We track the chain of dualities relating five-brane webs in Type IIB to M-theory on noncompact Calabi-Yau threefolds, and follow the effect of adding ($\textit{p}$, $\textit{q}$) seven-branes. T-dualizing along the seven-brane, a junction of D5-branes ending on a D7-brane becomes a single smooth D6-brane wrapping a smooth holomorphic curve, which uplifts directly to an M-theory geometry. Treating the branes as coherent sheaves (tachyon condensation), we obtain a spectral-curve dictionary that maps non-Abelian (T-brane) partition data to explicit complex-structure deformations of the threefold. As applications we (i) give a physical derivation of these deformations, (ii) exhibit a simple geometric prototype of an s-rule violation, and (iii) link T-brane data to geometry.

Belgium

Andrés Collinucci

M-theory geometries from five-brane webs, seven-branes, and T-branes

We examine whether nonlinear matter dependence in <math altimg='si24.svg'><mrow><mi>f</mi><mo>(</mo><mrow><mi>Q</mi><mo>,</mo><msub><mi>L</mi><mi>m</mi></msub></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></math>gravity can account for the observed late-time acceleration of the Universe. For this purpose, we consider <math altimg='si25.svg'><mrow><mi>f</mi><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><mi>Q</mi><mo>,</mo><msub><mi>L</mi><mi>m</mi></msub></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow><mo linebreak='goodbreak'>=</mo><mi>a</mi><mi>Q</mi><mo linebreak='goodbreak'>+</mo><mn>2</mn><msubsup><mi>L</mi><mi>m</mi><mi>n</mi></msubsup><mo linebreak='goodbreak'>+</mo><mi>b</mi></mrow></math> and reconstruct the expansion history using <math altimg='si26.svg'><mrow><mi>H</mi><mrow><mo>(</mo><mi>z</mi><mo>)</mo></mrow><mo linebreak='goodbreak'>=</mo><msub><mi>H</mi><mn>0</mn></msub><mtext>exp</mtext><mi>&#8289;</mi><mrow><mo>(</mo><mrow><mi>&#945;</mi><mi>z</mi><mo linebreak='badbreak'>+</mo><mi>&#946;</mi><msup><mrow><mi>z</mi></mrow><mn>2</mn></msup></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow></math>. The parameters of the Hubble parametrization are constrained through Bayesian analysis using the joint Cosmic Chronometer and DESI BAO datasets. The reconstructed evolution is consistent with the observational measurements and describes a smooth transition from past deceleration to the present accelerated phase. The model produces positive energy density and negative pressure at late times, leading to a quintessence-like cosmic evolution without entering the phantom regime. Its dynamical behaviour also provides testable departures from the spatially flat <math altimg='si12.svg'><mstyle mathvariant='normal'><mi>&#923;</mi></mstyle></math>CDM expansion history. These findings support nonlinear <math altimg='si24.svg'><mrow><mi>f</mi><mo>(</mo><mrow><mi>Q</mi><mo>,</mo><msub><mi>L</mi><mi>m</mi></msub></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></math> gravity as a viable framework for describing late-time cosmic acceleration.

India

S.N. Bayaskar

A.D. Vishwakarma

S.A.A. Qadeer

Azerbaijan

J. Praveen

S.C. Darunde

Dark energy in non-linear <math altimg='si23.svg'><mrow><mi>f</mi><mo>(</mo><mrow><mi>Q</mi><mo>,</mo><msub><mi>L</mi><mi>m</mi></msub></mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></math> gravity with exponential parametrization of Hubble parameter

