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M. Lorenz

Publications and source records attributed to M. Lorenz.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Measurement of Differential Cross Sections and Integrated Luminosity using Proton-Proton Elastic Scattering with HADES at T = 4.53 GeV and T = 1.60 GeV

This work presents an investigation of elastic proton-proton scattering based on data collected with the recently upgraded HADES detector using beams of protons with kinetic energies of $T = 4.53$ GeV and $T = 1.60$ GeV impinging on a liquid hydrogen target. This is the first measurement emerging from the upgraded detector setup, including a Forward Detector with straw-tube tracking planes designed for the PANDA experiment. The well-constrained two-body kinematic relations of elastic scattering have been exploited to study the detector alignment, the beam alignment, and to provide the final measurement of the beam energy. In addition, the recorded luminosity of the experiment has been determined by normalizing the HADES data in a range of the squared four-momentum transfer $t$ that overlaps with measurements by previous experiments worldwide. Furthermore, the differential cross sections have been determined over a large range of $t$ from which the slope parameter $B$ is extracted, yielding $B = 8.98 \pm 0.3$ (GeV/$c$)$^{-2}$ and $7.3 \pm 0.1$ (GeV/$c$)$^{-2}$ at $T = 4.53$ GeV and $1.60$ GeV, respectively. This contribution to the world database on elastic proton-proton scattering provides input to theoretical modeling and serves as a reference for luminosity determinations by future experiments in the same energy range.

hep-ex

Ultraluminous X-ray sources in the first eROSITA survey I. Candidate catalogs

Ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs) are luminous non-nuclear X-ray point sources embedded in galaxies. Their luminosities exceeding 10^39 erg/s potentially require sub-Eddington accretion by objects with masses from ~10^2$M_{\odot}$ to ~10^4$M_{\odot}$ or supercritical accretion beyond the Eddington limit by stellar mass black holes or neutron stars. We identified ULXs by searching for X-ray counterparts in the ~10^5 galaxies of the HECATE catalog in the footprint of the first eROSITA all-sky survey, while excluding nuclear regions to avoid the selection of active galactic nuclei (AGN). We characterized the completeness of the sample and its contamination by unidentified AGN and determined the influence of source confusion. The catalog is unaffected by X-ray selection biases. We removed known contaminants such as supernovae, stars, and AGN, and manually vetted all candidates to further remove contaminants. We derived the X-ray selection function and fraction of unidentified AGN interlopers using a simulation with subsequent source detection. We present two samples of ULX candidates. The main sample consists of 90 sources with highly confident X-ray detections, 53 of which are identified for the first time. This sample is complete to a distance of ~7Mpc, contains at most 29% of unknown background AGN, and is mostly unaffected by source confusion. Several candidates are newly identified even though their locations have been observed by other instruments before, and some previously reported candidates we expected to identify are absent from our sample, demonstrating the transient behavior of ULXs. Based on our list of less confident detections, we also provide an extended catalog of 260 sources identified as potential candidates for further ULX identifications. Of these, 245 are identified as potential candidates for the first time. (Abridged)

astro-ph.HE

The SRG/eROSITA All-Sky Survey DR2: Cumulative X-ray catalogues from the first three surveys and multi-wavelength counterparts in the western Galactic hemisphere

The eROSITA telescope array on board the Spektrum-Roentgen-Gamma (SRG) mission began its all-sky survey program in December 2019, scanning the sky at an approximately six-month cadence. Here, we present new catalogues of point-like and extended X-ray sources derived from the first three completed eROSITA all-sky surveys (eRASS:3), covering the western Galactic hemisphere, which Germany's eROSITA consortium holds proprietary rights for. We describe the observational strategy, data processing, and analysis pipelines. We also characterise the resulting X-ray source populations. The eRASS:3 main catalogue contains nearly two million sources, including 1,911,744 point-like and 63,796 extended sources, detected in the 0.2-2.3 keV energy band, eROSITA's most sensitive energy window. This volume has doubled the X-ray source content of eRASS1 and provides a comprehensive census of X-ray-emitting objects across diverse astrophysical classes. We also released a secondary hard catalogue of nearly 15,000 sources detected in the harder 2.3-5.0 keV energy band. In addition, we released six catalogues, three for the main sample and three for the hard sample, in which we identify and classify the optical and infrared counterparts of eRASS:3 point-like sources. This approach delivers a homogeneous, high-quality identification of mostly extragalactic X-ray emitters; for example, we estimate that approximately 88% of the 1.4 million counterparts identified within the footprints of the Legacy Survey Imaging for DESI are extragalactic sources. This work has enabled the generation of samples optimised for completeness and purity, while expanding the discovery space for rare populations. The second data release (DR2) of the SRG/eROSITA all-sky survey is a catalogue-only release, comprising the catalogues presented in this work together with an updated version of the eROSITA upper flux limit server.

