Applications of multi-spectral lidar: river channel bathymetry and canopy vegetation indices

This thesis investigates the potential of new state-of-the-art multi-spectral (ms) lidar technology and develops methodologies for applications in water, wetlands, and forest resource monitoring. The scope of the thesis is split into two parts – lidar bathymetry and lidar radiometry. The first topic addresses the need for urban river environment bathymetry and refining of ms lidar data processing routines in complex riparian environments. The second topic presents a framework of experiments to investigate ms lidar radiometry. As a result, a new routine for bathymetric correction was developed. The consistency of spectral vegetation indices (SVIs) through a variety of altitudes was investigated. Radiometric targets were constructed and, after radiometric calibration, comparability of reflectance values derived from ms lidar data to available spectral libraries was shown. Finally, forest plot-level canopy vertical SVI profiles were developed while attempting to understand attenuation losses due to sub-footprint reflectors within the canopy by means of additional complex radiometric targets

A theory of thin shells with orbiting constituents

The self-gravitating, spherically symmetric thin shells built of orbiting particles are sstudied. Two new features are found. One is the minimal possible value for an angular momentum of particles, above which elleptic orbits become possible. The second is the coexistence of both the wormhole solutions and the elleptic or hyperbolic orbits for the same values of the parameters (but different initial conditions). Possible applications of these results to astrophysics and quantum black holes are briefly discussed.Comment: 22 pages, Latex, 10 eps figures. CERN preprint no. CERN-TH 2000-16

Investigating the Consistency of Uncalibrated Multispectral Lidar Vegetation Indices at Different Altitudes

Multi-spectral (ms) airborne light detection and ranging (lidar) data are increasingly used for mapping purposes. Geometric data are enriched by intensity digital numbers (DNs) and, by utilizing this additional information either directly, or in the form of active spectral vegetation indices (SVIs), enhancements in land cover classification and change monitoring are possible. In the case of SVIs, the indices should be calculated from reflectance values derived from intensity DNs after rigorous calibration. In practice, such calibration is often not possible, and SVIs calculated from intensity DNs are used. However, the consistency of such active ms lidar products is poorly understood. In this study, the authors reported on an ms lidar mission at three different altitudes above ground to investigate SVI consistency. The stability of two families of indices—spectral ratios and normalized differences—was compared. The need for atmospheric correction in case of considerable range difference was established. It was demonstrated that by selecting single returns (provided sufficient point density), it was possible to derive stable SVI products. Finally, a criterion was proposed for comparing different lidar acquisitions over vegetated areas

