Since early in 2003, several experiments have presented evidence for the existence of a positive strangeness baryon state of mass around 1540 MeV/c{sup 2} and width <8 MeV, the {Theta}(1540), which decays to K{sup +}n and K{sup 0}p. Such a state has minimum quark content udud{bar s} and consequently has been interpreted as the S = +1 member of the anti-decuplet of pentaquark states proposed by Diakonov et al. Subsequently, the NA49 experiment presented evidence for the S = -2 member of the anti-decuplet, the {Xi}{sub 5}(1860){sup --}, but this has yet to be observed in any other experiment. Results from the search for the production of the {Theta}(1540) memember of the anti-decuplet of pentaquark states using data from e{sup +}e{sup -} collisions obtained with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II Collider are presented. No signal is observed, and cross section limits for the {Theta}(1540) are given; these prove to be well below the cross section values for ordinary baryons of similar mass. In addition, a search has been carried out for the electroproduction of the {Theta}(1540) in the material of the BABAR detector. Event selection procedures are discussed in detail, the results of this search are presented, and are …

This dissertation discusses a data collection experiment within the Actinide Isomer Identification project (AID). The AID project is the investigation of an active interrogation technique that utilizes nuclear isomer production, with the goal of assisting in the interdiction of illicit nuclear materials. In an attempt to find and characterize isomers belonging to 235U and its fission fragments, a 232Th target was bombarded with a monoenergetic 6Li ion beam, operating at 45 MeV.

In this thesis I present two complementary strategies for probing beyond-the-Standard Model physics using data collected in e{sup +}e{sup -} collisions at lepton colliders. One strategy involves searching for effects at low energy mediated by new particles at the TeV mass scale, at which new physics is expected to manifest. Several new physics scenarios, including Supersymmetry and models with leptoquarks or compositeness, may lead to observable rates for charged lepton-flavor violating processes, which are forbidden in the Standard Model. I present a search for lepton-flavor violating decays of the {Upsilon}(3S) using data collected with the BABAR detector. This study establishes the 90% confidence level upper limits BF({Upsilon}(3S) {yields} e{tau}) < 5.0 x 10{sup -6} and BF({Upsilon}(3S) {yields} {mu}{tau}) < 4.1 x 10{sup -6} which are used to place constraints on new physics contributing to lepton-flavor violation at the TeV mass scale. An alternative strategy is to increase the collision energy above the threshold for new particles and produce them directly. I discuss research and development efforts aimed at producing a vertex tracker which achieves the physics performance required of a high energy lepton collider. A small-scale vertex tracker prototype is constructed using Silicon sensors of 50 {mu}m thickness and tested …

This thesis presents the analysis of the double differential dijet mass cross section, measured at the D0 detector in Batavia, IL, using p{bar p} collisions at a center of mass energy of {radical}s = 1.96 TeV. The dijet mass was calculated using the two highest p{sub T} jets in the event, with approximately 0.7 fb{sup -1} of data collected between 2004 and 2005. The analysis was presented in bins of dijet mass (M{sub JJ}) and rapidity (y), and extends the measurement farther in M{sub JJ} and y than any previous measurement. Corrections due to detector effects were calculated using a Monte Carlo simulation and applied to data. The errors on the measurement consist of statistical and systematic errors, of which the Jet Energy Scale was the largest. The final result was compared to next-to-leading order theory and good agreement was found. These results may be used in the determination of the proton parton distribution functions and to set limits on new physics.

