Search

Accurate modeling of how high-energy proton-proton collisions produce gamma rays through the decays of pions and other secondaries is needed to correctly interpret astrophysical observations with the Fermi-LAT telescope. In the existing literature on cosmic-ray collisions with gas, the focus is on the gamma-ray yield spectrum, $d N_\gamma/dE$. However, in some situations, the joint energy and angular distribution can be observed, so one needs instead $d^2 N_\gamma/dE \, d\Omega$. We provide calculations of this distribution over the energy range from the pion production threshold to $100~{\rm GeV}$, basing our results on FLUKA simulations. We provide the results in tabular form and provide a Python tool on GitHub to aid in utilization. We also provide an approximate analytic formula that illuminates the underlying physics. We discuss simplified examples where this angular dependence can be observed to illustrate the necessity of taking the joint distribution into account., Comment: Main text is 11 pages. Comments are welcome

We show that the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) has the potential to make a precise measurement of the total active flux of 8B solar neutrinos via neutral-current (NC) interactions with argon. This would complement proposed precise measurements of solar-neutrino fluxes in DUNE via charged-current (CC) interactions with argon and mixed CC/NC interactions with electrons. Together, these would enable DUNE to make a SNO-like comparison of rates and thus to make the most precise measurements of $\sin^2\theta_{12}$ and $\Delta m^2_{21}$ using solar neutrinos. Realizing this potential requires dedicated but realistic efforts to improve DUNE's low-energy capabilities and separately to reduce neutrino-argon cross section uncertainties. Comparison of mixing-parameter results obtained using solar neutrinos in DUNE and reactor antineutrinos in JUNO (Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory) would allow unprecedented tests of new physics., Comment: 6 pages main text (10 pages total), 7 figures. Comments are welcome

Super-Kamiokande's spallation backgrounds - the delayed beta decays of nuclides following cosmic-ray muons - are nearly all produced by the small fraction of muons with hadronic showers. We show that these hadronic showers also produce neutrons; their captures can be detected with high efficiency due to the recent addition of dissolved gadolinium to Super-Kamiokande. We show that new cuts based on the neutron tagging of showers could reduce spallation backgrounds by a factor of at least four beyond present cuts. With further work, this could lead to a near-elimination of detector backgrounds above about 6 MeV, which would significantly improve the sensitivity of Super-Kamiokande. These findings heighten the importance of adding gadolinium to Hyper-Kamiokande, which is at a shallower depth. Further, a similar approach could be used in other detectors, for example, the JUNO liquid-scintillator detector, which is also at a shallower depth., Comment: Main text is 14 pages. Minor changes to match the published version

The Diffuse Supernova Neutrino Background (DSNB) -- a probe of the core-collapse mechanism and the cosmic star-formation history -- has not been detected, but its discovery may be imminent. A significant obstacle for DSNB detection in Super-Kamiokande (Super-K) is detector backgrounds, especially due to atmospheric neutrinos (more precisely, these are foregrounds), which are not sufficiently understood. We perform the first detailed theoretical calculations of these foregrounds in the range 16--90 MeV in detected electron energy, taking into account several physical and detector effects, quantifying uncertainties, and comparing our predictions to the 15.9 livetime years of pre-gadolinium data from Super-K stages I--IV. We show that our modeling reasonably reproduces this low-energy data as well as the usual high-energy atmospheric-neutrino data. To accelerate progress on detecting the DSNB, we outline key actions to be taken in future theoretical and experimental work. In a forthcoming paper, we use our modeling to detail how low-energy atmospheric-neutrino events register in Super-K and suggest new cuts to reduce their impact., Comment: Main text 17 pages and 8 figures + appendix. Minor changes; match the published version

We propose the first practical method to detect atmospheric tau neutrino appearance at sub-GeV energies, which would be an important test of $\nu_\mu \rightarrow \nu_\tau$ oscillations and of new-physics scenarios. In the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO; starts in 2024), active-flavor neutrinos eject neutrons from carbon via neutral-current quasielastic scattering. This produces a two-part signal: the prompt part is caused by the scattering of the neutron in the scintillator, and the delayed part by its radiative capture. Such events have been observed in KamLAND, but only in small numbers and were treated as a background. With $\nu_\mu \rightarrow \nu_\tau$ oscillations, JUNO should measure a clean sample of 55 events/yr; with simple $\nu_\mu$ disappearance, this would instead be 41 events/yr, where the latter is determined from Super-Kamiokande charged-current measurements at similar neutrino energies. Implementing this method will require precise laboratory measurements of neutrino-nucleus cross sections or other developments. With those, JUNO will have $5\sigma$ sensitivity to tau-neutrino appearance in 5 years exposure, and likely sooner., Comment: 12 pages, 8 figures

Common-envelope evolution - where a star is engulfed by a companion - is a critical but poorly understood step in, e.g., the formation pathways for gravitational-wave sources. However, it has been extremely challenging to identify observable signatures of such systems. We show that for systems involving a neutron star, the hypothesized super-Eddington accretion onto the neutron star produces MeV-range, months-long neutrino signals within reach of present and planned detectors. While there are substantial uncertainties on the rate of such events (0.01-1/century in the Milky Way) and the neutrino luminosity (which may be less than the accretion power), this signal can only be found if dedicated new searches are developed. If detected, the neutrino signal would lead to significant new insights into the astrophysics of common-envelope evolution., Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures + Appendices. Comments are welcome

We present Near-Infrared (NIR) ground-based Y, J, H, and K imaging obtained in the James Webb Space Telescope North Ecliptic Pole Time Domain Field (TDF) using the MMT-Magellan Infrared Imager and Spectrometer (MMIRS) on the MMT.These new observations cover a field of approximately 230 arcmin^2 in Y, H, and K and 313 arcmin^2 in J. Using Monte Carlo simulations we estimate a 1 sigma depth relative to the background sky of (Y, J, H, K}) = (23.80, 23.53, 23.13, 23.28) in AB magnitudes for point sources at a 95% completeness level. These observations are part of the ground-based effort to characterize this region of the sky, supplementing space-based data obtained with Chandra, NuSTAR, XMM, AstroSat, HST, and JWST. This paper describes the observations and reduction of the NIR imaging and combines these NIR data with archival imaging in the visible, obtained with the Subaru Hyper-Suprime-Cam, to produce a merged catalog of 57,501 sources. The new observations reported here, plus the corresponding multi-wavelength catalog, will provide a baseline for time-domain studies of bright sources in the TDF., Comment: 23 pages, 10 figures. Accepted for publication in ApJS. Images and catalogs available at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7934393. Data description available under ancillary files and at the Zenodo site. Added a reference, fixed typos in metadata

