17124386
Exact scale invarianmce of the BF-Yang-Mills theory in three dimensions
The ``extended'' BF-Yang-Mills theory in 3 dimensions, which contains a minimally coupled scalar field, is shown to be ultraviolet finite. It obeys a trivial Callan-Symanzik equation, with all β-functions and anomalous dimensions vanishing. The proof is based on an anomaly-free trace identity valid to all orders of perturbation theory.
119266920
No parity anomaly in massless QED3: A BPHZL approach
Abstract In this Letter we call into question the perturbatively parity breakdown at 1-loop for the massless QED 3 frequently claimed in the literature. As long as perturbative quantum field theory is concerned, whether a parity anomaly owing to radiative corrections exists or not shall be definitely proved by using a renormalization method independent of any regularization scheme. Such a problem has been investigated in the framework of BPHZL renormalization method, by adopting the Lowenstein–Zimmermann subtraction scheme. The 1-loop parity-odd contribution to the vacuum-polarization tensor is explicitly computed in the framework of the BPHZL renormalization method. It is shown that a Chern–Simons term is generated at that order induced through the infrared subtractions — which violate parity. We show then that, what is called “parity anomaly”, is in fact a parity-odd counterterm needed for restauring parity.
121566901
Structural aspects of supersymmetric models on a supermanifold
Abstract We propose an extension of some structural aspects that have succesfully been applied in the development of the theory of quantum fields propagating on a general spacetime manifold so as to include superfield models on a supermanifold.
8924046
Borexino calibrations: Hardware, Methods, and Results
Borexino was the first experiment to detect solar neutrinos in real-time in the sub-MeV region. In order to achieve high precision in the determination of neutrino rates, the detector design includes an internal and an external calibration system. This paper describes both calibration systems and the calibration campaigns that were carried out in the period between 2008 and 2011. We discuss some of the results and show that the calibration procedures preserved the radiopurity of the scintillator. The calibrations provided a detailed understanding of the detector response and led to a significant reduction of the systematic uncertainties in the Borexino measurements.
124545258
The Borexino experiment: Test of the purification systems and data analysis in the counting test facility
The work I carried out in the last three years was focused on the development and test of purification systems and data analysis techniques for the Borexino experiment, a detector specifically designed for low energy neutrino spectroscopy. I participated to the study of the adsorption technique based on activated carbons for removing krypton from nitrogen and to the investigation of the purity of nitrogen available on the market. I analyzed the data from the third campaign of the Borexino prototype detector, the Counting Test Facility (CTF), to identify each contamination source in the scintillator and to evaluate the efficiency of the purification system. 11C represents the main background source in the CNO and pep neutrino energy range. I investigated on the possibility to apply the three-fold coincidence technique with the parent muon track and the subsequent neutron capture on protons in Borexino in order to tag and remove 11C nuclides on a one-by-one basis. Furthermore, I implemented and tested such technique on the CTF data.
11472516
The classification of flaring states of blazars
Aims. The time evolution of the electromagnetic emission from blazars, in particular high-frequency peaked sources (HBLs), displays irregular activity that has not yet been understood. In this work we report a methodology capable of characterizing the time behavior of these variable objects. Methods. The maximum likelihood blocks (MLBs) is a model-independent estimator that subdivides the light curve into time blocks, whose length and amplitude are compatible with states of constant emission rate of the observed source. The MLBs yield the statistical significance in the rate variations and strongly suppresses the noise fluctuations in the light curves. We applied the MLBs for the first time on the long term X-ray light curves (RXTE/ASM) of Mkn 421, Mkn 501, 1ES 1959+650, and 1ES 2155-304, more than 10 years of observational data (1996-2007). Using the MLBs interpretation of RXTE/ASM data, the integrated time flux distribution is determined for each single source considered. We identify in these distributions the characteristic level, as well as the flaring states of the blazars. Results. All the distributions show a significant component at negative flux values, most probably caused by an uncertainty in the background subtraction and by intrinsic fluctuations of RXTE/ASM. This effect concerns in particular short time observations. To quantify the probability that the intrinsic fluctuations give rise to a false identification of a flare, we study a population of very faint sources and their integrated time-flux distribution. We determine duty cycle or fraction of time a source spent in the flaring state of the source Mkn 421, Mkn 501, 1ES 1959+650 and 1ES 2155-304. Moreover, we study the random coincidences between flares and generic sporadic events such as high-energy neutrinos or flares in other wavelengths.
122582401
Monte Carlo evaluation of the muon-induced background in the GERDA double beta decay experiment
Abstract The new generation of experiments searching for neutrinoless double beta decay is aiming at a background level of 10 - 3 counts / ( kg keV y ) or better at the respective Q -values. Cosmic ray muons can be a significant contribution due to a number of physics processes. The GERmanium Detector Array, GERDA, located at the Gran Sasso underground laboratory in Italy, uses germanium enriched in 76 Ge as source and detector material. Germanium is submerged into liquid nitrogen or argon that acts as cooling medium and radiation shield simultaneously. A detailed G eant 4-based Monte Carlo simulation was performed to calculate the photon and neutron fluxes induced by cosmic ray muons. The prompt background contributions from γ -ray and neutron interactions as well as the delayed contributions due to the production of radioactive isotopes within the setup are given. The background can be reduced to the desired level with the muon veto system incorporated in the GERDA design.
76652777
SOX: Short distance neutrino Oscillations with BoreXino
A bstractThe very low radioactive background of the Borexino detector, its large size, and the well proved capability to detect both low energy electron neutrinos and antineutrinos make an ideal case for the study of short distance neutrino oscillations with artificial sources at Gran Sasso.This paper describes the possible layouts of 51Cr (νe) and 144Ce-144Pr $$ \left( {{{\overline{\nu}}_e}} \right) $$ source experiments in Borexino and shows the expected sensitivity to eV mass sterile neutrinos for three possible different phases of the experiment. Expected results on neutrino magnetic moment, electroweak mixing angle, and couplings to axial and vector currents are shown too.