In this work we explore the non-singular bouncing scenarios in the framework of <math altimg='si9.svg'><mrow><mi>f</mi><mo>(</mo><mi>Q</mi><mo>,</mo><msub><mi mathvariant='script'>L</mi><mi>m</mi></msub><mo>)</mo></mrow></math> gravity, where the gravitational action depends on the non-metricity scalar ( <italic>Q</italic>) and matter Lagrangian density <math altimg='si10.svg'><mrow><mo>(</mo><msub><mi mathvariant='script'>L</mi><mi>m</mi></msub><mo>)</mo></mrow></math>. Using the functional form <math altimg='si11.svg'><mrow><mi>f</mi><mrow><mo>(</mo><mi>Q</mi><mo>,</mo><msub><mi mathvariant='script'>L</mi><mi>m</mi></msub><mo>)</mo></mrow><mo linebreak='goodbreak'>=</mo><mo>&#8722;</mo><mi>&#945;</mi><mi>Q</mi><mo linebreak='goodbreak'>+</mo><mn>2</mn><msub><mi mathvariant='script'>L</mi><mi>m</mi></msub><mo linebreak='goodbreak'>+</mo><mi>&#946;</mi></mrow></math>, two different bouncing scenario models are analyzed in a homogeneous, isotropic and flat FLRW universe. The cosmological evolution is analyzed through the behavior of the Hubble parameter, deceleration parameter, energy density, pressure, and equation of state parameter. Both models exhibit a successful bounce characterized by a smooth transition from a contracting universe ( <italic>H</italic>&#8239;&lt;&#8239;0) to an expanding phase ( <italic>H</italic>&#8239;&gt;&#8239;0) without encountering any initial singularity <math altimg='si12.svg'><mrow><mo>(</mo><mi>H</mi><mo linebreak='goodbreak'>=</mo><mn>0</mn><mo>)</mo></mrow></math>. The EOS parameter exhibits phantom crossing behavior, while the energy conditions reveal NEC and SEC violation around the bounce, consistent with bouncing cosmology requirements. Stability analysis through metric perturbations and adiabatic index confirms stable late-time cosmic evolution. The study suggests that <math altimg='si9.svg'><mrow><mi>f</mi><mo>(</mo><mi>Q</mi><mo>,</mo><msub><mi mathvariant='script'>L</mi><mi>m</mi></msub><mo>)</mo></mrow></math> theory offers a promising geometrical background for understanding non-singular early universe dynamics and bouncing scenarios.

Vinod Kumar Bhardwaj

Saudi Arabia

Meraj Ali Khan

Shyam Das

Saibal Ray

Exploring the scenarios of non-singular bouncing cosmology in <math altimg='si9.svg'><mrow><mi>f</mi><mo>(</mo><mi>Q</mi><mo>,</mo><msub><mi mathvariant='script'>L</mi><mi>m</mi></msub><mo>)</mo></mrow></math> gravity

<p>For over 30 years, a <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mrow><mo>∼</mo><mn>20</mn><mo>%</mo></mrow></math> deficit, now exceeding <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mn>5</mn><mi>σ</mi></math>, has persisted between measured and predicted neutrino capture rates on <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mrow><mmultiscripts><mrow><mi>Ga</mi></mrow><mprescripts></mprescripts><none></none><mrow><mn>71</mn></mrow></mmultiscripts></mrow></math>, as observed in radioactive source experiments (namely GALLEX, SAGE, and more recently BEST) using <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mrow><mmultiscripts><mrow><mi>Cr</mi></mrow><mprescripts></mprescripts><none></none><mrow><mn>51</mn></mrow></mmultiscripts></mrow></math> and <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mrow><mmultiscripts><mrow><mi>Ar</mi></mrow><mprescripts></mprescripts><none></none><mrow><mn>37</mn></mrow></mmultiscripts></mrow></math>. This long-standing discrepancy, referred to as the gallium anomaly, has posed a significant challenge to our understanding of both experimental methods and theoretical predictions. In this Letter, we revisit the theoretical calculation of the neutrino capture cross section by moving beyond the standard treatment of the leptonic wave functions, revealing limitations in the commonly used factorization approach based on the detailed balance principle. Incorporating phenomenologically constrained Gamow-Teller transition densities, able to correctly reproduce the precisely measured half-life of <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mrow><mmultiscripts><mrow><mi>Ge</mi></mrow><mprescripts></mprescripts><none></none><mrow><mn>71</mn></mrow></mmultiscripts></mrow></math>, we find that the revised cross section can be significantly reduced, potentially resolving the gallium anomaly without invoking new physics.</p>

Italy

M. Cadeddu

N. Cargioli

F. Dordei

L. Ferro

C. Giunti

M. Pitzalis

Possible Solution to the Gallium Anomaly Moving beyond the Leptonic Wave-Function Factorization

Spurious-electron signals in dual-phase noble-liquid time projection chambers have been observed in both xenon and argon Time Projection Chambers (TPCs). This paper presents the first comprehensive study of spurious electrons in argon, using data collected by the DarkSide-50 experiment at the INFN Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso (LNGS). Understanding these events is a key factor in improving the sensitivity of low-mass dark matter searches exploiting ionization signals in dual-phase noble liquid TPCs. We find that a significant fraction of spurious-electron events, ranging from 30 to 70% across the experiment’s lifetime, are caused by electrons captured from impurities and later released with delay time constants on the orders of 5 ms and 50 ms. The rate of spurious-electron events is found to correlate with the operational condition of the purification system and the total event rate in the detector. Finally, we present evidence that multi-electron spurious electron events may originate from photo-ionization of the steel grid used to define the electric fields. These observations indicate the possibility of reduction of the background in future experiments and hint at possible spurious electron production mechanisms.

