arXiv subjects

D. K. Mishra

Publications and source records attributed to D. K. Mishra.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Probing vorticity and fluctuations in a rotating hadron resonance gas at LHC energy

A large vorticity produced in non-central ultra-relativistic heavy-ion collisions induces an effective chemical potential in both partonic and hadronic matter, thereby influencing the quark-hadron transition and its associated properties. In this work, we investigate the influence of rotation on hadron yields within the framework of Hadron Resonance Gas (HRG) model. Our results show that vorticity significantly modifies hadron yields and their ratios. Most notably, rotation enhances the $p/π^+$ ratio while suppressing the $K^+/π^+$ ratio, suggesting that these observables may serve as sensitive probes of the rotational properties of the medium created in heavy-ion collisions. To quantify the effect of rotation, the calculated dependence of the $p/π^+$ ratio on vorticity is compared with the centrality dependence of the $p/π$ ratio measured by the ALICE collaboration in Pb+Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}$ = 5.02 TeV. From this comparison, we estimate the maximum vorticity produced at freeze-out for different collision centralities. In case of peripheral collisions, the freeze-out vorticity ($ω$) is found to reach an upper bound value of approximately 0.088 GeV, whereas for central collisions it is about 0.028 GeV. Furthermore, we investigate the effect of rotation on fluctuations of conserved quantities and their correlations. This study provides a quantitative framework for assessing the role of rotation in the thermodynamics of hadronic matter and its phenomenological consequences for heavy-ion collisions.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2026

Constraining Axion-Like-Particles with germanium detector at the Kuo-Sheng Reactor Neutrino Laboratory

We present results of a search for Axion-Like Particles (ALPs) produced $via$ Primakoff and Compton-like scattering channels, using data acquired with TEXONO experiment at the Kuo-Sheng Nuclear Power Station. The analysis is based on 278.91 days of reactor-ON and 43.60 days of reactor-OFF data. These datasets were collected using a 1.06 kg high-purity germanium detector located 28 m from a 2.9 GW reactor core. No significant excess is observed in the residual spectrum from the reactor-ON and reactor-OFF data subtraction. Using data acquired with low-background germanium detectors, upper limits on both the ALP-photon ($g_{aγγ}$) and ALP-electron ($g_{aee}$) couplings are derived for ALP masses ranging from 1 eV to 3 MeV at 90\% confidence level. Since both $g_{aγγ}$ and $g_{aee}$ couplings contribute to ALP production and detection, a combined analysis is performed by treating both channels as active parameters.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2026

Study of the beyond standard model interaction using Coherent Elastic Neutrino-Nucleus Scattering process

We have conducted an extensive study that highlights the potential of the Indian Coherent Neutrino-nucleus Scattering Experiment (ICNSE) detector in constraining neutrino-quark interactions that go beyond the standard model. By utilizing reactors with varied core configurations and power outputs as sources for electron antineutrinos, and operating with a target mass of 10 kg over a year, our findings reveal that the ICNSE detector is remarkably effective in narrowing down the vast majority of the Non-standard Interaction (NSI) parameter space. Moreover, incorporating results from two distinct detectors, like sapphire and high-purity germanium, markedly enhances sensitivity by reducing the degeneracies between some pairs of NSI parameters to a smaller region.This research highlights its role in enabling future developments and investigations.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2026

Bjorken Initial Energy Density and Viscous Longitudinal Hydrodynamic Evolution in Xe-Xe Collisions

We present a systematic study of the Bjorken initial energy density in Xe-Xe collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 5.44$ TeV, estimated using charged-particle multiplicity data and a generalized transverse overlap geometry applicable beyond the most central collisions. The dependence of the extracted energy density is examined by adopting both a constant formation time and a centrality-dependent formation time derived from Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 5.02$ TeV. Corresponding Bjorken energy density estimates for Pb-Pb collisions are also presented for comparison. Taking the Bjorken energy density and formation time as initial conditions, the subsequent longitudinal evolution of the quark-gluon plasma (QGP) formed in these collisions is studied. Both ideal and first-order viscous boost-invariant hydrodynamics are employed to assess the influence of dissipation. We observe that viscous effects slow the longitudinal expansion and lead to entropy production dominated by early-time dynamics. The lifetime of the QGP is observed to increase with centrality and is substantially enhanced by viscous effects. These effects are highly sensitive to the choice of formation time, particularly in peripheral collisions. A comparative analysis of Xe-Xe and Pb-Pb collisions demonstrates that the longitudinal evolution is primarily controlled by the initial energy density scale set by the Bjorken prescription. Consequently, when this scale is comparable, both systems exhibit nearly identical evolution patterns, while appreciable distinctions emerge in peripheral collisions due to system-size and geometric effects.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2025