astro-ph.HE

BlazEr1: The eROSITA Blazar Catalog. Blazars and Blazar Candidates in the First eROSITA Survey

Aims. eROSITA, on board the Spectrum Roentgen Gamma (SRG) spacecraft, performed its first X-ray all-sky survey (eRASS1) between December 2019 and June 2020. It detected about 930000 sources, providing us with an unprecedented opportunity for a detailed blazar census. We present the properties of blazars and blazar candidates in eRASS1 and the compilation of the eROSITA blazar catalog. Methods. We compiled a list of blazar and blazar candidates from the literature and matched it with the eRASS1 catalog, constructing the Blazars in eRASS1 (BlazEr1) catalog. For sources with more than 50 counts, we obtained their X-ray spectral properties. We compiled multiwavelength data from the radio to the gamma-ray regimes for all sources, including multiwavelength spectral indices and redshifts. The full catalog is available online. Results. We present the BlazEr1 catalog, containing 5865 sources, of which 2106 are associated with confirmed blazars. For 2966 sources, eROSITA provides the first X-ray data. The contamination from non-blazar sources of the entire sample is less than 11%. Most candidates exhibit properties typical for blazars. We present the properties of the entire X-ray detected blazar population, including the distributions of X-ray luminosities and photon indices, multiwavelength properties, and the blazar log N-log S distribution. Our catalog provides follow up targets, such as potential MeV and TeV blazars. Conclusions. The BlazEr1 catalog provides a compilation of X-ray detected blazars and blazar candidates. The catalog serves as a starting point for exploiting further eROSITA surveys using the same methodology, enabling us to study the X-ray variability and a large number of spectral energy distributions of blazars in the future.

astro-ph.HE

First measurement of massive virtual photon emission from N* baryon resonances

First information on the time-like electromagnetic structure of baryons in the second resonance region has been obtained from measurements of dielectron (e+ e-) invariant-mass and angular distributions in the quasi-free reaction $π-$ p $\rightarrow$ n e+ e- at $\sqrt{s_{πp}}$ = 1.49 GeV with the High Acceptance Di-Electron Spectrometer (HADES) at GSI using the pion beam impinging on a CH$_2$ target. We find a total cross section $σ$ = 2.97 $\pm$ 0.07data $\pm$ 0.21acc $\pm$ 0.31Zeff $μ$b. In complement to the analysis of the inclusive e+ e- channel, this data set provides a crucial test of the description of baryon time-like transitions. Approaches based on a Vector Meson Dominance amplitude containing direct photon and vector meson ($ρ$) couplings to the baryon provide a satisfactory agreement with the data. A good description is also obtained by electromagnetic time-like baryon transition form factors in a covariant spectator-quark model, pointing to the dominance of meson-cloud effects. The dielectron angular distributions exhibit the contributions of virtual photons ($γ^*$) with longitudinal polarization, in contrast to real photons. The virtual photon angular dependence supports the dominance of J=3/2, I=1/2 contributions observed in both the $γ^*$n and the $ππ$n channels.