Measurement of the mass and lifetime of the Ωb−\Omega_b^- baryon

A proton-proton collision data sample, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3 fb$^{-1}$ collected by LHCb at $\sqrt{s}=7$ and 8 TeV, is used to reconstruct $63\pm9$ $\Omega_b^-\to\Omega_c^0\pi^-$, $\Omega_c^0\to pK^-K^-\pi^+$ decays. Using the $\Xi_b^-\to\Xi_c^0\pi^-$, $\Xi_c^0\to pK^-K^-\pi^+$ decay mode for calibration, the lifetime ratio and absolute lifetime of the $\Omega_b^-$ baryon are measured to be \begin{align*} \frac{\tau_{\Omega_b^-}}{\tau_{\Xi_b^-}} &= 1.11\pm0.16\pm0.03, \\ \tau_{\Omega_b^-} &= 1.78\pm0.26\pm0.04\pm0.05~{\rm ps}, \end{align*} where the uncertainties are statistical, systematic and from the calibration mode (for $\tau_{\Omega_b^-}$ only). A measurement is also made of the mass difference, $m_{\Omega_b^-}-m_{\Xi_b^-}$, and the corresponding $\Omega_b^-$ mass, which yields \begin{align*} m_{\Omega_b^-}-m_{\Xi_b^-} &= 247.4\pm3.2\pm0.5~{\rm MeV}/c^2, \\ m_{\Omega_b^-} &= 6045.1\pm3.2\pm 0.5\pm0.6~{\rm MeV}/c^2. \end{align*} These results are consistent with previous measurements.A proton-proton collision data sample, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3  fb-1 collected by LHCb at s=7 and 8 TeV, is used to reconstruct 63±9 Ωb-→Ωc0π-, Ωc0→pK-K-π+ decays. Using the Ξb-→Ξc0π-, Ξc0→pK-K-π+ decay mode for calibration, the lifetime ratio and the absolute lifetime of the Ωb- baryon are measured to be τΩb-/τΞb-=1.11±0.16±0.03, τΩb-=1.78±0.26±0.05±0.06  ps, where the uncertainties are statistical, systematic and from the calibration mode (for τΩb- only). A measurement is also made of the mass difference, mΩb--mΞb-, and the corresponding Ωb- mass, which yields mΩb--mΞb-=247.4±3.2±0.5  MeV/c2, mΩb-=6045.1±3.2±0.5±0.6  MeV/c2. These results are consistent with previous measurements.A proton-proton collision data sample, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3 fb$^{-1}$ collected by LHCb at $\sqrt{s}=7$ and 8 TeV, is used to reconstruct $63\pm9$ $\Omega_b^-\to\Omega_c^0\pi^-$, $\Omega_c^0\to pK^-K^-\pi^+$ decays. Using the $\Xi_b^-\to\Xi_c^0\pi^-$, $\Xi_c^0\to pK^-K^-\pi^+$ decay mode for calibration, the lifetime ratio and absolute lifetime of the $\Omega_b^-$ baryon are measured to be \begin{align*} \frac{\tau_{\Omega_b^-}}{\tau_{\Xi_b^-}} &= 1.11\pm0.16\pm0.03, \\ \tau_{\Omega_b^-} &= 1.78\pm0.26\pm0.05\pm0.06~{\rm ps}, \end{align*} where the uncertainties are statistical, systematic and from the calibration mode (for $\tau_{\Omega_b^-}$ only). A measurement is also made of the mass difference, $m_{\Omega_b^-}-m_{\Xi_b^-}$, and the corresponding $\Omega_b^-$ mass, which yields \begin{align*} m_{\Omega_b^-}-m_{\Xi_b^-} &= 247.4\pm3.2\pm0.5~{\rm MeV}/c^2, \\ m_{\Omega_b^-} &= 6045.1\pm3.2\pm 0.5\pm0.6~{\rm MeV}/c^2. \end{align*} These results are consistent with previous measurements

Evidence for the strangeness-changing weak decay Ξb−→Λb0π−\Xi_b^-\to\Lambda_b^0\pi^-

Using a $pp$ collision data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0~fb$^{-1}$, collected by the LHCb detector, we present the first search for the strangeness-changing weak decay $\Xi_b^-\to\Lambda_b^0\pi^-$. No $b$ hadron decay of this type has been seen before. A signal for this decay, corresponding to a significance of 3.2 standard deviations, is reported. The relative rate is measured to be ${{f_{\Xi_b^-}}\over{f_{\Lambda_b^0}}}{\cal{B}}(\Xi_b^-\to\Lambda_b^0\pi^-) = (5.7\pm1.8^{+0.8}_{-0.9})\times10^{-4}$, where $f_{\Xi_b^-}$ and $f_{\Lambda_b^0}$ are the $b\to\Xi_b^-$ and $b\to\Lambda_b^0$ fragmentation fractions, and ${\cal{B}}(\Xi_b^-\to\Lambda_b^0\pi^-)$ is the branching fraction. Assuming $f_{\Xi_b^-}/f_{\Lambda_b^0}$ is bounded between 0.1 and 0.3, the branching fraction ${\cal{B}}(\Xi_b^-\to\Lambda_b^0\pi^-)$ would lie in the range from $(0.57\pm0.21)\%$ to $(0.19\pm0.07)\%$.Using a pp collision data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0  fb-1, collected by the LHCb detector, we present the first search for the strangeness-changing weak decay Ξb-→Λb0π-. No b hadron decay of this type has been seen before. A signal for this decay, corresponding to a significance of 3.2 standard deviations, is reported. The relative rate is measured to be fΞb-fΛb0B(Ξb-→Λb0π-)=(5.7±1.8-0.9+0.8)×10-4,where fΞb- and fΛb0 are the b→Ξb- and b→Λb0 fragmentation fractions, and B(Ξb-→Λb0π-) is the branching fraction. Assuming fΞb-/fΛb0 is bounded between 0.1 and 0.3, the branching fraction B(Ξb-→Λb0π-) would lie in the range from (0.57±0.21)% to (0.19±0.07)%.Using a $pp$ collision data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0~fb$^{-1}$, collected by the LHCb detector, we present the first search for the strangeness-changing weak decay $\Xi_b^-\to\Lambda_b^0\pi^-$. No $b$ hadron decay of this type has been seen before. A signal for this decay, corresponding to a significance of 3.2 standard deviations, is reported. The relative rate is measured to be ${{f_{\Xi_b^-}}\over{f_{\Lambda_b^0}}}{\cal{B}}(\Xi_b^-\to\Lambda_b^0\pi^-) = (5.7\pm1.8^{+0.8}_{-0.9})\times10^{-4}$, where $f_{\Xi_b^-}$ and $f_{\Lambda_b^0}$ are the $b\to\Xi_b^-$ and $b\to\Lambda_b^0$ fragmentation fractions, and ${\cal{B}}(\Xi_b^-\to\Lambda_b^0\pi^-)$ is the branching fraction. Assuming $f_{\Xi_b^-}/f_{\Lambda_b^0}$ is bounded between 0.1 and 0.3, the branching fraction ${\cal{B}}(\Xi_b^-\to\Lambda_b^0\pi^-)$ would lie in the range from $(0.57\pm0.21)\%$ to $(0.19\pm0.07)\%$

