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T. S. Kosmas

Publications and source records attributed to T. S. Kosmas.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

MAXI J1820+070: A rapidly spinning black hole with mild disk truncation in the soft state and a warm corona

Our study seeks to address the debate over the spin of MAXI J1820+070 through broadband spectral modeling of NuSTAR observations obtained during the soft state. We further compare our results with previous spin estimates and examine the source variability across the soft state. In addition, we investigate the origin of the soft X-ray excess, which we argue does not originate from the plunge region as previously suggested. To further investigate the origin of this excess, we calculate spin-dependent radial disk temperature profiles across all epochs. Our results indicate that the black hole in MAXI J1820+070 is rapidly spinning, with spin $a$ > 0.75, potentially powering the relativistic jets. Our analysis reveals a significant decline in the inner disk temperature midway through the soft state, accompanied by a modest increase in the inferred inner disk radius up to 3.5Rg. This behavior is consistent with slight disk truncation, possibly associated with a reduction in gas ionization and nonthermal processes. Furthermore, the soft excess emission below 10 keV is well described by a blackbody component with kT=0.5 keV, approximately 38% cooler than the inner disk. This suggests that the emission may originate from a warm corona layer located beyond 10Rg, analogous to warm Comptonization models proposed to explain the soft X-ray excess in active galactic nuclei.

astro-ph.HE

Coherent and incoherent antineutrino scattering on stable even-even isotopes of molybdenum detectors

The recent observations of the coherent neutrino- and antineutrino-nucleus scattering have opened up a plethora of opportunities to probe physics within standard and non-standard theories of the electroweak interactions. In the present article, our goal is to explore the possibility of using the molybdenum material as detection medium for coherent and incoherent antineutrino- and neutrino- Mo scattering in the ongoing and future coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CEνNS) experiments by using relevant (anti-)neutrino beams as e.g. stopped pion-decay neutrino beams, reactor antineutrino beams, astrophysical (solar or supernova) (anti)neutrino beams, etc. Our present coherent and incoherent scattering cross sections of Mo isotopes with neutrinos and antineutrinos are based on the deformed shell model (DSM) that has been previously employed for studying similar processes. On the other hand, in the past, CEνNS events obtained with this model provided us with better fits to COHERENT experimental data compared to phenomenological form factors.

hep-ph

A simplified approach for reproducing fully relativistic spectra in X-ray binary systems: Application to Cygnus X-1

General relativistic effects are strong near the black hole of an X-ray binary and significantly impact the total energy released at the innermost accretion disk's region. Our goal is to fully incorporate the black hole's spin and all the general relativistic effects on the observed spectra coming from X-ray binary systems while maintaining the simplicity of the standard disk model. That is possible by appropriately shifting only the disk's inner radius. We employ some of the most efficient pseudo-Newtonian potentials around Kerr black holes and derive two generalized disk temperature profiles, thus incorporating the spin's contribution to the thermal spectra. Then, we associate the observed radiative efficiency with the emission pattern featuring all the relativistic effects included in the kerrbb model, obtaining an expression about the modified inner radius of the disk. Moreover, we apply this method to Cygnus X-1 by fitting the observational data obtained during its high/soft and hard/low spectral states. The fully relativistic spectra are reproduced to a very good approximation with an error margin of 0.03-4%. The disk is parameterized by a modified innermost radius within the range of $(0.2-2)R_{ISCO}$, depending on the source's viewing angle and black hole spin. Relativistic effects near the black hole make an otherwise standard accretion disk with inclination $θ<60^{\circ}$ seem truncated to larger radii to a distant observer. On the other hand, an edge-on view of the disk gives the perspective of being pulled closer to the central object than the respective ISCO radius. In addition, we show that the observational data of Cygnus X-1 can be satisfactorily fitted by employing a reasonably simple lepto-hadronic jet model and a hybrid thermal/non-thermal corona along with the Kerr-adjusted standard accretion disk.

astro-ph.HE

Coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CE$ν$NS) event rates for Ge, Zn and Si detector materials

