arXiv subjects

Jose Manuel Alarcón

Publications and source records attributed to Jose Manuel Alarcón.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Analyzing Fermionic Dark Matter scenarios with anomalous compact objects

In this paper, we consider three compact objects (HESS J1731-347, PSR J1231-1411, XTE J1814-338) with anomalous mass-radius relation to analyze the possibility of being dark matter admixed neutron stars. We try to infer the dark matter particle properties, under the assumption of behaving as a free Fermi gas. The main novelty relies on the use of a baryonic equation of state obtained from first principles in the whole density range, that allows to eliminate the model dependence of the baryonic part of the calculation. Once the possible Dark Matter Admixed Neutron Star configurations are obtained, we check their stability and whether it is feasible for a Neutron Star to capture the necessary dark matter fraction. We show that two of the anomalous compact objects (HESS J1731-347 and PSR J1231-1411) can be explained with a small fraction of fermionic dark matter content in the star. The other compact object (XTE J1814-338) cannot be explained as a dark matter admixed neutron star, and becomes a potential candidate for a twin star.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2021

Forward doubly-virtual Compton scattering off the nucleon in chiral perturbation theory: II. Spin polarizabilities and moments of polarized structure functions

We examine the polarized doubly-virtual Compton scattering (VVCS) off the nucleon using chiral perturbation theory ($χ$PT). The polarized VVCS contains a wealth of information on the spin structure of the nucleon which is relevant to the calculation of the two-photon-exchange effects in atomic spectroscopy and electron scattering. We report on a complete next-to-leading-order (NLO) calculation of the polarized VVCS amplitudes $S_1(ν, Q^2)$ and $S_2(ν, Q^2)$, and the corresponding polarized spin structure functions $g_1(x, Q^2)$ and $g_2(x,Q^2)$. Our results for the moments of polarized structure functions, partially related to different spin polarizabilities, are compared to other theoretical predictions and "data-driven" evaluations, as well as to the recent Jefferson Lab measurements. By expanding the results in powers of the inverse nucleon mass, we reproduce the known "heavy-baryon" expressions. This serves as a check of our calculation, as well as demonstrates the differences between the manifestly Lorentz-invariant baryon $χ$PT (B$χ$PT) and heavy-baryon (HB$χ$PT) frameworks.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2020

Forward doubly-virtual Compton scattering off the nucleon in chiral perturbation theory: the subtraction function and moments of unpolarized structure functions

The forward doubly-virtual Compton scattering (VVCS) off the nucleon contains a wealth of information on nucleon structure, relevant to the calculation of the two-photon-exchange effects in atomic spectroscopy and electron scattering. We report on a complete next-to-leading-order (NLO) calculation of low-energy VVCS in chiral perturbation theory ($χ$PT). Here we focus on the unpolarized VVCS amplitudes $T_1(ν, Q^2)$ and $T_2(ν, Q^2)$, and the corresponding structure functions $F_1(x, Q^2)$ and $F_2(x,Q^2)$. Our results are confronted, where possible, with "data-driven" dispersive evaluations of low-energy structure quantities, such as nucleon polarizabilities. We find significant disagreements with dispersive evaluations at very low momentum-transfer $Q$; for example, in the slope of polarizabilities at zero momentum-transfer. By expanding the results in powers of the inverse nucleon mass, we reproduce the known "heavy-baryon" expressions. This serves as a check of our calculation, as well as demonstrates the differences between the manifestly Lorentz-invariant (B$χ$PT) and heavy-baryon (HB$χ$PT) frameworks.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2018

Exploring hyperon structure with electromagnetic transverse densities

We explore the structure of the spin-1/2 flavor-octet baryons (hyperons) through their electromagnetic transverse densities. The transverse densities describe the distribution of charge and magnetization at fixed light-front time and enable a spatial representation of the baryons as relativistic systems. At peripheral distances b~1/M_pi the transverse densities are computed using a new method that combines chiral effective field theory and dispersion analysis. The peripheral isovector densities arise from two-pion exchange, which includes the rho-meson resonance through elastic unitarity. The isoscalar densities are estimated from vector meson exchange (omega, phi). We find that the "pion cloud" in the charged Sigma hyperons is comparable to the nucleon, while in the Xi it is suppressed. The Lambda-Sigma^0 transition density is pure isovector and represents a clear manifestiation of peripheral two-pion dynamics.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2017

Neutron-proton scattering at next-to-next-to-leading order in Nuclear Lattice Effective Field Theory

We present a systematic study of neutron-proton scattering in Nuclear Lattice Effective Field Theory (NLEFT), in terms of the computationally efficient radial Hamiltonian method. Our leading-order (LO) interaction consists of smeared, local contact terms and static one-pion exchange. We show results for a fully non-perturbative analysis up to next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO), followed by a perturbative treatment of contributions beyond LO. The latter analysis anticipates practical Monte Carlo simulations of heavier nuclei. We explore how our results depend on the lattice spacing a, and estimate sources of uncertainty in the determination of the low-energy constants of the next-to-leading-order (NLO) two-nucleon force. We give results for lattice spacings ranging from a = 1.97 fm down to a = 0.98 fm, and discuss the effects of lattice artifacts on the scattering observables. At a = 0.98 fm, lattice artifacts appear small, and our NNLO results agree well with the Nijmegen partial-wave analysis for S-wave and P-wave channels. We expect the peripheral partial waves to be equally well described once the lattice momenta in the pion-nucleon coupling are taken to coincide with the continuum dispersion relation, and higher-order (N3LO) contributions are included. We stress that for center-of-mass momenta below 100 MeV, the physics of the two-nucleon system is independent of the lattice spacing.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2017

