401 Search Results

The National Spherical Torus Experiment Upgrade (NSTX-U) is preparing to resume operation, representing a crucial step toward realizing compact, cost-effective fusion pilot plants. In advance of this, extensive modeling and data analysis have been conducted to advance the physics basis for low-aspect-ratio, high-performance plasma regimes, focusing on three core objectives: confinement and stability, power and particle handling, and steady-state operation. Significant progress has been made in understanding the electron temperature flattening in high-β plasmas, which is shown to be driven by a complex interplay of magnetohydrodynamic instabilities (e.g. non-resonant infernal modes), fast-ion-driven Alfvén eigenmodes, and electron and ion-scale micro-instabilities, particularlymore » Kinetic Ballooning Modes (KBMs), whose destabilization is strongly dependent on parallel magnetic field fluctuations (δB_∥). Furthermore, a new gyrokinetic critical pedestal model was developed, accurately predicting pedestal structure by identifying KBMs as the primary stability limit, offering a critical constraint for future high-confinement scenarios. To address the challenge of high heat flux, novel liquid lithium plasma-facing components were modeled. The analysis confirmed that lithium vapor shielding is a self-regulating mechanism for heat mitigation, while also emphasizing that strong main ion parallel flow is essential to minimize core lithium contamination. Finally, progress toward steady-state operation was anchored by developing the required physics basis and control tools. This includes predictive modeling for reversed magnetic shear sustainment, demonstrating that magnetic island-induced bootstrap current reduction is negligible in STs, and advancing real-time control and disruption avoidance capabilities. The development of high-speed surrogate models (e.g. MMMNet) provides computationally efficient tools vital for non-inductive scenario optimization and integrated, low-disruptivity operations planned for NSTX-U.« less

A sample of 𝑝⁢𝑝 collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.4 fb⁻¹ and collected by the LHCb experiment during LHC Run 2, is used to measure the ratio of the lifetime of the $$Ξ^0_b$$ baryon to that of the $$Λ^0_b$$ baryon, 𝑟_𝜏 $$≡$$ $$𝜏_{Ξ^0_b}$$$$/𝜏_{Λ^0_b}$$. The value 𝑟$$^{\textrm{Run 2}}_𝜏$$ =1.004 ± 0.009 ± 0.006 is obtained, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. This value is averaged with the corresponding value from Run 1 to obtain 𝑟_𝜏 =1.004 ± 0.008 ± 0.005. Multiplying by the known value of the $$Λ^0_b$$ lifetime yields $$𝜏_{Ξ^0_b}$$ = 1.475 ±more » 0.012 ± 0.008 ± 0.009 ps, where the last uncertainty is due to the limited knowledge of the $$Λ^0_b$$ lifetime. This measurement improves the precision of the current world average of the $$Ξ^0_b$$ lifetime by about a factor of two, and is in good agreement with the most recent theoretical predictions.« less

The field reversed configuration (FRC) has been a curious case in plasma physics research in that early MHD analysis suggested FRCs should be grossly unstable, while experimental results contradicted that prediction. Later, this theory was able to resolve this contradiction by understanding that finite Larmor radius effects largely negated the MHD predictions. Similarly, previous theoretical studies of beam driven FRCs predicted that such system would be unstable to beam driven modes while, again, experimental results indicated the contradiction. In this paper, we reconcile the theoretical understanding of beam driven modes with experimental observations of stability in these systems. By self-consistentlymore » capturing fast ion generation from neutral beam injection and its impact on the plasma equilibrium, we show that low amplitude perturbations in the magnetic field, driven by betatron particles, modify the precession frequencies of the betatron particles such that the drive for compressional Alfvén waves in the thermal plasma is reduced. Finally, we are able to demonstrate, for the first time, stable beam driven FRC evolution at high S*/E in 3D kinetic simulations.« less