Realistic nuclear structure calculations are presented for the event rates due to coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CE$ν$NS), assuming neutrinos from pion-decay at-rest, from nuclear reactors and from Earth's interior. We focus on the currently interesting Germanium isotopes, $^{70,73,76}$Ge, which constitute detector materials of the recently planned CE$ν$NS experiments. We study in addition the potential use of $^{64,70}$Zn and $^{28}$Si isotopes as promising CE$ν$NS detectors. From nuclear physics perspectives, recently, calculations have been carried out within the framework of the deformed shell-model (DSM), based on realistic nuclear forces, and assessed on the reproducibility of spectroscopic nuclear properties. The high confidence level acquired by their agreement with experimental results and by their comparison with other mostly phenomenological calculations encouraged the use of DSM to extract predictions for the CE$ν$NS event rates of the above isotopes. Our detailed estimation of the nuclear physics aspects of the recently observed neutral current coherent neutrino-nucleus scattering may shed light on unravelling the still remaining uncertainties for the CE$ν$NS process within and beyond the Standard Model.

nucl-th

High energy neutrino and gamma-ray emission in the jets of the microquasar M33 X-7

In this work, after testing the reliability of our algorithms through numerical simulations on the well-studied SS 433 Galactic microquasar, we focus on neutrino and $γ$-ray emissions from the extragalactic M33 X-7 system. This is a recently discovered X-ray binary system located in the neighbouring galaxy Messier 33 which has not yet been modelled in detail. The neutrino and $γ$-ray energy spectra, produced from the magnetized astrophysical jet of M33 X-7, in the context of our method are assumed to originate from the decay (and scattering) processes taking place among the secondary particles produced assuming that, first, hot (relativistic) protons of the jet scatter on thermal ones (p-p interaction mechanism).

astro-ph.HE

Astrophysical magnetohydrodynamical outflows in the extragalactic binary system LMC X-1

In this work, at first we present a model of studying astrophysical flows of binary systems and microquasars based on the laws of relativistic magnetohydrodynamics. Then, by solving the time independent transfer equation, we estimate the primary and secondary particle distributions within the hadronic astrophysical jets as well as the emissivities of high energy neutrinos and $γ$-rays. One of our main goals is, by taking into consideration the various energy-losses of particles into the hadronic jets, to determine through the transport equation the respective particle distributions focusing on relativistic hadronic jets of binary systems. As a concrete example we examine the extragalactic binary system LMC X-1 located in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy of our Milky Way Galaxy.

astro-ph.HE

Elastic and inelastic scattering of neutrinos and weakly interacting massive particles on nuclei

The event rates for WIMP-nucleus and neutrino-nucleus scattering processes, expected to be detected in ton-scale rare-event detectors, are investigated. We focus on nuclear isotopes that correspond to the target nuclei of current and future experiments looking for WIMP- and neutrino-nucleus events. The nuclear structure calculations, performed in the context of the deformed shell model, are based on Hartree-Fock intrinsic states with angular momentum projection and band mixing for both the elastic and the inelastic channels. Our predictions in the high-recoil-energy tail show that detectable distortions of the measured/expected signal may be interpreted through the inclusion of the non-negligible incoherent channels

nucl-th

Constraining nuclear physics parameters with current and future COHERENT data

Motivated by the recent observation of coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CE$ν$NS) at the COHERENT experiment, our goal is to explore its potential in probing important nuclear structure parameters. We show that the recent COHERENT data offers unique opportunities to investigate the neutron nuclear form factor. Our present calculations are based on the deformed Shell Model (DSM) method which leads to a better fit of the recent CE$ν$NS data, as compared to known phenomenological form factors such as the Helm-type, symmetrized Fermi and Klein-Nystrand. The attainable sensitivities and the prospects of improvement during the next phase of the COHERENT experiment are also considered and analyzed in the framework of two upgrade scenarios.

