118680546
Revisiting the $\Gamma(K \to e \nu)/\Gamma(K \to \mu \nu)$ ratio in supersymmetric unified models
It has been pointed out that supersymmetric extensions of the Standard Model can induce significant changes to the theoretical prediction of the ratio $\Gamma(K\rightarrow e\nu)/\Gamma (K\rightarrow\mu\nu)\equiv R_{K}$, through lepton flavour violating couplings. In this work we carry out a full computation of all one-loop corrections to the relevant $\nu\ell H^{+}$ vertex, and discuss the new contributions to $R_{K}$ arising in the context of different constrained (minimal supergravity inspired) models which succeed in accounting for neutrino data, further considering the possibility of accommodating a near future observation of a $\mu\to e\gamma$ transition. We also re-evaluate the prospects for $R_{K}$ in the framework of unconstrained supersymmetric models. In all cases, we address the question of whether it is possible to saturate the current experimental sensitivity on $R_{K}$ while in agreement with the recent limits on $B$-meson decay observables (in particular BR($B_{s}\to\mu^+\mu^-$) and R($B_{u}\to\tau\nu$)), as well as BR($\tau\to e \gamma$) and available collider constraints. Our findings reveal that in view of the recent bounds, and even when enhanced by effective sources of flavour violation in the right-handed $\tilde{e}-\tilde{\tau}$ sector, constrained supersymmetric (seesaw) models typically provide excessively small contributions to $R_{K}$. Larger contributions can be found in more general settings, where the charged Higgs mass can be effectively lowered, and even further enhanced in the unconstrained MSSM. However, our analysis clearly shows that even in this last case SUSY contributions to $R_{K}$ are still unable to saturate the current experimental bounds on this observable, especially due to a strong tension with the $B_{u}\to\tau\nu$ bound.
31040253
Calculating the renormalisation group equations of a SUSY model with Susyno
Susyno is a Mathematica package dedicated to the computation of the 2-loop renormalisation group equations of a supersymmetric model based on any gauge group (the only exception being multiple U(1) groups) and for any field content. Supersymmetry (SUSY) is an elegant and well known extension of the Standard Model (SM) which aims at solving or softening some of the SM theoretical and experimental shortcomings. Supersymmetric models based on Grand Unified Theories (GUTs) offer the appealing feature of being described by a unique gauge group and coupling constant; furthermore, the potential new superfields, as well as their dynamics, can provide answers to fundamental problems. For example SO(10) based models offer a natural explanation for neutrino masses and mixings via a type-I seesaw. This occurs since the spinor representation of the group contains a SM singlet superfield (with the appropriate quantum numbers). Even larger and/or more complex groups are often considered, for example E6 in string inspired models. The analysis of the theoretical and phenomenological implications of SUSY GUT models requires a careful study of the evolution of the fundamental parameters from the high-energy scale down to the electroweak scale, at which observables are computed and constraints applied. As such, knowledge of the renormalisation group equations (RGEs) is necessary. Although the RGEs of several models (e.g., MSSM, NMSSM) are already known [1, 3], for other SUSY extensions of the SM complicated general equations must be used [1, 2]. Here we describe Susyno, a Mathematica-based package that addresses this issue. The program takes as input the gauge group, the representations (i.e., the chiral superfield content), the number of flavours/copies 1 of each representation, and any abelian discrete symmetries (e.g., R-parity). Susyno then constructs the most general superpotential and soft SUSY breaking Lagrangian consistent with the field content and symmetries imposed. Once these elements have been derived, Susyno then computes the 2-loop �-functions of all the parameters of the model, which is its main output.
199681250
Running soft parameters in SUSY models with multiple U(1) gauge factors
The two-loop renormalization group equations for the parameters of softly broken supersymmetric gauge theories given in the literature are generalized to the case when the gauge group contains more than a single abelian factor. This contribution to the proceedings of the DISCRETE 2012 symposium is based on reference [1].
53520094
Acceleration in perpendicular relativistic shocks for plasmas consisting of leptons and hadrons
We investigate the acceleration of light particles in perpendicular shocks for plasmas consisting of a mixture of leptonic and hadronic particles. Starting from the full set of conservation equations for the mixed plasma constituents, we generalize the magnetohydrodynamical jump conditions for a multi-component plasma, including information about the specific adiabatic constants for the different species. The impact of deviations from the standard model of an ideal gas is compared in theory and particle-in-cell simulations, showing that the standard MHD model is a good approximation. The simulations of shocks in electron-positron-ion plasmas are for the first time multi-dimensional, transverse effects are small in this configuration, and one-dimensional (1D) simulations are a good representation if the initial magnetization is chosen high. 1D runs with a mass ratio of 1836 are performed, which identify the Larmor frequency {omega}{sub ci} as the dominant frequency that determines the shock physics in mixed component plasmas. The maximum energy in the non-thermal tail of the particle spectra evolves in time according to a power law {proportional_to}t{sup {alpha}} with {alpha} in the range 1/3 < {alpha} < 1, depending on the initial parameters. A connection is made with transport theoretical models by Drury and Gargate and Spitkovsky, whichmore » predict an acceleration time {proportional_to}{gamma} and the theory for small wavelength scattering by Kirk and Reville, which predicts a behavior rather as {proportional_to}{gamma}{sup 2}. Furthermore, we compare different magnetic field orientations with B{sub 0} inside and out of the plane, observing qualitatively different particle spectra than in pure electron-ion shocks.« less
14726062
Generating multi-GeV electron bunches using single stage laser wakefield acceleration in a 3D nonlinear regime
The extraordinary ability of space-charge waves in plasmas to accelerate charged particles at gradients that are orders of magnitude greater than in current accelerators has been well documented. We develop a phenomenological framework for laser wakefield acceleration (LWFA) in the 3D nonlinear regime, in which the plasma electrons are expelled by the radiation pressure of a short pulse laser, leading to nearly complete blowout. Our theory provides a recipe for designing a LWFA for given laser and plasma parameters and estimates the number and the energy of the accelerated electrons whether self-injected or externally injected. These formulas apply for self-guided as well as externally guided pulses (e.g. by plasma channels). We demonstrate our results by presenting a sample particle-in-cell (PIC) simulation of a $30\text{ }\mathrm{fs}$, 200 TW laser interacting with a 0.75 cm long plasma with density $1.5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{18}\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ to produce an ultrashort (10 fs) monoenergetic bunch of self-injected electrons at 1.5 GeV with 0.3 nC of charge. For future higher-energy accelerator applications, we propose a parameter space, which is distinct from that described by Gordienko and Pukhov [Phys. Plasmas 12, 043109 (2005)] in that it involves lower plasma densities and wider spot sizes while keeping the intensity relatively constant. We find that this helps increase the output electron beam energy while keeping the efficiency high.