The standard model of elementary particle physics (SM) predicts, besides the top-quark pair production via the strong interaction, also the electroweak production of single top-quarks [19]. Up to now, the Fermilab Tevatron proton-antiproton-collider is the only place to produce and study top quarks emerging from hadron-hadron-collisions. Top quarks were directly observed in 1995 during the Tevatron Run I at a center-of-mass energy of {radical}s = 1.8 TeV simultaneously by the CDF and D0 Collaborations via the strong production of top-quark pairs. Run II of the Tevatron data taking period started 2001 at {radical}s = 1.96 TeV after a five year upgrade of the Tevatron accelerator complex and of both experiments. One main component of its physics program is the determination of the properties of the top quark including its electroweak production. Even though Run II is still ongoing, the study of the top quark is already a successful endeavor, confirmed by dozens of publications from both Tevatron experiments. A comprehensive review of top-quark physics can be found in reference. The reasons for searching for single top-quark production are compelling. As the electroweak top-quark production proceeds via a Wtb vertex, it provides the unique opportunity of the direct measurement of the …

The production of jets in association with a Z/{gamma}* boson is an example of an important class of processes at hadron colliders, namely vector boson + jet (V + jet) production. Comparisons of measurements of this class of processes with theory predictions constitute an important, fundamental test of the Standard Model of particle physics, and of the theory of QCD in particular. While having a smaller cross section than other V +jet processes, Z/{gamma}*({yields} e{sup +}e{sup -}) + jets production, with Z/{gamma}* {yields} e{sup +}e{sup -}/{mu}{sup +}{mu}{sup -}, has a distinct experimental signature allowing for measurements characterized by low backgrounds and a direct, precise measurement of the properties of the decay products of the Z/{gamma}* boson. In this thesis, several new measurements of the properties of jets produced in association with a Z/{gamma}* boson in p{bar p} collisions at {radical}s = 1.96 TeV are presented. The cross section for Z/{gamma}*({yields} e{sup +}e{sup -}) + N jet production (N {le} 3) is measured, differential in the transverse momentum of the Nth jet in the event, normalized to the inclusive Z/{gamma}* cross section. Also, the cross section for Z/{gamma}*({yields} e{sup +}e{sup -}) + N jets (N {ge} 1) is measured, differential in …

Excitation functions for the 1n and 2n exit channels of the 208Pb(51V,xn)259-xDb reaction were measured. A maximum cross section of the 1n exit channel of 2070+1100/-760 pb was measured at an excitation energy of 16.0 +- 1.8 MeV. For the 2n exit channel, a maximum cross section of 1660+450/-370 pb was measured at 22.0 +- 1.8 MeV excitation energy. The 1n excitation function for the 209Bi(50Ti,n)258Db reaction was remeasured, resulting in a cross section of 5480+1730/1370 pb at an excitation energy of 16.0 +- 1.6 MeV. Differences in cross section maxima are discussed in terms of the fusion probability below the barrier. The extraction of niobium (Nb) and tantalum (Ta) from hydrochloric acid and mixed hydrochloric acid/lithium chloride media by bis(2-ethylhexyl) hydrogen phosphate (HDEHP) and bis(2-ethylhexyl) hydrogen phosphite (BEHP) was studied. The goal of the experiments was to find a system that demonstrates selectivity among the members of group five of the Periodic Table and is also suitable for the study of dubnium (Db, Z = 105). Experiments with niobium and tantalum were performed with carrier (10-6 M), carrier free (10-10 M) and trace (10-16 M) concentrations of metal using hydrochloric acid solution with concentrations ranging from 1 - 11 …

The WARP code is a robust electrostatic particle-in-cell simulation package used to model charged particle beams with strong space-charge forces. A fundamental operation associated with seeding detailed simulations of a beam transport channel is to generate initial conditions where the beam distribution is matched to the structure of a periodic focusing lattice. This is done by solving for periodic, matched solutions to a coupled set of ODEs called the Kapchinskij-Vladimirskij (KV) envelope equations, which describe the evolution of low-order beam moments subject to applied lattice focusing, space-charge defocusing, and thermal defocusing forces. Recently, an iterative numerical method was developed (Lund, Chilton, and Lee, Efficient computation of matched solutions to the KV envelope equations for periodic focusing lattices, Physical Review Special Topics-Accelerators and Beams 9, 064201 2006) to generate matching conditions in a highly flexible, convergent, and fail-safe manner. This method is extended and implemented in the WARP code as a Python package to vastly ease the setup of detailed simulations. In particular, the Python package accommodates any linear applied lattice focusing functions without skew coupling, and a more general set of beam parameter specifications than its predecessor. Lattice strength iteration tools were added to facilitate the implementation of problems with …