nucl-ex

Hadron Physics Opportunities at FAIR

This White Paper outlines a coordinated, decade-spanning programme of hadron and QCD studies anchored at the GSI/FAIR accelerator complex. Profiting from intense deuteron, proton and pion beams coupled with high-rate capable detectors and an international theory effort, the initiative addresses fundamental questions related to the strong interaction featuring confinement and dynamical mass generation. This includes our understanding of hadron-hadron interactions and the composition of hadrons through mapping the baryon and meson spectra, including exotic states, and quantifying hadron structure. This interdisciplinary research connects topics in the fields of nuclear, heavy-ion, and (nuclear) astro (particle) physics, linking, for example, terrestrial data to constraints on neutron star structure. A phased roadmap with SIS100 accelerator start-up and envisaged detector upgrades will yield precision cross sections, transition form factors, in-medium spectral functions, and validated theory inputs. Synergies with external programmes at international accelerator facilities worldwide are anticipated. The programme is expected to deliver decisive advances in our understanding of non-perturbative (strong) QCD and astrophysics, and high-rate detector and data-science technology.

hep-ex

Formation and lifetime measurements of light hypernuclei in Ag+Ag collisions at $\mathrm{\sqrt{s_{NN}}}$ = 2.55 GeV

We present the first observation of $\mathrm{^{3}_ΛH}$ and $\mathrm{^{4}_ΛH}$ in Ag+Ag collisions at $\mathrm{\sqrt{s_{NN}}}$ = 2.55 GeV, emitted around mid-rapidity. The hypernuclei are reconstructed via their two-body decay channels and identified through their weak-decay topology, employing an artificial neural network for enhanced discrimination. The analysis methodology is validated using $Λ$ hyperons. The resulting rapidity distributions, dN/dy, exhibit a bell shape centered at mid-rapidity. The yield of $\mathrm{^{4}_ΛH}$ is equal to or exceeds that of $\mathrm{^{3}_ΛH}$, which contrasts the measurement from the STAR collaboration at $\mathrm{\sqrt{s_{NN}}}$ = 3 GeV and is consistent with a scenario in which hypernuclei receive feed-down from excited states. The data enable a high-precision measurement of the hypernuclei lifetimes. For the $\mathrm{^{3}_ΛH}$, a lifetime of $\mathrm{τ_{^{3}_ΛH}}$ = $(239 \pm 23{\mathrm{(stat)}} \pm 18{\mathrm{(sys)}})\,\mathrm{ps}$, is extracted, consistent on the 1$σ$ level with that of the free $Λ$. In contrast, the $\mathrm{^{4}_ΛH}$ lifetime of $\mathrm{τ_{^{4}_ΛH}}$ = $(209 \pm 7{\mathrm{(stat)}} \pm 10{\mathrm{(sys)}})\,\mathrm{ps}$, shows a 4.5 $σ$ deviation from the free $Λ$ lifetime. The results consolidate the available world data.

nucl-ex

Modelling the selection of galaxy groups with end to end simulations

Feedback from supernovae and AGN shapes galaxy formation and evolution, yet its impact remains unclear. Galaxy groups offer a crucial probe, as their binding energy is comparable to that available from their central AGN. The XMM-Newton Group AGN Project (X-GAP) is a sample of 49 groups selected in X-ray (ROSAT) and optical (SDSS) bands, providing a benchmark for hydrodynamical simulations. In sight of such a comparison, understanding selection effects is essential. We aim to model the selection function of X-GAP by forward modelling the detection process in the X-ray and optical bands. Using the Uchuu simulation, we build a halo light cone, predict X-ray group properties with a neural network trained on hydro simulations, and assign galaxies matching observed properties. We compare the selected sample to the parent population. Our method provides a sample that matches the observed distribution of X-ray luminosity and velocity dispersion. The 50% completeness is reached at a velocity dispersion of 450 km/s in the X-GAP redshift range. The selection is driven by X-ray flux, with secondary dependence on velocity dispersion and redshift. We estimate a 93% purity level in the X-GAP parent sample. We calibrate the velocity dispersion-halo mass relation. We find a normalisation and slope in agreement with the literature, and an intrinsic scatter of about 0.06 dex. The measured velocity dispersion is accurate within 10% only for rich systems with more than about 20 members, while the velocity dispersion for groups with less than 10 members is biased at more than 20%. The X-ray follow-up refines the optical selection, enhancing purity but reducing completeness. In an SDSS-like setup, velocity dispersion measurement errors dominate over intrinsic scatter. Our selection model will enable the comparisons of thermodynamic properties and gas fractions between X-GAP groups and hydro simulations.

astro-ph.CO

Proton, deuteron and triton flow measurements in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 2.4$ GeV

