LIGO End-to-End simulation Program

A time-domain simulation program has been developed to provide an accurate description of interferometric gravitational wave detectors. This is being utilized to build a model of LIGO with the aim of aiding in the shakedown and integration of the interferometer subsystems, and ultimately the optimization of detector sensitivity

AHR and the Transcriptional Regulation of Type-17/22 ILC

Mucosal innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are an emerging population of diverse and heterogeneous immune cells, all with the unique ability to mount a rapid response against invading pathogens. They are further divided into subsets based on their differing cell surface markers as well as in their functional specialization. In this review, we summarize recent reports describing the importance of the transcription factor aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) in regulating the development of one of these subsets, the Type-17/22 ILCs, as well as in the organization of postnatal lymphoid structures. We discuss the mechanisms behind the AHR dependence for development in Type-17/22 ILCs as well as reviewing the proposed physiological ligands that are mediating this effect

Measurement of inclusive photon production cross section with ATLAS

The cross section for the inclusive production of isolated prompt photons in proton-proton collisions is measured at √s = 13 TeV, using an integrated luminosity of 139 fb−1 collected with the ATLAS detector at the LHC. The measurement is performed using two criteria for photon isolation: the standard fixed-cone approach and the Frixione isolation prescription. The results show a good agreement with the theoretical predictions within the experimental and theoretical uncertainties. The content of this article is based on my talk at the 108th National Congress of the Italian Physics Society (12th September 2022) and covers the work of my Master’s Thesis

Structural validation of a realistic wing structure: the RIBES test article

Several experimental test cases are available in literature to study and validate fluid structure interaction methods. They, however, focus the attention mainly on replicating typical cruising aerodynamic conditions forcing the adoption of fully steel made models able to operate with the high loads generated in high speed facilities. This translates in a complete loss of similitude with typical realistic aeronautical wing structures configurations. To reverse this trend, and to better study the aerolastic mechanism from a structural point of view, an aeroelastic measurement campaign was carried within the EU RIBES project. A half wing model for wind tunnel tests was designed and manufactured replicating a typical metallic wing box structure, producing a database of loads, pressure, stress and deformation measurements. In this paper the design, manufacturing and validation activities performed within the RIBES project are described, with a focus on the structural behavior of the test article. All experimental data and numerical models are made freely available to the scientific community

Lattice energy-momentum tensor with Symanzik improved actions

We define the energy-momentum tensor on lattice for the $\lambda \phi^4$ and for the nonlinear $\sigma$-model Symanzik tree-improved actions, using Ward identities or an explicit matching procedure. The resulting operators give the correct one loop scale anomaly, and in the case of the sigma model they can have applications in Monte Carlo simulations.Comment: Self extracting archive fil

Stochastic background from extra-galactic double neutron stars

We present Monte Carlo simulations of the extra galactic population of inspiralling double neutron stars, and estimate its contribution to the astrophysical gravitational wave background, in the frequency range of ground based interferometers, corresponding to the last thousand seconds before the last stable orbit when more than 96 percent of the signal is released. We show that sources at redshift z>0.5 contribute to a truly continuous background which may be detected by correlating third generation interferometers.Comment: 13 pages, 7 figures - proceeding of a talk given at the 11th GWDAW, to appear in CQ

Improving the sensitivity of future GW observatories in the 1-10 Hz band: Newtonian and seismic noise

The next generation gravitational wave interferometric detectors will likely be underground detectors to extend the GW detection frequency band to frequencies below the Newtonian noise limit. Newtonian noise originates from the continuous motion of the Earth’s crust driven by human activity, tidal stresses and seismic motion, and from mass density fluctuations in the atmosphere. It is calculated that on Earth’s surface, on a typical day, it will exceed the expected GW signals at frequencies below 10 Hz. The noise will decrease underground by an unknown amount. It is important to investigate and to quantify this expected reduction and its effect on the sensitivity of future detectors, to plan for further improvement strategies. We report about some of these aspects. Analytical models can be used in the simplest scenarios to get a better qualitative and semi-quantitative understanding. As more complete modeling can be done numerically, we will discuss also some results obtained with a finite-element-based modeling tool. The method is verified by comparing its results with the results of analytic calculations for surface detectors. A key point about noise models is their initial parameters and conditions, which require detailed information about seismic motion in a real scenario. We will describe an effort to characterize the seismic activity at the Homestake mine which is currently in progress. This activity is specifically aimed to provide informations and to explore the site as a possible candidate for an underground observatory. Although the only compelling reason to put the interferometer underground is to reduce the Newtonian noise, we expect that the more stable underground environment will have a more general positive impact on the sensitivity.We will end this report with some considerations about seismic and suspension noise

The b→sγγb\to s\gamma\gamma transition in softly broken supersymmetry

We study the effect of supersymmetric contributions to the effective quark transition $b\to s\gamma\gamma$, including leading order QCD effects. We apply the discussion to the decay $B_s\to\gamma\gamma$. Even though one-particle irreducible contributions could play a role, numerical cancelations make the amplitude for the two-photon emission strongly correlated to the $b\to s\gamma$ amplitude which is sharply constrained by experiment. A quite general statement follows: as long as non-standard physics effects appear only in the matching of the Wilson coefficients of the standard effective operator basis, the deviations from the standard model expectations of the decay rates induced by $b\to s\gamma\gamma$ are bound to follow closely the corresponding deviations on $b\to s\gamma$. Effects of new physics are therefore bound to be small.Comment: Latex2e, RevTex, 22 pages, 8 eps figures, comments and references adde

Stabilization of a Fabry-Perot interferometer using a suspension-point interferometer

A suspension-point interferometer (SPI) is an auxiliary interferometer for active vibration isolation, implemented at the suspension points of the mirrors of an interferometric gravitational wave detector. We constructed a prototype Fabry-Perot interferometer equipped with an SPI and observed vibration isolation in both the spectrum and transfer function. The noise spectrum of the main interferometer was reduced by 40 dB below 1 Hz. Transfer function measurements showed that the SPI also produced good vibration suppression above 1 Hz. These results indicate that SPI can improve both the sensitivity and the stability of the interferometer.Comment: 14 pages, 8 figures; added discussion; to be published in Physics Letters