Why is GeV physics relevant in the age of the LHC?

The contribution that Jefferson Lab has made, with its 6 GeV electron beam, and will make, with its 12 GeV upgrade, to our understanding of the way the fundamental interactions work, particularly strong coupling QCD, is outlined. This physics at the GeV scale is essential even in TeV collisions.     

Investigation of near-threshold eta-meson production in the reaction π ? p→ ηn

Differential and total cross sections for eta-meson production in the reaction ?? ^? p ?? ??n were measured within the experimental program eta-meson physics implemented in the pion channel of the synchrocyclotron of the Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute (PNPI, Gatchina). These measurements were performed at incident-pion momenta (700, 710, 720, and 730 MeV/c) in the vicinity of the threshold for the process under study by using the neutral-meson spectrometer designed and created at the Meson Physics Laboratory of PNPI. It is shown that, in the immediate vicinity of the threshold (685 MeV/c), the process of eta-meson production proceeds predominantly via S ₁₁(1535)-resonance formation followed by the decay S ₁₁(1535) ?? ??n (the respective branching fraction is Br ?? 60%), but that, as the momentum of incident pions increases, the role of the D wave becomes ever more important. A detailed analysis of this effect indicates that it is due to the increasing contribution of the D ₁₃(1520) resonance. Although the branching fraction of the decay of this resonance through the ??n channel is assumed to be very small (BR ?? 0.24%), the effect is enhanced owing to the interference between the D wave and the dominant resonance S ₁₁(1535).     

Analysis of the K S K S system from the reaction π − p → K S K S n at 40 GeV

On the basis of experimental data from the 6-m spectrometer of the Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Physics (ITEP, Moscow), an amplitude analysis of 40 553 events of the reaction π ^? p → K _S K _S n induced by a negatively charged pion of energy 40 GeV is performed over a broad momentumtransfer range by using a new procedure. The results for |t| > 0.1 GeV² are obtained for the first time. In particular, resonances of mass 1700 and 1900 MeV and width 120 MeV are discovered in the D ₊ wave (there were no such resonances for |t| < 0.1 GeV²). In the region of low momentum transfers, the S wave exhibits a structure that lies in the mass region around 1370 MeV and which requires three resonances for its explanation. Two of these (that of mass 1234 ± 6 MeV and width 47 ± 33 MeV and that of mass 1478 ± 6 MeV and width 119 ± 10 MeV) were found in the studies of A. Etkin et al. [Phys. Rev. D 25, 2446 (1982)] and O.N. Baloshin et al. {Yad. Fiz. 43, 1487 (1986) [Phys. At. Nucl. 43, 959 (1986)]}. The third has a mass of 1389 ± 9 MeV and a width of 30 ± 24 MeV. At high momentum transfers, the S wave is found to feature resonances that have the following parameters: M = 1328 ± 8 MeV and Γ = 237 ± 20 MeV, M = 1440 ± 6 MeV and Γ = 121 ± 15 MeV, and M = 1776 ± 15 MeV and Γ = 250 ± 30 MeV. For the D ₀ wave, it is found that, in addition to the well-known resonances f ₂, a ₂, and f′ ₂, there appear the following resonances in this wave: a resonance of mass 2005 ± 12 MeV and width 209 ± 32 MeV and a resonance of mass 2270 ± 12 MeV and width 90 ± 29 MeV at low |t| and a resonance of mass 1659 ± 6 and width 152 ± 18 and a resonance of mass 2200 ± 13 MeV and width 91 ± 62 MeV at high |t|.     

Study of γ d → π + π − d Reaction in an Energy Region of 0.67 ≤ E γ ≤ 1.08 GeV

Double charged pion photoproductions from the deuteron have been studied at Research Center for Electron Photon Science (ELPH), Tohoku University. Tagged photon beams in an energy range of 0.67 ≤ E _γ ≤ 1.08 GeV were impinged on the liquid deuteron target. Produced charged particles were observed with the Neutral Kaon Spectrometer2 (NKS2). The γ d → π ⁺ π ^? d process was clearly separated among the three charged tracks. We obtained the photon energy dependence of the normalized yields of this process.     

