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At least 451 records · Page 25

Closeout Report for: Experimental High Energy Physics at the University of South Alabama: Mu2e

The researcher worked on the Fermilab Mu2e Experiment. This experiment is in the construction phase. This experiment will look at a large number of stopped muon decays to search for the stopped muon converting directly into an electron with no other particles (i.e. neutrinos). The signature will be a nearly mono-energetic electron with the momentum of just below the rest mass energy of the muon. The researcher worked with in the Cosmic Ray Veto group (cosmic rays are a major source of background) and he also worked on the global alarms system.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Towards High-Efficiency Particle Detection Using Superconducting Microwire Arrays

We present a detailed study of an 8-channel $1\times1$~mm$^{2}$ WSi superconducting microwire single photon detector (SMSPD) array exposed to 120~GeV hadron beam and 120~GeV muon beam at the CERN Super Proton Synchrotron H6 beamline. Following up on our first detailed characterization of the efficiency and response of an SMSPD fabricated on a 3~nm WSi film, we report measurements of enhanced particle detection efficiency using a sensor fabricated from a thicker 4.7~nm-thick WSi film. We also report the first SMSPD detection efficiency measurement made for muons. Measurements are enabled by a silicon tracking telescope providing 10~$\mu$m in situ spatial resolution. The results show a detection efficiency of 75\% and a time resolution of about 130~ps across pixels. These findings represent a significant advancement toward developing high-efficiency SMSPD charged particle tracking systems with simultaneous precision timing, with potential applications in future accelerator-based experiments such as the FCC-ee and Muon Collider.

Wang, Christina [Fermilab]↗

AI-driven neutrino diagnostics and radiation-hard beam instrumentation for next-generation neutrino experiments

The Long Baseline Neutrino Facility (LBNF) at Fermilab will deliver a high-intensity, multi-megawatt neutrino beam to the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE), enabling precision tests of the three-neutrino paradigm, CP violation searches, neutrino mass ordering determination, and supernova neutrino studies. To accelerate DUNE’s physics reach and ensure robust beam operations, we propose an integrated AI-driven framework with real-time diagnostics and radiation-hardened instrumentation. At its core is a Real-Time Beam Integrity Monitor using a physics-informed Digital Twin. By reconstructing pion phase space from muon profiles and exploiting magnetic horn optic linearity, it enables spill-by-spill beam correction and flux stabilization. By using this approach, flux-related systematics could be reduced from 5% to 1%, potentially accelerating the discovery of CP violations by four to six years. Complementing this, a US–Japan R&D effort will deploy a LAPPD-based muon monitor in the NuMI beamline. ToF measurements can be acquired with picosecond precision using this radiation-hard system, enhancing sensitivity to horn chromatic effects. Simulations confirm strong response to these effects. ML models predict beam quality and horn current to sub-percent accuracy from muon data, enhancing anomaly detection and stability. This scalable, AI-enabled strategy improves beam fidelity, reduces systematics, and sets a new standard for high-power accelerator operations.

Ganguly, Sudeshna [Fermilab] (ORCID:00000003163482↗

Slow Extraction Beam Commissioning for the Mu2e Experiment at Fermilab

Following the successful completion of the Muon g-2 experiment run at Fermilab, the Muon Campus facility has been reconfigured from delivering 3 GeV muon beams to the g-2 storage ring to providing slow-extracted 8 GeV proton beam spills for the Mu2e experiment. The first full-scale commissioning run with slow extraction was conducted during the 2025 run, followed by the second run in early 2026. We present the results and current status of this commissioning campaign.

Nagaslaev, V. [Fermilab] (ORCID:0000000235719205)↗

Search for numu Disappearance in the Short-Baseline Neutrino Program Utilizing an Exclusive 1mu1p QE-Like Final State

The Short-Baseline Neutrino (SBN) program at Fermilab is searching for neutrino oscillations over a short baseline as a signature of a sterile neutrino with a mass splitting of about 1eV2. Such oscillations would drive the disappearance of muon neutrinos in the Booster Neutrino Beam between the detectors of the SBN Program. We present progress on an analysis to search for muon neutrino disappearance between the SBND and ICARUS detectors (the SBN Program's near and far detectors, respectively). This analysis leverages the one muon, one proton, quasi-elastic-like final state, which provides the best resolution for reconstructing the neutrino energy. The analysis incorporates a comprehensive set of systematic uncertainties in the neutrino flux, interaction, and detector model. This analysis will soon be completed as part of the first oscillation results at SBN.

