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S. Abe

Publications and source records attributed to S. Abe.

107 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
arXiv2021

Limits on astrophysical antineutrinos with the KamLAND experiment

We report on a search for electron antineutrinos ($\barν_e$) from astrophysical sources in the neutrino energy range 8.3 to 30.8 MeV with the KamLAND detector. In an exposure of 6.72 kton-year of the liquid scintillator, we observe 18 candidate events via the inverse beta decay reaction. Although there is a large background uncertainty from neutral current atmospheric neutrino interactions, we find no significant excess over background model predictions. Assuming several supernova relic neutrino spectra, we give upper flux limits of 60--110 cm$^{-2}$ s$^{-1}$ (90% CL) in the analysis range and present a model-independent flux. We also set limits on the annihilation rates for light dark matter pairs to neutrino pairs. These data improves on the upper probability limit of $^{8}$B solar neutrinos converting into $\barν_e$'s, $P_{ν_e \rightarrow \barν_e} < 3.5\times10^{-5}$ (90% CL) assuming an undistorted $\barν_e$ shape. This corresponds to a solar $\barν_e$ flux of 60 cm$^{-2}$ s$^{-1}$ (90% CL) in the analysis energy range.

astro-ph.HE↗
arXiv2021

The nylon balloon for xenon loaded liquid scintillator in KamLAND-Zen 800 neutrinoless double-beta decay search experiment

The KamLAND-Zen 800 experiment is searching for the neutrinoless double-beta decay of $^{136}$Xe by using $^{136}$Xe-loaded liquid scintillator. The liquid scintillator is enclosed inside a balloon made of thin, transparent, low-radioactivity film that we call Inner Balloon (IB). The IB, apart from guaranteeing the liquid containment, also allows to minimize the background from cosmogenic muon-spallation products and $^{8}$B solar neutrinos. Indeed these events could contribute to the total counts in the region of interest around the Q-value of the double-beta decay of $^{136}$Xe. In this paper, we present an overview of the IB and describe the various steps of its commissioning minimizing the radioactive contaminations, from the material selection, to the fabrication of the balloon and its installation inside the KamLAND detector. Finally, we show the impact of the IB on the KamLAND background as measured by the KamLAND detector itself.

physics.ins-det↗
arXiv2021

A Search for Charged Excitation of Dark Matter with the KamLAND-Zen Detector

There are many theories where a dark matter particle is part of a multiplet with an electrically charged state. If WIMP dark matter ($χ^{0}$) is accompanied by a charged excited state ($χ^{-}$) separated by a small mass difference, it can form a stable bound state with a nucleus. In supersymmetric models, the $χ^{0}$ and the $χ^{-}$ could be the neutralino and a charged slepton, such as the neutralino-stau degenerate model. The formation binding process is expected to result in an energy deposition of {\it O}(1--10 MeV), making it suitable for detection in large liquid scintillator detectors. We describe new constraints on the bound state formation with a xenon nucleus using the KamLAND-Zen 400 Phase-II dataset. In order to enlarge the searchable parameter space, all xenon isotopes in the detector were used. For a benchmark parameter set of $m_{χ^{0}} = 100$ GeV and $Δm = 10$ MeV, this study sets the most stringent upper limits on the recombination cross section $\langleσv\rangle$ and the decay-width of $χ^{-}$ of $2.0 \times 10^{-31}$ ${\rm cm^3/s}$ and $1.1 \times 10^{-18}$ GeV, respectively (90\% confidence level).

hep-ex↗
arXiv2020

Search for Low-energy Electron Antineutrinos in KamLAND Associated with Gravitational Wave Events

We present the results of a search for MeV-scale electron antineutrino events in KamLAND in coincident with the 60 gravitational wave events/candidates reported by the LIGO/Virgo collaboration during their second and third observing runs. We find no significant coincident signals within a $\pm$ 500 s timing window from each gravitational wave and present 90% C.L. upper limits on the electron antineutrino fluence between $10^{8}$-$10^{13}\,{\mathrm cm^2}$ for neutrino energies in the energy range of 1.8-111 MeV.

astro-ph.HE↗
arXiv2019

Non-equilibrium thermodynamics and Newtonian gravitation

Classical gravitation is treated from the point of view of non-equilibrium thermodynamics. Gravitational potential is a thermodynamic state variable in a weakly nonlocal treatment. Entropy production is calculated and the simplest solution of the inequality with corresponding fluxes and forces is given. In case of ideal gravitation without dissipation one obtains the Poisson equation.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗
arXiv2019

Triple Range Imager and POLarimeter (TRIPOL) --- A Compact and Economical Optical Imaging Polarimeter for Small Telescopes

