Search

We report the results of a search for inelastic scattering of weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) off $^{127}$I nuclei using NaI(Tl) crystals with a data exposure of 97.7\,kg$\cdot$years from the COSINE-100 experiment. The signature of inelastic WIMP-$^{127}$I scattering is a nuclear recoil accompanied by a 57.6\,keV $\gamma$-ray from the prompt deexcitation, producing an energetic signature compared to the typical WIMP nuclear recoil signal. We found no evidence for this inelastic scattering signature and set a 90 $\%$ confidence level upper limit on the WIMP-proton spin-dependent, inelastic scattering cross section of $1.2 \times 10^{-37} {\rm cm^{2}}$ at the WIMP mass 500\,${\rm GeV/c^{2}}$., Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures

We present results of a search for bosonic super-weakly interacting massive particles (BSW) as keV scale dark matter candidates that is based on an exposure of 97.7 kg$\cdot$year from the COSINE experiment. In this search, we employ, for the first time, Compton-like as well as absorption processes for pseudoscalar and vector BSWs. No evidence for BSWs is found in the mass range from 10 $\mathrm{keV/c}^2$ to 1 $\mathrm{MeV/c}^2$, and we present the exclusion limits on the dimensionless coupling constants to electrons $g_{ae}$ for pseudoscalar and $\kappa$ for vector BSWs at 90% confidence level. Our results show that these limits are improved by including the Compton-like process in masses of BSW, above $\mathcal{O}(100\,\mathrm{keV/c}^2)$.

We search for energetic electron recoil signals induced by boosted dark matter (BDM) from the galactic center using the COSINE-100 array of NaI(Tl) crystal detectors at the Yangyang Underground Laboratory. The signal would be an excess of events with energies above 4MeV over the well-understood background. Because no excess of events are observed in a 97.7 kg$\cdot$years exposure, we set limits on BDM interactions under a variety of hypotheses. Notably, we explored the dark photon parameter space, leading to competitive limits compared to direct dark photon search experiments, particularly for dark photon masses below 4MeV and considering the invisible decay mode. Furthermore, by comparing our results with a previous BDM search conducted by the Super- Kamionkande experiment, we found that the COSINE-100 detector has advantages in searching for low-mass dark matter. This analysis demonstrates the potential of the COSINE-100 detector to search for MeV electron recoil signals produced by the dark sector particle interactions., Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures

We present results from a search for solar bosonic dark matter using the annual modulation method with the COSINE-100 experiment. The results were interpreted considering three dark sector bosons models: solar dark photon; DFSZ and KSVZ solar axion; and Kaluza-Klein solar axion. No modulation signal that is compatible with the expected from the models was found from a data-set of 2.82 yr, using 61.3 kg of NaI(Tl) crystals. Therefore, we set a 90$\%$ confidence level upper limits for each of the three models studied. For the solar dark photon model, the most stringent mixing parameter upper limit is $1.61 \times 10^{-14}$ for dark photons with a mass of 215 eV. For the DFSZ and KSVZ solar axion, and the Kaluza-Klein axion models, the upper limits exclude axion-electron couplings, $g_{ae}$, above $1.61 \times 10^{-11}$ for axion mass below 0.2 keV; and axion-photon couplings, $g_{a\gamma\gamma}$, above $1.83 \times 10^{-11}$ GeV$^{-1}$ for an axion number density of $4.07 \times 10^{13}$ cm$^{-3}$. This is the first experimental search for solar dark photons and DFSZ and KSVZ solar axions using the annual modulation method. The lower background, higher light yield and reduced threshold of NaI(Tl) crystals of the future COSINE-200 experiment are expected to enhance the sensitivity of the analysis shown in this paper. We show the sensitivities for the three models studied, considering the same search method with COSINE-200., Comment: 13 pages, 16 figures

