This paper analyses neutron multiplicity spectra from massive targets at depths of 3, 40, 210, 583, 1166, and 4000 m.w.e. The measurements, conducted between 2001 and 2024, utilised three experimental setups with either 14 or 60 He-3 neutron detectors and lead (Pb) targets weighing 306, 565, or 1134 kg. The total acquisition time exceeded six years. When available, the acquired spectra were compared with Monte Carlo simulations. Our data challenges the practice of approximating the muon-induced neutron multiplicity spectra with one power-law function $k \times m^{-p}$, where m is the multiplicity, k is the depth-related parameter decreasing with overburden, and p is the slope parameter that remains unchanged with depth. Instead, we see the emergence of a second component. It is evident already in the muon-suppressed spectrum collected on the surface and dominates the spectra at 1166 and 4000 m.w.e. In addition, we see indications of a possible structure in the second component that resembles emissions of approximately 74, 106, 143, and 214 neutrons from the target. Since the anomaly varies only slightly with depth, it is not directly correlated with the muon flux. We propose new underground measurements employing low-cost, large-area, position-sensitive neutron counters to verify and investigate the observed anomalies and ascertain their origin.

We introduce an array-scalable, magnon-based detector (MOSAIC) to search for the spin-dependent interactions of electron-coupled axion dark matter. These axions can excite single magnons in magnetic targets, such as the yttrium iron garnet (YIG) spheres used here, which are subsequently sensed by the detector. For MOSAIC, this sensing is implemented by coupling the magnons in the YIG spheres to magnetic-field-resilient single-electron charge-qubits, whose state is then interrogated with a quantum non-demolition measurement. Using standard superconducting fabrication techniques, MOSAIC can integrate many YIG sphere-qubit sensors, forming a large detector array. We outline the detector design and operation, and determine its sensitivity to axion dark matter. We find that a detector built with available technology will exceed the sensitivity of previous ferromagnetic haloscopes, and provides a platform where further improvements in performance would search for electron-coupled axion dark matter in unexplored parameter space.

Spectroscopic parameters and widths of the tensor hybrid mesons $H_{\mathrm{ bc}}$ and $\widetilde{H}_{\mathrm{bc}}$ with the structure $\overline{b}gc$ and spin-parities $J^{\mathrm{P}}=2^{-}$ and $J^{\mathrm{P}}=2^{+}$ are calculated with high accuracy in the QCD sum rule framework. Information on their masses $m=(7.214\pm 0.075)~\mathrm{GeV}$ and $\widetilde{m} =(7.685\pm 0.040)~\mathrm{GeV}$ enable us to determine decay channels of $H_{\mathrm{bc} }$ and $\widetilde{H}_{\mathrm{bc}}$. The full width of the meson $H_{ \mathrm{bc}}$ is estimated by considering the decays $H_{\mathrm{bc}} \to D^{+}\overline{B}^{\ast 0}$ and $D^{0}B^{\ast +}$. The channels $\widetilde{H }_{\mathrm{bc}}\to B^{+}D^{0}$, $B^{0}D^{+}$, $B^{\ast +}D^{\ast 0}$, $ B^{\ast 0}D^{\ast +} $, $B_{s}^{0}D_{s}^{+}$, and $B_{s}^{\ast 0}D_{s}^{\ast +}$ are studied to find the width of the $\widetilde{H}_{\mathrm{bc}}$ state. The widths of these processes are calculated using QCD three-point sum rule approach, which require estimation of the strong couplings at hybrid-meson-meson vertices. The results $(50.8 \pm 9.8)~\mathrm{MeV}$ and $ (184.3\pm 22.8)~\mathrm{MeV}$ for the full widths of the hybrid mesons $H_{ \mathrm{bc}}$ and $\widetilde{H}_{\mathrm{bc}}$ characterize them as relatively narrow and broad structures, respectively.

