33087331
Results from the 1998-1999 runs of the Cryogenic Dark Matter Search
Abstract The Cryogenic Dark Matter Search (CDMS) uses low-temperature Ge and Si detectors to search for Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs) via their elastic-scattering interaction with atomic nuclei while discriminating against interactions of background particles. CDMS data from 1998 and 1999 with a relaxed fiducial-volume cut (resulting in 15.8 kg-days exposure on Ge) are consistent with an earlier analysis with a more restrictive fiducial-volume cut. Twenty-three WIMP candidate events are observed, but these events are consistent with a background from neutrons. Resulting limits on the spin-independent WIMP-nucleon elastic-scattering cross-section are lower than those of any other experiment for WIMPs with masses between 10–70 GeV c −2 . Under the assumptions of standard WIMP interactions and a standard halo, the results are incompatible with the annual-modulation signal of DAMA at 99.99% CL in the asymptotic limit.
123537479
Report on Stanford Superconductive Monopole Detectors
Since January, 1983 we have been operating a three loop superconducting detector with a signal to noise ratio of 100 for the direct detection of Dirac magnetic charges.1 Its sensing area averaged over solid angle is nearly 500 cm2 for double coincidence events. To date, the data contain no candidate events and set an upper flux limit of 2 × 10−11 cm−2 s−1 sr−1 at 90% C.L., 70 times lower than that suggested by the single candidate event2 seen on the prototype single loop detector. If supermassive magnetic monopoles exist they are rare and the need for cost-efficient larger area superconductive detectors is evident if we are to push forward a definitive search in the cosmic rays. Superconducting loop detectors can be constructed with 1 to 10 m2 planar areas coupled to a single SQUID while achieving a signal to noise ratio of 10 for the detection of a Dirac magnetic charge. A 100 m2 sensing area array of such detectors, which would reach the Parker flux bound in one year of operation, can be built at a cost comparable to that of typical high energy experiments. It remains quite possible that a monopole particle flux significantly higher than the Parker bound exists within our galaxy. In this paper the most recent results from low noise operation of the three loop detector are presented. Also discussed are our plans to build a larger fixed loop detector with a sensing area of 1.5 m2. It is designed as a prototype for a future yet larger 100 m2 array.
4989217
Low-threshold analysis of CDMS shallow-site data
Data taken during the final shallow-site run of the first tower of the Cryogenic Dark Matter Search (CDMS II) detectors have been reanalyzed with improved sensitivity to small energy depositions. Four {approx}224 g germanium and two {approx}105 g silicon detectors were operated at the Stanford Underground Facility (SUF) between December 2001 and June 2002, yielding 118 live days of raw exposure. Three of the germanium and both silicon detectors were analyzed with a new low-threshold technique, making it possible to lower the germanium and silicon analysis thresholds down to the actual trigger thresholds of {approx}1 and {approx}2 keV, respectively. Limits on the spin-independent cross section for weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) to elastically scatter from nuclei based on these data exclude interesting parameter space for WIMPs with masses below 9 GeV/c{sup 2}. Under standard halo assumptions, these data partially exclude parameter space favored by interpretations of the DAMA/LIBRA and CoGeNT experiments data as WIMP signals, and exclude new parameter space for WIMP masses between 3 and 4 GeV/c{sup 2}.
6288625
Combined limits on WIMPs from the CDMS and EDELWEISS experiments
The CDMS and EDELWEISS collaborations have combined the results of their direct searches for dark matter using cryogenic germanium detectors. The total data set represents 614  kg·days equivalent exposure. A straightforward method of combination was chosen for its simplicity before data were exchanged between experiments. The results are interpreted in terms of limits on spin-independent weakly interacting, massive particle (WIMP)-nucleon cross section. For a WIMP mass of 90  GeV/c^2, where this analysis is most sensitive, a cross section of 3.3×10^(-44)  cm^2 is excluded at 90% C.L. At higher WIMP masses, the combination improves the individual limits, by a factor 1.6 above 700  GeV/c^2. Alternative methods of combining the data provide stronger constraints for some ranges of WIMP masses and weaker constraints for others.
45565394
Limit on the flux of cosmic-ray magnetic monopoles from operation of an eight-loop superconducting detector.
An eight-loop superconducting magnetic monopole detector has been in continuous operation for 547 days, starting 4 March 1987. Its sensing area is 1.1 m{sup 2} for double-coincident events. The data, which contain no candidate events, set an upper limit of 7.2{times}10{sup {minus}13} cm{sup {minus}2} s{sup {minus}1} sr{sup {minus}1} (90% confidence level) on the flux of monopoles of any mass and at any velocity passing through the Earth's surface.
35488270
Search for inelastic dark matter with the CDMS II experiment
Results are presented from a reanalysis of the entire five-tower data set acquired with the Cryogenic Dark Matter Search (CDMS II) experiment at the Soudan Underground Laboratory, with an exposure of 969 kg-days. The analysis window was extended to a recoil energy of 150 keV, and an improved surface-event background-rejection cut was defined to increase the sensitivity of the experiment to the inelastic dark matter (iDM) model. Three dark matter candidates were found between 25 keV and 150 keV. The probability to observe three or more background events in this energy range is 11%. Because of the occurrence of these events, the constraints on the iDM parameter space are slightly less stringent than those from our previous analysis, which used an energy window of 10-100 keV. © 2011 American Physical Society.
