COMPASS Data Research Articles

Determination of polarized parton densities from a QCD analysis of inclusive and semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering data

A new combined next to leading order QCD analysis of the polarized inclusive and semi-inclusive deep inelastic lepton-hadron scattering (DIS) data is presented. In contrast to previous combined analyses, the $1/Q^2$ terms (kinematic - target mass corrections, and dynamic - higher twist corrections) in the expression for the nucleon spin structure function $g_1$ are taken into account. The new COMPASS data are included in the analysis. The impact of the semi-inclusive data on the polarized parton densities (PDFs) and on the higher twist corrections is discussed. The new results for the PDFs are compared to our (Leader, Sidorov, Stamenov) LSS'06 PDFs, obtained from the fit to the inclusive DIS data alone, and to those obtained from the de Florian, Sassot, Stratmann, and Vogelsang global analysis.

Wide area real time kinematic decimetre positioning with multiple carrier GNSS signals

This paper presents the technical basis for wide area real time decimetre positioning services using multiple carrier signals transmitted by future GNSS such as modernized GPS and Compass systems. The first step is to form two ionosphere-reduced extra-widelanes (EWL) that have the minimal total noise levels in cycles, considering the effects of the ionospheric and tropospheric delays, orbital error, and phase noise terms in various observational environments. The proposed three carrier ambiguity resolution approach can determine the integer ambiguities of the selected EWL signals with geometry-free and geometry-based estimations respectively over the distances of typically hundreds of kilometres. With two ambiguity-fixed EWL signals, the kinematic positioning solutions can be achieved in decimetre level accuracy. A semi-simulation method is employed to generate three frequency Compass data to demonstrate the above expected performance for decimetre positioning services. Both theoretical and experimental results have demonstrated the overall 3D root mean square accuracy of better than 15 cm obtained through with a phase smoothing process over 120 epochs. The dominating error factor in this positioning result is the residual tropospheric biases, which would become less correlated as the baselines grow beyond hundreds of kilometres. With respect to dual-frequency based precise point positioning and wide area differential positioning solutions, a major advantage of using the third frequency signals is the convergence time being shorten from tens of minutes to a few minutes. In addition, due to the instant ambiguity resolution capability, phase breaks or cycle slips no longer affect the continuity of the solutions. This reliable decimetre positioning capability introduces a significant improvement to safety-of-life, liability-critical and professional applications.

Design and construction of the fast photon detection system for COMPASS RICH-1

New photon detectors, based on the use of multi-anode photo-multiplier tubes coupled to individual lens telescopes and read out with a dedicated read-out electronics system, equip the central region of the Cherenkov imaging counter RICH-1 of the COMPASS experiment at CERN SPS. They are characterised by high photon yield, fast response and high rate capability and are successfully in operation since the 2006 COMPASS data taking. The photon detection system fully matches the expected performance. The design and construction of the photon detectors are described in detail.

An efficient implementation of a particle filter for localization using compass data

This paper presents a localization algorithm for a small mobile platform. Taking advantage from modern technology, Saetta, a low cost mobile robot, has been built from scratch. Due to the limited processing capabilities, some ad hoc solutions have been used: the lack of processing resources has been compensated by an efficient implementation of the estimator and by the use of compass measures which ease the computational load. The results show how a careful design allows the implementation of sophisticated algorithms also on small platforms.

Azimuthal spin asymmetries in light-cone constituent quark models

We present results for all leading-twist azimuthal spin asymmetries in semi-inclusive lepton-nucleon deep-inelastic scattering due to T-even transverse-momentum dependent parton distribution functions on the basis of a light-cone constituent quark model. Attention is paid to discuss the range of applicability of the model, especially with regard to the scale dependence of the observables and the transverse-momentum dependence of the distributions. We find good agreement with available experimental data and present predictions to be further tested by future CLAS, COMPASS, and HERMES data.

