arXiv subjects

R. Rapp

Publications and source records attributed to R. Rapp.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2022

Simulating the neutrino flux from the Spallation Neutron Source for the COHERENT experiment

The Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory is a pulsed source of neutrons and, as a byproduct of this operation, an intense source of pulsed neutrinos via stopped-pion decay. The COHERENT collaboration uses this source to investigate coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering and other physics with a suite of detectors. This work includes a description of our Geant4 simulation of neutrino production at the SNS and the flux calculation which informs the COHERENT studies. We estimate the uncertainty of this calculation at about 10% based on validation against available low-energy pion production data.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2021

A D$_{2}$O detector for flux normalization of a pion decay-at-rest neutrino source

We report on the technical design and expected performance of a 592 kg heavy-water-Cherenkov detector to measure the absolute neutrino flux from the pion-decay-at-rest neutrino source at the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The detector will be located roughly 20 m from the SNS target and will measure the neutrino flux with better than 5% statistical uncertainty in 2 years. This heavy-water detector will serve as the first module of a two-module detector system to ultimately measure the neutrino flux to 2-3% at both the First Target Station and the planned Second Target Station of the SNS. This detector will significantly reduce a dominant systematic uncertainty for neutrino cross-section measurements at the SNS, increasing the sensitivity of searches for new physics.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2021

First Measurement of Coherent Elastic Neutrino-Nucleus Scattering on Argon

We report the first measurement of coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (\cevns) on argon using a liquid argon detector at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory Spallation Neutron Source. Two independent analyses prefer \cevns over the background-only null hypothesis with greater than $3σ$ significance. The measured cross section, averaged over the incident neutrino flux, is (2.2 $\pm$ 0.7) $\times$10$^{-39}$ cm$^2$ -- consistent with the standard model prediction. The neutron-number dependence of this result, together with that from our previous measurement on CsI, confirms the existence of the \cevns process and provides improved constraints on non-standard neutrino interactions.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2021

Development of a $^{83\mathrm{m}}$Kr source for the calibration of the CENNS-10 Liquid Argon Detector

We report on the preparation of and calibration measurements with a $^{83\mathrm{m}}$Kr source for the CENNS-10 liquid argon detector. $^{83\mathrm{m}}$Kr atoms generated in the decay of a $^{83}$Rb source were introduced into the detector via injection into the Ar circulation loop. Scintillation light arising from the 9.4 keV and 32.1 keV conversion electrons in the decay of $^{83\mathrm{m}}$Kr in the detector volume were then observed. This calibration source allows the characterization of the low-energy response of the CENNS-10 detector and is applicable to other low-energy-threshold detectors. The energy resolution of the detector was measured to be 9$\%$ at the total $^{83\mathrm{m}}$Kr decay energy of 41.5 keV. We performed an analysis to separately calibrate the detector using the two conversion electrons at 9.4 keV and 32.1 keV

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2020

COHERENT Collaboration data release from the first detection of coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering on argon

Release of COHERENT collaboration data from the first detection of coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CEvNS) on argon. This release corresponds with the results of "Analysis A" published in Akimov et al., arXiv:2003.10630 [nucl-ex]. Data is shared in a binned, text-based format representing both "signal" and "backgrounds" along with associated uncertainties such that the included data can be used to perform independent analyses. This document describes the contents of the data release as well as guidance on the use of the data. Included example code in C++ (ROOT) and Python show one possible use of the included data.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2020

QCD Challenges from pp to A-A Collisions

This paper is a write-up of the ideas that were presented, developed and discussed at the third International Workshop on QCD Challenges from pp to A-A, which took place in August 2019 in Lund, Sweden. The goal of the workshop was to focus on some of the open questions in the field and try to come up with concrete suggestions for how to make progress on both the experimental and theoretical sides. The paper gives a brief introduction to each topic and then summarizes the primary results.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2019