P. Agnes

Brazil

I. Albuquerque

United States

T. Alexander

A. Alton

M. Ave

H. Back

G. Batignani

E. Berzin

K. Biery

V. Bocci

W. Bonivento

B. Bottino

S. Bussino

M. Cadoni

F. Calaprice

A. Caminata

United Kingdom

M. Campos

N. Canci

M. Caravati

M. Cariello

M. Carlini

V. Cataudella

P. Cavalcante

S. Cavuoti

Russia

S. Chashin

A. Chepurnov

C. Cicalò

G. Covone

D. D’Angelo

S. Davini

A. Candia

S. Cecco

G. Filippis

G. Rosa

A. Derbin

A. Devoto

M. D’Incecco

C. Dionisi

M. Downing

D. D’Urso

M. Fairbairn

G. Fiorillo

France

D. Franco

F. Gabriele

C. Galbiati

C. Ghiano

C. Giganti

G. Giovanetti

A. Goretti

G. Cortona

A. Grobov

M. Gromov

China

M. Guam

M. Gulino

B. Hackett

K. Herner

T. Hessel

B. Hosseini

F. Hubaut

Poland

T. Hugues

E. Hungerford

A. Ianni

V. Ippolito

K. Keeter

C. Kendziora

M. Kimura

I. Kochanek

D. Korablev

G. Korga

A. Kubankin

M. Kuss

M. Kuźniak

M. La Commara

M. Lai

X. Li

M. Lissia

G. Longo

O. Lychagina

I. Machulin

L. Mapelli

S. Mari

J. Maricic

A. Messina

R. Milincic

J. Monroe

M. Morrocchi

V. Muratova

P. Musico

A. Nozdrina

A. Oleinik

F. Ortica

L. Pagani

M. Pallavicini

L. Pandola

E. Pantic

E. Paoloni

K. Pelczar

Characterization of spurious-electron signals in the double-phase argon TPC of the DarkSide-50 experiment

M-theory geometric engineering on manifolds of special holonomy yields a rich class of novel field theories. In this paper, we construct new 3d 𝒩 = 2 and 𝒩 = 4 gauge theories, realized as mass-deformations of theories with 16 supercharges, within this framework. These arise from non-compact 8d geometries given by fibrations of ℝ /Γ over Bieberbach 4-manifolds. The existence of consistent Spin(7)-structures on the 8d spaces requires the rotational holonomy of the Bieberbach spaces to act on the Sp(1)-structure of the fibers. Furthermore, we analyze Higgsing the 7d 𝒩 = 1 ADE gauge theories induced by the action of a permutation group on the centres of the corresponding ℝ /Γ spaces. We show that this operation admits a natural interpretation in terms of nilpotent, upper-triangular, Higgsing, although it breaks supersymmetry. Supersymmetry is restored by fibering the singular geometry over a compact internal space, whose structure group is chosen to coincide with the permutation group to implement the nilpotent Higgsing. We refer to such backgrounds as T-geometries, where “T” denotes the triangular nature of the nilpotent Higgsing. Within this framework, we investigate the nilpotent Higgsing of the 3d 𝒩 = 2 and 4d 𝒩 = 1 theories, where the rotational holonomy groups of the Bieberbach spaces realize the permutation groups. We demonstrate that the Higgs branch moduli are encoded by specific elements of the Slodowy slices associated with nilpotent elements. Moreover, we demonstrate that additional elements of the same slice give rise to non-chiral charged matter under the unbroken gauge algebra. We establish that both the Higgs branch moduli and the charged matter are massless and admit a natural interpretation as localized matter.

