arXiv subjects

J. Zamora-Saa

Publications and source records attributed to J. Zamora-Saa.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Probing the existence of a new charged vector boson decaying into heavy neutral leptons using ultra-peripheral heavy ion collisions at ATLAS

In this paper we explore the potential of Ultra-peripheral Collisions at the LHC to investigate new physics, focusing on the production of new charged vector bosons ${V}^{\pm}$ that decay into heavy neutral leptons $N_{L}$ in the context of the Vector Scotogenic Model. We show that the ATLAS experiment, searching for dilepton+met final states via UPCs of lead ions, can directly probe the existence of new charged vector bosons in the 5 GeV $<M_{V^{\pm}}, M_{N_L}<$ 105 GeV mass range. Our analysis identifies regions in the parameter space where the signal can be distinguished from the background with high statistical significance. Within this mass range, ATLAS can exclude at 95\% C.L. specific (${M}_{{V}^{\pm}}$, ${M}_{{N}_{L}}$) mass scenarios such as (30 GeV, 20 GeV), (30 GeV, 10 GeV) and (20 GeV, 10 GeV). In a discovery scenario, ATLAS could reach a significance of 5$σ$ for (20 GeV, 10 GeV). In addition, we show that HL-LHC with proton-proton UPCs could explore higher mass ranges, specifically 100 GeV $< M_{V^{\pm}}, M_{N_L}<$ 350 GeV. We find that the HL-LHC can exclude this mass range with 95\% C.L., covering a larger parameter space than previous SUSY searches, and most scenarios can achieve a discovery significance of 5$σ$.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2025

Can the FCC-hh prove the B-L gauge symmetry?

We present a phenomenological study of the discovery potential at the FCC-hh for a new heavy neutral vector boson, Z', predicted by the $U(1)_{B-L}$ gauge symmetry. Focusing on the parameter space currently not excluded by Large Hadron Collider data, we analyze the dilepton production channel $p p \rightarrow Z^{\prime} \rightarrow l^{+} l^{-}$ ($l^{\pm} = e^{\pm}, μ^{\pm}$) at a center-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s} = 100$ TeV. Full Monte Carlo simulations was performed for different ($M_{Z'}$, $g_{B-L}$) BSM scenarios and relevant Standard Model backgrounds (including irreducible Drell-Yan, diboson, single top-quark and top-quark pair productions) identifying optimal kinematic and angular selection cuts to guide future searches for this type resonance. We estimate the FCC-hh reach for an integrated luminosity of $\mathcal{L}_{int}$ = 3~$ab^{-1}$. Our results demonstrate that the FCC-hh can exclude Z' masses up to $\sim 40$ TeV with 95\% C.L. for couplings of $g_{B-L} \sim 1$, and up to $\sim 15$ TeV for $g_{B-L} \sim 0.1$. We find the kinematic and angular cuts that optimize the signal over background ratio and achieve a $5σ$ signal up to Z' masses of $\sim 30$ TeV. These findings highlight the FCC-hh potential to uncover new physics signals in the high-mass regime.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2025

Search for sub-GeV Scalars in $e^+e^-$ collisions

Light scalars that couple to leptons are common figures in beyond the Standard Model endeavors. Considering a scalar that has universal and couplings to leptons only, we compute this leptophilic scalar contribution to the $e^{-}e^{+} \rightarrow τ^{+}τ^{-} S $ production cross section with $S \rightarrow e^{+}e^{-}(μ^{+}μ^{-})$. We later compare the expected signal with recent data from the BELLE collaboration collected near the resonance $Υ(4S)$ with $\mathcal{L}=626 fb^{-1}$ of integrated luminosity to place limits on the couplings-mass plane for the $4$~MeV-$6.5$~GeV mass range. We then extended this analysis to a more general one $e^{-}e^{+} \rightarrow {\ell}^{+}{\ell}^{-} S$ production cross section where $\ell=e,μ,τ$ with $S \rightarrow e^{+}e^{-}(μ^{+}μ^{-})$, showing that BELLE constitutes an excellent laboratory for light scalars, where can be derived constraints stronger than those derived stemming from the g-2 of the electron or muon.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2024

50 GeV $π^-$ in, nothing out: a sensitive probe of invisible $η$ and $η'$ decays with NA64h

We present the first results from a proof-of-concept search for dark sectors via invisible decays of pseudoscalar $η$ and $η'$ mesons in the NA64h experiment at the CERN SPS. Our novel technique uses the charge-exchange reaction of 50 GeV $π^-$ on nuclei of an active target as the source of neutral mesons. The $η, η' \to invisible$ events would exhibit themselves via a striking signature - the complete disappearance of the incoming beam energy in the detector. No evidence for such events has been found with $2.9\times10^{9}$ pions on target accumulated during one day of data taking. This allows us to set a stringent limit on the branching ratio ${\rm Br}(η' \to invisible) < 2.1 \times 10^{-4}$ improving the current bound by a factor of $\simeq3$. We also set a limit on ${\rm Br}(η\to invisible) < 1.1 \times 10^{-4}$ comparable with the existing one. These results demonstrate the great potential of our approach and provide clear guidance on how to enhance and extend the sensitivity for dark sector physics from future searches for invisible neutral meson decays.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2024

