CMS DT Chambers: Optimized Measurement of Cosmic Rays Crossing Time in absence of Magnetic Field

Two spare drift chambers produced in the I.N.F.N. Legnaro Laboratory (Padova, Italy) for the barrel muon spectrometer of the LHC CMS experiment have been extensively tested using cosmic-ray muons. A fitting algorithm was developed to optimize the determination of the time of passage of the particle. A timing resolution of $\approx$2~ns has been obtained. The algorithm permits the measurement of the track reconstruction precision of the chambers by using cosmic-ray data with the same accuracy obtained using high-energy test-beam data

Noise reduction in muon tomography for detecting high density objects

The muon tomography technique, based on multiple Coulomb scattering of cosmic ray muons, has been proposed as a tool to detect the presence of high density objects inside closed volumes. In this paper a new and innovative method is presented to handle the density fluctuations (noise) of reconstructed images, a well known problem of this technique. The effectiveness of our method is evaluated using experimental data obtained with a muon tomography prototype located at the Legnaro National Laboratories (LNL) of the Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN). The results reported in this paper, obtained with real cosmic ray data, show that with appropriate image filtering and muon momentum classification, the muon tomography technique can detect high density materials, such as lead, albeit surrounded by light or medium density material, in short times. A comparison with algorithms published in literature is also presented

A c.3037G > A mutation in FBN1 gene causing Marfan syndrome with an atypically severe phenotype.

Marfan syndrome is a pleiotropic connective tissue disease inherited as an autosomal dominant trait, mostly caused by mutations in the FBN1 gene, which is located on chromosome 15q21.1 and encoding fibrillin 1. We report a case of Marfan syndrome presenting with severe ocular and systemic manifestations, such as cardiac congenital anomalies. The patient underwent a multidisciplinary approach and his clinical diagnosis was associated with a c.3037G > A mutation in the FBN1 gene. Identification of this genetic alteration should instigate a prompt multidisciplinary assessment and monitoring, in order to prevent devastating consequences such as cardiac and ocular phenotype. Molecular modeling of the mutation highlighted the importance of the preservation of the calcium-dependent structure of an epidermal -growth-factor-like domain of fibrillin-1 and consequently the microfibrillar formation process. This report aims to highlight the importance of an early clinical and molecular diagnosis and once more, the importance of the multidisciplinary approach of this genetic entity

Test of the photon detection system for the LHCb RICH Upgrade in a charged particle beam

The LHCb detector will be upgraded to make more efficient use of the available luminosity at the LHC in Run III and extend its potential for discovery. The Ring Imaging Cherenkov detectors are key components of the LHCb detector for particle identification. In this paper we describe the setup and the results of tests in a charged particle beam, carried out to assess prototypes of the upgraded opto-electronic chain from the Multi-Anode PMT photosensor to the readout and data acquisition system.Comment: 25 pages, 22 figure

Surface cleaning and sample carrier for complementary high-resolution imaging techniques

Nowadays, high-resolution imaging techniques are extensively applied in a complementary way to gain insights into complex phenomena. For a truly complementary analytical approach, a common sample carrier is required that is suitable for the different preparation methods necessary for each analytical technique. This sample carrier should be capable of accommodating diverse analytes and maintaining their pristine composition and arrangement during deposition and preparation. In this work, a new type of sample carrier consisting of a silicon wafer with a hydrophilic polymer coating was developed. The robustness of the polymer coating toward solvents was strengthened by cross-linking and stoving. Furthermore, a new method of UV-ozone cleaning was developed that enhances the adhesion of the polymer coating to the wafer and ensures reproducible surface-properties of the resulting sample carrier. The hydrophilicity of the sample carrier was recovered applying the new method of UV-ozone cleaning, while avoiding UV-induced damages to the polymer. Noncontact 3D optical profilometry and contact angle measurements were used to monitor the hydrophilicity of the coating. The hydrophilicity of the polymer coating ensures its spongelike behavior so that upon the deposition of an analyte suspension, the solvent and solutes are separated from the analyte by absorption into the polymer. This feature is essential to limit the coffee-ring effect and preserve the native identity of an analyte upon deposition. The suitability of the sample carrier for various sample types was tested using nanoparticles from suspension, bacterial cells, and tissue sections. To assess the homogeneity of the analyte distribution and preservation of sample integrity, optical and scanning electron microscopy, helium ion microscopy, laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry were used. This demonstrates the broad applicability of the newly developed sample carrier and its value for complementary imaging. © 2020 Author(s)

