Showing 1–50 of 7,362 results for author: B.

Improved $^{94}$Mo neutron resonance parameters from neutron capture and transmission measurements at n_TOF and GELINA

Authors: R. Mucciola, S. Cristallo, S. Kopecky, N. Liu, C. Massimi, A. Mengoni, A. Manna, C. Paradela, P. Schillebeeckx, G. Sibbens, D. Vescovi, O. Aberle, V. Alcayne, S. Altieri, S. Amaducci, J. Andrzejewski, V. Babiano-Suarez, M. Bacak, J. Balibrea-Correa, C. Beltrami, S. Bennett, A. P. Bernardes, E. Berthoumieux, R. Beyer, M. Boromiza , et al. (118 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: We report high-resolution measurements of the $^{94}\mathrm{Mo}(\mathrm{n},γ)^{95}\mathrm{Mo}$ cross section in the neutron energy range from a few eV up to about 250 keV, performed at the n_TOF facility (CERN), and of the $^{94}\mathrm{Mo}(\mathrm{n},\mathrm{tot})$ cross section up to 32 keV, measured at GELINA (JRC Geel). A combined R-matrix analysis of capture and transmission data yields signi… ▽ More We report high-resolution measurements of the $^{94}\mathrm{Mo}(\mathrm{n},γ)^{95}\mathrm{Mo}$ cross section in the neutron energy range from a few eV up to about 250 keV, performed at the n_TOF facility (CERN), and of the $^{94}\mathrm{Mo}(\mathrm{n},\mathrm{tot})$ cross section up to 32 keV, measured at GELINA (JRC Geel). A combined R-matrix analysis of capture and transmission data yields significantly improved neutron-resonance parameters for $^{94}$Mo. A total of 186 resonances were observed in this analysis of which 127 reported here for the first time. The resulting Maxwellian-averaged cross section at stellar temperatures relevant to the slow neutron-capture process (s-process) is approximately 25% lower than previous evaluations and literature values. To assess the astrophysical impact of the revised cross section, we performed s-process nucleosynthesis calculations for low-mass asymptotic giant branch stars. Despite the substantial reduction in the $^{94}\mathrm{Mo}(\mathrm{n},γ)^{95}\mathrm{Mo}$ rate, the final yields vary by only 3-4%. This demonstrates that the isotopic budget of $^{94}$Mo in AGB stars is primarily governed by the branching flow at $^{94}\mathrm{Nb}$ rather than by the neutron-capture destruction on $^{94}$Mo itself. The new cross section thus helps disentangle nuclear cross-section uncertainties from branching-flow effects in the s-process production of $^{94}$Mo. △ Less

Submitted 19 August, 2026; originally announced August 2026.

Symbolic Regression for Interpretable Emulation of Proton Collective Flow in Intermediate-Energy Heavy-Ion Collisions

Authors: Nicholas Cox, Xavier Grundler, Bao-An Li

Abstract: Symbolic regression provides an interpretable machine-learning approach for constructing explicit analytic relations between physical inputs and observables. In this work, we develop symbolic-regression emulators for the isospin-dependent Boltzmann-Uehling-Uhlenbeck (IBUU) transport model and compare their performance with deep neural network (DNN) emulators. Using the same transport-model data em… ▽ More Symbolic regression provides an interpretable machine-learning approach for constructing explicit analytic relations between physical inputs and observables. In this work, we develop symbolic-regression emulators for the isospin-dependent Boltzmann-Uehling-Uhlenbeck (IBUU) transport model and compare their performance with deep neural network (DNN) emulators. Using the same transport-model data employed in our previous emulator studies, we show that symbolic regression can reproduce the proton mid-rapidity slope $F_1$ of transverse flow $v_1$ and elliptic flow $v_2$ with accuracy comparable to that of DNNs, while providing explicit analytic expressions and substantially faster prediction once trained. We further demonstrate the use of symbolic regression in the reverse direction by constructing analytic relations that predict the in-medium nucleon-nucleon cross-section modification factor $X$ from the flow observables. Although the symbolic-regression models require substantially longer training times and exhibit greater run-to-run variation than DNNs, their analytic form and rapid evaluation make them promising tools for future transport-model sensitivity and uncertainty analyses. △ Less

Submitted 18 August, 2026; originally announced August 2026.

Comments: 12 pages including 4 figures

Probing the Size of Neutron and Proton Single-Particle Orbitals from Nucleon Knockout Reactions

Authors: M. Enciu, A. Obertelli, P. Doornenbal, C. Barbieri, S. Brolli, M. Heinz, W. Horiuchi, T. Inakura, W. H. Long, T. Miyagi, F. Nowacki, K. Ogata, A. Poves, A. Schwenk, K. Yoshida, N. L. Achouri, H. Baba, F. Browne, D. Calvet, F. Château, S. Chen, N. Chiga, A. Corsi, M. L. Cortés, A. Delbart , et al. (61 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: The size of neutron and proton single-particle orbitals of $^{52}$Ca, $^{53}$Ca, $^{54}$Ca, and $^{55}$Sc were investigated via nucleon knockout reactions at $\sim$ 230 MeV/nucleon. The determination method is based on the measured fragment momentum distributions in $(p,pn)$ and $(p,2p)$ reactions, which are shown to be sensitive to the spatial extension of the wave function of the knocked-out nuc… ▽ More The size of neutron and proton single-particle orbitals of $^{52}$Ca, $^{53}$Ca, $^{54}$Ca, and $^{55}$Sc were investigated via nucleon knockout reactions at $\sim$ 230 MeV/nucleon. The determination method is based on the measured fragment momentum distributions in $(p,pn)$ and $(p,2p)$ reactions, which are shown to be sensitive to the spatial extension of the wave function of the knocked-out nucleon, interpreted within the distorted wave impulse approximation (DWIA) framework. A systematic sensitivity study is carried out for the $(p,pn)$ recoil-momentum distribution method and is presented in this work. The experimental momentum distributions are compared to state-of-the-art mean field and $ab$ $initio$ in-medium similarity renormalization group and self-consistent Green's function calculations in combination with DWIA reaction theory calculations. Based on this work, the 1$p$ neutron orbitals are consistently found $0.48-0.78$ fm larger than the $0f_{7/2}$ neutron orbitals in $^{52-54}$Ca, while the size evolution of the valence proton orbitals remains inconclusive due to the large associated statistical uncertainties. △ Less

Submitted 17 August, 2026; originally announced August 2026.

Comments: 17 pages, 18 figures

Best Reaction Target To Determine Proton Distribution Radii of Atomic Nuclei

Authors: Jun-Yao Xu, Bao-Hua Sun, Isao Tanihata, Satoru Terashima, Jian-Wei Zhao, Ji-Chao Zhang, Ge Guo, Shi-Tao Wang, Lei Shen, Jun Su, Xiao-Dong Xu, Andrej Prochazka, Guang-Shuai Li, Xiu-Lin Wei, Chang-Jian Wang, Feng Wang, Meng Wang, Jing Wang, Liu-Chun He, Chuan-Ye Liu, Wen-Jian Lin, Wei-Ping Lin, Zhong Liu, Pei-Pei Ren, Yu Zhang , et al. (7 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: We found that a heavy target such as Pb is most suitable for determining the proton distribution radii of unstable nuclei through charge-changing cross-section ($σ_\text{cc}$) measurements. As a heavy ion probe, low-$Z$ targets are routinely used to determine nucleon distribution radii of unstable isotopes. This approach has recently been extended to study proton distribution radii from… ▽ More We found that a heavy target such as Pb is most suitable for determining the proton distribution radii of unstable nuclei through charge-changing cross-section ($σ_\text{cc}$) measurements. As a heavy ion probe, low-$Z$ targets are routinely used to determine nucleon distribution radii of unstable isotopes. This approach has recently been extended to study proton distribution radii from $σ_\text{cc}$ measurements. However, empirical scaling factors have to be introduced to apply the Glauber models. In the present work, we systematically investigated the scaling factor using 39 new $σ_\text{cc}$ data of 18 $p$-shell nuclei on hydrogen, carbon, silver, and lead targets at around 240 MeV/nucleon. Together with the existing data, we reveal a universal dependence of the scaling factor on both the masses of target nuclei and the separation energies of projectile nuclei. The scaling factors decrease with increasing target-nucleus mass and converge to 1 for the highest-$Z$ target, making the scaling unnecessary. We conclude that instead of a low-$Z$ target, employing a heavy target such as Pb in $σ_\text{cc}$ measurements is the best option to determine the proton distribution radii of unstable nuclei. △ Less

Submitted 14 August, 2026; originally announced August 2026.

How Neutron Star Radii Encode the Dense-Matter Equation of State and Hadron-Quark Transition

Authors: Bao-An Li, Xavier Grundler

Abstract: We investigate how future high-precision neutron star (NS) radius measurements encode microscopic information about the dense-matter equation of state (EOS), focusing on a possible first-order hadron--quark phase transition and the resulting mass--radius topology. Within a Bayesian framework using meta-model EOSs with nine microscopic parameters, we analyze mock radius measurements… ▽ More We investigate how future high-precision neutron star (NS) radius measurements encode microscopic information about the dense-matter equation of state (EOS), focusing on a possible first-order hadron--quark phase transition and the resulting mass--radius topology. Within a Bayesian framework using meta-model EOSs with nine microscopic parameters, we analyze mock radius measurements $R_{1.4}=11.9\pmσ_R$ km with $σ_R=0.9$ and $0.1$ km for canonical NSs. We introduce inverse EOS--radius mappings that give the posterior mean of each EOS parameter as a function of $R_{1.4}$. Their slope measures radius sensitivity, while their curvature determines the leading precision dependence of the posterior mean through the Jensen expansion. Resolving the mappings into four mass--radius topologies, Connected, Disconnected, Both, and No-Quark-Matter, reveals a clear hierarchy of information. The symmetry-energy parameters $L$ (slope) and $K_{\rm sym}$ (curvature) are strongly encoded in $R_{1.4}$ and their posterior means shift appreciably with improved radius precision, whereas the higher-order hadronic parameters show stronger topology dependence. Among the transition parameters, the transition density $ρ_t$ is the most strongly encoded in $R_{1.4}$, while the energy-density jump and quark-matter sound speed are more strongly associated with the topology of the full mass--radius sequence. Since the different topologies have strongly overlapping $R_{1.4}$ distributions, even precise radius measurements cannot by themselves identify the topology or uniquely determine the high-density transition properties. These results provide a parameter-dependent hierarchy for assessing the scientific return of future high-precision radius measurements and complementary probes of high-density △ Less

Submitted 12 August, 2026; originally announced August 2026.

Comments: 15 pages including 7 figures

Excited states of $^{148}$Nd studied via the $^{150}$Nd$(p,t){}^{148}$Nd reaction and the observation of possible low-spin two-phonon octupole states at $N=88$

Authors: A. L. Conley, M. Spieker, R. Aggarwal, L. T. Baby, J. Davis, J. Esparza, I. Hay, B. Kelly, T. Kirk, M. I. Khawaja, R. Mahajan, M. Mestayer, A. B. Morelock, A. Peters, A. M. Ring, J. Sheridan, V. Sitaraman, T. Stuck

Abstract: We report new data from a $^{150}$Nd$(p,t){}^{148}$Nd experiment performed at the John D. Fox Accelerator Laboratory of Florida State University. In total, 54 excited states of $^{148}$Nd were observed up to an excitation energy of 3500 keV. In this work, we focus on $0^+$ states and their band members. In contrast to previous work, the $0^+_3$ band is proposed as the candidate for the two-phonon… ▽ More We report new data from a $^{150}$Nd$(p,t){}^{148}$Nd experiment performed at the John D. Fox Accelerator Laboratory of Florida State University. In total, 54 excited states of $^{148}$Nd were observed up to an excitation energy of 3500 keV. In this work, we focus on $0^+$ states and their band members. In contrast to previous work, the $0^+_3$ band is proposed as the candidate for the two-phonon octupole vibrational band. Supporting $spdf$ IBM-1 calculations are presented. To test the robustness of the IBM calculations, several observables were interrogated and are discussed in this publication. In addition, we make the case that neither the $0^+_2$ nor the $0^+_3$ states of the other $N=88$ isotones are likely good candidates for two-phonon octupole states. Based on our new data for $^{148}$Nd, we propose candidates in $^{150}$Sm and $^{152}$Gd. Using available $γ$-decay data for states with moderate spins in the yrast sequence and a comparison to IBM calculations, we also show how the staggering of the $B(E1)/B(E2)$ ratios in the yrast sequence can possibly be used to probe the appearance of bands with multiple octupole phonons. △ Less

Submitted 12 August, 2026; originally announced August 2026.

