The new servo-spill power converter of the CERN SPS machine

The so-called servo-spill system of the SPS machine requires a very specific power converter to be used as the power actuator of the system. Due to this particular function, the main performance required, for this power converter, is an unusual large signal current bandwidth of up to 1.5 kHz. The procurement is based on a similar industrial product using switch mode technology. This paper describes the main power part as well as the control approach chosen to fulfil the specific requirements of this power converter. Final operational results are also presented

Gemini Planet Imager Observational Calibrations III: Empirical Measurement Methods and Applications of High-Resolution Microlens PSFs

The newly commissioned Gemini Planet Imager (GPI) combines extreme adaptive optics, an advanced coronagraph, precision wavefront control and a lenslet-based integral field spectrograph (IFS) to measure the spectra of young extrasolar giant planets between 0.9-2.5 um. Each GPI detector image, when in spectral model, consists of ~37,000 microspectra which are under or critically sampled in the spatial direction. This paper demonstrates how to obtain high-resolution microlens PSFs and discusses their use in enhancing the wavelength calibration, flexure compensation and spectral extraction. This method is generally applicable to any lenslet-based integral field spectrograph including proposed future instrument concepts for space missions.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figures. Proceedings of the SPIE, 9147-282 v2: reference adde

Comment on "On the TST_S-Anomaly in Betaine Calcium Chloride Dihydrate"

Recently, Hlinka and Ishibashi [J. Phys. Soc. Jpn. 67, 495 (1998)] discussed the $T_S$-anomaly in betaine calcium chloride dihydrate (BCCD) in a Landau-type approach. We comment on the shortcomings of this approach and discuss the $T_S$-anomaly in the framework of a microscopical pseudo spin model based on a realistic description of BCCD in terms of symmetry-adapted local modes.Comment: 2 pages, RevTex, submitted to J. Phys. Soc. Jp

Fermi Edge Singularities in Transport through Quantum Dots

We study the Fermi-edge singularity appearing in the current-voltage characteristics for resonant tunneling through a localized level at finite temperature. An explicit expression for the current at low temperature and near the threshold for the tunneling process is presented which allows to coalesce data taken at different temperatures to a single curve. Based on this scaling function for the current we analyze experimental data from a GaAs-AlAs-GaAs tunneling device with embedded InAs quantum dots obtained at low temperatures in high magnetic fields.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figure

The electromagnetic calorimeter of the AMS-02 experiment

The electromagnetic calorimeter (ECAL) of the AMS-02 experiment is a 3-dimensional sampling calorimeter, made of lead and scintillating fibers. The detector allows for a high granularity, with 18 samplings in the longitudinal direction, and 72 sampling in the lateral direction. The ECAL primary goal is to measure the energy of cosmic rays up to few TeV, however, thanks to the fine grained structure, it can also provide the separation of positrons from protons, in the GeV to TeV region. A direct measurement of high energy photons with accurate energy and direction determination can also be provided.Comment: Proceedings of SF2A conference 201

Search for cool giant exoplanets around young and nearby stars - VLT/NaCo near-infrared phase-coronagraphic and differential imaging

[Abridged] Context. Spectral differential imaging (SDI) is part of the observing strategy of current and future high-contrast imaging instruments. It aims to reduce the stellar speckles that prevent the detection of cool planets by using in/out methane-band images. It attenuates the signature of off-axis companions to the star, such as angular differential imaging (ADI). However, this attenuation depends on the spectral properties of the low-mass companions we are searching for. The implications of this particularity on estimating the detection limits have been poorly explored so far. Aims. We perform an imaging survey to search for cool (Teff<1000-1300 K) giant planets at separations as close as 5-10 AU. We also aim to assess the sensitivity limits in SDI data taking the photometric bias into account. This will lead to a better view of the SDI performance. Methods. We observed a selected sample of 16 stars (age < 200 Myr, d < 25 pc) with the phase-mask coronagraph, SDI, and ADI modes of VLT/NaCo. Results. We do not detect any companions. As for the sensitivity limits, we argue that the SDI residual noise cannot be converted into mass limits because it represents a differential flux, unlike the case of single-band images. This results in degeneracies for the mass limits, which may be removed with the use of single-band constraints. We instead employ a method of directly determining the mass limits. The survey is sensitive to cool giant planets beyond 10 AU for 65% and 30 AU for 100% of the sample. Conclusions. For close-in separations, the optimal regime for SDI corresponds to SDI flux ratios >2. According to the BT-Settl model, this translates into Teff<800 K. The methods described here can be applied to the data interpretation of SPHERE. We expect better performance with the dual-band imager IRDIS, thanks to more suitable filter characteristics and better image quality.Comment: 19 pages, 16 figures, accepted for publication in A&A, version including language editin

Measurement of the electron drift velocity for directional dark matter detectors

Three-dimensional track reconstruction is a key issue for directional Dark Matter detection. It requires a precise knowledge of the electron drift velocity. Magboltz simulations are known to give a good evaluation of this parameter. However, large TPC operated underground on long time scale may be characterized by an effective electron drift velocity that may differ from the value evaluated by simulation. In situ measurement of this key parameter is hence a way to avoid bias in the 3D track reconstruction. We present a dedicated method for the measurement of the electron drift velocity with the MIMAC detector. It is tested on two gas mixtures : $\rm CF_4$ and $\rm CF_4+CHF_3$. We also show that adding $\rm CHF_3$ allows us to lower the electron drift velocity while keeping almost the same Fluorine content of the gas mixture.Comment: Proceedings of the 4th international conference on Directional Detection of Dark Matter (CYGNUS 2013), 10-12 June 2013, Toyama, Japa

GEANT: detector description and simulation tool

As the scale and complexity of High Energy Physics experiments increase, simulation studies require more and more care and become essential to design and optimise the detectors, develop and test the reconstruction and analysis programs, and interpret the experimental data. GEANT is a system of detector description and simulation tools that help physicists in such studies

In situ measurement of the electron drift velocity for upcoming directional Dark Matter detectors

Three-dimensional track reconstruction is a key issue for directional Dark Matter detection and it requires a precise knowledge of the electron drift velocity. Magboltz simulations are known to give a good evaluation of this parameter. However, large TPC operated underground on long time scale may be characterized by an effective electron drift velocity that may differ from the value evaluated by simulation. In situ measurement of this key parameter is hence needed as it is a way to avoid bias in the 3D track reconstruction. We present a dedicated method for the measurement of the electron drift velocity with the MIMAC detector. It is tested on two gas mixtures: CF4 and CF4 + CHF3. The latter has been chosen for the MIMAC detector as we expect that adding CHF3 to pure CF4 will lower the electron drift velocity. This is a key point for directional Dark Matter as the track sampling along the drift field will be improved while keeping almost the same Fluorine content of the gas mixture. We show that the drift velocity at 50 mbar is reduced by a factor of about 5 when adding 30% of CHF3.Comment: 19 pages, 14 figures. Minor corrections, matches published version in JINS