Rowe, Nathaniel [U. Chicago (main)]↗

Multi-track reconstruction algorithm in the Mu2e experiment

The Mu2e experiment, under construction at Fermilab, will search for the neutrino-less coherent $\mu^-N\rightarrow e^-N$ conversion in the field of a $^{27}$Al nucleus. Such a process violates lepton flavor conservation. About $60\%$ of muons stopped by an $^{27}$Al nucleus will undergo nuclear capture, while about $40\%$ will decay in orbit. To quantify the conversion probability, we define $R_{\mu e}$, which is given by the ratio between the $\mu^-\rightarrow e^-$ conversion rate and the nuclear capture rate [1]: \begin{equation} R_{\mu e}= \frac{\Gamma\left(\mu^- + N\left(Z,A\right)\rightarrow e^- + N\left(Z,A\right)\right)}{\Gamma\left(\mu^- + N\left(Z,A\right)\rightarrow \nu^-_\mu + N\left(Z-1,A\right)\right)}\,. \end{equation} The upper limit on $R_{\mu e}$ is $7\cdot 10^{-13}$ at $90\%$ CL, set by the SINDRUM II experiment~\cite{SINDRUM II:limit}. The goal of the Mu2e experiment is to reach a sensitivity on $R_{\mu e}$ of $8\cdot 10^{-17}$ at $90\%$ CL. This represents a four-order of magnitude improvement over the current experimental limit. Mu2e will take its first data in 2027. The signature for the muon conversion is a monochromatic electron of $104.97$~\si{\mega\eV}/c, an energy slightly below the muon rest mass. While the main experiment goal is to reconstruct the conversion electron, i.e., an event with a single track, there are motivations to develop an efficient tracking algorithm for reconstructing more simultaneous tracks. This could better constrain the background generated by $p\bar{p}$-annihilation in the Al target and to search for other Beyond the Standard Model processes. In this paper, we present an algorithm designed to reconstruct multi-particle events.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

International Cosmic Ray Conference, 13th, University of Denver, Denver, Colo., August 17-30, 1973, Proceedings. Volumes 3 & 4

Volumes 3 and 4 contain papers dealing with measurements of muons and neutrinos, ultrahigh-energy interactions, extensive air showers, and details of experimental techniques and instrumentation. Attention is given to the zenith angle and underground depth dependence of cosmic ray muons, muon charge ratios and energy spectra, extraterrestrial sources of neutrinos, strong interaction data from new accelerators, searches for quarks and other new particles, hadron fluxes and propagation in the atmosphere, high-energy gamma-ray measurements, and new models and theories for high-energy strong interactions. Extensive air showers are examined in papers dealing with associated Cerenkov light, radio emission, structure, the hadron content, and primaries. The design, operation, and performance of various detectors are explained. Individual items are announced in this issue.

Source record↗

DUMAND Summer Workshop, University of California, La Jolla, Calif., July 24-September 2, 1978, Proceedings. Volume 1 - Array studies

Papers are presented concerning the design and implementation of the optical and acoustic sensors that will comprise the DUMAND (Deep Underwater Muon and Neutrino Detector) array. Specific topics include the results of experiments on atmospheric muon and neutrino spectra obtained with various muon and neutrino spectrometers, optical sensors and arrays, optical data handling systems, the simulation of the sound generated by high-energy particles in water, constraints on acoustic arrays, standard ocean parameters for DUMAND calculations, and Monte Carlo investigations of hadronic and electromagnetic cascades in sea water.

Roberts, A.↗

Primary cosmic ray spectrum in the 10 to the 12th power - 10 to the 16th power eV energy range from the NUSEX experiment

A primary cosmic ray spectrum was derived which fits both experimental multiple muon rates and the all-nucleon flux derived from the single muon intensities underground. In the frame of the interaction model developed by Gaisser, Elbert and Stanev, it is possible to reproduce NUSEX muon data with a primary composition in which the iron spectrum is only slightly flatter than the proton one. This result rules out the popular idea that the primary composition varies drastically with increasing energy, leading to the dominance of heavier nuclei at energies 10 to the 15th power to 10 to the 16th power eV.

