Publications

Order by: publication date number of citations

• Non-zero transverse single spin asymmetry of very forward $\pi^0$ in polarized $p + p$ collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 510$ GeV

  Minho H. Kim

  SciPost Phys. Proc. 8, 060 (2022) · published 12 July 2022 | Toggle abstract · pdf

  The RHICf experiment measured transverse single spin asymmetry of very forward ($\eta > 6$) $\pi^0$ from polarized $p + p$ collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 510$ GeV. In order to measure it precisely, we installed a new electromagnetic calorimeter at zero-degree area of the STAR experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) and measured the $\pi^0$s over the kinematic range of $x_F > 0.25$ and $0 < p_T < 1$ GeV/$c$ in June, 2017. A clear non-zero asymmetry was observed even in low $p_T < 1$ GeV$c$ showing a similar $x_F$ dependence with the forward ($2 < \eta < 4$) $\pi^0$ ones. A possible diffractive contribution may need to be taken into account to explain the very forward $\pi^0$ asymmetry. RHICf-STAR combined analysis and follow-up experiment will give a clue to understand it qualitatively.

• Cosmic censorship of trans-Planckian field ranges in gravitational collapse

  Himanshu Chaudhary, Chethan Krishnan

  SciPost Phys. 9, 036 (2020) · published 11 September 2020 | Toggle abstract · pdf

  A classical solution where the (scalar) field value moves by an ${\cal O}(1)$ range in Planck units is believed to signal the breakdown of Effective Field Theory (EFT). One heuristic argument for this is that such a field will have enough energy to be inside its own Schwarzschild radius, and will result in collapse. In this paper, we consider an inverse problem: what kind of field ranges arise during the gravitational collapse of a classical field? Despite the fact that collapse has been studied for almost a hundred years, most of the discussion is phrased in terms of fluid stress tensors, and not fields. An exception is the scalar collapse made famous by Choptuik. We re-consider Choptuik-like systems, but with the emphasis now on the evolution of the scalar. We give strong evidence that generic spherically symmetric collapse of a massless scalar field leads to super-Planckian field movement. But we also note that in every such supercritical collapse scenario, the large field range is hidden behind an apparent horizon. We also discuss how the familiar perfect fluid models for collapse like Oppenheimer-Snyder and Vaidya should be viewed in light of our results.

• Nucleon and pion PDFs: large-x asymptotics meets functional mimicry

  Aurore Courtoy, Pavel M. Nadolsky

  SciPost Phys. Proc. 8, 063 (2022) · published 12 July 2022 | Toggle abstract · pdf

  We review strategies to unveil the primordial large-$x$ structure of the nucleons as well as the pion from hard-scattering experiments. Ideas are presented for learning about the $x\to 1$ limit of nonperturbative QCD dynamics at energy scales of order 1 GeV from collider experiments at much higher scales. The behavior of parton distributions at $x\to 1$ predicted by the quark counting rules and other low-energy theoretical approaches is contrasted with phenomenological PDFs. Polynomial mimicry of PDF parametrizations is one of many factors that influence the apparent power of the $(1-x)$ falloff. We discuss implications of the mimicry for the large-$x$ falloff of the pion PDFs.

• Critical dynamics and cyclic memory retrieval in non-reciprocal Hopfield networks

  Shuyue Xue, Mohammad Maghrebi, George I. Mias, Carlo Piermarocchi

  SciPost Phys. 19, 100 (2025) · published 16 October 2025 | Toggle abstract · pdf

  We study Hopfield networks with non-reciprocal coupling inducing switches between memory patterns. Dynamical phase transitions occur between phases of no memory retrieval, retrieval of multiple point-attractors, and limit-cycles. The limit cycle phase is bounded by a Hopf bifurcation line and a fold bifurcation line. Autocorrelation scales as $\tilde{C}(\tau/N^\zeta)$, with $\zeta = 1/2$ on the Hopf line and $\zeta = 1/3$ on the fold line. Perturbations of strength $F$ on the Hopf line exhibit response times scaling as $|F|^{-2/3}$, while they induce switches in a controlled way within times scaling as $|F|^{-1/2}$ in the fold line. A Master Equation approach numerically verifies the critical behavior predicted analytically. We discuss how these networks could model biological processes near a critical threshold of cyclic instability evolving through multi-step transitions.