Comment on the recent COMPASS data on the spin structure function g 1

We examine the recent COMPASS data on the spin structure function g_1 singlet. We show that it is rather difficult to use the data in the present form in order to draw conclusions on the initial parton densities. However, our tentative estimate is that the data better agree with positive rather than negative initial gluon densities.

QCD analysis of experimental polarized deep-inelastic-scattering data

A detailed review of the current state of investigations into polarized deep inelastic scattering (DIS) is presented. Special attention is given to the methods of the QCD analysis of experimental data on these processes and to the methods of extrapolation of polarized structure functions and polarized quark distributions in the regions inaccessible to current experiments. In the case of pure inclusive processes, the QCD analysis of all worldwide data, including the latest COMPASS data, is presented in detail. Special attention is given to such important components of the nucleon-spin problem as the polarized strangeness and polarized gluon distribution. The features of SIDIS processes are considered; in particular, the role of fragmentation functions in the analysis of the semi-inclusive data is discussed. The methods of extracting the fragmentation functions from experimental data are considered in detail, and the corresponding results are presented. The results of analysis of the existing semi-inclusive polarized data both in the QCD leading order and in the next-to-leading order are considered. Special attention is given to non-standard, so-called difference asymmetries, which make it possible to minimize the dependence of results of analysis on the fragmentation functions. The current methods of QCD analysis of semi-inclusive polarized data are critically reviewed. An alternative method of QCD analysis of semi-inclusive data is presented for next-to-leading order QCD. Advantages of the method in practical applications are illustrated by the example of analysis of the HERMES data.

Recent results on polarized PDFs and higher twist

The impact of the recent very precise CLAS and COMPASS g 1/F 1 data on polarized parton densities and higher twist effects is discussed. It is demonstrated that the low Q 2 CLAS data improve essentially our knowledge of higher twist corrections to the spin structure function g 1, while the large Q 2 COMPASS data influence mainly the strange quark and gluon polarizations. It is also shown that the uncertainties in the determination of the polarized parton densities are significantly reduced. We find also that the present inclusive DIS data cannot rule out a negative polarized and changing in sign gluon densities. The present status of the proton spin sum rule is discussed.

Pattern recognition and PID for COMPASS RICH-1

A package for pattern recognition and PID by COMPASS RICH-1 has been developed and used for the analysis of COMPASS data collected in the years 2002–2004, and 2006–2007 with the upgraded RICH-1 photon detectors. It has allowed the full characterization of the detector in the starting version and in the upgraded one as well as the PID for physics results. We report about the package structure and algorithms, and the detector characterization and PID results.

Are there approximate relations among transverse momentum dependent distribution functions?

Certain exact relations among transverse momentum dependent parton distribution functions due to QCD equations of motion turn into approximate ones upon the neglect of pure twist-3 terms. On the basis of available data from HERMES, we test the practical usefulness of one such 'Wandzura-Wilczek-type approximation', namely, of that connecting h{sub 1L}{sup perpendicular}({sup 1a})(x) to h{sub L}{sup a}(x), and discuss how it can be further tested by future CLAS and COMPASS data.

Longitudinal polarisation of Λ and Λ̄ hyperons in lepton–nucleon deep-inelastic scattering