Battistoni, G.↗

A bi-directional charged particle telescope to observe flux, energy spectrum and angular distribution of relativistic and non-relativistic particles

A Charged Particle Telescope (CPT) was designed, fabricated and calibrated to make the following observations: (1) discrimination between various singly charged particles, e.g., electrons, muons and protons, in about 5 to 100 MeV energy range; (2) measurement of the flux and the energy of the charged particles incident to the telescope from two opposite directions and stopping in the telescope, thus obtaining flux and energy spectrum of downward and upward moving charged particles; and (3) measurement of the broad angular distribution of selected particles as a function of azimuthal angle. This telescope can be used to study low energy electron, muon and proton energy spectra. The experiment was flown in a high altitude balloon from Hyderabad, India, in December 1984. This same equipment is also useful in ground level electron, muon spectrum study.

Verma, S. D.↗

Plastic scintillators in coincidence for the study of multi-particle production of sea level cosmic rays in dense medium

Cosmic ray particles at sea level penetrate a thick layer of dense medium without appreciable interaction. These penetrating particles are identified with muons. The only appreciable interaction of muons are by knock on processes. A muon may have single, double or any number of knock on with atoms of the material so that one, two, three or more particles will come out from the medium in which the knock on processes occur. The probability of multiparticle production is expected to decrease with the increase of multiplicity. Measurements of the single, double, and triple particles generated in a dense medium (Fe and Al) by sea level cosmic rays at 22.42 N. Lat. and 114.20 E. Long. (Hong Kong) are presented using a detector composed of two plastic scintillators connected in coincidence.

Chuang, L. S.↗

Nuclear cascades in electromagnetic showers produced by primary gamma-quanta in the atmosphere

Distributions were calculated for the number of electrons N sub e, number of muons with the energy above 5 GeV N sub mu and the energy of hadron component E sub h in electromagnetic showers, produced by primary gamma-quanta with energies theta approx. equals 30 deg and observed at the mountain level 700 g/square centimeters. The mean number of nuclear interactions of photos with the energy above 5 GeV is about 0.3 per each TeV of the primary energy and nuclear cascades take out in average about 2% of the total shower energy. The mean number of 5 GeV muons for the electromagnetic shower is (2 to 5)% from the number of muons in cosmic ray showers with the same number of electrons at the observation level. similar value for the total energy of hadron component is also (2 to 5)%. N sub mu and N sub e values as well as E sub h and n sub e don't correlate at the fixed primary energy E sug gamma (o). Between N sub mu and E sub h there is a positive correlation at the given E sub gamma.

Danilova, T. V.↗

Hybrid TLC-pair meter for the Sphinx Project

The chief aims in THE SPHINX PROJECT are research of super lepton physics and new detector experiments. At the second phase of THE SPHINX PROJECT, a hybrid TLC-PAIR METER was designed for measuring high energy neutrino sources (E upsilon * TeV), searching high energy muon sources (E mu TeV) and measuring muon group (E mu 1 TeV). The principle of PAIR METER has been already proposed. In this TLC-PAIR METER, electromagnetic shower induced by cosmic ray muons are detected using TL (Thermoluminescence) sheets with position counters.

Wada, T.↗

The spectrum of neutrons at 60 hg m(-2)

The rate of neutron interactions was measured for the energy range 7.5 to 60 MeV, using a 3.85 kg cell of liquid scintillator. The neutrons are selected by pulse shape discrimination, with anticoincidence counters used to reduce interference from muons transversing the scintillator. The observed flux is interpreted in terms of neutrons produced from environmental uranium and thorium, those resulting from the capture of negative muons in nuclei and those from fast muon interactions.

Barton, J. C.↗

Status of the MACRO experiment at Gran Sasso

The design of the MACRO (Monopole Astrophysics and Cosmic Ray Observatory) experiment is described, and the results achieved by the running of its first supermodule are summarized. Searches for magnetic monopoles and point sources of downward muons resulted in no detections. One upward moving muon was seen along with abundant data on muon bundles.

