arXiv subjects

A. Ferrari

Publications and source records attributed to A. Ferrari.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

arXiv2008

Determination of $η\toπ^+π^-π^0$ Dalitz plot slopes and asymmetries with the KLOE detector

We have studied, with the KLOE detector at the DA$Φ$NE $Φ$-Factory, the dynamics of the decay $η\toπ^+π^-π^0$ using $η$ mesons from the decay $ϕ\toηγ$ for an integrated luminosity ${\mathcal L}$ = 450 pb$^{-1}$. From a fit to the Dalitz plot density distribution we obtain a precise measurement of the slope parameters. An alternative parametrization relates the $π^+π^-π^0$ slopes to that for $η\to 3π^0$ showing the consistency of KLOE results for both channels. We also obtain the best confirmation of the $C$-invariance in the $η\toπ^+π^-π^0$ decay.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2008

Vus and lepton universality from kaon decays with the KLOE detector

KLOE has measured most decay branching ratios of Ks, Kl and K+/- mesons. It has also measured the Kl and the K+- lifetime and determined the shape of the form factors involved in kaon semileptonic decays. We present in the following a description of the above measurements and a well organized compendium of all of our data, with particular attention to correlations. These data provide the basis for the determination of the CKM parameter Vus and a test of the unitarity of the quark flavor mixing matrix. We also test lepton universality and place bounds on new physics using measurements of Vus from Kl2 and Kl3 decays.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2008

Measurement of the charged kaon lifetime with the KLOE detector

We have measured the charged kaon lifetime using a sample of 15 \times 10^6 tagged kaon decays. Charged kaons were produced in pairs at the DA\PhiNE ϕ-factory, e^+e^- \to ϕ\to K^+ K^-. The decay of a K^+ was tagged by the production of a K^- and viceversa. The lifetime was obtained, for both charges, from independent measurements of the decay time and decay lenght distributions. From fits to the four distributions we find τ= (12.347\pm0.030) ns.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2007

Secondary Cosmic Ray particles due to GCR interactions in the Earth's atmosphere

Primary GCR interact with the Earth's atmosphere originating atmospheric showers, thus giving rise to fluxes of secondary particles in the atmosphere. Electromagnetic and hadronic interactions interplay in the production of these particles, whose detection is performed by means of complementary techniques in different energy ranges and at different depths in the atmosphere, down to the Earth's surface. Monte Carlo codes are essential calculation tools which can describe the complexity of the physics of these phenomena, thus allowing the analysis of experimental data. However, these codes are affected by important uncertainties, concerning, in particular, hadronic physics at high energy. In this paper we shall report some results concerning inclusive particle fluxes and atmospheric shower properties as obtained using the FLUKA transport and interaction code. Some emphasis will also be given to the validation of the physics models of FLUKA involved in these calculations.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Precise measurements of the eta and the neutral kaon meson masses with the KLOE detector

We present precise measurements of the eta and K0 masses using the processes phi to eta gamma, eta to gamma gamma and phi to Ks Kl, Ks to pi+ pi-. The K0 mass measurement, M_K=497.583 +/- 0.005 (stat) +/- 0.020 (syst) MeV, is in acceptable agreement with the previous measurements but is more accurate. We find m(eta) = 547.874 +/- 0.007 (stat) +/- 0.031 (syst) MeV. Our value is the most accurate to date and is in agreement with two recent measurements based on eta decays, but is inconsistent, by about 10 sigma, with a measurement of comparable precision based on eta production at threshold.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2007

Stability and nonlinear adjustment of vortices in Keplerian flows

We investigate the stability, nonlinear development and equilibrium structure of vortices in a background shearing Keplerian flow. We make use of high-resolution global two-dimensional compressible hydrodynamic simulations. We introduce the concept of nonlinear adjustment to describe the transition of unbalanced vortical fields to a long-lived configuration. We discuss the conditions under which vortical perturbations evolve into long-lived persistent structures and we describe the properties of these equilibrium vortices. The properties of equilibrium vortices appear to be independent from the initial conditions and depend only on the local disk parameters. In particular we find that the ratio of the vortex size to the local disk scale height increases with the decrease of the sound speed, reaching values well above the unity. The process of spiral density wave generation by the vortex, discussed in our previous work, appear to maintain its efficiency also at nonlinear amplitudes and we observe the formation of spiral shocks attached to the vortex. The shocks may have important consequences on the long term vortex evolution and possibly on the global disk dynamics. Our study strengthens the arguments in favor of anticyclonic vortices as the candidates for the promotion of planetary formation. Hydrodynamic shocks that are an intrinsic property of persistent vortices in compressible Keplerian flows are an important contributor to the overall balance. These shocks support vortices against viscous dissipation by generating local potential vorticity and should be responsible for the eventual fate of the persistent anticyclonic vortices. Numerical codes have be able to resolve shock waves to describe the vortex dynamics correctly.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Measurement of the slope parameter αfor the η\to 3π^0 decay at KLOE

