Search for extra dimensions in diphoton events from proton-proton collisions at √s= 7 TeV in the ATLAS detector at the LHC
New Journal of Physics 15 (2013)
Abstract:
The large difference between the Planck scale and the electroweak scale, known as the hierarchy problem, is addressed in certain models through the postulate of extra spatial dimensions. A search for evidence of extra spatial dimensions in the diphoton channel has been performed using the full set of proton-proton collisions at √s = 7 TeV recorded in 2011 with the ATLAS detector at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. This dataset corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 4.9 fb1. The diphoton invariant mass spectrum is observed to be in good agreement with the Standard Model expectation. In the context of the model proposed by Arkani-Hamed, Dimopoulos and Dvali, 95% confidence level lower limits of between 2.52 and 3.92 TeV are set on the ultraviolet cutoff scale MS depending on the number of extra dimensions and the theoretical formalism used. In the context of the Randall-Sundrum model, a lower limit of 2.06 (1.00) TeV at 95% confidence level is set on the mass of the lightest graviton for couplings of k/MPl = 0.1(0.01). Combining with the ATLAS dilepton searches based on the 2011 data, the 95% confidence level lower limit on the Randall-Sundrum graviton mass is further tightened to 2.23 (1.03) TeV for k/ MPl= 0.1(0.01).© CERN 2013 for the benefit of the ATLAS Collaboration.Galaxy Zoo: Motivations of Citizen Scientists
ArXiv 1303.6886 (2013)
Abstract:
Citizen science, in which volunteers work with professional scientists to conduct research, is expanding due to large online datasets. To plan projects, it is important to understand volunteers' motivations for participating. This paper analyzes results from an online survey of nearly 11,000 volunteers in Galaxy Zoo, an astronomy citizen science project. Results show that volunteers' primary motivation is a desire to contribute to scientific research. We encourage other citizen science projects to study the motivations of their volunteers, to see whether and how these results may be generalized to inform the field of citizen science.Multi-channel search for squarks and gluinos in √s = 7 TeV pp collisions with the ATLAS detector at the LHC
European Physical Journal C 73:3 (2013)
Abstract:
A search for supersymmetric particles in final states with zero, one, and two leptons, with and without jets identified as originating from b-quarks, in 4.7 fb−1 of √s = 7 TeV pp collisions produced by the Large Hadron Collider and recorded by the ATLAS detector is presented. The search uses a set of variables carrying information on the event kinematics transverse and parallel to the beam line that are sensitive to several topologies expected in supersymmetry. Mutually exclusive final states are defined, allowing a combination of all channels to increase the search sensitivity. No deviation from the Standard Model expectation is observed. Upper limits at 95 % confidence level on visible cross-sections for the production of new particles are extracted. Results are interpreted in the context of the constrained minimal supersymmetric extension to the Standard Model and in supersymmetry-inspired models with diverse, high-multiplicity final states.First measurement of the form factors in the decays D0→ρ- e+νe and D+→ρ0e+νe
Physical Review Letters 110:13 (2013)
Abstract:
The beauty to up quark coupling constant |Vub| can be extracted from B→ρe+νe combined with the form factors for D→K*e+νe and B→Vℓ+ℓ- and D→ρe+ν e. Using the entire CLEO-c ψ(3770)→DD̄ event sample, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 818 pb-1 and approximately 5.4×106 DD̄ events, we measure the form factors for the decays D0→ρ-e+νe and D +→ρ0e+νe for the first time and the branching fractions with improved precision. A four-dimensional unbinned maximum likelihood fit determines the form factor ratios to be V(0)/A 1(0)=1.48±0.15±0.05 and A2(0)/A 1(0)=0.83±0.11±0.04. Assuming Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa unitarity, the known D meson lifetimes, and our measured branching fractions we obtain the form factor normalizations A1(0), A2(0), and V(0). We also present a measurement of the branching fraction for D +→ωe+νe with improved precision. © 2013 American Physical Society.Search for contact interactions using the inclusive jet pT spectrum in pp collisions at √s=7 TeV
Physical Review D - Particles, Fields, Gravitation and Cosmology 87:5 (2013)