We report the design concept and performance of a compact, light-weight, and economic imaging polarimeter, TRIPOL (the Triple Range Imager and POLarimeter), capable of simultaneous optical imagery and polarimetry. TRIPOL splits the beam from wavelength 400 to 830 nm into g'-, r'-, and i'-bands with two dichroic mirrors, and measures polarization with an achromatic half-waveplate and a wire-grid. The simultaneity makes TRIPOL a useful tool for small telescopes for photometry and polarimetry of time variable and wavelength dependent phenomena. TRIPOL is devised for a Cassegrain telescope of an aperture of ~1 m. This paper presents the engineering considerations of TRIPOL and compares the expected with the observed performance. Using the Lulin 1-m telescope and 100 seconds integration, the limiting magnitudes are g' ~ 19.0 mag, r' ~ 18.5 mag and i' ~ 18.0 mag with a signal-to-noise of 10, in agreement with design expectation. The instrumental polarization is measured to be ~ 0.3% at three bands. Two applications, one to the star-forming cloud IC 5146, and the other to the young variable GM Cep, are presented as demonstration.

astro-ph.IM↗
arXiv2018

First observations of speed of light tracks by a fluorescence detector looking down on the atmosphere

EUSO-Balloon is a pathfinder mission for the Extreme Universe Space Observatory onboard the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM-EUSO). It was launched on the moonless night of the 25$^{th}$ of August 2014 from Timmins, Canada. The flight ended successfully after maintaining the target altitude of 38 km for five hours. One part of the mission was a 2.5 hour underflight using a helicopter equipped with three UV light sources (LED, xenon flasher and laser) to perform an inflight calibration and examine the detectors capability to measure tracks moving at the speed of light. We describe the helicopter laser system and details of the underflight as well as how the laser tracks were recorded and found in the data. These are the first recorded laser tracks measured from a fluorescence detector looking down on the atmosphere. Finally, we present a first reconstruction of the direction of the laser tracks relative to the detector.

astro-ph.IM↗
arXiv2014

Fast Rotation of a Sub-km-sized Near-Earth Object 2011 XA3

We present lightcurve observations and their multiband photometry for near-Earth object (NEO) 2011 XA3. The lightcurve has shown a periodicity of 0.0304 +- 0.0003 day (= 43.8 +- 0.4 min). The fast rotation shows that 2011 XA3 is in a state of tension (i.e. a monolithic asteroid) and cannot be held together by self-gravitation. Moreover, the multiband photometric analysis indicates that the taxonomic class of 2011 XA3 is S-complex, or V-type. Its estimated effective diameter is 225 +- 97 m (S-complex) and 166 +- 63 m (V-type), respectively. Therefore, 2011 XA3 is a candidate for the second-largest fast-rotating monolithic asteroid. Moreover, the orbital parameters of 2011 XA3 are apparently similar to those of NEO (3200) Phaethon but F/B-type. We computed the orbital evolutions of 2011 XA3 and Phaethon. However, the results of the computation and distinct taxonomy indicate that neither of the asteroids is of common origin.

astro-ph.EP↗
arXiv2011

Measurement of the 8B Solar Neutrino Flux with the KamLAND Liquid Scintillator Detector

We report a measurement of the neutrino-electron elastic scattering rate from 8B solar neutrinos based on a 123 kton-day exposure of KamLAND. The background-subtracted electron recoil rate, above a 5.5 MeV analysis threshold is 1.49+/-0.14(stat)+/-0.17(syst) events per kton-day. Interpreted as due to a pure electron flavor flux with a 8B neutrino spectrum, this corresponds to a spectrum integrated flux of 2.77+/-0.26(stat)+/-0.32(syst) x 10^6 cm^-2s^-1. The analysis threshold is driven by 208Tl present in the liquid scintillator, and the main source of systematic uncertainty is due to background from cosmogenic 11Be. The measured rate is consistent with existing measurements and with Standard Solar Model predictions which include matter enhanced neutrino oscillation.

hep-ex↗
arXiv2009

Effects of initial compression stress on wave propagation in carbon nanotubes

An analytical method to investigate wave propagation in single- and double- walled carbon nanotubes under initial compression stress is presented. The nanotube structures are treated within the multilayer thin shell approximation with the elastic properties taken to be those of the graphene sheet. The governing equations are derived based on Flugge equations of motion. Frequency equations of wave propagation in single and double wall carbon nanotubes are described through the effects of initial compression stress and van der Waals force. To show the effects of Initial compression stress on the wave propagation in nanotubes, the symmetrical mode can be analyzed based on the present elastic continuum model. It is shown that the wave speed are sensitive to the compression stress especially for the lower frequencies.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗
arXiv2008

Novel Quantum Criticality in CeRu$_2$Si$_2$ near Absolute Zero Observed by Thermal Expansion and Magnetostriction

We report linear thermal expansion and magnetostriction measurements for CeRu$_2$Si$_2$ in magnetic fields up to 52.6 mT and at temperatures down to 1 mK. At high temperatures, this compound showed Landau-Fermi-liquid behavior: The linear thermal expansion coefficient and the magnetostriction coefficient were proportional to the temperature and magnetic field, respectively. In contrast, a pronounced non-Fermi-liquid effect was found below 50 mK. The negative contribution of thermal expansion and magnetostriction suggests the existence of an additional quantum critical point.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2008

Are There Meteors Originated from Near Earth Asteroid (25143) Itokawa?

