arXiv subjects

Vasiliki A. Mitsou

Publications and source records attributed to Vasiliki A. Mitsou.

50 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2012

Dynamics and constraints of the dissipative Liouville cosmology

In this article we investigate the properties of the FLRW flat cosmological models in which the cosmic expansion of the Universe is affected by a dilaton dark energy (Liouville scenario). In particular, we perform a detailed study of these models in the light of the latest cosmological data, which serves to illustrate the phenomenological viability of the new dark energy paradigm as a serious alternative to the traditional scalar field approaches. By performing a joint likelihood analysis of the recent supernovae type Ia data (SNIa), the differential ages of passively evolving galaxies, and the Baryonic Acoustic Oscillations (BAOs) traced by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), we put tight constraints on the main cosmological parameters. Furthermore, we study the linear matter fluctuation field of the above Liouville cosmological models. In this framework, we compare the observed growth rate of clustering measured with those predicted by the current Liouville models. Performing a chi^2 statistical test we show that the Liouville cosmological model provides growth rates that match sufficiently well with the observed growth rate. To further test the viability of the models under study, we use the Press-Schechter formalism to derive their expected redshift distribution of cluster-size halos that will be provided by future X-ray and Sunyaev-Zeldovich cluster surveys. We find that the Hubble flow differences between the Liouville and the LambdaCDM models provide a significantly different halo redshift distribution, suggesting that the models can be observationally distinguished.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2012

Implications of a Stochastic Microscopic Finsler Cosmology

Within the context of supersymmetric space-time (D-particle) foam in string/brane-theory, we discuss a Finsler-induced Cosmology and its implications for (thermal) Dark Matter abundances. This constitutes a truly microscopic model of dynamical space-time, where Finsler geometries arise naturally. The D-particle foam model involves point-like brane defects (D-particles), which provide the topologically non-trivial foamy structures of space-time. The D-particles can capture and emit stringy matter and this leads to a recoil of D-particles. It is indicated how one effect of such a recoil of D-particles is a back-reaction on the space-time metric of Finsler type which is stochastic. We show that such a type of stochastic space-time foam can lead to acceptable cosmologies at late epochs of the Universe, due to the non-trivial properties of the supersymmetric (BPS like) D-particle defects, which are such so as not to affect significantly the Hubble expansion. The restrictions placed on the free parameters of the Finsler type metric are obtained from solving the Boltzmann equation in this background for relic abundances of a Lightest Supersymmetric Particle (LSP) dark matter candidate. It is demonstrated that the D-foam acts as a source for particle production in the Boltzmann equation, thereby leading to enhanced thermal LSP relic abundances relative to those in the Standard LambdaCDM Cosmology. For D-particle masses of order TeV, such effects may be relevant for dark matter searches at colliders. The latter constraints complement those coming from high energy gamma-ray astronomy on the induced vacuum refractive index that D-foam models entail. We also comment briefly on the production mechanisms of such TeV-mass stringy defects at colliders, which, in view of the current LHC experimental searches, will impose further constraints on their couplings.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2011

ATLAS silicon microstrip tracker: operation and performance

The Semiconductor Tracker (SCT) is a silicon strip detector and one of the key precision tracking devices in the Inner Detector of the ATLAS experiment at CERN LHC. The completed SCT has been installed inside the ATLAS experimental cavern since 2007 and has been operational since then. Calibration data has been taken regularly and analyzed to determine the performance of the system. In this paper the current status of the SCT is reviewed, including results from data-taking periods in 2010 and 2011. We report on the operation of the detector including overviews on services, connectivity and observed problems. The main emphasis is given to the performance of the SCT with the LHC in collision mode and to the performance of individual electronic components.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2011

Monopolium detection at the LHC

Dirac monopoles have been widely studied and searched, though never found. A way out of this impasse is the idea that monopoles are not seen freely because they are confined by their strong magnetic forces forming a monopole-antimonopole bound state called monopolium. Monopolium was shown to be produced abundantly and in some scenarios easier to detect than monopoles themselves. The Large Hadron Collider is reaching energies never achieved before allowing the search for exotic particles in the TeV mass range. We extend our previous analysis to the observability of monopolium at LHC in the gamma-gamma channel particularizing our quantitative discussion to monopolium masses that can be detected with integrated luminosites 1 fb^(-1).

hep-ph↗

arXiv2011

Dark matter searches at LHC

Besides Standard Model measurements and other Beyond Standard Model studies, the ATLAS and CMS experiments at the LHC will search for Supersymmetry, one of the most attractive explanation for dark matter. The SUSY discovery potential with early data is presented here together with some first results obtained with 2010 collision data at 7 TeV. Emphasis is placed on measurements and parameter determination that can be performed to disentangle the possible SUSY models and SUSY look-alike and the interpretation of a possible positive supersymmetric signal as an explanation of dark matter.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2011

Looking for magnetic monopoles at LHC

Magnetic monopoles have been a subject of interest since Dirac established the relation between the existence of monopoles and charge quantization. The intense experimental search carried thus far has not met with success. We study the observability of monopoles at the Large Hadron collider in the photon-photon channel and show that LHC is an ideal machine to discover monopoles with masses below 1 TeV at present running energies and with less than 1 fb^{-1} of integrated luminosity.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2009

