Performance of the ToF detectors in the foot experiment

The FOOT (FragmentatiOn Of Target) experiment aims to deter- mine the fragmentation cross-sections of nuclei of interest for particle therapy and radioprotection in space. The apparatus is composed of several detectors that allow fragment identification in terms of charge, mass, energy and direction. The frag- ment time of flight (ToF) along a lever arm of ∼2 m is used for particle ID, requiring a resolution below 100ps to achieve a sufficient resolution in the fragment atomic mass identification. The timing performance of the ToF system evaluated with 12C and 16O beams is reviewed in this contribution

Upper limit on the cosmic-ray photon fraction at EeV energies from the Pierre Auger Observatory

From direct observations of the longitudinal development of ultra-high energy air showers performed with the Pierre Auger Observatory, upper limits of 3.8%, 2.4%, 3.5% and 11.7% (at 95% c.l.) are obtained on the fraction of cosmic-ray photons above 2, 3, 5 and 10 EeV (1 EeV = 10^18 eV) respectively. These are the first experimental limits on ultra-high energy photons at energies below 10 EeV. The results complement previous constraints on top-down models from array data and they reduce systematic uncertainties in the interpretation of shower data in terms of primary flux, nuclear composition and proton-air cross-section.Comment: 20 pages, 7 figures, 2 tables. Minor changes. Accepted by Astroparticle Physic

Performance of the ToF detectors in the FOOT experiment

The FOOT (FragmentatiOn Of Target) experiment aims to determine the fragmentation cross-sections of nuclei of interest for particle therapy and radioprotection in space. The apparatus is composed of several detectors that allow fragment identification in terms of charge, mass, energy and direction. The fragment time of flight (ToF) along a lever arm of ∼2 m is used for particle ID, requiring a resolution below 100 ps to achieve a sufficient resolution in the fragment atomic mass identification. The timing performance of the ToF system evaluated with 12C and 16O beams is reviewed in this contribution

Alignment and Calibration Experience Under LHC Data-Taking Conditions in the CMS Experiment

Full achievement of the physics potential of the detector and timely preparation of results for conferences require a fast turnaround of alignment and calibration workflows. The CMS experiment has set up a powerful framework and infrastructure for alignment and calibration, which is based on dedicated skims providing a highly compact specific input for the various workflows computing the constants, and includes a prompt calibration concept which allows determination of highly time-dependent constants on the fly. The CMS alignment and calibration model has been commissioned step by step with cosmic muons and passed a main challenge with the first LHC high energy run and the preparation of physics results for the summer conferences of this year. This article reviews detailed experience from this extended operation, including results from selected workflows