arXiv subjects

M. Oka

Publications and source records attributed to M. Oka.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2024

Outstanding questions and future research of magnetic reconnection

This short article highlights the unsolved problems of magnetic reconnection in collisionless plasma. The advanced in-situ plasma measurements and simulations enabled scientists to gain a novel understanding of magnetic reconnection. Still, outstanding questions remain on the complex dynamics and structures in the diffusion region, on the cross-scale and regional couplings, on the onset of magnetic reconnection, and on the details of energetics. Future directions of the magnetic reconnection research in terms of new observations, new simulations and interdisciplinary approaches are discussed.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2022

Nonthermal Electron Acceleration at Collisionless Quasi-perpendicular Shocks

Shock waves propagating in collisionless heliospheric and astrophysical plasmas have been studied extensively over the decades. One prime motivation is to understand the nonthermal particle acceleration at shocks. Although the theory of diffusive shock acceleration (DSA) has long been the standard for cosmic-ray acceleration at shocks, plasma physical understanding of particle acceleration remains elusive. In this review, we discuss nonthermal electron acceleration mechanisms at quasi-perpendicular shocks, for which substantial progress has been made in recent years. The discussion presented in this review is restricted to the following three specific topics. The first is stochastic shock drift acceleration (SSDA), which is a relatively new mechanism for electron injection into DSA. The basic mechanism, related in-situ observations and kinetic simulations results, and how it is connected with DSA will be discussed. Second, we discuss shock surfing acceleration (SSA) at very high Mach number shocks relevant to young supernova remnants (SNRs). While the original proposal under the one-dimensional assumption is unrealistic, SSA has now been proven efficient by a fully three-dimensional kinetic simulation. Finally, we discuss the current understanding of the magnetized Weibel-dominated shock. Spontaneous magnetic reconnection of self-generated current sheets within the shock structure is an interesting consequence of Weibel-generated strong magnetic turbulence. We argue that high Mach number shocks with both Alfven and sound Mach numbers exceeding 20-40 will likely behave as a Weibel-dominated shock. Despite a number of interesting recent findings, the relative roles of SSDA, SSA, and magnetic reconnection for electron acceleration at collisionless shocks and how the dominant particle acceleration mechanisms change depending on shock parameters remain to be answered.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2020

Stable double-heavy tetraquarks: spectrum and structure

Bound states of double-heavy tetraquarks are studied in a constituent quark model. Two bound states are found for isospin and spin-parity I(J^P ) = 0(1^+) in the bb\bar{u}\bar{d} channel. One is deeply bound and compact made of colored diquarks, while the other is shallow and extended as a BB^* molecule. The former agrees well with lattice QCD results. A systematic decrease in the binding energy is seen by replacing one of the heavy quarks to a lighter one. Altogether we find ten bound states. It is shown for the first time that hadrons with totally different natures emerge from a single Hamiltonian.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2020

Observational Evidence for Stochastic Shock Drift Acceleration of Electrons at the Earth's Bow Shock

The first-order Fermi acceleration of electrons requires an injection of electrons into a mildly relativistic energy range. However, the mechanism of injection has remained a puzzle both in theory and observation. We present direct evidence for a novel stochastic shock drift acceleration theory for the injection obtained with Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) observations at Earth's bow shock. The theoretical model can explain electron acceleration to mildly relativistic energies at high-speed astrophysical shocks, which may provide a solution to the long-standing issue of electron injection.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2018

Radiative transitions of doubly charmed baryons in lattice QCD

We evaluate the spin-$3/2 \to$ spin-$1/2$ electromagnetic transitions of the doubly charmed baryons on 2+1 flavor, $32^3 \times 64$ PACS-CS lattices with a pion mass of $156(9)$ MeV/c$^2$. A relativistic heavy quark action is employed to minimize the associated systematic errors on charm-quark observables. We extract the magnetic dipole, $M1$, and the electric quadrupole, $E2$, transition form factors. In order to make a reliable estimate of the $M1$ form factor, we carry out an analysis by including the effect of excited-state contributions. We find that the $M1$ transition is dominant and light degrees of freedom ($u/d$- or $s$-quark) play the leading role. $E2$ form factors, on the other hand, are found to be negligibly small, which in turn, have minimal effect on the helicity and transition amplitudes. We predict the decay widths and lifetimes of $Ξ_{cc}^{\ast +,++}$ and $Ω_{cc}^{\ast +}$ based on our results. Finite size effects on these ensembles are expected to be around 1\%. Differences in kinematical and dynamical factors with respect to the $Nγ\toΔ$ transition are discussed and compared to non-lattice determinations as well keeping possible systematic artifacts in mind. A comparison to $Ω_c γ\rightarrow Ω_c^\ast$ transition and a discussion on systematic errors related to the choice of heavy quark action are also given. Results we present here are particularly suggestive for experimental facilities such as LHCb, PANDA, Belle II and BESIII to search for further states.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2018

