The ALICE trigger system performance for p-p and Pb-Pb collisions
The ALICE trigger system installed in the experimental cavern processes information from triggering detectors at 3 hardware levels, and is used in p-p and Pb-Pb collisions. Many automatic functions have been developed to facilitate work in the control room. The hardware is permanently monitored, and around 1200 counters, with considerable built-in redundancy, are read at regular intervals (at least once per minute). This provides relevant physics information and also verifies the consistency of the hardware operation. In order to compensate for seasonal drift, the CORDE module has been installed, which allows the LHC clock to be delayed in steps of 10 ps. This paper describes the current status of the ALICE trigger system after experience with p-p and Pb-Pb runs, the new firmware developments and the appropriate software for this electronics.

title: Measurement of the cross section for electromagnetic dissociation with neutron emission in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s(NN)] = 2.76 TeV.
abstract: The first measurement of neutron emission in electromagnetic dissociation of ^{208}Pb nuclei at the LHC is presented. The measurement is performed using the neutron zero degree calorimeters of the ALICE experiment, which detect neutral particles close to beam rapidity. The measured cross sections of single and mutual electromagnetic dissociation of Pb nuclei at sqrt[s(NN)]=2.76 TeV with neutron emission are σ(singleEMD)=187.4 ± 0.2(stat)(-11.2)(+13.2) (syst) b and σ(mutualEMD) = 5.7 ± 0.1(stat) ± 0.4(syst) b, respectively. The experimental results are compared to the predictions from a relativistic electromagnetic dissociation model.

title: Transverse momentum spectra of charged particles in proton-proton collisions at sqrt(s) = 900 GeV with ALICE at the LHC
abstract: The inclusive charged particle transverse momentum distribution is measured in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 900$~GeV at the LHC using the ALICE detector. The measurement is performed in the central pseudorapidity region $(|\eta|_{\rm INEL}=0.483\pm0.001$~(stat.)~$\pm0.007$~(syst.)~GeV/$c$ and $\left_{\rm NSD}=0.489\pm0.001$~(stat.)~$\pm0.007$~(syst.)~GeV/$c$, respectively. The data exhibit a slightly larger $\left$ than measurements in wider pseudorapidity intervals. The results are compared to simulations with the Monte Carlo event generators PYTHIA and PHOJET

title: Azimuthal charged-particle correlations and possible local strong parity violation.
abstract: Parity-odd domains, corresponding to nontrivial topological solutions of the QCD vacuum, might be created during relativistic heavy-ion collisions. These domains are predicted to lead to charge separation of quarks along the system's orbital momentum axis. We investigate a three-particle azimuthal correlator which is a P even observable, but directly sensitive to the charge separation effect. We report measurements of charged hadrons near center-of-mass rapidity with this observable in Au + Au and Cu + Cu collisions at square root of s(NN) = 200 GeV using the STAR detector. A signal consistent with several expectations from the theory is detected. We discuss possible contributions from other effects that are not related to parity violation.

title: Incident Energy Dependence of pt Correlations at RHIC
abstract: We present results for two-particle transverse momentum correlations, ({Delta}p{sub t,i}{Delta}p{sub t,j}), as a function of event centrality for Au+Au collisions at {radical}s{sub NN} = 20, 62, 130, and 200 GeV at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. We observe correlations decreasing with centrality that are similar at all four incident energies. The correlations multiplied by the multiplicity density increase with incident energy and the centrality dependence may show evidence of processes such as thermalization, jet production, or the saturation of transverse flow. The square root of the correlations divided by the event-wise average transverse momentum per event shows little or no beam energy dependence and generally agrees with previous measurements at the Super Proton Synchrotron.

title: Transverse-momentum and collision-energy dependence of high-pT hadron suppression in Au+Au collisions at ultrarelativistic energies.
abstract: We report high statistics measurements of inclusive charged hadron production in Au+Au and p+p collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=200 GeV. A large, approximately constant hadron suppression is observed in central Au+Au collisions for 5<p(T)<12 GeV/c. The collision energy dependence of the yields and the centrality and p(T) dependence of the suppression provide stringent constraints on theoretical models of suppression. Models incorporating initial-state gluon saturation or partonic energy loss in dense matter are largely consistent with observations. We observe no evidence of p(T)-dependent suppression, which may be expected from models incorporating jet attenuation in cold nuclear matter or scattering of fragmentation hadrons.