Observations of WASP-121 b have suggested an under-abundance of titanium and titanium-oxide from its terminator region. In this study, we aim to determine whether this depletion is global by investigating the day-side emission spectrum. We analyse 8 epochs of high-resolution spectra obtained with the ESPRESSO spectrograph at optical wavelengths, targeting orbital phases when the day-side is in view. We use a cross-correlation method to search for various atoms, TiO and VO and compare to models. We constrain the velocities and phase-function of the emission signal using a Bayesian framework. We report significant detections of Ca I, V I, Cr I, Fe I and Ni I, but not T i or TiO. Models containing Ti are unable to reproduce the data. The detected signals are consistent with the known orbital and systemic velocities and with peak emission originating from the sub-stellar point. We find that Ti is depleted from regions of the atmosphere where transmission and emission spectroscopy are sensitive. Supported by recent HST observations that constrain the night-side temperature, we interpret this as evidence for the night-side condensation of titanium, preventing it from being mixed back into the upper layers of the atmosphere elsewhere on the planet. Species with lower condensation temperatures are unaffected, implying sharp chemical transitions exist between ultra-hot Jupiters that have slight differences in temperature or dynamical properties. As TiO can act as a strong source of stratospheric heating, cold-trapping creates a coupling between the thermal structures on the day-side and night-side, and thus condensation chemistry needs to be included in global circulation models. Observed elemental abundances in hot Jupiters are not reliably representative of bulk abundances unless night-side condensation is accounted for or the planet is hot enough to avoid night-side cold-traps entirely., Comment: 19 pages, submitted to A\&A on September 13, 2022

COSINE-100 is a direct detection dark matter experiment that aims to test DAMA/LIBRA's claim of dark matter discovery by searching for a dark matter-induced annual modulation signal with NaI(Tl) detectors. We present new constraints on the annual modulation signal from a dataset with a 2.82 yr livetime utilizing an active mass of 61.3 kg, for a total exposure of 173 kg$\cdot$yr. This new result features an improved event selection that allows for both lowering the energy threshold to 1 keV and a more precise time-dependent background model. In the 1-6 keV and 2-6 keV energy intervals, we observe best-fit values for the modulation amplitude of 0.0067$\pm$0.0042 and 0.0051$\pm$0.0047 counts/(day$\cdot$kg$\cdot$keV), respectively, with a phase fixed at 152.5 days., 11 pages, 8 figures

We report the identification of metastable isomeric states of $^{228}$Ac at 6.28 keV, 6.67 keV and 20.19 keV, with lifetimes of an order of 100 ns. These states are produced by the $\beta$-decay of $^{228}$Ra, a component of the $^{232}$Th decay chain, with $\beta$ Q-values of 39.52 keV, 39.13 keV and 25.61 keV, respectively. Due to its low Q-value as well as the relative abundance of $^{232}$Th and their progeny in low background experiments, these observations potentially impact the low-energy background modeling of dark matter search experiments., Comment: 9 pages, 9 figures

Searches for new physics push experiments to look for increasingly rare interactions. As a result, detectors require increasing sensitivity and specificity, and materials must be screened for naturally occurring, background-producing radioactivity. Furthermore the detectors used for screening must approach the sensitivities of the physics-search detectors themselves, thus motivating iterative development of detectors capable of both physics searches and background screening. We report on the design, installation, and performance of a novel, low-background, fourteen-element high-purity germanium detector named the CAGe (CUP Array of Germanium), installed at the Yangyang underground laboratory in Korea., Comment: 12 pages, 6 figures, 3 tables

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses threaten human and animal health yet their emergence is poorly understood, partly because sampling of the HPAI Asian-origin H5N1 lineage immediately after its identification in 1996 was comparatively sparse. The discovery of a novel H5N8 virus in 2013 provides a new opportunity to investigate HPAI emergence in greater detail. Here we investigate the origin and transmission of H5N8 in the Republic of Korea, the second country to report the new strain. We reconstruct viral spread using phylogeographic methods and interpret the results in the context of ecological data on poultry density, overwintering wild bird numbers, and bird migration patterns. Our results indicate that wild waterfowl migration and domestic duck density were important to H5N8 epidemiology. Specifically, we infer that H5N8 entered the Republic of Korea via Jeonbuk province, then spread rapidly among western provinces where densities of overwintering waterfowl and domestic ducks are higher, yet rarely persisted in eastern regions. The common ancestor of H5N8 in the Republic of Korea was estimated to have arrived during the peak of inward migration of overwintering birds. Recent virus isolations likely represent re-introductions via bird migration from an as-yet unsampled reservoir. Based on the limited data from outside the Republic of Korea, our data suggest that H5N8 may have entered Europe at least twice, and Asia at least three times from this reservoir, most likely carried by wild migrating birds.

