Searcharxiv⌕ Search

arXiv subjects

Li Zhao

Publications and source records attributed to Li Zhao.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

Constraining Dark Matter Models with a Light Mediator from PandaX-II Experiment

We search for nuclear recoil signals of dark matter models with a light mediator in PandaX-II, a direct detection experiment in China Jinping underground Laboratory. Using data collected in 2016 and 2017 runs, corresponding to a total exposure of 54 ton day, we set upper limits on the zero-momentum dark matter-nucleon cross section. These limits have a strong dependence on the mediator mass when it is comparable to or below the typical momentum transfer. We apply our results to constrain self-interacting dark matter models with a light mediator mixing with standard model particles, and set strong limits on the model parameter space for the dark matter mass ranging from $5~{\rm GeV}$ to $10~{\rm TeV}$.

hep-ph↗

Dark matter direct search sensitivity of the PandaX-4T experiment

The PandaX-4T experiment, a four-ton scale dark matter direct detection experiment, is being planned at the China Jinping Underground Laboratory. In this paper we present a simulation study of the expected background in this experiment. In a 2.8-ton fiducial mass and the signal region between 1 to 10 keV electron equivalent energy, the total electron recoil background is found to be 4.9x10^{-5} /(kg day keV). The nuclear recoil background in the same region is 2.8x10^{-7}/(kg day keV). With an exposure of 5.6 ton-years, the sensitivity of PandaX-4T could reach a minimum spin-independent dark matter-nucleon cross section of 6x10^{-48} cm^{2} at a dark matter mass of 40 GeV/c^{2}.

physics.ins-det↗

Localization of Gravitino Field on Thin Branes

In this paper, we investigate the localization of a bulk gravitino field on the scalar-tensor branes and compare the result with that in the Randall-Sundrum-1 (RS1) model. The coupled chiral equations for the Kaluza-Klein (KK) modes of the gravitino field are obtained by fixing the gauge $Ψ_5=0$ and using the chiral KK decompositions. It is shown that, in the RS1 model for the left- and right-handed zero modes of the gravitino field, only one of them can be localized near one brane. For the massive modes, both chiral modes survive and the lower KK modes are localized near the IR brane from the four-dimensional physical coordinate point of view. However, for the scalar-tensor brane model, the localization of the gravitino chiral zero modes depends on the coupling parameter $λ$, and they will be not localized around anyone brane within a certain range of the parameter $λ$, which is quite different from the RS1 model. Furthermore, we also give the corresponding mass spectra of the massive KK gravitinos in the scalar-tensor model.

hep-th↗

Exploring the dark matter inelastic frontier with 79.6 days of PandaX-II data

We report here the results of searching for inelastic scattering of dark matter (initial and final state dark matter particles differ by a small mass splitting) with nucleon with the first 79.6-day of PandaX-II data (Run 9). We set the upper limits for the spin independent WIMP-nucleon scattering cross section up to a mass splitting of 300 keV/c$^2$ at two benchmark dark matter masses of 1 and 10 TeV/c$^2$.

hep-ex↗

Limits on Axion Couplings from the first 80-day data of PandaX-II Experiment

We report new searches for the solar axions and galactic axion-like dark matter particles, using the first low-background data from PandaX-II experiment at China Jinping Underground Laboratory, corresponding to a total exposure of about $2.7\times 10^4$ kg$\cdot$day. No solar axion or galactic axion-like dark matter particle candidate has been identified. The upper limit on the axion-electron coupling ($g_{Ae}$) from the solar flux is found to be about $4.35 \times 10^{-12}$ in mass range from $10^{-5}$ to 1 keV/$c^2$ with 90\% confidence level, similar to the recent LUX result. We also report a new best limit from the $^{57}$Fe de-excitation. On the other hand, the upper limit from the galactic axions is on the order of $10^{-13}$ in the mass range from 1 keV/$c^2$ to 10 keV/$c^2$ with 90\% confidence level, slightly improved compared with the LUX.

hep-ex↗

Dark Matter Results From 54-Ton-Day Exposure of PandaX-II Experiment

We report a new search of weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) using the combined low background data sets in 2016 and 2017 from the PandaX-II experiment in China. The latest data set contains a new exposure of 77.1 live day, with the background reduced to a level of 0.8$\times10^{-3}$ evt/kg/day, improved by a factor of 2.5 in comparison to the previous run in 2016. No excess events were found above the expected background. With a total exposure of 5.4$\times10^4$ kg day, the most stringent upper limit on spin-independent WIMP-nucleon cross section was set for a WIMP with mass larger than 100 GeV/c$^2$, with the lowest exclusion at 8.6$\times10^{-47}$ cm$^2$ at 40 GeV/c$^2$.

