Elastic proton-proton scattering: Excitation functions from 0.45 to 2.5 GeV

Excitation functions of the differential cross sections dσ/dgw, analyzing powers A_N and spin correlation parameters A_NN, A_SS and A_SL have been measured with internal targets at the Cooler Synchrotron COSY. Data were taken continously during the acceleration and deceleration of the internal beam for kinetic energies between 450 and 2500 MeV and scattering angles 30° σ_cm 90°. Details of the experimental method are presented. The results provide excitation functions and angular distributions of high precision and internal consistency. No evidence for narrow structures are found. Upper limits on the coupling of narrow resonances to elastic scattering in the mass range √s = 2.2…2.8 GeV are deduced. The data have significant impact on phase shift solutions.     

Measurement of recoil proton polarizations in the electrodisintegration of deuterium by polarized electrons

In order to test modern theories of two-nucleon bound and scattering states, we have measured the spin polarization of ejectile protons in the electrodisintegration reaction . Compared with spin-averaged observations, these observables offer the potential of enhanced sensitivity to details of the reaction process. The experiment was carried out in quasielastic kinematics (q_μq^μ=−2m_pω=−0.38 GeV²/c²). Protons were detected at two angles corresponding to neutron recoil momenta p_r of 0 and 100 MeV/c. Full nonrelativistic calculations of the polarization transfer components s_l and s_t, including leading order relativistic contributions, describe our measurements well, but calculations of the induced polarization s_n at p_r=100 MeV/c underpredict the experimental result.     

Total neutron cross sections and the nuclear Ramsauer effect (II). En = 0.5–42 MeV

Investigation at fourteen energies from 0.5 to 42 MeV and A 27 shows that a simple expression describes the σ_T(A,E) surface in the energy and mass number region mentioned above. For E 10 MeV the expression can be interpreted by the nuclear Ramsauer effect, while for E < 10 MeV a better approximation for the black-nucleus formula seems to be useful. The constant amplitude of oscillations suggests a weak volume absorption and a strong surface absorption.     

Magnetic moment of the Δ (1232) resonance

The reaction γp → π^°γ′p has been measured with the TAPS BaF₂ calorimeter at the Mainz Microtron accelerator facility MAMI for energies between √2 = 1221–1331 MeV. Cross sections differential in angle and energy have been determined for the photon γ′ in three bins of the excitation energy. This reaction channel provides access to the magnetic dipole moment of the Δ⁺(1232) resonance and, for the first time, a value of μ_Δ+ = (2.7^+1.0_−1.3(stat) ± 1.5(syst) ± (theor)) π_N has been extracted.     

Evidence of kaon nuclear and Coulomb potential effects on soft K production from nuclei

The ratio of forward K⁺ production on copper, silver and gold targets to that on carbon has been measured at proton beam energies between 1.5 and 2.3 GeV as a function of the kaon momentum p_K using the ANKE spectrometer at COSY-Jülich. The strong suppression in the ratios observed for p_K<200–250 MeV/c may be ascribed to a combination of Coulomb and nuclear repulsion in the K⁺A system. This opens a new way to investigate the interaction of K⁺-mesons in the nuclear medium. Our data are consistent with a K⁺A nuclear potential of V_K⁰≈20 MeV at low kaon momenta and normal nuclear density. Given the sensitivity of the data to the kaon potential, the current experimental precision might allow one to determine V_K⁰ to better than 3 MeV.     

Measurements of the spin correlation parameters Axx and Ayy for p-p scattering at 46.9 MeV

The A_xx and A_yy spin correlation coefficients of proton-proton scattering have been measured at E_lab = 46.9 MeV and θ_c.m. = 90° with the same experimental techniques already used at Saclay from 11 to 26 MeV and at Grenoble at 37.2 MeV. For A_xx the deviation from the predictions of the energy-dependent phase-shifts analysis of Livermore is significant (≈ 3.7 standard deviations) but not as large as for the 47.5 MeV Tokyo measurement. For A_yy the agreement is very good.     