Comments: 10 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in Physical Review C

Physics of the Electron-Ion Collider in China

Authors: Bo-Wen Xiao, Yuxiang Zhao, Jian Zhou

Abstract: The Electron-Ion Collider in China (EicC), a cutting-edge facility under development, aims to unveil the internal structure of nucleons and nuclei by leveraging collisions of high-intensity polarized electrons and ions (polarized protons, polarized deuterons, polarized $^{3}$He, and unpolarized heavy ions up to Uranium) at center-of-mass energies of 15-20 GeV and luminosity of (2-4)… ▽ More The Electron-Ion Collider in China (EicC), a cutting-edge facility under development, aims to unveil the internal structure of nucleons and nuclei by leveraging collisions of high-intensity polarized electrons and ions (polarized protons, polarized deuterons, polarized $^{3}$He, and unpolarized heavy ions up to Uranium) at center-of-mass energies of 15-20 GeV and luminosity of (2-4)$\times 10^{33}$cm$^{-2}$s$^{-1}$. Its primary physics objectives include 3D tomography of nucleon spin and momentum structure, fundamental questions regarding the origin of nucleon mass, partonic structure of nuclei and parton interactions with the nuclear environment, and exploration of exotic hadronic states. In this paper, we review the physics potential of the EicC and highlight its unique capabilities for advancing precision nucleon structure studies by combining its specialized kinematic coverage and high luminosity. Since traditional topics like 3D nucleon structure have already been well-covered by several extensive reviews, we have deliberately dedicated significant space to recent progress in nucleon mass decomposition, nucleon energy-energy correlation, quantum information, and artificial intelligence applications in high-energy nuclear physics, which have been emerging rapidly and attracted a tremendous amount of attention in the community. △ Less

Submitted 16 August, 2026; v1 submitted 12 August, 2026; originally announced August 2026.

Comments: 93 pages with new updates. Invited review article submitted to "Progress in Particle and Nuclear Physics" (PPNP); comments are welcome; v2

First measurement of polarized spin-density matrix elements and differential cross sections d$σ$/d$t$ in $ω$~photoproduction off the proton for $2.7 < E_γ< 5.2$ GeV using CLAS at Jefferson Lab

Authors: T. Hu, Z. Akbar, V. Crede, J. M. Laget, V. Mathieu, M. J. Amaryan, W. R. Armstrong, H. Atac, N. A. Baltzell, L. Barion, M. Battaglieri, I. Bedlinskiy, B. Benkel, F. Benmokhtar, A. Bianconi, L. Biondo, A. Biselli, M. Bondi, F. Bossù, S. Boiarinov, W. J. Briscoe, S. Bueltmann, D. Bulumulla, V. D. Burkert, R. Capobianco , et al. (125 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: We report on the differential cross sections d$σ$/d$t$, the unpolarized spin-density matrix elements $ρ^0_{00}$, $ρ^0_{1-1}$, Re\,$ρ^0_{10}$, and the first extraction of the polarized elements Im\,$ρ^3_{10}$, Im\,$ρ^3_{1-1}$ for the reaction $γp\to pω$ using the CLAS spectrometer at Jefferson Laboratory. The $ω$~mesons were detected in their dominant charged decay mode, $ω\to π^+π^-π^0$, and all… ▽ More We report on the differential cross sections d$σ$/d$t$, the unpolarized spin-density matrix elements $ρ^0_{00}$, $ρ^0_{1-1}$, Re\,$ρ^0_{10}$, and the first extraction of the polarized elements Im\,$ρ^3_{10}$, Im\,$ρ^3_{1-1}$ for the reaction $γp\to pω$ using the CLAS spectrometer at Jefferson Laboratory. The $ω$~mesons were detected in their dominant charged decay mode, $ω\to π^+π^-π^0$, and all $t$-dependent results are presented in a fine binning for incident photon energies between 2.73 and 5.16~GeV (corresponding to the center-of-mass energy range $W \in [\,2.45,3.25\,]$~GeV). All matrix elements are first measurements for $-t > 0.6$~GeV$^2$. Moreover, differential cross sections d$σ$/d(cos\,$Θ_{\rm \,c.m.}^{\,ω}$) and the corresponding angle-dependent unpolarized spin-density matrix elements in the Adair frame are presented for the incident photon energy range 1.56--3.80~GeV (corresponding to $W \in [\,1.95,2.83\,]$~GeV). These new $ω$~photoproduction data are consistent with earlier CLAS results but extend the energy range well beyond the nucleon resonance region into the Regge regime. The comparison with Regge-theory-based model predictions shows that the new data impose more stringent constraints on our understanding of $ω$~photoproduction. △ Less

Submitted 11 August, 2026; originally announced August 2026.

Comments: 9 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication by Physics Letters B

An improved direct limit on the muon electric dipole moment

Authors: The Muon g-2 Collaboration, :, D. P. Aguillard, T. Albahri, D. Allspach, J. Annala, K. Badgley, S. Baeßler, L. Bailey, E. Barlas-Yucel, T. Barrett, E. Barzi, F. Bedeschi, M. Berz, M. Bhattacharya, H. P. Binney, P. Bloom, J. Bono, E. Bottalico, T. Bowcock, S. Braun, M. Bressler, G. Cantatore, R. M. Carey, B. C. K. Casey , et al. (171 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: A limit on the permanent electric dipole moment (EDM) of the positive muon is presented based on data from the Fermilab Muon g-2 Experiment taken between 2019 and 2020. The tracking detectors measure the average vertical decay angle of positrons from muon decays, enabling a search for an interaction between a possible muon EDM $d_μ$ and the lab-frame magnetic field. The result,… ▽ More A limit on the permanent electric dipole moment (EDM) of the positive muon is presented based on data from the Fermilab Muon g-2 Experiment taken between 2019 and 2020. The tracking detectors measure the average vertical decay angle of positrons from muon decays, enabling a search for an interaction between a possible muon EDM $d_μ$ and the lab-frame magnetic field. The result, $d_μ= (-0.35 \pm 0.19_{\mathrm{stat}} \pm 0.34_{\mathrm{sys}}) \times10^{-19}~e\cdot$cm, is consistent with zero and sets a new direct limit on the muon EDM of $|d_μ|<1.10\times10^{-19}~e\cdot$cm at the 95 percent confidence level. △ Less

Submitted 11 August, 2026; originally announced August 2026.

Comments: 8 pages, 3 figures

Report number: FERMILAB-PUB-26-0587-AD-CSAID-PPD

Probing Gluon Linear Polarization with Dihadron Fragmentation in $χ_b$ Decays

Authors: Zhi-Guo He, Guanghui Li, Yang Liu, Yu-Jie Tian, Xin-Kai Wen, Bin Yan

Abstract: The dihadron fragmentation function (DiFF) of a linearly polarized gluon has not yet been accessed experimentally, leaving an important aspect of spin-dependent gluon hadronization unexplored. We show that, at leading order, the color-singlet decay channel of the $P$-wave bottomonium state $χ_{b0}$ produces two energetic gluons with correlated linear polarizations. Within collinear factorization,… ▽ More The dihadron fragmentation function (DiFF) of a linearly polarized gluon has not yet been accessed experimentally, leaving an important aspect of spin-dependent gluon hadronization unexplored. We show that, at leading order, the color-singlet decay channel of the $P$-wave bottomonium state $χ_{b0}$ produces two energetic gluons with correlated linear polarizations. Within collinear factorization, their fragmentation into separate dihadron pairs generates an Artru--Collins-type angular correlation that provides the first direct probe of the linearly polarized gluon DiFF, while the corresponding semi-inclusive decay rate constrains the unpolarized gluon DiFF. A spectator-model benchmark indicates percent-level asymmetries, potentially within reach of existing Belle data. A dedicated Belle~II data set would substantially improve the statistical precision, enabling more stringent constraints on the kinematic dependence of the linearly polarized gluon DiFF. △ Less

Submitted 11 August, 2026; originally announced August 2026.

Comments: 6 pages, 4 figures

Report number: CPTNP-2026-022

The iSTORM Instrument for Airborne Measurements of Gamma-Ray Emissions from Thunderstorms

Authors: Daniel Shy, J. Eric Grove, Bernard Phlips, Alena Schell, Mary Johnson-Rambert, Mason Quick, David Corredor, Scott Podgorny, Roy Salinas, Mitch Davis

Abstract: The in-Situ Thunderstorm Observer for Radiation Mechanisms (iSTORM) is a gamma-ray spectrometer to study gamma-ray transients originating from thunderstorms, such as glows and terrestrial gamma-ray flashes (TGFs). It is designed and built by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory for deployment aboard a NASA ER-2 aircraft. Using an array of 32 one-inch-diameter $\mathrm{CeBr}_3$ scintillators read out… ▽ More The in-Situ Thunderstorm Observer for Radiation Mechanisms (iSTORM) is a gamma-ray spectrometer to study gamma-ray transients originating from thunderstorms, such as glows and terrestrial gamma-ray flashes (TGFs). It is designed and built by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory for deployment aboard a NASA ER-2 aircraft. Using an array of 32 one-inch-diameter $\mathrm{CeBr}_3$ scintillators read out with silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs), the instrument achieves an energy range of $\sim 250 \ \mathrm{keV}$ to $5 \ \mathrm{MeV}$ under flight conditions, with a total geometrical area of $157 \ \mathrm{cm^2}$. One of two gamma-ray instruments in the ALOFT campaign, iSTORM recorded glows, terrestrial gamma-ray flashes (TGFs), and the newly discovered flickering gamma-ray flashes (FGFs). △ Less

Submitted 6 August, 2026; originally announced August 2026.

Alpha Particle Induced Collision Cascade Fusion

Authors: Sandeep Puri, Noah D'Amico, Andrew Gillespie, Ian Jones, Cuikun Lin, Bo Zhao, R. V. Duncan

Abstract: We report experimental and computational investigations of a collision-cascade mechanism to induce deuterium-deuterium (D-D) fusion. Evidence of neutron production was observed from a pressurized deuterium target exposed to energetic alpha particles emitted by a $^{210}\text{Po}$ source. A 5-mCi $^{210}\text{Po}$ alpha source was placed within a chamber containing pressurized deuterium gas, and ne… ▽ More We report experimental and computational investigations of a collision-cascade mechanism to induce deuterium-deuterium (D-D) fusion. Evidence of neutron production was observed from a pressurized deuterium target exposed to energetic alpha particles emitted by a $^{210}\text{Po}$ source. A 5-mCi $^{210}\text{Po}$ alpha source was placed within a chamber containing pressurized deuterium gas, and neutron emission was monitored for 18 h using two Mirion SN-S $^{3}\text{He}$ neutron detectors. Alpha particles incident on pressurized deuterium gas produced an average excess of $\sim$74 neutrons after background subtraction, corresponding to a fusion neutron rate of $\sim$2.24 n/s. With LiD in the pressurized deuterium, the average excess increased to 268 neutrons, corresponding to 8.1 n/s. Since D-D fusion branches into two equally likely pathways, these correspond to a fusion rate near 4.5 and 16.2 fusions per second, respectively. MCNP simulations incorporating experimental geometry, source activity, and detector configuration predicted neutron yields within 5.4% of the measured values and reproduced the detector response within experimental uncertainty. The tight agreement between measured and simulated neutron counts suggests that energetic alpha-particle interactions within the deuterium may contribute to measurable D-D fusion reactions through the D(d,n)$^{3}\text{He}$ channel. △ Less

Submitted 10 August, 2026; originally announced August 2026.