Constraining super-critical string/brane cosmologies with astrophysical data

We discuss fits of unconventional dark energy models to the available data from high-redshift supernovae, distant galaxies and baryon oscillations. The models are based either on brane cosmologies or on Liouville strings in which a relaxation dark energy is provided by a rolling dilaton field (Q-cosmology). Such cosmologies feature the possibility of effective four-dimensional negative-energy dust and/or exotic scaling of dark matter. We find evidence for a negative-energy dust at the current era, as well as for exotic-scaling (a^{-delta}) contributions to the energy density, with delta ~= 4, which could be due to dark matter coupling with the dilaton in Q-cosmology models. We conclude that Q-cosmology fits the data equally well with the LambdaCDM model for a range of parameters that are in general expected from theoretical considerations.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2009

Experimental prospects at the Large Hadron Collider

This review focuses on the expected performance of the ATLAS and CMS detectors at the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC), together with some of the highlights of the global commissioning work done in 2008 with basically fully operational detectors. A selection of early physics measurements, expected to be performed with the data taken in 2009/2010 is included for completion, together with a brief reminder of the ultimate physics potential of the LHC.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2007

Constraints on Dissipative Non-Equilibrium Dark Energy Models from Recent Supernova Data

Non-critical string cosmologies may be viewed as the analogue of off-equilibrium models arising within string theory as a result of a cosmically catastrophic event in the early Universe. Such models entail relaxing-to-zero dark energies provided by a rolling dilaton field at late times. We discuss fits of such non-critical models to high-redshift supernovae data, including the recent ones by HST and ESSENCE and compare the results with those of a conventional model with Cold Dark Matter and a cosmological constant and a model invoking super-horizon perturbations.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Observational Evidence for Negative-Energy Dust in Late-Times Cosmology

We perform fits of unconventional dark energy models to the available data from high-redshift supernovae, distant galaxies and baryon oscillations. The models are based either on brane cosmologies or on Liouville strings in which a relaxation dark energy is provided by a rolling dilaton field (Q-cosmology). An interesting feature of such cosmologies is the possibility of effective four-dimensional negative-energy dust and/or exotic scaling of dark matter. An important constraint that can discriminate among models is the evolution of the Hubble parameter as a function of the redshift, H(z). We perform fits using a unifying formula for the evolution of H(z), applicable to different models. We find evidence for a negative-energy dust at the current era, as well as for exotic-scaling (a^{-delta}) contributions to the energy density, with 3.3<delta<4.3. The latter could be due to dark matter coupling with the dilaton in Q-cosmology models, but it is also compatible with the possibility of dark radiation from a brane Universe to the bulk in brane-world scenarios, which could also encompass Q-cosmology models. The best-fit model seems to include an a^{-2}-scaling contribution to the energy density of the Universe, which is characteristic of the dilaton relaxation in Q-cosmology models, not to be confused with the spatial curvature contribution of conventional cosmology. We conclude that Q-cosmology fits the data equally well with the Lambda-CDM model for a range of parameters that are in general expected from theoretical considerations.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Readout Electronics Tests and Integration of the ATLAS Semiconductor Tracker

The SemiConductor Tracker (SCT) together with the Pixel detector and the Transition Radiation Tracker (TRT) form the central tracking system of the ATLAS experiment at the LHC. It consists of single-sided microstrip silicon sensors, which are read out via binary ASICs based on the DMILL technology, and the data are transmitted via radiation-hard optical fibres. After an overview of the SCT detector layout and readout system, the final-stage assembly of large-scale structures and the integration with the TRT is presented. The focus is on the electrical performance of the overall SCT detector system through the different integration stages, including the detector control and data acquisition system.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2006

Relaxation dark energy in non-critical string cosmologies and astrophysical data

In this talk we review briefly the basic features of non-critical (dissipative) String Cosmologies, and we confront some of these models with supernova data. We pay particular attention to the off-shell and dilaton contributions to the dynamical evolution equations of the non-critical string Universe, as well as the Boltzmann equation for species abundances. The latter could have important consequences for the modification of astrophysical constraints on physically appealing particle physics models, such as supersymmetry. The data fits show that non-critical string cosmologies may be viable alternatives to LambdaCDM model.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2006

Production Performance of the ATLAS Semiconductor Tracker Readout System

The ATLAS Semiconductor Tracker (SCT) together with the pixel and the transition radiation detectors will form the tracking system of the ATLAS experiment at LHC. It will consist of 20000 single-sided silicon microstrip sensors assembled back-to-back into modules mounted on four concentric barrels and two end-cap detectors formed by nine disks each. The SCT module production and testing has finished while the macro-assembly is well under way. After an overview of the layout and the operating environment of the SCT, a description of the readout electronics design and operation requirements will be given. The quality control procedure and the DAQ software for assuring the electrical functionality of hybrids and modules will be discussed. The focus will be on the electrical performance results obtained during the assembly and testing of the end-cap SCT modules.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2004

QCD studies with ATLAS at the LHC

The study of QCD processes at the LHC will serve two main goals. First, the predictions of Quantum Chromodynamics will be tested and precision measurements will be performed, allowing additional constraints to be established, and providing measurements of the strong coupling constant. Second, QCD processes represent a major part of the background to other Standard Model processes and signals of new physics at the LHC and therefore need to be understood in depth. An overview of various measurements of QCD-related processes to be performed at the LHC is presented, based on final states containing high-pT leptons, photons and jets. Moreover, possible deviations from QCD predictions indicating presence of new physics are discussed.

hep-ph↗