astro-ph.CO↗

Localization and mass spectra of various matter fields on Weyl thin brane

It has been shown that the thin brane model in a five-dimensional Weyl gravity can deal with the wrong-signed Friedmann-like equation in the Randall--Sundrum-1 (RS1) model. In the Weyl brane model, there are also two branes with opposite brane tensions, but the four-dimensional graviton (the gravity zero mode) is localized near the negative tension brane, while our four-dimensional universe is localized on the positive tension brane. In this paper, we consider the mass spectra of various bulk matter fields (i.e., scalar, vector, and fermion fields) on the Weyl brane. It is shown that the zero modes of those matter fields can be localized on the positive tension brane under some conditions. The mass spectra of the bulk matter fields are equidistant for the higher excited states, and relatively sparse for the lower excited states. The size of the extra dimension determines the gap of the mass spectra. We also consider the correction to the Newtonian potential in this model and it is proportional to $1/r^{3}$.

gr-qc↗

Somoclu: An Efficient Parallel Library for Self-Organizing Maps

Somoclu is a massively parallel tool for training self-organizing maps on large data sets written in C++. It builds on OpenMP for multicore execution, and on MPI for distributing the workload across the nodes in a cluster. It is also able to boost training by using CUDA if graphics processing units are available. A sparse kernel is included, which is useful for high-dimensional but sparse data, such as the vector spaces common in text mining workflows. Python, R and MATLAB interfaces facilitate interactive use. Apart from fast execution, memory use is highly optimized, enabling training large emergent maps even on a single computer.

cs.DC↗

Titanium dioxide hole-blocking layer in ultra-thin-film crystalline silicon solar cells

One of the remaining obstacles to approaching the theoretical efficiency limit of crystalline silicon (c-Si) solar cells is the exceedingly high interface recombination loss for minority carriers at the Ohmic contacts. In ultra-thin-film c-Si solar cells, this contact recombination loss is far more severe than for traditional thick cells due to the smaller volume and higher minority carrier concentration of the former. This paper presents a novel design of an electron passing (Ohmic) contact to n-type Si that is hole-blocking with significantly reduced hole recombination. This contact is formed by depositing a thin titanium dioxide (TiO2) layer to form a silicon metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) contact. A 2 μm thick Si cell with this TiO2 MIS contact achieved an open circuit voltage (Voc) of 645 mV, which is 10 mV higher than that of an ultra-thin cell with a metal contact. This MIS contact demonstrates a new path for ultra-thin-film c-Si solar cells to achieve high efficiencies as high as traditional thick cells, and enables the fabrication of high-efficiency c-Si solar cells at a lower cost.

physics.app-ph↗

Localization of Vector Field on Pure Geometrical Thick Brane

In this paper, we investigate the localization of a five-dimensional vector field on a pure geometrical thick brane. In previous work, it was shown that a free massless vector field cannot be localized on such thick brane. Hence we introduce the interaction between the vector field and the background scalar field. Two types of couplings are constructed as examples. We get a typical volcano potential for the first type of coupling and a finite square-well-like potential for the second one. Both of the two types of couplings ensure that the vector zero mode can be localized on the pure geometrical thick brane under some conditions.

hep-th↗

Spin-Dependent Weakly-Interacting-Massive-Particle--Nucleon Cross Section Limits from First Data of PandaX-II Experiment

New constraints are presented on the spin-dependent WIMP-nucleon interaction from the PandaX-II experiment, using a data set corresponding to a total exposure of 3.3$\times10^4$ kg-days. Assuming a standard axial-vector spin-dependent WIMP interaction with $^{129}$Xe and $^{131}$Xe nuclei, the most stringent upper limits on WIMP-neutron cross sections for WIMPs with masses above 10 GeV/c$^{2}$ are set in all dark matter direct detection experiments. The minimum upper limit of $4.1\times 10^{-41}$ cm$^2$ at 90\% confidence level is obtained for a WIMP mass of 40 GeV/c$^{2}$. This represents more than a factor of two improvement on the best available limits at this and higher masses. These improved cross-section limits provide more stringent constraints on the effective WIMP-proton and WIMP-neutron couplings.

hep-ex↗

PandaX-III: Searching for Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay with High Pressure $^{136}$Xe Gas Time Projection Chambers

Searching for the Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay (NLDBD) is now regarded as the topmost promising technique to explore the nature of neutrinos after the discovery of neutrino masses in oscillation experiments. PandaX-III (Particle And Astrophysical Xenon Experiment III) will search for the NLDBD of $^{136}$Xe at the China Jin Ping underground Laboratory (CJPL). In the first phase of the experiment, a high pressure gas Time Projection Chamber (TPC) will contain 200 kg, 90% $^{136}$Xe enriched gas operated at 10 bar. Fine pitch micro-pattern gas detector (Microbulk Micromegas) will be used at both ends of the TPC for the charge readout with a cathode in the middle. Charge signals can be used to reconstruct tracks of NLDBD events and provide good energy and spatial resolution. The detector will be immersed in a large water tank to ensure $\sim$5 m of water shielding in all directions. The second phase, a ton-scale experiment, will consist of five TPCs in the same water tank, with improved energy resolution and better control over backgrounds.