Medium effects in the production and π0γ decay of ω-mesons in pA collisions in the GeV region

The ω resonance production and its π⁰γ decay in pA reactions close to threshold is considered within the Intranuclear Cascade (INC) model. The π⁰γ invariant-mass distribution shows two components which correspond to the ω decay “inside” and “outside” the nucleus, respectively. The “inside” component is distorted by medium effects, which introduce a mass shift as well as collisional broadening for the ω-meson and its decaying pion. The relative contribution of the “inside” component is analyzed in detail for different kinematical conditions and nuclear targets. It is demonstrated that a measurement of the correlation in azimuthal angle between the π⁰ and γ momenta allows to separate events related to the “inside”ω decay from different sources of background when uncorrelated π⁰'s and γ's are produced. Received: 2 April 2001 / Accepted: 5 June 2001     

Photoproduction of π + p pairs on nuclei

The photoproduction of pion-nucleon pairs on nuclei was analyzed. The contributions of both nucleonic and isobar configurations in the ground state of nuclei were taken into account. The cross section for the photoproduction of pion-proton pairs in the reactions ¹⁶O(??, ?? ⁺ p)¹⁵C and ¹²C(??, ?? ⁺ p)¹¹Be were calculated.     

Search for Scalar Resonance in the ωϕ System in the Pion-Nuclear Interaction at Momentum of 29 GeV/c

Physics of Atomic Nuclei - The charge-exchange reaction $${{\pi }^{ - }}p \to n\omega (783)\phi (1020)$$ , $$\omega \to {{\pi }^{ + }}{{\pi }^{ - }}{{\pi }^{0}}$$ , $$\phi \to {{K}^{ + }}{{K}^{ -...     

Measurement of the total spectrum of electrons and positrons in the energy range of 300–1500 GeV in the PAMELA experiment with the aid of a sampling calorimeter and a neutron detector

A method based on the use of a sampling calorimeter was developed for measuring the total energy spectrum of electrons and positrons from high-energy cosmic rays in the PAMELA satellite-borne experiment. This made it possible to extend the range of energies accessible to measurements by the magnetic system of the PAMELA spectrometer. Themethod involves a procedure for selecting electrons on the basis of features of a secondary-particle shower in the calorimeter. The results obtained by measuring the total spectrum of cosmic-ray electrons and positrons in the energy range of 300–1500 GeV by the method in question are presented on the basis of data accumulated over a period spanning 2006 and 2013.

     

A search for decays of heavy neutrinos in the mass range 0.5–2.8 GeV

A search for decays of heavy neutrinos was conducted by the CHARM Collaboration in a prompt neutrino beam produced by dumping 400 GeV protons in a Cu target, and in the CERN wide-band neutrino beam produced by 400 GeV primary protons. No candidate event was found. In the beam-dump experiment heavy neutrinos have been assumed to be produced by mixing in charmed D meson decays. Neutrinos decaying into e⁺e⁻v_e, μ⁺e⁻v_μ, and μ⁺μ⁻v_μ were searched for. Limits of |U_ei|², |U_μi|² < 10⁻⁷ were obtained for neutrino masses around 1.5 GeV. In the wide-band experiment heavy neutrinos were assumed to be produced by neutral-current neutrino interactions in the CHARM calorimeter. Here a search was made for neutrinos decaying into a μ and hadrons. This experiment is sensitive to decays of neutrinos with mass in the range 0.5–2.8 GeV with limits of |U_μi|² < 3 × 10⁻⁴ for masses around 2.5 GeV. These measurements extend our previous results in the mass range 10–400 MeV.     

Pion form factor in the range −10 GeV2 ≤ s ≤ 1 GeV2

Based on the field-theory-inspired approach, a new expression for the pion form factor F _π is proposed. It takes into account the pseudoscalar meson loops π⁺π^? and $K\bar K$ and the mixing of ρ(770) with heavier ρ(1450) and ρ(1700) resonances. The expression ensures correct analytical properties and describes the data in the wide range of the energy squared ?10 GeV² ≤ s ≤ 1 GeV² without introducing the phenomenological Blatt-Weisskopf range parameter R _π.     