Pion-transfer (n, d) and (d, He) reactions leading to deeply bound pionic atoms

Theoretical studies are given on the (n, d) and (d, ³He) reactions leading to deeply bound pionic atoms in heavy nuclei of configuration [(nl)_π·j_n⁻¹]J. The cross sections for various pionic and neutron-hole configurations in the case of a ²⁰⁸Pb target are calculated at incident energies 300–1000 MeV/u by using the effective number approach and the eikonal approximation for distortion. The effective number with a pion in the 1s or 2p state and a neutron hole in the orbit peaks around the same incident energy (T_n = 600 MeV) as the elementary cross section n+n→d+π⁻, where the momentum transfer matches the angular-momentum transfer of L = 5–7. The DWIA cross section for (n,d) producing a pion in the 1s or 2p orbit at T_n = 600 MeV is found to be around 42 or 75 μb/sr, respectively. At T_n = 350 MeV, where the momentum transfer is small, quasi-substitutional states of configurations and are preferentially populated with (n, d) cross sections of 95 and 190 μb/sr, respectively. The (d, ³He) cross sections are estimated to be an order of magnitude smaller than the (n, d) cross sections. Thus, the (n, d) and (d, ³He) reactions are found to be suited for the production of deeply bound pionic atoms.     

Inelastic electron scattering from He

The spectra of electrons scattered inelastically from ⁴He have been measured at incident energies from 150 MeV to 400 MeV for scattering angles from 38° to 90°. Through the use of a liquid ⁴He target, a high momentum resolution (≈0.25%) was obtained, and the 20 MeV 0⁺ state of the -particle was observed for the first time in electron scattering. The excitation energy and the total width of this state were determined and are in good agreement with the results from other experimental methods. It was found that the total disintegration cross section appears be smaller than 2(σ_p+σ_n) by more than an order of magnitude at the lowest q²(≈ 0.33 fm⁻²). In earlier work the assumption of a total cross section of 2(σ_p+σ_n) was found to be quite accurate for higher q². As a new result, the partial radiative width for the 0⁺ state is determined to be Γ_rad = 1.1±0.3 meV.     

Energy levels of Si

Proton energies and strengths of (p, γ), (p, p₁), (p, p₂) and (p, ₁γ) resonances of the ²⁷Al + p reaction were determined for E_p < 2.5 MeV. The γ-decay of 78 resonances and 46 bound levels was established and four new bound levels were found at E_x = 9793.8±2.0, 10513.5±1.0, 10884.1±2.0 and 11778.8±1.5 keV. The level at E_x = 11.43 MeV was found to be a doublet. Lifetimes of 25 bound levels were measured by means of the Doppler-shift attenuation technique. Angular distributions were measured at 15 resonances.     

Reconciling cold dark matter with COBE/IRAS plus solar and atmospheric neutrino data

We present a model where an unstable MeV Majorana tau neutrino can naturally reconcile the cold dark matter model (CDM) with cosmological observations of large and small scale density fluctuations and, simultaneously, with data on solar and atmospheric neutrinos. The solar neutrino deficit is explained through long wavelength, so-called just-so oscillations involving conversions of ν_e into both ν_μ and a sterile species ν_s , while atmospheric neutrino data are explained through ν_μ to ν_e conversions. Future long baseline neutrino oscillation experiments, as well as some reactor experiments will test this hypothesis. The model is based on the spontaneous violation of a global lepton number symmetry at the weak scale. This symmetry plays a key role in generating the cosmologically required decay of the ν_τ with lifetime τ_ντ ≈ 10²-10⁴ seconds, as well as the masses and oscillations of the three light neutrinos ν_e, ν_μ and ν_s required in order to account for solar and atmospheric neutrino data. It also leads to the invisibly decaying Higgs signature that can be searched at LEP and future particle colliders.     