A search for the muon neutrino magnetic moment was conducted using the Mini-BooNE low energy neutrino data. The analysis was performed by analyzing the elastic scattering interactions of muon neutrinos on electrons. The analysis looked for an excess of elastic scattering events above the Standard Model prediction from which a limit on the neutrino magnetic could be set. In this thesis, we report an excess of 15.3 {+-} 6.6(stat){+-}4.1(syst) {nu}{sub {mu}e} events above the expected background. At 90% C.L., we derived a limit on the muon neutrino magnetic moment of 12.7 x 10{sup -10} {micro}{sub B}. The other analysis reported in this thesis is a measurement of charged current single pion production (CC{pi}{sup +}) to charged current quasi elastic (CCQE) interactions cross sections ratio. This measurement was performed with two different fitting algorithms and the results from both fitters are consistent with each other.

The top quark is the heaviest and most mysterious of the known elementary particles. Therefore, careful study of its production rate and other properties is of utmost importance for modern particle physics. The Tevatron is the only facility currently capable of studying top quark properties by on-shell production. Measurement of the top quark pair production cross section is one of the major goals of the Tevatron Run II physics program. It provides an excellent test of QCD at energies exceeding 100 GeV. We report on a new measurement of p{bar p} {yields} t{bar t} production at {radical} = 1.96 TeV using 350 pb{sup -1} of data collected with the D0 detector between 2002 and 2005. We focus on the final state where a W boson from one of the top quarks decays into a {tau} lepton and its associated neutrino, while the other decays into a quark-antiquark pair. We aim to select those events in which the {tau} lepton subsequently decays to one or three charged hadrons, zero or more neutral hadrons and a tau neutrino (the charge conjugate processes are implied in all of the above). The observable signature thus consists of a narrow calorimeter shower with associated track(s) …

This thesis studies the high-energy collisions of protons and antiprotons. The data used in the measurement were collected during 2004-2005 with the D0 detector at the Tevatron Collider of the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory and correspond to 0.7 fb{sup -1} of integrated luminosity. High energy hadron collisions usually produce collimated sprays of particles called jets. The energy of the jets is measured using a liquid Argon-Uranium calorimeter and the production angle is determined with the help of silicon microstrip and scintillating fiber trackers. The inclusive jet cross section in proton-antiproton collisions is measured as a function of jet transverse momentum p{sub T} in six bins of jet rapidity at the center-of-mass energy {radical}s = 1.96 TeV. The measurement covers jet transerve momenta from 50 GeV up to 600 GeV and jet rapidities up to |y| = 2.4. The data are collected using a set of seven single jet triggers. Event and jet cuts are applied to remove non-physical backgrounds and cosmic-ray interactions. The data are corrected for jet energy calibration, cut and trigger efficiencies and finite jet p{sub T} resolution. The corrections are determined from data and the methods are tested with Monte Carlo simulation. The main experimental challenges in …

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The experimental study of rare decays of hadrons containing the b quark has been a fertile ground for some time, and keeps being one of the most interesting subjects in high energy physics. It has improved our understanding of hadronic processes, and allows investigating various aspects of the Standard Model and searching for hints of physics beyond the Standard Model. Examples are the comparison of branching fractions of charmless modes with predictions of models, the constraints on CKM angles (B{sup 0} {yields} {pi}{sup +}{pi}{sup -}, B {yields} DK, with D in suppressed modes), the observation of purely leptonic modes (B{sup {+-}} {yields} {tau}{sup {+-}}{nu}), the recently established difference in A{sub CP} between B{sup 0} {yields} K{sup +}{pi}{sup -} and B{sup {+-}} {yields} K{sup {+-}}{pi}{sup 0}, suspected to be a hint new physics. All of them came from a long and successful experimental activity with e{sup +}e{sup -} collisions at the {Upsilon}(4S) resonance. With hadronic colliders now coming into play, the study of rare decays is reaching new heights. Given the high cross section for production of all kinds of B hadrons, the record luminosities now provided by the Tevatron collider, and the LHC program in view for the next years, …