Comments: 10 pages, 4 figures

Long-lived opposite-parity states and the onset of octupole collectivity in atomic nuclei

Authors: Bui Minh Loc, Hoang Thai An, Nguyen Le Anh, Panagiota Papakonstantinou, Naftali Auerbach

Abstract: Octupole deformation in atomic nuclei is of interest for both nuclear structure and precision tests of fundamental symmetries, but identifying regions of octupole collectivity remains challenging. We analyze low-energy spectra of odd-mass nuclei and uncover a previously unrecognized empirical regularity that serves as a signature of octupole collectivity in neighboring even-even systems. The obser… ▽ More Octupole deformation in atomic nuclei is of interest for both nuclear structure and precision tests of fundamental symmetries, but identifying regions of octupole collectivity remains challenging. We analyze low-energy spectra of odd-mass nuclei and uncover a previously unrecognized empirical regularity that serves as a signature of octupole collectivity in neighboring even-even systems. The observed patterns, which can be understood within a core-coupling picture, are consistent with previous theoretical studies and lead to predictions for neutron-rich and proton-deficient nuclei. These findings provide a simple empirical guide for identifying promising candidates for future experiments and microscopic calculations. △ Less

Submitted 10 August, 2026; originally announced August 2026.

Comments: 6 pages, 1 figure

Tensor analyzing power $T_{20}$ in the reaction $γ\vec{d}\to pn$ at photon energies 350-680 MeV

Authors: V. V. Gauzshtein, A. I. Fix, V. I. Ivanov, D. M. Nikolenko, I. A. Rachek, Yu. V. Shestakov, D. K. Toporkov, A. V. Yurchenko, S. A. Zevakov, G. N. Baranov, A. V. Bogomyagkov, V. M. Borin, E. M. Darwish, D. V. Dorokhova, V. L. Dorokhov, S. E. Karnaev, A. A. Kovalenko, V. N. Kudryavtsev, M. I. Levchuk, E. B. Levichev, I. B. Logashenko, A. Yu. Loginov, T. V. Maltsev, R. Z. Mamutov, I. N. Okunev , et al. (8 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: We present measurements of the tensor analyzing power $T_{20}$ in the reaction $γ{d}\to pn$ at photon energies $E_γ= 350$-$680$~MeV. The experiment was performed at the VEPP-3 storage ring using an internal tensor-polarized deuterium gas target and a tagged quasi-real photon beam. The data were obtained for proton emission angles $Θ_p = 70^\circ$-$102^\circ$. Comparison with modern meson-baryon ca… ▽ More We present measurements of the tensor analyzing power $T_{20}$ in the reaction $γ{d}\to pn$ at photon energies $E_γ= 350$-$680$~MeV. The experiment was performed at the VEPP-3 storage ring using an internal tensor-polarized deuterium gas target and a tagged quasi-real photon beam. The data were obtained for proton emission angles $Θ_p = 70^\circ$-$102^\circ$. Comparison with modern meson-baryon calculations shows generally satisfactory agreement within the present uncertainties. A theoretical analysis of an extended data set, covering the energy range from threshold to 680~MeV and including both the new data and the previous results from 2007, is presented. △ Less

Submitted 10 August, 2026; originally announced August 2026.

Comments: 10 pages, 9 figures

Measurement of the Electron capture of $^{76}$As into the first excited state of $^{76}$Ge

Authors: Hans F. R. Hoffmann, Björn Lehnert, Kai Zuber

Abstract: The neutrinoless double beta decay of $^{76}$Ge is searched for in the large-scale experiment LEGEND. The measurement of the half-life of this process would give access to the neutrino mass using the nuclear matrix element. Experimentally the contribution of the $^{76}$As ground state to the nuclear matrix element can be investigated via the branching ratios of its $β^-$ and electron capture decay… ▽ More The neutrinoless double beta decay of $^{76}$Ge is searched for in the large-scale experiment LEGEND. The measurement of the half-life of this process would give access to the neutrino mass using the nuclear matrix element. Experimentally the contribution of the $^{76}$As ground state to the nuclear matrix element can be investigated via the branching ratios of its $β^-$ and electron capture decay. While energetically, the electron capture of $^{76}$As into the first excited state of $^{76}$Ge is possible and was measured once before this work, the electron capture into the $^{76}$Ge ground state was not observed yet. The present study investigates the branching of $^{76}$As that is produced via $^{75}$As(n,$γ$) on a thin As$_2$O$_3$ sample. A silicon drift detector measures characteristic X-rays emitted by the germanium atoms caused by an inner vacancy after the electron capture. A high-purity germanium detector is used to measure the 562.9$\,$keV $γ$-rays emitted after electron capture into the excited state. Investigation of coincident signals in both detectors leads to the branching ratio of the $^{76}$As electron capture into the first excited state of $^{76}$Ge of $ν_{\mathrm{EC}^\ast} = (0.0572 \pm 0.0029 (\mathrm{stat.}) \pm 0.0074(\mathrm{syst.}))\%$. This is the first measurement with the full uncertainty budget quantified. △ Less

Submitted 7 August, 2026; originally announced August 2026.

The Super Bigbite Spectrometer physics program

Authors: B. Wojtsekhowski, G. Cates

Abstract: The structure of the nucleon is a central problem in strong interaction physics in the non-perturbative regime. Indeed, the vast majority of the known matter in the Universe is made of protons and neutrons which are a remarkable emergent phenomenon of quantum chromodynamics. A critical aspect of investigating nucleon structure experimentally is the measurement of fundamental quantities such the el… ▽ More The structure of the nucleon is a central problem in strong interaction physics in the non-perturbative regime. Indeed, the vast majority of the known matter in the Universe is made of protons and neutrons which are a remarkable emergent phenomenon of quantum chromodynamics. A critical aspect of investigating nucleon structure experimentally is the measurement of fundamental quantities such the elastic nucleon form factors. Also important is the measurement transverse momentum dependent distribution functions. Accessing such quantities experimentally, however, is challenging because of the small cross sections involved, particularly at high momentum transfer. We present here a physics program that is addressing this challenge based on the Super Bigbite Spectrometer (SBS) that has recently been built at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility. SBS provides a relatively large solid angle of 70 msr and can be used at high luminosities and forward-scattering angles. It is based on a single large dipole magnet in an open-geometry in which the detector package has a direct line of sight to the target. This approach is only possible through the use of detector technology that can operate at very high rates while providing excellent spatial resolution. It is the product of solid angle and luminosity that is critical when measuring small cross sections, and in this regard, among spectrometer systems at JLab, SBS is presently unique in its capability. The first set of experiments utilizing SBS has been successfully completed, and more experiments are planned for the future. We also discuss a proposed upgrade that would increase the SBS solid angle to 260 msr, thereby opening perspectives for an even broader physic program. △ Less

Submitted 6 August, 2026; originally announced August 2026.

Comments: 21 pages, 9 fogures

TITAN mass measurements of neutron-rich Cs, Ba and r-process lanthanide abundances

Authors: T. -H. Yeh, J. D. Cardona, Y. Wang, J. Ash, B. Ashrafkhani, I. Belosovic, J. Bergmann, E. Dunling, L. Egoriti, G. Gelinas, G. Gwinner, Z. Hockenbery, C. Izzo, A. Jacobs, S. Kakkar, B. Kootte, E. M. Lykiardopoulou, T. Murbock, A. Mollaebrahimi, A. Ridley, S. F. Paul, W. S. Porter, M. P. Reiter, J. Ringuette, R. Simpson , et al. (4 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: We present measurements for the masses of five neutron-rich isotopes, $^{149-151}$Cs and $^{151, 152}$Ba, probed for the first time by TITAN at TRIUMF with time-of-flight measurement techniques. We propagate these masses to the nuclear reaction and decay data required for the simulation of the rapid neutron capture process (r-process) nucleosynthesis in neutron star mergers. We show that these neu… ▽ More We present measurements for the masses of five neutron-rich isotopes, $^{149-151}$Cs and $^{151, 152}$Ba, probed for the first time by TITAN at TRIUMF with time-of-flight measurement techniques. We propagate these masses to the nuclear reaction and decay data required for the simulation of the rapid neutron capture process (r-process) nucleosynthesis in neutron star mergers. We show that these neutron-rich masses affect the abundance predictions near mass number $A\sim148-152$ corresponding to lanthanide element abundances at $Z=60,\,62$ and $63$. We demonstrate that these new TITAN masses smooth out the odd-even effect in isotopic abundance predictions near $A\sim150$ in both fission cycling astrophysical conditions and conditions that do not reach actinides. We further show that these new masses adjust how fission fragments settle into place when forming the final abundances, and consider the effect on comparisons with stellar abundance ratios such as [Ag/Eu], [Sm/Eu], and [Nd/Eu]. △ Less

Submitted 5 August, 2026; originally announced August 2026.

Comments: submitted

ePIC Early Science Report

Authors: D. Abbott, N. Abdelrahman, S. Abhijit, I. Abualrob, R. B. Achari, J. Adam, L. Adamczyk, K. Adkins, A. Affolder, K. Agarwal, J. Agarwala, N. Agrawal, C. A. Aidala, W. Akers, A. Al-bataineh, S. N. Alam, M. Alekseev, P. R. Altieri, J. -S. Alvarado Gallenao, S. B. L. Amar, R. Ammendola, I. Amos Cali, G. An, D. Anderson, E. Anderssen , et al. (774 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: This Early Science Report from the ePIC Collaboration outlines the compelling physics program achievable during the first years of operation of the Electron-Ion Collider (EIC), prior to the establishment of the full design luminosity and energy range. The analyses are based on realistic early-running beam configurations and detailed Geant4 ePIC detector simulations, hit digitization and data recon… ▽ More This Early Science Report from the ePIC Collaboration outlines the compelling physics program achievable during the first years of operation of the Electron-Ion Collider (EIC), prior to the establishment of the full design luminosity and energy range. The analyses are based on realistic early-running beam configurations and detailed Geant4 ePIC detector simulations, hit digitization and data reconstruction. The projected studies from the physics working groups of ePIC span inclusive, semi-inclusive, exclusive, diffractive and tagging, as well as jet and heavy flavor measurements in both electron-proton and electron-ion collisions. Even before the collider reaches its full design performance, these measurements will constrain parton distribution functions in nucleons and nuclei, access transverse-momentum-dependent and spin-dependent observables, probe gluon dynamics in nuclei, and initiate a program of imaging of quarks and gluons. Each measurement is directly connected to the core science pillars of the EIC, identified in the 2018 report by the National Academy of Sciences: understanding the origin of the nucleon mass, unraveling the spin structure of the nucleon, and exploring the emergent properties of dense gluonic matter. The results presented here provide examples that demonstrate that the early years of EIC running with ePIC will deliver novel world-leading insights into Quantum Chromodynamics. In addition, the early science program will establish measurement and analysis methodologies that will pave the way to the subsequent full EIC physics program. △ Less

Submitted 5 August, 2026; originally announced August 2026.

Report number: epic-AN-AC-2026-004

Bayesian Inference of fine-features of dense matter EOS from future high-precision data of neutron star radii

Authors: Bao-An Li, Xavier Grundler, Wen-Jie Xie, Nai-Bo Zhang

Abstract: Future high-precision X-ray and gravitational wave observatories are expected to measure the radii of neutron stars (NSs) with an accuracy better than about 0.1 km. However, it remains unclear what particular aspects of the Equation of State (EOS) and to what precision they will be better constrained. Within a Bayesian framework using a meta-model EOS and mock high-precision NS data, the posterior… ▽ More Future high-precision X-ray and gravitational wave observatories are expected to measure the radii of neutron stars (NSs) with an accuracy better than about 0.1 km. However, it remains unclear what particular aspects of the Equation of State (EOS) and to what precision they will be better constrained. Within a Bayesian framework using a meta-model EOS and mock high-precision NS data, the posterior probability distribution functions (PDFs) of NS matter EOS parameters for both hadronic and quark phases and the transition between them were recently studied. We report here a few highlights of these studies. △ Less

Submitted 5 August, 2026; originally announced August 2026.