title: alpha decay studies of very neutron-deficient francium and radium isotopes
abstract: Very neutron-deficient francium and radium isotopes have been produced in fusion evaporation reactions using {sup 63}Cu and {sup 65}Cu ions on {sup 141}Pr targets and {sup 36}Ar ions on {sup 170}Yb targets. The gas-filled recoil separator RITU was employed to collect the fusion products and to separate them from the scattered beam. The activities were implanted into a position-sensitive silicon detector after passing through a gas-counter system. The isotopes were identified using spatial and time correlations between the implants and decays. Two new {alpha} decaying radium isotopes, {sup 201}Ra and {sup 202}Ra, were identified. The {alpha} decay energy and half-life of {sup 203}Ra were measured with improved precision. The {alpha} decay properties measured for the francium isotopes {sup 201}Fr,{sup 202}Fr,{sup 203}Fr, and {sup 204}Fr were confirmed, in many cases with improved precision. For the first time, a ({pi}s{sub 1/2}{sup -1})1/2{sup +} proton intruder state was identified in francium isotopes, namely in {sup 201}Fr and tentatively in {sup 203}Fr. The measured decay properties for the neutron-deficient odd-mass Fr isotopes suggest an onset of substantial deformation at N=112.

title: AGATA - Advanced GAmma Tracking Array
abstract: The Advanced GAmma Tracking Array (AGATA) is a European project to develop and operate the next generation gamma-ray spectrometer. AGATA is based on the technique of gamma-ray energy tracking in electrically segmented high-purity germanium crystals. This technique requires the accurate determination of the energy, time and position of every interaction as a gamma ray deposits its energy within the detector volume. Reconstruction of the full interaction path results in a detector with very high efficiency and excellent spectral response. The realisation of gamma-ray tracking and AGATA is a result of many technical advances. These include the development of encapsulated highly segmented germanium detectors assembled in a triple cluster detector cryostat, an electronics system with fast digital sampling and a data acquisition system to process the data at a high rate. The full characterisation of the crystals was measured and compared with detector-response simulations. This enabled pulse-shape analysis algorithms, to extract energy, time and position, to be employed. In addition, tracking algorithms for event reconstruction were developed. The first phase of AGATA is now complete and operational in its first physics campaign. In the future AGATA will be moved between laboratories in Europe and operated in a series of campaigns to take advantage of the different beams and facilities available to maximise its science output. The paper reviews all the achievements made in the AGATA project including all the necessary infrastructure to operate and support the spectrometer.

title: Identification of gamma rays from Au-172 and alpha decays of Au-172, Ir-168, and Re-164
abstract: The low-lying structures of the extremely neutron-deficient nuclei 106Te, 107Te, 110Xe, 170Ir and 172Au have been investigated experimentally. Prompt gamma rays emitted in fusion-evaporation reactions were detected by the Jurogam HPGe array. The gamma rays were assigned to specific reaction channels using the recoil-decay tagging technique provided by the gas-filled separator RITU and the GREAT focal-plane spectrometer. The experimental set-up and the technique used to extract the information from the experimental data are described in detail. Results were interpreted in terms of the nuclear shell model and Total Routhian Surface calculations. In addition, decay studies on 170Ir, 172Au and 164Re led to the discovery of new alpha-decay branches in these nuclei.

title: gamma-ray spectroscopy approaching the limits of existence of atomic nuclei : A study of the excited states of Pt-168 and Pt-169
abstract: Excited states in the N=90 and N=91 Pt nuclei have been investigated using the JUROGAM and GREAT spectrometers in conjunction with the RITU gas-filled separator. These nuclei were populated via the reactions {sup 92}Mo({sup 78}Kr,2n) and {sup 94}Mo({sup 78}Kr,3n) at 335 and 348 MeV, respectively. The recoil-decay tagging technique has been used to correlate prompt {gamma} radiation with the characteristic {alpha} decays of {sup 168}Pt and {sup 169}Pt. A {gamma}-{gamma} analysis has allowed a level scheme for {sup 168}Pt to be reported for the first time and the level scheme for {sup 169}Pt to be extended. The excitation energies of the proposed positive-parity yrast states of {sup 168}Pt are compared with calculations based on the interacting boson model and found to be in excellent agreement. These data show a continuation of the trend toward vibrational nuclei as the N=82 shell gap is approached. In addition, new excited states constituting two decay paths have been discovered in {sup 169}Pt.

title: Precision measurements of proton emission from the ground states of Ta-156 and Re-160
abstract: The decays of the pi d(3/2) ground states of Ta-156 and Re-160 have been studied in detail using the GREAT spectrometer. More than 7000 Re-160 nuclei were produced in reactions of 290- and 300-MeV Ni-58 ions with an isotopically enriched Cd-106 target and separated in flight using the RITU separator. The proton and alpha decays of the pi d(3/2) level were confirmed and the half-life and branching ratios of this state were determined with improved precision to be t(1/2) = 611 +/- 7 mu s and b(p) = 89 +/- 1% and b(alpha) = 11 +/- 1%, respectively. The alpha-decay branch populated the ground state of Ta-156, allowing improved values for the proton-decay energy and half-life to be obtained (E-p = 1011 +/- 5 keV; t(1/2) = 106 +/- 4 ms). The beta decay of this level was identified for the first time and a branching ratio of b(beta) = 29 +/- 3% was deduced. The spectroscopic factors deduced from these measurements are compared with predictions.