tamusu mudstone has a low permeability, with the magnitude of about 10 –20 m 2 . The low permeability makes the mudstone well prevent nuclide migration and diffusion, and might be influenced by temperature. The triaxial tests show that Tamusu mudstone is a stiff mudstone with high compressive strength, which means that the excavation disturbed zone would be smaller compared to other types of mudstone due to construction and operation of HLW repositories. Finally, the properties of Tamusu mudstone were compared with those of Opalinus clay, Callovo-Oxfordian (COx) argillite, and Boom clay to further discuss the possibility of using Tamusu mudstone as a potential nuclear waste disposal medium.

Modeling Neutron Star Matter in the Age of Multimessenger Astrophysics

The interpretation of available and forthcoming data obtained from multimessenger astrophysical observations—potentially providing unprecedented access to neutron star properties—will require the development of novel, accurate theoretical models of dense matter. Of great importance, in this context, will be the capability for devising a description of thermal effects applicable to the study of quantities other than the equation of state, such as the transport coefficients and the neutrino mean free path in the nuclear medium. A formalism based on correlated basis states and the cluster expansion technique has been previously employed to derive a well-behaved effective interaction—suitable for use in standard perturbation theory—from a state-of-the-art nuclear Hamiltonian, including phenomenological two- and three-nucleon potentials. Here, we provide a comprehensive and self-contained account of the extension of this approach to the treatment of finite-temperature effects, and report the results of numerical calculations of a number of properties of nuclear matter with arbitrary neutron excess and temperature up to 50 MeV.

A study of the elastic πN scattering at finite baryon density

In this work, we investigate the elastic [Formula: see text] scattering for the [Formula: see text] channel dominated by the [Formula: see text] resonance at finite baryon density for the symmetric nuclear matter, employing the effective Lagrangian approach at the tree-level Born approximation. The quark-meson coupling (QMC) model is employed to describe the medium modifications for the in-medium baryon properties that are constructed at the quark level, such as the nucleon and [Formula: see text] masses, and [Formula: see text] full decay width. We first reproduce the experimental data of the cross-section in a vacuum and we then analyze various physical observables including the total and differential cross-sections and proton-spin asymmetry in a medium. It turns out that suppression and broadening on the peak of the in-medium cross-section becomes more significant at higher baryon density due to the increase of the decay width in the nuclear medium. Also, we find that beyond the [Formula: see text]-resonance region [Formula: see text] GeV, the elastic cross-section scattering is almost independent of the density. Results for the in-medium [Formula: see text] resonance will be relevant and useful for the relativistic heavy-ion collisions (RHICs).

Low energy protons as probes of hadronization dynamics

Energetic quarks liberated from hadrons in nuclear deep-inelastic scattering propagate through the nuclear medium, interacting with it via several processes. These include quark energy loss and nuclear interactions of forming hadrons. One manifestation of these interactions is the enhanced emission of low-energy charged particles, referred to as grey tracks. We use the theoretical components of the BeAGLE event generator to interpret grey track signatures of parton transport and hadron formation by comparing its predictions to E665 data. We extend the base version of BeAGLE by adding four different options for describing parton energy loss. The E665 data we used consists of multiplicity ratios for fixed-target scattering of 490 GeV muons on Xe normalized to deuterium as a function of the number of grey tracks. We compare multiplicity ratios for E665 grey tracks to the predictions of BeAGLE, varying the options and parameters to determine which physics phenomena can be identified by these data. We find that grey tracks are unaffected by modifications of the forward production. Thus their production must be dominated by interactions with hadrons in the backward region. This offers the advantage that selecting certain particles in the forward region is unlikely to bias a centrality selection. We see a strong correlation between the number of grey tracks and the in-medium path length. Our energy loss model does not reproduce the suppression observed in the projectile region. We see an underprediction of the proton production rate in backward kinematics, suggesting that a stronger source of interaction with the nuclear medium is needed for accurate modeling. These results lay an important foundation for future spectator tagging studies at both Jefferson Lab and at the Electron-Ion Collider, where neutron and proton grey track studies will be feasible down to very small momenta.

QED medium effects in (anti)neutrino-nucleus and electron-nucleus scattering: Elastic scattering on nucleons

Interpretation of current and future neutrino oscillation and electron scattering experiments requires knowledge of lepton-nucleon and lepton-nucleus interactions at the percent level. We study the exchange of photons between charged particles and the nuclear medium for (anti)neutrino-, electron-, and muon-induced reactions inside a large nucleus. While quantum electrodynamics (QED)-medium contributions are formally suppressed by two powers of the electromagnetic coupling constant α when compared to the leading-order cross sections, low-energy modes and the nuclear size enhance the effect by orders of magnitude. They require a proper infrared regularization, which we implement as a screening of the electromagnetic interactions at atomic length scales or above. We provide approximate analytic expressions for the distortion of (anti)neutrino-nucleus and charged lepton-nucleus cross sections and evaluate the QED-medium effects for realistic values of the screening scale on the example of elastic scattering with nucleons inside the nucleus. We find new permille- to percent-level effects, which were not considered in either (anti)neutrino-nucleus or electron-nucleus scattering.

Machine learning-based fault diagnosis for research nuclear reactor medium voltage power cables in fraction Fourier domain

Fault diagnosis of Medium Voltage power Cables (MVCs) research nuclear reactor, incredibly inaccessible/remote ones, has to be carefully identified, located, and fixed within a short time. Therefore, this paper proposes a perfect simultaneous fault diagnosis scheme based on Multiclass Support-Vector Machine (MCSVM) in the fractional Fourier domain. First, the three-phase sending currents are simulated under different conditions then their features are extracted using Discrete Fractional Fourier Transform (DFRFT). Afterward, the features reduction process occurs via the Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) approach. MCSVM scheme is used to diagnose faults (i.e., discover, categorize, and trace) using reduced features outcome from DFRFT and SVD stages. Alternating Transient Program/Electromagnetic Transient Program (ATP/EMTP) simulations have been carried out for 22 kV unreachable MVC. Different kernels of SVM, i.e., linear, quadratic, or polynomial, and diverse factors of DFRFT, i.e., α, are investigated in simulations to obtain the optimum performance (i.e., best α and kernel pair). Hence, performance analysis of the proposed diagnosis method under different conditions (i.e., various fault resistances, locations, and inception angles) concluded two highest accuracy and lowest time settings, which were found at α = 0.5 (for both) quadratic kernel, and linear kernel, respectively. Moreover, the linear kernel achieves 99.8% accuracy rate, the lowest execution time (10 ms), and fault tracing error rate of 0.525789%, which is proper for real-time applications. Besides, our proposed method is more reliable and accurate against variable operating conditions (fault resistances, distances, and inception angles), leading to more reliable power production systems.