Comments: Talk given at the 29th International Nuclear Physics Conference (INPC 2025)

Journal ref: EPJ Web of Conferences 378, 06009 (2026)

Directed Flow of Protons and Deuterons in Xe+Cs(I) Collisions: Preliminary BM@N Data and THESEUS Modeling

Authors: M. E. Kozhevnikova, M. V. Mamaev, I. A. Zhavoronkova, A. V. Taranenko, Yu. B. Ivanov

Abstract: Preliminary BM@N results on the directed flow ($v_1$) of protons and deuterons in Xe+Cs(I) collisions at 3.8$A$ GeV are presented for the 10-40% centrality interval. The measured rapidity dependence of $v_1$ is compared with calculations from the THESEUS event generator, where deuterons are produced thermodynamically on an equal basis with hadrons using a late freeze-out scenario. While THESEUS we… ▽ More Preliminary BM@N results on the directed flow ($v_1$) of protons and deuterons in Xe+Cs(I) collisions at 3.8$A$ GeV are presented for the 10-40% centrality interval. The measured rapidity dependence of $v_1$ is compared with calculations from the THESEUS event generator, where deuterons are produced thermodynamically on an equal basis with hadrons using a late freeze-out scenario. While THESEUS well describes the proton $v_1$ data, it shows a slight but systematic overestimation of the deuteron flow at low and intermediate rapidities. This comparison tests both the collective dynamics of baryon-rich matter and the thermodynamic mechanism of light-nucleus formation at Nuclotron energies. △ Less

Submitted 5 August, 2026; originally announced August 2026.

Comments: 4 pages, 1 figure, MMCP 2026 proceedings

Direct versus resolved photons in DPS in photoproduction on proton and nuclei

Authors: B. Blok, R. Segev

Abstract: We study the process of double parton scattering (DPS) associated with the photoproduction at a future Electron-Ion collider (EIC) and HERA. We show that in the case of the resolved photon the 1 to 2 processes lead, even at small transverse momenta of the hard processes , to the increase of the DPS by a factor of order 1.6 in the significant part of the phase space, relative to the predictions o… ▽ More We study the process of double parton scattering (DPS) associated with the photoproduction at a future Electron-Ion collider (EIC) and HERA. We show that in the case of the resolved photon the 1 to 2 processes lead, even at small transverse momenta of the hard processes , to the increase of the DPS by a factor of order 1.6 in the significant part of the phase space, relative to the predictions of the mean field based models . Moreover we study the kinematic region where direct photon contribution is dominant and show it s boundaries for charm and light quark jets. For charmed jets we see that the relevant region is $x_γ\ge 0.2-0.4$. This region is even enhanced if we consider the photoproduction on the nuclei. △ Less

Submitted 4 August, 2026; originally announced August 2026.

Comments: 21 pages,16 figures

Statistical and non-statistical $γ$-decay properties of $^{64}$Zn

Authors: A. C. Larsen, M. Guttormsen, T. K. Eriksen, G. M. Tveten, H. Utsunomiya, J. K. Dahl, N. Shimizu, T. Ari-izumi, F. L. Bello Garrote, L. T. Bell, M. M. Bjørøen, F. W. Furmyr, D. Gjestvang, A. Görgen, V. W. Ingeberg, K. C. W. Li, E. Lima, M. Markova, E. F. Matthews, A. H. Mjøs, S. Miyamoto, V. Modamio, T. Renstrøm, E. Sahin, S. Siem , et al. (1 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: We present a study on the $γ$-decay properties of $^{64}$Zn using the Oslo method on $^{64}$Zn($p,p^\prime γ$) data combined with $^{64}$Zn$(γ,n)$ cross-section measurements at the NewSUBARU facility. With the Oslo method, we have measured the $γ$-ray strength function ($γ$SF) and the nuclear level density (NLD) below the neutron threshold. We observe that the NLD trend in the quasi-continuum regi… ▽ More We present a study on the $γ$-decay properties of $^{64}$Zn using the Oslo method on $^{64}$Zn($p,p^\prime γ$) data combined with $^{64}$Zn$(γ,n)$ cross-section measurements at the NewSUBARU facility. With the Oslo method, we have measured the $γ$-ray strength function ($γ$SF) and the nuclear level density (NLD) below the neutron threshold. We observe that the NLD trend in the quasi-continuum region of $^{64}$Zn is best characterized by a constant-temperature-like model. %with temperature parameter $T_{\rm CT}=1.21(5)$ MeV. Surprisingly, we find that $γ$-ray transitions from the quasi-continuum decaying directly to the $0^+$ ground state seem to be strongly hindered with a hindrance factor of $κ\approx 0.5$, which could be an indication of non-statistical effects in the ground-state decay due to, \textit{e.g.}, differences in nuclear shapes. For $γ$ energies above the neutron separation energy, the NewSUBARU ($γ, n$) data set probes a significant part of the giant dipole resonance. Furthermore, we find that the Oslo-method $γ$SF shows a rather smooth behavior, with a clear low-energy enhancement (LEE) for $E_γ < 4$ MeV. △ Less

Submitted 5 August, 2026; v1 submitted 4 August, 2026; originally announced August 2026.

Comments: 19 pages, 24 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev. C

Finite-spectrum Lorentz integral transform calculation of the $^{4}$He photoabsorption cross section in the no-core shell model

Authors: P. Yin, H. T. Zhao, C. Y. Zhai, J. P. Vary, H. Li, J. M. Dong, H. J. Ong, X. Zhao, P. J. Fasano, A. M. Shirokov, J. Chen, D. Y. Tao, B. Zhou, C. Ji

Abstract: We develop and validate a finite-spectrum implementation of the Lorentz integral transform (LIT) within the \textit{ab initio} no-core shell model (NCSM) for calculating the photoabsorption cross section of $^4$He. A large set of $1^-$ eigenstates is explicitly calculated in the NCSM, and the LIT is constructed from their excitation energies and the corresponding $E1$ transition strengths. This fi… ▽ More We develop and validate a finite-spectrum implementation of the Lorentz integral transform (LIT) within the \textit{ab initio} no-core shell model (NCSM) for calculating the photoabsorption cross section of $^4$He. A large set of $1^-$ eigenstates is explicitly calculated in the NCSM, and the LIT is constructed from their excitation energies and the corresponding $E1$ transition strengths. This finite-spectrum approach is complementary to conventional inhomogeneous-equation and Lanczos-based implementations of the LIT method for photoabsorption cross sections. Using the Daejeon16 interaction, we extract the photoabsorption cross section and examine its stability with respect to the model-space truncation, excitation-energy cutoff, and LIT parameters. The reliability of the finite-spectrum extraction is assessed by comparing the $E1$ polarizability and bremsstrahlung sum rule obtained from the discrete NCSM spectrum with the same quantities obtained by integrating the extracted cross section. The extracted cross section captures the principal features of the available $^4$He photonuclear data in the giant-dipole-resonance region and is consistent, in the low-energy rise and main-peak region, with earlier chiral-interaction NCSM-LIT results obtained from Lanczos-based evaluations, while the present calculation with the Daejeon16 interaction exhibits a more pronounced high-energy shoulder. The present work provides a controlled finite-spectrum NCSM-LIT route from explicitly calculated many-body eigenstates and transition strengths to photoabsorption cross sections. △ Less

Submitted 4 August, 2026; originally announced August 2026.

Elliptic flow of $π^0$ mesons in Cu$+$Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}=200$ GeV and U$+$U at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}=193$ GeV

Authors: PHENIX Collaboration, N. J. Abdulameer, U. Acharya, C. Aidala, N. N. Ajitanand, Y. Akiba, R. Akimoto, J. Alexander, D. Anderson, S. Antsupov, K. Aoki, N. Apadula, H. Asano, E. T. Atomssa, T. C. Awes, B. Azmoun, V. Babintsev, M. Bai, X. Bai, B. Bannier, E. Bannikov, K. N. Barish, S. Bathe, V. Baublis, C. Baumann , et al. (359 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: The second-order azimuthal anisotropy coefficients ($v_2$) of neutral $π$ mesons ($π^0$) have been measured as a function of the transverse momentum ($p_T$) and centrality of Cu$+$Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}=200$~GeV and U$+$U at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}=193$ GeV at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. The analysis used experimental data collected by the PHENIX experiment at midrapidity… ▽ More The second-order azimuthal anisotropy coefficients ($v_2$) of neutral $π$ mesons ($π^0$) have been measured as a function of the transverse momentum ($p_T$) and centrality of Cu$+$Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}=200$~GeV and U$+$U at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}=193$ GeV at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. The analysis used experimental data collected by the PHENIX experiment at midrapidity $|η|<0.35$ over a broad $p_T$ range up to $\approx10$~GeV/$c$, and the obtained results are compared with previous PHENIX measurements in Au$+$Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}=200$~GeV. In all three collision systems, the $π^0$~$v_2$ values follow the scaling with the second-order participant eccentricity and the cube root of the number of participating nucleons ($\varepsilon_2 N_{\rm part}^{1/3}$) up to $\approx4$~GeV/$c$. Furthermore, the behavior of the azimuthal-dependent $π^0$ nuclear-modification factors and associated fractional parton-energy losses are evaluated from measured nonzero $v_2$ values of $π^0$ at $p_T>5$ GeV/$c$ and found to be approximately the same for similar values of $N_{\rm part}^{1/3}$ in these collision systems. These findings demonstrate that the mechanism of $π^0$ $v_2$ generation exhibits a high degree of universality across different initial geometries of heavy-ion collisions. △ Less

Submitted 3 August, 2026; originally announced August 2026.

Comments: 325 authors from 74 institutions, 14 pages, 10 figures, 3 tables. v1 is version submitted to Physical Review C. HEPdata tables for the points plotted in figures for this and previous PHENIX publications are (or will be) publicly available at http://www.phenix.bnl.gov/papers.html

Mass Spectrometry Studies of Hydrogen Ions Energy Distributions in an ECR- based Large Volume Plasma Source

Authors: Bibekananda Naik, Ramesh Narayanan, Debaprasad Sahu, Mainak Bandyopadhyay, Ashish Ganguli

Abstract: Plasma is produced in a Large Volume Plasma Source (LVPS; dia. = 1 m, height = 1m) using CW microwaves (= 400 - 600 W, 2.45 GHz), in a compact ECR plasma source (CEPS) attached to LVPS, at hydrogen gas pressures = 1 - 3 mTorr. Plasma expands along the CEPS magnetic field into LVPS. A Hiden Analytical HPR 60 molecular beam mass spectrometer (MBMS) is used to measure the H^- ion energy distribution… ▽ More Plasma is produced in a Large Volume Plasma Source (LVPS; dia. = 1 m, height = 1m) using CW microwaves (= 400 - 600 W, 2.45 GHz), in a compact ECR plasma source (CEPS) attached to LVPS, at hydrogen gas pressures = 1 - 3 mTorr. Plasma expands along the CEPS magnetic field into LVPS. A Hiden Analytical HPR 60 molecular beam mass spectrometer (MBMS) is used to measure the H^- ion energy distribution functions (IEDFs) in the downstream plasma. Previous plasma characterization studies in LVPS indicated favourable downstream plasma conditions for volume production of H^- ions. Measurements conducted with the MBMS probe aligned facing the plasma flow = 80 cm downstream, gave typical H^- count rates = 3 x 10^5 counts /s, at = 400 W, = 1 mTorr, along with a distinct high energy tail (<= 20 eV). These and other results are analyzed in detail. The positive ion spectrum showed the H_3^+ count to be consistently high in all cases (= 60-70 %); the counts for H_2^+ and H^+ were =30-35 % and a =few %. Combining the Langmuir probe (LP) and MBMS data it is possible to determine the approximate densities in front of the MBMS probe aperture. At = 500 W and = 2 mTorr, one finds: n_(H^+) = 9.6 x 10^9 cm^(-3), n_(H_2^+) = 1.7 x 10^10 cm^(-3) and n_(H_3^+) = 4.3 x 10^10 cm^(-3). The corresponding H^- density, = 80 cm downstream is n_(H^-) = 3.9 x 10^8 cm^(-3). Accounting for all H^- losses due to scattering and destruction, one finds the effective mean free path for H^- loss to be = 12.4 cm. Noting that H^- formation takes place about = 10 - 30 cm downstream of the source exit, the approximate average H^- density in the formation zone is determined as = 5.5 x 10^10 cm^(-3). This value is remarkably encouraging for H^- production in volume mode, considering the large chamber volume and area, as well as the very moderate power used for the experiments. △ Less

Submitted 3 August, 2026; originally announced August 2026.

