Performance of the LHCb muon system with cosmic rays

The LHCb Muon system performance is presented using cosmic ray events collected in 2009. These events allowed to test and optimize the detector configuration before the LHC start. The space and time alignment and the measurement of chamber efficiency, time resolution and cluster size are described in detail. The results are in agreement with the expected detector performance.Comment: Submitted to JINST and accepte

Performance of the LHCb muon system

The performance of the LHCb Muon system and its stability across the full 2010 data taking with LHC running at ps = 7 TeV energy is studied. The optimization of the detector setting and the time calibration performed with the first collisions delivered by LHC is described. Particle rates, measured for the wide range of luminosities and beam operation conditions experienced during the run, are compared with the values expected from simulation. The space and time alignment of the detectors, chamber efficiency, time resolution and cluster size are evaluated. The detector performance is found to be as expected from specifications or better. Notably the overall efficiency is well above the design requirementsComment: JINST_015P_1112 201

Measurement of {\eta} meson production in {\gamma}{\gamma} interactions and {\Gamma}({\eta}-->{\gamma}{\gamma}) with the KLOE detector

We present a measurement of {\eta} meson production in photon-photon interactions produced by electron-positron beams colliding with \sqrt{s}=1 GeV. The measurement is done with the KLOE detector at the \phi-factory DA{\Phi}NE with an integrated luminosity of 0.24 fb^{-1}. The e^+e^- --> e^+e^-{\eta} cross section is measured without detecting the outgoing electron and positron, selecting the decays {\eta}-->{\pi}^+{\pi}^-{\pi}^0 and {\eta}-->{\pi}^0{\pi}^0{\pi}^0. The most relevant background is due to e^+e^- --> {\eta}{\gamma} when the monochromatic photon escapes detection. The cross section for this process is measured as {\sigma}(e^+e^- -->{\eta}{\gamma}) = (856 \pm 8_{stat} \pm 16_{syst}) pb. The combined result for the e^+e^- -->e^+e^-{\eta} cross section is {\sigma}(e^+e^- -->e^+e^-{\eta}) = (32.72 \pm 1.27_{stat} \pm 0.70_{syst}) pb. From this we derive the partial width {\Gamma}({\eta}-->{\gamma}{\gamma}) = (520 \pm 20_{stat} \pm 13_{syst}) eV. This is in agreement with the world average and is the most precise measurement to date.Comment: Version accepted by JHE

Grain rotation and lattice deformation during perovskite spray coating and annealing probed in situ by GI-WAXS

We report for the first time on grain rotation in CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite films for ∼12% efficient planar solar cells and present a new method for investigating their texture evolution during thermal annealing. Our technique is based on in situ 2D grazing incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering (GI-WAXS) and employs a 10 keV wide-focussed X-ray beam to simultaneously probe a large number of grains. The ability to track the texture dynamics from a statistically relevant number of spots diffracting from single grains during thermal annealing and in grazing incidence geometry can have applications understanding the processing dynamics of a range of new materials

Measurement of \Gamma(\eta -> \pi^+\pi^-\gamma)/\Gamma(\eta -> \pi^+\pi^-\pi^0) with the KLOE Detector

The ratio R_{\eta}=\Gamma(\eta -> \pi^+\pi^-\gamma)/\Gamma(\eta -> \pi^+\pi^-\pi^0) has been measured by analyzing 22 million \phi \to \eta \gamma decays collected by the KLOE experiment at DA\PhiNE, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 558 pb^{-1}. The \eta \to \pi^+\pi^-\gamma proceeds both via the \rho resonant contribution, and possibly a non-resonant direct term, connected to the box anomaly. Our result, R_{\eta}= 0.1856\pm 0.0005_{stat} \pm 0.0028_{syst}, points out a sizable contribution of the direct term to the total width. The di-pion invariant mass for the \eta -> \pi^+\pi^-\gamma decay could be described in a model-independent approach in terms of a single free parameter, \alpha. The determined value of the parameter \alpha is \alpha = (1.32 \pm 0.08_{stat} +0.10/-0.09_{syst}\pm 0.02_{theo}) GeV^{-2}Comment: Paper in press, accepted by PL