Discrimination of neutron-$γ$ in the low energy regime using machine learning for an EJ-276D plastic scintillator

In this work, we present results for discrimination of neutron and $γ$ events using a plastic scintillator detector with pulse shape discrimination capabilities. Machine learning (ML) algorithms are used to improve the discriminatory power between neutron and $γ$ events at lower energy ranges which otherwise are not addressed by the conventional pulse shape discrimination techniques. The use of a multilayer perceptron with Bayesian inference (MLPBNN) and support vector machine (SVM) algorithms are studied using the recorded waveforms from the detector. Input variables are constructed for the ML algorithms, which captures the essence of the differences in the head and tail part of the neutron and $γ$ waveforms. A new variable, which utilizes the product of kurtosis and variance calculated from the waveform gives better ranking in terms of separation of neutron and $γ$ events. The training and the testing of the ML algorithms are done using an AmBe neutron source. In the lower energy region, the results obtained from the ML predictions are compared with the results obtained from a time of flight (ToF) technique to benchmark the overall performance of the ML algorithms. A reasonable agreement is observed between the results obtained from ML algorithm and the ToF experiment in the studied energy range. The MLPBNN gives better discriminatory power for the neutron and $γ$ events than the SVM algorithm.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2025

Study of neutron response using time of flight technique in ISMRAN detector

We report the measurements of the fast neutron energy response in Indian Scintillator Matrix for Reactor Anti-Neutrinos (ISMRAN) detector consisting of an array of 9$\times$10 Plastic Scintillator Bars (PSBs) at BARC, Mumbai. ISMRAN is an above ground detector setup at $\sim$13 m from the Dhruva reactor core for the detection of reactor anti-neutrinos (${\overline{\ensuremathν}}_{e}$) via the inverse beta decay (IBD) process. The dominant sources of reactor-related background in the vicinity of the detector are high energy $γ$-rays and fast neutrons. Therefore, a good understanding of fast neutron response in PSB is an essential pre-requisite for suppression and discrimination of the fast neutron background from IBD events. Kinetic energies of the fast neutron were determined using the Time-of-Flight (TOF) technique, which is used to get the scintillation light yield due to recoiling proton in PSB. We also measured the fast neutron capture time distribution in ISMRAN array using a novel technique involving TOF of the measured fast neutrons. The observed characteristic neutron capture time ( $τ$ ) of 68.29 $\pm$ 9.48 $μ$s is in good agreement with GEANT4 based MC simulation. These experimentally measured results will be useful for discriminating correlated and uncorrelated (accidental) background events from the true IBD events in reactor ON and OFF conditions inside the reactor hall.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2025

Dark Matter Annual Modulation Analysis with Combined Nuclear and Electron Recoil Channels

After decades of experimental efforts, the DAMA/LIBRA(DL) annual modulation (AM) analysis on the $χN$ (WIMP Dark Matter interactions on nucleus) channel remains the only one which can be interpreted as positive signatures. This has been refuted by numerous time-integrated (TI) and AM analysis. It has been shown that $χe$ (WIMP interactions with electrons) alone is not compatible with the DL AM data. We expand the investigations by performing an AM analysis with the addition of $χe$ long-range and short-range interactions to $χN$, derived using the Frozen Core Approximation method. Two scenarios are considered, where the $χN$ and $χe$ processes are due to a single $χ$ ($Γ^{1 χ}_{tot}$) or two different $χ$'s ($Γ^{2 χ}_{tot}$). The combined fits with $χN$ and $χe$ provide stronger significance to the DL AM data which are compatible with the presence of additional physical effects beyond $χN$ alone. This is the first analysis which explores how $χe$ AM can play a role in DL AM. The revised allowed regions as well as the exclusion contours from the other null AM experiments are presented. All DL AM allowed parameter spaces in $χN$ and $χe$ channels under both $Γ^{1 χ}_{tot}$ and $Γ^{2 χ}_{tot}$ are excluded at the 90\% confidence level by the combined null AM results. It can be projected that DL-allowed parameter spaces from generic models with interactions induced by two-WIMPs are ruled out.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2025

Measurement of cosmic muon-induced neutron background with ISMRAN detector in a non-reactor environment

