arXiv subjects

M. Kimura

Publications and source records attributed to M. Kimura.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

arXiv2013

New results on $ν_μ\to ν_τ$ appearance with the OPERA experiment in the CNGS beam

The OPERA neutrino experiment is designed to perform the first observation of neutrino oscillations in direct appearance mode in the $ν_μ\to ν_τ$ channel, via the detection of the $τ$-leptons created in charged current $ν_τ$ interactions. The detector, located in the underground Gran Sasso Laboratory, consists of an emulsion/lead target with an average mass of about 1.2 kt, complemented by electronic detectors. It is exposed to the CERN Neutrinos to Gran Sasso beam, with a baseline of 730 km and a mean energy of 17 GeV. The observation of the first $ν_τ$ candidate event and the analysis of the 2008-2009 neutrino sample have been reported in previous publications. This work describes substantial improvements in the analysis and in the evaluation of the detection efficiencies and backgrounds using new simulation tools. The analysis is extended to a sub-sample of 2010 and 2011 data, resulting from an electronic detector-based pre-selection, in which an additional $ν_τ$ candidate has been observed. The significance of the two events in terms of a $ν_μ\to ν_τ$ oscillation signal is of 2.40 $σ$.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2013

Search for $ν_μ\rightarrow ν_e$ oscillations with the OPERA experiment in the CNGS beam

A first result of the search for \numu $\rightarrow$ \nue oscillations in the OPERA experiment, located at the Gran Sasso Underground Laboratory, is presented. The experiment looked for the appearance of \nue in the CNGS neutrino beam using the data collected in 2008 and 2009. Data are compatible with the non-oscillation hypothesis in the three-flavour mixing model. A further analysis of the same data constrains the non-standard oscillation parameters $θ_{new}$ and $Δm^2_{new}$ suggested by the LSND and MiniBooNE experiments. For large $Δm^{2}_{new}$ values ($>$0.1 eV$^{2}$), the OPERA 90% C.L. upper limit on sin$^{2}(2θ_{new})$ based on a Bayesian statistical method reaches the value $7.2 \times 10^{-3}$.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2013

Prospects for measuring the gravitational free-fall of antihydrogen with emulsion detectors

The main goal of the AEgIS experiment at CERN is to test the weak equivalence principle for antimatter. AEgIS will measure the free-fall of an antihydrogen beam traversing a moiré deflectometer. The goal is to determine the gravitational acceleration g for antihydrogen with an initial relative accuracy of 1% by using an emulsion detector combined with a silicon micro-strip detector to measure the time of flight. Nuclear emulsions can measure the annihilation vertex of antihydrogen atoms with a precision of about 1 - 2 microns r.m.s. We present here results for emulsion detectors operated in vacuum using low energy antiprotons from the CERN antiproton decelerator. We compare with Monte Carlo simulations, and discuss the impact on the AEgIS project.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2013

Efficient Site-specific Low-energy Electron Production via Interatomic Coulombic Decay Following Resonant Auger Decay

We identified interatomic Coulombic decay (ICD) channels in argon dimers after spectator-type resonant Auger decay $2p^{-1}~3d \to 3p^{-2}3d, 4d$ in one of the atoms, using momentum resolved electron-ion-ion coincidence. The results illustrate that the resonant core excitation is a very efficient way of producing slow electrons at a specific site, which may cause localized radiation damage. We find also that ICD rate for $3p^{-2}4d$ is significantly lower than that for $3p^{-2}3d$.

physics.chem-ph↗

arXiv2013

Rotational quenching of rotationally-excited H$_2$O in collisions with He

Theoretical rotational quenching cross sections and rate coefficients of ortho- and para-H$_2$O due to collisions with He atoms are presented. The complete angular momentum close-coupling approach as well as the coupled-states approximation for angular momentum decoupling were applied to solve the scattering problem for a large range of rotationally-excited states of water. Results are obtained for quenching from initial levels 1$_{1,0}$, 2$_{1,2}$, 2$_{2,1}$, 3$_{0,3}$, 3$_{1,2}$, 3$_{2,1}$, 4$_{1,4}$, 3$_{3,0}$, and 4$_{2,3}$ of ortho-H$_2$O and from initial levels 1$_{1,1}$, 2$_{0,2}$, 2$_{1,1}$, 2$_{2,0}$, 3$_{1,3}$, 3$_{2,2}$, 4$_{0,4}$, 4$_{1,3}$, and 3$_{3,1}$ of para-H$_2$O for kinetic energies from 10$^{-5}$ to 10$^4$ cm$^{-1}$. State-to-state and total deexcitation cross sections and rate coefficients for temperatures between 0.1 and 3000 K are reported. The present state-to-state rate coefficients are found to be in good agreement with previous results obtained by Green and coworkers at high temperatures, but significant discrepancies are obtained at lower temperatures likely due to differences in the adopted potential energy surfaces. Astrophysical applications of the current rate coefficients are briefly discussed.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2012