hep-ph

Recent probes of standard and non-standard neutrino physics with nuclei

We review standard and non-standard neutrino physics probes that are based on nuclear measurements. We pay special attention on the discussion of prospects to extract new physics at prominent rare event measurements looking for neutrino-nucleus scattering, such as the coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CE$ν$NS) that may involve lepton flavor violation (LFV) in neutral-currents (NC). For the latter processes several appreciably sensitive experiments are currently pursued or have been planed to operate in the near future, like the COHERENT, CONUS, CONNIE, MINER, TEXONO, RED100, vGEN, Ricochet, NUCLEUS etc. We provide a thorough discussion on phenomenological and theoretical studies, in particular those referring to the nuclear physics aspects in order to provide accurate predictions for the relevant experiments. Motivated by the recent discovery of CE$ν$NS at the COHERENT experiment and the active experimental efforts for a new measurement at reactor-based experiments, we summarize the current status of the constraints as well as the future sensitivities on nuclear and electroweak physics parameters, non-standard interactions, electromagnetic neutrino properties, sterile neutrinos and simplified scenarios with novel vector $Z^\prime$ or scalar $ϕ$ mediators. Indirect and direct connections of \cevns with astrophysics, direct Dark Matter detection and charge lepton flavor violating processes are also discussed.

hep-ph

Novel neutrino-floor and dark matter searches with deformed shell model calculations

Event detection rates for WIMP-nucleus interactions are calculated for $^{71}$Ga, $^{73}$Ge, $^{75}$As and $^{127}$I (direct dark matter detectors). The nuclear structure form factors, that are rather independent of the underlying beyond the Standard Model particle physics scenario assumed, are evaluated within the context of the deformed nuclear shell model (DSM) based on Hartree-Fock nuclear states. Along with the previously published DSM results for $^{73}$Ge, the neutrino-floor due to coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CE$ν$NS), an important source of background to dark matter searches, is extensively calculated. The impact of new contributions to CE$ν$NS due to neutrino magnetic moments and $Z^\prime$ mediators at direct dark matter detection experiments is also examined and discussed. The results show that the neutrino-floor constitutes a crucial source of background events for multi-ton scale detectors with sub-keV capabilities.

hep-ph

COHERENT constraints to conventional and exotic neutrino physics

The process of neutral-current coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering, consistent with the Standard Model (SM) expectation, has been recently measured by the COHERENT experiment at the Spallation Neutron Source. On the basis of the observed signal and our nuclear calculations for the relevant Cs and I isotopes, the extracted constraints on both conventional and exotic neutrino physics are updated. The present study concentrates on various SM extensions involving vector and tensor nonstandard interactions as well as neutrino electromagnetic properties, with an emphasis on the neutrino magnetic moment and the neutrino charge radius. Furthermore, models addressing a light sterile neutrino state and scenarios with new propagator fields---such as vector $Z^\prime$ and scalar bosons---are examined, and the corresponding regions excluded by the COHERENT experiment are presented.

hep-ph

Probing light sterile neutrino signatures at reactor and Spallation Neutron Source neutrino experiments

We investigate the impact of a fourth sterile neutrino at reactor and Spallation Neutron Source neutrino detectors. Specifically, we explore the discovery potential of the TEXONO and COHERENT experiments to subleading sterile neutrino effects through the measurement of the coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering event rate. Our dedicated $χ^2$-sensitivity analysis employs realistic nuclear structure calculations adequate for high purity sub-keV threshold Germanium detectors.

hep-ph

Impact of non-standard interactions on neutrino-nucleon scattering

Non-standard neutrino-nucleon interaction is formulated and explored within the energy range of quasi-elastic scattering. In particular, the study focuses on the neutral-current elastic (anti)neutrino scattering off nucleons described by the exotic reactions $ν_α({\bar ν}_α) + n \rightarrow ν_β({\bar ν}_β) + n $ and $ ν_α({\bar ν}_α) + p \rightarrow ν_β({\bar ν}_β) + p$, which provide corrections to the dominant Standard Model processes. In this context, it is shown that the required exotic nucleon form factors may have a significant impact on the relevant cross sections. Besides cross sections, the event rate is expected to be rather sensitive to the magnitude of the lepton-flavour violating parameters resulting in an excess of events. The overlap of non-standard interactions and strange quark contributions, in the region of few GeV neutrino energies, is also examined. The formalism is applied for the case of the relevant neutrino-nucleon scattering experiments (LSND, MiniBooNE, etc.) and motivates the notion that such facilities have high potential to probe NSI.