Detecting the end of the cosmic-ray (CR) electron spectrum would provide important new insights. While we know that Milky Way sources can accelerate electrons up to at least $\sim$1PeV, the observed CR electron spectrum at Earth extends only up to 5TeV (possibly 20TeV), a large discrepancy. The question of the end of the CR electron spectrum has received relatively little attention, despite its importance. We take a comprehensive approach, showing that there are multiple steps at which the observed CR electron spectrum could be cut off. At the highest energies, the accelerators may not have sufficient luminosity, or the sources may not allow sufficient escape, or propagation to Earth may not be sufficiently effective, or present detectors may not have sufficient sensitivity. For each step, we calculate a rough range of possibilities. Although all of the inputs are uncertain, a clear vista of exciting opportunities emerges. We outline strategies for progress based on CR electron observations and auxiliary multi-messenger observations. In addition to advancing our understanding of CRs in the Milky Way, progress will also sharpen sensitivity to dark matter annihilation or decay., Comment: Main text 10 pages, 7 figures

We present a detailed analysis of nearly two decades of optical/UV and X-ray data to study the multi-wavelength pre-explosion properties and post-explosion X-ray properties of nearby SN2023ixf located in M101. We find no evidence of precursor activity in the optical to UV down to a luminosity of $\lesssim 7\times10^{4}\, \rm L_{\odot}$, while X-ray observations covering nearly 18 years prior to explosion show no evidence of luminous precursor X-ray emission down to an absorbed 0.3 - 10.0 keV X-ray luminosity of $\sim6\times10^{36}$ erg s$^{-1}$. Extensive Swift observations taken post-explosion did not detect soft X-ray emission from SN2023ixf within the first $\sim$3.3 days after first light, which suggests a mass-loss rate for the progenitor of $\lesssim5\times10^{-4}\,\rm M_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$ or a radius of $\lesssim4\times10^{15}$ cm for the circumstellar material. Our analysis also suggests that if the progenitor underwent a mass-loss episode, this had to occur $>$ 0.5 - 1.5 years prior to explosion, consistent with previous estimates. Swift detected soft X-rays from SN2023ixf $\sim4.25$ days after first light, and it rose to a peak luminosity of $\sim10^{39}$ erg s$^{-1}$ after 10 days and has maintained this luminosity for nearly 50 days post first light. This peak luminosity is lower than expected, given the evidence that SN2023ixf is interacting with dense material. However, this might be a natural consequence of an asymmetric circumstellar medium. X-ray spectra derived from merging all Swift observations over the first 50 days are best described by a two-component bremsstrahlung model consisting of a heavily absorbed and hotter component similar to that found using NuSTAR, and a less-absorbed, cooler component. We suggest that this soft component arises from cooling of the forward shock similar to that found in Type IIn SN2010jl., Comment: 21 pages, 13 figures, published in PASA

We analyze pre-explosion ultraviolet (UV) imaging of the nearby Type II supernova SN 2023ixf in search of precursor variability. No outbursts are seen in observations obtained 15-20 yr prior to explosion to a limit of $L_{NUV} \approx 1000~L_{sun}$ and $L_{NUV} \approx 2000~L_{sun}$. The time period of these non-detections roughly corresponds to changes in the circumstellar density inferred from early spectra and photometry., Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure. Submitted to AAS Research Notes

The Sun is a bright gamma-ray source due to hadronic cosmic-ray interactions with solar gas. While it is known that incoming cosmic rays must generally first be reflected by solar magnetic fields to produce outgoing gamma rays, theoretical models have yet to reproduce the observed spectra. We introduce a simplified model of the solar magnetic fields that captures the main elements relevant to gamma-ray production. These are a flux tube, representing the network elements, and a flux sheet, representing the intergranule sheets. Both the tube and sheet have a horizontal size of order $100~{\rm km}$ and serve as sites where cosmic rays are reflected and gamma rays are produced. While our simplified double-structure model does not capture all the complexities of the solar-surface magnetic fields, such as Alfv\'{e}n turbulence from wave interactions or magnetic fluctuations from convection motions, it improves on previous models by reasonably producing both the hard spectrum seen by Fermi-LAT at $\text{1--200}~{\rm GeV}$ and the considerably softer spectrum seen by HAWC at near $10^3~{\rm GeV}$. We show that lower-energy ($\lesssim 10~{\rm GeV}$) gamma rays are primarily produced in the network elements and higher-energy ($\gtrsim {\rm few} \times 10~{\rm GeV}$) gamma rays in the intergranule sheets. Notably, the spectrum softening observed by HAWC results from the limited effectiveness of capturing and reflecting $\sim 10^4~{\rm GeV}$ cosmic rays by the finite-sized intergranule sheets. Our study is important for understanding cosmic-ray transport in the solar atmosphere and will lead to insights about small-scale magnetic fields at the photosphere., Comment: 24 pages, 11 figures; Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal

With its unprecedented sensitivity and spatial resolution, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has opened a new window for time-domain discoveries in the infrared. Here we report observations in the only field that has received four epochs (spanning 126 days) of JWST NIRCam observations in Cycle 1. This field is towards MACS J0416.1-2403, which is a rich galaxy cluster at redshift z=0.4 and is one of the Hubble Frontier Fields. We have discovered 14 transients from these data. Twelve of these transients happened in three galaxies (with z=0.94, 1.01, and 2.091) crossing a lensing caustic of the cluster,and these transients are highly magnified by gravitational lensing. These 12 transients are likely of similar nature to those previously reported based on the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) data in this field, i.e., individual stars in the highly magnified arcs. However, these twelve could not have been found by HST because they are too red and too faint. The other two transients are associated with background galaxies (z=2.205 and 0.7093) that are only moderately magnified, and they are likely supernovae. They indicate a de-magnified supernova surface density, when monitored at a time cadence of a few months to a ~3--4 micron survey limit of AB ~ 28.5 mag, of ~0.5 per sq. arcmin integrated to z ~ 2. This survey depth is beyond the capability of HST but can be easily reached by JWST., Comment: ApJS accepted

New probes of neutrino mixing are needed to advance precision studies. One promising direction is via the detection of low-energy atmospheric neutrinos (below a few hundred MeV), to which a variety of near-term experiments will have much-improved sensitivity. Here we focus on probing these neutrinos through distinctive nuclear signatures of exclusive neutrino-carbon interactions -- those that lead to detectable nuclear-decay signals with low backgrounds -- in both neutral-current and charged-current channels. The neutral-current signature is a line at 15.11 MeV and the charged-current signatures are two- or three-fold coincidences with delayed decays. We calculate the prospects for identifying such events in the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO), a large-scale liquid-scintillator detector. A five-year exposure would yield about 16 neutral-current events (all flavors) and about 16 charged-current events (mostly from $\nu_e + \bar{\nu}_e$, with some from $\nu_\mu + \bar{\nu}_\mu$), and thus roughly 25\% uncertainties on each of their rates. Our results show the potential of JUNO to make the first identified measurement of sub-100 MeV atmospheric neutrinos. They also are a step towards multi-detector studies of low-energy atmospheric neutrinos, with the goal of identifying additional distinctive nuclear signatures for carbon and other targets., Comment: 13 pages, 7 figures, 1 appendix. Minor changes, matches version published in Phys. Rev. D