We report a preliminary measurement of the slope parameter $α$ for the $η\to 3\piz$ decay carried out with KLOE at DA$Φ$NE; where $α$ is the parameter describing the energy dependence of the square of the matrix element for this decay. By fitting the event density in the Dalitz plot with a collected statistic of 420 pb$^{-1}$ we determine $α= -0.027 \pm 0.004 (stat) ^{+0.004}_{-0.006} (syst)$. This result is consistent with current chiral perturbation theory calculations within the unitary approach.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2007

Determination of the η\toπ^+π^-π^0 Dalitz Plot slopes and asymmetries with the KLOE detector

We have studied, with the KLOE detector at the DA$Φ$NE $Φ$-Factory, the dynamics of the decay $η\toπ^+π^-π^0$ using data from the radiative $ϕ\toηγ$ decay for an integrated luminosity $L = 450 \textrm{pb^{-1}}$. From a fit to the Dalitz plot density distribution we obtain a precise measurement of the slope parameters. This should allow to improve the knowledge of the decay amplitude which is sensitive to the u-d quark mass difference. We also present new best results on the C-violating asymmetries in the $η\toπ^+π^-π^0$ decay.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2007

Charged kaon lifetime at KLOE

Preliminary result on the charged kaon lifetime, obtained by the KLOE experiment operating at DA$Φ$NE, the Frascati $ϕ$-factory, is presented

hep-ex↗

arXiv2007

eta Physics and phi Radiative Decays at Kloe

Here we present KLOE results on the phi meson decays in pi0 pi0 gamma, pi+ pi- gamma and eta pi0 gamma, the measurement of the ratio Br(phi to eta' gamma)/Br(phi to eta gamma) with the estimate of the eta' gluonium content and the measurement of the eta mass.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2007

A new, very massive modular Liquid Argon Imaging Chamber to detect low energy off-axis neutrinos from the CNGS beam. (Project MODULAr)

The paper is considering an opportunity for the CERN/GranSasso (CNGS) neutrino complex, concurrent time-wise with T2K and NOvA, to search for theta_13 oscillations and CP violation. Compared with large water Cherenkov (T2K) and fine grained scintillators (NOvA), the LAr-TPC offers a higher detection efficiency and a lower backgrounds, since virtually all channels may be unambiguously recognized. The present proposal, called MODULAr, describes a 20 kt fiducial volume LAr-TPC, following very closely the technology developed for the ICARUS-T60o, and is focused on the following activities, for which we seek an extended international collaboration: (1) the neutrino beam from the CERN 400 GeV proton beam and an optimised horn focussing, eventually with an increased intensity in the framework of the LHC accelerator improvement program; (2) A new experimental area LNGS-B, of at least 50000 m3 at 10 km off-axis from the main Laboratory, eventually upgradable to larger sizes. A location is under consideration at about 1.2 km equivalent water depth; (3) A new LAr Imaging detector of at least 20 kt fiducial mass. Such an increase in the volume over the current ICARUS T600 needs to be carefully considered. It is concluded that a very large mass is best realised with a set of many identical, independent units, each of 5 kt, "cloning" the technology of the T600. Further phases may foresee extensions of MODULAr to meet future physics goals. The experiment might reasonably be operational in about 4/5 years, provided a new hall is excavated in the vicinity of the Gran Sasso Laboratory and adequate funding and participation are made available.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2007

PLUTO: a Numerical Code for Computational Astrophysics

We present a new numerical code, PLUTO, for the solution of hypersonic flows in 1, 2 and 3 spatial dimensions and different systems of coordinates. The code provides a multi-physics, multi-algorithm modular environment particularly oriented towards the treatment of astrophysical flows in presence of discontinuities. Different hydrodynamic modules and algorithms may be independently selected to properly describe Newtonian, relativistic, MHD or relativistic MHD fluids. The modular structure exploits a general framework for integrating a system of conservation laws, built on modern Godunov-type shock-capturing schemes. Although a plethora of numerical methods has been successfully developed over the past two decades, the vast majority shares a common discretization recipe, involving three general steps: a piecewise polynomial reconstruction followed by the solution of Riemann problems at zone interfaces and a final evolution stage. We have checked and validated the code against several benchmarks available in literature. Test problems in 1, 2 and 3 dimensions are discussed.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

