SearcharxivSearch

arXiv subjects

Weihu Ma

Publications and source records attributed to Weihu Ma.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Hyperon-Nucleon Spectrometer

Chirality lies at the heart of low-energy QCD, governing the symmetry structure that shapes hadron masses and strong interaction dynamics. Among the most compelling open questions tied to chiral dynamics and spontaneous chiral symmetry breaking is the longstanding $\Lambda$ polarization puzzle, in which $\Lambda$ hyperons produced in unpolarized hadronic collisions exhibit a surprisingly large transverse polarization that remains theoretically unexplained. This whitepaper presents the proposal for the Hyperon-Nucleon Spectrometer (H-NS) at the High-Intensity heavy-ion Accelerator Facility (HIAF). Leveraging the high energy and high intensity of HIAF's proton and heavy-ion beams, the H-NS experiment will perform systematic studies of hyperon polarization phenomena and their underlying mechanisms in proton-proton ($pp$), proton-nucleus ($pA$), and nucleus-nucleus ($AA$) collisions in the fixed target mode. A wide-range beam energy scan, including proton beams from 3 GeV up to 9.3 GeV (HIAF) and up to 32 GeV (upgraded HIAF), will be conducted to examine the dependence of polarization on collision energy. The spectrometer is designed with specialized detectors capable of high-precision reconstruction of final-state baryon polarizations. Among its many interesting and important measurements, H-NS will simultaneously measure hyperon and proton spin observables to explore the polarization mechanism in hadronic interactions and the spin structure of baryons. Furthermore, the use of $pA$ and $AA$ collisions will enable detailed investigations of cold and hot nuclear matter effects on spin polarization. Its physics program and detector development will significantly benefit the future Electron-ion Collider in China.

physics.ins-det

Spacetime discreteness via consistent microscopic measurement

The physical origin of spacetime discreteness remains a central open problem in quantum gravity, with most existing approaches relying on specific microscopic structures or model-dependent assumptions. In this letter, spacetime discreteness can arise instead as a consequence of consistent microscopic measurement. By treating infinitesimal spacetime intervals as scale-dependent measurement outcomes rather than predefined geometric entities, we formulate a Micro-Measurement Principle in which spacetime quantum fluctuations are encoded directly in the scaling structure. An equivalent dual representation of microscopic lengths leads to discrete, equidistant measurement outcomes, with the corresponding scaling-deformed uncertainty relation thereby reducing to the standard Heisenberg form. The microscopic lengths are further governed by a geometric renormalization-group flow admitting finite-length fixed points. This construction preserves Lorentz invariance and general covariance without ad hoc cutoffs or symmetry breaking. Our results show that the classical continuous-spacetime description corresponds to an unstable limiting regime, whereas a finite microscopic length and a discrete spacetime structure arise naturally from the fundamental requirements of micro-measurement consistency.

gr-qc

Scaling-Based Quantization of Spacetime Microstructure

Planck-scale physics challenges the classical smooth-spacetime picture by introducing quantum fluctuations that imply a nontrivial spacetime microstructure. We present a framework that encodes these fluctuations by promoting local scale factors, rather than the metric tensor, to fundamental dynamical variables while preserving general covariance. The construction employs a two-tiered hierarchy of scale manifolds, comprising a first-order manifold of scale coordinates and a second-order manifold of fluctuation amplitude coordinates. On the first-order manifold, we formulate differential geometry, field equations, and a canonical quantization procedure. The theory yields a geometric renormalization-group flow for scale variables and implies spacetime discreteness at the microscopic level. By constructing a quadratic action and performing spectral decomposition with a stabilizing potential, we obtain discrete modal degrees of freedom quantized as harmonic oscillators. The framework proposes a microscopic description for zero-point energy of spacetime and explores implications for vacuum energy and ultraviolet regularization, suggesting a potential dynamical mechanism that could ameliorate the cosmological constant problem. Main results include a generalized uncertainty relation with scale-dependent coefficients, locally scaled Klein-Gordon and Dirac equations, geodesic equations for scale spacetime, and a microscopic area operator whose state counting is consistent with the Bekenstein-Hawking entropy. This work develops a scale-based quantization procedure, providing a foundation for further mathematical analysis and phenomenological tests of spacetime quantization.

physics.gen-ph

Huizhou Hadron Spectrometer -- a Proposed High-rate Experimental Setup at the High Intensity Heavy-ion Accelerator Facility