118459210
A Bright Spatially-Coherent Compact X-ray Synchrotron Source
Author(s): Kneip, S; McGuffey, C; Martins, JL; Martins, SF; Bellei, C; Chvykov, V; Dollar, F; Fonseca, R; Huntington, C; Kalintchenko, G; Maksimchuk, A; Mangles, SPD; Matsuoka, T; Nagel, SR; Palmer, C; Schreiber, J; Phuoc, K Ta; Thomas, AGR; Yanovsky, V; Silva, LO; Krushelnick, K; Najmudin, Z | Abstract: Each successive generation of x-ray machines has opened up new frontiers in science, such as the first radiographs and the determination of the structure of DNA. State-of-the-art x-ray sources can now produce coherent high brightness keV x-rays and promise a new revolution in imaging complex systems on nanometre and femtosecond scales. Despite the demand, only a few dedicated synchrotron facilities exist worldwide, partially due the size and cost of conventional (accelerator) technology. Here we demonstrate the use of a recently developed compact laser-plasma accelerator to produce a well-collimated, spatially-coherent, intrinsically ultrafast source of hard x-rays. This method reduces the size of the synchrotron source from the tens of metres to centimetre scale, accelerating and wiggling a high electron charge simultaneously. This leads to a narrow-energy spread electron beam and x-ray source that is g1000 times brighter than previously reported plasma wiggler and thus has the potential to facilitate a myriad of uses across the whole spectrum of light-source applications.
120002962
Numerical simulations of LWFA for the next generation of laser systems
The development of new laser systems based on OPCPA will push Laser Wakefield Accelerators (LWFA) to a qualitatively new energy range. As in the past, numerical simulations will play a critical role in testing, probing and optimizing the physical parameters and setup of these upscale experiments. Based on the prospective design parameters for the future Vulcan 10 PW OPCPA laser system, we have determined the optimal parameters for a single LWFA stage from theoretical scalings for such system, which predict accelerations to the energy frontier, with self‐injected electrons in excess of 10 GeV for a self‐guided configuration, and above 50 GeV bunches with externally‐injected electrons in a laser‐guided configuration. These parameters were then used as a baseline for 3D full scale simulations with OSIRIS and QuickPIC. A 12 GeV self‐injected beam was obtained with both codes, in agreement with theoretical predictions for the maximum energy gain and the injected charge. Preliminary results on the laser‐guided configuration already confirm the accelerating gradients and the stability of the laser guided propagation for long distances required to reach the higher energies predicted by the theoretical scalings for this scenario.
118588748
Electron-scale shear instabilities: magnetic field generation and particle acceleration in astrophysical jets
Strong shear flow regions found in astrophysical jets are shown to be important dissipation regions, where the shear flow kinetic energy flow is converted into electric and magnetic field energy via shear instabilities. The emergence of these self-consistent fields makes shear flows significant sites for radiation emission and particle acceleration. We focus on electron-scale instabilities, namely the collisionless, unmagnetized electron-scale Kelvin?Helmholtz instability (ESKHI) and a large-scale DC magnetic field generation mechanism on the electron scales. We show that these processes are important candidates to generate magnetic fields in the presence of strong velocity shears, which may naturally originate in energetic matter outbursts of active galactic nuclei and gamma-ray bursters. We show that the ESKHI is robust to density jumps between shearing flows, thus operating in various scenarios with different density contrasts. Multidimensional particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations of the ESKHI, performed with OSIRIS, reveal the emergence of a strong and large-scale DC magnetic field component, which is not captured by the standard linear fluid theory. This DC component arises from kinetic effects associated with the thermal expansion of electrons of one flow into the other across the shear layer, whilst ions remain unperturbed due to their inertia. The electron expansion forms DC current sheets, which induce a DC magnetic field. Our results indicate that most of the electromagnetic energy developed in the ESKHI is stored in the DC component, reaching values of equipartition on the order of 10?3 in the electron time-scale, and persists longer than the proton time-scale. Particle scattering/acceleration in the self-generated fields of these shear flow instabilities is also analyzed.