arXiv subjects

V. Singh

Publications and source records attributed to V. Singh.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

arXiv2016

Mechanical dissipation in MoRe superconducting metal drums

We experimentally investigate dissipation in mechanical resonators made of a disordered superconducting thin film of Molybdenum-Rhenium(MoRe) alloy. By electrostatically driving the drum with a resonant AC voltage, we detect its motion using a superconducting microwave cavity. From the temperature dependence of mechanical resonance frequencies and quality factors, we find evidence for non-resonant, mechanically active two-level systems (TLSs) limiting its quality factor at low temperature. In addition, we observe a strong suppression of mechanical dissipation at large mechanical driving amplitudes, suggesting an unconventional saturation of the non-resonant TLSs. These new observations shed light on the mechanism of mechanical damping in superconducting drums and routes towards understanding dissipation in such mechanical systems.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2016

Analysis Techniques for the Evaluation of the Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay Lifetime in $^{130}$Te with CUORE-0

We describe in detail the methods used to obtain the lower bound on the lifetime of neutrinoless double-beta ($0νββ$) decay in $^{130}$Te and the associated limit on the effective Majorana mass of the neutrino using the CUORE-0 detector. CUORE-0 is a bolometric detector array located at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso that was designed to validate the background reduction techniques developed for CUORE, a next-generation experiment scheduled to come online in 2016. CUORE-0 is also a competitive $0νββ$ decay search in its own right and functions as a platform to further develop the analysis tools and procedures to be used in CUORE. These include data collection, event selection and processing, as well as an evaluation of signal efficiency. In particular, we describe the amplitude evaluation, thermal gain stabilization, energy calibration methods, and the analysis event selection used to create our final $0νββ$ decay search spectrum. We define our high level analysis procedures, with emphasis on the new insights gained and challenges encountered. We outline in detail our fitting methods near the hypothesized $0νββ$ decay peak and catalog the main sources of systematic uncertainty. Finally, we derive the $0νββ$ decay half-life limits previously reported for CUORE-0, $T^{0ν}_{1/2}>2.7\times10^{24}$ yr, and in combination with the Cuoricino limit, $T^{0ν}_{1/2}>4.0\times10^{24}$ yr.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2016

A GMRT Study of Seyfert Galaxies NGC4235 & NGC4594: Evidence of Episodic Activity ?

Low frequency observations at 325 and 610 MHz have been carried out for two "radio-loud" Seyfert galaxies, NGC4235 and NGC4594 (Sombrero galaxy), using the Giant Meterwave Radio Telescope (GMRT). The 610 MHz total intensity and 325-610 MHz spectral index images of NGC4235 tentatively suggest the presence of a "relic" radio lobe, most likely from a previous episode of AGN activity. This makes NGC4235 only the second known Seyfert galaxy after Mrk6 to show signatures of episodic activity. Spitzer and Herschel infrared spectral energy distribution (SED) modelling using the clumpyDREAM code predicts star formation rates (SFR) that are an order of magnitude lower than those required to power the radio lobes in these Seyferts (~0.13-0.23 M_sun/yr compared to the required SFR of ~2.0-2.7 M_sun/yr in NGC4594 and NGC4235, respectively). This finding along with the detection of parsec and sub-kpc radio jets in both Seyfert galaxies, that are roughly along the same position angles as the radio lobes, strongly support the suggestion that Seyfert lobes are AGN-powered. SED modelling supports the "true" type 2 classification of NGC4594: this galaxy lacks significant dust obscuration as well as a prominent broad-line region. Between the two Seyfert galaxies, there is an inverse relation between their radio-loudness and Eddington ratio and a direct relation between their Eddington-scaled jet power and bolometric power.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2016

Measurement of Characteristic Impedance of Silicon Fiber Sheet based readout strips panel for RPC detector in INO

The India based Neutrino Observatory (INO) is a mega science project of India, which is going to use near about 30, 000 Resistive Plate Chambers (RPC) as active detector elements for the study of atmospheric neutrino oscillations. Each RPC detector will consist of two orthogonally placed readout strips panel for picking the signals generated in the gas chamber. The area of RPC detector in INO-ICAL (Iron Calorimeter) experiment will be 2m x 2m, therefore the dimension of readout strips panel will also be of 2m x 2m. To get undistorted signals pass through the readout strips panel to frontend electronics, their Characteristic Impedance should be matched with each other. For the matching of Characteristic Impedance we have used the principle of termination. In the present paper we will describe the need and search of new dielectric material for the fabrication of flame resistant, waterproof and flexible readout pickup strips panel. We will also describe the measurement of Characteristic Impedance of plastic honeycomb based readout strips panel and Silicon Fiber sheet based readout strips panel in a comparative way, and its variation under loading and with time.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2016