This analysis focuses on a low mass Higgs boson search with 1.7 fb{sup -1} of data. The focus is on Higgs events in which it is produced in association with a W or Z boson. Such events are expected to leave a distinct signature of large missing transverse energy for either a Z {yields} {nu}{nu} decay or a leptonic W decay in which the lepton goes undetected, as well as jets with taggable secondary vertices from the H {yields} b{bar B} decay. Utilizing a new track based technique for removing QCD multi-jet processes as well as a neural network discriminant, an expected limit of 8.3 times the Standard Model prediction at the 95% CL for a Higgs boson mass of 115 GeV/c{sup 2} is calculated, with an observed limit of 8.0*SM.

Supermassive black holes (SMBHs) are ubiquitous in the centers of galaxies. Their formation and subsequent evolution is inextricably linked to that of their host galaxies, and the study of galaxy formation is incomplete without the inclusion of SMBHs. The present work seeks to understand the growth and evolution of SMBHs through their interaction with the host galaxy and its environment. In the first part of the thesis (Chap. 2 and 3), we combine a simple semi-analytic model of outflows from active galactic nuclei (AGN) with a simulated dark matter density distribution to study the impact of SMBH feedback on cosmological scales. We find that constraints can be placed on the kinetic efficiency of such feedback using observations of the filling fraction of the Ly{alpha} forest. We also find that AGN feedback is energetic enough to redistribute baryons over cosmological distances, having potentially significant effects on the interpretation of cosmological data which are sensitive to the total matter density distribution (e.g. weak lensing). However, truly assessing the impact of AGN feedback in the universe necessitates large-dynamic range simulations with extensive treatment of baryonic physics to first model the fueling of SMBHs. In the second part of the thesis (Chap. 4-6) we …

This thesis reports measurements of the time-dependent CP asymmetries in fully reconstructed B{sup 0} {yields} (D{sup (*){-+}} and B{sup 0} {yields} D{sup {-+}} {rho}{sup {+-}}) decays in approximately 232 million {Upsilon}(4S) {yields} B{bar B} events, collected with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric-energy B factory at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center in California, as published in Ref. [14]. The phenomenon of CP violation allows one to distinguish between matter and antimatter, and, as such, is one of the essential ingredients needed to explain the apparent abundance of matter over antimatter in the universe. The Standard Model describes the observed elementary particles in terms of three generations of quarks and leptons, as well as the weak, electromagnetic, and strong interactions between them. In the Standard Model, CP violation is incorporated in the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa (CKM) matrix, which describes the weak interactions between the quarks. The weak interactions between quarks are described by coupling constants that are functions of three real parameters and one irreducible complex phase. The magnitude of all CP violating effects in the Standard Model is related to this complex phase. The measurement of the CP violating phase of the CKM matrix is an important part of the present …

