Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Precision Measurement Of The Radiative Β Decay Of The Free Neutron, M. J. Bales, R. Alarcon, C. D. Bass, E. J. Beise, H. Breuer, J. Byrne, T. E. Chupp, K. J. Coakley, R. L. Cooper, M. S. Dewey, Susan Gardner, T. R. Gentile, D. He, H. P. Mumm, J. S. Nico, B. O'Neill, A. K. Thompson, F. E. Wietfeldt

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

The standard model predicts that, in addition to a proton, an electron, and an antineutrino, a continuous spectrum of photons is emitted in the β decay of the free neutron. We report on the RDK II experiment which measured the photon spectrum using two different detector arrays. An annular array of bismuth germanium oxide scintillators detected photons from 14 to 782 keV. The spectral shape was consistent with theory, and we determined a branching ratio of 0.00335 ± 0.00005[stat] ± 0.00015[syst]. A second detector array of large area avalanche photodiodes directly detected photons from 0.4 to 14 keV. For this …

J/Ψ Production At Low Transverse Momentum In P + P And D + Au Collisions At √SNn = 200 Gev, L. Adamczyk, James K. Adkins, G. Agakishiev, M. M. Aggarwal, Z. Ahammed, I. Alekseev, A. Aparin, D. Arkhipkin, E. C. Aschenauer, A. Attri, G. S. Averichev, X. Bai, V. Bairathi, R. Bellwied, A. Bhasin, A. K. Bhati, P. Bhattarai, J. Bielcik, J. Bielcikova, L. C. Bland, I. G. Bordyuzhin, J. Bouchet, J. D. Brandenburg, A. V. Brandin, I. Bunzarov, J. Butterworth, H. Caines, M. Calderón De La Barca Sánchez, J. M. Campbell, D. Cebra, Renee H. Fatemi, Suvarna Ramachandran

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

We report on the measurement of J/ψ production in the dielectron channel at midrapidity (|y| < 1) in p + p and d + Au collisions at √^s_NN = 200 GeV from the STAR experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. The transverse momentum p_Tspectra in p + p for p_T < 4 GeV/c and d + Au collisions for p_T < 3 GeV/c are presented. These measurements extend the STAR coverage for J/ψ production in p + p collisions to low p_T. The ⟨p²_T⟩ from the measured J/ψ invariant …

Measurement Of The Transverse Single-Spin Asymmetry In P↑+P→W±/Z0 At Rhic, L. Adamczyk, James K. Adkins, G. Agakishiev, M. M. Aggarwal, Z. Ahammed, I. Alekseev, A. Aparin, D. Arkhipkin, E. C. Aschenauer, A. Attri, G. S. Averichev, X. Bai, V. Bairathi, A. Banerjee, R. Bellwied, A. Bhasin, A. K. Bhati, P. Bhattarai, J. Bielcik, J. Bielcikova, L. C. Bland, I. G. Bordyuzhin, J. Bouchet, J. D. Brandenburg, A. V. Brandin, I. Bunzarov, J. Butterworth, H. Caines, M. Calderón De La Barca Sánchez, J. M. Campbell, Renee H. Fatemi, Suvarna Ramachandran

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

We present the measurement of the transverse single-spin asymmetry of weak boson production in transversely polarized proton-proton collisions at √s = 500  GeV by the STAR experiment at RHIC. The measured observable is sensitive to the Sivers function, one of the transverse-momentum-dependent parton distribution functions, which is predicted to have the opposite sign in proton-proton collisions from that observed in deep inelastic lepton-proton scattering. These data provide the first experimental investigation of the nonuniversality of the Sivers function, fundamental to our understanding of QCD.

Beam Energy Dependence Of The Third Harmonic Of Azimuthal Correlations In Au + Au Collisions At Rhic, L. Adamczyk, James K. Adkins, G. Agakishiev, M. M. Aggarwal, Z. Ahammed, I. Alekseev, A. Aparin, D. Arkhipkin, E. C. Aschenauer, A. Attri, G. S. Averichev, X. Bai, V. Bairathi, R. Bellwied, A. Bhasin, A. K. Bhati, P. Bhattarai, J. Bielcik, J. Bielcikova, L. C. Bland, I. G. Bordyuzhin, J. Bouchet, J. D. Brandenburg, A. V. Brandin, I. Bunzarov, J. Butterworth, H. Caines, M. Calderón De La Barca Sánchez, J. M. Campbell, D. Cebra, Renee H. Fatemi, Suvarna Ramachandran