Characteristics study of projectiles lightest fragment for 84Kr36 - emulsion interaction at around 1 A GeV

The present article significantly investigated projectiles lightest fragments (proton) multiplicity distribution and probability distribution with 84Kr36 emulsion collision at around 1 A GeV. The multiplicity and normalized multiplicity of projectiles lightest fragments (proton) is correlated with the compound particles, shower particles, black particles, grey particles, helium fragments particles and heavily ionizing charged particles. It is found that projectiles lightest fragments (proton) are strongly correlated with compound particles and shower particles rather than other particles and the average multiplicity of projectiles lightest fragments (proton) increases with increasing compound, shower and heavy ionizing particles. Normalized projectiles lightest fragments (proton) are strongly correlated with compound particles, shower particles and heavy ionizing charge particles. The multiplicity distribution of the projectiles lightest fragments (proton) emitted in the 84Kr36 + emulsion interaction at around 1 A GeV with different target has well explained by KNO scaling. The mean multiplicity of projectiles lightest fragments (proton) depends on the mass number of the projectile and does not significantly dependent of the projectile energy. The mean multiplicity projectiles lightest fragment (proton) increases with increasing the target mass number.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2016

The CUORE Cryostat: A 1-Ton Scale Setup for Bolometric Detectors

The cryogenic underground observatory for rare events (CUORE) is a 1-ton scale bolometric experiment whose detector consists of an array of 988 TeO2 crystals arranged in a cylindrical compact structure of 19 towers. This will be the largest bolometric mass ever operated. The experiment will work at a temperature around or below 10 mK. CUORE cryostat consists of a cryogen-free system based on pulse tubes and a custom high power dilution refrigerator, designed to match these specifications. The cryostat has been commissioned in 2014 at the Gran Sasso National Laboratories and reached a record temperature of 6 mK on a cubic meter scale. In this paper, we present results of CUORE commissioning runs. Details on the thermal characteristics and cryogenic performances of the system will be also given.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2016

Estimation of low energy neutron flux ($E_n\leq15$ MeV) in India-based Neutrino Observatory cavern using Monte Carlo techniques

The neutron flux at low energy ($E_n\leq15$ MeV) resulting from the radioactivity of the rock in the underground cavern of the India-based Neutrino Observatory is estimated using Geant4-based Monte Carlo simulations. The neutron production rate due to the spontaneous fission of $^{235, 238}$U, $^{232}$Th and ($α, n$) interactions in the rock is determined employing the actual rock composition. It is been shown that the total flux is equivalent to a finite size cylindrical rock ($D=L=140$ cm) element. The energy integrated neutron flux thus obtained at the centre of the underground tunnel is 2.76 (0.47) $\times 10^{-6}\rm~n ~cm^{-2}~s^{-1}$. The estimated neutron flux is of the same order ($\sim10^{-6}\rm~n ~cm^{-2}~s^{-1}$)~as measured in other underground laboratories.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2015

Simulation studies for Tin Bolometer Array for Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay

It is important to identify and reduce the gamma radiation which can be a significant source of background for any double beta decay experiment. The TIN.TIN detector array, which is under development for the search of Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay in $^{124}$Sn, has the potential to utilize the hit multiplicity information to discriminate the gamma background from the events of interest. Monte Carlo simulations for optimizing the design of a Tin detector module has been performed by varying element sizes with an emphasis on the gamma background reduction capabilities of the detector array.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2015

Radiation Background Studies for 0$νββ$ decay in $^{124}$Sn

Radiation background studies pertaining to $0νββ$ decay in $^{124}$Sn have been carried out. A TiLES setup has been installed at TIFR for this purpose. Neutron-induced background is studied in the TIN.TIN detector materials using fast neutron activation technique. The neutron flux ($E_n\leq15$ MeV) resulting from SF and ($α, n$) interactions for the rock in the INO cavern is estimated using MC simulations. A two layer composite shield of borated paraffin (20 cm) + Pb (5 cm) is proposed for the reduction of neutron flux.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2015

Optomechanical coupling between a multilayer graphene mechanical resonator and a superconducting microwave cavity