hep-ph

Sensitivities to neutrino electromagnetic properties at the TEXONO experiment

The possibility of measuring neutral-current coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CENNS) at the TEXONO experiment has opened high expectations towards probing exotic neutrino properties. Focusing on low threshold Germanium-based targets with kg-scale mass, we find a remarkable efficiency not only for detecting CENNS events due to the weak interaction, but also for probing novel electromagnetic neutrino interactions. Specifically, we demonstrate that such experiments are complementary in performing precision Standard Model tests as well as in shedding light on sub-leading effects due to neutrino magnetic moment and neutrino charge radius. This work employs realistic nuclear structure calculations based on the quasi-particle random phase approximation (QRPA) and takes into consideration the crucial quenching effect corrections. Such a treatment, in conjunction with a simple statistical analysis, shows that the attainable sensitivities are improved by one order of magnitude as compared to previous studies.

hep-ph

Probing neutrino magnetic moments at Spallation Neutron Source facilities

Majorana neutrino electromagnetic properties are studied through neutral current coherent neutrino-nucleus scattering. We focus on the potential of the recently planned COHERENT experiment at the Spallation Neutron Source to probe muon-neutrino magnetic moments. The resulting sensitivities are determined on the basis of a chi^2 analysis employing realistic nuclear structure calculations in the context of the quasi-particle random phase approximation. We find that they can improve existing limits by half an order of magnitude. In addition, we show that these facilities allow for Standard Model precision tests in the low energy regime, with a competitive determination of the weak mixing angle. Finally, they also offer the capability to probe other electromagnetic neutrino properties, such as the neutrino charge-radius. We illustrate our results for various choices of experimental setup and target material.

hep-ph

Detailed description of exclusive muon capture rates using realistic two-body forces

Starting from state-by-state calculations of exclusive rates of the ordinary muon capture (OMC), we evaluated total muon-capture rates for a set of light- and medium-weight nuclear isotopes. We employed a version of the proton-neutron quasi-particle random phase approximation (pn-QRPA, for short) which uses as realistic nuclear forces the Bonn C-D one boson exchange potential. Special attention was paid on the percentage contribution to the total muon-capture rate of specific low-spin multipolarities resulting by summing over the corresponding multipole transitions. The nuclear method used offers the possibility of estimating separately the individual contributions to the total and partial rates of the polar-vector and axial-vector components of the weak interaction Hamiltonian for each accessible final state of the daughter nucleus. One of our main goals is to provide a reliable description of the charge changing transitions matrix elements entering the description of other similar semileptonic nuclear processes like the charged-current neutrino-nucleus reactions, the electron capture on nuclei, the single \b{eta}-decay mode, etc., which play important role in currently interesting laboratory and astrophysical applications like the neutrino-detection through lepton- nucleus interaction probes, and neutrino-nucleosynthesis. Such results can be also be useful in various ongoing muon-capture experiments at PSI, Fermilab, JPARC and RCNP.

nucl-th

Neutrino transition magnetic moments within the non-standard neutrino-nucleus interactions

Tensorial non-standard neutrino interactions are studied through a combined analysis of nuclear structure calculations and a sensitivity $χ^2$-type of neutrino events expected to be measured at the COHERENT experiment, recently planned to operate at the Spallation Neutron Source (Oak Ridge). Potential sizeable predictions on transition neutrino magnetic moments and other electromagnetic parameters, such as neutrino milli-charges, are also addressed. The non-standard neutrino-nucleus processes, explored from nuclear physics perspectives within the context of quasi-particle random phase approximation, are exploited in order to estimate the expected number of events originating from vector and tensor exotic interactions for the case of reactor neutrinos, studied with TEXONO and GEMMA neutrino detectors.

hep-ph

Electron capture cross sections for stellar nucleosynthesis

In the first stage of this work, we perform detailed calculations for the cross sections of the electron capture on nuclei under laboratory conditions. Towards this aim we exploit the advantages of a refined version of the proton-neutron quasi-particle random-phase approximation (pn-QRPA) and carry out state-by-state evaluations of the rates of exclusive processes that lead to any of the accessible transitions within the chosen model space. In the second stage of our present study, we translate the above mentioned $e^-$-capture cross sections to the stellar environment ones by inserting the temperature dependence through a Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution describing the stellar electron gas. As a concrete nuclear target we use the $^{66}Zn$ isotope, which belongs to the iron group nuclei and plays prominent role in stellar nucleosynthesis at core collapse supernovae environment.

nucl-th