Liquid-induced damping of mechanical feedback effects in single electron tunneling through a suspended carbon nanotube

In single electron tunneling through clean, suspended carbon nanotube devices at low temperature, distinct switching phenomena have regularly been observed. These can be explained via strong interaction of single electron tunneling and vibrational motion of the nanotube. We present measurements on a highly stable nanotube device, subsequently recorded in the vacuum chamber of a dilution refrigerator and immersed in the 3He/4He mixture of a second dilution refrigerator. The switching phenomena are absent when the sample is kept in the viscous liquid, additionally supporting the interpretation of dc-driven vibration. Transport measurements in liquid helium can thus be used for finite bias spectroscopy where otherwise the mechanical effects would dominate the current.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Integration of maXs-type microcalorimeter detectors for high-resolution x-ray spectroscopy into the experimental environment at the CRYRING@ESR electron cooler

We report on the first integration of novel magnetic microcalorimeter detectors (MMCs), developed within SPARC (Stored Particles Atomic Physics Research Collaboration), into the experimental environment of storage rings at GSI$^6$, Darmstadt, namely at the electron cooler of CRYRING@ESR. Two of these detector systems were positioned at the 0° and 180° view ports of the cooler section to obtain high-resolution x-ray spectra originating from a stored beam of hydrogen-like uranium interacting with the cooler electrons. While previous test measurements with microcalorimeters at the accelerator facility of GSI were conducted in the mode of well-established stand-alone operation, for the present experiment we implemented several notable modifications to exploit the full potential of this type of detector for precision x-ray spectroscopy of stored heavy ions. Among these are a new readout system compatible with the multi branch system data acquisition platform of GSI, the synchronization of a quasi-continuous energy calibration with the operation cycle of the accelerator facility, as well as the first exploitation of the maXs detectors\u27 time resolution to apply coincidence conditions for the detection of photons and charge-changed ions

Integration of maXs-type microcalorimeter detectors for high-resolution x-ray spectroscopy into the experimental environment at the CRYRING@ESR electron cooler

We report on the first integration of novel magnetic microcalorimeter detectors (MMCs), developed within SPARC (Stored Particles Atomic Physics Research Collaboration), into the experimental environment of storage rings at GSI, Darmstadt, namely at the electron cooler of CRYRING@ESR. Two of these detector systems were positioned at the 0∘ and 180∘ view ports of the cooler section to obtain high-resolution x-ray spectra originating from a stored beam of hydrogen-like uranium interacting with the cooler electrons. While previous test measurements with microcalorimeters at the accelerator facility of GSI were conducted in the mode of well-established stand-alone operation, for the present experiment we implemented several notable modifications to exploit the full potential of this type of detector for precision x-ray spectroscopy of stored heavy ions. Among these are a new readout system compatible with the multi branch system data acquisition platform of GSI, the synchronization of a quasi-continuous energy calibration with the operation cycle of the accelerator facility, as well as the first exploitation of the maXs detectors\u27 time resolution to apply coincidence conditions for the detection of photons and charge-changed ions

The Electron Capture 163^{163}Ho Experiment ECHo: an overview

The determination of the absolute scale of the neutrino masses is one of the most challenging present questions in particle physics. The most stringent limit, $m(\bar{\nu}_{\mathrm{e}})<2$eV, was achieved for the electron anti-neutrino mass \cite{numass}. Different approaches are followed to achieve a sensitivity on neutrino masses in the sub-eV range. Among them, experiments exploring the beta decay or electron capture of suitable nuclides can provide information on the electron neutrino mass value. We present the Electron Capture $^{163}$Ho experiment ECHo, which aims to investigate the electron neutrino mass in the sub-eV range by means of the analysis of the calorimetrically measured energy spectrum following electron capture of $^{163}$Ho. A high precision and high statistics spectrum will be measured with arrays of metallic magnetic calorimeters. We discuss some of the essential aspects of ECHo to reach the proposed sensitivity: detector optimization and performance, multiplexed readout, $^{163}$Ho source production and purification, as well as a precise theoretical and experimental parameterization of the calorimetric EC spectrum including in particular the value of $Q_{\mathrm{EC}}$. We present preliminary results obtained with a first prototype of single channel detectors as well as a first 64-pixel chip with integrated micro-wave SQUID multiplexer, which will already allow to investigate $m(\nu_{\mathrm{e}})$ in the eV range.Comment: Contribution to the LTD15 Conference Proceeding

High-resolution and low-background 163^{163}Ho spectrum: interpretation of the resonance tails

The determination of the effective electron neutrino mass via kinematic analysis of beta and electron capture spectra is considered to be model-independent since it relies on energy and momentum conservation. At the same time the precise description of the expected spectrum goes beyond the simple phase space term. In particular for electron capture processes, many-body electron-electron interactions lead to additional structures besides the main resonances in calorimetrically measured spectra. A precise description of the $^{163}$Ho spectrum is fundamental for understanding the impact of low intensity structures at the endpoint region where a finite neutrino mass affects the shape most strongly. We present a low-background and high-energy resolution measurement of the $^{163}$Ho spectrum obtained in the framework of the ECHo experiment. We study the line shape of the main resonances and multiplets with intensities spanning three orders of magnitude. We discuss the need to introduce an asymmetric line shape contribution due to Auger–Meitner decay of states above the auto-ionisation threshold. With this we determine an enhancement of count rate at the endpoint region of about a factor of 2, which in turn leads to an equal reduction in the required exposure of the experiment to achieve a given sensitivity on the effective electron neutrino mass