Comments: 27 pages, 12 figures

Proton-proton Femtoscopy as a Probe of Short-range Structure in High-Energy O+O Collisions

Authors: Baoshan Xi, Pei Li, Chunjian Zhang, Jinhui Chen, Su-Ya-La-Tu Zhang, Yu-Gang Ma

Abstract: Short-range nucleon-nucleon correlations are a defining feature of the nuclear many-body wave function, yet they are invisible in the one-body density and therefore inaccessible to observables that measure a nuclear size. We show that proton-proton femtoscopy supplies the missing sub-femtometer sensitivity. In $^{16}$O+$^{16}$O collisions at $\rm \sqrt{s_{NN}}=$ 200 GeV, we compare three nuclear-s… ▽ More Short-range nucleon-nucleon correlations are a defining feature of the nuclear many-body wave function, yet they are invisible in the one-body density and therefore inaccessible to observables that measure a nuclear size. We show that proton-proton femtoscopy supplies the missing sub-femtometer sensitivity. In $^{16}$O+$^{16}$O collisions at $\rm \sqrt{s_{NN}}=$ 200 GeV, we compare three nuclear-structure inputs spanning mean-field, low-resolution cluster, and short-range-correlated descriptions. The $p$-$p$ correlation function separates all three, most sharply in peripheral collisions, where the \textit{ab initio} input suppresses the extracted source radius by $\sim5\%$ relative to the mean-field baseline. Under identical conditions $π^{+}$-$π^{+}$ correlations respond an order of magnitude more weakly, and the $C_{pp}/C_{π^{+}π^{+}}$ double ratio retains the full effect, pointing to the short-distance weighting of the $^{1}S_{0}$ pair rather than to an overall rescaling of the source. The signal survives the leading theoretical systematic, the choice of strong-interaction potential, which we quantify explicitly. These results identify $p$-$p$ femtoscopy as a short-distance-resolved probe of light-nucleus structure, complementary to flow observables that constrain only the low-order moments of the initial geometry. △ Less

Submitted 2 August, 2026; originally announced August 2026.

Comments: 8 Pages 2 Figures; Comments are welcome

Modification of $Υ$ production in $p$O and OO collisions at LHCb

Authors: LHCb collaboration, R. Aaij, M. Abdelfatah, A. S. W. Abdelmotteleb, C. Abellan Beteta, F. Abudinén, T. Ackernley, A. A. Adefisoye, B. Adeva, M. Adinolfi, P. Adlarson, C. Agapopoulou, C. A. Aidala, S. Akar, K. Akiba, H. Al Saleh, P. Albicocco, J. Albrecht, R. Aleksiejunas, F. Alessio, P. Alvarez Cartelle, S. Amato, J. L. Amey, Y. Amhis, Z. Amos , et al. (1166 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: The production rates of $\mathitΥ(2S)$ and $\mathitΥ(3S)$ mesons relative to that of the $\mathitΥ(1S)$ state are measured in $pp$, $p$O, and OO collisions by the LHCb collaboration. The ratios measured in $pp$ data are consistent with previous LHCb measurements at different center-of-mass energies. Only slight relative suppression of the $\mathitΥ(2S)$ and $\mathitΥ(3S)$ states is found in $p$O c… ▽ More The production rates of $\mathitΥ(2S)$ and $\mathitΥ(3S)$ mesons relative to that of the $\mathitΥ(1S)$ state are measured in $pp$, $p$O, and OO collisions by the LHCb collaboration. The ratios measured in $pp$ data are consistent with previous LHCb measurements at different center-of-mass energies. Only slight relative suppression of the $\mathitΥ(2S)$ and $\mathitΥ(3S)$ states is found in $p$O collisions, while in OO collisions the $\mathitΥ(2S)$ is suppressed by a factor of $\sim2$, with evidence for suppression of the $\mathitΥ(3S)$. The significant suppression in OO data, compared to the small effect in $p$O data, shows the emergence of additional suppression mechanisms in the relatively small OO collision system. Models incorporating quark-gluon plasma formation in OO collisions successfully describe the data. Implications for the interplay between cold nuclear matter effects and color screening in a deconfined quark-gluon plasma are discussed. △ Less

Submitted 31 July, 2026; originally announced August 2026.

Comments: All figures and tables, along with machine-readable versions and any supplementary material and additional information, are available at https://lhcb-glance.cern.ch/alcm/public/analysis/full-details/6994/ (LHCb public pages)

Report number: LHCb-PAPER-2026-027, CERN-EP-2026-207

Rethinking Total Absorption Gamma Spectroscopy Deconvolution: Supervised Machine Learning vs Response-Matrix Methods

Authors: J. Balibrea-Correa, E. N{á}cher, C. Fonseca-Vargas, J. L. Tain

Abstract: The extraction of $β$-feeding distributions in Total Absorption $γ$-ray Spectroscopy constitutes a challenging inverse problem, particularly in nuclei with complex decay schemes involving a large number of excited states. In such cases, the measured spectrum arises from the superposition of many detector response functions, making the determination of the individual feedings intrinsically ill-pose… ▽ More The extraction of $β$-feeding distributions in Total Absorption $γ$-ray Spectroscopy constitutes a challenging inverse problem, particularly in nuclei with complex decay schemes involving a large number of excited states. In such cases, the measured spectrum arises from the superposition of many detector response functions, making the determination of the individual feedings intrinsically ill-posed and highly sensitive to the methodology employed. In this work, we present a systematic comparison between supervised Machine-Learning techniques and Response-Matrix methods using realistic Monte Carlo simulations of an experimental Total Absorption Spectrometer. Supervised Machine-Learning approaches construct a non-parametric estimator that infers level feedings from the measured spectrum after a training stage, whereas Response-Matrix methods determine the feeding distribution by directly minimizing the difference between measured and reconstructed spectra. Our results show that supervised Machine-Learning techniques achieve superior accuracy in the reconstruction of individual feeding intensities, whereas Response-Matrix methods provide robust and physically consistent initial solutions. These findings support a hybrid strategy in which a Response-Matrix method is first used to obtain an initial feeding estimate, which is then refined using a supervised Machine-Learning approach to achieve improved overall accuracy. △ Less

Submitted 30 July, 2026; originally announced August 2026.

Extraction of $σ_{TT}$ for Proton, Neutron, Deuteron and $^3$He from Quasi-real Photon Scattering

Authors: YiLei Li, B. Callahan, M. M. Dalton, A. Deur, O. Larson, A. Rask, D. W. Upton, X. Zheng

Abstract: We report on an extraction of the polarized photoproduction cross-section for the proton, deuteron, neutron and $^3$He, obtained by extrapolating electron scattering data to the real photon point. The data are from the Jefferson Lab E97-110 ($^3$He) and CLAS EG4 (proton and deuteron) experiments. Information on the neutron is extracted from the deuteron or $^3$He data using the weak binding approx… ▽ More We report on an extraction of the polarized photoproduction cross-section for the proton, deuteron, neutron and $^3$He, obtained by extrapolating electron scattering data to the real photon point. The data are from the Jefferson Lab E97-110 ($^3$He) and CLAS EG4 (proton and deuteron) experiments. Information on the neutron is extracted from the deuteron or $^3$He data using the weak binding approximation. Comparing with data obtained with real photons, we find that while the proton results agree, our results on the deuteron and the neutron exhibit a larger strength in the $Δ(1232)$ region, and are more consistent with isospin symmetry when compared with the proton results. △ Less

Submitted 30 July, 2026; originally announced July 2026.

Comments: 4 pages, 3 figures

Report number: JLAB-PHY-26-4861

Measurement of the average transverse momentum of forward prompt charged particles in $pp$ and $p\mathrm{Pb}$ collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 5.02\; \mathrm{TeV}$

Authors: LHCb collaboration, R. Aaij, M. Abdelfatah, A. S. W. Abdelmotteleb, C. Abellan Beteta, F. Abudinén, T. Ackernley, A. A. Adefisoye, B. Adeva, M. Adinolfi, P. Adlarson, C. Agapopoulou, C. A. Aidala, S. Akar, K. Akiba, P. Albicocco, J. Albrecht, R. Aleksiejunas, F. Alessio, P. Alvarez Cartelle, S. Amato, J. L. Amey, Y. Amhis, L. An, L. Anderlini , et al. (1105 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: This letter presents the first measurements of the average transverse momentum of prompt charged particles in $pp$ and $p\mathrm{Pb}$ collisions as a function of collision multiplicity and pseudorapidity. The data were recorded at nucleon-nucleon centre-of-mass energy $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 5.02\; \mathrm{TeV}$ with the LHCb experiment. The pseudorapidity dependence of the multiplicity distribution is a… ▽ More This letter presents the first measurements of the average transverse momentum of prompt charged particles in $pp$ and $p\mathrm{Pb}$ collisions as a function of collision multiplicity and pseudorapidity. The data were recorded at nucleon-nucleon centre-of-mass energy $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 5.02\; \mathrm{TeV}$ with the LHCb experiment. The pseudorapidity dependence of the multiplicity distribution is also measured. The average transverse momentum results show a decreasing trend with pseudorapidity, more pronounced in high-multiplicity events, consistent with the collective behaviour of the produced matter. The measurements are reproduced by state-of-the-art (3+1D) hydrodynamic calculations, while saturation models are not compatible with the data. △ Less

Submitted 12 August, 2026; v1 submitted 29 July, 2026; originally announced July 2026.

Comments: All figures and tables, along with any supplementary material and additional information, are available at https://lhcb-glance.cern.ch/alcm/public/analysis/full-details/5570/ (LHCb public pages)

Report number: CERN-EP-2026-177, LHCb-PAPER-2026-012

The CROSS experiment: detector construction, background projection, and sensitivity to $^{100}$Mo $0\nu2β$ decay

Authors: D. Auguste, A. S. Barabash, G. Benato, V. Berest, L. Bergé, M. Buchynska, J. M. Calvo-Mozota, J. Cao, P. Carniti, M. Chapellier, D. Cintas, I. Cojocari, I. Dafinei, F. A. Danevich, M. De Deo, A. Drobizhev, L. Dumoulin, F. Ferri, A. Giuliani, C. Gotti, Ph. Gras, A. Ianni, V. V. Kobychev, Yu. G. Kolomensky, S. I. Konovalov , et al. (20 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: The CROSS experiment to search for neutrinoless double-beta ($0\nu2β$) decay in $^{100}$Mo with the help of an array of scintillating cryogenic calorimeters, containing 4.9 kg of $^{100}$Mo, has been ongoing in a low-background setup at the Canfranc underground laboratory (Spain) since mid-November 2025. In this paper, we present the construction of the CROSS detector and the description of Geant4… ▽ More The CROSS experiment to search for neutrinoless double-beta ($0\nu2β$) decay in $^{100}$Mo with the help of an array of scintillating cryogenic calorimeters, containing 4.9 kg of $^{100}$Mo, has been ongoing in a low-background setup at the Canfranc underground laboratory (Spain) since mid-November 2025. In this paper, we present the construction of the CROSS detector and the description of Geant4-based Monte Carlo simulations of expected background in the region of interest. The simulations predict the background index in a 100-keV-wide interval centered at the $Q$-value of $^{100}$Mo (3034 keV) on the level of 3.2(5) $\times$ 10$^{-3}$ cnts/keV/kg/yr. Taking into account an 18% deadtime induced by the muon veto cut and a typical 90% duty cycle of the facility, such background level would allow to reach the world-leading sensitivity to $^{100}$Mo $0\nu2β$ decay (lim $T_{1/2} \sim 4 \times 10^{24}$ yr) in 1 year of data taking. Considering conservatively a factor 3 (10) worse background index due to unpredictable radioactive contamination of construction materials and/or detector performance, a 2-yr-long operation of the CROSS array would be still compatible with the best (competitive) sensitivity to $0\nu2β$ decay in $^{100}$Mo. △ Less

Submitted 29 July, 2026; originally announced July 2026.

