arXiv subjects

César Fernández-Ramírez

Publications and source records attributed to César Fernández-Ramírez.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Neuro-dispersive extractions of light-meson resonances

We present the first dispersive extraction of resonant poles from analytically continued neural networks. We use S-matrix informed neural networks (SINNs) trained to respect unitarity, analyticity, and crossing symmetry, without fixing a specific amplitude parametrization. The SINN framework controls representation dependence, enables constrained data selection, and enforces first principles. A large ensemble of networks trained on $ππ$ scattering data propagates correlated uncertainties to all derived observables. We obtain robust determinations of the $σ/f_0(500)$, $ρ(770)$, and $f_0(980)$ poles of $ππ$ scattering. Scattering lengths are determined alongside the amplitudes, while Adler zeroes emerge as predictions of the analytic structure. The results are stable against variations of the network architecture, and our approach can easily be adjusted for analysis of other reactions relevant to New Physics searches.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2026

S-matrix informed neural networks for amplitude analysis

Reconstructing scattering amplitudes from finite, noisy, and mutually inconsistent measurements is an ill-posed inverse problem common to many reactions relevant to particle physics. We introduce S-matrix informed neural networks (SINNs), and demonstrate their ability to learn scattering amplitudes directly from data while respecting first principles. We further develop a novel data selection procedure, which uses the response of constrained neural network ensembles to identify a set of experiments compatible with first principles, and with each other. We apply this framework to $ππ$ scattering, producing reusable amplitudes and correlated uncertainties without relying on a fixed functional form. We validate our results against residual model dependencies and training biases through closure tests and ablations. We find negligible impact of model architecture on our results. Our workflow unifies physics-constrained representation learning, data selection, and uncertainty quantification. Our strategy is transferable to other scattering processes, and other constrained physics problems limited by inconsistent data.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2026

First determination of vector and tensor couplings from polarized $πΔ$ photoproduction

The couplings between hadrons encode the dynamics of quantum chromodynamics. While many couplings can be calculated from decay widths, in some cases the decays are kinematically forbidden and hence are not directly accessible. We use a Regge framework to determine these couplings from high-energy polarized scattering processes. We apply this to the $πΔ$ photoproduction that was recently studied at GlueX and provide the first determination of the complete set of $NΔ$ couplings to $ρ$, $b_1$, and $a_2$.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2026

First steps towards gauge-independent vortex identification through machine learning

As a first step towards machine identification of confining objects in thermalized lattice gauge configurations, we present our 2dVoId model for center vortex identification on pure SU(2) lattices in $D = 2$ dimensions. We create a training set by inserting thin Z2 vortices at various locations on a zero action lattice, and then distort those configurations by applying random SU(2) gauge transformations, noise, and by thickening the vortices via cooling. For moderate vortex visibility, our model is able to reliably identify the location of center vortices. We additionally demonstrate scalability through tiling strategies, which will enable generalization to higher dimensions while reducing training costs.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2026

Finite-volume analysis of the $H$-dibaryon including left-hand-cut effects

We implement the finite-volume $N/D$ representation to study two-baryon interactions from lattice QCD data. We include the left-hand cut induced by one-pion exchange in this formalism, and study the $H$-dibaryon at the SU(3)$_\text{F}$-symmetric point, with a pion mass around $417$ MeV. The $N/D$ formalism is then compared to the Lüscher quantization condition, used to describe the same system via effective-range expansions. The results show a mild but statistically significant effect produced by the inclusion of the left-hand cut, especially on the binding energy of the $H$-dibaryon.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2026

Mechanisms of high energy polarized photoproduction of $π^{-}Δ^{++}$

We present an amplitude analysis of high-energy polarized photoproduction of $π^-Δ^{++}$ within a Regge exchange framework. A Regge amplitude model incorporating $π$, $ρ$, $b_1$, and $a_2$ trajectory exchanges is fit simultaneously to spin density matrix elements measured by the GlueX experiment at photon energies of $E_γ= 8.2$--$8.8$ GeV and differential cross section data from SLAC. By including SDME data, the fit constrains not only the magnitudes but also the relative phases of the helicity amplitudes. The results confirm the dominance of pion exchange at small momentum transfer, while natural parity exchanges become significant at larger $t$. We analytically continue the $s$-channel amplitude to the $t$-channel, taking care of the kinematical singularities, and isolate the dynamical residues at the meson poles. The extracted $πNΔ$ coupling constant is found to be consistent with the value obtained from the decay width of the $Δ(1232)$. For the $ρNΔ$, $b_1 NΔ$, and $a_2 NΔ$ vertices, first extractions of the relevant coupling constants are provided.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2026

High-energy $η^{(\prime)}π$ photoproduction and the nature of exotic waves

The observation of hybrid mesons in photoproduction experiments can provide essential insight into the inner workings of quantum chromodynamics in the strong coupling regime. In particular, the study of final $η^{(\prime)}π$ states is of great interest due to the presence of the lowest lying hybrid candidate with manifestly exotic quantum numbers, the $π_1(1600)$. In this work, a double-vector exchange model with Reggeized $ρ$ and $ω$ trajectories is developed to describe the photoproduction of $η^{(\prime)}π$ in the high-mass region. Results are presented for the differential cross sections and forward-backward asymmetries in the energy region of interest to the GlueX experiment. The model contains no free parameters, and reproduces the magnitude and $t$-dependence of existing CLAS data at $E_γ=5$\gev. The model predicts a stronger asymmetry in the $η^\prime π$ channel than in the $ηπ$ channel, consistent with what has previously been observed in pion beam experiments. This suggests that the sizeable production of exotic odd waves in $η'π$ is not necessarily related to the presence of gluon-rich environments. Confirmation of these predicted asymmetries from forthcoming GlueX data would enable further predictions of the low-energy spectrum.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2024

