We present searches for light dark matter (DM) with masses 3-9 GeV/$c^2$ in the presence of coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CE$ν$NS) from $^{8}$B solar neutrinos with the LUX-ZEPLIN experiment. This analysis uses a 5.7 tonne-year exposure with data collected between March 2023 and April 2025. In an energy range spanning 1-6 keV, we report no significant excess of events attributable to dark matter nuclear recoils, but we observe a significant signal from $^{8}$B CE$ν$NS interactions that is consistent with expectation. We set world-leading limits on spin-independent and spin-dependent-neutron DM-nucleon interactions for masses down to 5 GeV/$c^2$. In the no-dark-matter scenario, we observe a signal consistent with $^{8}$B CE$ν$NS events, corresponding to a $4.5σ$ statistical significance. This is the most significant evidence of $^{8}$B CE$ν$NS interactions and is enabled by robust background modeling and mitigation techniques. This demonstrates LZ's ability to detect rare signals at keV-scale energies.
90% CL WIMP SI cross sections, including sensitivities
90% CL WIMP SDn cross sections, including sensitivities and nuclear structure uncertainties
90% CL WIMP SDp cross sections, including sensitivities and nuclear structure uncertainties
In this letter, the first measurement of the femtoscopic correlation of protons and $Σ^+$ hyperons is presented and used to study the p$-Σ^+$ interaction. The measurement is performed with the ALICE detector in high-multiplicity triggered pp collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 13$ TeV. The $Σ^+$ hyperons are reconstructed using a missing-mass approach in the decay channel to $\textrm{p} + π^0$ with $π^0\rightarrowγγ$, while both $Σ^+$ and protons are identified using a machine learning approach. These techniques result in a high reconstruction efficiency and purity, which allows the measurement of the p$-Σ^+$ correlation function for the first time. Thanks to the high significance achieved in the p$-Σ^+$ correlation signal, it is possible to discriminate between the predictions of different models of the N$-Σ$ interaction and to accomplish a first determination of the p$-Σ^+$ scattering parameters.
Raw correlation function $C(k^{*})$ of $\textrm{p}-\Sigma^+$ and $\bar{\textrm{p}}-\bar{\Sigma}^-$ in high-multiplicity triggered pp collisions at $\sqrt{{s}}=13$ TeV. The data points are shifted to the center of gravity of the mixed-event distribution.
Corrected (genuine) correlation function $C(k^{*})$ of $\textrm{p}-\Sigma^+$ and $\bar{\textrm{p}}-\bar{\Sigma}^-$ in high-multiplicity triggered pp collisions at $\sqrt{{s}}=13$ TeV. The data points are corrected by the genuine $\lambda$ parameter, assuming that the non-genuine correlation function is unity (flat). No momentum unfolding is applied to the data points. The data points are shifted to the center of gravity of the mixed-event distribution.
Meson-baryon systems with strangeness content provide a unique laboratory for investigating the strong interaction and testing theoretical models of hadron structure and dynamics. In this work, the measured correlation functions for oppositely charged $Ξ-{\rm K}$ and $Ξ-π$ pairs obtained in high-multiplicity pp collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 13$ TeV at the LHC are presented. For the first time, high-precision data on the $Ξ-{\rm K}$ interaction are delivered at small relative momenta. The scattering lengths, extracted via the Lednický-Lyuboshits expression of the pair wavefunction, indicate a repulsive and a shallow attractive strong interaction for the $Ξ-{\rm K}$ and $Ξ-π$ systems, respectively. The $Ξ(1620)$ and $Ξ(1690)$ states are observed in the $Ξ-π$ correlation function and their properties, mass and width, are determined. These measurements are in agreement with other available results. Such high-precision data can help refine the understanding of these resonant states, provide stronger constraints for chirally motivated potentials, and address the key challenge of describing the coupled-channel dynamics that may give rise to molecular configurations.
The $\Xi$K correlation function.
The genuine $\Xi$K correlation function.
The $\Xi\pi$ correlation function.
