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A. Feliciello

Publications and source records attributed to A. Feliciello.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

First demonstration of in-beam performance of bent Monolithic Active Pixel Sensors

A novel approach for designing the next generation of vertex detectors foresees to employ wafer-scale sensors that can be bent to truly cylindrical geometries after thinning them to thicknesses of 20-40$μ$m. To solidify this concept, the feasibility of operating bent MAPS was demonstrated using 1.5$\times$3cm ALPIDE chips. Already with their thickness of 50$μ$m, they can be successfully bent to radii of about 2cm without any signs of mechanical or electrical damage. During a subsequent characterisation using a 5.4GeV electron beam, it was further confirmed that they preserve their full electrical functionality as well as particle detection performance. In this article, the bending procedure and the setup used for characterisation are detailed. Furthermore, the analysis of the beam test, including the measurement of the detection efficiency as a function of beam position and local inclination angle, is discussed. The results show that the sensors maintain their excellent performance after bending to radii of 2cm, with detection efficiencies above 99.9% at typical operating conditions, paving the way towards a new class of detectors with unprecedented low material budget and ideal geometrical properties.

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Write-ups for workshop on the project for the hadron experimental facility of J-PARC, Partial collection of LOIs at the extended hadron hall and the related topics

This write-up document is a summary of International workshop on the project for the extended hadron experimental facility which was held from March 26 to 28, 2018 at KEK Tokai Campus. This document is a collection of Letter Of Intents (LOIs) related to the proposed beam lines in the extended hadron experimental facility at J-PARC.

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Experimental nuclear astrophysics in Italy

Nuclear astrophysics, the union of nuclear physics and astronomy, went through an impressive expansion during the last twenty years. This could be achieved thanks to milestone improvements in astronomical observations, cross section measurements, powerful computer simulations and much refined stellar models. Italian groups are giving quite important contributions to every domain of nuclear astrophysics, sometimes being the leaders of worldwide unique experiments. In this paper we will discuss the astrophysical scenarios where nuclear astrophysics plays a key role and we will provide detailed descriptions of the present and future of the experiments on nuclear astrophysics which belong to the scientific programme of INFN (the National Institute for Nuclear Physics in Italy).

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Study of hard and electromagnetic processes at CERN-SPS energies: an investigation of the high-$μ_{\mathbf{B}}$ region of the QCD phase diagram with NA60+

The exploration of the phase diagram of Quantum ChromoDynamics (QCD) is carried out by studying ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collisions. The energy range covered by the CERN SPS ($\sqrt{s_{\rm \scriptscriptstyle{NN}}} \sim$ 6-17 GeV) is ideal for the investigation of the region of the phase diagram corresponding to finite baryochemical potential ($μ_{\rm B}$), and has been little explored up to now. We propose in this document a new experiment, NA60+, that would address several observables which are fundamental for the understanding of the phase transition from hadronic matter towards a Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP) at SPS energies. In particular, we propose to study, as a function of the collision energy, the production of thermal dimuons from the created system, from which one would obtain a caloric curve of the QCD phase diagram that is sensitive to the order of the phase transition. In addition, the measurement of a $ρ$-a$_1$ mixing contribution would provide conclusive insights into the restoration of the chiral symmetry of QCD. In parallel, studies of heavy quark and quarkonium production would also be carried out, addressing the measurement of transport properties of the QGP and the investigation of the onset of the deconfinement transition. The document also defines an experimental set-up which couples a vertex telescope based on monolithic active pixel sensors (MAPS) to a muon spectrometer with tracking (GEM) and triggering (RPC) detectors within a large acceptance toroidal magnet. Results of physics performance studies for most observables accessible to NA60+ are discussed, showing that the results of the experiment would lead to a significant advance of our understanding of strong interaction physics. The document has been submitted as an input to the European Particle Physics Strategy Update 2018-2020 (http://europeanstrategyupdate.web.cern.ch/).