The next Milky Way supernova will be an epochal event in multi-messenger astronomy, critical to tests of supernovae, neutrinos, and new physics. Realizing this potential depends on having realistic simulations of core collapse. We investigate the neutrino predictions of nearly all modern models (1-, 2-, and 3-d) over the first $\simeq$1 s, making the first detailed comparisons of these models to each other and to the SN 1987A neutrino data. Even with different methods and inputs, the models generally agree with each other. However, even considering the low neutrino counts, the models generally disagree with data. What can cause this? We show that neither neutrino oscillations nor different progenitor masses appear to be a sufficient solution. We outline urgently needed work., Comment: Main text is 5 pages; total with references and Supplemental Material is 21 pages. Comments are welcome

Identifying the Milky Way's very high energy hadronic cosmic-ray accelerators -- the PeVatrons -- is a critical problem. While gamma-ray observations reveal promising candidate sources, neutrino detection is needed for certainty, and this has not yet been successful. Why not? There are several possibilities, as we delineated in a recent paper [T. Sudoh and J. F. Beacom, Phys. Rev. D 107, 043002 (2023)]. Here we further explore the possibility that the challenges arise because PeVatrons have a large angular extent, either due to cosmic-ray propagation effects or due to clusters of sources. We show that while extended neutrino sources could be missed in the commonly used muon-track channel, they could be discovered in the all-flavor shower channel, which has a lower atmospheric-neutrino background flux per solid angle. Intrinsically, showers are quite directional and would appear so in water-based detectors like the future KM3NeT, even though they are presently badly smeared by light scattering in ice-based detectors like IceCube. Our results motivate new shower-based searches as part of the comprehensive approach to identifying the Milky Way's hadronic PeVatrons., Comment: Main text 9 pages, 5 figures. Accepted by PRD

We show that dark-matter candidates with large masses and large nuclear interaction cross sections are detectable with terrestrial radar systems. We develop our results in close comparison to successful radar searches for tiny meteoroids, aggregates of ordinary matter. The path of a meteoroid (or suitable dark-matter particle) through the atmosphere produces ionization deposits that reflect incident radio waves. We calculate the equivalent radar echoing area or `radar cross section' for dark matter. By comparing the expected number of dark-matter-induced echoes with observations, we set new limits in the plane of dark-matter mass and cross section, complementary to pre-existing cosmological limits. Our results are valuable because (A) they open a new detection technique for which the reach can be greatly improved and (B) in case of a detection, the radar technique provides differential sensitivity to the mass and cross section, unlike cosmological probes., Comment: Main text 15 pages and 11 figures, Appendix 2 pages and 3 figures; Typos and references corrected

We give an overview and describe the rationale, methods, and first results from NIRCam images of the JWST "Prime Extragalactic Areas for Reionization and Lensing Science" ("PEARLS") project. PEARLS uses up to eight NIRCam filters to survey several prime extragalactic survey areas: two fields at the North Ecliptic Pole (NEP); seven gravitationally lensing clusters; two high redshift proto-clusters; and the iconic backlit VV 191 galaxy system to map its dust attenuation. PEARLS also includes NIRISS spectra for one of the NEP fields and NIRSpec spectra of two high-redshift quasars. The main goal of PEARLS is to study the epoch of galaxy assembly, AGN growth, and First Light. Five fields, the JWST NEP Time-Domain Field (TDF), IRAC Dark Field (IDF), and three lensing clusters, will be observed in up to four epochs over a year. The cadence and sensitivity of the imaging data are ideally suited to find faint variable objects such as weak AGN, high-redshift supernovae, and cluster caustic transits. Both NEP fields have sightlines through our Galaxy, providing significant numbers of very faint brown dwarfs whose proper motions can be studied. Observations from the first spoke in the NEP TDF are public. This paper presents our first PEARLS observations, their NIRCam data reduction and analysis, our first object catalogs, the 0.9-4.5 $\mu$m galaxy counts and Integrated Galaxy Light. We assess the JWST sky brightness in 13 NIRCam filters, yielding our first constraints to diffuse light at 0.9-4.5 {\mu}m. PEARLS is designed to be of lasting benefit to the community., Comment: Accepted to AJ, comments welcome. We ask anyone who uses our public PEARLS (NEP TDF) data to refer to this overview paper

Observations of the Milky Way at TeV-PeV energies reveal a bright diffuse flux of hadronic cosmic rays and also bright point sources of gamma rays. If the gamma-ray sources are hadronic cosmic-ray accelerators, then they must also be neutrino sources. However, no neutrino sources have been detected. Where are they? We introduce a new population-based approach to probe Milky Way hadronic PeVatrons, demanding consistency between diffuse and point-source PeV-range data on cosmic rays, gamma rays, and neutrinos. For the PeVatrons, two extreme scenarios are allowed: (1) the hadronic cosmic-ray accelerators and the gamma-ray sources are the same objects, so that bright neutrino sources exist and improved telescopes can detect them, versus (2) the hadronic cosmic-ray accelerators and the gamma-ray sources are distinct, so that there are no detectable neutrino sources. The latter case is possible if hadronic accelerators have sufficiently thin column densities. We quantify present constraints and future prospects, showing how to reveal the nature of the hadronic PeVatrons., Comment: Main text 16 pages, 8 figures. Accepted by PRD

Using the first epoch of four-band NIRCam observations obtained by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Prime Extragalactic Areas for Reionization and Lensing Science Program in the Spitzer IRAC Dark Field, we search for F150W and F200W dropouts. In 14.2 arcmin^2, we have found eight F150W dropouts and eight F200W dropouts, all brighter than 27.5 mag (the brightest being ~24 mag) in the band to the red side of the break. As they are detected in multiple bands, these must be real objects. Their nature, however, is unclear, and characterizing their properties is important for realizing the full potential of JWST. If the observed color decrements are due to the Lyman break, these objects should be at z >~ 11.7 and z >~ 15.4, respectively. The color diagnostics show that at least four F150W dropouts are far away from the usual contaminators encountered in dropout searches (red galaxies at much lower redshifts or brown dwarf stars). While the diagnostics of the F200W dropouts are less certain due to the limited number of passbands, at least one of them is likely not a known type of contaminant, and the rest are consistent with either high-redshift galaxies with evolved stellar populations or old galaxies at z ~ 3 to 8. If a significant fraction of our dropouts are indeed at z ~ 12, we have to face the severe problem of explaining their high luminosities and number densities. Spectroscopic identifications of such objects are urgently needed., Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJL

