The Higgs Mechanism and Spacetime Symmetry

In this review, we summarize the results of the analysis of the inherent relation between the Higgs mechanism and spacetime symmetry provided by generic incorporation of the de Sitter vacuum as a false vacuum with the equation of state p=−ρ. This relation has been verified by the application for the interpretation of the experimental results on the negative mass squares for neutrinos, and of the appearance of the minimal length in the annihilation reaction e+e−→γγ(γ). An additional verification is expected for the dark matter candidates with the interior de Sitter vacuum of the GUT scale, whose predicted observational signatures include the induced proton decay in the matter of an underground detector, such as IceCUBE.

Design Study of an Underground Detector for Measurements of the Differential Muon Flux

Since 2006 an underground laboratory is in operation in Unirea salt mine from Slanic Prahova Romania. A new rotatable detector for measurements of the directional variation of the muon flux has been designed and will be put in operation at the end of 2013. The detector will be used to investigate the possible presence of unknown cavities in the salt ore. Preliminary muon flux measurements performed in the underground of Slanic Prahova salt mine show an important variation of the flux with the thickness of the rock but indicate also that more precise data are necessary. Based on that, a modern detector using 4 layers of plastic scintillators bars has been designed. The detector is installed on a rotatable and mobile frame which allows precise directional measurements of the muon flux on different locations in the mine. In order to investigate the performances of the detector, detailed Monte Carlo simulations have been performed using several codes available on the market. The simulations show that the detector can be used for measurements of the differential flux of cosmic ray muons and for the detection of hidden cavities in the ore.

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF POWER SPECTRA OF GROUND AND SHALLOW UNDERGROUND MUON DATA

Cosmic muon flux is recorded by two plastic scintillator detectors: one located at ground level and the other located in the Belgrade underground laboratory (25 m w.e.). Power spectral analysis of the raw detector data for the period from January 1st 2002 to December 31st 2002 is performed. Similar periodicities are found in both data sets (ground and underground), but with different amplitudes. Main periodicity in the underground detector data has a 26.5 days period, while the highest amplitude signal in the ground detector data has a 243 ± 45 days period. Other signals present in the time series correspond to higher harmonics of the solar rotation period. There is also a wave with a 34.4 days period, whose significance is confirmed by different methods of spectral analysis. The same periodicity is recently found in some processes on the Sun.