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

We present results from a harmonic decomposition of two-particle azimuthal correlations measured with the STAR detector in Au + Au collisions for energies ranging from √^s_NN = 7.7 to 200 GeV. The third harmonic υ²₃ {2} = ⟨cos3(ϕ₁−ϕ₂)⟩, where ϕ₁−ϕ₂ is the angular difference in azimuth, is studied as a function of the pseudorapidity difference between particle pairs Δη = η₁− η₂. Nonzero υ²₃ {2} is directly related to the previously observed large-Δη narrow-Δϕ ridge correlations and …

Probing Parton Dynamics Of Qcd Matter With Ω And Φ Production, L. Adamczyk, James K. Adkins, G. Agakishiev, M. M. Aggarwal, Z. Ahammed, I. Alekseev, A. Aparin, D. Arkhipkin, E. C. Aschenauer, A. Attri, G. S. Averichev, X. Bai, V. Bairathi, R. Bellwied, A. Bhasin, A. K. Bhati, P. Bhattarai, J. Bielcik, J. Bielcikova, L. C. Bland, I. G. Bordyuzhin, J. Bouchet, J. D. Brandenburg, A. V. Brandin, I. Bunzarov, J. Butterworth, H. Caines, M. Calderón De La Barca Sánchez, J. M. Campbell, D. Cebra, Renee H. Fatemi, Suvarna Ramachandran

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

We present measurements of Ω and ϕ production at midrapidity from Au+Au collisions at nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass energies √^s_NN = 7.7, 11.5, 19.6, 27, and 39 GeV by the STAR experiment at the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). Motivated by the coalescence formation mechanism for these strange hadrons, we study the ratios of N (Ω^- + Ω⁻⁺) / [2N(ϕ)]. These ratios as a function of transverse momentum p_T fall on a consistent trend at high collision energies, but start to show deviations in peripheral collisions at √^s_NN = …

Centrality And Transverse Momentum Dependence Of Elliptic Flow Of Multistrange Hadrons And Φ Meson In Au + Au Collisions At √SNn = 200 Gev, L. Adamczyk, James K. Adkins, G. Agakishiev, M. M. Aggarwal, Z. Ahammed, I. Alekseev, A. Aparin, D. Arkhipkin, E. C. Aschenauer, G. S. Averichev, V. Bairathi, A. Banerjee, R. Bellwied, A. Bhasin, A. K. Bhati, P. Bhattarai, J. Bielcik, J. Bielcikova, L. C. Bland, I. G. Bordyuzhin, J. Bouchet, A. V. Brandin, I. Bunzarov, J. Butterworth, H. Caines, M. Calderón De La Barca Sánchez, J. M. Campbell, D. Cebra, M. C. Cervantes, I. Chakaberia, Renee H. Fatemi, Suvarna Ramachandran

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

We present high precision measurements of elliptic flow near midrapidity (|y| < 1.0) for multistrange hadrons and ϕ meson as a function of centrality and transverse momentum in Au + Au collisions at center of mass energy √^s_NN = 200  GeV. We observe that the transverse momentum dependence of ϕ and Ω υ₂ is similar to that of π and p, respectively, which may indicate that the heavier strange quark flows as strongly as the lighter up and down quarks. This observation constitutes a clear piece of evidence for the development of partonic collectivity in heavy-ion collisions at the top …

Centrality Dependence Of Identified Particle Elliptic Flow In Relativistic Heavy Ion Collisions At √SNn = 7.7–62.4 Gev, L. Adamczyk, James K. Adkins, G. Agakishiev, M. M. Aggarwal, Z. Ahammed, I. Alekseev, A. Aparin, D. Arkhipkin, E. C. Aschenauer, G. S. Averichev, X. Bai, V. Bairathi, A. Banerjee, R. Bellwied, A. Bhasin, A. K. Bhati, P. Bhattarai, J. Bielcik, J. Bielcikova, L. C. Bland, I. G. Bordyuzhin, J. Bouchet, J. D. Brandenburg, A. V. Brandin, I. Bunzarov, J. Butterworth, H. Caines, M. Calderón De La Barca Sánchez, J. M. Campbell, D. Cebra, Renee H. Fatemi, Suvarna Ramachandran

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

Elliptic flow (υ₂) values for identified particles at midrapidity in Au + Au collisions measured by the STAR experiment in the Beam Energy Scan at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider at √^s_NN = 7.7– 62.4 GeV are presented for three centrality classes. The centrality dependence and the data at √^s_NN = 14.5 GeV are new. Except at the lowest beam energies, we observe a similar relative υ₂ baryon-meson splitting for all centrality classes which is in agreement within 15% with the number-of-constituent quark scaling. The larger υ₂ for most particles relative …