We present two complementary NuSTAR x-ray searches for keV-scale dark matter decaying to mono-energetic photons in the Milky Way halo. In the first, we utilize the known intensity pattern of unfocused stray light across the detector planes -- the dominant source of photons from diffuse sources -- to separate astrophysical emission from internal instrument backgrounds using ${\sim}$7-Ms/detector deep blank-sky exposures. In the second, we present an updated parametric model of the full NuSTAR instrument background, allowing us to leverage the statistical power of an independent ${\sim}$20-Ms/detector stacked exposures spread across the sky. Finding no evidence of anomalous x-ray lines using either method, we set limits on the active-sterile mixing angle $\sin^2(2\theta)$ for sterile-neutrino masses 6--40 keV. The first key result is that we strongly disfavor a ${\sim}$7-keV sterile neutrino decaying into a 3.5-keV photon. The second is that we derive leading limits on sterile neutrinos with masses ${\sim}$15--18 keV and ${\sim}$25--40 keV, reaching or extending below the Big Bang Nucleosynthesis limit. In combination with previous results, the parameter space for the Neutrino Minimal Standard Model ($\nu$MSM) is now nearly closed., Comment: Minor changes to text/references to reflect published version, conclusions unchanged

A key goal of heliophysics is to understand how cosmic rays propagate in the solar system's complex, dynamic environment. One observable is solar modulation, i.e., how the flux and spectrum of cosmic rays changes as they propagate inward. We construct an improved force-field model, taking advantage of new measurements of magnetic power spectral density by Parker Solar Probe to predict solar modulation within the Earth's orbit. We find that modulation of cosmic rays between the Earth and Sun is modest, at least at solar minimum and in the ecliptic plane. Our results agree much better with the limited data on cosmic-ray radial gradients within Earth's orbit than past treatments of the force-field model. Our predictions can be tested with forthcoming direct cosmic-ray measurements in the inner heliosphere by Parker Solar Probe and Solar Orbiter. They are also important for interpreting the gamma-ray emission from the Sun due to scattering of cosmic rays with solar matter and photons., Comment: 16 pages, 9 figures; v2 matches the journal version

Neutrinos remain mysterious. As an example, enhanced self-interactions ($\nu$SI), which would have broad implications, are allowed. At the high neutrino densities within core-collapse supernovae, $\nu$SI should be important, but robust observables have been lacking. We show that $\nu$SI make neutrinos form a tightly coupled fluid that expands under relativistic hydrodynamics. The outflow becomes either a burst or a steady-state wind; which occurs here is uncertain. Though the diffusive environment where neutrinos are produced may make a wind more likely, further work is needed to determine when each case is realized. In the burst-outflow case, $\nu$SI increase the duration of the neutrino signal, and even a simple analysis of SN 1987A data has powerful sensitivity. For the wind-outflow case, we outline several promising ideas that may lead to new observables. Combined, these results are important steps towards solving the 35-year-old puzzle of how $\nu$SI affect supernovae., Comment: 5+19 pages, 4+14 figures. Accepted for publication in Phys.Rev.Lett. Match the version to be published: minor revisions for clarity; moved discussion about supernova neutrino properties to Supplemental Material C; updated references

The ultrahigh energy range of neutrino physics (above $\sim 10^{7} \, \mathrm{GeV}$), as yet devoid of detections, is an open landscape with challenges to be met and discoveries to be made. Neutrino-nucleon cross sections in that range - with center-of-momentum energies $\sqrt{s} \gtrsim 4 \, \mathrm{TeV}$ - are powerful probes of unexplored phenomena. We present a simple and accurate model-independent framework to evaluate how well these cross sections can be measured for an unknown flux and generic detectors. We also demonstrate how to characterize and compare detector sensitivity. We show that cross sections can be measured to $\simeq ^{+65}_{-30}$% precision over $\sqrt{s} \simeq$ 4-140 TeV ($E_\nu = 10^7$-$10^{10}$ GeV) with modest energy and angular resolution and $\simeq 10$ events per energy decade. Many allowed novel-physics models (extra dimensions, leptoquarks, etc.) produce much larger effects. In the distant future, with $\simeq 100$ events at the highest energies, the precision would be $\simeq 15\%$, probing even QCD saturation effects., Comment: 8 pages + Appendices. v2: minor changes, matches published version. v3: error in one of the target cross sections corrected. Results and conclusions unaffected

We report on the search for optical counterparts to IceCube neutrino alerts released between April 2016 and August 2021 with the All-Sky Automated Survey for SuperNovae (ASAS-SN). Despite the discovery of a diffuse astrophysical high-energy neutrino flux in 2013, the source of those neutrinos remains largely unknown. Since 2016, IceCube has published likely-astrophysical neutrinos as public realtime alerts. Through a combination of normal survey and triggered target-of-opportunity observations, ASAS-SN obtained images within 1 hour of the neutrino detection for 20% (11) of all observable IceCube alerts and within one day for another 57% (32). For all observable alerts, we obtained images within at least two weeks from the neutrino alert. ASAS-SN provides the only optical follow-up for about 17% of IceCube's neutrino alerts. We recover the two previously claimed counterparts to neutrino alerts, the flaring-blazar TXS 0506+056 and the tidal disruption event AT2019dsg. We investigate the light curves of previously-detected transients in the alert footprints, but do not identify any further candidate neutrino sources. We also analysed the optical light curves of Fermi 4FGL sources coincident with high-energy neutrino alerts, but do not identify any contemporaneous flaring activity. Finally, we derive constraints on the luminosity functions of neutrino sources for a range of assumed evolution models.

SoLAr is a new concept for a liquid-argon neutrino detector technology to extend the sensitivities of these devices to the MeV energy range - expanding the physics reach of these next-generation detectors to include solar neutrinos. We propose this novel concept to significantly improve the precision on solar neutrino mixing parameters and to observe the "hep branch" of the proton-proton fusion chain. The SoLAr detector will achieve flavour-tagging of solar neutrinos in liquid argon. The SoLAr technology will be based on the concept of monolithic light-charge pixel-based readout which addresses the main requirements for such a detector: a low energy threshold with excellent energy resolution (approximately 7%) and background rejection through pulse-shape discrimination. The SoLAr concept is also timely as a possible technology choice for the DUNE "Module of Opportunity", which could serve as a next-generation multi-purpose observatory for neutrinos from the MeV to the GeV range. The goal of SoLAr is to observe solar neutrinos in a 10 ton-scale detector and to demonstrate that the required background suppression and energy resolution can be achieved. SoLAr will pave the way for a precise measurement of the 8-B flux, an improved precision on solar neutrino mixing parameters, and ultimately lead to the first observation of hep neutrinos in the DUNE Module of Opportunity., Comment: Contribution to Snowmass 2022, author name corrected