The Indian Scintillator Matrix for Reactor Anti-Neutrinos (ISMRAN) is an above-ground, very short baseline reactor anti-neutrino (${\overline{\ensuremathν}}_{e}$) experiment, located inside the Dhruva research reactor facility, Mumbai, India. The primary goal of the ISMRAN experiment is the indirect detection of reactor ${\overline{\ensuremathν}}_{e}$ through an inverse beta decay (IBD) process, using a cluster of 90 optically segmented plastic scintillator detectors, weighing $\sim$1 ton. In this work, we present the neutron capture time response and energy deposition of neutron capture signals generated by cosmic muons in the ISMRAN geometry, and we compare these experimental results with Geant4-based Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. The obtained mean capture time of fast neutrons is 74.46 $\pm$ 5.98 $\mathrmμ$s and is comparable with the MC simulation results. The efficiency-corrected rate of muon-induced neutron background inside the ISMRAN geometry, due to the presence of a passive shielding structure of 10 cm lead followed by 10 cm borated polyethylene with a surface area of 600 $\mathrm{cm^{2}}$, deployed on top of the ISMRAN setup, is reported to be 1334 $\pm$ 64 (stat.) $\pm$ 70 (sys.) per day. This result shows good agreement with the expected background rate from MC simulations using Geant4. We also estimate the muon-induced fast-neutron rate in the ISMRAN geometry for the actual shielding configuration of 9000 $\mathrm{cm^{2}}$ surface area to be 3335 $\pm$ 160 (stat.) $\pm$ 175 (sys.) neutrons $\mathrm{day^{-1}}$ through an extrapolation, after incorporating the model dependent acceptance correction factor from the Geant4 MC simulation. Finally, using these results, we evaluate the neutron production yield due to the composite shielding in the ISMRAN geometry, which is 2.81$\times$$\mathrm{10^{-5}}$ neutrons per $μ$ per (g/$\mathrm{cm^{2}}$) at sea level.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2023

Sterile neutrino searches with reactor antineutrinos using coherent neutrino-nucleus scattering experiments

We present an analysis on the sensitivity to the active-sterile neutrino mixing with Germanium (Ge) and Silicon (Si) detectors in the context of the proposed coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus experiment in India. The study has been carried out with 3 (active) $+$ 1 (sterile) neutrino oscillation model. It is observed that the measurements that can be carried out with the Ge detector exhibit better sensitivity to the active-sterile neutrino mixing as compared to the Si detector. Both detectors are able to exclude most of the anomaly regions observed by the GALLIUM experiment. The Ge detector with mass 10 kg, can observe the active-sterile neutrino oscillation at 95$\%$ confidence level, provided that $\sin^{2}2θ_{14}\geq 0.09$ at $Δm^{2}_{41}$ = 1.0 eV$^{2}$ for an exposure of 1-yr. At higher values of $Δm^{2}_{41}$, a better sensitivity is obtained at a short baseline. It is also found that the threshold as well as resolution of the detectors play a crucial role on the measurements of active-sterile neutrino mixing parameters.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2023

An Augmented QCD Phase Portrait: Mapping Quark-Hadron Deconfinement for Hot, Dense, Rotating Matter under Magnetic Field

The quark-hadron transition that happens in ultra-relativistic heavy-ion collisions is expected to be influenced by the effects of rotation and magnetic field, both present due to the geometry of a generic non-head-on impact. We augment the conventional $T$--$μ_B$ planar phase diagram for QCD matter by extending it to a multi-dimensional domain spanned by temperature $T$, baryon chemical potential $μ_B$, external magnetic field $B$ and angular velocity $ω$. Using two independent approaches, one from a rapid rise in entropy density and another dealing with a dip in the squared speed of sound, we identify deconfinement in the framework of a modified statistical hadronization model. We find that the deconfinement temperature $T_C(μ_B,~ω,~eB)$ decreases nearly monotonically with increasing $μ_B,~ω$ and $eB$ with the most prominent drop (by nearly $40$ to $50$ MeV) in $T_C$ occurring when all the three quasi-control (via collision energy and centrality) parameters are simultaneously tuned to finite values that are typically achievable in present and upcoming heavy-ion colliders.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2023