The measurement of $\Sigma^{+}$ production in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 13$ TeV is presented. The measurement is performed at midrapidity in both minimum-bias and high-multiplicity pp collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 13$ TeV. The $\Sigma^{+}$ is reconstructed via its weak-decay topology in the decay channel $\Sigma^{+} \rightarrow {p} + \pi^{0}$ with $\pi^{0} \rightarrow \gamma + \gamma$. In a novel approach, the neutral pion is reconstructed by combining photons that convert in the detector material with photons measured in the calorimeters. The transverse-momentum ($p_{T}$) distributions of the $\Sigma^{+}$ and its rapidity densities d$N/$dy in both event classes are reported. The $p_{T}$ spectrum in minimum-bias collisions is compared to QCD-inspired event generators. The ratio of $\Sigma^{+}$ to previously measured $\Lambda$ baryons is in good agreement with calculations from the Statistical Hadronization Model. The high efficiency and purity of the novel reconstruction method for $\Sigma^{+}$ presented here will enable future studies of the interaction of $\Sigma^{+}$ with protons in the context of femtoscopic measurements, which could be crucial for understanding the equation of state of neutron stars.
$p_\mathrm{T}$-differential production yield of $\Sigma^+$ and $\bar{\Sigma}^-$ baryons in the high-multiplicity triggered pp collisions at $\sqrt{{s}}=13~\mathrm{{TeV}}$ in the rapidity interval $|y|<0.8$.
$p_\mathrm{T}$-differential production yield of $\Sigma^+$ and $\bar{\Sigma}^-$ baryons in the minimum-bias triggered pp collisions at $\sqrt{{s}}=13~\mathrm{{TeV}}$ in the rapidity interval $|y|<0.8$.
The first measurement at midrapidity ($|y| < 0.5$) of the production yield of the strange-charm baryons $Ξ_c^+$ and $Ξ_c^0$ as a function of transverse momentum ($p_{\rm T}$) in different charged-particle multiplicity classes in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 13$ TeV with the ALICE experiment at the LHC is reported. The $Ξ_c^+$ baryon is reconstructed via the $Ξ_c^+ \rightarrow Ξ^-π^+π^+$ decay channel in the range $4 < p_{\rm T} < 12$ GeV/$c$, while the $Ξ_c^0$ baryon is reconstructed via both the $Ξ_c^0 \rightarrow Ξ^-π^+$ and $Ξ_c^0 \rightarrow Ξ^-e^+ν_e$ decay channels in the range $2 < p_{\rm T} < 12$ GeV/$c$. The baryon-to-meson ($Ξ_c^{0,+}/{\rm D}^0$) and the baryon-to-baryon ($Ξ_c^{0,+}/Λ_{\rm c}^+$) production yield ratios show no significant dependence on multiplicity. In addition, the observed yield ratios are not described by theoretical predictions that model charm-quark fragmentation based on measurements at $e^+e^-$ and $e^-$p colliders, indicating differences in the charm-baryon production mechanism in pp collisions. A comparison with different event generators and tunings, including different modelling of the hadronisation process, is also discussed. Moreover, the branching-fraction ratio of BR($Ξ_c^0 \rightarrow Ξ^-e^+ν_e$)/BR($Ξ_c^0 \rightarrow Ξ^-π^+$) is measured as 0.825 $\pm$ 0.094 (stat.) $\pm$ 0.081 (syst.). This value supersedes the previous ALICE measurement, improving the statistical precision by a factor of 1.6.
$p_{\rm T}$-differential per-event yield of prompt $\Xi_c^0$ baryons measured in the different multiplicity classes.
$p_{\rm T}$-differential per-event yield of prompt $\Xi_c^+$ baryons measured in the different multiplicity classes.
Ratio between the prompt $\Xi_c^0$ baryons in a multiplicity class to the multiplicity-integrated (INEL $>$ 0) class.