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First Determination of Level Structure of an $sd$-Shell Hypernucleus, $\rm {^{19}_ΛF}$

We report on the first observation of $γ$ rays emitted from an $sd$-shell hypernucleus, $\rm ^{19}_ΛF$. The energy spacing between the ground state doublet, $1/2^{+}$ and $3/2^{+}$ states, of $\rm ^{19}_ΛF$ is determined to be $\rm 315.5 \pm 0.4 (stat) ^{+0.6}_{-0.5} (syst)~keV$ by measuring the $γ$-ray energy from the $M1(3/2^{+} \rightarrow 1/2^{+})$ transition. In addition, three $γ$-ray peaks were observed and assigned as $E2(5/2^{+} \rightarrow 1/2^{+})$, $E1(1/2^{-} \rightarrow 1/2^{+})$, and $E1(1/2^{-} \rightarrow 3/2^{+})$ transitions. The excitation energies of the $5/2^{+}$ and $1/2^{-}$ states are determined to be $\rm 895.2 \pm 0.3 (stat) \pm 0.5 (syst)~keV$ and $\rm 1265.6 \pm 1.2 (stat) ^{+0.7}_{-0.5} (syst)~keV$, respectively. It is found that the ground state doublet spacing is well described by theoretical models based on existing $s$- and $p$-shell hypernuclear data.

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Missing-mass spectroscopy with the ${}^{6}$Li($π^{-}, K^{+}$)X reaction to search for ${}^{6}_Λ$H

We searched for the bound state of the neutron-rich $Λ$-hypernucleus ${}^{6}_Λ$H, using the ${}^{6}$Li($π^{-}, K^{+}$)X double charge-exchange reaction at a $π^{-}$ beam momentum of 1.2 GeV/c at J-PARC. A total of $1.4 \times 10^{12}$ $π^{-}$ was driven onto a ${}^{6}$Li target of 3.5-g/$\rm cm^2$ thickness. No event was observed below the bound threshold, i.e., the mass of ${}^{4}_Λ$H + 2n, in the missing-mass spectrum of the ${}^{6}$Li($π^{-}, K^{+}$)X reaction in the $2^{\circ}$ < $θ_{πK}$ < $20^{\circ}$ angular range. Furthermore, no event was found up to 2.8 MeV/$c^2$ above the bound threshold. We obtained the the double-differential cross section spectra of the ${}^{6}$Li($π^{-}, K^{+}$)X reaction in the angular range of $2^{\circ}$ < $θ_{πK}$ < $14^{\circ}$. An upper limit of 0.56 nb/sr (90% C.L.) was obtained for the production cross section of the ${}^{6}_Λ$H hypernucleus bound state. In addition, not only the bound state region, but also the $Λ$ continuum region and part of the $Σ^{-}$ quasi-free production region of the ${}^{6}$Li($π^{-}, K^{+}$)X reaction, were obtained with high statistics. The present missing-mass spectrum will facilitate the investigation of the $Σ^{-}$-nucleus optical potential for $Σ^{-}$-${}^{5}$He through spectrum shape analysis.

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On the Binding Energy and the Charge Symmetry Breaking in A<=16 Lambda-hypernuclei

In recent years, several experiments using magnetic spectrometers provided high precision results in the field of Hypernuclear Physics. In particular, the accurate determination of the Lambda-binding energy, B(Lambda), contributed to stimulate considerably the discussion about the Charge Symmetry Breaking effect in Lambda-hypernuclei isomultiplets. We have reorganized the results from the FINUDA experiment and we have obtained a series of B(Lambda) values for Lambda-hypernuclei with A <= 16 by taking into account data only from magnetic spectrometers implementing an absolute calibration of the energy scale (FINUDA at DAFNE and electroproduction experiments at JLab and at MaMi). We have then critically revisited the results obtained at KEK by the SKS Collaboration in order to make possible a direct comparison between data from experiments with and without such an absolute energy scale. A synopsis of recent spectrometric measurements of B(Lambda) is presented, including also emulsion experiment results. Several interesting conclusions are drawn, among which the equality within the errors of B(Lambda) for the A = 7, 12, 16 isomultiplets, based only on recent spectrometric data. This observation is in nice agreement with a recent theoretical prediction. Ideas for possible new measurements which should improve the present experimental knowledge are finally put forward.