We consider models for the spin transfers to Λ and Λ hyperons produced in lepton–nucleon deep-inelastic scattering. We make predictions for longitudinal Λ and Λ spin transfers for the COMPASS experiment and for HERA, and for the spin transfer to Λ hyperons produced at JLAB. We demonstrate that accurate measurements of the spin transfers to Λ and Λ hyperons with COMPASS kinematics have the potential to probe the intrinsic strangeness in the nucleon. We show that a measurement of Λ polarisation could provide a clean probe of the spin transfer from s quarks and provides a new possibility to measure the antistrange quark distribution function. COMPASS data in a domain of x that has not been studied previously will provide valuable extra information to fix models for the nucleon spin structure. The spin transfer to Λ hyperons, which could be measured by the COMPASS experiment, would provide a new tool to distinguish between the SU(6) and Burkardt–Jaffe (BJ) models for baryon spin structure. In the case of the HERA electron–proton collider experiments with longitudinally-polarised electrons, the separation between the target and current fragmentation mechanisms is more clear. It provides a complementary probe of the strange quark distribution and helps distinguish between the SU(6) and BJ models for the Λ and Λ spin structure. Finally, we show that the spin transfer to Λ hyperons measured in a JLAB experiment would be dominated by the spin transfer of the intrinsic polarised-strangeness in the remnant nucleon, providing an independent way to check our model predictions.

Impact of CLAS and COMPASS data on polarized parton densities and higher twist

We have reanalyzed the world data on inclusive polarized deep inelastic scattering (DIS) including the very precise CLAS proton and deuteron data, as well as the latest COMPASS data on the asymmetry ${A}_{1}^{d}$, and have studied the impact of these data on polarized parton densities and higher twist effects. We demonstrate that the low ${Q}^{2}$ CLAS data improve essentially our knowledge of higher twist corrections to the spin structure function ${g}_{1}$, while the large ${Q}^{2}$ COMPASS data influence mainly the strange quark density. In our new analysis we find that a negative polarized gluon density, or one that changes sign as a function of $x$, cannot be ruled out on the basis of the present DIS data.

Spin physics at COMPASS

Results for the spin structure of the nucleon from the COMPASS data taking periods 2002 to 2004 are presented. The quark contribution to the nucleon spin, following from a QCD fit to the new data, turns out to be significantly larger than it was derived from the previous world data. The new data favour, on the other side, a comparatively small gluon Polarisation in the range x g ≈ 0.1. In the data taken with the deuteron target polarised transversely the related asymmetries are found to be small on the level of accuracy reached so far, indicating a cancellation of the proton and neutron contributions. This is in agreement, for both the Collins and the Sivers asymmetry, with recent theoretical calculations. Also, a step towards the understanding of angular-momentum contributions with COMPASS is taken by the evaluation of asymmetries in exclusive vector meson production.

On the new COMPASS measurement of the deuteron spin-dependent structure function g1d

Abstract Very recently, a new measurement of the deuteron spin-dependent structure function g 1 d ( x ) was reported by the COMPASS group. A main change from the old SMC measurement is a considerable improvement of the statistical accuracy in the low x region 0.004 x 0.03 . We point out that the new COMPASS data for g 1 d ( x ) as well as their QCD fits for Δ Σ and Δ s + Δ s ¯ are all remarkably close to our theoretical predictions given several years ago based on the chiral quark soliton model.

Fast photon detection for COMPASS RICH-1

A fast photon detection system has been built and assembled for the upgrade of COMPASS RICH-1. The system is based on multianode photomultipliers coupled to fused silica lenses to collect the light from a larger surface and to guide it to the photocathode, preserving the position information. The emphasis is on the fast response and high rate capability of the detectors and the associated electronics. The photon detection system is now ready and it will be employed in the 2006 COMPASS data taking. We report about the system design and construction.

Collins effect in semiinclusive deeply inelastic scattering and in electron-positron-annihilation

The Collins fragmentation function is extracted from HERMES data on azimuthal single spin asymmetries in semi-inclusive deeply inelastic scattering, and BELLE data on azimuthal asymmetries in electron positron annihilations. A Gaussian model is assumed for the distribution of transverse parton momenta and predictions are used from the chiral quark-soliton model for the transversity distribution function. We find that the HERMES and BELLE data yield a consistent picture of the Collins fragmentation function which is compatible with COMPASS data and the information previously obtained from an analysis of DELPHI data. Estimates for future experiments are made.