Evidence for exotic hadron contributions to Λb0→J/ψpπ−\Lambda_b^0 \to J/\psi p \pi^- decays

A full amplitude analysis of $\Lambda_b^0 \to J/\psi p \pi^-$ decays is performed with a data sample acquired with the LHCb detector from 7 and 8 TeV $pp$ collisions, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3 fb$^{-1}$. A significantly better description of the data is achieved when, in addition to the previously observed nucleon excitations $N\to p\pi^-$, either the $P_c(4380)^+$ and $P_c(4450)^+\to J/\psi p$ states, previously observed in $\Lambda_b^0 \to J/\psi p K^-$ decays, or the $Z_c(4200)^-\to J/\psi \pi^-$ state, previously reported in $B^0 \to J/\psi K^+ \pi^-$ decays, or all three, are included in the amplitude models. The data support a model containing all three exotic states, with a significance of more than three standard deviations. Within uncertainties, the data are consistent with the $P_c(4380)^+$ and $P_c(4450)^+$ production rates expected from their previous observation taking account of Cabibbo suppression.A full amplitude analysis of Λb0→J/ψpπ- decays is performed with a data sample acquired with the LHCb detector from 7 and 8 TeV pp collisions, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3  fb-1. A significantly better description of the data is achieved when, in addition to the previously observed nucleon excitations N→pπ-, either the Pc(4380)+ and Pc(4450)+→J/ψp states, previously observed in Λb0→J/ψpK- decays, or the Zc(4200)-→J/ψπ- state, previously reported in B0→J/ψK+π- decays, or all three, are included in the amplitude models. The data support a model containing all three exotic states, with a significance of more than three standard deviations. Within uncertainties, the data are consistent with the Pc(4380)+ and Pc(4450)+ production rates expected from their previous observation taking account of Cabibbo suppression.A full amplitude analysis of $\Lambda_b^0 \to J/\psi p \pi^-$ decays is performed with a data sample acquired with the LHCb detector from 7 and 8 TeV $pp$ collisions, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3 fb$^{-1}$. A significantly better description of the data is achieved when, in addition to the previously observed nucleon excitations $N\to p\pi^-$, either the $P_c(4380)^+$ and $P_c(4450)^+\to J/\psi p$ states, previously observed in $\Lambda_b^0 \to J/\psi p K^-$ decays, or the $Z_c(4200)^-\to J/\psi \pi^-$ state, previously reported in $B^0 \to J/\psi K^+ \pi^-$ decays, or all three, are included in the amplitude models. The data support a model containing all three exotic states, with a significance of more than three standard deviations. Within uncertainties, the data are consistent with the $P_c(4380)^+$ and $P_c(4450)^+$ production rates expected from their previous observation taking account of Cabibbo suppression

