Search for two-neutrino double-beta decay of^(136)Xe to the 0^(+)_(1)excited state of 136Ba with the complete EXO-200 dataset

A new search for two-neutrino double-beta(2νββ)decay of^(136)Xe to the 0+1 excited state of 136Ba is performed with the full EXO-200 dataset.A deep learning-based convolutional neural network is used to discriminate signal from background events.Signal detection efficiency is increased relative to previous searches by EXO-200 by more than a factor of two.With the addition of the Phase II dataset taken with an upgraded detector,the median 90%confidence level half-life sensitivity of 2νββdecay to the 0+1 state of 136Ba is 2.9×10^(24)yr using a total^(136)Xe exposure of 234.1 kg yr.No statistically significant evidence for 2νββdecay to the 0^(+)_(1)state is observed,leading to a lower limit of T2ν1/2(0^(+)→0^(+)_(1))>1.4×10^(24)yr at 90%confidence level,improved by 70%relative to the current world's best constraint.

Demonstrating grating-based phase-contrast imaging of laser-driven shock waves

Single-shot X-ray phase-contrast imaging is used to take high-resolution images of laser-driven strong shock waves.Employing a two-grating Talbot interferometer,we successfully acquire standard absorption,differential phase-contrast,and dark-field images of the shocked target.Good agreement is demonstrated between experimental data and the results of two-dimensional radiation hydrodynamics simulations of the laser-plasma interaction.The main sources of image noise are identified through a thorough assessment of the interferometer’s performance.The acquired images demonstrate that grating-based phase-contrast imaging is a powerful diagnostic tool for high-energy-density science.In addition,we make a novel attempt at using the dark-field image as a signal modality of Talbot interferometry to identify the microstructure of a foam target.

Observatory science with eXTP

In this White Paper we present the potential of the enhanced X-ray Timing and Polarimetry(eXTP) mission for studies related to Observatory Science targets. These include flaring stars, supernova remnants, accreting white dwarfs, low and high mass X-ray binaries, radio quiet and radio loud active galactic nuclei, tidal disruption events, and gamma-ray bursts. eXTP will be excellently suited to study one common aspect of these objects: their often transient nature. Developed by an international Consortium led by the Institute of High Energy Physics of the Chinese Academy of Science, the eXTP mission is expected to be launched in the mid 2020s.