The combination of low mass density, high frequency, and high quality-factor of mechanical resonators made of two-dimensional crystals such as graphene make them attractive for applications in force sensing/mass sensing, and exploring the quantum regime of mechanical motion. Microwave optomechanics with superconducting cavities offers exquisite position sensitivity and enables the preparation and detection of mechanical systems in the quantum ground state. Here, we demonstrate coupling between a multilayer graphene resonator with quality factors up to 220,000 and a high-$\textit{Q}$ superconducting cavity. Using thermo-mechanical noise as calibration, we achieve a displacement sensitivity of 17 fm/$\sqrt{\text{Hz}}$. Optomechanical coupling is demonstrated by optomechanically induced reflection (OMIR) and absorption (OMIA) of microwave photons. We observe 17 dB of mechanical microwave amplification and signatures of strong optomechanical backaction. We extract the cooperativity $C$, a characterization of coupling strength, quantitatively from the measurement with no free parameters and find $C=8$, promising for the quantum regime of graphene motion.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2014

Characterization of neutron transmutation doped (NTD) Ge for low temperature sensor development

Development of NTD Ge sensors has been initiated for low temperature (mK) thermometry in The India-based Tin detector (TIN.TIN). NTD Ge sensors are prepared by thermal neutron irradiation of device grade Ge samples at Dhruva reactor, BARC, Mumbai. Detailed measurements have been carried out in irradiated samples for estimating the carrier concentration and fast neutron induced defects. The Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy (PALS) measurements indicated monovacancy type defects for all irradiated samples, while Channeling studies employing RBS with 2 MeV alpha particles, revealed no significant defects in the samples exposed to fast neutron fluence of $\sim 4\times10^{16}/cm^2$. Both PALS and Channeling studies have shown that vacuum annealing at 600 $^\circ$C for $\sim2$ hours is sufficient to recover the damage in the irradiated samples, thereby making them suitable for the sensor development.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2014

Study of Radioactive Impurities in Neutron Transmutation Doped Germanium

A program to develop low temperature (mK) sensors with neutron transmutation doped Ge for rare event studies with a cryogenic bolometer has been initiated. For this purpose, semiconductor grade Ge wafers are irradiated with thermal neutron flux from Dhruva reactor at BARC, Mumbai. Spectroscopic studies of irradiated samples have revealed that the environment of the capsule used for irradiating the sample leads to significant levels of $^{65}$Zn, $^{110}$Ag and $^{182}$Ta impurities, which can be reduced by chemical etching of approximately $\sim50 μ$m thick surface layer. From measurements of the etched samples in the low background counting setup, activity due to trace impurities of $^{123}$Sb in bulk Ge is estimated to be $\sim$ 1 Bq/gm after irradiation. These estimates indicate that in order to use the NTD Ge sensors for rare event studies, a cool down period of $\sim$ 2 years would be necessary to reduce the radioactive background to $\le$ 1 mBq/gm.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2014

Study of neutron-induced background and its effect on the search of 0$νββ$ decay in $\rm^{124}Sn$

Neutron-induced background has been studied in various components of the TIN.TIN detector, which is under development for the search of Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay in $\rm^{124}Sn$. Fast neutron flux $\sim10^{6}~n~cm^{-2}s^{-1}$ covering a broad energy range ($ \sim0.1$ to $ \sim18$~MeV) was generated using $^{9}Be(p,n)^{9}B$ reaction. In addition, reactions with quasi-monoenergetic neutrons were also studied using $^{7}Li(p,n)^{7}Be$ reaction. Among the different cryogenic support structures studied, Teflon is found to be preferable compared to Torlon as there is no high energy gamma background ($E_γ>$ 1 MeV). Contribution of neutron-induced reactions in $\rm ^{nat, 124} $Sn from other Sn isotopes (A = 112 -- 122) in the energy region of interest, namely, around the $Q_{ββ}$ of $\rm^{124}Sn$ ($E \sim$ 2.293 MeV), is also investigated.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2014

Spitzer Mid-IR Spectroscopy of Powerful 2Jy and 3CRR Radio Galaxies. II. AGN Power Indicators and Unification