High precision measurements of flow coefficients $v_{n}$ ($n = 1 - 4$) for protons, deuterons and tritons relative to the first-order spectator plane have been performed in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 2.4$ GeV with the High-Acceptance Di-Electron Spectrometer (HADES) at the SIS18/GSI. Flow coefficients are studied as a function of transverse momentum $p_{t}$ and rapidity $y_{cm}$ over a large region of phase space and for several classes of collision centrality. A clear mass hierarchy is found for the slope of $v_{1}$, $d v_{1}/d y^{\prime}|_{y^{\prime} = 0}$ where $y^{\prime}$ is the scaled rapidity, and for $v_{2}$ at mid-rapidity. Scaling with the number of nucleons is observed for the $p_{t}$ dependence of $v_{2}$ and $v_{4}$ at mid-rapidity, which is indicative for nuclear coalescence as the main process responsible for light nuclei formation. $v_{2}$ is found to scale with the initial eccentricity $\langle ε_{2} \rangle$, while $v_{4}$ scales with $\langle ε_{2} \rangle^{2}$ and $\langle ε_{4} \rangle$. The multi-differential high-precision data on $v_{1}$, $v_{2}$, $v_{3}$, and $v_{4}$ provides important constraints on the equation-of-state of compressed baryonic matter.

nucl-ex

The SRG/eROSITA all-sky survey: First X-ray catalogues and data release of the western Galactic hemisphere

The eROSITA telescope array aboard the Spektrum Roentgen Gamma (SRG) satellite began surveying the sky in December 2019, with the aim of producing all-sky X-ray source lists and sky maps of an unprecedented depth. Here we present catalogues of both point-like and extended sources using the data acquired in the first six months of survey operations (eRASS1; completed June 2020) over the half sky whose proprietary data rights lie with the German eROSITA Consortium. We describe the observation process, the data analysis pipelines, and the characteristics of the X-ray sources. With nearly 930000 entries detected in the most sensitive 0.2-2.3 keV energy range, the eRASS1 main catalogue presented here increases the number of known X-ray sources in the published literature by more than 60%, and provides a comprehensive inventory of all classes of X-ray celestial objects, covering a wide range of physical processes. A smaller catalogue of 5466 sources detected in the less sensitive but harder 2.3-5 keV band is the result of the first true imaging survey of the entire sky above 2 keV. We show that the number counts of X-ray sources in eRASS1 are consistent with those derived over narrower fields by past X-ray surveys of a similar depth, and we explore the number counts variation as a function of the location in the sky. Adopting a uniform all-sky flux limit (at 50% completeness) of F_{0.5-2 keV} > 5 \times 10^{-14}$ erg\,s$^{-1}$\,cm$^{-2}$, we estimate that the eROSITA all-sky survey resolves into individual sources about 20% of the cosmic X-ray background in the 1-2 keV range. The catalogues presented here form part of the first data release (DR1) of the SRG/eROSITA all-sky survey. Beyond the X-ray catalogues, DR1 contains all detected and calibrated event files, source products (light curves and spectra), and all-sky maps. Illustrative examples of these are provided.

astro-ph.HE

Inclusive e$^+$e$^-$ production in collisions of pions with protons and nuclei in the second resonance region of baryons

Inclusive e$^+$e$^-$ production has been studied with HADES in $π^-$ + p, $π^-$ + C and $π^- + \mathrm{CH}_2$ reactions, using the GSI pion beam at $\sqrt{s_{πp}}$ = 1.49 GeV. Invariant mass and transverse momentum distributions have been measured and reveal contributions from Dalitz decays of $π^0$, $η$ mesons and baryon resonances. The transverse momentum distributions are very sensitive to the underlying kinematics of the various processes. The baryon contribution exhibits a deviation up to a factor seven from the QED reference expected for the dielectron decay of a hypothetical point-like baryon with the production cross section constrained from the inverse $γ$ n$\rightarrow π^-$ p reaction. The enhancement is attributed to a strong four-momentum squared dependence of the time-like electromagnetic transition form factors as suggested by Vector Meson Dominance (VMD). Two versions of the VMD, that differ in the photon-baryon coupling, have been applied in simulations and compared to data. VMD1 (or two-component VMD) assumes a coupling via the $ρ$ meson and a direct coupling of the photon, while in VMD2 (or strict VMD) the coupling is only mediated via the $ρ$ meson. The VMD2 model, frequently used in transport calculations for dilepton decays, is found to overestimate the measured dielectron yields, while a good description of the data can be obtained with the VMD1 model assuming no phase difference between the two amplitudes. Similar descriptions have also been obtained using a time-like baryon transition form factor model where the pion cloud plays the major role.