A White Paper on keV Sterile Neutrino Dark Matter

We present a comprehensive review of keV-scale sterile neutrino Dark Matter,collecting views and insights from all disciplines involved - cosmology,astrophysics, nuclear, and particle physics - in each case viewed from boththeoretical and experimental/observational perspectives. After reviewing therole of active neutrinos in particle physics, astrophysics, and cosmology, wefocus on sterile neutrinos in the context of the Dark Matter puzzle. Here, wefirst review the physics motivation for sterile neutrino Dark Matter, based onchallenges and tensions in purely cold Dark Matter scenarios. We then round outthe discussion by critically summarizing all known constraints on sterileneutrino Dark Matter arising from astrophysical observations, laboratoryexperiments, and theoretical considerations. In this context, we provide abalanced discourse on the possibly positive signal from X-ray observations.Another focus of the paper concerns the construction of particle physicsmodels, aiming to explain how sterile neutrinos of keV-scale masses could arisein concrete settings beyond the Standard Model of elementary particle physics.The paper ends with an extensive review of current and future astrophysical andlaboratory searches, highlighting new ideas and their experimental challenges,as well as future perspectives for the discovery of sterile neutrinos

El papel de los Estados Unidos en las negociaciones de paz en La Habana (2012-2016)

Esta investigación busca generar una nueva comprensión sobre el rol de los Estados Unidos en las negociaciones de paz en La Habana entre el Estado colombiano y las Farc-EP de 2012-2016. Se realiza aquí un análisis que parte de entender a los Estados Unidos como un país hegemónico en la región que logra consolidar relaciones con los países latinoamericanos, como Colombia, de índole imperialista. Entonces, se estudiará el rol de este actor a través de un estudio de documentos oficiales, prensa y entrevistas con representantes de actores clave en las negociaciones, como también con académicos colombianos expertos en el tema, mediante la recuperación y análisis de las narrativas sobre la participación estadounidense en estos diálogos. Se ofrece en este texto entonces una amplia caracterización del rol de Estados Unidos en estos diálogos y cómo ha sido importante para el avance y la firma del acuerdo de paz en 2016, resaltando su presencia e influencia histórica sobre la política interna en Colombia a través de su agenda de política exterior que se articula con el tipo de diplomacia adoptada desde Colombia y, también, por su apoyo económico y militar al Estado colombiano en el contexto de conflicto armado. Se logrará visibilizar por tanto en la relación bilateral y en la geopolítica regional no una ruptura, sino una continuación en el carácter de la cooperación entre estos dos países a través del apoyo estadounidense a las negociaciones de paz y un hilo conductor en la cooperación bilateral a partir del conflicto y de la paz.This thesis aims to contribute a new understanding of the role of the United States in the peace negotiations between the Colombian state and the Farc-EP in Havana from 2012-2016. The analysis is based on an understanding of this country as a hegemonic power in the region that also manages to consolidate imperialist relations with the Latin American countries, including Colombia. To gain a further understanding of the U.S. participation in this peace process I have studied official documents and news articles from this period and I have also interviewed representatives of various actors present during the negotiations, as well as Colombian academics who are experts on this topic. What becomes clear is that the support of the United States was important for the progress of this peace process and for reaching a final agreement in 2016. This is because of their historical presence and influence in Colombia, the tradition and tendency of Colombian governments to design their policies based on the principle concerns of American foreign policy, as well as the economic and military support to the Colombian state in the context of the armed conflict. This shows that the U.S. support and participation in this peace process does not represent an interruption but rather a continuation of the same character of cooperation between these two countries, which allows us to identify a common thread in the bilateral cooperation in conflict and peace.Maestrí

Low temperature heat capacity of phononic crystal membranes

Phononic crystal (PnC) membranes are a promising solution to improve sensitivity of bolometric sensor devices operating at low temperatures. Previous work has concentrated only on tuning thermal conductance, but significant changes to the heat capacity are also expected due to the modification of the phonon modes. Here, we calculate the area-specific heat capacity for thin (37.5 - 300 nm) silicon and silicon nitride PnC membranes with cylindrical hole patterns of varying period, in the temperature range 1 - 350 mK. We compare the results to two- and three-dimensional Debye models, as the 3D Debye model is known to give an accurate estimate for the low-temperature heat capacity of a bulk sample. We found that thin PnC membranes do not obey the 3D Debye T3 law, nor the 2D T2 law, but have a weaker, approximately linear temperature dependence in the low temperature limit. We also found that depending on the design, the PnC patterning can either enhance or reduce the heat capacity compared to an unpatterned membrane of the same thickness. At temperatures below 100 mK, reducing the membrane thickness unintuitively increases the heat capacity for all samples studied. These observations can have significance when designing calorimetric detectors, as heat capacity is a critical parameter for the speed and sensitivity of a device.peerReviewe