Electron-Scale Dynamics of the Diffusion Region during Symmetric Magnetic Reconnection in Space

Magnetic reconnection is an energy conversion process important in many astrophysical contexts including the Earth's magnetosphere, where the process can be investigated in-situ. Here we present the first encounter of a reconnection site by NASA's Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) spacecraft in the magnetotail, where reconnection involves symmetric inflow conditions. The unprecedented electron-scale plasma measurements revealed (1) super-Alfvenic electron jets reaching 20,000 km/s, (2) electron meandering motion and acceleration by the electric field, producing multiple crescent-shaped structures, (3) spatial dimensions of the electron diffusion region implying a reconnection rate of 0.1-0.2. The well-structured multiple layers of electron populations indicate that, despite the presence of turbulence near the reconnection site, the key electron dynamics appears to be largely laminar.

physics.space-ph↗

arXiv2018

Electron Power-Law Spectra in Solar and Space Plasmas

Particles are accelerated to very high, non-thermal energies in solar and space plasma environments. While energy spectra of accelerated electrons often exhibit a power law, it remains unclear how electrons are accelerated to high energies and what processes determine the power-law index $δ$. Here, we review previous observations of the power-law index $δ$ in a variety of different plasma environments with a particular focus on sub-relativistic electrons. It appears that in regions more closely related to magnetic reconnection (such as the `above-the-looptop' solar hard X-ray source and the plasma sheet in Earth's magnetotail), the spectra are typically soft ($δ\gtrsim$ 4). This is in contrast to the typically hard spectra ($δ\lesssim$ 4) that are observed in coincidence with shocks. The difference implies that shocks are more efficient in producing a larger non-thermal fraction of electron energies when compared to magnetic reconnection. A caveat is that during active times in Earth's magnetotail, $δ$ values seem spatially uniform in the plasma sheet, while power-law distributions still exist even in quiet times. The role of magnetotail reconnection in the electron power-law formation could therefore be confounded with these background conditions. Because different regions have been studied with different instrumentations and methodologies, we point out a need for more systematic and coordinated studies of power-law distributions for a better understanding of possible scaling laws in particle acceleration as well as their universality.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2018

Differential cross section and photon-beam asymmetry for the gamma p -> pi- Delta++(1232) reaction at forward pi- angles for Egamma=1.5-2.95 GeV

Differential cross sections and photon-beam asymmetries for the gamma p -> pi- Delta++(1232) reaction have been measured for 0.7<cos(theta)<1 and Egamma=1.5-2.95 GeV at SPring-8/LEPS. The first-ever high statistics cross section data are obtained in this kinematical region, and the asymmetry data for 1.5<Egamma(GeV)<2.8 are obtained for the first time. This reaction has a unique feature for studying the production mechanisms of a pure $u\bar{u}$ quark pair in the final state from the proton. Although there is no distinct peak structure in the cross sections, a non-negligible excess over the theoretical predictions is observed at Egamma=1.5-1.8 GeV. The asymmetries are found to be negative in most of the present kinematical regions, suggesting the dominance of pi-exchange in the t-channel. The negative asymmetries at forward meson production angles are different from the asymmetries previously measured for the photoproduction reactions which produce a $d\bar{d}$ or an $s\bar{s}$ quark pair in the final state. Advanced theoretical models introducing nucleon resonances and additional unnatural parity exchanges are needed to reproduce the present data.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2018

Photoproduction of $Λ$ and $Σ^{0}$ hyperons off protons with linearly polarized photons at $E_γ = 1.5-3.0$ GeV