Evidence for the production of thermal muon pairs with masses above 1 GeV/c 2 in 158 A GeV indium-indium collisions

The yield of muon pairs in the invariant mass region 1<M<2.5 GeV/c ² produced in heavy-ion collisions significantly exceeds the sum of the two expected contributions, Drell-Yan dimuons and muon pairs from the decays of D meson pairs. These sources properly account for the dimuons produced in proton-nucleus collisions. In this paper, we show that dimuons are also produced in excess in 158 A GeV In-In collisions. We furthermore observe, by tagging the dimuon vertices, that this excess is not due to enhanced D meson production, but made of prompt muon pairs, as expected from a source of thermal dimuons specific to high-energy nucleus-nucleus collisions. The yield of this excess increases significantly from peripheral to central collisions, both with respect to the Drell-Yan yield and to the number of nucleons participating in the collisions. Furthermore, the transverse mass distributions of the excess dimuons are well described by an exponential function, with inverse slope values around 190 MeV. The values are independent of mass and significantly lower than those found at masses below 1 GeV/c ², rising there up to 250 MeV due to radial flow. This suggests the emission source of thermal dimuons above 1 GeV/c ² to be of largely partonic origin, when radial flow has not yet built up.     

Investigation of the reaction π − p → η′π 0 n at the VES spectrometer

Results obtained by investigating the reaction π ^? p → η′π ⁰ n at the VES spectrometer (Institute for High Energy Physics, Protvino) are presented. The effective-mass spectrum and angular distributions of η′π ⁰ events are compared with their counterparts for ηπ ⁰ and η′π ^? events selected from the same data sample. The ratio R of the branching fractions for the decays of a ₂ ⁰ (1320) mesons into η′π and ηπ is measured. The result is R=0.047±0.018, which agrees with the value measured previously for a ₂ ^? . An investigation of P-wave production in the η′π ⁰ and ηπ ⁰ systems over the effective-mass interval 1.45–1.9 GeV/c2 leads to the conclusion that the coupling of the exotic object π ₁ (1600) to the ρπ channel is suppressed in relation to its coupling to the η′π or the b ₁(1235)π channel.     

Measurement of the deflection of cosmic-ray electrons in the energy range 75–250 GeV by the Earth’s magnetic field with the PAMELA experiment

The deflection of electrons in the Earth’s magnetic field in the energy range 75–250 GeV (the so-called east-west effect) has been measured with the PAMELA satellite-borne experiment. The results are presented for various L-shells. The data obtained can be used to construct mathematical models that describe the structure of the Earth’s magnetic field and to refine the already existing models. These data can also be directly applied to estimate the positron fraction in cosmic-ray electron fluxes both in the PAMELA experiment and in other satellite-borne experiments.     

Observation of the spin alignment of the ϱ0-meson produced in ¯pp interactions at 22.4 and 5.7 GeV/c

Studying the ⁰-meson production in ¯pp interactions at 22.4 GeV/c and in 4-prong anníhilation channels of ¯pp interactions at 5.7 GeV/c, we have observed an essential ⁰-meson spin alignment. The values of the ₀₀ element of the ⁰-meson spin density matrix (thez-axis is directed along the normal to the production plane) are equal to 0.08 ± 0.07 and 0.55 ± 0.03, respectively, i.e. the ⁰-meson spin lies preferably in the production plane. The absence of such an effect in pp interactions at 12 and 24 GeV/c and also the essentially larger ⁰ production cross section in ¯pp interactions at these energies make it possible to connect the observed ⁰-meson spin alignment with the annihilation processes. The character of the observed spin alignment is unexpected from the point of view of usual models, e.g. multiperipheral models. This effect could be described by the spontaneous polarization of quarks and antiquarks during the state preceding their recombination into mesons.Dedicated to Professor Ivan Úlehla on the occasion of his sixtieth birthday.The authors would like to express their gratitude to the CERN-Prague collaboration for permission to use their data on ¯pp interactions at 5.7 GeV/c. The authors are also indebted to A. M. Baldin, S. B. Gerasimov and H. I. Miettinen for valuable discussions, to the technicians and assistants at all laboratories for their work.     