A new limit on the CP violating decay KS -> 3pi0 with the KLOE experiment

We have carried out a new direct search for the CP violating decay KS -> 3pi0 with 1.7 fb^-1 of e+e- collisions collected by the KLOE detector at the phi-factory DAFNE. We have searched for this decay in a sample of about 5.9 x 10^8 KS KL events tagging the KS by means of the KL interaction in the calorimeter and requiring six prompt photons. With respect to our previous search, the analysis has been improved by increasing of a factor four the tagged sample and by a more effective background rejection of fake KS tags and spurious clusters. We find no candidates in data and simulated background samples, while we expect 0.12 standard model events. Normalizing to the number of KS -> 2pi0 events in the same sample, we set the upper limit on BR(KS -> 3pi0 < 2.6 x 10^-8 at 90% C.L., five times lower than the previous limit. We also set the upper limit on the eta_000 parameter, |eta_000 | < 0.0088 at 90% C.L., improving by a factor two the latest direct measurement.Comment: Accepted for publication in Physics Letters B (15 pages, 13 figures

Precision measurement of σ(e+e−→π+π−γ)/σ(e+e−→μ+μ−γ)\sigma(e^+e^-\rightarrow\pi^+\pi^-\gamma)/\sigma(e^+e^-\rightarrow \mu^+\mu^-\gamma) and determination of the π+π−\pi^+\pi^- contribution to the muon anomaly with the KLOE detector

We have measured the ratio $\sigma(e^+e^-\rightarrow\pi^+\pi^-\gamma)/\sigma(e^+e^-\rightarrow \mu^+\mu^-\gamma)$, with the KLOE detector at DA$\Phi$NE for a total integrated luminosity of $\sim$ 240 pb$^{-1}$. From this ratio we obtain the cross section $\sigma(e^+e^-\rightarrow\pi^+\pi^-)$. From the cross section we determine the pion form factor $|F_\pi|^2$ and the two-pion contribution to the muon anomaly $a_\mu$ for $0.592<M_{\pi\pi}<0.975$ GeV, $\Delta^{\pi\pi} a_\mu$= $({\rm 385.1\pm1.1_{stat}\pm2.7_{sys+theo}})\times10^{-10}$. This result confirms the current discrepancy between the Standard Model calculation and the experimental measurement of the muon anomaly.Comment: 18 pages, 8 figures, minor text corrections, one table added, version to appear on Physics Letters

First observation of Bs -> D_{s2}^{*+} X mu nu decays

Using data collected with the LHCb detector in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV, the semileptonic decays Bs -> Ds+ X mu nu and Bs -> D0 K+ X mu nu are detected. Two structures are observed in the D0 K+ mass spectrum at masses consistent with the known D^+_{s1}(2536) and $D^{*+}_{s2}(2573) mesons. The measured branching fractions relative to the total Bs semileptonic rate are B(Bs -> D_{s2}^{*+} X mu nu)/B(Bs -> X mu nu)= (3.3\pm 1.0\pm 0.4)%, and B(Bs -> D_{s1}^+ X munu)/B(Bs -> X mu nu)= (5.4\pm 1.2\pm 0.5)%, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. This is the first observation of the D_{s2}^{*+} state in Bs decays; we also measure its mass and width.Comment: 8 pages 2 figures. Published in Physics Letters

Characterization of a Deglaciated Sediment Chronosequence in the High Arctic Using Near‐Surface Geoelectrical Monitoring Methods

Accelerated climate warming is causing significant reductions in the volume of Arctic glaciers, such that previously ice-capped bare ground is uncovered, harboring soil development. Monitoring the thermal and hydrologic characteristics of soils, which strongly affect microbial activity, is important to understand the evolution of emerging terrestrial landscapes. We instrumented two sites on the forefield of a retreating Svalbard glacier, representing sediment ages of approximately 5 and 60 years since exposure. Our instrumentation included an ERT array complemented by adjacent point sensor measurements of subsurface temperature and water content. Sediments were sampled at each location and at two more additional sites (120 and 2000 years old) along a chronosequence aligned with the direction of glacial retreat. Analysis suggests older sediments have a lower bulk density and contain fewer large minerals, which we interpret to be indicative of sediment reworking over time. Two months of monitoring data recorded during summer 2021 indicate that the 60-year-old sediments are stratified showing more spatially consistent changes in electrical resistivity, whereas the younger sediments show a more irregular structure, with consequences on heat and moisture conductibility. Furthermore, our sensors reveal that young sediments have a higher moisture content, but a lower moisture content variability