Prospects for the measurement of muon-neutrino disappearance at the FNAL-Booster

Neutrino physics is nowadays receiving more and more attention as a possible source of information for the long-standing problem of new physics beyond the Standard Model. The recent measurement of the mixing angle $\theta_{13}$ in the standard mixing oscillation scenario encourages us to pursue the still missing results on leptonic CP violation and absolute neutrino masses. However, puzzling measurements exist that deserve an exhaustive evaluation. The NESSiE Collaboration has been setup to undertake conclusive experiments to clarify the muon-neutrino disappearance measurements at small $L/E$, which will be able to put severe constraints to models with more than the three-standard neutrinos, or even to robustly measure the presence of a new kind of neutrino oscillation for the first time. To this aim the use of the current FNAL-Booster neutrino beam for a Short-Baseline experiment has been carefully evaluated. This proposal refers to the use of magnetic spectrometers at two different sites, Near and Far. Their positions have been extensively studied, together with the possible performances of two OPERA-like spectrometers. The proposal is constrained by availability of existing hardware and a time-schedule compatible with the CERN project for a new more performant neutrino beam, which will nicely extend the physics results achievable at the Booster. The possible FNAL experiment will allow to clarify the current $\nu_{\mu}$ disappearance tension with $\nu_e$ appearance and disappearance at the eV mass scale. Instead, a new CERN neutrino beam would allow a further span in the parameter space together with a refined control of systematics and, more relevant, the measurement of the antineutrino sector, by upgrading the spectrometer with detectors currently under R&D study.Comment: 76 pages, 52 figure

Search for anomalies in the neutrino sector with muon spectrometers and large LArTPC imaging detectors at CERN

A new experiment with an intense ~2 GeV neutrino beam at CERN SPS is proposed in order to definitely clarify the possible existence of additional neutrino states, as pointed out by neutrino calibration source experiments, reactor and accelerator experiments and measure the corresponding oscillation parameters. The experiment is based on two identical LAr-TPCs complemented by magnetized spectrometers detecting electron and muon neutrino events at Far and Near positions, 1600 m and 300 m from the proton target, respectively. The ICARUS T600 detector, the largest LAr-TPC ever built with a size of about 600 ton of imaging mass, now running in the LNGS underground laboratory, will be moved at the CERN Far position. An additional 1/4 of the T600 detector (T150) will be constructed and located in the Near position. Two large area spectrometers will be placed downstream of the two LAr-TPC detectors to perform charge identification and muon momentum measurements from sub-GeV to several GeV energy range, greatly complementing the physics capabilities. This experiment will offer remarkable discovery potentialities, collecting a very large number of unbiased events both in the neutrino and antineutrino channels, largely adequate to definitely settle the origin of the observed neutrino-related anomalies.Comment: Contribution to the European Strategy for Particle Physics - Open Symposium Preparatory Group, Kracow 10-12 September 201

LHCb Upgraded RICH 1 Engineering Design Review Report

During the Long Shutdown 2 of the LHC, the LHCb collaboration will replace the upstream Ring Imaging Cherenkov detector (RICH 1). The magnetic shield of the current RICH 1 will be modified, new spherical and plane mirrors will be installed and a new gas enclosure will be manufactured. New photon detectors (multianode photomultiplier tubes) will be used and these, together with their readout electronics, require a new mechanical support system. This document describes the new optical arrangement of RICH 1, its engineering design, installation and alignment. A summary of the project schedule and institute responsibilities is provided

LHCb Upgraded RICH 1 Engineering Design Review Report

During the Long Shutdown 2 of the LHC, the LHCb collaboration will replace the upstream Ring Imaging Cherenkov detector (RICH 1). The magnetic shield of the current RICH 1 will be modified, new spherical and plane mirrors will be installed and a new gas enclosure will be manufactured. New photon detectors (multianode photomultiplier tubes) will be used and these, together with their readout electronics, require a new mechanical support system. This document describes the new optical arrangement of RICH 1, its engineering design, installation and alignment. A summary of the project schedule and institute responsibilities is provided

Progress on development of the new FDIRC PID detector

International audienceWe present a progress status of a new concept of PID detector called FDIRC, intended to be used at the SuperB experiment, which requires π/K separation up to a few GeV/c. The new photon camera is made of the solid fused-silica optics with a volume 25× smaller and speed increased by a factor of 10 compared to the BaBar DIRC, and therefore will be much less sensitive to electromagnetic and neutron background