Proton-proton correlations in central collisions of Ni+Ni at 1.93 A·GeV and the space-time extent of the emission source

Small-angle correlations of proton pairs produced in central Ni+Ni collisions at a beam energy of 1.93 A·GeV are investigated with the FOPI detector system at GSI Darmstadt. Simultaneous comparison of longitudinal and transverse correlation functions with the predictions of the Koonin model allows to unravel the space-time ambiguity of the source extension. The determination of the source rest frame is found essential for the identification of this effect. For the present system, the selection of central events comprising about 8 % of the total cross section allows for the isolation of a compact source in momentum space which is centered around the c.m. velocity of the colliding nuclei. Taking into account the strong collective expansion of the participant zone, which introduces a reduction of the extracted source radius of more than 30 %, r.m.s. radius and emission time parameters of R _rms = (4.2 ± 1.2) fm and t _trms = (11 _? ⁺⁷ ) fm/c are extracted, respectively. In contrast, the analysis of the angle-integrated correlation function mixes the spatial and temporal size of the source and gives an upper limit R _trms = (7.0 ± 0.8) fm of the source radius.     

A search for excited electrons in the e+e− reactions up to the √s of 56 GeV

Excited electrons, e^1's, have been searched for by making use of the processes e⁺e⁻→e⁺e⁻γγ and eγ(e) (quasi-real Compton scattering). From the former process, we have obtained the lower limit for the mass of e^1', 27.9 GeV/c. A good agreement with QED is observed in the latter process, and new upper limits have been set for the coupling strength λ as a function of the mass of e¹.     

Photoproduction of positive pions from hydrogen at large angles in the energy range 0.3–2.0 GeV

The differential cross-section for the reaction γp↦π ⁺ n was measured using the bremsstrahlung beam of the Bonn 2.5 GeV electron synchrotron. The pions were detected and momentum analysed in a multichannel magnet spectrometer. Data reduction resulted in 1278 measured cross-sections which are presented as energy distributions at six laboratory angles between 180° and 95°. The range of laboratory photon energies extended from 0.3 to 2.1 GeV. The statistical accuracy is better than 3 percent, the systematic error is about 5 percent. The data are compared with other experimental results and predictions of a phenomenological analysis. These cross-sections are the result of a measurement program which was started in the seventies. Further results will be reported in forthcoming publications. Received: 2 February 2000 / Accepted: 14 August 2001     

Observation of the f 2(1525) resonance in the ηη system produced in K − p interactions at a momentum of 32.5 GeV/c

The reaction K ^? p → ηη(Λ/Σ⁰) at a momentum of 32.5 GeV/c was studied for the first time. The experiment was performed by using the GAMS-4π spectrometer at the 70-GeV accelerator of the Institute for High Energy Physics (IHEP, Protvino). The f ₂(1525) resonance was observed in the effective-mass spectrum of the ηη system at a low background level. The cross section for f ₂(1525) production was measured. The branching ratio for f ₂(1525)-meson decay to ηη and K $\bar K$ was found to be R = 0.119 ± 0.015(stat.) ± 0.036(syst.), which is in agreement with the world-average value.     

Phase space dependence of the multiplicity distribution in π+ andpp collisions at 250 GeV/c

The charged particle multiplicity distribution has been studied for non-single-diffractive π⁺ p andpp collisions at \(\sqrt s = 22\) GeV, for full phase space as well as for intervals in rapidity, azimuthal angle and transverse momentum. In general, the multiplicity distribution is well described by a negative binomial. From comparison of the distribution for negative or positive particles to that of all charged particles, cascading is favoured as an interpretation over stimulated emission. Interesting consequences follow from a comparison of our results to those at collider energies and toe ⁺ e ^? data at comparable energy. Furthermore, evidence is given that the multiplicity distribution is not exactly of negative binomial type in every (connected or disconnected) phase space region.