Exploration of the Muon $g-2$ and Light Dark Matter explanations in NA64 with the CERN SPS high energy muon beam

We report on a search for a new $Z'$ ($L_μ-L_τ$) vector boson performed at the NA64 experiment employing a high energy muon beam and a missing energy-momentum technique. Muons from the M2 beamline at the CERN Super Proton Synchrotron with a momentum of 160 GeV/c are directed to an active target. A signal event is a single scattered muon with momentum $<$ 80 GeV/c in the final state, accompanied by missing energy, i.e. no detectable activity in the downstream calorimeters. For a total statistic of $(1.98\pm0.02)\times10^{10}$ muons on target, no event is observed in the expected signal region. This allows us to set new limits on part of the remaining $(m_{Z'},\ g_{Z'})$ parameter space which could provide an explanation for the muon $(g-2)_μ$ anomaly. Additionally, our study excludes part of the parameter space suggested by the thermal Dark Matter relic abundance. Our results pave the way to explore Dark Sectors and light Dark Matter with muon beams in a unique and complementary way to other experiments.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2023

Searching for a Leptophilic Z' and a 3-3-1 symmetry at CLIC

We derive the discovery potential of a leptophilic Z', and a Z' rising from a $SU(3) \times SU(3)_L \times U(1)_N$ symmetry at the Compact Linear Collider (CLIC), which is planned to host $e^+e^-$ collisions with 3 TeV center-of-mass energy. We perform an optimized selection cut strategy on the transverse momentum, pseudorapidity, and invariant mass of the dileptons in order to enhance the collider sensitivity. We find that CLIC can potentially reach a $5σ$ signal of a $1-3$~TeV leptophilic Z' with less than $1fb^{-1}$ of integrated luminosity. As for the Z' belonging to a 3-3-1 symmetry, CLIC will offer a complementary probe with the potential to impose $M_{Z^\prime} > 3$~TeV with $\mathcal{L}=2fb^{-1}$.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2023

Probing Light Dark Matter with positron beams at NA64

We present the results of a missing-energy search for Light Dark Matter which has a new interaction with ordinary matter transmitted by a vector boson, called dark photon $A^\prime$. For the first time, this search is performed with a positron beam by using the significantly enhanced production of $A^\prime$ in the resonant annihilation of positrons with atomic electrons of the target nuclei, followed by the invisible decay of $A^\prime$ into dark matter. No events were found in the signal region with $(10.1 \pm 0.1)~\times~10^{9}$ positrons on target with 100 GeV energy. This allowed us to set new exclusion limits that, relative to the collected statistics, prove the power of this experimental technique. This measurement is a crucial first step toward a future exploration program with positron beams, whose estimated sensitivity is here presented.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2023

Search for Light Dark Matter with NA64 at CERN

Thermal dark matter models with particle $χ$ masses below the electroweak scale can provide an explanation for the observed relic dark matter density. This would imply the existence of a new feeble interaction between the dark and ordinary matter. We report on a new search for the sub-GeV $χ$ production through the interaction mediated by a new vector boson, called the dark photon $A'$, in collisions of 100 GeV electrons with the active target of the NA64 experiment at the CERN SPS. With $9.37\times10^{11}$ electrons on target collected during 2016-2022 runs NA64 probes for the first time the well-motivated region of parameter space of benchmark thermal scalar and fermionic dark matter models. No evidence for dark matter production has been found. This allows us to set the most sensitive limits on the $A'$ couplings to photons for masses $m_{A'} \lesssim 0.35$ GeV, and to exclude scalar and Majorana dark matter with the $χ-A'$ coupling $α_D \leq 0.1$ for masses $0.001 \lesssim m_χ\lesssim 0.1$ GeV and $3m_χ\leq m_{A'}$.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2022

Search for a New B-L Z' Gauge Boson with the NA64 Experiment at CERN

A search for a new $Z'$ gauge boson associated with (un)broken B-L symmetry in the keV-GeV mass range is carried out for the first time using the missing-energy technique in the NA64 experiment at the CERN SPS. From the analysis of the data with 3.22e11 electrons on target collected during 2016-2021 runs no signal events were found. This allows to derive new constraints on the $Z'-e$ coupling strength, which for the mass range $0.3 < m_{Z'} < 100$ MeV are more stringent compared to those obtained from the neutrino-electron scattering data.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2022