Sensitivity of the COHERENT Experiment to Accelerator-Produced Dark Matter

The COHERENT experiment is well poised to test sub-GeV dark matter models using low-energy recoil detectors sensitive to coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CEvNS) in the $π$-DAR neutrino beam produced by the Spallation Neutron Source. We show how a planned 750-kg liquid argon scintillation detector would place leading limits on scalar light dark matter models, over two orders of magnitude of dark matter mass, for dark matter particles produced through vector and leptophobic portals in the absence of other effects beyond the standard model. The characteristic timing structure of a $π$-DAR beam allows a unique opportunity for constraining systematic uncertainties on the standard model background in a time window where signal is not expected, enhancing expected sensitivity. Additionally, we discuss future prospects, further increasing the discovery potential of CEvNS detectors. Such methods would test the calculated thermal dark matter abundance for all couplings $α'\leq1$ within the vector portal model over an order of magnitude of dark matter masses.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2019

First Constraint on Coherent Elastic Neutrino-Nucleus Scattering in Argon

Coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CEvNS) is the dominant neutrino scattering channel for neutrinos of energy $E_ν< 100$ MeV. We report a limit for this process using data collected in an engineering run of the 29 kg CENNS-10 liquid argon detector located 27.5 m from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) Hg target with $4.2\times 10^{22}$ protons on target. The dataset yielded $< 7.4$ observed CEvNS events implying a cross section for the process, averaged over the SNS pion decay-at-rest flux, of $<3.4 \times 10^{-39}$ cm$^{2}$, a limit within twice the Standard Model prediction. This is the first limit on CEvNS from an argon nucleus and confirms the earlier CsI non-standard neutrino interaction constraints from the collaboration. This run demonstrated the feasibility of the ongoing experimental effort to detect CEvNS with liquid argon.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2018

Study of hard and electromagnetic processes at CERN-SPS energies: an investigation of the high-$μ_{\mathbf{B}}$ region of the QCD phase diagram with NA60+

The exploration of the phase diagram of Quantum ChromoDynamics (QCD) is carried out by studying ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collisions. The energy range covered by the CERN SPS ($\sqrt{s_{\rm \scriptscriptstyle{NN}}} \sim$ 6-17 GeV) is ideal for the investigation of the region of the phase diagram corresponding to finite baryochemical potential ($μ_{\rm B}$), and has been little explored up to now. We propose in this document a new experiment, NA60+, that would address several observables which are fundamental for the understanding of the phase transition from hadronic matter towards a Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP) at SPS energies. In particular, we propose to study, as a function of the collision energy, the production of thermal dimuons from the created system, from which one would obtain a caloric curve of the QCD phase diagram that is sensitive to the order of the phase transition. In addition, the measurement of a $ρ$-a$_1$ mixing contribution would provide conclusive insights into the restoration of the chiral symmetry of QCD. In parallel, studies of heavy quark and quarkonium production would also be carried out, addressing the measurement of transport properties of the QGP and the investigation of the onset of the deconfinement transition. The document also defines an experimental set-up which couples a vertex telescope based on monolithic active pixel sensors (MAPS) to a muon spectrometer with tracking (GEM) and triggering (RPC) detectors within a large acceptance toroidal magnet. Results of physics performance studies for most observables accessible to NA60+ are discussed, showing that the results of the experiment would lead to a significant advance of our understanding of strong interaction physics. The document has been submitted as an input to the European Particle Physics Strategy Update 2018-2020 (http://europeanstrategyupdate.web.cern.ch/).