Fully understanding the average core-collapse supernova requires detecting the diffuse supernova neutrino background (DSNB) in all flavors. While the DSNB $\bar{\nu}_e$ flux is near detection, and the DSNB $\nu_e$ flux has a good upper limit and prospects for improvement, the DSNB $\nu_x$ (each of $\nu_\mu, \nu_\tau, \bar{\nu}_\mu, \bar{\nu}_\tau$) flux has a poor limit and heretofore had no clear path for improved sensitivity. We show that a succession of xenon-based dark matter detectors -- XENON1T (completed), XENONnT/LUX-ZEPLIN (running), and DARWIN (proposed) -- can dramatically improve sensitivity to DSNB $\nu_x$ the neutrino-nucleus coherent scattering channel. XENON1T could match the present sensitivity of $\sim 10^3 \; \mathrm{cm}^{-2}~\mathrm{s}^{-1}$ per $\nu_x$ flavor, XENONnT/LUX-ZEPLIN would have linear improvement of sensitivity with exposure, and a long run of DARWIN could reach a flux sensitivity of $\sim 10 \; \mathrm{cm}^{-2}~\mathrm{s}^{-1}$. Together, these would also contribute to greatly improve bounds on non-standard scenarios. Ultimately, to reach the standard flux range of $\sim 1 \; \mathrm{cm}^{-2}~\mathrm{s}^{-1}$, even larger exposures will be needed, which we show may be possible with the series of proposed lead-based RES-NOVA detectors., Comment: 13 pages, 11 figures, 3 appendices. Minor clarifications added, matches version accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. D

Neutrino telescopes allow powerful probes of high-energy astrophysics and particle physics. Their power is increased when they can isolate different event classes, e.g., by flavor, though that is not the only possibility. Here we focus on a new event class for neutrino telescopes: dimuons, two energetic muons from one neutrino interaction. We make new theoretical and observational contributions. For the theoretical part, we calculate dimuon-production cross sections and detection prospects via deep-inelastic scattering (DIS; where we greatly improve upon prior work) and $W$-boson production (WBP; where we present first results). We show that IceCube should have $\simeq 130$ dimuons ($\simeq 6$ from WBP) in its current data and that IceCube-Gen2, with a higher threshold but a larger exposure, could detect $\simeq 620$ dimuons ($\simeq 30$ from WBP) in 10 years. These dimuons are almost all produced by atmospheric neutrinos. For the observational part, we perform a simple but conservative analysis of IceCube public data, finding 19 candidate dimuon events. Subsequent to our paper appearing, visual inspection of these events by the IceCube Collaboration revealed that they are not real dimuons, but instead arise from an internal reconstruction error that identifies some single muons crossing the dust layer as two separate muons. To help IceCube and the broader community with future dimuon searches, we include the updated full details of our analysis. Together, these theoretical and observational contributions help open a valuable new direction for neutrino telescopes, one especially important for probing high-energy QCD and new physics., Comment: Minor changes; match the published version

Do neutrinos have sizable self-interactions? They might. Laboratory constraints are weak, so strong effects are possible in astrophysical environments and the early universe. Observations with neutrino telescopes can provide an independent probe of neutrino self ("secret") interactions, as the sources are distant and the cosmic neutrino background intervenes. We define a roadmap for making decisive progress on testing secret neutrino interactions governed by a light mediator. This progress will be enabled by IceCube-Gen2 observations of high-energy astrophysical neutrinos. Critical to this is our comprehensive treatment of the theory, taking into account previously neglected or overly approximated effects, as well as including realistic detection physics. We show that IceCube-Gen2 can realize the full potential of neutrino astronomy for testing neutrino self-interactions, being sensitive to cosmologically relevant interaction models. To facilitate forthcoming studies, we release nuSIProp, a code that can also be used to study neutrino self-interactions from a variety of sources., Comment: 10 pages + Appendix. Code available at https://github.com/ivan-esteban-phys/nuSIprop . Minor clarifications added, matches version accepted by Phys. Rev. D

The solar disk is among the brightest gamma-ray sources in the sky. It is also among the most mysterious. No existing model fully explains the luminosity, spectrum, time variability, and morphology of its emission. We perform the first analysis of solar-disk gamma rays over a full 11-year solar cycle, utilizing a powerful new method to differentiate solar signals from astrophysical backgrounds. We produce: (i) a robustly measured spectrum from 100 MeV to 100 GeV, reaching a precision of several percent in the 1-10 GeV range, (ii) new results on the anti-correlation between solar activity and gamma-ray emission, (iii) strong constraints on short-timescale variability, ranging from hours to years, and (iv) new detections of the equatorial and polar morphologies of high-energy gamma rays. Intriguingly, we find no significant energy dependence in the time variability of solar-disk emission, indicating that strong magnetic-field effects close to the solar surface, rather than modulation throughout the heliosphere, must primarily control the flux and morphology of solar-disk emission., Comment: 18 pages, 12 figures; To be submitted to PRD

Certain strongly interacting dark matter candidates could have evaded detection, and much work has been done on constraining their parameter space. Recently, it was shown theoretically that the scattering cross section for $m_\chi \gtrsim 1$ GeV pointlike dark matter with a nucleus cannot be significantly larger than the geometric cross section of the nucleus. This realization closes the parameter space for pointlike strongly interacting dark matter. However, strongly interacting dark matter is still theoretically possible for composite particles, with much parameter space open. We set new, wide-ranging limits based on data from a novel detector at the University of Chicago. Backgrounds are greatly suppressed by requiring coincidence detection between two spatially separated liquid-scintillator modules. For dark matter ($v \sim 10^{-3}$c), the time of flight would be $\sim 2~\mu{\rm s}$, whereas for cosmic rays, it would be $\sim 2~{\rm ns}$. We outline ways to greatly increase sensitivity at modest costs., Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures. Updated with minor changes to match the version that appears in PRD

The importance of detecting neutrinos from a Milky Way core-collapse supernova is well known. An under-studied phase is proto-neutron star cooling. For SN 1987A, this seemingly began at about 2 s, and is thus probed by only 6 of the 19 events (and only the $\bar{\nu}_e$ flavor) in the Kamiokande-II and IMB detectors. With the higher statistics expected for present and near-future detectors, it should be possible to measure detailed neutrino signals out to very late times. We present the first comprehensive study of neutrino detection during the proto-neutron star cooling phase, considering a variety of outcomes, using all flavors, and employing detailed detector physics. For our nominal model, the event yields (at 10 kpc) after 10 s -- the approximate duration of the SN 1987A signal -- far exceed the entire SN 1987A yield, with $\simeq$250 $\bar{\nu}_e$ events (to 50 s) in Super-Kamiokande, $\simeq$110 $\nu_e$ events (to 40 s) in DUNE, and $\simeq$10 $\nu_\mu, \nu_\tau, \bar{\nu}_\mu, \bar{\nu}_\tau$ events (to 20 s) in JUNO. These data would allow unprecedented probes of the proto-neutron star, including the onset of neutrino transparency and hence its transition to a neutron star. If a black hole forms, even at very late times, this can be clearly identified. But will the detectors fulfill their potential for this perhaps once-ever opportunity for an all-flavor, high-statistics detection of a core collapse? Maybe. Further work is urgently needed, especially for DUNE to thoroughly investigate and improve its MeV capabilities., Comment: 25 pages, 11 figures; minor updates to match the published version

