arXiv subjects

T. Masuda

Publications and source records attributed to T. Masuda.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2017

Nuclear resonant scattering experiment with fast time response: new scheme for observation of $^{229\rm m}$Th radiative decay

Nuclear resonant excitation of the 29.19-keV level in $^{229}$Th with high-brilliance synchrotron- radiation and detection of its decay signal, are proposed with the aim of populating the extremely low-energy isomeric state of $^{229}$Th.The proposed experiment, known as nuclear resonant scattering (NRS), has the merit of being free from uncertainties about the isomer level energy. However, it requires higher time resolution and shorter tail in the response function of the detector than that of conventional NRS experiments because of the short lifetime of the 29.19-keV state. We have fabricated an X-ray detector system which has a time resolution of 56 ps and a shorter tail function than the previously reported one. We have demonstrated an NRS experiment with the 26.27-keV nuclear level of $^{201}$Hg for feasibility assessment of the $^{229}$Th experiment. The NRS signal is clearly distinct from the prompt electronic scattering signal by the implemented detector system. The half-life of the 26.27-keV state of $^{201}$Hg is determined as 629 $\pm$ 18 ps which is better precision by a factor three than that reported to date.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2017

Spin pseudogap in the $S=\frac{1}{2}$ chain material Sr$_2$CuO$_3$ with impurities

The low energy magnetic excitation spectrum of the Heisenberg antiferromagnetic $S = 1/2$ chain system Sr$_2$CuO$_3$ with Ni- and Ca-impurities is studied by neutron spectroscopy. In all cases, a defect-induced spectral pseudogap is observed and shown to scale proportionately to the number of scattering centers in the spin chains.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2016

A new search for the $K_{L} \to π^0 ν\overlineν$ and $K_{L} \to π^{0} X^{0}$ decays

We searched for the $CP$-violating rare decay of neutral kaon, $K_{L} \to π^0 ν\overlineν$, in data from the first 100 hours of physics running in 2013 of the J-PARC KOTO experiment. One candidate event was observed while $0.34\pm0.16$ background events were expected. We set an upper limit of $5.1\times10^{-8}$ for the branching fraction at the 90\% confidence level (C.L.). An upper limit of $3.7\times10^{-8}$ at the 90\% C.L. for the $K_{L} \to π^{0} X^{0}$decay was also set for the first time, where $X^{0}$ is an invisible particle with a mass of 135 MeV/$c^{2}$.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2016

Low-Energy Excitations and Ground State Selection in Quantum Breathing Pyrochlore Antiferromagnet Ba$_3$Yb$_2$Zn$_5$O$_{11}$

We study low energy excitations in the quantum breathing pyrochlore antiferromagnet Ba$_3$Yb$_2$Zn$_5$O$_{11}$ by combination of inelastic neutron scattering (INS) and thermodynamical properties measurements. The INS spectra are quantitatively explained by spin-1/2 single-tetrahedron model having $XXZ$ anisotropy and Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction. This model has a two-fold degeneracy of the lowest-energy state per tetrahedron and well reproduces the magnetization curve at 0.5 K and heat capacity above 1.5 K. At lower temperatures, however, we observe a broad maximum in the heat capacity around 63 mK, demonstrating that a unique quantum ground state is selected due to extra perturbations with energy scale smaller than the instrumental resolution of INS.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2016

A new method of creating high intensity neutron source

We propose a new scheme of producing intense neutron beam whose yields exceed those of existing facilities by many orders of magnitude. This scheme uses the recently proposed photon beam extracted from circulating quantum ions, which is directed to a deuteron target for photo-disintegration. The calculated neutron energy spectrum is nearly flat down to neV range, except a threshold rise and its adjacent wide structure. Hence, there exists a possibility of directly using sub-eV neutrons without a moderator. We shall have brief comments on promising particle physics applications using this large yield of neutron.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2016

Long-lived neutral-kaon flux measurement for the KOTO experiment

The KOTO ($K^0$ at Tokai) experiment aims to observe the CP-violating rare decay $K_L \rightarrow π^0 ν\barν$ by using a long-lived neutral-kaon beam produced by the 30 GeV proton beam at the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex. The $K_L$ flux is an essential parameter for the measurement of the branching fraction. Three $K_L$ neutral decay modes, $K_L \rightarrow 3π^0$, $K_L \rightarrow 2π^0$, and $K_L \rightarrow 2γ$ were used to measure the $K_L$ flux in the beam line in the 2013 KOTO engineering run. A Monte Carlo simulation was used to estimate the detector acceptance for these decays. Agreement was found between the simulation model and the experimental data, and the remaining systematic uncertainty was estimated at the 1.4\% level. The $K_L$ flux was measured as $(4.183 \pm 0.017_{\mathrm{stat.}} \pm 0.059_{\mathrm{sys.}}) \times 10^7$ $K_L$ per $2\times 10^{14}$ protons on a 66-mm-long Au target.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2015