The High-Intensity Heavy-Ion Accelerator Facility (HIAF), currently under construction in Huizhou, Guangdong Province, China, is projected to be completed by 2025. This facility will be capable of producing proton and heavy-ion beams with energies reaching several GeV, thereby offering a versatile platform for advanced fundamental physics research. Key scientific objectives include exploring physics beyond the Standard Model through the search for novel particles and interactions, testing fundamental symmetries, investigating exotic hadronic states such as di-baryons, pentaquark states and multi-strange hypernuclei, conducting precise measurements of hadron and hypernucleus properties, and probing the phase boundary and critical point of nuclear matter. To facilitate these investigations, we propose the development of a dedicated experimental apparatus at HIAF - the Huizhou Hadron Spectrometer (HHaS). This paper presents the conceptual design of HHaS, comprising a solenoid magnet, a five-dimensional silicon pixel tracker, a Low-Gain Avalanche Detector (LGAD) for time-of-flight measurements, and a Cherenkov-scintillation dual-readout electromagnetic calorimeter. The design anticipates an unprecedented event rate of 1-100 MHz, extensive particle acceptance, a track momentum resolution at 1% level, an electromagnetic energy resolution of ~3% @ 1 GeV and multi-particle identification capabilities. Such capabilities position HHaS as a powerful instrument for advancing experimental studies in particle and nuclear physics. The successful realization of HHaS is expected to significantly bolster the development of medium- and high-energy physics research within China.

hep-ex

A Novel Framework for Characterizing Spacetime Microstructure with Scaling

The study of physics at the Planck scale has garnered significant attention due to its implications for understanding the fundamental nature of the universe. At the Planck scale, quantum fluctuations challenge the classical notion of spacetime as a smooth continuum, revealing a complex microstructure that defies traditional models. This study introduces a novel scaling-based framework to investigate the properties of spacetime microstructures. By deriving a scaling-characterized metric tensor and reformulating fundamental equations--including the geodesic, Einstein field, Klein-Gordon, and Dirac equation--into scaling forms, the research reveals new properties of local spacetime dynamics. Remarkably, the golden ratio emerges naturally in linear scale measurements, offering a potential explanation for the role of the Planck length in resolving ultraviolet (UV) divergence. Furthermore, the study demonstrates how scale invariance in spacetime can restore classical geometric stability through the renormalization group equations. These findings significantly revise classical geometric intuitions, providing a fresh lens for understanding quantum fluctuations and offering promising insights for advancing quantum gravity theories.

gr-qc

Design and test for the CEPC muon subdetector based on extruded scintillator and SiPM

A combination of scintillator, wavelength shifting (WLS) fiber, and silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) shows an excellent performance in the `$K_{L}$ and $μ$ detector (KLM)' of the Belle II experiment. In this study, we present the R&D efforts for a similar detection technology utilizing a new scintillator and SiPM. This technology can be applied to a muon detector for the proposed CEPC experiment. The R&D encompasses the investigation of the performance of a new 150 cm-long scintillator, the NDL SiPM with a sensitive surface of $\times$ 3 mm, or the Hamamatsu MPPC with a sensitive surface of 1.3 mm $\times$ 1.3 mm. Additionally, it includes the construction of a detector strip and the methods employed to achieve excellent light collection. Cosmic ray tests reveal efficient photon collections by NDL SiPM or MPPC, with efficiencies well above 90% using a threshold of 8 p.e.. The time resolutions for hits at the far end of a scintillator strip are better than 1.7 ns. The observed performance lays the foundation for advancing R&D including prototype modules aiming for reference Technical Design Report of CEPC detector recently.

physics.ins-det

Multifractal Dimension Spectrum Analysis for Nuclear Density Distribution

We present an integral density method for calculating the multifractal dimension spectrum for the nucleon distribution in atomic nuclei. This method is then applied to analyze the non-uniformity of the density distribution in several typical types of nuclear matter distributions, including the Woods-Saxon distribution, the halo structure and the tetrahedral $α$ clustering. The subsequent discussion provides a comprehensive and detailed exploration of the results obtained. The multifractal dimension spectrum shows remarkable sensitivity to the density distribution, establishing it as an effective tool for studying the distribution of nucleons in nuclear multibody systems.

nucl-th

Machine learning method for $^{12}$C event classification and reconstruction in the active target time-projection chamber

Active target time projection chambers are important tools in low energy radioactive ion beams or gamma rays related researches. In this work, we present the application of machine learning methods to the analysis of data obtained from an active target time projection chamber. Specifically, we investigate the effectiveness of Visual Geometry Group (VGG) and the Residual neural Network (ResNet) models for event classification and reconstruction in decays from the excited $2^+_2$ state in $^{12}$C Hoyle rotation band. The results show that machine learning methods are effective in identifying $^{12}$C events from the background noise, with ResNet-34 achieving an impressive precision of 0.99 on simulation data, and the best performing event reconstruction model ResNet-18 providing an energy resolution of $σ_E<77$ keV and an angular reconstruction deviation of $σ_θ<0.1$ rad. The promising results suggest that the ResNet model trained on Monte Carlo samples could be used for future classifying and predicting experimental data in active target time projection chambers related experiments.

physics.ins-det