Monte Carlo based studies of a polarized positron source for International Linear Collider (ILC)

The full exploitation of the physics potential of an International Linear Collider (ILC) requires the development of a polarized positron beam. New concepts of polarized positron sources are based on the development of circularly polarized photon sources. The polarized photons create electron-positron pairs in a thin target and transfer their polarization state to the outgoing leptons. To achieve a high level of positron polarization the understanding of the production mechanisms in the target is crucial. Therefore a general framework for the simulation of polarized processes with GEANT4 is under development. In this contribution the current status of the project and its application to a study of the positron production process for the ILC is presented.Comment: 5 pages, to appear in the proceedings of 10th International Workshop on Advanced Computing and Analysis Techniques in Physics Research (ACAT 05), Zeuthen, Germany, 22-27 May 2005. Submitted to Nucl.Instrum.Met

First Search for Axion-Like Particles in a Storage Ring Using a Polarized Deuteron Beam

Based on the notion that the local dark-matter field of axions or axion-like particles (ALPs) in our Galaxy induces oscillating couplings to the spins of nucleons and nuclei (via the electric dipole moment of the latter and/or the paramagnetic axion-wind effect), we performed the first experiment to search for ALPs using a storage ring. For that purpose, we used an in-plane polarized deuteron beam stored at the Cooler Synchrotron COSY, scanning momenta near 970 MeV/c. This entailed a scan of the spin precession frequency. At resonance between the spin precession frequency of deuterons and the ALP-induced EDM oscillation frequency there will be an accumulation of the polarization component out of the ring plane. Since the axion frequency is unknown, the momentum of the beam and consequently the spin precession frequency were ramped to search for a vertical polarization change that would occur when the resonance is crossed. At COSY, four beam bunches with different polarization directions were used to make sure that no resonance was missed because of the unknown relative phase between the polarization precession and the axion/ALP field. A frequency window of 1.5-kHz width around the spin precession frequency of 121 kHz was scanned. We describe the experimental procedure and a test of the methodology with the help of a radiofrequency Wien filter located on the COSY ring. No ALP resonance was observed. As a consequence an upper limit of the oscillating EDM component of the deuteron as well as its axion coupling constants are provided.Comment: 25 pages, 24 figures, 7 tables, 67 reference

Time projection chambers for the T2K near detectors

The T2K experiment is designed to study neutrino oscillation properties by directing a high intensity neutrino beam produced at J-PARC in Tokai, Japan, towards the large Super-Kamiokande detector located 295 km away, in Kamioka, Japan. The experiment includes a sophisticated near detector complex, 280 m downstream of the neutrino production target in order to measure the properties of the neutrino beam and to better understand neutrino interactions at the energy scale below a few GeV. A key element of the near detectors is the ND280 tracker, consisting of two active scintillator-bar target systems surrounded by three large time projection chambers (TPCs) for charged particle tracking. The data collected with the tracker is used to study charged current neutrino interaction rates and kinematics prior to oscillation, in order to reduce uncertainties in the oscillation measurements by the far detector. The tracker is surrounded by the former UA1/Nomad dipole magnet and the TPCs measure the charges, momenta, and particle types of charged particles passing through them. Novel features of the TPC design include its rectangular box layout constructed from composite panels, the use of bulk micromegas detectors for gas amplification, electronics readout based on a new ASIC, and a photoelectron calibration system. This paper describes the design and construction of the TPCs, the micromegas modules, the readout electronics, the gas handling system, and shows the performance of the TPCs as deduced from measurements with particle beams, cosmic rays, and the calibration system

The IceCube Data Acquisition System: Signal Capture, Digitization, and Timestamping

IceCube is a km-scale neutrino observatory under construction at the South Pole with sensors both in the deep ice (InIce) and on the surface (IceTop). The sensors, called Digital Optical Modules (DOMs), detect, digitize and timestamp the signals from optical Cherenkov-radiation photons. The DOM Main Board (MB) data acquisition subsystem is connected to the central DAQ in the IceCube Laboratory (ICL) by a single twisted copper wire-pair and transmits packetized data on demand. Time calibration is maintained throughout the array by regular transmission to the DOMs of precisely timed analog signals, synchronized to a central GPS-disciplined clock. The design goals and consequent features, functional capabilities, and initial performance of the DOM MB, and the operation of a combined array of DOMs as a system, are described here. Experience with the first InIce strings and the IceTop stations indicates that the system design and performance goals have been achieved.Comment: 42 pages, 20 figures, submitted to Nuclear Instruments and Methods

Measurement of the positron polarization at an helical undulator based positron source for the International Linear Collider ILC

Als Basis der Positronenquelle zur Erzeugung polarisierter Positronen bei einem zukuunftigen internationalen Linearkollider ist ein helikaler Undulator vorgesehen. Das E-166 Experiment testete diese Methode unter Benutzung eines ein Meter langen, kurzperiodischen, gepulsten helikalen Undulators im Final Focus Test Beam (FFTB) am SLAC. Ein 46.6 GeV Elektronenstrahl mit geringer Emittanz wurde durch diesen Undulator gefuehrt und erzeugte zirkular polarisierte Photonen mit einer Energie bis zu ungefaehr 8 MeV. Diese wiederum konvertierten in einem relativ duennen Target zu longitudinal polarisierten Positronen. Die Polarisation der Positronen wurde bei 5 verschieden Positronenergien gemessen. Zusaetzlich ist die Polarisation von Elektronen fuer einen Energiepunkt gemessen worden. Um die gemessenen Asymmetrien mit den Erwartungen vergleichen zu koennen, waren detaillierte Simulationen noetig. Dies erforderte die Erweiterung von von GEANT4 um die wichtigsten polarisationsabhaengigen Wechselwirkungen von Elektronen, Positronen und Photonen mit Materie. Die gemessene Positronpolarisation stimmt mit den Erwartungen ueberein und betraegt fuer den Energiepunkt mit der hoechsten Polarisation von 6 MeV mehr als 80 prozent.A helical undulator based polarized positron source is forseen at a future International Linear Collider. The E-166 experiment has tested this scheme using a one meter long, short-period, pulsed helical undulator installed in the Final Focus Test Beam (FFTB) at SLAC. A low-emittance 46.6 GeV electron beam passing through this undulator generated circularly polarized photons with energies up to about 8 MeV. The generated photons of several MeV with circular polarization are then converted in a relatively thin target to generate longitudinally polarized positrons. Measurements of the positron polarization have been performed at 5 different energies of the positrons. In addition electron polarization has been determined for one energy point. For a comparison of the measured asymmetries with the expectations detailed simulations were necessary. This required upgrading GEANT4 to include the dominant polarization dependent interactions of electrons, positrons and photons in matter. The measured polarization of the positrons agrees with the expectations and is for the energy point with the highest polarization at 6 MeV about 80 percent