The dependence of f$_0$(980) production on the final-state charged-particle multiplicity is reported for proton-proton (pp) collisions at the centre-of-mass energy, $\sqrt{s}= 13$ TeV. The production of f$_0$(980) is measured with the ALICE detector via the f$_0(980) \rightarrow π^{+}π^{-}$ decay channel in a midrapidity region of $|y| < 0.5$. The evolution of the integrated yields and mean transverse momentum of f$_{0}$(980) as a function of charged-particle multiplicity measured in pp at $\sqrt{s} = 13$ TeV follows the trends observed in pp at $\sqrt{s} = 5.02$ TeV and in proton-lead (p-Pb) collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm{NN}}} = 5.02$ TeV. Particle yield ratios of f$_{0}$(980) to $π^{\pm}$ and K$^{*}$(892)$^{0}$ are found to decrease with increasing charged-particle multiplicity. These particle ratios are compared with calculations from the canonical statistical thermal model as a function of charged-particle multiplicity. The thermal model calculations provide a better description of the decreasing trend of particle ratios when no strange or antistrange quark composition for f$_{0}$(980) is assumed, which suggests that the tetraquark interpretation of the f$_{0}$(980) is disfavored.
Transverse momentum spectra in different multiplicity classes. Each spectrum is corrected for the branching ratio of (46 $\pm$ 6)% based on [Phys. Rev. Lett. 111 no. 6, (2013) 062001].
The ratio of transverse momentum spectrum to the INEL > 0 spectrum
Transverse momentum integrated f0(980) yield in pp collisions
The transverse momentum spectra and integrated yields of $\overlineΣ^{\pm}$ have been measured in pp and p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}} = 5.02$ TeV with the ALICE experiment. Measurements are performed via the newly accessed decay channel $\overlineΣ^{\pm} \rightarrow {\rm\overline{n}}π^{\pm}$. A new method of antineutron reconstruction with the PHOS electromagnetic spectrometer is developed and applied to this analysis. The $p_{\rm T}$ spectra of $\overlineΣ^{\pm}$ are measured in the range $0.5 < p_{\rm T} < 3$ GeV/$c$ and compared to predictions of the PYTHIA 8, DPMJET, PHOJET, EPOS LHC and EPOS4 models. The EPOS LHC and EPOS4 models provide the best descriptions of the measured spectra both in pp and p-Pb collisions, while models which do not account for multiparton interactions provide a considerably worse description at high $p_{\rm T}$. The total yields of $\overlineΣ^{\pm}$ in both pp and p-Pb collisions are compared to predictions of the Thermal-FIST model and dynamical models PYTHIA 8, DPMJET, PHOJET, EPOS LHC and EPOS4. All models reproduce the total yields in both colliding systems within uncertainties. The nuclear modification factors $R_{\rm pPb}$ for both $\overlineΣ^{+}$ and $\overlineΣ^{-}$ are evaluated and compared to those of protons, $Λ$ and $Ξ$ hyperons, and predictions of EPOS LHC and EPOS4 models. No deviations of $R_{\rm pPb}$ for $\overlineΣ^{\pm}$ from the model predictions or measurements for other hadrons are found within uncertainties.
$p_\mathrm{{T}}$-differential production yield of $\overline{\Sigma}^{+}$ in INEL pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}=5.02~\mathrm{{TeV}}$ in the rapidity interval $|y|<0.5$.
$p_\mathrm{{T}}$-differential production yield of $\overline{\Sigma}^{-}$ in INEL pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}=5.02~\mathrm{{TeV}}$ in the rapidity interval $|y|<0.5$.
$p_\mathrm{{T}}$-differential production yield of $\overline{\Sigma}^{+}$ in NSD p-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}}=5.02~\mathrm{{TeV}}$ in the rapidity interval $|y_\mathrm{CMS}|<0.5$.
We present the first measurements of the forward and midrapidity $η$-meson cross sections from $p$$+$$p$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}=500$ and $510$~GeV, respectively. We also report the midrapidity $η/π^0$ ratio at 510 GeV. The forward cross section is measured differentially in $η$-meson transverse momentum ($p_T$) from 1.0 to 6.5~GeV/$c$ for pseudorapidity $3.0<|η|<3.8$. The midrapidity cross section is measured from 3.5 to 44 GeV/$c$ for pseudorapidity $|η|<0.35$. Both cross sections serve as critical inputs to an updated global analysis of the $η$-meson fragmentation functions.