Transverse densities of octet baryons from chiral effective field theory

Transverse densities describe the distribution of charge and current at fixed light-front time and provide a frame-independent spatial representation of hadrons as relativistic systems. We calculate the transverse densities of the octet baryons at peripheral distances b = O(M_pi^{-1}) in an approach combining chiral effective field theory (ChEFT) and dispersion analysis. The densities are represented as dispersive integrals of the imaginary parts of the baryon electromagnetic form factors in the timelike region (spectral functions). The spectral functions on the two-pion cut at t > 4 M_pi^2 are computed using relativistic ChEFT with octet and decuplet baryons in the EOMS renormalization scheme. The calculations are extended into the rho-meson mass region, using a dispersive method that incorporates the timelike pion form-factor data. The approach allows us to construct densities at distances b > 1 fm with controlled uncertainties. Our results provide insight into the peripheral structure of nucleons and hyperons and can be compared with empirical densities and lattice-QCD calculations.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2016

Nuclear binding near a quantum phase transition

How do protons and neutrons bind to form nuclei? This is the central question of ab initio nuclear structure theory. While the answer may seem as simple as the fact that nuclear forces are attractive, the full story is more complex and interesting. In this work we present numerical evidence from ab initio lattice simulations showing that nature is near a quantum phase transition, a zero-temperature transition driven by quantum fluctuations. Using lattice effective field theory, we perform Monte Carlo simulations for systems with up to twenty nucleons. For even and equal numbers of protons and neutrons, we discover a first-order transition at zero temperature from a Bose-condensed gas of alpha particles (4He nuclei) to a nuclear liquid. Whether one has an alpha-particle gas or nuclear liquid is determined by the strength of the alpha-alpha interactions, and we show that the alpha-alpha interactions depend on the strength and locality of the nucleon-nucleon interactions. This insight should be useful in improving calculations of nuclear structure and important astrophysical reactions involving alpha capture on nuclei. Our findings also provide a tool to probe the structure of alpha cluster states such as the Hoyle state responsible for the production of carbon in red giant stars and point to a connection between nuclear states and the universal physics of bosons at large scattering length.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2015

Recent developments in neutron-proton scattering with Lattice Effective Field Theory

In this contribution, we show some recent progress in the study of neutron-proton scattering with Nuclear Lattice Effective Field Theory (NLEFT). We present preliminary studies of both, the uncertainties in the $np$ phase shifts extracted with NLEFT, and the lattice spacing dependence in the transfer matrix formalism. Such investigations have not been performed before in the literature, and will be relevant for Monte Carlo simulations of nuclear structure with NLEFT.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2014

Gold-plated moments of nucleon structure functions in baryon chiral perturbation theory

We obtain leading- and next-to-leading order predictions of chiral perturbation theory for several prominent moments of nucleon structure functions. These free-parameter free results turn out to be in overall agreement with the available empirical information on nearly all of the considered moments, in the region of low-momentum transfer ($Q^2 < 0.3$ GeV$^2$). Especially surprising is the situation for the spin polarizability $δ_{LT}$, which thus far was not reproducible in chiral perturbation theory for proton and neutron simultaneously. This problem, known as the "$δ_{LT}$ puzzle," is not seen in the present calculation.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2014

Improved description of the pion-nucleon scattering phenomenology in covariant baryon chiral perturbation theory

We highlight some of the recent advances in the application of chiral effective field theory (chiral EFT) with baryons to the $πN$ scattering process. We recall some problems that cast doubt on the applicability of chiral EFT to $πN$ and show how the relativistic formalism, once the $Δ(1232)$-resonance is included as an explicit degree of freedom, solves these issues. Finally it is shown how this approach can be used to extract the $σ$-terms from phenomenological information.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2013

Chiral perturbation theory of muonic hydrogen Lamb shift: polarizability contribution

The proton polarizability effect in the muonic-hydrogen Lamb shift comes out as a prediction of baryon chiral perturbation theory at leading order and our calculation yields for it: $ΔE^{(\mathrm{pol})} (2P-2S) = 8^{+3}_{-1}\, μ$eV. This result is consistent with most of evaluations based on dispersive sum rules, but is about a factor of two smaller than the recent result obtained in {\em heavy-baryon} chiral perturbation theory. We also find that the effect of $Δ(1232)$-resonance excitation on the Lamb-shift is suppressed, as is the entire contribution of the magnetic polarizability; the electric polarizability dominates. Our results reaffirm the point of view that the proton structure effects, beyond the charge radius, are too small to resolve the `proton radius puzzle'.

hep-ph↗