A new way of comparing DBD experiments

Abstract Many present-generation experiments for the search for neutrino-less double beta decay are taking data or are in a final construction stage. In order to understand what the future of double beta decay search is going to be, a tool for a complete and objective comparison of the different experimental techniques is mandatory

Low-threshold performance and coherent detection of supernova neutrinos in CUORE-0 and CUORE

Thanks to a trigger algorithm based on the optimum (matched) filter technique CUORE experiment will be able to lower the energy threshold and detect neutrinos from type II supernovae via the observation of the recoil energy (few to tens of keV for a MeV neutrino) of a scattered target nucleus (ν-nucleus NC coherent scattering is a phenomenon relatively well known but never observed experimentally). The studies on the sensitivity to supernova neutrino show that a supernova at 7 kpc should be detected with high efficiency

Analysis of heavy spin--3/2 baryon--heavy spin--1/2 baryon--light vector meson vertices in QCD

The heavy spin--3/2 baryon--heavy spin--1/2 baryon vertices with light vector mesons are studied within the light cone QCD sum rules method. These vertices are parametrized in terms of three coupling constants. These couplings are calculated for all possible transitions. It is shown that correlation functions for these transitions are described by only one invariant function for every Lorenz structure. The obtained relations between the correlation functions of the different transitions are structure independent while explicit expressions of invariant functions depend on the Lorenz structure.Comment: 17 Pages, 6 Figures and 4 Table

The 4 K outer cryostat for the CUORE experiment: construction and quality control

The external shell of the CUORE cryostat is a large cryogen-free system designed to host the dilution refrigerator and the bolometers of the CUORE experiment in a low radioactivity environment. The three vessels that form the outer shell were produced and delivered to the Gran Sasso underground Laboratories in July 2012. In this paper, we describe the production techniques and the validation tests done at the production site in 2012.Comment: 11 pages, 13 figures; to appear in NIM

Heavy baryon--light vector meson couplings in QCD

The strong coupling constants of heavy baryons with light vector mesons are calculated in the framework of the light cone QCD sum rules using the most general form of the interpolating currents for the heavy baryons. It is shown that the sextet--sextet, sextet--antitriplet and antitriplet--antitriplet transitions are described by one invariant function for each class of transitions. The values of the electric and magnetic coupling constants for these transitions are obtained.Comment: 16 Pages, 4 Figures and 7 Table

Large area Si low-temperature light detectors with Neganov-Luke effect

Next generation calorimetric experiments for the search of rare events rely on the detection of tiny amounts of light (of the order of 20 optical photons) to discriminate and reduce background sources and improve sensitivity. Calorimetric detectors are the simplest solution for photon detection at cryogenic (mK) temperatures. The development of silicon based light detectors with enhanced performance thanks to the use of the Neganov-Luke effect is described. The aim of this research line is the production of high performance detectors with industrial-grade reproducibility and reliability.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure

CP Violation Results from B Decays at BaBar

In the present paper we review recent experimental results from the BaBar experiment concerning the measurement of the CKM angles. A particular highlight is given to the novel independent determination of the angle alpha from B0 -> a_1(1260)+/- pi -/+ and to the recent full-luminosity updates of several angle gamma measurements.Comment: 8 pages, contributed to the Proceedings of DISCRETE2010 Conferenc

Studying bone mineral density in young people: The complexity of choosing a pQCT reference database

BACKGROUND: Many chronic illnesses affect bone health, and commonly lead to mineralization abnormalities in young people. As cortical and trabecular bone may be differentially affected in certain diseases, an imaging technique that allows for detailed study of the bone structure is required. Peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) overcomes the limitations of dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and is perhaps more widely available for use in research than bone biopsy. However, in contrast to DXA, where there are large reference datasets, this is not the case for pQCT. METHODS: Fifty-five children and young adults aged 7 to 30 years had the non-dominant tibia scanned at the 3% & 4% sites for trabecular bone mineral density and the 38% site for cortical bone mineral density and bone mineral content. Image acquisition and analysis was undertaken according to the protocols of two of the largest reference datasets for tibial pQCT. The Z-scores generated were compared to examine the differences between protocols and the differences from the expected median of zero in a healthy population. RESULTS: The trabecular bone mineral density Z-scores generated by the two protocols were similar. The same was true for cortical mineral content Z-scores at the 38% site. Cortical bone mineral density was significantly different between protocols and likely affected by differences in the ethnicity of our cohort compared to the reference datasets. Only one reference dataset extended from childhood to young adulthood. Only trabecular bone mineral density, periosteal and endosteal circumference Z-scores from one methodology were not significantly biased when tested for deviation of the median from zero. CONCLUSIONS: pQCT is a useful tool for studying trabecular and cortical compartments separately but, there are variations in pQCT scanning protocols, analysis methodology, and a paucity of reference data. Reference datasets may not be generalizable to local study populations, even when analysed using identical analysis protocols

The Future of Neutrino Mass Measurements: Terrestrial, Astrophysical, and Cosmological Measurements in the Next Decade. Highlights of the NuMass 2013 Workshop. Milano, Italy, February 4 - 7, 2013

The third Workshop of the NuMass series ("The Future of Neutrino Mass Measurements: Terrestrial, Astrophysical, and Cosmological Measurements in the Next Decade: NuMass 2013") was held at Dipartimento di Fisica "G. Occhialini, University of Milano-Bicocca in Milano, Italy, on 4-7 February 2013. The goal of this international workshop was to review the status and future of direct and indirect neutrino mass measurements in the laboratory as well as from astrophysical and cosmological observations. This paper collects most of the contributions presented during the Workshop