Magnetic Field Non-Uniformity Challenges In Neutron Electric Dipole Moment Experiments, Nima Nouri

Theses and Dissertations--Physics and Astronomy

A new neutron Electric Dipole Moment (nEDM) experiment was proposed to be commissioned at the Fundamental Neutron Physics Beamline at the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The underlying theme of this experiment (first conceived by Golub and Lamoreaux in 1994) is the search for new physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics. The discovery of a non-zero nEDM would be of revolutionary importance to physics, with the discovery of such providing for evidence for new-beyond-the-Standard-Model physics required for a resolution to the unresolved puzzle of why the universe is dominated by matter, as …

Elastic Compton Scattering From Deuterium Near 100 Mev, Khayrullo Shoniyozov

Theses and Dissertations--Physics and Astronomy

Tagged photons from 81 to 116 MeV were used to measure elastic Compton scat- tering cross sections from deuterium and carbon targets at the MAX-lab facility in Lund. Scattered gamma rays were detected in three very large NaI(Tl) crystals with sufficient energy resolution to isolate deuterium elastic yields at scattering angles of 60°, 90°, 120° and 150°. Calculations indicate that back-angle Compton scattering on deuterium in this energy range is sensitive to the electric and magnetic polarizabilities of the nucleon. Results of this research were obtained with improved beam tagging system conditions compared to previous elastic Compton scattering experiments from …

An Analysis Of The Parity Violating Asymmetry Of Polarized Neutron Capture In Hydrogen From The Npdgamma Experiment, Elise Tang

Theses and Dissertations--Physics and Astronomy

The NPDGamma Experiment is used to study the n + p to d + g reaction for the purpose of examining the hadronic weak interaction. The nucleon-nucleon interaction is overwhelmingly mediated by the strong force, however, the weak part can be extracted by a study of its parity violating manifestations. When neutrons are incident on protons, deuterons and 2.2 MeV gamma rays are produced. If the incoming neutrons are polarized, the parity violating weak interaction gives rise to a measured spatial asymmetry, A_g, in the outgoing gamma rays, as s_n · k_g is parity odd.

At …

The N-P Scattering Cross Section From 90 Kev To 1.8 Mev, Hongwei Yang

Theses and Dissertations--Physics and Astronomy

There have been very few measurements of the total cross section for n-p scattering below 500 keV. In order to differentiate among NN potential models, improved cross section data between 20 and 600 keV are required. We measured the n-p and n-C total cross sections in this energy region by transmission; a collimated neutron beam was passed through CH₂ and C samples and transmitted neutrons were detected by a BC-501A deuterated liquid scintillator. Cross sections were obtained by taking the ratios of normalized neutron yields with the samples in the beam and with no sample in the beam. Both …

A Measurement Of The Prompt Fission Neutron Energy Spectrum For 235U(N,F) And The Neutron-Induced Fission Cross Section For 238U(N,F), Zachariah W. Miller

Theses and Dissertations--Physics and Astronomy

Two measurements have been made, addressing gaps in knowledge for ²³⁵U(n,f) and ²³⁸U(n,f). The energy distribution for prompt fission neutrons is not well-understood below 1 MeV in ²³⁵U(n,f). To measure the ²³⁵U(n,f) prompt fission neutron distribution, a pulsed neutron beam at the WNR facility in Los Alamos National Laboratory was directed onto a ²³⁵U target with neutron detectors placed 1 m from the target. These neutron detectors were designed specifically for this experiment and employed a unique geometry of scintillating plastic material that was designed to reject backgrounds. Fission fragments were detected using an avalanche …

Measurement Of The Dμd Quartet-To-Doublet Molecular Formation Rate Ratio (Λq : Λd) And The Μd Hyperfine Rate (Λqd) Using The Fusion Neutrons From Μ− Stops In D2 Gas, Nandita Raha

Theses and Dissertations--Physics and Astronomy

The MuSun experiment will determine the μd capture rate (μ−+d ->n+n+ν_e) from the doublet hyperfine state Λ_d, of the muonic deuterium atom in the 1S ground state to a precision of 1.5%. Modern effective field theories (EFT) predict that an accurate measurement of Λ_d would determine the two-nucleon weak axial current. This will help in understanding all weak nuclear interactions such as the stellar thermonuclear proton-proton fusion reactions, the neutrino reaction ν+d (which explores the solar neutrino oscillation problem). It will also help us understand weak …