122196168
Analysis of the (p, π+) reaction at a momentum transfer below 600 MeV/c☆
Abstract The nuclear production of positive pions in proton-induced reactions on light nuclei is calculated in a Two-Nucleon-Model including π and ϱ single rescattering terms. As a main feature of this model the strong sensitivity of the predictions on the initial and final state interactions observed in the One-Nucleon-Model is considerably reduced. The results reproduce satisfactorily the characteristic trends in the experimental data.
117986736
On two- and three-point functions of Landau gauge Yang-Mills theory
We present results for the gluon and ghost propagators and the ghost-gluon vertex obtained from Dyson-Schwinger equations. In the zero temperature case we elaborate on the role of the three-gluon vertex and discuss a model that can capture its qualitative features like its anomalous dimensions and a zero crossing of the dressing function. Our results compare well with lattice data. At non-zero temperature we calculated the ghost propagator which agrees rather well with lattice results already within our simple truncation. These results are used to obtain the temperature dependence of the ghost-gluon vertex. We also explain why the ghost propagator does not react to the phase transition despite its direct coupling to the chromoelectric gluon.
119212613
PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES OF CONVENTIONAL CORE-COLLAPSE SUPERNOVAE: THE EXTREMELY ENERGETIC SUPERNOVA SN 2003ma
We report the discovery of a supernova (SN) with the highest apparent energy output to date and conclude that it represents an extreme example of the Type IIn subclass. The SN, which was discovered behind the Large Magellanic Cloud at z = 0.289 by the SuperMACHO microlensing survey, peaked at MR = –21.5 mag and only declined by 2.9 mag over 4.7 years after the peak. Over this period, SN 2003ma had an integrated bolometric luminosity of 4 × 1051 erg, more than any other SN to date. The radiated energy is close to the limit allowed by conventional core-collapse explosions. Optical spectra reveal that SN 2003ma has persistent single-peaked intermediate-width hydrogen lines, a signature of interaction between the SN and a dense circumstellar medium. The light curves show further evidence for circumstellar interaction, including a long plateau with a shape very similar to the classic SN IIn 1988Z—however, SN 2003ma is 10 times more luminous at all epochs. The fast velocity measured for the intermediate-width Hα component (~6000 km s–1) points toward an extremely energetic explosion (>1052 erg), which imparts a faster blast-wave speed to the post-shock material and a higher luminosity from the interaction than is observed in typical SNe IIn. Mid-infrared observations of SN 2003ma suggest an infrared light echo is produced by normal interstellar dust at a distance ~0.5 pc from the SN.
118463320
Infrared analysis of Dyson-Schwinger equations taking into account the Gribov horizon in Landau gauge
The low momentum behavior of the Landau gauge Gribov-Zwanziger action is investigated using the respective Dyson-Schwinger equations. Because of the mixing of the gluon and the auxiliary fields four scenarios can be distinguished for the infrared behavior. Two of them lead to inconsistencies and can be discarded. Another one corresponds to the case where the auxiliary fields behave exactly like the Faddeev-Popov ghosts and the same scaling relation as in standard Landau gauge, {kappa}{sub A}+2{kappa}{sub c}=0, is valid. Even the parameter {kappa} is found to be the same, 0.595. The mixed propagators, which appear, are suppressed in all loops, and their anomalous infrared exponent can also be determined. A fourth case provides an even stricter scaling relation that includes also the mixed propagators, but possesses the same qualitative feature, i.e. the propagators of the Faddeev-Popov ghost and the auxiliary fields are infrared enhanced and the mixed and the gluon propagators are infrared suppressed. In this case the system of equations to obtain the parameter {kappa} is nonlinear in all variables.
119089791
Searching for Variability in the Globular Cluster Messier 4
Time-series data taken with the Hubble Space Telescope of a field six core radii (~5') from the center of the globular cluster Messier 4, and covering a period of about 10 weeks in early 2001, have been analyzed in search of variable objects. Various criteria were employed to select candidate variable stars. Period searches were performed on the selected candidates using phase dispersion minimization (PDM). The reliability of the PDM search results was tested using synthetic light curves of eclipsing binary stars and sinusoidal light curves of different periods. Results from this analysis showed that there are probably no eclipsing binary stars or periodic variables in our field with periods on the order of a few hours to a few days, down to limiting magnitudes of V ~ 25 and I ~ 24, which is consistent with the absence of contact binaries such as W Ursae Majoris systems. However, one candidate variable star does show an increase in brightness of ~0.1 mag in both bandpasses, which seems to last for a few days. Possible explanations concerning the nature of this object include a binary system with a white dwarf primary and a low-mass main-sequence secondary or a BY Draconis variable star. We are able to set an upper limit to the observed fraction of photometric variability in this data set of 0.05%.