physics.ins-det↗

Dark Matter Results from First 98.7-day Data of PandaX-II Experiment

We report the WIMP dark matter search results using the first physics-run data of the PandaX-II 500 kg liquid xenon dual-phase time-projection chamber, operating at the China JinPing Underground Laboratory. No dark matter candidate is identified above background. In combination with the data set during the commissioning run, with a total exposure of 3.3$\times10^4$ kg-day,the most stringent limit to the spin-independent interaction between the ordinary and WIMP dark matter is set for a range of dark matter mass between 3.5 and 1000 GeV/c$^2$. The best upper limit on the scattering cross section is found $2.5\times 10^{-46}$ cm$^2$ for the WIMP mass 40 GeV/c$^2$ at 90% confidence level.

hep-ex↗

Dark Matter Search Results from the Commissioning Run of PandaX-II

We present the results of a search for WIMPs from the commissioning run of the PandaX-II experiment located at the China Jinping underground Laboratory. A WIMP search data set with an exposure of 306$\times$19.1 kg-day was taken, while its dominant $^{85}$Kr background was used as the electron recoil calibration. No WIMP candidates are identified, and a 90\% upper limit is set on the spin-independent elastic WIMP-nucleon cross section with a lowest excluded cross section of 2.97$\times$10$^{-45}$~cm$^2$ at a WIMP mass of 44.7~GeV/c$^2$.

hep-ex↗

Hybrid metric-Palatini brane system

It is known that the metric and Palatini formalisms of gravity theories have their own interesting features but also suffer from some different drawbacks. Recently, a novel gravity theory called hybrid metric-Palatini gravity was put forward to cure or improve their individual deficiencies. The action of this gravity theory is a hybrid combination of the usual Einstein-Hilbert action and a $f(\mathcal{R})$ term constructed by the Palatini formalism. Interestingly, it seems that the existence of a light and long-range scalar field in this gravity may modify the cosmological and galactic dynamics without conflicting with the laboratory and Solar System tests. In this paper we focus on the tensor perturbation of thick branes in this novel gravity theory. We consider two models as examples, namely, the thick branes constructed by a background scalar field and by pure gravity. The thick branes in both models have no inner structure. However, the graviton zero mode in the first model has inner structure when the parameter in this model is larger than its critical value. We find that the effective four-dimensional gravity can be reproduced on the brane for both models. Moreover, the stability of both brane systems against the tensor perturbation can also be ensured.

gr-qc↗

Low-mass dark matter search results from full exposure of PandaX-I experiment

We report the results of a weakly-interacting massive particle (WIMP) dark matter search using the full 80.1\;live-day exposure of the first stage of the PandaX experiment (PandaX-I) located in the China Jin-Ping Underground Laboratory. The PandaX-I detector has been optimized for detecting low-mass WIMPs, achieving a photon detection efficiency of 9.6\%. With a fiducial liquid xenon target mass of 54.0\,kg, no significant excess event were found above the expected background. A profile likelihood analysis confirms our earlier finding that the PandaX-I data disfavor all positive low-mass WIMP signals reported in the literature under standard assumptions. A stringent bound on the low mass WIMP is set at WIMP mass below 10\,GeV/c$^2$, demonstrating that liquid xenon detectors can be competitive for low-mass WIMP searches.

hep-ex↗

Preliminary study of light yield dependence on LAB liquid scintillator composition

Liquid scintillator (LS) will be adopted as the detector material in JUNO (Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory). The energy resolution requirement of JUNO is 3%, which has never previously been reached. To achieve this energy resolution, the light yield of liquid scintillator is an important factor. PPO (the fluor) and bis-MSB (the wavelength shifter) are the two main materials dissolved in LAB. To study the influence of these two materials on the transmission of scintillation photons in LS, 25 and 12 cm-long quartz vessels were used in a light yield experiment. LS samples with different concentration of PPO and bis-MSB were tested. At these lengths, the light yield growth is not obvious when the concentration of PPO is higher than 4 g/L. The influence from bis-MSB becomes insignificant when its concentration is higher than 8 mg/L. This result could provide some useful suggestions for the JUNO LS.

physics.ins-det↗

Stability and (quasi-)localization of gravitational fluctuations in Eddington-Inspired Born-Infeld brane system

Stability and localization of the gravitational perturbations for a special brane system in Eddington-inspired Born-Infeld (EiBI) gravity were studied in [Phys. Rev. D 85, 124053 (2012)]. In this paper, we show that the gravitational perturbations for a general brane system are stable, the four-dimensional graviton (massless KK graviton) can be localized on the brane, and the mass spectrum of massive KK gravitons are gapless and continuous. Two models are constructed as examples. In the first model, which is a generalization of [Phys. Rev. D 85, 124053 (2012)], the brane has no inner structure and there is no gravitational resonance (quasi-localized KK gravitons). In the second one, the background scalar field is a double-kink when the parameter in the model approaches its critical value. Correspondingly, the brane has inner structure and some gravitational resonances appear.

hep-th↗