Observation of large scale precursor correlations between cosmic rays and earthquakes

The search for correlations between secondary cosmic ray detection rates and seismic effects has long been a subject of investigation motivated by the hope of identifying a new precursor type that could feed a global early warning system against earthquakes. Here we show for the first time that the average variation of the cosmic ray detection rates correlates with the global seismic activity to be observed with a time lag of approximately two weeks, and that the significance of the effect varies with a periodicity resembling the undecenal solar cycle, with a shift in phase of around three years, exceeding 6 sigma at local maxima. The precursor characteristics of the observed correlations point to a pioneer perspective of an early warning system against earthquakes.

physics.geo-ph↗

arXiv2021

Cosmic ray ensembles as signatures of ultra-high energy photons interacting with the solar magnetic field

Propagation of ultra-high energy photons in the solar magnetosphere gives rise to cascades comprising thousands of photons. We study the cascade development using Monte Carlo simulations and find that the photons in the cascades are spatially extended over millions of kilometers on the plane distant from the Sun by 1 AU. We compare results from simulations which use two models of the solar magnetic field, and show that although signatures of such cascades are different for the models used, for practical detection purpose in the ground-based detectors, they are similar.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2019

Searching for a Sterile Neutrino in Tau Decays at B-factories

The phenomenon of neutrino flavor oscillations motivates searches for sterile neutrinos in a broad range of masses and mixing-parameter values. A sterile neutrino $N$ that mixes predominantly with the $τ$ neutrino is particularly challenging experimentally. To address this challenge, we propose a new method to search for a $ν_τ$-mixing with $N$ lighter than the $τ$ lepton. The method uses the large $e^+e^-\toτ^+τ^-$ samples collected at $B$-factory experiments to produce the $N$ in $τ$-lepton decays. We exploit the long lifetime of a sterile neutrino in this mass range to suppress background and apply kinematic and vertexing constraints that enable measuring the sterile neutrino mass. Estimates for the sensitivities of the BaBar, Belle, and Belle~II experiments are calculated and presented.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2018

Cosmic-Ray Extremely Distributed Observatory: status and perspectives

The Cosmic-Ray Extremely Distributed Observatory (CREDO) is a project dedicated to global studies of extremely extended cosmic-ray phenomena, the cosmic-ray ensembles (CRE), beyond the capabilities of existing detectors and observatories. Up to date cosmic-ray research has been focused on detecting single air showers, while the search for ensembles of cosmic-rays, which may overspread a significant fraction of the Earth, is a scientific terra incognita. Instead of developing and commissioning a completely new global detector infrastructure, CREDO proposes approaching the global cosmic-ray analysis objectives with all types of available detectors, from professional to pocket size, merged into a worldwide network. With such a network it is possible to search for evidences of correlated cosmic-ray ensembles. One of the observables that can be investigated in CREDO is a number of spatially isolated events collected in a small time window which could shed light on fundamental physics issues. The CREDO mission and strategy requires active engagement of a large number of participants, also non-experts, who will contribute to the project by using common electronic devices (e.g. smartphones). In this note the status and perspectives of the project is presented.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2018

Cosmic Ray Extremely Distributed Observatory: a global network of detectors to probe contemporary physics mysteries

In the past few years, cosmic-rays beyond the GZK cut-off ($E > 5 \times 10^{19}$ eV) have been detected by leading collaborations such as Pierre Auger Observatory. Such observations raise many questions as to how such energies can be reached and what source can possibly produce them. Although at lower energies, mechanisms such as Fermi acceleration in supernovae front shocks seem to be favored, top-down scenarios have been proposed to explain the existence of ultra-high energy cosmic-rays: the decay of super-massive long-lived particles produced in the early Universe may yield to a flux of ultra-high energy photons. Such photons might be presently generating so called super-preshowers, an extended cosmic-ray shower with a spatial distribution that can be as wide as the Earth diameter. The Cosmic Ray Extremely Distributed Observatory (CREDO) mission is to find such events by means of a network of detectors spread around the globe. CREDO's strategy is to connect existing detectors and create a worldwide network of cosmic-ray observatories. Moreover, citizen-science constitutes an important pillar of our approach. By helping our algorithms to recognize detection patterns and by using smartphones as individual cosmic-ray detectors, non-scientists can participate in scientific discoveries and help unravel some of the deepest mysteries in physics.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2018

Search for Extensive Photon Cascades with the Cosmic-Ray Extremely Distributed Observatory