Ahlen, Steve↗

Radar Observations of Asteroids 1 Ceres, 2 Pallas, and 4 Vesta

Asteroids 1 Ceres, 2 Pallas, and 4 Vesta were observed with the 13-cm Arecibo radar and the 3.5-cm Goldstone radar during several apparitions between 1981 and 1995. These observations help to characterize the objects' surface properties. Echoes from Ceres and Pallas are approximately 95% polarized (muon(sub C) = sigm(sub SC)/sigma(sub OC) equivalent to 0.05) in the sense expected for specular (mirror) reflection yet broadly distributed in Doppler frequency, thus revealing surfaces that are smoother than the Moon at decimeter scales but much rougher (rms slopes > 20 deg) on larger scales. Slopes on Ceres appear to be somewhat higher when viewed with the 3.5-cm wavelength, a trend that is observed for the terrestrial planets and the Moon. In contrast, echoes from Vesta are significantly depolarized, indicating substantial near-surface complexity at scales near 13 cm (muon(sub C) = 0.24 +/- 0.04) and 3.5 cm (muon(sub C) = 0.32 +/- 0.04), which is probably a consequence of Vesta's relatively strong basaltic surface material and may be a signature of large impact features inferred to be present on the surface. The low radar albedos of Ceres (circumflex-sigma(sub C) = 0.042 +/- 0.006) and Pallas (circumfle-sigma(sub C) = 0.075 +/- 0.011) are in the range expected for surfaces with a carbonaceous chondrite mineralogy. Pallas' distinctly higher albedo implies a approximately 35% higher surface density, which could result from a lower regolith porosity and/or a higher specific gravity (zero-porosity density). Given a porosity of 45%, the specific gravities of the surface materials on Ceres and Pallas would be approximately 2.3 and approximately 3.0 g/cc, respectively, which would be consistent with (1) the presence of an additional silicate component on Pallas' surface (as inferred from spectroscopic observations) and (2) recent mass estimates, which suggest a higher mean (volume-averaged) density for Pallas than for Ceres.

Mitchell, David L.↗

Charge Resolution of the Silicon Matrix of the ATIC Experiment

ATIC (Advanced Thin Ionization Calorimeter) is a balloon borne experiment designed to measure the cosmic ray composition for elements from hydrogen to iron and their energy spectra from approx.50 GeV to near 100 TeV. It consists of a Si-matrix detector to determine the charge of a CRT particle, a scintillator hodoscope for tracking, carbon interaction targets and a fully active BGO calorimeter. ATIC had its first flight from McMurdo, Antarctica from 28/12/2000 to 13/01/2001. The ATIC flight collected approximately 25 million events. The silicon matrix of the ATIC spectrometer is designed to resolve individual elements from proton to iron. To provide this resolution careful calibration of each pixel of the silicon matrix is required. Firstly, for each electronic channel of the matrix the pedestal value was subtracted taking into account its drift during the flight. The muon calibration made before the flight was used then to convert electric signals (in ADC channel number) to energy deposits in each pixel. However, the preflight muon calibration was not accurate enough for the purpose, because of lack of statistics in each pixel. To improve charge resolution the correction was done for the position of Helium peak in each pixel during the flight . The other way to set electric signals in electronics channels of the Si-matrix to one scale was correction for electric channel gains accurately measured in laboratory. In these measurements it was found that small different nonlinearities for different channels are present in the region of charge Z > 20. The correction for these non-linearities was not done yet. In linear approximation the method provides practically the same resolution as muon calibration plus He-peak correction. For searching a pixel with the signal of primary particle an indication from the cascade in the calorimeter was used. For this purpose a trajectory was reconstructed using weight centers of energy deposits in BGO layers. The point of intersection of this trajectory with Si-matrix and its RMS was determined. The pixel with maximal signal in 3sigma region was taken as sought. The signal in this pixel was corrected by trajectory zenith angle. The preliminary results on charge resolution of the Si-matrix in the range from protons to iron are presented.

Zatsepin, V. I.↗

Angular Dependence of Drell-Yan in the SeaQuest Experiment using Deep Neural Network-Based Reconstruction

The SeaQuest and SpinQuest experiments at Fermilab were designed to probe the internal dynamics of protons and neutrons via the angular dependence of muons created by colliding 120 GeV protons into stationary targets. To do this, it is necessary to translate the detector data into coherent information about the particles detected in the experiment. This dissertation describes the development and implementation of QTracker, a neural network-based algorithm designed to reconstruct muons. The application of QTracker to experimental data yields improved reconstruction of muon tracks, allowing for a more precise investigation of the transverse momentum distributions and angular modulations in the Drell-Yan process. This work highlights the potential of neural network-based methods to advance particle tracking and enhance our understanding of nucleon structure.

Conover, Arthur↗