Search For A Permanent Electric Dipole Moment Of 225Ra, Mukut R. Kalita

Theses and Dissertations--Physics and Astronomy

The observation of a permanent electric dipole moment (EDM) in a non-degenerate system would indicate the violation of discrete symmetries of Time reversal (T) or combined application of Charge (C) and Parity (P) symmetry violation through the CPT theorem. The diamagnetic ²²⁵Ra atom with nuclear spin I=1/2 is a favorable candidate for an EDM search. Experimental sensitivity to its EDM is enhanced due to its high atomic mass and the increased Schiff moment of its octupole deformed nucleus. An experimental setup is developed where laser cooled neutral radium atoms are collected in a …

Nuclear Structure Relevant To Double-Beta Decay: Studies Of ⁷⁶Ge And ⁷⁶Se Using Inelastic Neutron Scattering, Benjamin P. Crider

Theses and Dissertations--Physics and Astronomy

While neutrino oscillations indicate that neutrino flavors mix and that neutrinos have mass, they do not supply information on the absolute mass scale of the three flavors of neutrinos. Currently, the only viable way to determine this mass scale is through the observation of the theoretically predicted process of neutrinoless double-beta decay (0νββ). This yet-to-be-observed decay process is speculated to occur in a handful of nuclei and has predicted half-lives greater than 10²⁵ years. Observation of 0νββ is the goal of several large-scale, multinational efforts and consists of detecting a sharp peak in the summed β energies at the Q-value …

The Dijet Cross Section Measurement In Proton-Proton Collisions At A Center Of Mass Energy Of 500 Gev At Star, Grant D. Webb

Theses and Dissertations--Physics and Astronomy

Polarized deep inelastic scattering experiments play a vital role in the exploration of the spin structure of the proton. The polarized proton-proton collider at RHIC provides direct access to the gluon spin distribution through longitudinal double spin asymmetry measurements of inclusive jets, pions, and dijets. This thesis presents the measurement of the dijet double differential cross-section in proton-proton collisions at center of mass energies of √s = 500 GeV. The data represent an integrated luminosity of 8.7 pb^-1 recorded by the STAR detector during the 2009 RHIC run. A comprehensive jet analysis was performed to determine the ideal …

Investigation Of Spin-Independent Cp Violation In Neutron And Nuclear Radiative Β Decays, Daheng He

Theses and Dissertations--Physics and Astronomy

CP violation is an important condition to explain the preponderance of baryons in our universe, yet the available CP violation in the Standard Model (SM) via the so-called Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa mechanism seems to not provide enough CP violation. Thus searching for new sources of CP violation is one of the central tasks of modern physics. In this thesis, we focus on a new possible source of CP violation which generates triple-product correlations in momenta which can appear in neutron and nuclear radiative β decay. We show that at low energies such a CP violating correlation may arise from the exotic coupling …

Measurement Of Single-Target Spin Asymmetries In The Electroproduction Of Negative Pions In The Semi-Inclusive Deep Inelastic Reaction N↑(E,Éπ¯)X On A Transversely Polarized 3he Target, Chiranjib Dutta

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

The experiment E06010 measured the target single spin asymmetry (SSA) in the semiinclusive deep inelastic (SIDIS) n↑(e,éπ¯)X reaction with a transversely polarized ³He target as an effective neutron target. This is the very first independent measurement of the neutron SSA, following the measurements at HERMES and COMPASS on the proton and the deuteron. The experiment acquired data in Hall A at Jefferson Laboratory with a continuous electron beam of energy 5.9 GeV, probing the valence quark region, with x = 0.13→0.41, at Q² = 1.31→3.1 GeV². The two contributing mechanisms to the measured asymmetry, viz, the …

Studies Of Low-Lying States In 94zr Excited With The Inelastic Neutron Scattering Reaction, Esmat Elhami

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

The aim of nuclear structure studies is to observe and describe the structures and associated symmetries in nuclei, which in turn help us in understanding the nature of nucleon-nucleon interactions in a nucleus as a many-body quantum system. The protons and neutrons as constituents of a nucleus and their interactions are responsible for nuclear properties. The evolution of nuclear structure as a function of valence nucleon number, i.e., the number of nucleons beyond a magic number, can be inferred from the experimental level scheme and transition rates. In particular, the studies of low-lying, low-spin excited states in stable nuclei provide …