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INFN What Next: Ultra-relativistic Heavy-Ion Collisions

This document was prepared by the community that is active in Italy, within INFN (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare), in the field of ultra-relativistic heavy-ion collisions. The experimental study of the phase diagram of strongly-interacting matter and of the Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP) deconfined state will proceed, in the next 10-15 years, along two directions: the high-energy regime at RHIC and at the LHC, and the low-energy regime at FAIR, NICA, SPS and RHIC. The Italian community is strongly involved in the present and future programme of the ALICE experiment, the upgrade of which will open, in the 2020s, a new phase of high-precision characterisation of the QGP properties at the LHC. As a complement of this main activity, there is a growing interest in a possible future experiment at the SPS, which would target the search for the onset of deconfinement using dimuon measurements. On a longer timescale, the community looks with interest at the ongoing studies and discussions on a possible fixed-target programme using the LHC ion beams and on the Future Circular Collider.

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$Σ^- p$ emission rates in $K^-$ absorptions at rest on $^6$Li, $^7$Li, $^{9}$Be, $^{13}$C and $^{16}$O

An experimental study of the $K^-_{stop}A\rightarrow Σ^- p A'$ reaction on $A=^6$Li, $^7$Li, $^9$Be, $^{13}$C and $^{16}$O $p$-shell nuclei is presented. The data were collected by the FINUDA spectrometer operating at the DA$Φ$NE $ϕ$-factory (LNF-INFN, Italy). Emission rates for the reaction in the mentioned nuclei are measured and compared with the few existing data. The spectra of several observables are discussed; indications of Quasi-Free absorptions by a $(np)$ pair embedded in the $A$ nucleus can be obtained from the study of the missing mass distributions.

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Observation of Spin-Dependent Charge Symmetry Breaking in $ΛN$ Interaction: Gamma-Ray Spectroscopy of $^4_{Λ}$He

The energy spacing between the ground-state spin doublet of $^4_Λ$He(1$^+$,0$^+$) was determined to be $1406 \pm 2 \pm 2$ keV, by measuring $γ$ rays for the $1^+ \to 0^+$ transition with a high efficiency germanium detector array in coincidence with the $^4$He$(K^-,π^-)$ $^4_Λ$He reaction at J-PARC. In comparison to the corresponding energy spacing in the mirror hypernucleus $^4_Λ$H, the present result clearly indicates the existence of charge symmetry breaking (CSB) in $ΛN$ interaction. It is also found that the CSB effect is large in the $0^+$ ground state but is by one order of magnitude smaller in the $1^+$ excited state, demonstrating that the $ΛN$ CSB interaction has spin dependence.

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First determination of the one-proton induced Non-Mesonic Weak Decay width of p-shell Λ-Hypernuclei

Previous studies of proton and neutron spectra from Non-Mesonic Weak Decay of eight Lambda-Hypernuclei (A = 5-16) have been revisited. New values of the ratio of the two-nucleon and the one-proton induced decay widths, Gamma_2N/Gamma_p, are obtained from single proton spectra, Gamma_2N/Gamma_p = 0.50 +/- 0.24, and from neutron and proton coincidence spectra, Gamma_2N/Gamma_p = 0.36 +/- 0.14stat +0.05sys -0.04sys , in full agreement with previously published ones. With these values, a method is developed to extract the one-proton induced decay width in units of the free Lambda decay width, Gamma_p/Gamma_Lambda, without resorting to Intra Nuclear Cascade models but by exploiting only experimental data, under the assumption of a linear dependence on A of the Final State Interaction contribution. This is the first systematic determination ever done and it agrees within the errors with recent theoretical calculations.

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High-resolution search for the $Θ^{+}$ pentaquark via a pion-induced reaction at J-PARC

The pentaquark $Θ^+$ has been searched for via the $π^-p \to K^-X$ reaction with beam momenta of 1.92 and 2.01 GeV/$c$ at J-PARC. A missing mass resolution of 2 MeV (FWHM) was achieved but no sharp peak structure was observed. The upper limits on the production cross section averaged over the scattering angle from 2$^{\circ}$ to 15$^{\circ}$ in the laboratory frame were found to be less than 0.28 $μ$b/sr at the 90\% confidence level for both the 1.92- and 2.01-GeV/$c$ data. The systematic uncertainty of the upper limits was controlled within 10\%. Constraints on the $Θ^+$ decay width were also evaluated with a theoretical calculation using effective Lagrangian. The present result implies that the width should be less than 0.36 and 1.9 MeV for the spin-parity of $1/2^+$ and $1/2^-$, respectively.