nucl-ex

Hadron Production and Propagation in Pion-Induced Reactions on Nuclei

Hadron production ($π^\pm$, proton, $Λ$, $K_S^0$, $K^\pm$) in $π^- + \mathrm{C}$ and $π^- + \mathrm{W}$ collisions is investigated at an incident pion beam momentum of $1.7~\mathrm{GeV}/c$. This comprehensive set of data measured with HADES at SIS18/GSI significantly extends the existing world data on hadron production in pion induced reactions and provides a new reference for models that are commonly used for the interpretation of heavy-ion collisions. The measured inclusive differential production cross-sections are compared with state-of-the-art transport model (GiBUU, SMASH) calculations. The (semi-) exclusive channel $π^- + A \rightarrow Λ+ K_S^0 +X$, in which the kinematics of the strange hadrons are correlated, is also investigated and compared to a model calculation. Agreement and remaining tensions between data and the current version of the considered transport models are discussed.

nucl-ex

Investigation of the $\mathbf{Σ^{0}}$ Production Mechanism in p(3.5 GeV)+p Collisions

The production of $Σ^0$ hyperons in proton proton collisions at a beam kinetic energy of 3.5 GeV impinging on a liquid hydrogen target was investigated using data collected with the HADES setup. The total production cross section is found to be $\mathrm{σ(pK^{+}Σ^{0}) [μb] = 17.7 \pm 1.7 (stat) \pm 1.6 (syst)}$. Differential cross section distributions of the exclusive channel $\mathrm{pp \rightarrow pK^{+}Σ^{0}}$ were analyzed in the center-of-mass, Gottfried-Jackson and helicity reference frames for the first time at the excess energy of 556 MeV. The data support the interplay between pion and kaon exchange mechanisms and clearly demonstrate the contribution of interfering nucleon resonances decaying to $\mathrm{K^{+}Σ^{0}}$. The Bonn-Gatchina partial wave analysis was employed to analyse the data. Due to the limited statistics, it was not possible to obtain an unambiguous determination of the relative contribution of intermediate nucleon resonances to the final state. However nucleon resonances with masses around 1.710 $\mathrm{GeV/c^{2}}$ ($\mathrm{N^{*}(1710)}$) and 1.900 $\mathrm{GeV/c^{2}}$ ($\mathrm{N^{*}(1900)}$ or $\mathrm{Δ^{*}(1900)}$) are preferred by the fit.

nucl-ex

Production of hydrogen isotopes and charged pions in p (3.5 GeV) + Nb reactions

The double differential production cross sections, $d^2σ/dΩdE$, for hydrogen isotopes and charged pions in the reaction of p + Nb at 3.5 GeV proton beam energy have been measured by the High Acceptance DiElectron Spectrometer (HADES). Thanks to the high acceptance of HADES at forward emission angles and usage of its magnetic field, the measured energy range of hydrogen isotopes could be significantly extended in comparison to the relatively scarce experimental data available in the literature. The data provide information about the development of the intranuclear cascade in the proton-nucleus collisions. They can as well be utilized to study the rate of energy/momentum dissipation in the nuclear systems and the mechanism of elementary and composite particle production in excited nuclear matter at normal density. Data of this type are important also for technological and medical applications. Our results are compared to models developed to describe the processes relevant to nuclear spallation (INCL++) or oriented to probe either the elementary hadronic processes in nuclear matter or the behavior of compressed nuclear matter (GiBUU).