We report the measurement of the $γp \rightarrow K^{+}Λ$ and $γp \rightarrow K^{+}Σ^{0}$ reactions at SPring-8. The differential cross sections and photon-beam asymmetries are measured at forward $K^{+}$ production angles using linearly polarized tagged-photon beams in the range of $E_γ=1.5$--3.0 GeV. With increasing photon energy, the cross sections for both $γp \rightarrow K^{+}Λ$ and $γp \rightarrow K^{+}Σ^{0}$ reactions decrease slowly. Distinct narrow structures in the production cross section have not been found at $E_γ=1.5$--3.0 GeV. The forward peaking in the angular distributions of cross sections, a characteristic feature of $t$-channel exchange, is observed for the production of $Λ$ in the whole observed energy range. A lack of similar feature for $Σ^{0}$ production reflects a less dominant role of $t$-channel contribution in this channel. The photon-beam asymmetries remain positive for both reactions, suggesting the dominance of $K^{*}$ exchange in the $t$ channel. These asymmetries increase gradually with the photon energy, and have a maximum value of +0.6 for both reactions. Comparison with theoretical predictions based on the Regge trajectory in the $t$ channel and the contributions of nucleon resonances indicates the major role of $t$-channel contributions as well as non-negligible effects of nucleon resonances in accounting for the reaction mechanism of hyperon photoproduction in this photon energy regime.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2018

First measurement of coherent $ϕ$-meson photoproduction from helium-4 near threshold

The differential cross sections and decay angular distributions for coherent $ϕ$-meson photoproduction from helium-4 have been measured for the first time at forward angles with linearly polarized photons in the energy range $E_γ = \text{1.685-2.385 GeV}$. Thanks to the target with spin-parity $J^{P} = 0^{+}$, unnatural-parity exchanges are prohibited, and thus natural-parity exchanges can be investigated clearly. The decay asymmetry with respect to photon polarization is shown to be very close to the maximal value. This ensures the dominance ($> 94\%$) of natural-parity exchanges in this reaction. To evaluate the contribution from natural-parity exchanges to the forward cross section ($θ= 0^\circ$) for the $γp \rightarrow ϕp$ reaction near the threshold, the energy dependence of the forward cross section ($θ= 0^\circ$) for the $γ{^{4}\text{He}} \rightarrow ϕ{^{4}\text{He}}$ reaction was analyzed. The comparison to $γp \rightarrow ϕp$ data suggests that enhancement of the forward cross section arising from natural-parity exchanges, and/or destructive interference between natural-parity and unnatural-parity exchanges is needed in the $γp \rightarrow ϕp$ reaction near the threshold.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2018

Differential cross section and photon beam asymmetry for the gamma p -> pi+ n reaction at forward pi+ angles at Egamma=1.5-2.95 GeV

Differential cross sections and photon beam asymmetries for the gamma p -> pi+ n reaction have been measured for 0.6<cos(theta)<1 and Egamma=1.5-2.95 GeV at SPring-8/LEPS. The cross sections monotonically decrease as the photon beam energy increases for 0.6<cos(theta)<0.9. However, the energy dependence of the cross sections for 0.9<cos(theta)<1 and Egamma=1.5-2.2 GeV (W=1.9-2.2 GeV) is different, which may be due to a nucleon or Delta resonance. The present cross sections agree well with the previous cross sections measured by other groups and show forward peaking, suggesting significant t-channel contributions in this kinematical region. The asymmetries are found to be positive, which can be explained by rho-exchange in the t-channel. Large positive asymmetries in the small |t| region, where the rho-exchange contribution becomes small, could be explained by introducing pi-exchange interference with the s-channel.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2017

$ϕ$ photoproduction on the proton at $E_γ$ = 1.5 - 2.9 GeV

Differential cross sections at $t=t_{\text{min}}$ and decay asymmetries for the $γp\rightarrowϕp$ reaction have been measured using linearly polarized photons in the range 1.5 to 2.9 GeV. These cross sections were used to determine the Pomeron strength factor. The cross sections and decay asymmetries are consistently described by the $t$-channel Pomeron and pseudoscalar exchange model in the $E_γ$ region above 2.37 GeV. In the lower energy region, an excess over the model prediction is observed in the energy dependence of the differential cross sections at $t=t_{\text{min}}$. This observation suggests that additional processes or interference effects between Pomeron exchange and other processes appear near the threshold region.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2017