Nuclear fusion could offer clean, abundant energy. However, managing the power exhausted from the core fusion plasma towards the reactor wall remains a major challenge. This is compounded in emerging compact reactor designs promising more cost-effective pathways towards commercial fusion energy. Alternative Divertor Configurations (ADCs) are a potential solution. In this work, we demonstrate exhaust control in ADCs, employing a novel method to diagnose the neutral gas buffer, which shields the target. Our work on the Mega Ampere Spherical Tokamak Upgrade shows that ADCs tackle key risks and uncertainties for fusion energy. Their highly reduced sensitivity to perturbations enables activemore » exhaust control in otherwise unfeasible situations and facilitates an increased passive absorption of transients, which would otherwise damage the divertor. We observe a strong decoupling of each divertor from other reactor regions, enabling near-independent control of the divertors and core plasma. Our work showcases the real-world benefits of ADCs for effective heat load management in fusion power reactors.« less

Exhausting power from the hot fusion core to the plasma-facing components is one fusion energy’s biggest challenges. The MAST Upgrade tokamak uniquely integrates strong containment of neutrals within the exhaust area (divertor) with extreme divertor shaping capability. By systematically altering the divertor shape, this study shows the strongest evidence to date to our knowledge that long-legged divertors with a high magnetic field gradient (total flux expansion) deliver key power exhaust benefits without adversely impacting the hot fusion core. These benefits are already achieved with relatively modest geometry adjustments that are more feasible to integrate in reactor designs. Benefits include reducedmore » target heat loads and improved access to, and stability of, a neutral gas buffer that ‘shields’ the target and enhances power exhaust (detachment). Analysis and model comparisons shows these benefits are obtained by combining multiple shaping aspects: long-legged divertors have expanded plasma-neutral interaction volume that drive reductions in particle and power loads, while total flux expansion enhances detachment access and stability. Containing the neutrals in the exhaust area with physical structures further augments these shaping benefits. These results demonstrate strategic variation in the divertor geometry and magnetic topology is a potential solution to one of fusion’s power exhaust challenge.« less

A study is presented of $B^{+}\to K_{\mathrm{S}}^0{K}^{-}{\pi }^{+}{K}^{+}$ and $B^{+}\to K_{\mathrm{S}}^0{K}^{+}{\pi }^{-}{K}^{+}$ decays based on the analysis of proton-proton collision data collected with the LHCb detector at center-of-mass energies of 7, 8 and 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $9{\mathrm{fb}}^{-1}$ . The ${more »}_{}^{}$ K S 0 K π invariant-mass distributions of both $B^{+}$ decay modes show, in the $m\left(K_{\mathrm{S}}^{0}K\pi \right)<1.85\mathrm{GeV}$ mass region, large activity which is resolved using an amplitude analysis. A simple model, where $J^{PC}$ amplitudes are described by multiple Breit-Wigner functions with appropriate angular distributions, provides a good description of the experimental data. In this approach a complex mixture of $J^{PC}=0^{-+}$ , $1^{++}$ and $1^{+-}$ amplitudes is observed that is dominated by $\eta \left(1405\right)$ , $\eta \left(1470\right)$ , $\eta \left(1760\right)$ , $f_1\left(1285\right)$ , $f_1\left(1420\right)$ and $h_1\left(1405\right)$ resonances. The $K_{\mathrm{S}}^{0}K\pi$ Dalitz plots are dominated by asymmetric crossing $K^{*}\overline{K}$ bands which are different for the two $B^{+}$ decay modes. This is due to a different interference pattern between the $1^{++}$ and $1^{+-}$ amplitudes in the two channels. Branching fractions are measured for each resonant contribution. © 2025 CERN, for the LHCb Collaboration 2025 CERN« less

The branching fraction of the decay $B^{+}\to \psi \left(2S\right)\varphi \left(1020\right)K^{+}$ , relative to the topologically similar decay $B^{+}\to J/\psi \varphi \left(1020\right)K^{+}$ , is measured using proton-proton collision data collected by the LHCb experiment at center-of-mass energies of 7, 8, and 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $9{\mathrm{fb}}^{-1}$ . The ratio is found to be $0.061\pm 0.004more »$ ± 0.009 , where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. Using the world-average branching fraction for $B^{+}\to J/\psi \varphi \left(1020\right)K^{+}$ , the branching fraction for the decay $B^{+}\to \psi \left(2S\right)\varphi \left(1020\right)K^{+}$ is found to be $(3.0\pm 0.2\pm 0.5\pm 0.2)\times {10}^{-6}$ , where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second systematic, and the third is due to the branching fraction of the normalization channel. © 2025 CERN, for the LHCb Collaboration 2025 CERN« less