Although the photon structure is most efficiently studied with the accelerator instruments, there is also a scientifically complementary potential in investigations on photons produced in the outer space. This potential is already being explored with gamma ray telescopes, ultra-high energy cosmic ray observatories and, since very recently, by the Cosmic-Ray Extremely Distributed Observatory (CREDO). Unlike the former instruments focused on detection of single photons, CREDO aims at the detection of cascades (ensembles) of photons originating even at astrophysical distances. If at least a part of such a cascade reaches Earth, it might produce a unique pattern composed of a number of air showers observable by an appropriately dense array of standard detectors. If the energies of air showers constituting the pattern are relatively low and if the typical distances between the neighbors are large, the ensemble character of the whole phenomenon might remain uncovered, unless the CREDO strategy is implemented.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2018

Search for electromagnetic super-preshowers using gamma-ray telescopes

Any considerations on propagation of particles through the Universe must involve particle interactions: processes leading to production of particle cascades. While one expects existence of such cascades, the state of the art cosmic-ray research is oriented purely on a detection of single particles, gamma rays or associated extensive air showers. The natural extension of the cosmic-ray research with the studies on ensembles of particles and air showers is being proposed by the CREDO Collaboration. Within the CREDO strategy the focus is put on generalized super-preshowers (SPS): spatially and/or temporally extended cascades of particles originated above the Earth atmosphere, possibly even at astrophysical distances. With CREDO we want to find out whether SPS can be at least partially observed by a network of terrestrial and/or satellite detectors receiving primary or secondary cosmic-ray signal. This paper addresses electromagnetic SPS, e.g. initiated by VHE photons interacting with the cosmic microwave background, and the SPS signatures that can be seen by gamma-ray telescopes, exploring the exampleof Cherenkov Telescope Array. The energy spectrum of secondary electrons and photons in an electromagnetic super-preshower might be extended over awide range of energy, down to TeV or even lower, as it is evident from the simulation results. This means that electromagnetic showers induced by such particles in the Earth atmosphere could be observed by imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes. We present preliminary results from the study of response of the Cherenkov Telescope Array to SPS events, including the analysis of the simulated shower images on the camera focal plane and implementedgeneric reconstruction chains based on the Hillas parameters.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2018

We are all the Cosmic-Ray Extremely Distributed Observatory

The Cosmic-Ray Extremely Distributed Observatory (CREDO) is an infrastructure for global analysis of extremely extended cosmic-ray phenomena, so-called super-preshowers, beyond the capabilities of existing, discrete, detectors and observatories. To date cosmic-ray research has been focused on detecting single air showers, while the search for ensembles of cosmic-ray events induced by super-preshowers is a scientific terra incognita - CREDO explores this uncharted realm. Positive detection of super-preshowers would have an impact on ultra-high energy astrophysics, cosmology and the physics of fundamental particle interactions as they can theoretically be formed within both classical (photon-photon interactions) and exotic (Super Heavy Dark Matter particle decay and interaction) scenarios. Some super-preshowers are predicted to have a significant spatial extent - a unique signature only detectable with the existing cosmic-ray infrastructure taken as a global network. An obvious, although yet unprobed, super-preshower 'detection limit' would be located somewhere between an air shower, induced by a super-preshower composed of tightly collimated particles, and a super-preshower composed of particles spread so widely that only few of them can reach the Earth. CREDO will probe this detection limit, leading to either an observation of an as yet unseen physical phenomenon, or the setting upper limits to the existence of large extraterrestrial cascades which would constrain fundamental physics models. While CREDO's focus is on testing physics at energies close to the Grand Unified Theories range, the broader phenomena are expected to be composed of particles with energies ranging from GeV to ZeV. This motivates our advertising of this concept across the astroparticle physics community.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2018

Cosmic-Ray Extremely Distributed Observatory: a global cosmic ray detection framework

The main objective of the Cosmic-Ray Extremely Distributed Observatory (CREDO) is the detection and analysis of extended cosmic ray phenomena, so-called super-preshowers (SPS), using existing as well as new infrastructure (cosmic-ray observatories, educational detectors, single detectors etc.). The search for ensembles of cosmic ray events initiated by SPS is yet an untouched ground, in contrast to the current state-of-the-art analysis, which is focused on the detection of single cosmic ray events. Theoretical explanation of SPS could be given either within classical (e.g., photon-photon interaction) or exotic (e.g., Super Heavy Dark Matter decay or annihilation) scenarios, thus detection of SPS would provide a better understanding of particle physics, high energy astrophysics and cosmology. The ensembles of cosmic rays can be classified based on the spatial and temporal extent of particles constituting the ensemble. Some classes of SPS are predicted to have huge spatial distribution, a unique signature detectable only with a facility of the global size. Since development and commissioning of a completely new facility with such requirements is economically unwarranted and time-consuming, the global analysis goals are achievable when all types of existing detectors are merged into a worldwide network. The idea to use the instruments in operation is based on a novel trigger algorithm: in parallel to looking for neighbour surface detectors receiving the signal simultaneously, one should also look for spatially isolated stations clustered in a small time window.

astro-ph.IM↗