Comments: 16 pages, 14 figures and 1 table; prepared for submission to EPJC

Ab initio lattice calculation of nuclear magnetic dipole moments with systematic error quantifications

Authors: Teng Wang, Serdar Elhatisari, Xu Feng, Dean Lee, Bing-Nan Lu, Yuan-Zhuo Ma

Abstract: Nuclear magnetic moments are sensitive probes of nuclear structure. However, their accurate quantitative description poses significant challenges, demanding both accurate nuclear and electromagnetic interactions as well as rigorous control of algorithmic uncertainties. Here, we present the first systematic calculation of magnetic dipole moments for selected light nuclei and aluminum isotopes withi… ▽ More Nuclear magnetic moments are sensitive probes of nuclear structure. However, their accurate quantitative description poses significant challenges, demanding both accurate nuclear and electromagnetic interactions as well as rigorous control of algorithmic uncertainties. Here, we present the first systematic calculation of magnetic dipole moments for selected light nuclei and aluminum isotopes within nuclear lattice effective field theory (NLEFT), an \textit{ab initio} framework applicable to medium-mass and heavy nuclei. Our calculations employ a lattice next-to-next-to-next-to-leading-order (N$^3$LO) chiral interaction together with electromagnetic currents consistently derived up to the two-body level. To achieve controlled predictions, we incorporate recently developed NLEFT algorithms and perform a comprehensive assessment of algorithmic uncertainties. Within the estimated uncertainties, our results are in good overall agreement with experiment and demonstrate that two-body currents are essential for reproducing the observed magnetic moments. We further benchmark our predictions against other \textit{ab initio} calculations for light nuclei ($A\leq12$). Our work establishes a solid foundation for \textit{ab initio} studies of electroweak observables using methods that scale efficiently to medium-mass and heavy nuclei while demonstrating state-of-the-art accuracy. △ Less

Submitted 28 July, 2026; originally announced July 2026.

Laser Spectroscopy of Thulium Isotopes Near the (N=82) Shell Closure: Nuclear Moment and Charge Radius of ${}^{152\mathrm{m}}\mathrm{Tm}$

Authors: Jana Weyrich, Kenneth van Beek, Harshitbabu XXX, Aayush Arya, Sebastian Berndt, Michael Block, Alexandre Brizard, Premaditya Chhetri, Arno Claessens, Christoph Emanuel Düllmann, Rafael Ferrer, Sarina Geldhof, Francesca Giacoppo, Manuel J. Gutierrez, Raphael Hasse, Christian Helmel, Fritz Peter Heßberger, Julian Hindermann, Fedor Ivandikov, Biswajit Jana, Tom Kieck, Mustapha Laatiaoui, Nathalie Lecesne, Andrew Mistry, Danny Münzberg , et al. (11 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: We report on resonance ionization laser spectroscopy measurements performed on both neutron-deficient and neutron-rich thulium ($\mathrm{Tm}, Z=69$) isotopes. Isotope shifts were determined for three atomic ground-state transitions at wavelengths of $389.8\,\mathrm{nm}$, $388.4\,\mathrm{nm}$, and $388.8\,\mathrm{nm}$ in the isotopes ${}^{152\mathrm{m}}\mathrm{Tm}$, ${}^{153}\mathrm{Tm}$,… ▽ More We report on resonance ionization laser spectroscopy measurements performed on both neutron-deficient and neutron-rich thulium ($\mathrm{Tm}, Z=69$) isotopes. Isotope shifts were determined for three atomic ground-state transitions at wavelengths of $389.8\,\mathrm{nm}$, $388.4\,\mathrm{nm}$, and $388.8\,\mathrm{nm}$ in the isotopes ${}^{152\mathrm{m}}\mathrm{Tm}$, ${}^{153}\mathrm{Tm}$, ${}^{154\mathrm{m}}\mathrm{Tm}$, and ${}^{169}\mathrm{Tm}$. In addition, for the $389.8\,\mathrm{nm}$ transition, measurements were extended to the isotope ${}^{170}\mathrm{Tm}$, and the hyperfine structure was partially resolved for all five isotopes. From the extracted hyperfine coupling constants, the nuclear magnetic dipole moment for ${}^{152\mathrm{m}}\mathrm{Tm}$, $μ\left({}^{152\mathrm{m}}\mathrm{Tm}\right) = 5.8(3)\,μ_\mathrm{N}$ was determined. Furthermore, the measured isotope shifts enabled the extraction of the change in the mean-square nuclear charge radius $δ\langle r^2\rangle^{152\mathrm{m},169} = -1.86(25)\,\mathrm{fm}^2$ for ${}^{152\mathrm{m}}\mathrm{Tm}$. △ Less

Submitted 27 July, 2026; originally announced July 2026.

Femtoscopy Measurement with S$π$RIT TPC in Radioactive BeamHeavy-ion Collisions

Authors: Y. J. Wang, C. K. Tam, Z. G. Xiao, W. G. Lynch, C. Y. Tsang, J. Barney, G. Jhang, J. Estee, M. B. Tsang, R. S. Wang, M. Kaneko, J. W. Lee, J. Park, Z. Chajęcki, G. Verde, T. Isobe, M. Kurata-Nishimura, T. Murakami, D. S. Ahn, L. Atar, T. Aumann, H. Baba, K. Boretzky, J. Brzychczyk, G. Cerizza , et al. (42 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: Femtoscopy is a powerful tool for exploring the dynamic emitting structure in heavy-ion collisions, while radioactive beam heavy-ion collisions enable the investigation of nuclear matter under extreme isospin conditions. Here, we successfully perform femtoscopy measurements using the S$π$RIT Time Projection Chamber (TPC). A dedicated correction scheme for track merging and splitting is proposed, w… ▽ More Femtoscopy is a powerful tool for exploring the dynamic emitting structure in heavy-ion collisions, while radioactive beam heavy-ion collisions enable the investigation of nuclear matter under extreme isospin conditions. Here, we successfully perform femtoscopy measurements using the S$π$RIT Time Projection Chamber (TPC). A dedicated correction scheme for track merging and splitting is proposed, which is well applicable to rectangular TPCs housed inside dipole magnets and effectively improves the reconstructed correlation functions at small relative momenta. Focusing on the proton-proton (p-p) correlation function in the 270 MeV/u $^{132}\text{Sn}+^{124}\text{Sn}$ system, we successfully apply the track merging and splitting correction; additionally, the TPC angular acceptance exhibits a negligible impact on the correlation function. A systematic uncertainty quantification framework is established. The experimental results of the p-p correlation function confirm the feasibility of the S$π$RIT TPC for femtoscopy measurements and provide technical support for high-precision femtoscopy studies using rectangular TPCs in radioactive beam heavy-ion collisions. △ Less

Submitted 15 July, 2026; originally announced July 2026.

Comments: 9 pages, 10 figures

Demonstration of 255-kV high-voltage generation with a Cavallo multiplier system

Authors: S. M. Clayton, T. M. Ito, A. Jacobs, A-T. Le, M. F. Makela, C. M. O'Shaughnessy, N. S. Phan, E. Renner, T. A. Sandborn, T. J. Schaub, I. L. Smythe, J. Surbrook, M. A. Blatnik, B. W. Filippone

Abstract: Many cryogenic precision measurements require large electric fields in environments where conventional high-voltage feedthroughs are impractical. To address this, we developed a Cavallo electrostatic multiplier designed for in situ high-voltage generation under such conditions. Here, we report a room-temperature demonstration of this device. Using a mechanically translated transfer electrode and a… ▽ More Many cryogenic precision measurements require large electric fields in environments where conventional high-voltage feedthroughs are impractical. To address this, we developed a Cavallo electrostatic multiplier designed for in situ high-voltage generation under such conditions. Here, we report a room-temperature demonstration of this device. Using a mechanically translated transfer electrode and a custom rotary field mill for noncontact voltage measurement, the system reached output voltages up to approximately $255~\mathrm{kV}$ from a $25~\mathrm{kV}$ DC-biased input voltage in approximately $600~\mathrm{Torr}$ of SF$_6$. The charging curves are quantitatively described by a capacitance-based model once realistic electrode misalignment is included. Voltage-hold measurements show picoampere-scale leakage currents on long time scales, whereas operation near the maximum voltage is limited by transient discharge processes associated with electrode surface condition and local field enhancement, rather than by the intrinsic dielectric strength of the gas. These results demonstrate the Cavallo multiplier as a viable low-current, in situ high-voltage source and indicate that electrode surface preparation, alignment tolerances, and insulation performance are the principal requirements for reliable operation in future cryogenic implementations. △ Less

Submitted 13 July, 2026; originally announced July 2026.

Comments: 17 pages, 12 figures

Report number: LA-UR-26-24570

Two-neutrino double-weak decays of $^{126}$Xe and $^{134}$Xe from different many-body methods

Authors: C. Brase, L. Jokiniemi, E. Kauppinen, B. Romeo, J. Kotila, J. Menéndez, A. Schwenk

Abstract: We calculate the nuclear matrix elements and corresponding half-lives for the two-neutrino double-electron capture of $^{126}$Xe and the two-neutrino double-beta decay of $^{134}$Xe. We use different many-body methods: the proton-neutron quasiparticle random-phase approximation, the nuclear shell model, the microscopic interacting boson model, and an effective field theory for heavy nuclei. For bo… ▽ More We calculate the nuclear matrix elements and corresponding half-lives for the two-neutrino double-electron capture of $^{126}$Xe and the two-neutrino double-beta decay of $^{134}$Xe. We use different many-body methods: the proton-neutron quasiparticle random-phase approximation, the nuclear shell model, the microscopic interacting boson model, and an effective field theory for heavy nuclei. For both nuclei, all our half-life predictions are generally consistent with each other when including theoretical uncertainties for each method. Interestingly, for all calculations the lower range of the predicted $^{134}$Xe half-life is shorter than $T^{2ν}_{1/2} \approx 2\times10^{24}$\,y, which may be within the reach of next-generation experiments. For $^{126}$Xe, our results typically predict one order of magnitude longer half-lives than those for $^{134}$Xe. △ Less

Submitted 27 July, 2026; originally announced July 2026.