The first measurement of the $CP$ asymmetry of the decay rate ( $A_{CP}$ ) and the $CP$ average ( $\mathrm{\Sigma }{A}_{\mathrm{FB}}$ ) and $CP$ asymmetry ( $\mathrm{\Delta }{A}_{\mathrm{FB}}$ ) of the forward-backward asymmetry in the muon system of ${\mathrm{\Lambda }}_c^{+}\to p{\mu }^{+}{\mu }^{-}$ decays is reported. The measurement is performed using a data sample of proton-proton collisions, recordedmore » by the LHCb experiment from 2016 to 2018 at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, which corresponds to an integrated luminosity of $5.4{\mathrm{fb}}^{-1}$ . The asymmetries are measured in two regions of dimuon mass near the  $\varphi$ -meson mass peak. The dimuon-mass integrated results are $A_{CP}=(-1.1\pm 4.0\pm 0.5)\%$ , $\mathrm{\Sigma }{A}_{\mathrm{FB}}=(3.9\pm 4.0\pm 0.6)\%$ , $\mathrm{\Delta }{A}_{\mathrm{FB}}=(3.1\pm 4.0\pm 0.4)\%$ , where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. The results are consistent with the conservation of $CP$ symmetry and the Standard Model expectations. © 2025 CERN, for the LHCb Collaboration 2025 CERN« less

The first test of lepton flavor universality between muons and electrons using $B^{+}\to K^{+}{\pi }^{+}{\pi }^{-}{\ell }^{+}{\ell }^{-}$ ( $\ell =e$ , $\mu$ ) decays is presented. The measurement is performed with data from proton-proton collisions collected by the LHCb experiment at center-of-mass energies of 7,more » 8, and 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $9{\mathrm{fb}}^{-1}$ . The ratio of branching fractions between $B^{+}\to K^{+}{\pi }^{+}{\pi }^{-}{e}^{+}{e}^{-}$ and $B^{+}\to K^{+}{\pi }^{+}{\pi }^{-}{\mu }^{+}{\mu }^{-}$ decays is measured in the dilepton invariant-mass-squared range $1.1<q^2<7.0{\mathrm{GeV}}^2/c^4$ and is found to be $R_{K\pi \pi }^{-1}=1.31_{-0.17}^{+0.18}\left(\mathrm{stat}){}_{-0.09}^{+0.12}\right(\mathrm{syst})$ , in agreement with the standard model prediction. The first observation of the $B^{+}\to K^{+}{\pi }^{+}{\pi }^{-}{e}^{+}{e}^{-}$ decay is also reported. © 2025 CERN, for the LHCb Collaboration 2025 CERN« less

A search for $CP$ violation in ${\mathrm{\Lambda }}_b^0\to p{K}^{-}$ and ${\mathrm{\Lambda }}_b^0\to p{\pi }^{-}$ decays is presented using the full Run 1 and Run 2 data samples of $pp$ collisions collected with the LHCb detector, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $9{\mathrm{fb}}^{-1}$ at center-of-mass energies of 7, 8, and 13 TeV. For the Run 2 data sample, the $CP$ -violatingmore » asymmetries are measured to be $A_{CP}^{p{K}^{-}}=(-1.4\pm 0.7\pm 0.4)\%$ and $A_{CP}^{p{\pi }^{-}}=(0.4\pm 0.9\pm 0.4)\%$ , where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. Following significant improvements in the evaluation of systematic uncertainties compared to the previous LHCb measurement, the Run 1 dataset is reanalyzed to update the corresponding results. When combining the Run 2 and updated Run 1 measurements, the final results are found to be $A_{CP}^{p{K}^{-}}=(-1.1\pm 0.7\pm 0.4)\%$ and $A_{CP}^{p{\pi }^{-}}=(0.2\pm 0.8\pm 0.4)\%$ , constituting the most precise measurements of these asymmetries to date. © 2025 CERN, for the LHCb Collaboration 2025 CERN« less