A new application of emulsions to measure the gravitational force on antihydrogen

We propose to build and operate a detector based on the emulsion film technology for the measurement of the gravitational acceleration on antimatter, to be performed by the AEgIS experiment (AD6) at CERN. The goal of AEgIS is to test the weak equivalence principle with a precision of 1% on the gravitational acceleration g by measuring the vertical position of the anni- hilation vertex of antihydrogen atoms after their free fall in a horizontal vacuum pipe. With the emulsion technology developed at the University of Bern we propose to improve the performance of AEgIS by exploiting the superior position resolution of emulsion films over other particle de- tectors. The idea is to use a new type of emulsion films, especially developed for applications in vacuum, to yield a spatial resolution of the order of one micron in the measurement of the sag of the antihydrogen atoms in the gravitational field. This is an order of magnitude better than what was planned in the original AEgIS proposal.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2012

Measurement of the neutrino velocity with the OPERA detector in the CNGS beam using the 2012 dedicated data

In spring 2012 CERN provided two weeks of a short bunch proton beam dedicated to the neutrino velocity measurement over a distance of 730 km. The OPERA neutrino experiment at the underground Gran Sasso Laboratory used an upgraded setup compared to the 2011 measurements, improving the measurement time accuracy. An independent timing system based on the Resistive Plate Chambers was exploited providing a time accuracy of $\sim$1 ns. Neutrino and anti-neutrino contributions were separated using the information provided by the OPERA magnetic spectrometers. The new analysis profited from the precision geodesy measurements of the neutrino baseline and of the CNGS/LNGS clock synchronization. The neutrino arrival time with respect to the one computed assuming the speed of light in vacuum is found to be $δt_ν\equiv TOF_c - TOF_ν= (0.6 \pm 0.4\ (stat.) \pm 3.0\ (syst.))$ ns and $δt_{\barν} \equiv TOF_c - TOF_{\barν} = (1.7 \pm 1.4\ (stat.) \pm 3.1\ (syst.))$ ns for $ν_μ$ and $\barν_μ$, respectively. This corresponds to a limit on the muon neutrino velocity with respect to the speed of light of $-1.8 \times 10^{-6} < (v_ν-c)/c < 2.3 \times 10^{-6}$ at 90% C.L. This new measurement confirms with higher accuracy the revised OPERA result.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2012

Black hole mass and Eddington ratio distribution functions of X-ray selected broad-line AGNs at z~1.4 in the Subaru XMM-Newton Deep Field

In order to investigate the growth of super-massive black holes (SMBHs), we construct the black hole mass function (BHMF) and Eddington ratio distribution function (ERDF) of X-ray-selected broad-line AGNs at z~1.4 in the Subaru XMM-Newton Deep Survey field. In this redshift range, a significant part of the accretion growth of SMBHs is thought to be taking place. Black hole masses of X-ray-selected broad-line AGNs are estimated using the width of the broad MgII line and the 3000A monochromatic luminosity. We supplement the MgII FWHM values with the Ha FWHM obtained from our NIR spectroscopic survey. Using the black hole masses of broad-line AGNs at redshifts between 1.18 and 1.68, the binned broad-line AGN BHMF and ERDF are calculated using the Vmax method. To properly account for selection effects that impact the binned estimates, we derive the corrected broad-line AGN BHMF and ERDF by applying the Maximum Likelihood method, assuming that the ERDF is constant regardless of the black hole mass. We do not correct for the non-negligible uncertainties in virial BH mass estimates. If we compare the corrected broad-line AGN BHMF with that in the local Universe, the corrected BHMF at z~1.4 has a higher number density above 10^8 Msolar but a lower number density below that mass range. The evolution may be indicative of a down-sizing trend of accretion activity among the SMBH population. The evolution of broad-line AGN ERDF from z=1.4 to 0 indicates that the fraction of broad-line AGNs with accretion rate close to the Eddington-limit is higher at higher redshifts.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2012