First observation of the rare B+→D+K+π−B^{+}\to D^{+} K^{+} \pi^{-} decay

The $B^{+}\to D^{+} K^{+} \pi^{-}$ decay is observed in a data sample corresponding to $3.0\,{\rm fb}^{-1}$ of $pp$ collision data recorded by the LHCb experiment during 2011 and 2012. The signal significance is $8\,\sigma$ and the branching fraction is measured to be ${\cal B}\left(B^{+}\to D^{+} K^{+} \pi^{-}\right) = (5.31 \pm 0.90 \pm 0.48 \pm 0.35)\times 10^{-6}$, where the uncertainties are statistical, systematic and due to the normalisation mode $B^{+}\to D^{-} K^{+} \pi^{+}$, respectively. The Dalitz plot appears to be dominated by broad structures. Angular distributions are exploited to search for quasi-two-body contributions from $B^{+}\to D^{*}_{2}(2460)^{0}K^{+}$ and $B^{+}\to D^{+} K^{*}(892)^{0}$ decays. No significant signals are observed and upper limits are set on their branching fractions.The B+→D+K+π- decay is observed in a data sample corresponding to 3.0  fb-1 of pp collision data recorded by the LHCb experiment during 2011 and 2012. The signal significance is 8σ and the branching fraction is measured to be B(B+→D+K+π-)=(5.31±0.90±0.48±0.35)×10-6, where the uncertainties are statistical, systematic and due to the normalization mode B+→D-K+π+, respectively. The Dalitz plot appears to be dominated by broad structures. Angular distributions are exploited to search for quasi-two-body contributions from B+→D2*(2460)0K+ and B+→D+K*(892)0 decays. No significant signals are observed and upper limits are set on their branching fractions.The $B^{+}\to D^{+} K^{+} \pi^{-}$ decay is observed in a data sample corresponding to $3.0\,{\rm fb}^{-1}$ of $pp$ collision data recorded by the LHCb experiment during 2011 and 2012. The signal significance is $8\,\sigma$ and the branching fraction is measured to be ${\cal B}\left(B^{+}\to D^{+} K^{+} \pi^{-}\right) = (5.31 \pm 0.90 \pm 0.48 \pm 0.35)\times 10^{-6}$, where the uncertainties are statistical, systematic and due to the normalisation mode $B^{+}\to D^{-} K^{+} \pi^{+}$, respectively. The Dalitz plot appears to be dominated by broad structures. Angular distributions are exploited to search for quasi-two-body contributions from $B^{+}\to D^{*}_{2}(2460)^{0}K^{+}$ and $B^{+}\to D^{+} K^{*}(892)^{0}$ decays. No significant signals are observed and upper limits are set on their branching fractions

Observation of Λb0→ψ(2S)pK− \Lambda_b^0 \to \psi(2S)pK^- and Λb0→J/ψπ+π−pK− \Lambda_b^0 \to J/\psi \pi^+ \pi^- pK^- decays and a measurement of the Λb0\Lambda_b^0 baryon mass

The decays $\Lambda_b^0 \to \psi(2S)pK^-$ and $\Lambda_b^0 \to J/\psi \pi^+ \pi^- pK^-$ are observed in a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3fb$^{-1}$, collected in proton-proton collisions at 7 and 8TeV centre-of-mass energies by the LHCb detector. The $\psi(2S)$ mesons are reconstructed through the decay modes $\psi(2S)\to\mu^+\mu^-$ and $\psi(2S)\to J/\psi\pi^+\pi^-$. The branching fractions relative to that of $\Lambda_b^0 \to J/\psi pK^-$ are measured to be \begin{eqnarray*} \frac{\mathcal{B}(\Lambda_b^0 \to \psi(2S) pK^-)} {\mathcal{B}(\Lambda_b^0 \to J/\psi pK^-)} & = & (20.70\pm 0.76\pm 0.46\pm 0.37)\times10^{-2} \,, \frac{\mathcal{B}(\Lambda_b^0 \to J/\psi \pi^+ \pi^- pK^-)} {\mathcal{B}(\Lambda_b^0 \to J/\psi pK^-)} & = & (20.86\pm 0.96\pm 1.34)\times10^{-2} \,, \end{eqnarray*} where the first uncertainties are statistical, the second are systematic and the third is related to the knowledge of $J/\psi$ and $\psi(2S)$ branching fractions. The mass of the $\Lambda_b^0$ baryon is measured to beThe decays Λ$_{b}^{0}$  → ψ(2S)pK$^{−}$ and Λ$_{b}^{0}$  → J/ψπ$^{+}$ π$^{−}$pK$^{−}$ are observed in a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3 fb$^{−1}$, collected in proton-proton collisions at 7 and 8 TeV centre-of-mass energies by the LHCb detector. The ψ(2S) mesons are reconstructed through the decay modes ψ(2S) → μ$^{+}$μ$^{−}$ and ψ(2S) → J/ψπ$^{+}$ π$^{−}$.The decays $\Lambda_b^0 \to \psi(2S)pK^-$ and $\Lambda_b^0 \to J/\psi \pi^+ \pi^- pK^-$ are observed in a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3fb$^{-1}$, collected in proton-proton collisions at 7 and 8TeV centre-of-mass energies by the LHCb detector. The $\psi(2S)$ mesons are reconstructed through the decay modes $\psi(2S)\to\mu^+\mu^-$ and $\psi(2S)\to J/\psi\pi^+\pi^-$. The branching fractions relative to that of $\Lambda_b^0 \to J/\psi pK^-$ are measured to be \begin{eqnarray*} \frac{\mathcal{B}(\Lambda_b^0 \to \psi(2S) pK^-)} {\mathcal{B}(\Lambda_b^0 \to J/\psi pK^-)} & = & (20.70\pm 0.76\pm 0.46\pm 0.37)\times10^{-2} \,, \frac{\mathcal{B}(\Lambda_b^0 \to J/\psi \pi^+ \pi^- pK^-)} {\mathcal{B}(\Lambda_b^0 \to J/\psi pK^-)} & = & (20.86\pm 0.96\pm 1.34)\times10^{-2} \,, \end{eqnarray*} where the first uncertainties are statistical, the second are systematic and the third is related to the knowledge of $J/\psi$ and $\psi(2S)$ branching fractions. The mass of the $\Lambda_b^0$ baryon is measured to be $$M(\Lambda_b^0) = 5619.65 \pm 0.17 \pm 0.17\mathrm{MeV}/c^2,$$ where the uncertainties are statistical and systematic