MHD simulations of jet acceleration from Keplerian accretion disks: the effects of disk resistivity

Accretion disks and astrophysical jets are used to model many active astrophysical objects, viz., young stars, relativistic stars, and active galactic nuclei. In this paper we present self-consistent time-dependent simulations of supersonic jets launched from magnetized accretion disks, using high resolution numerical techniques. In particular we study the effects of the disk magnetic resistivity, parametrized through an alpha-prescription, in determining the properties of the inflow-outflow system. Moreover we analyze under which conditions steady state solutions of the type proposed in the self similar models of Blandford and Payne can be reached and maintained in a self consistent nonlinear stage. We use the resistive MHD FLASH code with adaptive mesh refinement, allowing us to follow the evolution of the structure for a time scale long enough to reach steady state. A detailed analysis of the initial configuration state is given. We obtain the expected solutions in the axisymmetric (2.5D) limit. Assuming a magnetic field around equipartition with the thermal pressure of the disk, we show how the characteristics of the disk jet system, as the ejection efficiency and the energetics, are affected by the anomalous resistivity acting inside the disk.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2006

The hadronic models for cosmic ray physics: the FLUKA code solutions

FLUKA is a general purpose Monte Carlo transport and interaction code used for fundamental physics and for a wide range of applications. These include Cosmic Ray Physics (muons, neutrinos, EAS, underground physics), both for basic research and applied studies in space and atmospheric flight dosimetry and radiation damage. A review of the hadronic models available in FLUKA and relevant for the description of cosmic ray air showers is presented in this paper. Recent updates concerning these models are discussed. The FLUKA capabilities in the simulation of the formation and propagation of EM and hadronic showers in the Earth's atmosphere are shown.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2006

A Monte Carlo approach to study neutron and fragment emission in heavy-ion reactions

Quantum Molecular Dynamics models (QMD) are Monte Carlo approaches targeted at the description of nucleon-ion and ion-ion collisions. We have developed a QMD code, which has been used for the simulation of the fast stage of ion-ion collisions, considering a wide range of system masses and system mass asymmetries. The slow stage of the collisions has been described by statistical methods. The combination of both stages leads to final distributions of particles and fragments, which have been compared to experimental data available in literature. A few results of these comparisons, concerning neutron double-differential production cross-sections for C, Ne and Ar ions impinging on C, Cu and Pb targets at 290 - 400 MeV/A bombarding energies and fragment isotopic distributions from Xe + Al at 790 MeV/A, are shown in this paper.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2006

A QMD description of the interaction of ion beams with matter

Heavy-ion collisions can be simulated by means of comprehensive approaches, to include the many different reaction mechanisms which may contribute. QMD models and their relativistic extensions are examples of these approaches based on Monte Carlo techniques. In this paper are shown some results obtained by coupling a new QMD code, which describes the fast stage of ion-ion collisions, to the evaporation /fission/Fermi break-up and photon de-excitation routines present in the FLUKA multipurpose Monte Carlo transport and interaction code. In particular, we compare the predicted neutron spectra to available experimental data from thin and thick target irradiations. We show also some predictions of particle and charged fragment fluences for the interaction of C and Fe ions with a thick PMMA target, which may be useful to assess the risk of side-effects in the hadron therapy of tumours.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2006

Heavy-ion collisions described by a new QMD code interfaced to FLUKA: model validation by comparisons with experimental data concerning neutron and charged fragment production

A new code, based on the Quantum Molecular Dynamics theoretical approach, has been developed and interfaced to the FLUKA evaporation/fission/Fermi break-up module. At present, this code is undergoing a series of validation tests. In this paper its predictions are compared to measured charged fragment yields and double differential neutron spectra in thin target heavy-ion reactions, at bombarding energies of about 100 MeV/A. The comparisons with the predictions of a modified version of RQMD 2.4 originally developed in Frankfurt, already available in the FLUKA code, are presented and potential improvements are briefly sketched.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2006

Particle tracking in the ILC extraction lines with DIMAD and BDSIM

The study of beam transport is of central importance to the design and performance assessment of modern particle accelerators. In this paper, we benchmark two contemporary codes, DIMAD and BDSIM, the latter being a relatively new tracking code built within the framework of GEANT4. We consider both the 20 mrad and 2 mrad extraction lines of the 500 GeV International Linear Collider (ILC) and we perform particle tracking studies of heavily disrupted post-collision electron beams. We find that the two codes give an almost equivalent description of the beam transport.

physics.acc-ph↗