Background measurements and detector response studies for ISMRAN experiment

We report the measurement of the non-reactor environmental backgrounds and the detector response with the Indian Scintillator Matrix for Reactor Anti-Neutrinos (ISMRAN), which is $\sim$1 ton detector setup by volume, consisting of 10$\times$9 (10 rows and 9 columns) Plastic Scintillator Bars (PSBs) array at BARC, Mumbai, India. ISMRAN is an above-ground anti-neutrino ($\mathrm{\overlineν_{e}}$) experiment at very short baseline located at Dhruva research reactor facility. It is enclosed by a shielding made of 10 cm thick lead and 10 cm thick borated polyethylene to minimize the backgrounds and is mounted on a movable base structure, situated at $\sim$ 13 m away from the reactor core. These measurements are useful in the context of the ISMRAN detector setup that will be used to detect the reactor $\mathrm{\overlineν_{e}}$ and measure its energy spectrum through the inverse beta decay (IBD) process. In this paper, we present the energy resolution model and energy non-linearity model of PSB and the cosmogenic muon-induced background, based on the sum of their energy depositions and number of hit bars. Reconstructed sum energy spectrum and number of hit bars distribution for $\mathrm{{}^{22}Na}$ radioactive source has been compared with Geant4 based Monte Carlo simulations. These experimentally measured results will be useful for discriminating the correlated and uncorrelated background events from the true IBD events in reactor ON and OFF conditions inside the reactor hall.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2022

Evaluation of the response of plastic scintillator bars and measurement of neutron capture time in non-reactor environment for the ISMRAN experiment

We present a detailed study on detector response to different radioactive sources and the measurements of non-reactor environmental backgrounds with the Indian Scintillator Matrix for Reactor Anti-Neutrinos (ISMRAN) detector setup consisting of 9$\times$10 Plastic Scintillator Bars (PSBs) array at BARC, Mumbai. These measurements are useful in the context of the ISMRAN detector setup, which will be used to detect the reactor anti-neutrinos (${\bar{\ensuremathν}}_{e}$) and measure its energy spectra, through the inverse beta decay (IBD) process. A GEANT4 based Monte Carlo (MC) simulation is used to understand the optical transmission, energy resolution and energy non-linearity of the ISMRAN detector. A detailed analysis procedure has been developed to understand the natural radioactive, cosmogenic and cosmic muon-induced backgrounds with the ISMRAN detector setup in a non-reactor environment, based on their energy deposition, number of bars hit as well as topological event selection criteria in position and time for triggered events. Data and MC simulated distributions of reconstructed sum energy and number of bars hit has been compared for the radioactive $γ$ + positron source such as $\mathrm{{}^{22}Na}$ placed at the center of the ISMRAN array. Fast neutron energy response and capture time distribution in ISMRAN array has been studied using a novel technique involving Time of Flight (TOF) of the measured fast neutrons. The observed characteristic neutron capture time ( $τ$ ) of 68.29 $\pm$ 9.48 $μ$s is in good agreement with $\sim$65 $μ$s obtained from MC simulation. These experimentally measured results will be useful for discriminating the correlated and uncorrelated background events from the true IBD events in reactor ON and OFF conditions inside the reactor hall.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2022

Cosmic ray measurements using the ISMRAN setup in a non-reactor environment

The cosmic rays data collected using a large area plastic scintillator array ISMRAN (Indian Scintillator Matrix for Reactor AntiNeutrino) are presented. The data collected serve as a useful benchmark of cosmogenic background in a non-reactor environment for the future measurements of electron-antineutrinos to be performed using the ISMRAN setup. The zenith angle distribution of the atmospheric muons has been measured and compared with Monte Carlo expectations. The detector setup was further used to measure the lifetime distribution of stopped muons and extract their rates inside the detector matrix. The measured spectra of decaying muons and associated electrons show a good agreement with the MC simulations performed through GEANT4 simulation.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2021

Measurements using a prototype array of plastic scintillator bars for reactor based electron anti-neutrino detection

We report measurement of reactor based electron anti-neutrinos from a prototype array of plastic scintillator bars ( mini-ISMRAN ) located inside Dhruva research reactor hall, BARC. The detector setup took data for 128 days for reactor on (RON) and 51 days for reactor off (ROFF) condition. A detailed analysis procedure is developed to select the anti-neutrino candidate events based on the energy deposition, number of bars hit as well as topological event selection criteria in position and time. Each of these selection criteria are compared with Monte Carlo based simulations and further an embedding technique is used to estimate the efficiencies from a data driven background study. The obtained anti-neutrino like events in RON condition are 218 $\pm$ 50 (stat) $\pm$ 37 (sys) after background subtraction. The obtained results are compared with theoretical estimation which yields 214 $\pm$ 32 (sys) anti-neutrino events for the RON condition.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2021

Thermal properties of hot and dense medium in interacting hadron resonance gas model