The observed correlation between the far-infrared and radio luminosities of galaxies illustrates the close connection between star formation and cosmic-ray production. Intriguingly, recent gamma-ray observations indicate that recycled/millisecond pulsars (MSPs), which do not trace recent star formation, may also efficiently accelerate cosmic-ray electrons. We study the contribution of MSPs to the galactic non-thermal radio emission, finding that they can dominate the emission from massive quiescent galaxies. This model can explain recent LOFAR observations that found a peculiar radio excess in galaxies with high stellar masses and low star-formation rates. We show that MSP-based models provide a significantly improved fit to LOFAR data. We discuss the implications for the radio-FIR correlation, the observation of radio excesses in nearby galaxies, and local electron and positron observations., Comment: Main text 14 pages, 4 figures. Accepted in PRD

We present a new mechanism for thermally produced dark matter, based on a semi-annihilation-like process, $\chi+ \chi +\text{SM} \rightarrow \chi + \text{SM}$, with intriguing consequences for the properties of dark matter. First, its mass is low, $\lesssim 1$ GeV (but $\gtrsim 5$ keV to avoid structure-formation constraints). Second, it is strongly interacting, leading to kinetic equilibrium between the dark and visible sectors, avoiding the structure-formation problems of $\chi+ \chi + \chi \rightarrow \chi + \chi$ models. Third, in the $3 \rightarrow 2$ process, one dark matter particle is consumed, giving the standard-model particle a monoenergetic recoil. We show that this new scenario is presently allowed, which is surprising (perhaps a "minor miracle"). However, it can be systematically tested by novel analyses in present and near-term experiments. In particular, the Co-SIMP model for thermal-relic dark matter can explain the XENON1T excess., Comment: Minor revisions for clarity, plus a new section on how our predictions can fit the XENON1T excess. Comments are welcome

The Accelerator Neutrino Neutron Interaction Experiment (ANNIE) aims to make a unique measurement of neutron yield from neutrino-nucleus interactions and to perform R&D for the next generation of water-based neutrino detectors. In this paper, we characterize beam-induced neutron backgrounds in the experimental hall at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. It is shown that the background levels are sufficiently low to allow the next stage of the experiment to proceed. These measurements are relevant to other Booster Neutrino Beam (BNB) experiments located adjacent to ANNIE Hall, where dirt neutrons and sky-shine could present similar backgrounds.

Detecting TeV--PeV cosmic neutrinos provides crucial tests of neutrino physics and astrophysics. The statistics of IceCube and the larger proposed IceCube-Gen2 demand calculations of neutrino-nucleus interactions subdominant to deep-inelastic scattering, which is mediated by weak-boson couplings to nuclei. The largest such interactions are W-boson and trident production, which are mediated instead through photon couplings to nuclei. In a companion paper [1], we make the most comprehensive and precise calculations of those interactions at high energies. In this paper, we study their phenomenological consequences. We find that: (1) These interactions are dominated by the production of on-shell W-bosons, which carry most of the neutrino energy, (2) The cross section on water/iron can be as large as 7.5%/14% that of charged-current deep-inelastic scattering, much larger than the quoted uncertainty on the latter, (3) Attenuation in Earth is increased by as much as 15%, (4) W-boson production on nuclei exceeds that through the Glashow resonance on electrons by a factor of $\simeq$ 20 for the best-fit IceCube spectrum, (5) The primary signals are showers that will significantly affect the detection rate in IceCube-Gen2; a small fraction of events give unique signatures that may be detected sooner., Comment: Main text is 10 pages, 1 table, and 7 figures. Minor changes; results and conclusions unchanged; matches published version. Data files are available at https://github.com/bei-zhou/neutrino-W-boson-and-trident-production

The physics of neutrino-nucleus cross sections is a critical probe of the Standard Model and beyond. A precise understanding is also needed to accurately deduce astrophysical neutrino spectra. At energies above $\sim 5$ GeV, the cross section is dominated by deep inelastic scattering, mediated by weak bosons. In addition, there are subdominant processes where the hadronic coupling is through virtual photons, $\gamma^\ast$: (on-shell) $W$-boson production (e.g., where the underlying interaction is $\nu_\ell + \gamma^\ast \rightarrow \ell^- + W^+$) and trident production (e.g., where it is $\nu + \gamma^\ast \rightarrow \nu + \ell_1^- + \ell_2^+$). These processes become increasingly relevant at TeV--PeV energies. We undertake the first systematic approach to these processes (and those with hadronic couplings through virtual $W$ and $Z$ bosons), treating them together, avoiding common approximations, considering all neutrino flavors and final states, and covering the energy range $10\,$--$10^8$ GeV. In particular, we present the first complete calculation of $W$-boson production and the first calculation of trident production at TeV--PeV energies. When we use the same assumptions as in prior work, we recover all of their major results. In a companion paper, we show that these processes should be taken into account for IceCube-Gen2., Comment: Main text 14 pages and 13 figures; minor changes; results and conclusions unchanged; matches published version

We analyze two dedicated NuSTAR observations with exposure ${\sim}190$ ks located ${\sim}10^\circ$ from the Galactic plane, one above and the other below, to search for x-ray lines from the radiative decay of sterile-neutrino dark matter. These fields were chosen to minimize astrophysical x-ray backgrounds while remaining near the densest region of the dark matter halo. We find no evidence of anomalous x-ray lines in the energy range 5--20 keV, corresponding to sterile neutrino masses 10--40 keV. Interpreted in the context of sterile neutrinos produced via neutrino mixing, these observations provide the leading constraints in the mass range 10--12 keV, improving upon previous constraints in this range by a factor ${\sim}2$. We also compare our results to Monte Carlo simulations, showing that the fluctuations in our derived limit are not dominated by systematic effects. An updated model of the instrumental background, which is currently under development, will improve NuSTAR's sensitivity to anomalous x-ray lines, particularly for energies 3--5 keV., Comment: 16 pages, 5 figures. Text updated to match published version in PRD. Conclusions unchanged