The D{sub J}{sup 0} is a family of four orbitally excited mesons: D*{sub 2}(2460){sup 0}, D{sub 1}(2420){sup 0}, D{sub 1}(j = 1/2){sup -}, and D*{sub 0}(j = 1/2){sup 0}. This dissertation presents the measurements of the inclusive branching fractions, {Beta}(B{sup -} {yields} D*{sup +}{pi}{sup -}{pi}{sup -}) and {Beta}(B{sup -} {yields} D{sup +}{pi}{sup -}{pi}{sup -}). The D{sub J}{sup 0} provides an intermediate resonance for those two modes. The data used for this analysis consists of Runs 1-5 with total integrated luminosity of 343.38 fb{sup -1}, which is corresponding to 383.92 million B{bar B} pairs, provided by the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric B Factory. The values presented are: {Beta}(B{sup -} {yields} D{sup +}{pi}{sup -}{pi}{sup -}) = (1.12 {+-} 0.02 {+-} 0.08) x 10{sup -3}; {Beta}(B{sup -} {yields} D*{sup +}{pi}{sup -}{pi}{sup -}) = (1.67 {+-} 0.03 {+-} 0.13) x 10{sup -3}.

Note that the main goal of this thesis work is the measurement of the branching fractions, charge asymmetry, and Time-Dependent CP Violation in {eta}'K{sup 0} mode. All other measurements are reported here for completion because they are connected by similar physics arguments. They are part of the Milan analysis activity, done by undergraduate students. They should not be considered as done in this thesis work. The measurements of the two body-modes {eta}{eta}, {eta}{phi}, and {eta}'{phi} are used to determine a theoretical bound based on SU(3) flavor symmetry for the difference between SM prediction and the experimental measurements of CP violation parameters in b {yields} s loop-dominated modes. In general for this estimation we need to measure the branching fractions (or upper limits) of neutral B decays to two-body modes with {eta}', {eta}, {phi}, {omega}, {pi}{sup 0}, K{sup 0}, K*{sup 0} [13, 14, 15, 16]. There is an important issue related to the branching fractions of {eta}'K (charged and neutral) modes. Since the discover of B {yields} {eta}'K in 1997 [17] with high branching fraction (higher than expected), it was found that the corresponding mode with {eta} is suppressed. This fact was pointed out by Lipkin in 1991 [18]. In particular, …

The authors report the results of a study of the exclusive charmless semileptonic decay, B{sup 0} {yields} {pi}{sup -}{ell}{sup +}{nu}, undertaken with approximately 227 million B{bar B} pairs collected at the {Upsilon}(4S) resonance with the BABAR detector. The analysis uses events in which the signal B decays are reconstructed with an innovative loose neutrino reconstruction technique. They obtain partial branching fractions in 12 bins of q{sup 2}, the momentum transfer squared, from which they extract the f{sub +}(q{sup 2}) form-factor shape and the total branching fraction {Beta}(B{sup 0} {yields} {pi}{sup -}{ell}{sup +}{nu}) = (1.46 {+-} 0.07{sub stat} {+-} 0.08{sub syst}) x 10{sup -4}. Based on a recent unquenched lattice QCD calculation of the form factor in the range q{sup 2} > 16 GeV{sup 2}/c{sup 4}, they find the magnitude of the CKM matrix element |V{sub ub}| to be (4.1 {+-} 0.2{sub stat} {+-} 0.2{sub syst{sub -0.4}{sup +0.6}FF}) x 10{sup -3}, where the last uncertainty is due to the normalization of the form factor.

The rare decay B {yields} {pi}{ell}{sup +}{ell}{sup -} is the simplest manifestation of a b {yields} d{ell}{sup +}{ell}{sup -} flavor-changing neutral current (FCNC) process. This type of process only proceeds through penguin loop or box diagrams and is sensitive to physics at the electroweak scale. It can be used to constrain parameters of the Standard Model and its extensions. B {yields} {pi}{ell}{sup +}{ell}{sup -} events have not yet been observed; the branching fraction is expected to be an order of magnitude smaller than the measured branching fraction for the similar B {yields} K{ell}{sup +}{ell}{sup -} decay. Using 230 million B{bar B} meson pairs collected with the BABAR detector, we have done a search for the rare decay B {yields} {pi}{ell}{sup +}{ell}{sup -}. The data was produced in e+e? collision at the {Upsilon}(4S) resonance in the PEP-II collider between 1999 and 2004. Four exclusive B-meson decay modes have been reconstructed: B{sup +} {yields} {pi}{sup +}{ell}{sup +}{ell}{sup -} and B{sup 0} {yields} {pi}{sup 0}{ell}{sup +}{ell}{sup -}, where {ell}{sup +}{ell}{sup -} is either an electron pair (e{sup +}e{sup -}) or a muon pair ({mu}{sup +}{mu}{sup -}). We find no evidence for a signal, and we obtain upper limits on the branching fractions {Beta}. …