As a result of a survey of Itokawid meteors (i.e., meteors originated from Near Earth Asteroid (25143) Itokawa = 1998SF36), from among the multi-station optical meteor orbit data of ~15000 orbits, and applying the D-criteria, we could find five Itokawid meteor candidates. We also analyzed corresponding mineral materials of the Itokawid candidates through their trajectory and atmospheric data. We conclude, on the basis of our investigation, that the fireball, MORP172, is the strongest Itokawid candidate.

astro-ph↗
arXiv2005

Superconductivity mediated by a soft phonon mode: specific heat, resistivity, thermal expansion and magnetization of YB6

The superconductor YB6 has the second highest critical temperature Tc among the boride family MBn. We report measurements of the specific heat, resistivity, magnetic susceptibility and thermal expansion from 2 to 300 K, using a single crystal with Tc = 7.2 K. The superconducting gap is characteristic of medium-strong coupling. The specific heat, resistivity and expansivity curves are deconvolved to yield approximations of the phonon density of states, the spectral electron-phonon scattering function and the phonon density of states weighted by the frequency-dependent Grueneisen parameter respectively. Lattice vibrations extend to high frequencies >100 meV, but a dominant Einstein-like mode at ~8 meV, associated with the vibrations of yttrium ions in oversized boron cages, appears to provide most of the superconducting coupling and gives rise to an unusual temperature behavior of several observable quantities. A surface critical field Hc3 is also observed.

cond-mat.supr-con↗
arXiv2005

Specific heat, magnetic susceptibility, resistivity and thermal expansion of the superconductor ZrB12

In an attempt to clarify conflicting published data, we report new measurements of specific heat, resistivity, magnetic susceptibility, and thermal expansivity up to room temperature for the 6 K superconductor ZrB12, using well-characterized single crystals with a residual resistivity ratio >9. The specific heat gives the bulk result 2*delta(0)/(k_B*Tc)=3.7 for the superconducting gap ratio, and excludes multiple gaps and d-wave symmetry for the Cooper pairs. The Sommerfeld constant gamma_n = 0.34 mJ K-2 gat-1 and the magnetic susceptibility xsi = -2.1 x 10^-5 indicate a low density of states at the Fermi level. The Debye temperature theta_D is in the range 1000-1200 K near zero and room temperature, but decreases by a factor of ~2 at ~35 K. The specific heat and resistivity curves are inverted to yield approximations of the phonon density of states F(omega) and the spectral electron-phonon scattering function alpha_tr^2 F(omega), respectively. Both unveil a 15 meV mode, attributed to Zr vibrations in oversized B cages, which gives rise to electron-phonon coupling. The thermal expansivity further shows that this mode is anharmonic, while the vanishingly small discontinuity at Tc establishes that the cell volume is nearly optimal with respect to Tc.

cond-mat.supr-con↗
arXiv2004

An Effective Reduction of Critical Current for Current-Induced Magnetization Switching by a Ru Layer Insertion in an Exchange-Biased Spin-Valve

Recently it has been predicted that a spin-polarized electrical current perpendicular-to-plane (CPP) directly flowing through a magnetic element can induce magnetization switching through spin-momentum transfer. In this letter, the first observation of current-induced magnetization switching (CIMS) in exchange-biased spin-valves (ESPVs) at room temperature is reported. The ESPVs show the CIMS behavior under a sweeping dc current with a very high critical current density. It is demonstrated that a thin Ruthenium (Ru) layer inserted between a free layer and a top electrode effectively reduces the critical current densities for the CIMS. An "inverse" CIMS behavior is also observed when the thickness of the free layer increases.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗
arXiv2003

Ac Susceptibility and Static Magnetization Measurements of CeRu$_2$Si$_2$ at Small Magnetic Fields and Ultra Low Temperatures

The magnetic properties of CeRu$_2$Si$_2$ at microkelvin temperatures (down to 170 $μ$K) and ultra small magnetic fields ($0.02\sim6.21$ mT) are investigated experimentally for the first time. The simultaneously measured ac susceptibility and static magnetization show neither evidence of the magnetic ordering, superconductivity down to the lowest temperatures nor conventional Landau Fermi-Liquid behavior. The results imply the magnetic transition temperature in undoped CeRu$_2$Si$_2$ is very close to absolute 0 K. The possibility for proximity of CeRu$_2$Si$_2$ to the quantum critical point without any doping is discussed.

cond-mat.str-el↗