A new method to correct deformations in emulsion using a precise photomask

A new method to correct the emulsion deformation, mainly produced in the development process, is developed to recover the high accuracy of nuclear emulsion as a tracking device. The method is based on a precise photomask and a careful treatment of the emulsion films. A position measurement accuracy of 0.6 μm is obtained over an area of 5 cm x 7 cm. The method allows to measure positions of track segments with submicron accuracy in an ECC brick with as few as 10 reference tracks for alignment. Such a performance can be important for hybrid emulsion experiments at underground laboratories where only a small number of reference tracks for alignment are available.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2012

Deep inner-shell multiphoton ionization by intense x-ray free-electron laser pulses

We have investigated multiphoton multiple ionization dynamics of argon and xenon atoms using a new x-ray free electron laser (XFEL) facility, SPring-8 Angstrom Compact free electron LAser (SACLA) in Japan, and identified that highly charged Xe ions with the charge state up to +26 are produced predominantly via four-photon absorption as well as highly charged Ar ions with the charge state up to +10 are produced via two-photon absorption at a photon energy of 5.5 keV. The absolute fluence of the XFEL pulse, needed for comparison between theory and experiment, has been determined using two-photon processes in the argon atom with the help of benchmark ab initio calculations. Our experimental results, in combination with a newly developed theoretical model for heavy atoms, demonstrate the occurrence of multiphoton absorption involving deep inner shells.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2012

FMOS near-IR spectroscopy of Herschel selected galaxies: star formation rates, metallicity and dust attenuation at z~1

We investigate the properties (e.g. star formation rate, dust attentuation, stellar mass and metallicity) of a sample of infrared luminous galaxies at z \sim 1 via near-IR spectroscopy with Subaru-FMOS. Our sample consists of Herschel SPIRE and Spitzer MIPS selected sources in the COSMOS field with photometric redshifts in the range 0.7 < z-phot < 1.8, which have been targeted in 2 pointings (0.5 sq. deg.) with FMOS. We find a modest success rate for emission line detections, with candidate Hα emission lines detected for 57 of 168 SPIRE sources (34 per cent). By stacking the near-IR spectra we directly measure the mean Balmer decrement for the Hα and Hβ lines, finding a value of = 0.51\pm0.27 for = 10^12 Lsol sources at = 1.36. By comparing star formation rates estimated from the IR and from the dust uncorrected Hα line we find a strong relationship between dust attenuation and star formation rate. This relation is broadly consistent with that previously seen in star-forming galaxies at z ~ 0.1. Finally, we investigate the metallicity via the N2 ratio, finding that z ~ 1 IR-selected sources are indistinguishable from the local mass-metallicity relation. We also find a strong correlation between dust attentuation and metallicity, with the most metal-rich IR-sources experiencing the largest levels of dust attenuation.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2012

Measurement of the neutrino velocity with the OPERA detector in the CNGS beam

The OPERA neutrino experiment at the underground Gran Sasso Laboratory has measured the velocity of neutrinos from the CERN CNGS beam over a baseline of about 730 km. The measurement is based on data taken by OPERA in the years 2009, 2010 and 2011. Dedicated upgrades of the CNGS timing system and of the OPERA detector, as well as a high precision geodesy campaign for the measurement of the neutrino baseline, allowed reaching comparable systematic and statistical accuracies. An arrival time of CNGS muon neutrinos with respect to the one computed assuming the speed of light in vacuum of (6.5 +/- 7.4(stat.)((+8.3)(-8.0)sys.))ns was measured corresponding to a relative difference of the muon neutrino velocity with respect to the speed of light (v-c)/c =(2.7 +/-3.1(stat.)((+3.4)(-3.3)(sys.))x10^(-6). The above result, obtained by comparing the time distributions of neutrino interactions and of protons hitting the CNGS target in 10.5 microseconds long extractions, was confirmed by a test performed at the end of 2011 using a short bunch beam allowing to measure the neutrino time of flight at the single interaction level.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2011

FIBRE-pac: FMOS image-based reduction package

The FIBRE-pac (FMOS image-based reduction package) is an IRAF-based reduction tool for the fiber multiple-object spectrograph (FMOS) of the Subaru telescope. To reduce FMOS images, a number of special techniques are necessary because each image contains about 200 separate spectra with airglow emission lines variable in spatial and time domains, and with complicated throughput patterns for the airglow masks. In spite of these features, almost all of the reduction processes except for a few steps are carried out automatically by scripts in text format making it easy to check the commands step by step. Wavelength- and flux-calibrated images together with their noise maps are obtained using this reduction package.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2011