Photoproduction of positive pions from hydrogen with PHOENICS at ELSA

The differential cross section of the reaction γp→π⁺n has been measured with the PHOENICS detector at ELSA in Bonn. For the first time this cross section has been determined simultaneously over a large range of photon energies (E_γ = 220−900 MeV) and pion angles (Θ^c.m._pi = 35°−135°) with a tagged photon facility. The experimental set-up allowed a considerable kinematic overdetermination of the investigated reaction. Accordingly, the background contributions have been suppressed to below 1%. The measured differential cross section is in good agreement with existing data. The comparison with different model calculations is presented.     

Proposal to identify the long range force in the low energy neutron-nucleus scattering

In the neutron-Pb scattering in the MeV. region, existence of the long range interaction has been known and people have hopefully expected to understand it as the effect of the electric polarization of the neutron. However the precise determination of _n in the very low energy region indicates that the polarizability of the neutron _n is around two order of magnitude smaller compared to what is expected in the phenomena in the MeV. region. In order to settle the problem, we propose to determine power of the long range tail ν(r) −C/r of the nuclear potential, by measuring precisely the angular distribution of the low energy n-Pb scattering.     

Effect of a magnetic field on MnAs0.88P0.12 below 80 K

MnAs_0.88P_0.12 has been studied by powder neutron diffraction in external magnetic fields up to 15.2 kOe and temperatures down to 4.2 K. MnAs_0.88P_0.12 takes the MnP type atomic arrangement and exists in para-, ferro- and different (essentially) helimagnetic states. The observation of a double 000^± satellite at 4.2 K < T 70 K adds further evidence to the chain of arguments for distinction between the helimagnetic states H'_a (4.2 K < T < T_S,1 ≈ 70 K) and H_a (T_S,2 ≈ 180 K < T < T_N = (243 ± 5) K). External magnetic fields at 4.2 K < T < 70 K evoke a new magnetic state, which is also characterized by a satellite doublet, and is tentatively designated H'_a,fan.     

Measurements of interaction cross sections and radii of He isotopes

Secondary beams of ³He, ⁴He, ⁶He, and ⁸He were produced through the projectile fragmentation of an 800 MeV/nucleon ¹¹B primary beam. Interaction cross sections (σ_I) of all He isotopes of 790 MeV/nucleon on Be, C, and Al targets were measured by a transmission-type experiment. The interaction nuclear radii of He isotopes R_I(He) = (σ_I/π)^1/2 − R _I(T) where R_I(T) is the radius of the target nucleus, have been deduced to be R_I(³He) = 1.59 ± 0.06 fm, R_I(⁴He) = 1.40 ± 0.05 fm, R_I(⁶He) = 2.21 ± 0.06 fm, and R_I(⁸He) = 2.52 ± 0.06 fm.     

The Hadron to quark-gluon transition in relativistic heavy-ion collisions

In this paper we construct a scenario for the QCD transition from the hadron phase to the quark/gluon phase using physical models for these phases. The hadron phase is modeled by a spectrum of hadrons with masses which drop (with a common scaling factor) towards zero at chiral symmetry restoration. The number of hadronic effective degrees of freedom is limited by the number of microscopic degrees of freedom in the quark/gluon phase. This limitation can be imposed either by fiat or through the introduction of a temperature-dependent excluded volume. Given that the number of degrees of freedom in hadrons and in quarks and gluons are roughly equal, the QCD phase transition is inhibited by the bag constant. The only phase transition seen in lattice-gauge calculations, once low-mass quarks are included, is the restoration of chiral symmetry which occurs at the relatively low temperature of ˜ 150 MeV. At present, lattice gauge calculations do not have the resolution to determine the properties of the higher hadronic states accurately. They do, however, demonstrate that chiral restoration takes place in the (ρ. a₁), ( +)), ( −)) and (π, σ) systems by yielding “screening masses” for chiral partners which are distinct for T < T _xSR and identical for T>T _xSR. Further, within numerical accuracy, these “screening masses” are consistent with pure thermal energies and show no evidence of remaining bare masses once chiral symmetry is restored. These, and other lattice-gauge results, will be discussed in the light of our scenario. We shall also consider the consequences of our picture for relativistic heavy-ion experiments.     