cited By (since 1996)0; International audience; The First International Workshop on The Role and Impact of Mathematics in Medicine (RIMM) convened in Paris in June 2010. A broad range of researchers discussed the difficulties, challenges and opportunities faced by those wishing to see mathematical methods contribute to improved medical outcomes. Finding mechanisms for interdisciplinary meetings, developing a common language, staying focused on the medical problem at hand, deriving realistic mathematical solutions, obtaining high quality data and seeing things through "by the bedside" are some of the issues discussed by the participants.

The electronic and optical properties of GaInZnO (GIZO) thin films, grown on SiO2/Si by the RF magnetron sputtering method, were obtained by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and reflection electron energy loss spectroscopy (REELS). The optical properties represented by the dielectric function ???, refractive index n, extinction coefficient k, and transmission coefficient, T of GIZO thin films were obtained from a quantitative analysis of REELS. When the concentration ratios of Ga: In: Zn in GIZO thin films are 1:1:1, 2:2:1, 3:2:1 and 4:2:1, the band gap values are 3.2 eV, 3.2 eV, 3.4eV and 3.6eV, respectively. The optical properties were determined from the energy loss of the REELS spectra by using QUEELS-??(k,??)-REELS software. The optical properties depend on the Ga concentration, and the transmission was improved in the visible region with increasing Ga concentration in GIZO.

Dielectric and optical properties of (ZrO2)x(SiO2)1-x dielectric thin films, grown on Si(100) by the atomic layer deposition method, were studied by means of reflection electron energy loss spectroscopy (REELS). The quantitative analysis of REELS spectra were carried out by using the quantitative analysis electron energy loss spectra QUEELS-??(k,??)-REELS software to determine the dielectric function and optical properties by using an analysis of experimental REELS cross sections from the simulated energy loss function (ELF). For ZrO2, the ELF shows peaks in the vicinity of 10, 15, 21, 27, 35, 42 and 57 eV. For SiO2, a broad peak at 23 eV with a very weak shoulder at 15 eV and a shoulder at 34eV were observed, while for Zr-silicates (x=0.75 and 0.5) the peak position is similar to that of ZrO2. For Zr-silicates with high SiO2 concentration (x=0.25), the peak positions are similar to that of SiO2, but the peak at 42 eV, which is due to excitation of Zr N2,3 shell electrons, still exist. This indicates that the dielectric and optical properties of ZrO2 thin films are dominating the dielectric and optical properties of Zr silicates even for high SiO2 concentrations. In addition, the inelastic mean free path (IMFP) was also calculated from the theoretical inelastic cross section. The IMFP of Zr silicates increases with increasing Zr composition in Zr silicates, and they also increase with increasing primary energy. The method of determining the dielectric and optical properties and inelastic mean free path from the ELF turns out to be a convenient tool for ultrathin high-k materials.

The band alignment for atomic layer deposited (ZrO2)x(SiO2)1-x (x = 1.0, 0.75, 0.5, 0.25) gate dielectric thin films grown on Si (100) was obtained by using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and reflection electron energy loss spectroscopy. The band gap, conduction band offset and the valence band offset for ZrO2 thin film were 5.30, 1.83, and 2.35 eV, respectively. These values for Zr silicates with x more than 0.5 are independent of SiO2 concentration, but both holes and electrons have more symmetric barrier heights when x = 0.25. The Zr silicate dielectrics are strongly affected by Zr-O nearest neighbor bonding.