Comments: 15 pages, 9 figures, appendix included

Future directions in nuclear $β$ decay at FRIB and beyond

Authors: Garrett B. King, Ayala Glick-Magid, Grigor Sargsyan, Mark A. Caprio, Kyle G. Leach, John A. Behr, Francesca Bonaiti, Maxime Brodeur, Graham Chambers-Wall, Heather L. Crawford, Maria Dawid, Wouter Dekens, Michael Gennari, Robert Grzywacz, Peter Gysbers, Heather S. Harrington, Heiko Hergert, Lotta Jokiniemi, Brenden Longfellow, Rebeka S. Lubna, Kelsey A. Lund, Giacomo Marocco, Anna E. McCoy, Dan Melconian, Alexis Mercenne , et al. (16 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: Motivated by the opportunities presented for studies relevant to nuclear structure, astrophysics, and fundamental symmetries with nuclear $β$ decay, the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) Theory Alliance topical program ``Future Directions in Nuclear $β$ Decays at FRIB'' was held in September of 2025. This white paper summarizes the main points of discussion over the two-week program, and it a… ▽ More Motivated by the opportunities presented for studies relevant to nuclear structure, astrophysics, and fundamental symmetries with nuclear $β$ decay, the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) Theory Alliance topical program ``Future Directions in Nuclear $β$ Decays at FRIB'' was held in September of 2025. This white paper summarizes the main points of discussion over the two-week program, and it aims to provide a snapshot of the current status of the field while also highlighting important questions and opportunities for future work. We provide an overview of the experimental tools and techniques that enable modern $β$ decay studies, discuss the current state of nuclear many-body approaches used to study $β$ decays, and highlight the important science questions that can be addressed by weak decays. △ Less

Submitted 24 July, 2026; originally announced July 2026.

Comments: 90 pages, 10 figures; Whitepaper of FRIB TA Topical Program "Future directions in nuclear beta decay at FRIB"

Report number: CERN-TH-2026-133, INT-PUB-26-028, LA-UR-26-25143, LLNL-JRNL-2020513, N3AS-26-01

Gamma spectrometry with CsI(Tl), NaI(Tl) and CdWO4 scintillation crystals using a silicon photomultiplier

Authors: R. Yu. Chaplynskyi, F. A. Danevich, D. V. Kasperovych, V. R. Klavdiienko, V. V. Kobychev, E. E. Petrosian, A. R. Podviianiuk, R. B. Podviianiuk, O. G. Polischuk

Abstract: This study investigated using of silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) for scintillation γ-spectrometry with CdWO4, CsI(Tl), and NaI(Tl) crystal scintillators. At room temperature, CsI(Tl) crystal scintillator provides the best performance, while the achievable energy resolution is lower compared to that obtained with conventional photomultiplier tube (PMT) with green-enhanced photocathode. These finding… ▽ More This study investigated using of silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) for scintillation γ-spectrometry with CdWO4, CsI(Tl), and NaI(Tl) crystal scintillators. At room temperature, CsI(Tl) crystal scintillator provides the best performance, while the achievable energy resolution is lower compared to that obtained with conventional photomultiplier tube (PMT) with green-enhanced photocathode. These findings highlight the potential of SiPMs as a compact and cost-effective alternative to PMTs in nuclear physics applications, particularly for light portable spectrometers, such as radiation monitoring systems based on small unmanned aerial vehicles. △ Less

Submitted 31 July, 2026; v1 submitted 24 July, 2026; originally announced July 2026.

Journal ref: Nucl. Phys. At. Energy 2026, volume 27, issue 2, pages 148-152

Exploring $α$- and $β$-decay-induced quenching of the $^{229}$Th nuclear-clock isomer in solid-state hosts

Authors: Y. Elskens, M. Athanasakis-Kaklamanakis, S. Arasada Pradeep, M. Au, S. Bara, M. Bartokos, K. Beeks, C. Bernerd, B. Biesmans, S. Casci, P. Chhetri, K. Chrysalidis, A. Claessens, T. E. Cocolios, J. G. Correia, A. R. G. Costa, H. De Witte, S. B. Diewald, Ch. E. Düllmann, R. Ferrer, R. Heinke, G. Holthoff, F. Ivandikov, Yu. Kudryavtsev, U. Köster , et al. (30 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: The radiative decay dynamics of an ensemble of $^{229\mathrm{m}}$Th nuclei embedded in CaF$_2$ and MgF$_2$ is investigated. The isomer is populated through $β$ decay of $^{229}$Ac following ion implantation, and its radiative decay is detected using vacuum-ultraviolet spectroscopy and measured as a function of time. This allows to identify and quantify the quenching of the radiative-decay signal i… ▽ More The radiative decay dynamics of an ensemble of $^{229\mathrm{m}}$Th nuclei embedded in CaF$_2$ and MgF$_2$ is investigated. The isomer is populated through $β$ decay of $^{229}$Ac following ion implantation, and its radiative decay is detected using vacuum-ultraviolet spectroscopy and measured as a function of time. This allows to identify and quantify the quenching of the radiative-decay signal induced by $α$ or $β$ radiation. The quenching probability density is determined in different CaF$_2$ crystals and in a MgF$_2$ crystal, revealing differences up to two orders of magnitude between the investigated samples and a strong dependence on the host material and defect densities. The results support a microscopic mechanism mediated by charge carriers in which electronic excitations created by the decay radiation are captured near Th defects, thereby favoring non-radiative decay channels. △ Less

Submitted 3 August, 2026; v1 submitted 23 July, 2026; originally announced July 2026.

Comments: 13 pages main text and 2 pages supplemental material. Main text contains 7 figures, supplementary material 1

Spin and momentum fraction carried by partons in the nucleon

Authors: Constantia Alexandrou, Simone Bacchio, Jacob Finkenrath, Christos Iona, Giannis Koutsou, Christian Kummer, Yan Li, Bhavna Prasad, Gregoris Spanoudes

Abstract: We determine the momentum fraction and angular momentum carried by quarks and gluons in the proton in lattice QCD. We use four ensembles simulated with up, down, strange and charm quarks with their masses tuned to their physical values. These ensembles have similar physical volume and different lattice spacings allowing us to take the continuum limit directly at the physical pion mass point. We ex… ▽ More We determine the momentum fraction and angular momentum carried by quarks and gluons in the proton in lattice QCD. We use four ensembles simulated with up, down, strange and charm quarks with their masses tuned to their physical values. These ensembles have similar physical volume and different lattice spacings allowing us to take the continuum limit directly at the physical pion mass point. We extract the quark and gluon momentum fractions and total angular momentum in the continuum limit as well as the intrinsic quark spin and orbital angular momentum contributions to the proton spin. We find the total momentum fraction $\langle x_N \rangle= 0.995(60)(29)$ and the total spin $J_N = 0.507(43)(65)$, showing that both the momentum and spin sum rules are satisfied. We compare our results to those extracted from phenomenological analyses. △ Less

Submitted 23 July, 2026; originally announced July 2026.

Comments: 8 pages and 7 figures

Nucleon unpolarized second Mellin moments using lattice QCD ensembles with physical quark masses and in the continuum limit

Authors: Constantia Alexandrou, Simone Bacchio, Jacob Finkenrath, Christos Iona, Giannis Koutsou, Christian Kummer, Yan Li, Bhavna Prasad, Gregoris Spanoudes

Abstract: We compute the matrix elements of the energy-momentum tensor of the nucleon using four ensembles of twisted mass clover-improved fermions with the up, down, strange and charm quark masses tuned to approximately their physical values. The four ensembles have similar physical volume and lattice spacings $a=0.080$~fm, $0.068$~fm, $0.057$~fm, and $0.049$ fm, allowing us to take the continuum limit dir… ▽ More We compute the matrix elements of the energy-momentum tensor of the nucleon using four ensembles of twisted mass clover-improved fermions with the up, down, strange and charm quark masses tuned to approximately their physical values. The four ensembles have similar physical volume and lattice spacings $a=0.080$~fm, $0.068$~fm, $0.057$~fm, and $0.049$ fm, allowing us to take the continuum limit directly at the physical pion mass point. We compute both connected and disconnected quark contributions as well as gluon contributions. All renormalization functions, including the mixing of the quark singlet with the gluon, are determined non-perturbatively. We extract the gravitational form factors in the continuum limit at $Q^2=0$ and evaluate the contribution of quarks and gluons to the momentum and angular momentum of the proton. Using the values of the intrinsic quark spin computed using the same gauge ensembles we also determine the orbital angular momentum for each quark flavor. △ Less

Submitted 22 July, 2026; originally announced July 2026.

Comments: 33 pages, 34 figures

Experimental determination of the Dalitz plot for positronium decay using the J-PET detection system

Authors: Magdalena Skurzok, Steven D. Bass, Kamila Kasperska, Ermias Beyene, Neha Chug, Catalina Curceanu, Eryk Czerwinski, Manish Das, Marek Gorgol, Sharareh Jalali, Bozena Jasinska, Krzysztof Kacprzak, Tevfik Kaplanoglu, Łukasz Kapłon, Aleksander Khreptak, Tomasz Kozik, Deepak Kumar, Karol Kubat, Sumit Kumar Kundu, Edward Lisowski, Filip Lisowski, Bartłomiej Łach, Justyna Mędrala-Sowa, Wiktor Mryka, Simbarashe Moyo , et al. (15 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: We present the first measurements of the Dalitz plot for ortho-positronium annihilation to three photons. Our measurements, accurate to about 3% statistical and 2-3% systematic uncertainty in angular representation over almost the entire available phase space, were performed using the Jagiellonian Positron Emission Tomograph (J-PET) based on organic scintillator strips. Until now, the Dalitz plot… ▽ More We present the first measurements of the Dalitz plot for ortho-positronium annihilation to three photons. Our measurements, accurate to about 3% statistical and 2-3% systematic uncertainty in angular representation over almost the entire available phase space, were performed using the Jagiellonian Positron Emission Tomograph (J-PET) based on organic scintillator strips. Until now, the Dalitz plot for the three-body positronium decay has been poorly explored. The new measurements presented here are consistent with both the leading-order and next-to-leading order QED predictions for the Dalitz plot. △ Less

Submitted 21 July, 2026; originally announced July 2026.

Negative-parity high-spin structure of 105Pd

Authors: B. Kruzsicz, D. Sohler, J. Timár, I. Kuti, Q. B. Chen, S. Q. Zhang, J. Meng, P. Joshi, R. Wadsworth, K. Starosta, A. Algora, P. Bednarczyk, D. Curien, Zs. Dombrádi, G. Duchêne, A. Gizon, J. Gizon, D. G. Jenkins, T. Koike, A. Krakó, A. Krasznahorkay, J. Molnár, B. M. Nyakó, E. S. Paul, G. Rainovski , et al. (4 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: Negative-parity medium- and high-spin structure of the nucleus 105Pd was studied through the 96Zr(13C,4n)105Pd reaction at incident energies of 51 and 58 MeV, using the EUROBALL IV gamma-ray spectrometer in conjunction with the DIAMANT charged particle array. New bands have been observed and the previously reported bands have been extended to higher energies and spins. Altogether six decoupled ban… ▽ More Negative-parity medium- and high-spin structure of the nucleus 105Pd was studied through the 96Zr(13C,4n)105Pd reaction at incident energies of 51 and 58 MeV, using the EUROBALL IV gamma-ray spectrometer in conjunction with the DIAMANT charged particle array. New bands have been observed and the previously reported bands have been extended to higher energies and spins. Altogether six decoupled bands with E2 transitions and one strongly coupled band with M1 + E2 transitions have been observed. The observed energy spectra and B(M1)/B(E2) ratios are compared with results of quantum particle rotor model calculations. Based on these comparisons, quasiparticle configurations can be assigned to two newly observed decoupled bands as well as to the strongly coupled band. The previously emerged possible interpretation for the third decoupled band as a two-phonon wobbling excitation lacks support. The observations indicate possible gamma-band nature for this band. The strongly coupled band, consistently with the absence of another observed strongly coupled band in this experiment, does not exhibit chirality. △ Less

Submitted 21 July, 2026; originally announced July 2026.