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2018

Extraction of Heavy-Flavor Transport Coefficients in QCD Matter

We report on broadly based systematic investigations of the modeling components for open heavy-flavor diffusion and energy loss in strongly interacting matter in their application to heavy-flavor observables in high-energy heavy-ion collisions, conducted within an EMMI Rapid Reaction Task Force framework. Initial spectra including cold-nuclear-matter effects, a wide variety of space-time evolution models, heavy-flavor transport coefficients, and hadronization mechanisms are scrutinized in an effort to quantify pertinent uncertainties in the calculations of nuclear modification factors and elliptic flow of open heavy-flavor particles in nuclear collisions. We develop procedures for error assessments and criteria for common model components to improve quantitative estimates for the (low-momentum) heavy-flavor diffusion coefficient as a long-wavelength characteristic of QCD matter as a function of temperature, and for energy loss coefficients of high-momentum heavy-flavor particles.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2018

COHERENT Collaboration data release from the first observation of coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering

This release includes data and information necessary to perform independent analyses of the COHERENT result presented in Akimov et al., arXiv:1708.01294 [nucl-ex]. Data is shared in a binned, text-based format, including both "signal" and "background" regions, so that counts and associated uncertainties can be quantitatively calculated for the purpose of separate analyses. This document describes the included information and its format, offering some guidance on use of the data. Accompanying code examples show basic interaction with the data using Python.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2018

COHERENT 2018 at the Spallation Neutron Source

The primary goal of the COHERENT collaboration is to measure and study coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CEvNS) using the high-power, few-tens-of-MeV, pulsed source of neutrinos provided by the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The COHERENT collaboration reported the first detection of CEvNS [Akimov:2017ade] using a CsI[Na] detector. At present the collaboration is deploying four detector technologies: a CsI[Na] scintillating crystal, p-type point-contact germanium detectors, single-phase liquid argon, and NaI[Tl] crystals. All detectors are located in the neutron-quiet basement of the SNS target building at distances 20-30 m from the SNS neutrino source. The simultaneous measurement in all four COHERENT detector subsystems will test the $N^2$ dependence of the cross section and search for new physics. In addition, COHERENT is measuring neutrino-induced neutrons from charged- and neutral-current neutrino interactions on nuclei in shielding materials, which represent a non-negligible background for CEvNS as well as being of intrinsic interest. The Collaboration is planning as well to look for charged-current interactions of relevance to supernova and weak-interaction physics. This document describes concisely the COHERENT physics motivations, sensitivity, and next plans for measurements at the SNS to be accomplished on a few-year timescale.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2016

Thermal Electromagnetic Radiation in Heavy-Ion Collisions

We review the potential of precise measurements of electromagnetic probes in relativistic heavy-ion collisions for the theoretical understanding of strongly interacting matter. The penetrating nature of photons and dileptons implies that they can carry undistorted information about the hot and dense regions of the fireballs formed in these reactions and thus provide a unique opportunity to measure the electromagnetic spectral function of QCD matter as a function of both invariant mass and momentum. In particular we report on recent progress on how the medium modifications of the (dominant) isovector part of the vector current correlator ($ρ$ channel) can shed light on the mechanism of chiral symmetry restoration in the hot and/or dense environment. In addition, thermal dilepton radiation enables novel access to (a) the fireball lifetime through the dilepton yield in the low invariant-mass window $0.3 \; \mathrm{GeV} \leq M \leq 0.7 \; \mathrm{GeV}$, and (b) the early temperatures of the fireball through the slope of the invariant-mass spectrum in the intermediate-mass region ($1.5 \; \mathrm{GeV} <M< 2.5 \; \mathrm{GeV}$). The investigation of the pertinent excitation function suggests that the beam energies provided by the NICA and FAIR projects are in a promising range for a potential discovery of the onset of a first order phase transition, as signaled by a non-monotonous behavior of both low-mass yields and temperature slopes.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2015

Heavy-flavour and quarkonium production in the LHC era: from proton-proton to heavy-ion collisions

