(SVD-2 Collaboration) A. G. Afonin, E. N. Ardashev, V. F. Golovkin, S. N. Golovnya, S. A. Gorokhov, A. A. Kiryakov, A. G. Kholodenko, V. V. Konstantinov, L. L. Kurchaninov, I. S. Lobanov, E. V. Lobanova, G. A. Mitrofanov, V. S. Petrov, A. V. Pleskach, M. K. Polkovnikov, V. N. Riadovikov*, V. N. Ronzhin, V. A. Senko,N. A. Shalanda, M. M. Soldatov, Yu. P. Tsyupa, A. P. Vorobiev, V. I. Yakimchuk, and V. N. Zapolskii∗ IHEP, Protvino, Moscow region, Russia.

. The results of the SERP-E-184 experiment at the U-70 accelerator (IHEP, Protvino) are presented. Interactions of the 70GeV proton beam with carbon, silicon and lead targets were studied to detect decays of charmed D^0 , D̅^0 , D^+ , D^- mesons and Λ_c^+ baryon near their production threshold. Measurements of lifetimes and masses have shown a good agreement with PDG data. The inclusive cross-sections of charm production and their A -dependences have been obtained. The yields of these particles are compared with the theoretical predictions and the data of other experiments. The measured cross-section of the total open charm production ( σ_ tot(cc̅) = 7.1 ± 2.3( stat) ± 1.4( syst) μb/nucleon) at the collision c.m. energy √ s = 11.8 GeV is well above the QCD model predictions. The contributions of different kinds of charmed particles to the total cross-section of the open charm production in proton-nucleus interactions vary with energy.

The results of the SERP-E-184 experiment at the U-70 accelerator (IHEP, Protvino) are presented. Interactions of the 70GeV proton beam with carbon, silicon and lead targets were studied to detect decays of charmed \(D^{0}\), \(\bar{D}^{0}\), \(D^{+}\), \(D^{-}\) mesons and \(\Lambda_{c}^{+}\) baryon near their production threshold. Measurements of lifetimes and masses have shown a good agreement with PDG data. The inclusive cross-sections of charm production and their A-dependences have been obtained. The yields of these particles are compared with the theoretical predictions and the data of other experiments. The measured cross-section of the total open charm production ( \(\sigma_{\rm tot}(c\bar{c}) = 7.1 \pm 2.3({\rm stat}) \pm 1.4({\rm syst})\) μb/nucleon) at the collision c.m. energy \(\surd s = 11.8\) GeV is well above the QCD model predictions. The contributions of different kinds of charmed particles to the total cross-section of the open charm production in proton-nucleus interactions vary with energy.

The results of an analysis of data from the SERP-Е-184 experiment devoted to studying mechanisms of the production of charmed particles in proton–nucleus interactions at 70 GeV and their decays are presented. The data in question were obtained upon irradiating the SVD-2 active target consisting of carbon, silicon, and lead plates with a beam of 70-GeV protons. A detailed simulation on the basis of the FRITIOF7.02 and GEANT3.21 code packages made it possible to optimize event-selection criteria and to calculate the detection efficiency for Λ c + baryons. After selecting a signal from the threebody decay of a Λ c + baryon, the inclusive cross section for its production at near-threshold energies, its lifetime, and the parameter of the A dependence of the cross section were found. The Λ c + -baryon yields are tabulated along with data from other experiments and theoretical predictions.

The results of analysis SERP-E-184 experiment data, obtained with 70 GeV proton beam irradiation of active target with carbon, silicon and lead plates are presented. For 3-prongs charged charmed mesons decays, event selection criteria were developed and detection efficiency was calculated with detailed simulation using FRITIOF7.02 and GEANT3.21 programs. Signals of decays were found and charm production inclusive cross sections estimated at near threshold energy. The lifetimes and A-dependence of cross section were measured. Yields of D mesons and their ratios in comparison with data of other experiments and theoretical predictions are presented.

We review the status of the Lake Baikal Neutrino Experiment. Preparation towards a km3-scale Gigaton Volume Detector (GVD) in Lake Baikal is currently a central activity. As an important milestone, a km3-prototype string comprising of 12 optical modules and based on a completely new technology, has been installed and was put in operation together with NT200+ in April, 2009. We also present recent results from the long-term operation of NT200, including an improved limit on the diffuse astrophysical neutrino flux.

The objective of the Baikal Project is the creation of a kilometer-scale high-energy neutrino observatory: the Gigaton Volume Detector (GVD) in Lake Baikal. Basic elements of the GVD – new optical modules, FADC readout units, and underwater communication systems – were investigated and tested in Lake Baikal with prototype strings in 2008–2010. We describe the results of prototype strings operation and review the preliminary design and expected sensitivity of the GVD telescope.

The development of the NT1000 km3 neutrino telescope at Lake Baikal has been the main goal of the BAIKAL collaboration since 2006. This work presents selected results obtained in the course of developing and testing key elements and systems of the future detector.

The results of data handling for E-184 experiment obtained with 70 GeV proton beam irradiation of active target with carbon, silicon and lead plates are presented. Two-prongs neutral charmed D0 and \v{D}0 -mesons decays were selected. Signal / background ratio was (51+/-17) / (38+/-13). Registration efficiency for mesons was defined and evaluation for charm production cross section at threshold energy is presented: sigma(c\^c) = 7.1 +/- 2.4(stat.) +/- 1.4(syst.) (\mu/nucleon).

Data from the SVD-2 experiment that were obtained at the IHEP accelerator in 70-GeV/c proton-nucleus interactions are analyzed with the aim of searches for an exotic Θ+ baryon that decays through the pK S 0 channel. The reaction pN → pK S 0 + X characterized by a bounded multiplicity of charged secondaries is used for this analysis. A resonance of mass M = 1526 ± 3(stat.) ± 3(syst.) MeV/c2 and width Γ < 24 MeV/c2 is observed in the invariant-mass spectrum of the pK S 0 system at a statistical significance of 5.6σ. The mass and the width of this resonance correspond to the recently found positive-strangeness Θ+ baryon, which was predicted to be an exotic baryon consisting of five quarks (pentaquark), \(uudd\bar s\). The total cross section for the production of a Θ+ baryon in pA interactions is estimated at a value within the range 30–120 μb for xF ≥ 0. An analysis of the A dependence of the cross section for Θ+-baryon production does not reveal a significant deviation from the A dependence for inelastic events (∼A0.7).