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In this work we presented measurements of CP violation and decay rates of B decays in final states not involving a charm quark in the final state. In particular, the time-dependent CP asymmetries of decays which proceed through b {yields} s elementary transition is a particularly sensitive probe of physics beyond the Standard Model. In fact, even if the precise measurements of CP conserving and CP violating processes show the success of the CKM picture of the flavour physics, the sector of b {yields} s transitions is still not strongly constrained and leaves room for new physics contributions. In particular, we considered the decays which have the cleanest theoretical prediction within the Standard Model: B{sup 0} {yields} {phi}K{sup 0} and B{sup 0} {yields} K{sub s}{sup 0}K{sub s}{sup 0}K{sub s}{sup 0} {beta}{sub eff}{sup SM} = 0.379. We examined the former with a completely new approach with respect to the past: the study of CP violation in the whole K{sup +}K{sup -}K{sup 0} phase space through a time-dependent Dalitz plot analysis. With this approach, we simultaneously measured the CP-violating asymmetries of the {phi}KJ{sup 0}, f{sub 0}(980)K{sup 0} resonant and K{sup +}K{sup -}K{sup 0} non-resonant contributions, avoiding one of the largest uncertainties which …

Rare earths and copper systems were studied using X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS). The use of monochromased synchotron radiation and improved energy resolution for RIXS made possible to obtain valuable information on the electronic structure in 4f, 5f and 3d systems. Experimental results for rare-earths (Ho, Gd, Cm, U, Np, Pu) were analyzed by atomic multiplet theory based on the Hartree-Fock calculations. The inelastic scattering structures in RIXS spectra at 5d edge of actinides found to be sensitive to actinide oxidation states in different systems. Comparison of experimental and calculated Cm 5d RIXS spectra gave direct information about valency of the 248-curium isotope in oxide. Scientific understanding of processes that control chemical changes of radioactive species from spent fuel is improved by studying interactions of actinide ions (U, Np, Pu) with corroded iron surfaces. RIXS measurements at the actinide 5d edge found to be sensitive to actinide oxidation states in different systems. Comparison of experimental and calculated Cm 5d RIXS spectra gave direct information about valency of the 248 curium isotope in oxide. Scientific understanding of processes that control chemical changes of radioactive species from spent fuel is improved by studying interactions of actinide ions …

Despite more than thirty years having elapsed since the discovery of CP violation, our understanding about the source and the nature of this phenomenon is still very limited. In the standard model of particle physics, CP violation is due to the presence of an non-irreducible weak phase in the Cabibbo-Kabayashi-Maskawa(CKM) matrix. Up to now, all the experimental results are in good agreement with the standard model. However, it is important for us to over-constrain the CKM quark-mixing matrix and explore the possibility of new physics beyond the standard model. The B meson provides an ideal place to measure CP violation due to its heavy mass and potentially large CP-violating effects. In particular, the angle {gamma} of the Unitary Triangle relating the elements of the CKM matrix is extremely crucial in terms of CP violation and constraints on the new physics models. Various methods using B{sup -} {yields} D{sup 0}K{sup -} decays have been proposed to measure based on the interference between the V{sub cb} and V{sub ub} amplitudes. Despite the simple concept, the measurement turns out to be experimentally challenging due to the small branching fraction and the small value of {tau}{sub B}, the amplitude ratio between the two contributing …