This report reviews the study of open heavy-flavour and quarkonium production in high-energy hadronic collisions, as tools to investigate fundamental aspects of Quantum Chromodynamics, from the proton and nucleus structure at high energy to deconfinement and the properties of the Quark-Gluon Plasma. Emphasis is given to the lessons learnt from LHC Run 1 results, which are reviewed in a global picture with the results from SPS and RHIC at lower energies, as well as to the questions to be addressed in the future. The report covers heavy flavour and quarkonium production in proton-proton, proton-nucleus and nucleus-nucleus collisions. This includes discussion of the effects of hot and cold strongly interacting matter, quarkonium photo-production in nucleus-nucleus collisions and perspectives on the study of heavy flavour and quarkonium with upgrades of existing experiments and new experiments. The report results from the activity of the SaporeGravis network of the I3 Hadron Physics programme of the European Union 7th Framework Programme.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2015

Dileptons and Chiral Symmetry Restoration

We report on recent work relating the medium effects observed in dilepton spectra in heavy-ion collisions to potential signals of chiral symmetry restoration. The key connection remains the approach to spectral function degeneracy between the vector-isovector channel with its chiral partner, the axialvector-isovector channel. Several approaches are discussed to elaborate this connection, namely QCD and Weinberg sum rules with input for chiral order parameters from lattice QCD, and chiral hadronic theory to directly evaluate the medium effects of the axialvector channel and the pertinent pion decay constant as function of temperature. A pattern emerges where the chiral mass splitting between rho and a_1 burns off and is accompanied by a strong broadening of the spectral distributions.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2014

Properties of Thermal Photons at RHIC and LHC

We study the emission characteristics of thermal photons at RHIC and LHC as affected by both the space-time evolution of the bulk medium and the thermal emission rates. For the former we compare the results of two evolution models (expanding fireball and hydrodynamics). For the latter, we detail the influence of hadronic emission components and study a speculative scenario by upscaling the default QGP and hadronic rates around the pseudo-critical region.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2013

The $πρ$ Cloud Contribution to the $ω$ Width in Nuclear Matter

The width of the $ω$ meson in cold nuclear matter is computed in a hadronic many-body approach, focusing on a detailed treatment of the medium modifications of intermediate $πρ$ states. The $π$ and $ρ$ propagators are dressed by their selfenergies in nuclear matter taken from previously constrained many-body calculations. The pion selfenergy includes $Nh$ and $Δh$ excitations with short-range correlations, while the $ρ$ selfenergy incorporates the same dressing of its $2π$ cloud with a full 3-momentum dependence and vertex corrections, as well as direct resonance-hole excitations; both contributions were quantitatively fit to total photo-absorption spectra and $πN\toρN$ scattering. Our calculations account for in-medium decays of type $ωN\to πN^{(*)}, ππN(Δ)$, and 2-body absorptions $ωNN\to NN^{(*)},πNN$. This causes deviations of the in-medium $ω$ width from a linear behavior in density, with important contributions from spacelike $ρ$ propagators. The $ω$ width from the $ρπ$ cloud may reach up to 200 MeV at normal nuclear matter density, with a moderate 3-momentum dependence. This largely resolves the discrepancy of linear $T$-$\varrho$ approximations with the values deduced from nuclear photoproduction measurements.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2013

Dilepton Production in Heavy-Ion Collisions

The properties of electromagnetic radiation from hot fireballs as created in ultra-relativistic heavy-ion collisions are reviewed. We first outline how the medium effects in the electromagnetic spectral function, which governs thermal production rates, relate to the (partial) restoration of chiral symmetry. In particular, we show how chiral and QCD sum rules, together with constraints from lattice QCD, can render these relations quantitative. Turning to dilepton data, we elaborate on updates in the space-time evolution and quark-gluon plasma emission rates from lattice-QCD calculations. With a now available excitation function in dilepton spectra from the RHIC beam-energy scan connecting down to SPS energies, we argue that a consistent interpretation of dilepton data emerges. Combining well-constrained space-time evolutions with state-of-the-art emission rates identifies most of the radiation to emanate from around the pseudo-critical temperature, and thus confirms resonance melting as the prevalent mechanism in this regime, compatible with chiral restoration. Recent measurements of a relatively soft slope and large elliptic flow in direct-photon spectra at RHIC and LHC lend further support to this picture.

nucl-th↗