$Ξ_c γ\rightarrowΞ^\prime_c$ transition in lattice QCD

We evaluate the electromagnetic $Ξ_c γ\rightarrowΞ_c^\prime$ transition on 2+1 flavor lattices corresponding to a pion mass of $\sim 156$ MeV. We extract the magnetic Sachs and Pauli form factors which give the $Ξ_c$-$Ξ_c^\prime$ transition magnetic moment and the decay rates of $Ξ_c^\prime$ baryons. We did not find a signal for the magnetic form factor of the neutral transition $Ξ_c^0 γ\rightarrowΞ_c^{\prime 0}$, which is suppressed by the U-spin flavor symmetry. As a byproduct, we extract the magnetic form factors and the magnetic moments of $Ξ_c$ and $Ξ_c^\prime$ baryons, which give an insight to the dynamics of $u/d$, $s$ and $c$ quarks having masses at different scales.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2016

$Λ_cΣ_cπ$ coupling and $Σ_c \rightarrowΛ_c π$ decay in lattice QCD

We evaluate the $Λ_cΣ_cπ$ coupling constant ($G_{Λ_c Σ_c π}$) and the width of the strong decay $Σ_c \rightarrowΛ_c π$ in 2+1 flavor lattice QCD on four different ensembles with pion masses ranging from 700 MeV to 300 MeV. We find $G_{Λ_c Σ_c π}=18.332(1.476)_{\rm{stat.}}(2.171)_{\rm{syst.}}$ and the decay width $Γ(Σ_c \rightarrowΛ_c π)=1.65(28)_{\rm{stat.}}(30)_{\rm{syst.}}$~MeV on the physical quark-mass point, which is in agreement with the recent experimental determination.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2015

A look inside charmed-strange baryons from lattice QCD

The electromagnetic form factors of the spin-3/2 $Ω$ baryons, namely $Ω$, $Ω_c^\ast$, $Ω_{cc}^\ast$ and $Ω_{ccc}$, are calculated in full QCD on $32^3\times 64$ PACS-CS lattices with a pion mass of 156(9) MeV. The electric charge radii and magnetic moments from the $E0$ and $M1$ multipole form factors are extracted. Results for the electric quadrupole form factors, $E2$, are also given. Quark sector contributions are computed individually for each observable and then combined to obtain the baryon properties. We find that the charm quark contributions are systematically smaller than the strange-quark contributions in the case of the charge radii and magnetic moments. $E2$ moments of the $Ω_{cc}^\ast$ and $Ω_{ccc}$ provide a statistically significant data to conclude that their electric charge distributions are deformed to an oblate shape. Properties of the spin-1/2 $Ω_c$ and $Ω_{cc}$ baryons are also computed and a thorough comparison is given. This complete study gives valuable hints about the heavy-quark dynamics in charmed hadrons.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2015

Two, three, many body systems involving mesons. Multimeson condensates

In this talk we review results from studies with unconventional many hadron systems containing mesons: systems with two mesons and one baryon, three mesons, some novel systems with two baryons and one meson, and finally systems with many vector mesons, up to six, with their spins aligned forming states of increasing spin. We show that in many cases one has experimental counterparts for the states found, while in some other cases they remain as predictions, which we suggest to be searched in BESIII, Belle, LHCb, FAIR and other facilities.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2015

$Ω_c γ\rightarrowΩ_c^\ast$ transition in lattice QCD

We study the electromagnetic $Ω_c γ\rightarrowΩ_c^\ast$ transition in 2+1 flavor lattice QCD, which gives access to the dominant decay mode of $Ω_c^\ast$ baryon. The magnetic dipole and the electric quadrupole transition form factors are computed. The magnetic dipole form factor is found to be mainly determined by the strange quark and the electric quadrupole form factor to be negligibly small, in consistency with the quark model. We also evaluate the helicity amplitudes and the decay rate.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2015

The radiative capture reaction rate from $ΛΛ$ to H dibaryon in the imaginary time method

Radiative capture rates of thermal $ΛΛ+ Ξ$N states into H dibaryon are calculated in the novel imaginary time method. The H dibaryon is assumed to be a bound state of $Ξ$N with spin $J^π= 0^+$, isospin $I=0$ and strangeness $-2$. We consider $E1$ transition to H from $Ξ$N $(L=1)$ scattering states which mix with $ΛΛ(L=1)$. In order to calculate the transition rates, we formulate a coupled-channel imaginary time method by extending the one-channel formula originally proposed by Yabana and Funaki. The imaginary time method allows us to avoid the sum over all the excited thermal initial states, and thus to save computational time significantly. The transition rates are given as a function of temperature and the unknown binding energy of the H dibaryon, which we take as a parameter. It is found that the transition rate is not sensitive to the choices of the H binding energy or the strengths of the channel coupling for temperatures 3 MeV or higher.

nucl-th↗