Static zero field splitting effects on the electronic relaxation of paramagnetic metal ion complexes in solution A low-field paramagnetic nuclear spin relaxation theory Electron spin relaxation for an Sϭ1 system and its field dependence in the presence of static zero-field splitting ͑ZFS͒ has been described and incorporated in a model for nuclear spin-lattice relaxation in paramagnetic complexes in solution, proposed earlier by the group in Florence. Slow reorientation is assumed and the electron spin energy level structure ͑at any orientation of the molecule with respect to the laboratory frame͒ is described in terms of the Zeeman interaction and of the static ZFS. The electron spin relaxation is assumed to be caused by a transient ZFS modulated by the deformation of the complex described as a distortional ͑or pseudorotational͒ motion and the Redfield theory is used to derive the electron spin relaxation matrices. In the description of the electron spin relaxation we neglect any contribution from mechanisms involving modulation by reorientation, such as those of the static ZFS and the less important Zeeman interaction, as we limit ourselves to the slow-rotation limit ͑i.e., R ӷ S ͒. This in general covers the behavior of proteins and macromolecules. The decomposition ͑DC͒ approximation is used, which means that the reorientational motion and electron spin dynamics are assumed to be uncorrelated. This is not a serious problem, due to the slow-rotation condition, since reorientational and distortional motions are time-scale separated. The resulting nuclear magnetic relaxation dispersion ͑NMRD͒ profiles obtained using the Florence model are calculated and compared with the calculations of the Swedish approach, which can be considered essentially exact within the given set of assumed interactions and dynamic processes. That theory is not restricted by the Redfield limit and can thus handle electron spin relaxation in the slow-motion regime, which is a consequence of not explicitly defining any electron spin relaxation times. Furthermore, the DC approximation is not invoked, and in addition, the electron spin relaxation is described by reorientationally modulated static ZFS and Zeeman interaction besides the distortionally modulated transient ZFS. The curves computed with the Florence model show a satisfactory agreement with these more accurate calculations of the Swedish approach, in particular for the axially symmetric static ZFS tensor, providing confidence in the adequacy of the electron spin relaxation model under the condition of slow rotation. The comparison is also quite instructive as far as the physical meaning of the electron spin relaxation and of its interplay with the nuclear spin system are concerned.

Abstract. The observation of neutrinoless double-beta decay (0νββ) would show that lepton number is violated, reveal that neutrinos are Majorana particles, and provide information on neutrino mass. A discovery-capable experiment covering the inverted ordering region, with effective Majorana neutrino masses of 15 − 50 meV, will require a tonne-scale experiment with excellent energy resolution and extremely low backgrounds, at the level of ∼0.1 count /(FWHM·t·yr) in the region of the signal. The current generation 76 Ge experiments GERDA and the Majorana Demonstrator, utilizing high purity Germanium detectors with an intrinsic energy resolution of 0.12%, have achieved the lowest backgrounds by over an order of magnitude in the 0νββ signal region of all 0νββ experiments. Building on this success, the LEGEND collaboration has been formed to pursue a tonne-scale 76 Ge experiment. The collaboration aims to develop a phased 0νββ experimental program with discovery potential at a half-life approaching or at 10 28 years, using existing resources as appropriate to expedite physics results.

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The violation of baryon number, B , is an essential ingredient for the preferential creation of matter over antimatter needed to account for the observed baryon asymmetry in the Universe. However, such a process has yet to be experimentally observed. The HIBEAM/NNBAR program is a proposed two-stage experiment at the European Spallation Source to search for baryon number violation. The program will include high-sensitivity searches for processes that violate baryon number by one or two units: free neutron–antineutron oscillation ( n → n ̄ ) via mixing, neutron–antineutron oscillation via regeneration from a sterile neutron state ( n → [ n ′ , n ̄ ′ ] → n ̄ ), and neutron disappearance (n → n′); the effective Δ B = 0 process of neutron regeneration ( n → [ n ′ , n ̄ ′ ] → n ) is also possible. The program can be used to discover and characterize mixing in the neutron, antineutron and sterile neutron sectors. The experiment addresses topical open questions such as the origins of baryogenesis and the nature of dark matter, and is sensitive to scales of new physics substantially in excess of those available at colliders. A goal of the program is to open a discovery window to neutron conversion probabilities (sensitivities) by up to three orders of magnitude compared with previous searches. The opportunity to make such a leap in sensitivity tests should not be squandered. The experiment pulls together a diverse international team of physicists from the particle (collider and low energy) and nuclear physics communities, while also including specialists in neutronics and magnetics.

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