Critical probes of dark matter come from tests of its elastic scattering with nuclei. The results are typically assumed to be model-independent, meaning that the form of the potential need not be specified and that the cross sections on different nuclear targets can be simply related to the cross section on nucleons. For point-like spin-independent scattering, the assumed scaling relation is $\sigma_{\chi A} \propto A^2 \mu_A^2 \sigma_{\chi N}\propto A^4 \sigma_{\chi N}$, where the $A^2$ comes from coherence and the $\mu_A^2\simeq A^2 m_N^2$ from kinematics for $m_\chi\gg m_A$. Here we calculate where model independence ends, i.e., where the cross section becomes so large that it violates its defining assumptions. We show that the assumed scaling relations generically fail for dark matter-nucleus cross sections $\sigma_{\chi A} \sim 10^{-32}-10^{-27}\;\text{cm}^2$, significantly below the geometric sizes of nuclei, and well within the regime probed by underground detectors. Last, we show on theoretical grounds, and in light of existing limits on light mediators, that point-like dark matter cannot have $\sigma_{\chi N}\gtrsim10^{-25}\;\text{cm}^2$, above which many claimed constraints originate from cosmology and astrophysics. The most viable way to have such large cross sections is composite dark matter, which introduces significant additional model dependence through the choice of form factor. All prior limits on dark matter with cross sections $\sigma_{\chi N}>10^{-32}\;\text{cm}^2$ with $m_\chi\gtrsim 1\;\text{GeV}$ must therefore be re-evaluated and reinterpreted., Comment: 18 pages, 7 figures, revised to match journal version including erratum, comments are welcome

A sensitive survey of the MeV gamma-ray sky is needed to understand important astrophysical problems such as gamma-ray bursts in the early universe, progenitors of Type Ia supernovae, and the nature of dark matter. However, the study has not progressed remarkably since the limited survey by COMPTEL onboard CGRO in the 1990s. Tanimori et al. have developed a Compton camera that tracks the trajectory of each recoil electron in addition to the information obtained by the conventional Compton cameras, leading to superior imaging. This Electron Tracking Compton Camera (ETCC) facilitates accurate reconstruction of the incoming direction of each MeV photon from a wide sky at ~degree angular resolution and with minimized particle background using trajectory information. The latest ETCC model, SMILE-2+, made successful astronomical observations during a day balloon flight in 2018 April and detected diffuse continuum and 511 keV annihilation line emission from the Galactic Center region at a high significance in ~2.5 hours. We believe that MeV observations from space with upgraded ETCCs will dramatically improve our knowledge of the MeV universe. We advocate for a space-based all-sky survey mission with multiple ETCCs onboard and detail its expected benefits., Comment: 14 pages, 5 figures, 1 table, Astro 2020 APC white paper

The non-detection of GeV-scale WIMPs has led to increased interest in more general candidates, including sub-GeV dark matter. Direct detection experiments, despite their high sensitivity to WIMPs, are largely blind to sub-GeV dark matter. Recent work has shown that cosmic-ray elastic scattering with sub-GeV dark matter would both alter the observed cosmic ray spectra and produce a flux of relativistic dark matter, which would be detectable with traditional dark matter experiments as well as larger, higher-threshold detectors for neutrinos. Using data, detectors, and analysis techniques not previously considered, we substantially increase the regions of parameter space excluded by neutrino experiments for both dark matter-nucleon and dark matter-electron elastic scattering. We also show how to further improve sensitivity to light dark matter., Comment: Main text: 14 pages, 9 figures. Updated with errata describing a couple minor numerical errors, our corrections, and our updated results

We re-examine unitarity bounds on the annihilation cross section of thermal-WIMP dark matter. For high-mass pointlike dark matter, it is generic to form WIMP bound states, which, together with Sommerfeld enhancement, affects the relic abundance. We show that these effects lower the unitarity bound from 139 TeV to below 100 TeV for non-self-conjugate dark matter and from 195 TeV (the oft-quoted value of 340 TeV assumes $\Omega_{DM} h^2 = 1$) to 140 TeV for the self-conjugate case. For composite dark matter, for which the unitarity limit on the radius was thought to be mass-independent, we show that the largest allowed mass is 1 PeV. In addition, we find important new effects for annihilation in the late universe. For example, while the production of high-energy light fermions in WIMP annihilation is suppressed by helicity, we show that bound-state formation changes this. Coupled with rapidly improving experimental sensitivity to TeV-range gamma rays, cosmic rays, and neutrinos, our results give new hope to attack the thermal-WIMP mass range from the high-mass end., Comment: Accepted in PRD. Gamma ray spectra from annihilation and bound-state formation added in FIG. 5

The 511 keV line from positron annihilation in the Galaxy was the first $\gamma$-ray line detected to originate from outside our solar system. Going into the fifth decade since the discovery, the source of positrons is still unconfirmed and remains one of the enduring mysteries in $\gamma$-ray astronomy. With a large flux of $\sim$10$^{-3}$ $\gamma$/cm$^{2}$/s, after 15 years in operation INTEGRAL/SPI has detected the 511 keV line at $>50\sigma$ and has performed high-resolution spectral studies which conclude that Galactic positrons predominantly annihilate at low energies in warm phases of the interstellar medium. The results from imaging are less certain, but show a spatial distribution with a strong concentration in the center of the Galaxy. The observed emission from the Galactic disk has low surface brightness and the scale height is poorly constrained, therefore, the shear number of annihilating positrons in our Galaxy is still not well know. Positrons produced in $\beta^+$-decay of nucleosynthesis products, such as $^{26}$Al, can account for some of the annihilation emission in the disk, but the observed spatial distribution, in particular the excess in the Galactic bulge, remains difficult to explain. Additionally, one of the largest uncertainties in these studies is the unknown distance that positrons propagate before annihilation. In this paper, we will summarize the current knowledge base of Galactic positrons, and discuss how next-generation instruments could finally provide the answers., Comment: 10 pages including 3 figures. Science White paper submitted to Astro2020

Milagro and HAWC have detected extended TeV gamma-ray emission around nearby pulsar wind nebulae (PWNe). Building on these discoveries, Linden et al. [1] identified a new source class -- TeV halos -- powered by the interactions of high-energy electrons and positrons that have escaped from the PWN, but which remain trapped in a larger region where diffusion is inhibited compared to the interstellar medium. Many theoretical properties of TeV halos remain mysterious, but empirical arguments suggest that they are ubiquitous. The key to progress is finding more halos. We outline prospects for new discoveries and calculate their expectations and uncertainties. We predict, using models normalized to current data, that future HAWC and CTA observations will detect in total $\sim$50--240 TeV halos, though we note that multiple systematic uncertainties still exist. Further, the existing HESS source catalog could contain $\sim$10--50 TeV halos that are presently classified as unidentified sources or PWN candidates. We quantify the importance of these detections for new probes of the evolution of TeV halos, pulsar properties, and the sources of high-energy gamma rays and cosmic rays., Comment: Main text 14 pages, 10 figures, updated to match published version