Coulomb confinement in the Hamiltonian limit

The Gribov--Zwanziger scenario attributes the phenomenon of confinement to the instantaneous interaction term in the QCD Hamiltonian in the Coulomb gauge. For a static quark-antiquark pair, it leads to a potential energy that increases linearly with the distance between them. Lattice studies of the SU(2) Yang--Mills theory determined the corresponding (Coulomb) string tension for sources in the fundamental representation, $σ_{C}$, to be about three times larger than the Wilson loop string tension, $σ_F$. It is far above the Zwanziger variational bound, $σ_C \geq σ_F$. We argue that the value established in the literature is artificially inflated. We examine the lattice definition of the instantaneous potential, find the source of the string tension's enhancement, and perform its improved determination in SU(2) lattice gauge theory. We report our conservative estimate for the value of the Coulomb string tension as $σ_C/σ_F = 2.0 \pm 0.4$ and discuss its phenomenological implications.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2024

Studying $π^+π^-$ photoproduction beyond Pomeron exchange

Forward photoproduction of $π^+π^-$ pairs with invariant mass of the order of $m_ρ\sim 770$ MeV is traditionally understood to be produced via Pomeron exchange. Based on a detailed analysis of the CLAS photoproduction data, it is shown that the dynamics of two-pion photoproduction for $|t|\gtrsim 0.5$ GeV$^2$ cannot be explained by Pomeron exchange alone. This motivates the development of a new theoretical model of two-pion photoproduction which incorporates both two-pion and pion-nucleon resonant contributions. After fitting free parameters, the model provides an excellent description of the low moments of the angular distribution measured at CLAS, and enables an assessment of the relative contributions of particular production mechanisms and an interpretation of the various features of the data in terms of these mechanisms.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2022

Hadron Spectroscopy in Photoproduction

Recent decades have seen a resurge of interest in hadron spectroscopy, driven by new, high-luminosity experiments which have identified many new hadrons, both expected and unexpected. The large number of unexpected hadrons suggest contributions from additional quark and gluonic degrees of freedom to the hadronic spectrum beyond the basic quark model. Photoproduction has emerged as an attractive process to study hadron spectroscopy, due to the range of states accessible in new and planned experimental facilities, complimentary kinematics to other experiments where rescattering effects near thresholds are reduced, and advances in our theoretical understanding of these reactions. This white paper reviews the prospects for hadron spectroscopy from three major existing and proposed facilities: the current GlueX experiment, the planned Electron-Ion Collider, and a proposed JLab 24 GeV upgrade.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2019

Hidden charm pentaquarks: mass spectrum, magnetic moments, and photocouplings

We develop an extension of the usual three flavor quark model to four flavors (u, d, s and c), and discuss the classification of pentaquark states with hidden charm. We fit our model to the known baryon spectrum and we predict the double and triple charm baryons, finding good agreement with the most recent lattice QCD calculations. We compute the the ground state of hidden charm pentaquarks and their associated magnetic moments and electromagnetic couplings, of interest to pentaquark photoproduction experiments.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2018

Thermodynamics of strange baryon system from coupled-channel analysis and missing states

We study the thermodynamics of the strange baryon system using an S-matrix formulation of statistical mechanics. For this purpose, we employ an existing coupled-channel study involving $\bar{K} N$, $πΛ$, and $πΣ$ interactions in the $S=-1$ sector. A novel method is proposed to extract an effective phase shift due to the interaction, which can subsequently be used to compute various thermal observables via a relativistic virial expansion. As an application of the calculation scheme, we compute the correlation of the net baryon number with strangeness ($χ_{BS}$) for an interacting hadron gas. We show that the S-matrix approach, which entails a consistent treatment of resonances and naturally incorporates the additional hyperon states which are not listed by the Particle Data Group, leads to an improved description of the lattice data over the Hadron Resonance Gas model.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2018

Studying the Pc(4450) resonance in J/psi photoproduction off protons

The LHCb has reported the observation of a resonancelike structure, the Pc(4450), in the J/psi p invariant masses. In our work, we discuss the feasibility of detecting this structure in J/psi photoproduction, e.g. in the measurements that have been approved for the experiments in Hall A/C and in Hall B with CLAS12 at JLab. Also the GlueX Collaboration has already reported preliminary results. We take into account the experimental resolution effects, and perform a global fit to world J/psi photoproduction data in order to study the possibility of observing the Pc(4450) signal in future JLab data. We present a first estimate of the upper limit for the branching ratio of the Pc(4450) into the J/psi p channel, and we study the angular distributions of the differential cross sections. This will shed light on the nature and couplings of the Pc(4450) structure in the future photoproduction experiments.

hep-ph↗