Cross section of the charged current reaction C(ve, e)Ng.s.

The charged current nuclear transition ¹²C(v_e, e⁻)¹²N_g.s. has been observed in the KARMEN experiment. The flux average cross section for v_e from μ⁺ decay at rest is determined to be σ = [8.1±0.9(stat.)±0.75 (syst.)]×10⁻⁴²cm². For the first time also the energy dependence of the cross section has been measured for neutrino energies up to 50 MeV.     

Reduced s-d model with antiferromagnetically coupled impurity spins

An antiferromagnetic equivalent-neighbour Heisenberg interaction H_i between impurity spins is added to the reduced s-d Hamiltonian H_r previously introduced by simplifying the Kondo s-d exchange Hamiltonian H_K. Asymptotic mean-field theory is developed for H_r + H_i, in the presence and absence of external magnetic field, and applied to (La_1−xCe_x)Al₂ alloys. Specific heat c_i(T) and zero-field susceptibility χ_i(0,T) curves for (La_1−xCe_x)Al₂ are depicted. The coupling constants of H_r + H_i and conduction bandwidth are adjusted so that T_c temperatures for x = 0.2, 0.1 are equal to the experimental values. c_i(T) exhibits a jump at T_c and is decreasing for T < T_c. χ_i(0,T) has a first order pole at T_c which corresponds to the maximum of experimental susceptibility and χ_i(0,0) > 0. These results improve those obtained earlier on the grounds of H_r theory.     

Frequency and temperature dependence of a.c. conductivity of vitreous silver phosphate electrolytes

The a.c. conductivity behaviour in the 20–300 K temperature range has been investigated for (Ag₂S)_x(AgPO₃)_1−x and (Ag₂SO₄)_x(AgPO₃)_1−x glasses at various salt contents (x). The temperature dependence at selected frequencies in the radioand micro-wave region displays several relaxational contributions which are indistinct in the frequency domain. The low temperature experimental data are discussed and a proposed ‘new universality’ has been examined.     

Polarized deuteron elastic scattering from a polarized proton target

Measurements are reported of the spin correlation parameter C_y,y for the elastic scattering of 10.0 MeV vector polarized deuterons from a polarized proton target at five CM angles (76°, 85°, 98°, 115°, 132°). The experimental results are compared with different predictions. A Faddeev type calculation on the basis of local potentials also including approximate Coulomb distortion is favoured by our experimental results.     

Exploring proton rich systems and Coulomb induced instabilities

The thermodynamic properties of proton rich systems are explored in a mean field approach which is generated from a Skyrme interaction. The addition of Coulomb interactions result in asymmetries which modify the chemical and mechanical instability of the system and its equilibrium properties. These properties are studied for systems with proton fraction y on the proton richer side of the valley of β-stability as well as the neutron rich side. Coulomb induced instabilities lead to proton diffusion processes on the proton richer side and also large asymmetries in chemical and mechanical instabilities and coexistence curves. Considering the whole range of 0y1, we can study how the symmetry about y=1/2 is broken by asymmetric interaction and we can also explicitly show that the role between proton and neutron is exchanged around y_E which is the point where the liquid and gas have the same proton fraction. It is shown that there are two asymmetric coexistence surfaces in (y,P,T) space, one for y<y_E and another for y>y_E and touching each other at y_E. These asymmetries in instabilities show up as new branches, one for y<y_E and one for y>y_E, and thus form a closed loop in pressure versus ρ for both chemical instability and coexistence regions. The branch of y>1/2>y_E was not previously investigated since only the y<1/2 region is usually considered. In our simplified model, mechanical instability is still symmetric around a point y_E≠1/2 even with Coulomb forces present.