We use a combined 1.2 Ms of $NuSTAR$ observations of M31 to search for X-ray lines from sterile neutrino dark matter decay. For the first time in a $NuSTAR$ analysis, we consistently take into account the signal contribution from both the focused and unfocused fields of view. We also reduce the modeling systematic uncertainty by performing spectral fits to each observation individually and statistically combining the results, instead of stacking the spectra. We find no evidence of unknown lines, and thus derive limits on the sterile neutrino parameters. Our results place stringent constraints for dark matter masses $\gtrsim 12$ keV, which reduces the available parameter space for sterile neutrino dark matter produced via neutrino mixing ($e.g.$, in the $\nu$MSM) by approximately one-third. Additional $NuSTAR$ observations, together with improved low-energy background modeling, could probe the remaining parameter space in the future. Lastly, we also report model-independent limits on generic dark matter decay rates and annihilation cross sections., Comment: 16 pages, 6 figures. References added, minor edits, conclusions unchanged. Accepted in PRD

The Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) could be revolutionary for MeV neutrino astrophysics, because of its huge detector volume, unique event reconstruction capabilities, and excellent sensitivity to the $\nu_e$ flavor. However, its backgrounds are not yet known. A major background is expected due to muon spallation of argon, which produces unstable isotopes that later beta decay. We present the first comprehensive study of MeV spallation backgrounds in argon, detailing isotope production mechanisms and decay properties, analyzing beta energy and time distributions, and proposing experimental cuts. We show that above a nominal detection threshold of 5-MeV electron energy, the most important backgrounds are --- surprisingly --- due to low-A isotopes, such as Li, Be, and B, even though high-A isotopes near argon are abundantly produced. We show that spallation backgrounds can be powerfully rejected by simple cuts, with clear paths for improvements. We compare these background rates to rates of possible MeV astrophysical neutrino signals in DUNE, including solar neutrinos (detailed in a companion paper [Capozzi et al. arXiv:1808.08232 [hep-ph]]), supernova burst neutrinos, and the diffuse supernova neutrino background. Further, to aid trigger strategies, in the Appendixes we quantify the rates of single and multiple MeV events due to spallation, radiogenic neutron capture, and other backgrounds, including through pileup. Our overall conclusion is that DUNE has high potential for MeV neutrino astrophysics, but reaching this potential requires new experimental initiatives., Comment: 22 pages, 13 figures, 4 tables; Version accepted for PRC, with various improvements (clarifications, updated references, new figures) but no changes in main results; Attached a file with the spallation background rates both pre- and post-cuts

Sub-GeV dark matter candidates are of increasing interest, because long-favored candidates such as GeV-scale WIMPs have not been detected. For low-mass dark matter, model-independent constraints are weak or nonexistent. We show that for such candidates, because the number density is high, cosmic ray propagation can be affected by elastic scattering with dark matter. We call this type of search `reverse direct detection,' because dark matter is the target and Standard Model particles are the beam. Using a simple propagation model for galactic cosmic rays, we calculate how dark matter affects cosmic ray spectra at Earth, and set new limits on the dark matter-proton and dark matter-electron cross sections. For protons, our limit is competitive with cosmological constraints, but is independent. For electrons, our limit covers masses not yet probed, and improves on cosmological constraints by one to two orders of magnitude. We comment on how future work can significantly improve the sensitivity of cosmic-ray probes of dark matter interactions., Comment: Main text: 11 pages, 5 figures Appendix: 2 pages, 2 figures. References updated and minor edits made to match version that appears in PRD

We show that the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE), with significant but feasible new efforts, has the potential to deliver world-leading results in solar neutrinos. With a 100 kton-year exposure, DUNE could detect $\gtrsim 10^5$ signal events above 5 MeV electron energy. Separate precision measurements of neutrino-mixing parameters and the $^8$B flux could be made using two detection channels ($\nu_e + \, ^{40}$Ar and $\nu_{e,\mu,\tau} + e^-$) and the day-night effect ($> 10 \sigma$). New particle physics may be revealed through the comparison of solar neutrinos (with matter effects) and reactor neutrinos (without), which is discrepant by $\sim 2 \sigma$ (and could become $5.6 \sigma$). New astrophysics may be revealed through the most precise measurement of the $^8$B flux (to 2.5\%) and the first detection of the {\it hep} flux (to 11\%). {\it DUNE is required:} No other experiment, even proposed, has been shown capable of fully realizing these discovery opportunities., Comment: Main text is 5 pages; total with references and Supplemental Material is 21 pages. Matches the version published on PRL. Attached a file with the event rate for each background component. In v3, the only change is to restore the paragraph breaks that disappeared from the Supplemental Material in v2

We present the discovery of ASASSN-18ey (MAXI J1820+070), a new black hole low-mass X-ray binary discovered by the All-Sky Automated Survey for SuperNovae (ASAS-SN). A week after ASAS-SN discovered ASASSN-18ey as an optical transient, it was detected as an X-ray transient by MAXI/GCS. Here, we analyze ASAS-SN and Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) pre-outburst optical light curves, finding evidence of intrinsic variability for several years prior to the outburst. While there was no long-term rise leading to outburst, as has been seen in several other systems, the start of the outburst in the optical preceded that in the X-rays by $7.20\pm0.97~\rm days$. We analyze the spectroscopic evolution of ASASSN-18ey from pre-maximum to $> 100~\rm days$ post-maximum. The spectra of ASASSN-18ey exhibit broad, asymmetric, double-peaked H$\alpha$ emission. The Bowen blend ($\lambda \approx 4650$\AA) in the post-maximum spectra shows highly variable double-peaked profiles, likely arising from irradiation of the companion by the accretion disk, typical of low-mass X-ray binaries. The optical and X-ray luminosities of ASASSN-18ey are consistent with black hole low-mass X-ray binaries, both in outburst and quiescence., Comment: 10 pages, 5 figures, accepted by ApJL. A summary video describing this publication can be found at https://youtu.be/YbM_koBfRSI

Luminous and ultra-luminous infrared galaxies ((U)LIRGs) are rare today but are increasingly abundant at high redshifts. They are believed to be dusty starbursts, and hence should have high rates of supernovae (multiple events per year). Due to their extremely dusty environment, however, such supernovae could only be detected in restframe infrared and longer wavelengths, where our current facilities lack the capability of finding them individually beyond the local universe. We propose a new technique for higher redshifts, which is to search for the presence of supernovae through the variability of the integrated rest-frame infrared light of the entire hosts. We present a pilot study to assess the feasibility of this technique. We exploit a unique region, the "IRAC Dark Field" (IDF), that the Spitzer Space Telescope has observed for more than 14 years in 3--5 micron. The IDF also has deep far-infrared data (200--550 micron) from the Herschel Space Observatory that allow us to select high-redshift (U)LIRGs. We obtain a sample of (U)LIRGs that have secure optical counterparts, and examine their light curves in 3--5 micron. While the variabilities could also be caused by AGNs, we show that such contaminations can be identified. We present two cases where the distinct features in their light curves are consistent with multiple supernovae overlapping in time. Searching for supernovae this way will be relevant to the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to probe high-redshift (U)LIRGs into their nuclear regions where JWST will be limited by its resolution., Comment: ApJ in print. Version updated to be consistent with that accepted by ApJ