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Search for $^6_Λ$H hypernucleus by the $^6$Li$(π^-,K^+)$ reaction at $p_{π^-}$ = 1.2 GeV/$c$

We have carried out an experiment to search for a neutron-rich hypernucleus, $^6_Λ$H, by the $^6$Li($π^-,K^+$) reaction at $p_{π^-}$ =1.2 GeV/$c$. The obtained missing mass spectrum with an estimated energy resolution of 3.2 MeV (FWHM) showed no peak structure corresponding to the $^6_Λ$H hypernucleus neither below nor above the $^4_Λ$H$+2n$ particle decay threshold. An upper limit of the production cross section for the bound $^6_Λ$H hypernucleus was estimated to be 1.2 nb/sr at 90% confidence level.

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Search for the neutron-rich hypernucleus 9ΛHe

Search for the neutron-rich hypernucleus 9LHe is reported by the FINUDA experiment at DAFNE, INFN-LNF, studying (pi+, pi-) pairs in coincidence from the K-stop + 9Be --> 9LHe + pi+ production reaction followed by 9LHe --> 9Li + pi- weak decay. An upper limit of the production rate of 9LHe undergoing this two-body pi- decay is determined to be (2.3 +/- 1.9) 10-6/K-stop at 90% confidence level.

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First observation of the hyper superheavy hydrogen 6ΛH

Three candidate events of the neutron-rich hypernucleus 6ΛH were uniquely identified in the FINUDA experiment at DAΦNE, Frascati, by observing π+ mesons from the (K-stop,π+) production reaction on 6Li targets, in coincidence with π-mesons from 6ΛH \rightarrow 6He+π- weak decay. Details of the experiment and the analysis of its data are reported, leading to an estimate of (2.9\pm2.0)\cdot10-6/K- stop for the 6ΛH production rate times the two-body π- weak decay branching ratio. The 6ΛH binding energy with respect to 5H + Λ was determined jointly from production and decay to be BΛ = (4.0 \pm 1.1) MeV, assuming that 5H is unbound with respect to 3H + 2n by 1.7 MeV. The binding energy determined from production is higher, in each one of the three events, than that determined from decay, with a difference of (0.98 \pm 0.74) MeV here assigned to the 0+g.s. \rightarrow 1+ excitation. The consequences of this assignment to Λ hypernuclear dynamics are briefly discussed.

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Search for the $Θ^{+}$ pentaquark via the $π^-p\to K^-X$ reaction at 1.92 GeV/$c$

The $Θ^+$ pentaquark baryon was searched for via the $π^-p\to K^-X$ reaction in a missing-mass resolution of 1.4 MeV/$c^2$(FWHM) at J-PARC. $π^-$ meson beams were incident on the liquid hydrogen target with the beam momentum of 1.92 GeV/$c$. No peak structure corresponding to the $Θ^+$ mass was observed. The upper limit of the production cross section averaged over the scattering angle of 2$^{\circ}$ to 15$^{\circ}$ in the laboratory frame was obtained to be 0.26 $μ$b/sr in the mass region of 1.51$-$1.55 GeV/$c^2$.The upper limit of the $Θ^+$ decay width using the effective Lagrangian approach was obtained to be 0.72 MeV/$c^2$ and 3.1 MeV/$c^2$ for $J^P_Θ=1/2^+$ and $J^P_Θ=1/2^-$, respectively.

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Evidence for 6ΛH

Evidence for the neutron-rich hypernucleus 6ΛH is presented from the FINUDA experiment at DAΦNE, Frascati, studying (π+, π-) pairs in coincidence from the K- +6Li \rightarrow 6 H+π+ production reaction followed by 6ΛH \rightarrow 6He + π- weak decay. The production rate of 6ΛH undergoing this two-body π- decay is determined to be (2.9\pm2.0)\cdot10-6/K-. Its binding energy, evaluated jointly from production and decay, is BΛ(6ΛH) = (4.0\pm1.1) MeV with respect to 5H+Λ. A systematic difference of (0.98 \pm 0.74) MeV between BΛ values derived separately from decay and from production is tentatively assigned to the 6ΛH 0+g.s. \rightarrow 1+ excitation.

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