nucl-ex

Measurement of global polarization of Λ hyperons in few-GeV heavy-ion collisions

The global polarization of Λ hyperons along the total orbital angular momentum of a relativistic heavy-ion collision is presented based on the high statistics data samples collected in Au+Au collisions at \sqrt{s_{NN}} = 2.4 GeV and Ag+Ag at 2.55 GeV with the High-Acceptance Di-Electron Spectrometer (HADES) at GSI, Darmstadt. This is the first measurement below the strangeness production threshold in nucleon-nucleon collisions. Results are reported as a function of the collision centrality as well as a function of the hyperon transverse momentum (p_T) and rapidity (y_{CM}) for the range of centrality 0--40%. We observe a strong centrality dependence of the polarization with an increasing signal towards peripheral collisions. For mid-central (20--40%) collisions the polarization magnitudes are (%) = 6.8 \pm 1.3 (stat.) \pm 2.1 (syst.) for Au+Au and (%) = 6.2 \pm 0.4 (stat.) \pm 0.6 (syst.) for Ag+Ag, which are the largest values observed so far. This observation thus provides a continuation of the increasing trend previously observed by STAR and contrasts expectations from recent theoretical calculations predicting a maximum in the region of collision energies about 3 GeV. The observed polarization is of a similar magnitude as predicted by 3D fluid dynamics and the UrQMD plus thermal vorticity model and significantly above results from the AMPT model.

nucl-ex

Impact of the Coulomb field on charged-pion spectra in few-GeV heavy-ion collisions

In nuclear collisions the incident protons generate a Coulomb field which acts on produced charged particles. The impact of these interactions on charged pion transverse-mass and rapidity spectra, as well as on pion-pion momentum correlations is investigated in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 2.4 GeV. We show that the low-mt part of the data ($m_t < 0.2$ GeV/c$^2$) can be well described with a Coulomb-modified Boltzmann distribution that also takes changes of the Coulomb field during the expansion of the fireball into account. The observed centrality dependence of the fitted mean Coulomb potential deviates strongly from a $A_{part}^{2/3}$ scaling, indicating that, next to the fireball, the non-interacting charged spectators have to be taken into account. For the most central collisions, the Coulomb modifications of the HBT source radii are found to be consistent with the potential extracted from the single-pion transverse-mass distributions. This finding suggests that the region of homogeneity obtained from two-pion correlations coincides with the region in which the pions freeze-out. Using the inferred mean-square radius of the charge distribution at freeze-out, we have deduced a baryon density, in fair agreement with values obtained from statistical hadronization model fits to the particle yields.

nucl-ex

Production and electromagnetic decay of hyperons: a feasibility study with HADES as a Phase-0 experiment at FAIR

A feasibility study has been performed in order to investigate the performance of the HADES detector to measure the electromagnetic decays of the hyperon resonances $Σ(1385)^0$, $Λ(1405)$ and $ΛΛ(1520)$ as well as the production of double strange baryon systems $Ξ^-$ and $ΛΛ$ in p+p reactions at a beam kinetic energy of 4.5 GeV. The existing HADES detector will be upgraded by a new Forward Detector, which extends the detector acceptance into a range of polar angles that plays a crucial role for these investigations. The analysis of each channel is preceded by a consideration of the production cross-sections. Afterwards the expected signal count rates using a target consisting of either liquid hydrogen or polyethylene are summarized.

nucl-ex

Correlated pion-proton pair emission off hot and dense QCD matter

In this letter we report the first multi-differential measurement of correlated pion-proton pairs from 2 billion Au+Au collisions at \sqrt{s_{NN}} = 2.42 GeV collected with HADES. In this energy regime the population of Δ(1232) resonances plays an important role in the way energy is distributed between intrinsic excitation energy and kinetic energy of the hadrons in the fireball. The triple differential d3N/dMπpdpTdy distributions of correlated πp pairs have been determined by subtracting the πp combinatorial background using an iterative method. The invariant-mass distributions in the Δ(1232) mass region show strong deviations from a Breit-Wigner function with vacuum width and mass. The yield of correlated pion-proton pairs exhibits a complex isospin, rapidity and transverse-momentum dependence. In the invariant mass range 1.1 < Minv (GeV/c2) < 1.4, the yield is found to be similar for π+p and π-p pairs, and to follow a power law ^α, where is the mean number of participating nucleons. The exponent α depends strongly on the pair transverse momentum (pT) while its pT-integrated and charge-averaged value is α = 1.5 \pm 0.08stat \pm 0.2sys.

nucl-ex