Marwan Najjar

M-theory and T-geometry: Higgs branch moduli and charged matter

We investigate DC transport in a top-down construction of thermal QGP-like theories using a holographic $$ \mathcal{M} $$ -theoretic background, incorporating quartic curvature corrections. The DC and Hall conductivities are computed from the Dirac-Born-Infeld (DBI) action of the corresponding type-IIA probe $\textit{D}$6 flavor branes via the reality condition method proposed in [1, 2]. We further analyze pair-production contributions in the presence and absence of an external magnetic field and work out regimes where thermal pair production dominates over charge carrier transport. These findings extend earlier AdS/CFT results to non-conformal, higher-derivative settings relevant to thermal QGP-like theories.

Shivam Kushwah

Charge transport in magnetized holographic $$ \mathcal{M} $$ -QGP

Currently, the kinetic mass is defined in terms of the pole mass and operators at order $$1/{m}_{Q}^{2}$$ , which are known to N LO accuracy in $\textit{α}$ . At the same time, the Heavy Quark Expansion (HQE) for inclusive semileptonic decays is known up to and including terms of order $$1/{m}_{Q}^{5}$$ . Therefore, it is desirable to extend the definition of the kinetic mass to higher orders in 1/$\textit{m}$ . The original kinetic mass is based on the hadron-mass formula in Heavy Quark Effective Theory (HQET). However, the HQE is formulated in terms of matrix elements defined in full QCD to avoid the appearance of non-local matrix elements. To match this, we develop a definition of the kinetic mass rooted in full QCD. Starting from the hadron-mass formula derived from the energy-momentum tensor of full QCD, we define a relation between a general mass and the pole mass. Using a simple cut-off scheme, we compute a generalized kinetic mass at one loop to all powers of 1/$\textit{m}$ , which reproduces the well-known results for the kinetic mass up to $$1/{m}_{Q}^{2}$$ . Our approach opens the road to a consistent use of the kinetic mass at higher-orders in the heavy quark expansion.

Germany

Thomas Mannel

Ilija Milutin

Netherlands

Rens Verkade

K. Keri Vos

Extending the kinetic mass to higher orders in 1$\textit{/m}$ $\textit{Q}$

We apply the localization method to the BFSS matrix model with a particular class of boundary conditions, that is related to a scattering problem of 11-dimensional M-theory. For the boundary condition that corresponds to the three-point amplitude of gravitons, we exactly compute the partition function of the model based on the localization method. We find that the result correctly reproduces the expected momentum dependence of the three point amplitude.

Japan

Yuhma Asano

Goro Ishiki

Yoshua Murayama

Localization of the BFSS matrix model and three-point amplitude in M-theory

<p>We report on the first search for nuclear ultraheavy dark matter (UHDM) in a dual-phase liquid argon time projection chamber using the DarkSide-50 experiment. Unlike conventional weakly interacting massive particles, a nuclear UHDM model may be composed of many dark nucleons and scatter numerous times while passing through the detector. Accounting for energy loss through the Earth’s overburden, we apply selection criteria optimized for multiscatter event topologies using the 532-day low-radiation campaign of the DarkSide-50 detector. Excluded limits on the UHDM-nucleon scattering cross section for dark nucleon masses of <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><msub><mi>m</mi><mi>χ</mi></msub><mo>=</mo><mn>10</mn><mo>,</mo><mn>50</mn><mo>,</mo><mn>100</mn><mo>,</mo><mn>500</mn><mtext> </mtext><mtext> </mtext><mrow><mrow><mi>GeV</mi><mo>/</mo></mrow><msup><mi mathvariant="normal">c</mi><mn>2</mn></msup></mrow></math> are presented.</p>

I.F. Albuquerque

A.K. Alton

H.O. Back

W.M. Bonivento

M.D. Campos

S. De Cecco

A.V. Derbin

G.K. Giovanetti

V. Goicoechea Casanueva

A.M. Goretti

G. Grilli di Cortona

B.R. Hackett

E.V. Hungerford

An. Ianni

C.L. Kendziora

JINR

J. Kumar

Canada

I.N. Machulin

L.P. Mapelli

S.M. Mari

V.N. Muratova

A.O. Nozdrina

N. Pelliccia

S. Piacentini

A. Pocar

M. Poehlmann

S. Pordes

S.S. Poudel

P. Pralavorio

D. Price

F. Ragusa

M. Razeti

A.L. Renshaw

M. Rescigno

First nuclear ultraheavy dark matter search in argon time projection chambers with the DarkSide-50 experiment