arXiv subjects

R. Meier

Publications and source records attributed to R. Meier.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2011

Exclusive Measurements of pp -> dpi+pi0: Double-Pionic Fusion without ABC Effect

Exclusive measurements of the reaction pp -> dpi+pi0 have been carried out at T_p = 1.1 GeV at the CELSIUS storage ring using the WASA detector. The isovector pi+pi0 channel exhibits no enhancement at low invariant pipi masses, i. e. no ABC effect. The differential distributions are in agreement with the conventional t-channel Delta-Delta excitation process, which also accounts for the observed energy dependence of the total cross section. This is an update of a previously published version -- see important note at the end of the article.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2010

Exclusive Measurement of the $pp \to nn\pi^+\pi^+$ Reaction at 1.1 GeV

First exclusive data for the $pp \to nn\pi^+\pi^+$ reaction have been obtained at CELSIUS with the WASA detector setup at a beam energy of $T_p$ = 1.1 GeV. Total and differential cross sections disagree with theoretical calculations, which predict the $\Delta\Delta$ excitation to be the dominant process at this beam energy. Instead the data require the excitation of a higher-lying $\Delta$ state, most likely the $\Delta(1600)$, to be the leading process.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2010

Nuclear magnetic resonance measurements reveal the origin of the Debye process in monohydroxy alcohols

Monohydroxy alcohols show a structural relaxation and at longer time scales a Debye-type dielectric peak. From spin-lattice relaxation experiments using different nuclear probes an intermediate, slower-than-structural dynamics is identified for n-butanol. Based on these findings and on diffusion measurements, a model of self-restructuring, transient chains is proposed. The model is demonstrated to explain consistently the so far puzzling observations made for this class of hydrogen-bonded glass forming liquids.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2010

Delta Delta Excitation in Proton-Proton Induced pi0pi0 Production

Exclusive measurements of the $pp \to ppπ^0π^0$ reaction have been performed at CELSIUS/WASA at energies from threshold up to $T_p$ = 1.3 GeV. Total and differential cross sections have been obtained. Here we concentrate on energies $T_p \ge$ 1 GeV, where the $ΔΔ$ excitation becomes the leading process. No evidence is found for a significant ABC effect beyond that given by the conventional $t$-channel $ΔΔ$ excitation. This holds also for the double-pionic fusion to the quasibound $^2$He. The data are compared to model predictions, which are based on both pion and $ρ$ exchange. Total and differential cross sections are at variance with these predictions and call for a profound modification of the $ρ$-exchange. A phenomenological modification allowing only a small $ρ$ exchange contribution leads to a quantitative description of the data.

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arXiv2009

Two-Pion Production in Proton-Proton Collisions -- Experimental Total Cross Sections and their Isospin Decomposition

The two-pion production in pp-collisions has been investigated at CELSIUS in exclusive measurements from threshold up to $T_p$ = 1.36 GeV. Total and differential cross sections have been obtained for the channels $pnπ^+π^0$, $ppπ^+π^-$, $ppπ^0π^0$ and also $nnπ^+π^+$. For intermediate incident energies $T_p >$ 1 GeV, i.e. in the region which is beyond the Roper excitation but at the onset of $ΔΔ$ excitation, the total $ppπ^0π^0$ cross section falls behind theoretical predictions by as much as an order of magnitude near 1.2 GeV, whereas the $nnπ^+π^+$ cross section is a factor of five larger than predicted. An isospin decompostion of the total cross sections exhibits a s-channel-like energy dependence in the region of the Roper excitation as well as a significant contribution of an isospin 3/2 resonance other than the $Δ(1232)$. As possible candidates the $Δ(1600)$ and the $Δ(1700)$ are discussed.

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arXiv2009

On the Production of $π^+π^+$ Pairs in pp Collisions at 0.8 GeV

Data accumulated recently for the exclusive measurement of the $pp\to ppπ^+π^-$ reaction at a beam energy of 0.793 GeV using the COSY-TOF spectrometer have been analyzed with respect to possible events from the $pp \to nnπ^+π^+$ reaction channel. The latter is expected to be the only $ππ$ production channel, which contains no major contributions from resonance excitation close to threshold and hence should be a good testing ground for chiral dynamics in the $ππ$ production process. No single event has been found, which meets all conditions for being a candidate for the $pp \to nn π^+π^+$ reaction. This gives an upper limit for the cross section of 0.16 $μ$b (90% C.L.), which is more than an order of magnitude smaller than the cross sections of the other two-pion production channels at the same incident energy.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2009

Single-Pion Production in pp Collisions at 0.95 GeV/c (II)