One of the key scientific objectives for the next decade is to uncover the nature of dark matter (DM). We should continue prioritizing targets such as weakly-interacting massive particles (WIMPs), Axions, and other low-mass dark matter candidates to improve our chances of achieving it. A varied and ongoing portfolio of experiments spanning different scales and detection methods is essential to maximize our chances of discovering its composition. This report paper provides an updated overview of the Brazilian community's activities in dark matter and dark sector physics over the past years with a view for the future. It underscores the ongoing need for financial support for Brazilian groups actively engaged in experimental research to sustain the Brazilian involvement in the global search for dark matter particles

A series of beam tests were conducted at the KEK AR test beamline in ordet to investigate the performance of a prototype detector for instrumentation in the low-E beamline at the CERN H2 line. For the silicon strip detector, the simultaneous readout of all strips of the X-Y detector was evaluated, in addition to the detection efficiency being assessed through coincidences with the trigger scintillators. The results demonstrated the successful acquisition of data with full strip readout and the reconstruction of the two-dimensional beam profile. Furthermore, we are contemplating the incorporation of GAGG crystals, an inorganic scintillator characterized by a high light yield ($\sim$$5 \times 10^{4}$ photons/MeV) and a brief time constant ($\sim$60 ns), within the newly developed time-of-flight detector. We assessed the resolution of time-of-flight based on the data, with the objective of achieving the required performance benchmarks through future improvements to the time-of-tlight detector.

The transparency of liquid scintillators or water is an important parameter for many detectors in particle and astroparticle physics. In this work, the Cavity Enhanced Long Light Path Attenuation Length Screening (CELLPALS) method for the determination of the attenuation length is presented for the first time. The method is based on an experimental setup similar to a Fabry-P\'erot interferometer but adding up multiple-reflected intensities of a modulated light source. CELLPALS was developed to measure the attenuation length of highly transparent liquids (> 10 m) with significantly lower uncertainties than with UV-Vis spectroscopy, which is a standard method for determining the attenuation length. In addition to the attenuation length, the group velocity of light in the sample can also be derived from the free spectral range of the cavity, which is not provided by any conventional method for determining the attenuation length. In this work, the CELLPALS method, its achievable precision and an experimental setup to demonstrate its feasibility are discussed. The attenuation lengths and group velocities of several transparent liquids were measured at wavelengths between 420 nm and 435 nm. In addition, the attenuation length and group velocity of linear alkylbenzene (LAB) samples after different purification stages and a purified LAB-based liquid scintillator were measured at a wavelength of 425 nm. The results confirmed the potential of CELLPALS to determine the attenuation length with an uncertainty of ~ 2 %. The group velocity of light in the sample can be determined with an uncertainty of ~ 0.03 %.

Cosmic-ray air shower detection with the low-frequency part of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) radio telescope is envisioned to yield very high precision measurements of the particle composition of cosmic rays between $10^{16}$ and $10^{18}$ eV. This is made possible by the extreme antenna density of the core of SKA-Low, surpassing the current most dense radio air shower observatory LOFAR by over an order of magnitude. In order to make these measurements, the technical implementation of this observation mode and the development of reconstruction methods have to happen hand-in-hand. As a first lower limit of what is obtainable, we apply the current most precise reconstruction methods as used at LOFAR to a first complete simulation of air shower signals for the SKA-Low array. We describe this simulation setup and discuss the obtainable accuracy and resolution. A special focus is put on effects of the dynamic range of the system, beamforming methods to lower the energy threshold, as well as the limits to the mass composition accuracy given by statistical and systematic uncertainties.

We present the first lattice QCD determination of coupled $DD_s^*$ and $D^*D_s$ scattering amplitudes in the $J^{P}=1^{+}$ channel and elastic $DD_s$ scattering amplitude in the $J^{P}=0^{+}$ channel.The aim is to investigate whether tetraquarks with flavor $cc\bar u\bar s$ exist in the region near threshold. Lattice QCD ensembles from the CLS consortium with $m_{\pi} \sim 280$ MeV, $a\sim0.09$ fm and $L/a = 24, 32$ are utilized. Finite-volume spectra are determined via variational analysis of two-point correlation matrices, computed using large bases of operators resembling bilocal two-meson structures within the distillation framework. The scattering matrix for partial wave $l=0$ is determined using lattice eigenenergies from multiple inertial frames following L\"uscher's formalism as well as following the solutions of Lippmann-Schwinger Equation in the finite-volume on a plane-wave basis. We observe small nonzero energy shifts in the simulated spectra from the noninteracting scenario in both the channels studied, which points to rather weak nontrivial interactions between the mesons involved. Despite the nonzero energy shifts, the lattice-extracted $S$-wave amplitudes do not carry signatures of any hadron pole features in the physical amplitudes in the energy region near the threshold.