Development of a low-mass and high-efficiency charged particle detector

We developed a low-mass and high-efficiency charged particle detector for an experimental study of the rare decay $K_L \rightarrow π^0 ν\barν$. The detector is important to suppress the background with charged particles to the level below the signal branching ratio predicted by the Standard Model (O(10$^{-11}$)). The detector consists of two layers of 3-mm-thick plastic scintillators with wavelength shifting fibers embedded and Multi Pixel Photon Counters for readout. We manufactured the counter and evaluated the performance such as light yield, timing resolution, and efficiency. With this design, we achieved the inefficiency per layer against penetrating charged particles to be less than $1.5 \times 10^{-5}$, which satisfies the requirement of the KOTO experiment determined from simulation studies.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2015

Crystal Field Excitations in Breathing Pyrochlore Antiferromagnet Ba3Yb2Zn5O11

Inelastic neutron scattering measurement is performed on a breathing pyrochlore antiferromagnet Ba3Yb2Zn5O11. The observed dispersionless excitations are explained by a crystalline electric field (CEF) Hamiltonian of Kramers ion Yb3+ of which the local symmetry exhibits C3v point group symmetry. The magnetic susceptibility previously reported is consistently reproduced by the energy scheme of the CEF excitations. The obtained wave functions of the ground state Kramers doublet exhibit the planer-type anisotropy. The result demonstrates that Ba3Yb2Zn5O11 is an experimental realization of breathing pyrochlore antiferromagnet with a pseudospin S = 1/2 having easy-plane anisotropy.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2015

Investigation of the Magnetic Model in Multiferroic NdFe$_{3}$(BO$_{3}$)$_{4}$ by Inelastic Neutron Scattering

We performed inelastic neutron scattering measurements on single crystals of NdFe$_{3}$($^{11}$BO$_{3}$)$_{4}$ to explore the magnetic excitations, to establish the underlying Hamiltonian, and to reveal the detailed nature of hybridization between the 4$f$ and 3$d$ magnetism. The observed spectra exhibiting a couple of key features, i.e., anti-crossing of Nd- and Fe-excitations and anisotropy gap at the antiferromagnetic zone center, are explained by the magnetic model including spin interaction in the framework of weakly-coupled Fe$^{3+}$ chains, interaction between the Fe$^{3+}$ and Nd$^{3+}$ moments, and single-ion anisotropy derived from Nd$^{3+}$ crystal field. The combination of the measurements and calculations reveals that the hybridization between 4$f$ and 3$d$ magnetism propagates the local magnetic anisotropy of the Nd$^{3+}$ ion to the Fe$^{3+}$ network, resulting in the bulk structure of multiferroics.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2015

Spin Model of O2-based Magnet in a Nanoporous Metal Complex

Inelastic neutron scattering experiments are performed on a nanoporous metal complex Cu-Trans-1,4-Cyclohexanedicarboxylic Acid (Cu-CHD) adsorbing O2 molecules to identify the spin model of the O2-based magnet realized in the host complex. It is found that the magnetic excitations of Cu-CHDs adsorbing low- and high-concentration O2 molecules are explained by different spin models, the former by spin dimers and the latter by spin trimers. By using the obtained parameters and also by assuming that the levels of the higher energy states are reduced because of the non-negligible spin dependence of the molecular potential of oxygen, the magnetization curves are explained in quantitative level.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2015

Photon-Veto Counters at the Outer Edge of the Endcap Calorimeter for the KOTO Experiment

The Outer-Edge Veto (OEV) counter subsystem for extra-photon detection from the backgrounds for the? $K^0_L\rightarrowπ^0ν\barν$ decay is located at the outer edge of the endcap CsI calorimeter of the KOTO experiment at J-PARC. The subsystem is composed of 44 counters with different cross-sectional shapes. All counters are made of lead and scintillator plates and read out through wavelength-shifting fibers. In this paper, we discuss the design and performances of the OEV counters under heavy load ($\sim8$ tons/m$^2$) in vacuum. For 1-MeV energy deposit, the average light yield and time resolution are 20.9 photo-electrons and 1.5 ns, respectively. Although no pronounced peak by minimum-ionizing particles is observed in the energy distributions, an energy calibration method with cosmic rays works well in monitoring the gain stability with an accuracy of a few percent.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2014

An aerogel Cherenkov detector for multi-GeV photon detection with low sensitivity to neutrons