In a semiconductor heterostructure with type II energy band alignment, the spatial separation between electrons and holes slows down their radiative recombination. With increasing excitation intensity, Auger recombination quickly becomes the dominate recombination channel, and it produces carrier ejection from the quantum well. Here, we show that in Si/SiGe three-dimensional nanostructures, this efficient process facilitates the formation of an electron-hole plasma (EHP) and/or electron-hole droplets (EHDs) in thin Si barriers separating SiGe clusters. In contrast to conventional, strongly temperature dependent and slow radiative carrier recombination in bulk Si, this EHD/EHP luminescence in nanometer-thick Si layers is found to be nearly temperature independent with radiative lifetime approaching 10^-8 s, which is only slightly slower than that found in direct band gap III-V semiconductors., 14 pages, 4 fugures

Three-dimensional SiGe nanostructures grown on Si (SiGe/Si) using molecular beam epitaxy or low-pressure chemical vapor deposition exhibit photoluminescence and electroluminescence in the important spectral range of 1.3–1.6 μm. At a high level of photoexcitation or carrier injection, thermal quenching of the luminescence intensity is suppressed and the previously confirmed type-II energy band alignment at Si/SiGe cluster heterointerfaces no longer controls radiative carrier recombination. Instead, a recently proposed dynamic type-I energy band alignment is found to be responsible for the strong decrease in carrier radiative lifetime and further increase in the luminescence quantum efficiency.

Experimental inelastic scattering cross sections of Fe, Ni and their compound from reflection-electron-energy-Loss spectroscopy (REELS) spectra are presented. Quantitative analysis of REELS spectra were carried out by using Tougaard-Yubero QUEELS-??(k, ??)-REELS software [1]. Theoretical inelastic scattering cross section KSC from simulated energy loss function (ELF) and experimental inelastic scattering cross section from REELS spectra at four primary electron energies of 500eV, 1000eV, 1500eV and 2000eV have been investigated. Theoretical inelastic scattering cross section determined through a dielectric-response of solid-electron interaction using Drude-Lindhard oscillator were compared with experimental inelastic scattering cross section from REELS spectra. The peak position, strength and width of oscillators also were determined quantitatively for these materials. Plasmon and interband transition peak appear in energy loss below 50 eV for Fe, Ni [2] and Fe-Ni compounds. Excitation of 3s and 3p contributed in energy loss above 50 eV for Fe and Fe-Ni compounds, for Ni only excitations of 3p occur in this region. Good quantitative agreement is found between the theoretical predictions and the experimental findings for the inelastic scattering cross section. The theoretically calculated inelastic mean free path (IMFP) is found to depend on both primary energy and the amount of Fe in compounds. The IMFP increases with increasing the primary energies and decreases with reducing the amount of Fe in compounds.

Mixed integer programming is proposed as an approach for generating treatment plans for brachytherapy. Two related but distinct, mixed integer programming models are tested on data from eight prostate cancer patients. The results demonstrate that in some cases, "good" treatment plans can be obtained in less than five CPU minutes.

PURPOSE: To determine the association of an MR abnormality and a positron emission tomography (PET) abnormality with a good outcome in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy after lobectomy, the association of combined PET and MR findings with good outcomes after lobectomy, and MR and PET pathologic correlation. METHODS: MR and PET were performed on 27 patients in a blinded study. Histologic studies were correlated with foci of increased T2 signal. RESULTS: Increased signal or decreased volume of the hippocampus was noted in 13 of 15 patients with mesial temporal sclerosis. Twelve of 15 had positive PET findings. MR identified 20 (83%) of the 24 patients with good outcomes. PET identified 71%. When MR and PET were combined, they detected 95% of the patients with good outcome. Region of interest measurements of the hippocampus in 11 study patients and 7 control subjects documented a significant increase in signal in the patients with seizures. Histologic correlative studies demonstrated that increased T2 signals related to astrocytosis in the hippocampus and adjacent white matter. CONCLUSIONS: MR (increased signal and decreased volume of the hippocampus) significantly improved the capability to identify those persons who would be helped by lobectomy. MR sensitivity exceeded that of PET.