arXiv subjects

C. A. Meyer

Publications and source records attributed to C. A. Meyer.

63 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2009

Multivariate side-band subtraction using probabilistic event weights

A common situation in experimental physics is to have a signal which can not be separated from a non-interfering background through the use of any cut. In this paper, we describe a procedure for determining, on an event-by-event basis, a quality factor ($Q$-factor) that a given event originated from the signal distribution. This procedure generalizes the "side-band" subtraction method to higher dimensions without requiring the data to be divided into bins. The $Q$-factors can then be used as event weights in subsequent analysis procedures, allowing one to more directly access the true spectrum of the signal.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2009

The Experimental Status of Glueballs

Glueballs and other resonances with large gluonic components are predicted as bound states by Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD). The lightest (scalar) glueball is estimated to have a mass in the range from 1 to 2 GeV/c**2; a pseudoscalar and tensor glueball are expected at higher masses. Many different experiments exploiting a large variety of production mechanisms have presented results in recent years on light mesons with J(PC) = 0(++), 0(-+), and 2(++) quantum numbers. This review looks at the experimental status of glueballs. Good evidence exists for a scalar glueball which is mixed with nearby mesons, but a full understanding is still missing. Evidence for tensor and pseudoscalar glueballs are weak at best. Theoretical expectations of phenomenological models and QCD on the lattice are briefly discussed.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2008

An Ad-Hoc Method for Obtaining chi**2 Values from Unbinned Maximum Likelihood Fits

A common goal in an experimental physics analysis is to extract information from a reaction with multi-dimensional kinematics. The preferred method for such a task is typically the unbinned maximum likelihood method. In fits using this method, the likelihood is a goodness-of-fit quantity in that it effectively discriminates between available hypotheses; however, it does not provide any information as to how well the best hypothesis describes the data. In this paper, we present an {\em ad-hoc} procedure for obtaining chi**2/n.d.f. values from unbinned maximum likelihood fits. This method does not require binning the data, making it very applicable to multi-dimensional problems.

physics.data-an↗

arXiv2008

Separating Signals from Non-Interfering Backgrounds using Probabilistic Event Weightings

A common situation in experimental physics is to have a signal which can not be separated from a non-interfering background through the use of any cut. In this paper, we describe a procedure for determining, on an event-by-event basis, a quality factor (Q-factor) that a given event originated from the signal distribution. This Q-factor can then be used as an event weight in subsequent analysis procedures, allowing one to more directly access the true spectrum of the signal.

physics.data-an↗

arXiv2006

Experimental determination of the complete spin structure for anti-proton + proton -> anti-Λ+ Λat anti-proton beam momentum of 1.637 GeV/c

The reaction anti-proton + proton -> anti-Λ+ Λ-> anti-proton + π^+ + proton + π^- has been measured with high statistics at anti-proton beam momentum of 1.637 GeV/c. The use of a transversely-polarized frozen-spin target combined with the self-analyzing property of Λ/anti-Λdecay allows access to unprecedented information on the spin structure of the interaction. The most general spin-scattering matrix can be written in terms of eleven real parameters for each bin of scattering angle, each of these parameters is determined with reasonable precision. From these results all conceivable spin-correlations are determined with inherent self-consistency. Good agreement is found with the few previously existing measurements of spin observables in anti-proton + proton -> anti-Λ+ Λnear this energy. Existing theoretical models do not give good predictions for those spin-observables that had not been previously measured.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2004

Reviewing the Evidence for Pentaquarks

Several experimental groups have reported evidence for baryons with flavor exotic quantum numbers that cannot be explained as $qqq$ bound states but require a minimum of five quarks -- $qqqq \bar q$. These pentaquark states include the $θ^{+}$, the $Ξ^{--}$ and the $θ_{c}$. The reported widths of these new states are consistent with experimental resolution and may be as narrow as a few MeV/$c^2$ or less. Prior to 2003, experimental searches for flavor exotic baryons spanning several decades yielded negative results. There have also been a number of searches carried out since the reports of these new pentaquark states that do not confirm their existence. This review of both the positive and negative reports seeks to understand the current situation regarding the experimental evidence for pentaquarks.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2002

Measurement of Spin Transfer Observables in Antiproton-Proton -> Antilambda-Lambda at 1.637 GeV/c

Spin transfer observables for the strangeness-production reaction Antiproton-Proton -> Antilambda-Lambda have been measured by the PS185 collaboration using a transversely-polarized frozen-spin target with an antiproton beam momentum of 1.637 GeV/c at the Low Energy Antiproton Ring at CERN. This measurement investigates observables for which current models of the reaction near threshold make significantly differing predictions. Those models are in good agreement with existing measurements performed with unpolarized particles in the initial state. Theoretical attention has focused on the fact that these models produce conflicting predictions for the spin-transfer observables D_{nn} and K_{nn}, which are measurable only with polarized target or beam. Results presented here for D_{nn} and K_{nn} are found to be in disagreement with predictions from existing models. These results also underscore the importance of singlet-state production at backward angles, while current models predict complete or near-complete triplet-state dominance.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv1999

Evidence of Xi hypernuclear production in the ^{12}C(K^-,K^+)^{12}_{Xi}Be reaction

The E885 collaboration utilized the 1.8 GeV/c K^- beam line at the AGS to accumulate 3 x 10^5 (K^-,K^+) events. Xi hypernuclear states are expected to be produced through the reaction K^- + ^{12}C -> K^+ + ^{12}_{Xi}Be. The measured missing-mass spectrum indicates the existence of a signal below the threshold for free Xi production. Although the resolution was not sufficient to resolve discrete hypernuclear states, the excess of events in the region of missing mass, kinematically inaccessible in free Xi production, is compared to theoretical prediction for ^{12}_{Xi}Be production.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv1997

Meson Spectroscopy and the Search for Exotics

I will review the current status of exotic hadrons in the meson sector. There is currently strong evidence that a scalar glueball mixed into the normal scalar mesons has been found. There is also an interesting candidate for the tensor glueball state. Finally, I will discuss hybrid mesons with explicitly exotic quantum numbers.

hep-ex↗