We describe a novel photon detector which operates under an intense flux of neutrons. It is composed of lead-aerogel sandwich counter modules. Its salient features are high photon detection efficiency and blindness to neutrons. As a result of Monte Carlo (MC) simulations, the efficiency for photons with the energy larger than 1 GeV is expected to be higher than 99.5% and that for 2 GeV/$c$ neutrons less than 1%. The performance on the photon detection under such a large flux of neutrons was measured for a part of the detector. It was confirmed that the efficiency to photons with the energy $>$1 GeV was consistent with the MC expectation within 8.2% uncertainty.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2014

Inhomogeneous ordering in weakly coupled Heisenberg $S=1/2$ chains with random bonds

Long range magnetic ordering in the quasi-one-dimensional random-bond antiferromagnet BaCu$_2$(Si$_{1-x}$Ge$_{x}$)$_2$O$_7$ is studied in $μ$SR experiments as a function of disorder strength. Compared to the disorder-free parent materials, the saturation ordered moment is found to be considerably reduced. Moreover, even in weakly disordered species, the magnetically ordered state is shown to be highly inhomogeneous. The results are interpreted in terms of weakly coupled random spin chains, governed by the ``infinite randomness`` fixed point.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2014

Experimental confirmation of spin gap in antiferromagnetic alternating spin-3/2 chain substances RCrGeO5 (R = Y or 154Sm) by inelastic neutron scattering experiments

A spin-singlet ground state with a spin gap has been discovered in antiferromagnetic spin chain substances when the spin value is 1/2, 1 or 2. To find spin gap (singlet-triplet) excitations in spin-3/2 chain substances, we performed inelastic neutron scattering and magnetization measurements on {\it R}CrGeO$_5$ ({\it R} = Y or Sm) powders. As expected, we observed spin gap excitations and the dispersion relation of the lowest magnetic excitations. We proved that the spin system of Cr$^{3+}$ was an antiferromagnetic alternating spin-3/2 chain.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2014

Spin nematic interaction in multiferroic compound Ba$_{2}$CoGe$_{2}$O$_{7}$

We demonstrate the existence of the spin nematic interactions in an easy-plane type antiferromagnet Ba$_{2}$CoGe$_{2}$O$_{7}$ by exploring the magnetic anisotropy and spin dynamics. Combination of neutron scattering and magnetic susceptibility measurements reveals that the origin of the in-plane anisotropy is an antiferro-type interaction of the spin nematic operator. The relation between the nematic operator and the electric polarization in the ligand symmetry of this compound is presented. The introduction of the spin nematic interaction is useful to understand the physics of spin and electric dipole in multiferroic compounds.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2011

Quasi-One-Dimensional Spin Dynamics in $d$-Electron Heavy-Fermion Metal Y$_{1-x}$Sc$_x$Mn$_2$

Slow spin fluctuations ($ν< 10^{12}$ s$^-1$) observed by the muon spin relaxation technique in Y$_{1-x}$Sc$_x$Mn$_2$ exhibits a power law dependence on temperature ($ν\propto T^α$), where the power converges asymptotically to unity ($α\rightarrow 1$) as the system moves away from spin-glass instability with increasing Sc content $x$. This linear $T$ dependence, which is common to that observed in LiV$_2$O$_4$, is in line with the prediction of the "intersecting Hubbard chains" model for a metallic pyrochlore lattice, suggesting that the geometrical constraints to t2g bands specific to the pyrochlore structure serve as a basis of the $d$-electron heavy-fermion state.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2010

Instability of Magnons in Two-dimensional Antiferromagnet at High Magnetic Fields

Spin dynamics of the square lattice Heisenberg antiferromagnet, \BaMnGeO, is studied by a combination of bulk measurements, neutron diffraction, and inelastic neutron scattering techniques. Easy plane type antiferromagnetic order is identified at $T \le 4.0$ K. The exchange interactions are estimated as $J_1$ = 27.8(3)$μ$eV and $J_2$ = 1.0(1) $μ$eV, and the saturation field $H_{\rm C}$ is 9.75 T. Magnetic excitation measurements with high experimental resolution setup by triple axis neutron spectrometer reveals the instability of one magnon excitation in the field range of $0.7H_{\rm C} \lesssim H \lesssim 0.85H_{\rm C}$.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2009

Spin dimers under staggered and random field in Cu$_2$Fe$_2$Ge$_4$O$_{13}

We study $S=1/2$ dimer excitation in a coupled chain and dimer compound Cu$_2$Fe$_2$Ge$_4$O$_{13} by inelastic neutron scattering technique. The Zeeman split of the dimer triplet by a staggered field is observed at low temperature. With the increase of temperature the effect of random field is detected by a drastic broadening of the triplet excitation. Basic dynamics of dimer in the staggered and random fields are experimentally identified in Cu$_2$Fe$_2$Ge$_4$O$_{13}.

cond-mat.str-el↗