• Pion electronic decay and lepton universality

  D. Počanić

  SciPost Phys. Proc. 5, 025 (2021) · published 6 September 2021 | Toggle abstract · pdf

  In common with a number of simple processes involving elementary particles, charged pion decays are profoundly shaped by applicable Standard Model (SM) symmetries and properties. Given the highly precise SM theoretical description, pion decays are used as selective probes of SM parameters, and of possible SM extensions. The PEN experiment at PSI is studying the π + → e + ν e (γ), or π_ e2(γ) decay. The primary goal is to reach the relative precision of 5 × 10 ^{−4} in Re/μ^π, the branching ratio for π_ e2(γ) decay. We review the PEN research program, its present status, and prospects.

• NLO finite system size corrections to $2\to2$ scattering in $\phi^4$ theory using newly derived sum of sinc functions

  Jean F. Du Plessis, William A. Horowitz

  SciPost Phys. Proc. 15, 002 (2024) · published 2 April 2024 | Toggle abstract · pdf

  Previously an equation of state for the relativistic hydrodynamics encountered in heavy-ion collisions at the LHC and RHIC has been calculated using lattice gauge theory methods. This leads to a prediction of very low viscosity, due to the calculated trace anomaly. Finite system corrections to this trace anomaly could challenge this calculation, since the lattice calculation was done in an effectively infinite system. In order to verify this trace anomaly it is sensible to add phenomenologically relevant finite system corrections. We investigate massive $\phi^4$ theory with periodic boundary conditions on $n$ of the 3 spatial dimensions. $2\to2$ NLO scattering is then computed. Using a newly derived formula for an arbitrary dimensional sum of sinc functions, we show that the NLO finite size corrections preserve unitarity.

• Energy-saving fast-forward scaling

  Takuya Hatomura

  SciPost Phys. Core 8, 019 (2025) · published 11 February 2025 | Toggle abstract · pdf

  We propose energy-saving fast-forward scaling. Fast-forward scaling is a method which enables us to speed up (or slow down) given dynamics in a certain measurement basis. We introduce energy costs of fast-forward scaling, and find possibility of energy-saving speedup for time-independent measurement bases. As concrete examples, we show such energy-saving fast-forward scaling in a two-level system and quantum annealing of a general Ising spin glass. We also discuss the influence of a time-dependent measurement basis, and give a remedy for unwanted energy costs. The present results pave the way for realization of energy-efficient quantum technologies.

• Group theoretical derivation of consistent particle theories

  Giuseppe Nisticò

  SciPost Phys. Proc. 14, 040 (2023) · published 24 November 2023 | Toggle abstract · pdf

  Current quantum theories of an elementary free particle assume unitary space inversion and anti-unitary time reversal operators. In so doing robust classes of possible theories are discarded. The present work shows that consistent theories can be derived through a strictly deductive development from the principle of relativistic invariance and position covariance, also with anti-unitary space inversion and unitary time reversal operators. In doing so the class of possible consistent theories is extended for positive but also zero mass particles. In particular, consistent theories for a Klein-Gordon particle are derived and the non-localizability theorem for a non zero helicity massless particle is extended.

• Wigner function analysis of finite matter-radiation systems

  Eduardo Nahmad-Achar, Ramón López-Peña, Sergio Cordero, Octavio Castaños Garza

  SciPost Phys. Proc. 14, 039 (2023) · published 24 November 2023 | Toggle abstract · pdf

  We show that the behaviour in phase space of the Wigner function associated to the electromagnetic modes carries the information of both, the entanglement properties between matter and field, and the regions in parameter space where quantum phase transitions take place. A finer classification for the continuous phase transitions is obtained through the computation of the surface of minimum fidelity.

• First measurement of the forward rapidity gap distribution in pPb collisions at 8 TeV

  Dmitry E. Sosnov

  SciPost Phys. Proc. 8, 065 (2022) · published 12 July 2022 | Toggle abstract · pdf

  We present the forward rapidity gap spectra from proton-lead collisions for both I\!P-Pb and I\!P-p topologies measured at the CMS at a center-of-mass energy of 8.16 TeV. For the I\!P-Pb topology, the cross-section predicted by EPOS-LHC is a factor of two lower than the data while has reasonable description of the spectrum shape. For the I\!P-p topology, the EPOS-LHC, QGSJET~II and HIJING predictions are significantly lower than the data, what can be explained by a contribution of ultra-peripheral photoproduction events. The obtained data may be of significant input for understanding the high energy limit of QCD and modeling cosmic ray air showers.