Measurement of the Bs0→Ds(∗)+Ds(∗)−B_{s}^{0} \rightarrow D_{s}^{(*)+}D_{s}^{(*)-} branching fractions

The branching fraction of the decay $B_{s}^{0} \rightarrow D_{s}^{(*)+}D_{s}^{(*)-}$ is measured using $pp$ collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $1.0fb^{-1}$, collected using the LHCb detector at a centre-of-mass energy of $7$TeV. It is found to be \begin{align*} {\mathcal{B}}(B_{s}^{0}\rightarrow~D_{s}^{(*)+}D_{s}^{(*)-}) = (3.05 \pm 0.10 \pm 0.20 \pm 0.34)\%, \end{align*} where the uncertainties are statistical, systematic, and due to the normalisation channel, respectively. The branching fractions of the individual decays corresponding to the presence of one or two $D^{*\pm}_{s}$ are also measured. The individual branching fractions are found to be \begin{align*} {\mathcal{B}}(B_{s}^{0}\rightarrow~D_{s}^{*\pm}D_{s}^{\mp}) = (1.35 \pm 0.06 \pm 0.09 \pm 0.15)\%, \newline{\mathcal{B}}(B_{s}^{0}\rightarrow~D_{s}^{*+}D_{s}^{*-}) = (1.27 \pm 0.08 \pm 0.10 \pm 0.14)\%. \end{align*} All three results are the most precise determinations to date.The branching fraction of the decay Bs0→Ds(*)+Ds(*)- is measured using pp collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.0  fb-1, collected using the LHCb detector at a center-of-mass energy of 7 TeV. It is found to be B(Bs0→Ds(*)+Ds(*)-)=(3.05±0.10±0.20±0.34)%, where the uncertainties are statistical, systematic, and due to the normalization channel, respectively. The branching fractions of the individual decays corresponding to the presence of one or two Ds*± are also measured. The individual branching fractions are found to be B(Bs0→Ds*±Ds∓)=(1.35±0.06±0.09±0.15)%, B(Bs0→Ds*+Ds*-)=(1.27±0.08±0.10±0.14)%. All three results are the most precise determinations to date.The branching fraction of the decay $B_{s}^{0} \rightarrow D_{s}^{(*)+}D_{s}^{(*)-}$ is measured using $pp$ collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $1.0fb^{-1}$, collected using the LHCb detector at a centre-of-mass energy of $7$TeV. It is found to be \begin{align*} {\mathcal{B}}(B_{s}^{0}\rightarrow~D_{s}^{(*)+}D_{s}^{(*)-}) = (3.05 \pm 0.10 \pm 0.20 \pm 0.34)\%, \end{align*} where the uncertainties are statistical, systematic, and due to the normalisation channel, respectively. The branching fractions of the individual decays corresponding to the presence of one or two $D^{*\pm}_{s}$ are also measured. The individual branching fractions are found to be \begin{align*} {\mathcal{B}}(B_{s}^{0}\rightarrow~D_{s}^{*\pm}D_{s}^{\mp}) = (1.35 \pm 0.06 \pm 0.09 \pm 0.15)\%, \newline{\mathcal{B}}(B_{s}^{0}\rightarrow~D_{s}^{*+}D_{s}^{*-}) = (1.27 \pm 0.08 \pm 0.10 \pm 0.14)\%. \end{align*} All three results are the most precise determinations to date