It remains uncertain which continuum and emission line diagnostics best indicate the bolometric powers of active galactic nuclei (AGNs), especially given the attenuation caused by the circumnuclear material and the possible contamination by components related to star formation. Here we use mid-IR spectra along with multiwavelength data to investigate the merit of various diagnostics of AGN radiative power, including the mid-IR [Ne III] lambda25.89 mum and [O IV] lambda25.89 mum fine-structure lines, the optical [O III] lambda5007 forbidden line, and mid-IR 24 mum, 5 GHz radio, and X-ray continuum emission, for complete samples of 46 2Jy radio galaxies (0.05 < z < 0.7) and 17 3CRR FRII radio galaxies (z < 0.1). We find that the mid-IR [O IV] line is the most reliable indicator of AGN power for powerful radio-loud AGNs. By assuming that the [O IV] is emitted isotropically, and comparing the [O III] and 24 mum luminosities of the broad- and narrow-line AGNs in our samples at fixed [O IV] luminosity, we show that the [O III] and 24 mum emission are both mildly attenuated in the narrow-line compared to the broad-line objects by a factor of #2. However, despite this attenuation, the [O III] and 24 mum luminosities are better AGN power indicators for our sample than either the 5 GHz radio or the X-ray continuum luminosities. We also detect the mid-IR 9.7 mum silicate feature in the spectra of many objects but not ubiquitously: at least 40% of the sample shows no clear evidence for these features. We conclude that, for the majority of powerful radio galaxies, the mid-IR lines are powered by AGN photoionization.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2014

Probing Radio Emission in Seyfert Galaxies on Parsec- and Kiloparsec-scales

Seyfert galaxies have traditionally been classified as radio-quiet active galactic nuclei. A proper consideration of the nuclear optical emission however proves that a majority of Seyferts are radio-loud. Kpc-scale radio lobes/bubbles are in fact revealed in sensitive observations at low radio frequencies of several Seyferts. Through the use of very long baseline interferometry, we have been able to determine the direction of the parsec-scale jets in some of these Seyfert galaxies. The misalignment between the parsec-scale jets and the kpc-scale lobes that is typically observed, is either suggestive of no connection between the two, or the presence of curved jets that power the radio lobes. In this context, we briefly discuss our new low radio frequency GMRT observations of two Seyfert galaxies with lobes.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2014

Characterization and modeling of a low background HPGe detector

A high efficiency, low background counting setup has been made at TIFR consisting of a special HPGe detector ($\sim$ 70%) surrounded by a low activity copper+lead shield. Detailed measurements are performed with point and extended geometry sources to obtain a complete response of the detector. An effective model of the detector has been made with GEANT4 based Monte Carlo simulations which agrees with experimental data within 5%. This setup will be used for qualification and selection of radio-pure materials to be used in a cryogenic bolometer for the study of Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay in $^{124}$Sn as well as for other rare event studies. Using this setup, radio-impurities in the rock sample from India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) site have been estimated.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2013

System size dependence of hadron $p_T$ spectra in p+p and Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV

We make a systematic study of transverse momentum ($p_T$) spectra of hadrons produced in $p+p$ and in different centralities of Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s}=200$\,GeV using phenomenological fit functions. The Tsallis distribution gives a very good description of hadron spectra in $p+p$ collisions with just two parameters but does not produce the same in Au+Au collisions at intermediate $p_{T}$. To explain the hadron spectra in heavy ion collisions in a wider $p_{T}$ range we propose a modified Tsallis function by introducing an additional parameter which accounts for collective flow. The new analytical function gives a very good description of both mesons and baryons spectra at all centralities of Au+Au collisions in terms of parameters having a potential physics interpretation. With this modified Tsallis function we study the spectra of pions, kaons, protons, $Λ(1115)$ and $Ξ^{-}$ as a function of system size at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$ = 200 GeV. The parameter representing transverse flow increases with system size and is found to be more far baryons than that for mesons in central Au+Au collisions. The freeze-out temperature for baryons increases with centrality in Au+Au collisions more rapidly than for mesons.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2013

Hadron spectra in p+p collisions at RHIC and LHC energies

We present the systematic analysis of transverse momentum ($p_T$) spectra of identified hadrons in p+p collisions at RHIC ($\sqrt{s}$ = 62.4 and 200 GeV) and at LHC energies ($\sqrt{s}$ = 0.9, 2.76 and 7.0 TeV) using phenomenological fit functions. We review various forms of Hagedorn and Tsallis distributions and show their equivalence. We use Tsallis distribution which successfully describes the spectra in p+p collisions using two parameters, Tsallis temperature $T$ which governs the soft bulk spectra and power $n$ which determines the initial production in partonic collisions. We obtain these parameters for pions, kaons and protons as a function of center of mass energy ($\sqrt{s}$). It is found that the parameter $T$ has a weak but decreasing trend with increasing $\sqrt{s}$. The parameter $n$ decreases with increasing $\sqrt{s}$ which shows that production of hadrons at higher energies are increasingly dominated by point like qq scatterings. Another important observation is with increasing $\sqrt{s}$, the separation between the powers for protons and pions narrows down hinting that the baryons and mesons are governed by same production process as one moves to the highest LHC energy.

hep-ph↗