arXiv subjects

Wenzhen Xu

Publications and source records attributed to Wenzhen Xu.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

GroupEnvoy: A Conversational Agent Speaking for the Outgroup to Foster Intergroup Relations

Conversational agents have the potential to support intergroup relations when psychological or linguistic barriers prevent direct interaction. Based on intergroup contact theory, we propose GroupEnvoy, a text-based conversational agent that represents outgroup perspectives during ingroup discussions. Its dialogue is grounded in data from a prior outgroup-only discussion. To evaluate this approach and derive design principles, we conducted a mixed-methods, between-subjects study with university students, in which host-country students formed the ingroup and international students formed the outgroup. Ingroup students performed a collaborative task while engaging with outgroup perspectives, either by interacting with GroupEnvoy (AI-mediated contact) or by reading a static document (passive exposure). Quantitatively, AI-mediated contact demonstrated a directional reduction in intergroup anxiety and an improvement in perspective-taking. Qualitatively, AI-mediated contact enhanced outcome expectancies and directed empathy toward the outgroup's evaluations of the ingroup, whereas passive exposure fostered future contact intentions and elicited empathy toward the outgroup's lived experiences. These findings present AI-mediated contact as a promising paradigm for improving intergroup relations.

cs.HC↗

arXiv2025

Simulation studies of a high-repetition-rate electron-driven surface muon beamline at SHINE

A high-repetition-rate pulsed muon source operating at approximately 50\,kHz holds the potential to improve the sensitivity of various particle physics and material science experiments involving muons. In this article, we propose utilizing the high-repetition-rate pulsed electron beam at the SHINE facility to generate a surface muon beam. Our simulation studies indicate that an 8\,GeV, 100\,pC charge pulsed electron beam impinging on a copper target can produce up to $2 \times 10^{3}$ muons per pulse. Beamline optimization results demonstrate that approximately 60 surface muons per electron bunch can be efficiently transported to the end of the beamline. This translates to a surface muon rate of $3 \times 10^{6}\,μ^{+}$/s when the pulsed electron beam is operated at 50\,kHz, which is comparable to existing muon facilities. This high-repetition-rate pulsed muon beam, with its ideal time structure, represents a unique and pioneering effort once constructed. It serves as a model for building cost-effective muon sources at existing electron machines with GeV electron energies. In addition to the typical challenges encountered in conventional muon beamlines, such as the installation and construction of the target station and beamline, the removal of substantial quantities of positrons is also a major challenge. A potential solution to this issue is also discussed.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2016

A new muon-pion collection and transport system design using superconducting solenoids based on CSNS

A new muon and pion capture system is proposed for the China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS), currently under construction. Using about 4\% of the pulsed proton beam (1.6 GeV, 4 kW and 1 Hz) of CSNS to bombard a cylindrical graphite target inside a superconducting solenoid, both surface muons and pions can be acquired. The acceptance of this novel capture system - a graphite target wrapped up by a superconducting solenoid - is larger than the normal muon beam lines using quadrupoles at one side of the separated muon target. The muon and pion production at different capture magnetic fields was calculated using Geant4. The bending angle of the capture solenoid with respect to the proton beam was also optimized in simulation to achieve more muons and pions. Based on the layout of the muon experimental area reserved at the CSNS project, a preliminary muon beam line was designed with multi-purpose muon spin rotation areas (surface, decay and low-energy muons). Finally, high-flux surface muons (10$^8$/s) and decay muons (10$^9$/s) simulated by G4beamline will be available at the end of the decay solenoid based on the first phase of CSNS. This collection and transport system will be a very effective beam line at a proton current of 2.5 $μ$A.

physics.acc-ph↗