Journal ref: Physical Review C 112 (2025) 064316

Quantifying the Information Gain from Future High-Precision Radius Measurements for Identifying Twin Neutron Stars

Authors: Bao-An Li, Xavier Grundler

Abstract: Twin neutron stars (NSs), characterized by identical gravitational masses but different radii, are among the most promising astrophysical signatures of a strong first-order hadron--quark phase transition in supradense matter. We investigate how increasingly precise NS radius measurements improve the Bayesian inference of twin-star observability using mock radius data for a canonical… ▽ More Twin neutron stars (NSs), characterized by identical gravitational masses but different radii, are among the most promising astrophysical signatures of a strong first-order hadron--quark phase transition in supradense matter. We investigate how increasingly precise NS radius measurements improve the Bayesian inference of twin-star observability using mock radius data for a canonical $1.4\,M_\odot$ NS. Radius uncertainties are varied from the current level of about $0.9$ km to the $\approx 0.1$ km precision anticipated from future X-ray and gravitational-wave observations. We quantify the information gained using the posterior distribution of the maximum twin-star radius separation $ΔR$ together with an analytical model of branch distinguishability and complementary information-theoretic measures based on the branch observational efficiency and the Shannon entropy. The combined analyses reveal three inference regimes: a prior-dominated regime for $σ_R \gtrsim 0.6$ km, a rapid information-gain regime for $0.2 \lesssim σ_R \lesssim 0.6$ km, and an information-saturation regime for $σ_R \lesssim 0.2$ km. These complementary analyses consistently indicate that radius measurements with a precision of about $0.2$ km already extract most of the information available for identifying twin NSs within the present Bayesian framework. Beyond establishing a quantitative observational benchmark for future high-precision radius measurements, this work provides a general Bayesian framework for quantifying the information gain from progressively more precise observations and identifying the point of diminishing scientific returns. △ Less

Submitted 13 August, 2026; v1 submitted 20 July, 2026; originally announced July 2026.

Comments: Version accepted by Phys. Lett. B

Journal ref: Phys. Lett. B 880 (2026) 140863

Rapid structural evolution of neutron-rich silicon isotopes toward N = 28

Authors: G. L. Zimba, H. Iwasaki, B. A. Brown, Y. Utsuno, N. Shimizu, N. Aoi, M. Basson, T. Beck, J. Chen, J. Chung-Jung, A. Douglas, A. Ertoprak, P. Farris, C. Fransen, A. Gade, S. A. Gillespie, A. Hill, K. Kolos, D. Lempke, I. Lihtar, T. Mijatović, S. Neupane, S. Noji, T. Parry, A. Revel , et al. (5 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: Neutron-rich Si isotopes represent a unique case of shell evolution, exhibiting a robust shell closure at $N=20$ and pronounced quadrupole collectivity at $N = 28$. We report lifetime measurements of excited states in $^{40}$Si and the first simultaneous lifetime and heavy-ion inelastic-scattering measurements in $^{41}$Si. In $^{40}$Si, the extracted lifetimes for the $2_1^+$ and $(2_2^+)$ states… ▽ More Neutron-rich Si isotopes represent a unique case of shell evolution, exhibiting a robust shell closure at $N=20$ and pronounced quadrupole collectivity at $N = 28$. We report lifetime measurements of excited states in $^{40}$Si and the first simultaneous lifetime and heavy-ion inelastic-scattering measurements in $^{41}$Si. In $^{40}$Si, the extracted lifetimes for the $2_1^+$ and $(2_2^+)$ states indicate moderate quadrupole collectivity at $N=26$, together with signatures of triaxiality. In $^{41}$Si, two near-degenerate states at 570 and 658~keV exhibit comparable $B(E2)$ strengths as extracted from inelastic scattering, while the measured lifetimes indicate dominant $M1$ decays. The combined lifetime and inelastic-scattering results suggest an evolution toward oblate shape, consistent with large-scale shell-model predictions. △ Less

Submitted 17 July, 2026; originally announced July 2026.

Investigation of hadronic effects on resonance productions in small collision systems using the EPOS4 model

Authors: Hyunji Lim, Bong-Hwi Lim, Minjung Kim, Sanghoon Lim

Abstract: Recent experimental results in high-multiplicity proton-proton (pp) collisions have suggested the possible emergence of collective behavior and medium-like effects previously considered characteristic of heavy-ion collisions. Resonance production provides a sensitive probe of such effects, as resonance yields and transverse-momentum distributions can be modified by hadronic interactions occurring… ▽ More Recent experimental results in high-multiplicity proton-proton (pp) collisions have suggested the possible emergence of collective behavior and medium-like effects previously considered characteristic of heavy-ion collisions. Resonance production provides a sensitive probe of such effects, as resonance yields and transverse-momentum distributions can be modified by hadronic interactions occurring between chemical and kinetic freeze-out. In this study, these effects are investigated using the EPOS4 event generator, in which hadronic final-state interactions are modeled through the UrQMD transport approach. By comparing calculations performed with and without UrQMD, the impact of hadronic interactions on resonance production is evaluated. In addition, the UrQMD contributions are separated into regeneration and rescattering, enabling a detailed investigation of both resonance production enhancement and the loss of reconstructible resonance signals. The analysis is performed for various mesonic and baryonic resonances with different lifetimes in pp collisions at LHC energies and is extended to p-O, O-O, and Pb-Pb collisions to study the system-size dependence of hadronic-phase effects. The results show that resonance production is governed by the competition between regeneration and rescattering, whose relative importance depends strongly on the resonance species, transverse momentum, and collision system. While rescattering suppresses reconstructible short-lived resonance signals, regeneration can significantly enhance the yields of several resonance species, particularly baryonic resonances. These findings demonstrate that hadronic interactions can play an important role even in small collision systems and highlight the need to measure resonances with different lifetimes and quantum numbers to constrain the dynamics and lifetime of the hadronic phase across collision systems. △ Less

Submitted 16 July, 2026; originally announced July 2026.

Comments: 15 pages, 11 figures

Radiative corrections in neutral-current (anti)neutrino elastic scattering at $\text{GeV}$ energies I: Nucleon targets

Authors: Yi Chen, Oleksandr Tomalak, Bing-Song Zou

Abstract: We introduce radiative corrections in neutral-current (anti)neutrino-nucleon elastic scattering at $\text{GeV}$ energies within the effective field theory framework. We factorize cross sections into soft and hard functions, clarify the (anti)neutrino flavor dependence at both amplitude and cross-section levels, and improve the quantum chromodynamics (QCD) contributions to low-energy neutral-curren… ▽ More We introduce radiative corrections in neutral-current (anti)neutrino-nucleon elastic scattering at $\text{GeV}$ energies within the effective field theory framework. We factorize cross sections into soft and hard functions, clarify the (anti)neutrino flavor dependence at both amplitude and cross-section levels, and improve the quantum chromodynamics (QCD) contributions to low-energy neutral-current processes. The radiative corrections at the single-nucleon level reach a magnitude comparable to the contributions from strange quarks. We also compare our results with the experimental data from BNL E734 and MiniBooNE collaborations, finding excellent agreements with the experimental data. △ Less

Submitted 16 July, 2026; originally announced July 2026.

Comments: 52 pages, 28 figures

Characterisation of a Thick Pixelated Silicon Detector for Electron Spectroscopy of Neutron Beta Decay

Authors: Manuel Lebert, Lilli Löbell, Igor Konorov, Bastian Märkisch

Abstract: Silicon detectors are commonly used for spectroscopy of low-energy particles. For electrons in the 1 MeV range, a rather large thickness of 2mm is required to entirely stop the electrons and commercial options are scarce. With the instrument PERC at the FRM II, we aim to measure beta spectra from polarised and unpolarised neutrons in order to determine the axial-vector coupling constant, the eleme… ▽ More Silicon detectors are commonly used for spectroscopy of low-energy particles. For electrons in the 1 MeV range, a rather large thickness of 2mm is required to entirely stop the electrons and commercial options are scarce. With the instrument PERC at the FRM II, we aim to measure beta spectra from polarised and unpolarised neutrons in order to determine the axial-vector coupling constant, the element $V_\textrm{ud}$ of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa quark-mixing matrix, and to search for hypothetical scalar and tensor contributions. We present the characterisation of a commercially available, pixelated detector to assess its suitability to measure the entire electron energy spectrum of free neutron beta decay. △ Less

Submitted 15 July, 2026; originally announced July 2026.

Nuclear Charge Radius of $^9$Be from Muonic Atom Spectroscopy Using a Microcalorimeter

Authors: Ofir Eizenberg, Shikha Rathi, Andreas Abeln, Sonia Bacca, Gonçalo Baptista, Nir Barnea, Noam Burger, Thomas Elias Cocolios, Marie Deseyn, Tim Egert, Christian Enss, Andreas Fleischmann, Loredana Gastaldo, César Godinho, Nitzan Goldberg, Michael Heines, Daniel Hengstler, Paul Indelicato, Weiguang Jiang, Klaus Kirch, Andreas Knecht, Daniel Kreuzberger, Jorge Machado, Ulf-G. Meißner, Ben Ohayon , et al. (12 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: The $2p\to1s$ transition energy in muonic $^9$Be was measured using a metallic magnetic calorimeter, resulting in $E_{2p\to 1s}=33\,391.48(34)\,$eV. The result is 30 times more precise than the previous best measurement and enables the extraction of the corresponding nuclear charge radius $r_c($$^9$Be$)=2.5506(51)\,$fm. It is $2.4$ times more precise than the commonly used value based on electron… ▽ More The $2p\to1s$ transition energy in muonic $^9$Be was measured using a metallic magnetic calorimeter, resulting in $E_{2p\to 1s}=33\,391.48(34)\,$eV. The result is 30 times more precise than the previous best measurement and enables the extraction of the corresponding nuclear charge radius $r_c($$^9$Be$)=2.5506(51)\,$fm. It is $2.4$ times more precise than the commonly used value based on electron scattering and differs from it by $2.3$ times the combined uncertainties. This measurement represents the first determination of a nuclear charge radius using muonic x-ray spectroscopy with microcalorimeters. △ Less

Submitted 15 July, 2026; originally announced July 2026.

Search for two-neutrino double electron capture in $^{36}$Ar with the DarkSide-50 detector

Authors: DarkSide-50 Collaboration, :, P. Agnes, I. F. M. Albuquerque, T. Alexander, A. K. Alton, M. Ave Pernas, H. O. Back, G. Batignani, W. M. Bonivento, B. Bottino, S. Bussino, M. Cadeddu, M. Cadoni, A. Caminata, N. Canci, M. Caravati, N. Cargioli, M. Carlini, S. Chashin, A. Chepurnov, S. Davini, S. De Cecco, A. Derbin, D. Díaz Mairena , et al. (62 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: Two-neutrino double electron capture is a rare nuclear decay where two electrons are simultaneously captured from the atomic shells and two neutrinos are emitted. We report on the first search for two-neutrino double electron capture in the $\textit{KK}$- and $\textit{KL}$-shells of $^{36}$Ar using the low-radioactivity liquid argon target from underground sources in the DarkSide-50 experiment. No… ▽ More Two-neutrino double electron capture is a rare nuclear decay where two electrons are simultaneously captured from the atomic shells and two neutrinos are emitted. We report on the first search for two-neutrino double electron capture in the $\textit{KK}$- and $\textit{KL}$-shells of $^{36}$Ar using the low-radioactivity liquid argon target from underground sources in the DarkSide-50 experiment. No statistically significant excess was observed with approximately 12 ton-day exposure of underground argon (UAr) and, taking into account the $^{36}$Ar isotopic abundance in UAr (0.007%), we set a limit on the half-life of the two-electron capture process in $^{36}$Ar of $T_{1/2} > 9.2 \times 10^{19}$ yr at 90% C.L. The sensitivity of the DarkSide-20k experiment, which will become operational in the next few years, was also evaluated and is expected to increase by a factor $\sim$100 with 10 years of expected operation and assuming the same $^{36}$Ar abundance as in the DarkSide-50 underground argon target. △ Less

Submitted 27 July, 2026; v1 submitted 13 July, 2026; originally announced July 2026.

Comments: 12 pages, 5 figures; corrected author list (added author A. Derbin, D. Semenov, E. Unzhakov, V. Muratova; updated author order)