R&D Status of Nuclear Emulsion For Directional Dark Matter Search

In this study, we are doing R&D for directional dark matter search with nuclear emulsion. First of all, higher resolution nuclear emulsion with fine silver halide crystals was developed in the production facility of emulsion at Nagoya university, and we confirmed that it can detect the expected nuclear recoil tracks. The readout of submicron tracks was required the new technology. We developed the expansion technique, and could readout the signal by shape analysis with optical microscopy. The two dimensional angular resolution is 36 degrees at the original track length of range from 150nm to 200nm with optical microscopy. Finally we demonstrated by using recoiled nuclei induced by 14.8MeV neutron, and confirmed the technique.Moreover, we developed the X-ray microscope system with SPring-8 as final check with higher resolution of selected candidate tracks with optical microscopy. The angular resolution was improved from 31 degrees with optical microscopy to 17degrees with X-ray microscopy at the track length of range from 150nm to 250nm. We are developing the practical system and planning for start of the test running with prototype detector.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2011

Parity reversion in ^{12}_ΛBe

The spectrum of $^{12}_Λ$Be is studied by an extended version of antisymmetrized molecular dynamics for hypernuclei. The result predicts the positive-parity ground state of $^{12}_Λ$Be that is reverted to the normal one by the impurity effect of $Λ$ particle. The reversion of the parity is due to the difference of $Λ$ binding energy in the positive- and negative-parity states that originates in the difference of $α$ clustering and deformation.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2011

Spectroscopy and intruder configurations of $^{33}$Mg and $^{31}$Ne studied with antisymmetrized molecular dynamics

Excitation spectra and neutron single particle configurations of $^{33}$Mg and $^{31}$Ne are investigated by using antisymmetrized molecular dynamics combined with generator coordinate method. It is shown that both nuclei have strongly deformed $3/2^-$ ground state with a $3p2h$ configuration. The excitation spectra are qualitatively understood in terms of the Nilsson model and the calculation has shown the coexistence of different intruder configurations within small excitation energy. The calculated one neutron separation energy of $^{31}$Ne is rather small ($S_n=250$ keV) and implies a p-wave one neutron halo with a strongly deformed core.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2011

Suzaku Observations of Ejecta-Dominated Galactic Supernova Remnant G346.6-0.2

We present here the results of the X-ray analysis of Galactic supernova remnant G346.6-0.2 observed with {\it Suzaku}. K-shell emission lines of Mg, Si, S, Ca and Fe are detected clearly for the first time. Strong emission lines of Si and S imply that X-ray emission nature of G346.6-0.2 is ejecta-dominated. The ejecta-dominated emission is well fitted with a combined model consisting of thermal plasma in non-equilibrium ionization and a non-thermal component, which can be regarded as synchrotron emission with a photon index of $Γ$ $\sim 0.6$. Absorbing column density of $N_{\rm H}\sim2.1\times10^{22}$ ${\rm cm^{-2}}$ is obtained from the best-fitting implying a high-density medium, high electron temperature of $kT_{\rm e}\sim1.2$ keV, and ionization timescale of $n_{\rm e}t\sim2.9\times10^{11}$ ${\rm cm^{-3}s}$ indicating that this remnant may be far from full ionization equilibrium. The relative abundances from the ejecta show that the remnant originates from a Type Ia supernova explosion.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2011

First Detection of Ar-K Line Emission from the Cygnus Loop

We observed the Cygnus Loop with XMM-Newton (9 pointings) and Suzaku (32 pointings) between 2002 and 2008. The total effective exposure time is 670.2 ks. By using all of the available data, we intended to improve a signal-to-noise ratio of the spectrum. Accordingly, the accumulated spectra obtained by the XIS and the EPIC show some line features around 3 keV that are attributed to the S He$β$ and Ar He$α$ lines, respectively. Since the Cygnus Loop is an evolved ($\sim$10,000 yr) supernova remnant whose temperature is relatively low ($<$1 keV) compared with other young remnants, its spectrum is generally faint above 3.0 keV, no emission lines, such as the Ar-K line have ever been detected. The detection of the Ar-K line is the first time and we found that its abundance is significantly higher than that of the solar value; 9.0$^{+4.0}_{-3.8}$ and 8.4$^{+2.5}_{-2.7}$ (in units of solar), estimated from the XIS and the EPIC spectra, respectively. We conclude that the Ar-K line originated from the ejecta of the Cygnus Loop. Follow-up X-ray observations to tightly constrain the abundances of Ar-rich ejecta will be useful to accurately estimate the progenitor's mass.

astro-ph.SR↗