We studied the radiative muon decay $mu^+ to e^+ ubar{ u}gamma$ by using for the first time an almost fully polarized muon source. We identified a large sample (~13000) of these decays in a total sample of 1.8x10^14 positive muon decays collected in
the MEG experiment in the years 2009--2010 and measured the branching ratio B($mu^+ to e^+ ubar{ u}gamma$) = (6.03+-0.14(stat.)+-0.53(sys.))x10^-8 for E_e > 45 MeV and E_{gamma} > 40 MeV, consistent with the Standard Model prediction. The precise measurement of this decay mode provides a basic tool for the timing calibration, a normalization channel, and a strong quality check of the complete MEG experiment in the search for $mu^+ to e^+gamma$ process.
The MEG (Mu to Electron Gamma) experiment has been running at the Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI), Switzerland since 2008 to search for the decay meg by using one of the most intense continuous $mu^+$ beams in the world. This paper presents the MEG comp
onents: the positron spectrometer, including a thin target, a superconducting magnet, a set of drift chambers for measuring the muon decay vertex and the positron momentum, a timing counter for measuring the positron time, and a liquid xenon detector for measuring the photon energy, position and time. The trigger system, the read-out electronics and the data acquisition system are also presented in detail. The paper is completed with a description of the equipment and techniques developed for the calibration in time and energy and the simulation of the whole apparatus.
The analysis of a combined data set, totaling 3.6 times 10^14 stopped muons on target, in the search for the lepton flavour violating decay mu^+ -> e^+ gamma is presented. The data collected by the MEG experiment at the Paul Scherrer Institut show no
excess of events compared to background expectations and yield a new upper limit on the branching ratio of this decay of 5.7 times 10^-13 (90% confidence level). This represents a four times more stringent limit than the previous world best limit set by MEG.
We propose the continuation of the MEG experiment to search for the charged lepton flavour violating decay (cLFV) mu to e gamma, based on an upgrade of the experiment, which aims for a sensitivity enhancement of one order of magnitude compared to the
final MEG result, down to the $6 times 10^{-14}$ level. The key features of this new MEG upgrade are an increased rate capability of all detectors to enable running at the intensity frontier and improved energy, angular and timing resolutions, for both the positron and photon arms of the detector. On the positron-side a new low-mass, single volume, high granularity tracker is envisaged, in combination with a new highly segmented, fast timing counter array, to track positron from a thinner stopping target. The photon-arm, with the largest liquid xenon (LXe) detector in the world, totalling 900 l, will also be improved by increasing the granularity at the incident face, by replacing the current photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) with a larger number of smaller photosensors and optimizing the photosensor layout also on the lateral faces. A new DAQ scheme involving the implementation of a new combined readout board capable of integrating the diverse functions of digitization, trigger capability and splitter functionality into one condensed unit, is also under development. We describe here the status of the MEG experiment, the scientific merits of the upgrade and the experimental methods we plan to use.
The pressure dependence of the Curie temperature T$_{C}(P)$ in La$_{0.75}$Ca$_{0.25}$MnO$_{3}$ was determined by neutron diffraction up to 8 GPa, and compared with the metallization temperature T$_{IM}(P)$ cite{irprl}. The behavior of the two tempera
tures appears similar over the whole pressure range suggesting a key role of magnetic double exchange also in the pressure regime where the superexchange interaction is dominant. Coexistence of antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic peaks at high pressure and low temperature indicates a phase separated regime which is well reproduced with a dynamical mean-field calculation for a simplified model. A new P-T phase diagram has been proposed on the basis of the whole set of experimental data.
We present a new result based on an analysis of the data collected by the MEG detector at the Paul Scherrer Institut in 2009 and 2010, in search of the lepton flavour violating decay mu->e gamma. The likelihood analysis of the combined data sample, w
hich corresponds to a total of 1.8 x 10**14 muon decays, gives a 90% C.L. upper limit of 2.4 x 10**-12 on the branching ratio of the mu->e gamma decay, constituting the most stringent limit on the existence of this decay to date.
The pressure effects on the JT distortion of three representative compounds belonging to the LaMn_1-xGa_xO_3 (x= 0.2, 0.3, 0.4) family was widely investigated by means of X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. A compound with a fully JT distorted
structure (x=0.2), one with regular octahedra (x=0.6) and one in an intermediate configuration (x=0.3) were selected. A pressure induced transitions from the orthorhombic Pbnm phase towards structures with higher symmetry were observed in all the samples. Both Raman and X-ray data confirm that the most important structural effect of pressure is that of reducing the octahedral distortion. The appearance of a feature in the lattice parameter behavior connected to a structural instability was also detected, pointing out the key role of the JT distortion in stabilizing the manganite structures. On the other hand, the complete suppression of the JT distortion in the high-pressure phases cannot be claimed. The Raman spectra collected from more distorted compounds (x=0.2, 0.3) reveal clearly the coexistence of domains of distorted and more regular octahedra in a certain pressure range. The first sketch of the Pressure vs. Ga-content phase diagram was drawn.
We report on a Raman scattering investigation of the charge-density-wave (CDW), quasi two-dimensional rare-earth tri-tellurides $R$Te$_3$ ($R$= La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd and Dy) at ambient pressure, and of LaTe$_3$ and CeTe$_3$ under externally applied
pressure. The observed phonon peaks can be ascribed to the Raman active modes for both the undistorted as well as the distorted lattice in the CDW state by means of a first principles calculation. The latter also predicts the Kohn anomaly in the phonon dispersion, driving the CDW transition. The integrated intensity of the two most prominent modes scales as a characteristic power of the CDW-gap amplitude upon compressing the lattice, which provides clear evidence for the tight coupling between the CDW condensate and the vibrational modes.