The single-pion production reactions $pp\to dπ^+$, $pp\to npπ^+$ and $pp\to ppπ^0$ were measured at a beam momentum of 0.95 GeV/c ($T_p \approx$ 400 MeV) using the short version of the COSY-TOF spectrometer. The central calorimeter provided particle identification, energy determination and neutron detection in addition to time-of-flight and angle measurements from other detector parts. Thus all pion production channels were recorded with 1-4 overconstraints. Main emphasis is put on the presentation and discussion of the $npπ^+$ channel, since the results on the other channels have already been published previously. The total and differential cross sections obtained are compared to theoretical calculations. In contrast to the $ppπ^0$ channel we find in the $npπ^+$ channel a strong influence of the $Δ$ excitation already at this energy close to threshold. In particular we find a $(3 cos^2Θ+ 1)$ dependence in the pion angular distribution, typical for a pure s-channel $Δ$ excitation and identical to that observed in the $dπ^+$ channel. Since the latter is understood by a s-channel resonance in the $^1D_2$ $pn$ partial wave, we discuss an analogous scenario for the $pnπ^+$ channel.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2009

Double-Pionic Fusion of Nuclear Systems and the ABCEffect -- Aproaching a Puzzle by Exclusive and Kinematically Complete Measurements

The ABC effect - a puzzling low-mass enhancement in the $ππ$ invariant mass spectrum - is well-known from inclusive measurements of two-pion production in nuclear fusion reactions. Here we report on first exclusive and kinematically complete measurements of the most basic double pionic fusion reaction $pn \to d π^0π^0$ at 1.03 and 1.35 GeV. The measurements, which have been carried out at CELSIUS-WASA, reveal the ABC effect to be a $(ππ)_{I=L=0}$ channel phenomenon associated with both a resonance-like energy dependence in the integral cross section and the formation of a $ΔΔ$ system in the intermediate state. A corresponding simple s-channel resonance ansatz provides a surprisingly good description of the data.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2008

Two-Pion Production in Proton-Proton Collisions with Polarized Beam

The two-pion production reaction $\vec{p}p\to ppπ^+π^-$ was measured with a polarized proton beam at $T_p \approx$ 750 and 800 MeV using the short version of the COSY-TOF spectrometer. The implementation of a delayed pulse technique for Quirl and central calorimeter provided positive $π^+$ identification in addition to the standard particle identification, energy determination as well as time-of-flight and angle measurements. Thus all four-momenta of the emerging particles could be determined with 1-4 overconstraints. Total and differential cross sections as well as angular distributions of the vector analyzing power have been obtained. They are compared to previous data and theoretical calculations. In contrast to predictions we find significant analyzing power values up to $A_y$ = 0.3.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2008

The WASA Detector Facility at CELSIUS

The WASA 4pi multidetector system, aimed at investigating light meson production in light ion collisions and eta meson rare decays at the CELSIUS storage ring in Uppsala is presented. A detailed description of the design, together with the anticipated and achieved performance parameters are given.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2008

Measurement of eta meson decays into lepton-antilepton pairs

A search for rare lepton decays of the eta meson was performed using the WASA detector at CELSIUS. Two candidates for double Dalitz decay eta->e+e-e+e- events are reported with a background of 1.3+/-0.2 events. This allows to set an upper limit to the branching ratio of 9.7E-5 (90% CL). The branching ratio for the decay eta->e+e-gamma is determined to (7.8+/-0.5 stat+/-0.8 syst)E-3. An upper limit (90% CL) for the branching ratio for the eta->e+e- decay is 2.7E-5 and a limit for the sum of the eta->mu+mu-mu+mu- and eta->pi+pi-mu+mu- decays is 3.6E-4.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2007

Measurement of the Slope Parameter for the eta->3pi0 Decay in the pp->pp eta Reaction

The CELSIUS/WASA setup is used to measure the 3pi0 decay of eta mesons produced in pp interactions with beam kinetic energies of 1.36 and 1.45 GeV. The efficiency-corrected Dalitz plot and density distributions for this decay are shown, together with a fit of the quadratic slope parameter alpha yielding alpha = -0.026 +/- 0.010(stat) +/- 0.010(syst). This value is compared to recent experimental results and theoretical predictions.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2007

The pp -> pp pi pi pi reaction channels in the threshold region

The cross section for prompt neutral and charged three pion production in pp interactions was measured at excess energies in the range 160 - 217 MeV. That comprises the first measurement of the pp->pp pi0pi0pi0 reaction and the comparison with the pp->pp pi+pi-pi0 reaction, in a very direct way. The experiment was performed above the eta meson production threshold and the cross section normalization was obtained from a concurrent measurement of the reaction pp->pp eta with the eta decaying into 3 pions. Since the same final states are selected, the measurement has a low systematical error. The measured cross section ratio sigma(pp->pp pi+pi-pi0)/sigma(pp->pp pi0\pi0\pi0) is compared to predictions of dominance of different isobars in the intermediate state.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2006