The invariant differential cross section of $\eta$ mesons at forward rapidity in pp collisions at center-of-mass energy 500 GeV.
The invariant differential cross section of $\eta$ mesons at central rapidity in pp collisions at center-of-mass energy 510 GeV.
The ratio of $\eta$ to $\pi^0$ cross sections at central rapidity in pp collisions at center-of-mass energy 510 GeV.
The PHENIX experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider has measured low-mass vector-meson ($ω+ρ$ and $ϕ$) production through the dimuon decay channel at forward rapidity $(1.2<|\mbox{y}|<2.2)$ in $p$$+$$p$ and Au$+$Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}}=200$~GeV. The low-mass vector-meson yield and nuclear-modification factor were measured as a function of the average number of participating nucleons, $\langle N_{\rm part}\rangle$, and the transverse momentum $p_T$. These results were compared with those obtained via the kaon decay channel in a similar $p_T$ range at midrapidity. The nuclear-modification factors in both rapidity regions are consistent within the uncertainties. A comparison of the $ω+ρ$ and $J/ψ$ mesons reveals that the light and heavy flavors are consistently suppressed across both $p_T$ and ${\langle}N_{\rm part}\rangle$. In contrast, the $ϕ$ meson displays a nuclear-modification factor consistent with unity, suggesting strangeness enhancement in the medium formed.
The differential cross sections of $\omega+\rho$ mesons as a function of $p_T$ in $p+p$ collisions. The systematic uncertainties of type-A (uncorrelated) are combined with statistical uncertainties in quadrature and are labeled as stat. Type-B (correlated) systematic uncertainties are listed as sys.
The differential cross sections of $\phi$ meson as a function of $p_T$ in $p+p$ collisions. The systematic uncertainties of type-A (uncorrelated) are combined with statistical uncertainties in quadrature and are labeled as stat. Type-B (correlated) systematic uncertainties are listed as sys.
The invariant yields of $\phi$ and $\omega+\rho$ mesons as a function of $p_T$ in Au+Au collisions. The systematic uncertainties of type-A (uncorrelated) are combined with statistical uncertainties in quadrature and are labeled as stat. Type-B (correlated) systematic uncertainties are listed as sys.
The jet cross-section and jet-substructure observables in $p$$+$$p$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}=200$ GeV were measured by the PHENIX Collaboration at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). Jets are reconstructed from charged-particle tracks and electromagnetic-calorimeter clusters using the anti-$k_{t}$ algorithm with a jet radius $R=0.3$ for jets with transverse momentum within $8.0<p_T<40.0$ GeV/$c$ and pseudorapidity $|η|<0.15$. Measurements include the jet cross section, as well as distributions of SoftDrop-groomed momentum fraction ($z_g$), charged-particle transverse momentum with respect to jet axis ($j_T$), and radial distributions of charged particles within jets ($r$). Also meaureed was the distribution of $ξ=-ln(z)$, where $z$ is the fraction of the jet momentum carried by the charged particle. The measurements are compared to theoretical next-to and next-to-next-to-leading-order calculatios, PYTHIA event generator, and to other existing experimental results. Indicated from these meaurements is a lower particle multiplicity in jets at RHIC energies when compared to models. Also noted are implications for future jet measurements with sPHENIX at RHIC as well as at the future Electron-Ion Collider.
The jet differential cross section as a function of jet $p_T$. Statistical uncertainties are typically smaller than the data points while systematic uncertainties are shown with boxes. An overall normalization systematic of 7% is not included in the point-by-point systematic uncertainties.
Distribution of the SoftDrop groomed momentum fraction $z_g$ for different jet $p_T$ bins. Standard SoftDrop parameters were used ($z_{cut}<0.1$ and $\beta=0$).
$\xi$ distributions for different jet $p_T$ bins.
Forum