Longitudinal polarized parton densities updated

We have re-analyzed the world data on inclusive polarized DIS, in both NLO and LO QCD, including the new HERMES and COMPASS data. The updated NLO polarized densities are given in both the $\rm \bar{MS}$ and JET schemes. The impact of the new data on the results is discussed.

Design of a Wireless Assisted Pedestrian Dead Reckoning System—The NavMote Experience

In this paper, we combine inertial sensing and sensor network technology to create a pedestrian dead reckoning system. The core of the system is a lightweight sensor-and-wireless-embedded device called NavMote that is carried by a pedestrian. The NavMote gathers information about pedestrian motion from an integrated magnetic compass and accelerometers. When the NavMote comes within range of a sensor network (composed of NetMotes), it downloads the compressed data to the network. The network relays the data via a RelayMote to an information center where the data are processed into an estimate of the pedestrian trajectory based on a dead reckoning algorithm. System details including the NavMote hardware/software, sensor network middleware services, and the dead reckoning algorithm are provided. In particular, simple but effective step detection and step length estimation methods are implemented in order to reduce computation, memory, and communication requirements on the Motes. Static and dynamic calibrations of the compass data are crucial to compensate the heading errors. The dead reckoning performance is further enhanced by wireless telemetry and map matching. Extensive testing results show that satisfactory tracking performance with relatively long operational time is achieved. The paper also serves as a brief survey on pedestrian navigation systems, sensors, and techniques.

Histone trimethylation by Set1 is coordinated by the RRM, autoinhibitory, and catalytic domains

Trimethylation of lysine 4 of histone H3 occurs at the 5' end of active genes and is catalyzed by Set1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Trimethylation requires histone H2B ubiquitylation and the PAF1 complex, which are linked to transcription elongation, but how they activate Set1 is not known. Set1 also bears several conserved domains with uncharacterized contributions to activity. Here, we isolated dominant hyperactive SET1(D) alleles, which revealed a complex interplay among Set1 regulatory domains. Remarkably, the RNA-recognition motif (RRM) of Set1 is required for H3K4 trimethylation, but not dimethylation. Also, a central autoinhibitory domain was identified that opposes RRM function by inhibiting trimethylation. Furthermore, a G990E replacement in the catalytic domain conferred Set1 hyperactivity and restored trimethylation to a Set1 derivative bearing mutations in the RRM domain. Surprisingly, certain SET1(D) alleles also partially restored trimethylation to strains lacking histone H2B ubiquitylation or Paf1. Taken together, our data suggest that the catalytic domain of Set1 integrates opposing inputs from the RRM and autoinhibitory domains to link properly H3K4 methylation to the transcript elongation process.

The COMPASS data acquisition system

A fully pipelined and massively parallel data acquisition system has been developed for the COMPASS experiment at CERN. The main requirements are to read 250000 detector channels at a trigger rate of up to 100 kHz. Such high rates are only possible when using a hit selection mechanism on the front-end combined with dead-time free readout. For this purpose, a time-to-digital converter (TDC) chip has been developed and is used for all time measurement applications in COMPASS. Distributed, field programmable gate array (FPGA)-based readout-driver modules handle parallel front-end initialization, synchronous trigger and control-signal distribution, and local event building at a processing speed of 160 Mbyte/s. Each of the 160 readout-driver modules connects to 16 front-end boards through independent twisted pair cables (CAT 7, 600 MHz) or optical fibers using an industrial (ESCON), self synchronizing link at 40 Mbyte/s. Automatic configuration through unique module and link identification ensures the flexibility and scalability to very large detector systems. The preprocessed data are transmitted through optical fibers at 160 Mbyte/s to the master event building system. Here global event building is realized on high-performance personal computers (PCs) and Gigabit ethernet network components. The complete events are sent to the central data recording at the CERN main site at an average rate of 40 Mbyte/s and stored in an object oriented database. A reduced system was set up for the commissioning run of COMPASS in 2000. Operation of the full system starts in July 2001.