The meson exchange interaction based on relativistic mean-field (RMF) theory has been introduced in the hadron resonance gas (HRG) model, called interacting HRG (iHRG) model. This model can be used to explain the experimental data both at finite temperature ($T$) with finite chemical potential ($μ_B$) and finite temperature at vanishing chemical potential. The nuclear matter equation of state also can be explained at zero temperature with finite baryon density (finite chemical potential) due to the presence of attractive and repulsive interactions between the hadrons in the iHRG model. Similarly, the lattice equation of state is well described at $μ_B$ = 0 and finite temperature by the iHRG model. In the present study, we have calculated the thermodynamical quantities as a function of temperature and chemical potential using both HRG and iHRG models. Also, we have presented the isothermal compressibility ($k_T$), specific heat ($C_V$), and speed of sound ($c_s^2$) as a function of $μ_B$, $T$, and center of mass energies. The effect of kinematic acceptance on these quantities are also presented as a function of $μ$ and $T$. Results from this study on $k_T$ are compared with results from other heavy-ion transport models and experimental data up to LHC energies.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2021

Characterization of plastic scintillator bars using fast neutrons from D-D and D-T reactions

We report results of fast neutron response in plastic scintillator (PS) bars from deuterium-deuterium (D-D) and deuterium-tritium (D-T) reactions using Purnima Neutron Generator Facility, BARC, Mumbai. These measurements are useful in context of Indian Scintillator Matrix for Reactor Anti-Neutrino (ISMRAN) detection, an array of 10x10 PS bars, used to measure reactor anti-neutrinos through inverse beta decay (IBD) signal. ISMRAN detector, an above-ground experiment close to the reactor core (~13m), deals with an active fast neutron background inside the reactor hall. A good understanding of fast neutron response in PS bars is an essential pre-requisite for suppression and discrimination of fast neutron background from IBD events. A monoenergetic neutron beam from the fusion reaction of D-D at 2.45 MeV and D-T at 14.1 MeV are used to characterize the energy response in these bars. The neutron energy response function has been simulated using the GEANT4 package and are compared with the measured data. A reasonable agreement of deposited energies by fast neutrons in PS bars between data and simulation are obtained for these reactions. The ratio of energy deposition in adjacent bars is used to discriminate between prompt IBD, fast neutron and neutron capture cascade gamma events.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2020

Study of diffusion coefficients of identified particles at energies available at BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider

Using event-by-event fluctuations, we study the diffusion parameters of net-charge, net-pion, net-kaon, and net-proton in the heavy-ion jet interaction generator (HIJING), and ultra-relativistic quantum molecular dynamics (UrQMD) models at different collision energies \sqsn available at BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). The diffusion parameter ($σ$) of net-charge and identified particles are estimated in rapidity space at various \sqsn. It is observed that, the $σ$ values are independent of collision energies but emphasises the particle-species dependence of diffusion coefficient in the QGP medium. The present work on particle-species dependence of diffusion coefficient provides a baseline for comparison with the experimental data.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2020

Active-sterile neutrino mixing constraint using reactor antineutrinos with the ISMRAN set-up

In this work, we present an analysis of the sensitivity to the active-sterile neutrino mixing with the Indian Scintillator Matrix for Reactor Anti-Neutrino (ISMRAN) experimental set-up at very short baseline. In this article, we have considered the measurement of electron antineutrino induced events employing a single detector which can be placed either at a single position or moved between near and far positions from the given reactor core. Results extracted in the later case are independent of the theoretical prediction of the reactor anti-neutrino spectrum and detector related systematic uncertainties. Our analysis shows that the results obtained from the measurement carried out at a combination of the near and far detector positions are improved significantly at higher $Δm^{2}_{41}$ compared to the ones obtained with the measurement at a single detector position only. It is found that the best possible combination of near and far detector positions from a 100 MW$_{th}$ power DHRUVA research reactor core are 7 m and 9 m, respectively, for which ISMRAN set-up can exclude in the range 1.4 $eV^{2} \leq Δm^{2}_{41} \leq$ 4.0 $eV^{2}$ of reactor antineutrino anomaly region along with the present best-fit point of active-sterile neutrino oscillation parameters. At those combinations of detector positions, the ISMRAN set-up can observe the active sterile neutrino oscillation with a 95$\%$ confidence level provided that $\sin^{2}2θ_{14}\geq 0.09$ at $Δm^{2}_{41}$ = 1 eV$^{2}$ for an exposure of 1 ton-yr. The active-sterile neutrino mixing sensitivity can be improved by about 22\% at the same exposure by placing the detector at near and far distances of 15 m and 17 m, respectively, from the compact proto-type fast breeder reactor (PFBR) facility which has a higher thermal power of 1250 MW$_{th}$.

hep-ph↗