arXiv subjects

Nicholas Zachariou

Publications and source records attributed to Nicholas Zachariou.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2023

First Detailed Study of the Quantum Decoherence of Entangled Gamma Photons

Constraints on the quantum decoherence of entangled $\gamma$ quanta at the mega-electron-volt scale, such as those produced following positron annihilation, have remained elusive for many decades. We present the first statistically and kinematically precise experimental data for triple Compton scattering of such entangled $\gamma$. An entanglement witness ($R$), relating to the enhancement of the azimuthal correlation between the final scattering planes, is obtained where one of the $\gamma$ underwent intermediate Compton scattering. The measured $R$, deconvolved from multiple scattering backgrounds, are found to exceed the classical limit for intermediate scatter angles up to $\sim$60$^{\circ}$ and diminish at larger angles. The data are consistent with predictions from a first quantum theory of entangled triple Compton scattering as well as a simple model based approach. The results are crucial to future study and utilisation of entangled mega-electron-volt $\gamma$ in fundamental physics and PET imaging.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2021

Beam-spin asymmetry $\boldsymbolΣ$ for $Σ^-$ hyperon photoproduction off the neutron

We report a new measurement of the beam-spin asymmetry $\boldsymbolΣ$ for the $\vecγ n \rightarrow K^+Σ^-$ reaction using quasi-free neutrons in a liquid-deuterium target. The new dataset includes data at previously unmeasured photon energy and angular ranges, thereby providing new constraints on partial wave analyses used to extract properties of the excited nucleon states. The experimental data were obtained using the CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer (CLAS), housed in Hall B of the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (JLab). The CLAS detector measured reaction products from a liquid-deuterium target produced by an energy-tagged, linearly polarised photon beam with energies in the range 1.1 to 2.3 GeV. Predictions from an isobar model indicate strong sensitivity to $N(1720)3/2^+$, $Δ(1900)1/2^-$, and $N(1895)1/2^-$, with the latter being a state not considered in previous photoproduction analyses. When our data are incorporated in the fits of partial-wave analyses, one observes significant changes in $γ$-$n$ couplings of the resonances which have small branching ratios to the $πN$ channel.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2021

Model selection for $K^+Σ^-$ photoproduction within isobar model

We utilise an isobar model to investigate the $K^+ Σ^-$ photoproduction off a neutron in the resonance region. Except for the Born terms, we include high-spin (spin-3/2 and spin-5/2) nucleon resonances in the consistent formalism together with a few $Δ$ and kaon resonances to achieve an acceptable agreement with data. Interestingly, we reveal that no hyperon resonances are needed to achieve a reasonable description of data. On the other hand the $N(1720)3/2^+$ resonance was found to be very important for correct description of data. The free parameters of the model were fitted to experimental data from the LEPS and CLAS Collaborations on either differential cross sections or photon beam asymmetry. The novel feature of the fitting procedure is the use of a regularization method, the Least Absolute Shrinkage Selection Operator, and information criteria in order to choose the best fit.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2019

Study of the Hyperon-Nucleon Interaction via Final-State Interactions in Exclusive Reactions

A novel approach that allows access to long-sought information on the Hyperon-Nucleon (YN) interaction was developed by producing a hyperon beam within a few-body nuclear system, and studying final-state interactions. The determination of polarisation observables, and specifically the beam spin asymmetry, in exclusive reactions allows a detailed study of the various final-state interactions and provides us with the tools needed to isolate kinematic regimes where the YN interaction dominates. High-statistics data collected using the CLAS detector housed in Hall-B of the Thomas Jefferson laboratory allows us to obtain a large set of polarisation observables and place stringent constraints on the underlying dynamics of the YN interaction.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2015

Determination of the Beam-Spin Asymmetry of Deuteron Photodisintegration in the Energy Region $E_γ=1.1-2.3$ GeV

The beam-spin asymmetry, $Σ$, for the reaction $γd\rightarrow pn$ has been measured using the CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer (CLAS) at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (JLab) for six photon-energy bins between 1.1 and 2.3 GeV, and proton angles in the center-of-mass frame, $θ_{c.m.}$, between $25^\circ$ and $160^\circ$. These are the first measurements of beam-spin asymmetries at $θ_{c.m.}=90^\circ$ for photon-beam energies above 1.6 GeV, and the first measurements for angles other than $θ_{c.m.}=90^\circ$. The angular and energy dependence of $Σ$ is expected to aid in the development of QCD-based models to understand the mechanisms of deuteron photodisintegration in the transition region between hadronic and partonic degrees of freedom, where both effective field theories and perturbative QCD cannot make reliable predictions.

nucl-ex↗