Evidence for a 'Narrow' Roper Resonance - the Breathing Mode of the Nucleon

All the time since its discovery the N$^*$(1440) baryon state, commonly known as Roper resonance, has been a state with many question marks - despite of its 4-star ranking in the particle data book. One reason is that it does not produce any explicit resonance-like structures in the observables of $π$N or $γ$N reactions. Only in partial wave analyses of $π$N scattering data a clear resonance strcuture gets obvious in the $P_{11}$ partial wave. Very recent measurements of the J/$Ψ$ decay by the BES collaboration and of the $pp \to npπ^+$ reaction at 1.3 GeV by the CELSIUS-WASA collaboration show for the first time a clear resonance structure in the invariant $nπ^+$ mass spectrum for the Roper resonance at M $\approx$ 1360 MeV with a width of about 150 MeV. These values agree very favorably with the pole position results of recent $π$N phase shift analyses. In consequence of this very low-lying pole postion, which is roughly 100 MeV below the nominal value, the decay properties have to be reinvestigated. From our two-pion production data we see that the decay mainly proceeds via N$^* \to $N$σ$, i.e. a monopole transition as expected for the breathing mode of the nucleon.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2006

Two-Pion Production in Nucleon-Nucleon Collisions and the ABC-Effect - Approaching a Puzzleby exclusive and Kinematically complete Measurements

The ABC effect - a puzzling low-mass enhancement in the $ππ$ invariant mass spectrum - is known from inclusive measurements of two-pion production in nuclear collisions, where it always showed up, if the participating nucleons fused to a bound nuclear system in the final state. The first exclusive measurements on the ABC effect have been carried out very recently at CELSIUS-WASA for the fusion reactions leading to d, $^3$He and $^4$He nuclei in the final state. The data analyzed so far for the fusion processes to d and $^3$He reveal this effect to be a $σ$ channel phenomenon associated with the formation of a strongly attractive $ΔΔ$ system. The data for the strictly isospin-selective double-pionic fusion to $^4$He, where we expect the largest effect, are currently still analyzed. All inclusive data on this system are well described by our model, too. This case also constitutes the heaviest nuclear system, where exclusive measurements of double-pionic fusion can be carried out with present-day instruments. Surprisingly, the $pp \to ppπ^0π^0$ reaction in the $ΔΔ$ region is observed to also show a ABC-like low-$ππ$ mass enhancement, a phenomenon, which deserves special attention.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2006

Measurement of the eta->pi+pi-e+e- decay branching ratio

The reaction pd->3He eta at threshold was used to provide a clean source of eta mesons for decay studies with the WASA detector at CELSIUS. The branching ratio of the decay eta->pi+pi-e+e- is measured to be (4.3+/-1.3+/-0.4)x10^-4.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2006

Exclusive Measurements of $pd\to ^3He ππ$ : the $ABC$ Effect Revisited

Exclusive measurements of the reactions $pd\to$ $^3He π^+ π^-$ and $pd\to$ $^3He π^0π^0$ have been carried out at $T_p=0.895$ GeV at the CELSIUS storage ring using the WASA detector. The $π^+π^-$ channel evidences a pronounced enhancement at low invariant $ππ$ masses - as anticipated from previous inclusive measurements of the ABC effect. This enhancement is seen to be even much larger in the isoscalar $π^0π^0$ channel. The differential distributions prove this enhancement to be of scalar-isoscalar nature. $ΔΔ$ calculations give a good description of the data, if a boundstate condition is imposed for the intermediate $ΔΔ$ system.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2006

Single-Pion Production in pp Collisions at =.95 GeV/c (I)

The single-pion production reactions $pp\to dπ^+$, $pp\to npπ^+$ and $pp\to ppπ^0$ were measured at a beam momentum of 0.95 GeV/c ($T_p \approx$ 400 MeV) using the short version of the COSY-TOF spectrometer. The implementation of a central calorimeter provided particle identification, energy determination and neutron detection in addition to time-of-flight and angle measurements. Thus all pion production channels were recorded with 1-4 overconstraints. The total and differential cross sections obtained are compared to previous data and theoretical calculations. Main emphasis is put on the discussion of the $ppπ^0$ channel, where we obtain angular distributions different from previous experimental results, however, partly in good agreement with recent phenomenological and theoretical predictions. In particular we observe very large anisotropies for the $π^0$ angular distributions in the kinematical region of small relative proton momenta revealing there a dominance of proton spinflip transitions associated with $π^0$ $s$- and $d$-partial waves and emphasizing the important role of $π^0$ d-waves.

nucl-ex↗