High-energy Interactions Research Articles

Structural and atomic displacement evaluations of Aluminium nanoparticle in thermal annealing treatment: an insight through molecular dynamic simulations

:In the present study, Molecular Dynamic (MD) simulations were applied to uncover the phase transition of Aluminium (Al) nanoparticles in annealing treatment. Parameters and properties, like potential energy, Mean Square Displacement (MSD), diffusion coefficient, crystal style and Radial Distribution Function (RDF), were discussed in the following article. In the linear heating stage (stage one), it was confirmed that the melting behaviour started at 960 K and ended at 1038 K. With the process of melting, the diffusion of Al atoms was accelerated from shell to core. In the thermostat stage (stage two), lots of bulges appeared due to the high kinetic energy and limited atomic interactions. Those bulges spread just like waves. In the slowly cooling stage (stage three), we observed the supercooling phenomenon. The solidification of melted Al nanoparticle started at 540 K, which was much lower than its melting temperature. Comparing with the original one, the cross-section of annealed nanoparticle showed some penetrating defects.

Dynamics of Magnetic Fluids in Crossed DC and AC Magnetic Fields.

In this study, we derived the equations describing the dynamics of a magnetic fluid in crossed magnetic fields (bias and alternating probe fields), considering the field dependence of the relaxation times, interparticle interactions, and demagnetizing field has been derived. For a monodisperse fluid, the dependence of the output signal on the bias field and the probe field frequency was constructed. Experimental studies were conducted in a frequency range up to 80 kHz for two samples of fluids based on magnetite nanoparticles and kerosene. The first sample had a narrow particle size distribution, low-energy magneto dipole interactions, and weak dispersion of dynamic susceptibility. The second sample had a broad particle size distribution, high-energy magneto dipole interactions, and strong dispersion of dynamic susceptibility. In the first case, the bias field led to the appearance of short chains. In the second case, we found quasi-spherical clusters with a characteristic size of 100 nm. The strong dependence of the output signal on the particle size allowed us to use the crossed field method to independently estimate the maximum diameter of the magnetic core of particles.

Study of Muons in Ultra-High-Energy Cosmic-Ray Air Showers with the Telescope Array Experiment

One of the uncertainties in the interpretation of ultra-high-energy cosmic-ray (UHECR) data comes from the high-energy hadronic interaction models used for air shower Monte-Carlo (MC) simulations. A long-standing problem of the so-called “muon excess”, the discrepancy of number of muons predicted by simulations and observed in the data, is believed to be caused by the incompleteness of modern hadronic interaction models, all of which are known to use the extrapolated values of the parameters of hadronic interactions, such as cross sections and multiplicities. The present work is dedicated to the study of muon densities in UHE extensive air showers from the Telescope Array experiment surface detector data. In the 7-year-data from the Telescope Array experiment, we find that the number of particles observed for signals with an expected muon purity of ∼65% at a lateral distance of 2000 m from the shower core is 1.72 ± 0.10(stat.) ± 0.37(syst.) times larger than the MC prediction value using the QGSJETII-03 model for the proton-induced showers. A similar effect is also seen in comparison with other hadronic models such as QGSJETII-04, which shows a 1.67 ± 0.10 ± 0.36 excess. We also studied the dependence of these excesses on lateral distances and found a slower decrease of the lateral distribution of muons in the data as compared to the MC, causing larger discrepancy at the larger lateral distances.

Top-quark physics at the CLIC electron-positron linear collider

The Compact Linear Collider (CLIC) is a proposed future high-luminosity linear electron-positron collider operating at three energy stages, with nominal centre-of-mass energies sqrt{s} = 380 GeV, 1.5 TeV, and 3 TeV. Its aim is to explore the energy frontier, providing sensitivity to physics beyond the Standard Model (BSM) and precision measurements of Standard Model processes with an emphasis on Higgs boson and top-quark physics. The opportunities for top-quark physics at CLIC are discussed in this paper. The initial stage of operation focuses on top-quark pair production measurements, as well as the search for rare flavour-changing neutral current (FCNC) top-quark decays. It also includes a top-quark pair production threshold scan around 350 GeV which provides a precise measurement of the top-quark mass in a well-defined theoretical framework. At the higher-energy stages, studies are made of top-quark pairs produced in association with other particles. A study of t̄tH production including the extraction of the top Yukawa coupling is presented as well as a study of vector boson fusion (VBF) production, which gives direct access to high-energy electroweak interactions. Operation above 1 TeV leads to more highly collimated jet environments where dedicated methods are used to analyse the jet constituents. These techniques enable studies of the top-quark pair production, and hence the sensitivity to BSM physics, to be extended to higher energies. This paper also includes phenomenological interpretations that may be performed using the results from the extensive top-quark physics programme at CLIC.

The CALOCUBE project for a space based cosmic ray experiment: design, construction, and first performance of a high granularity calorimeter prototype

Current research in High Energy Cosmic Ray Physics touches on fundamental questions regarding the origin of cosmic rays, their composition, the acceleration mechanisms, and their production. Unambiguous measurements of the energy spectra and of the composition of cosmic rays at the “knee” region could provide some of the answers to the above questions. So far only ground based observations, which rely on sophisticated models describing high energy interactions in the Earth's atmosphere, have been possible due to the extremely low particle rates at these energies. A calorimetry based space experiment that could provide not only flux measurements but also energy spectra and particle identification, would certainly overcome some of the uncertainties of ground based experiments. Given the expected particle fluxes, a very large acceptance is needed to collect a sufficient quantity of data, in a time compatible with the duration of a space mission. This in turn, contrasts with the lightness and compactness requirements for space based experiments. We present a novel idea in calorimetry which addresses these issues whilst limiting the mass and volume of the detector. In this paper we report on a four year R&D program where we investigated materials, coatings, photo-sensors, Front End electronics, and mechanical structures with the aim of designing a high performance, high granularity calorimeter with the largest possible acceptance. Details are given of the design choices, component characterisation, and of the construction of a sizeable prototype (Calocube) which has been used in various tests with particle beams.

Morphology evolution and degradation of methylammonium lead iodide under accelerated electron beam with energy of 1.8 MeV

Consideration the application of perovskite material in high-energy photon detection, investigation of high-energy photons interactions with perovskite material is necessary. Here, we reported a study of high-energy electron beam (1.8 MeV) induced physical transformation in perovskite (CH3NH3PbI3) thin film. The effect of irradiation dose on physics properties of perovskite was considered as well. Through investigating the transformation of morphology, crystal structure, optical and electronic properties of perovskite thin film under different photon irradiation condition, we found that high-energy electron beam induced partial morphology defects and phase transformation.

Muon charge ratio using the corsika simulation code

Using the corsika code, in 21 energy states between 7 and 900 GeV, in each state, $2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{4}$ extensive air showers were simulated separately with 88% protons and 12% alpha as primary particles. The zenith and azimuth angles of the primary particles were between 0\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} to 60\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} and 0\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} to 360\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}, respectively. These simulations are carried out at Tehran's level ($35\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}4{3}^{\ensuremath{'}}\mathrm{N}$, $51\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}2{0}^{\ensuremath{'}}\mathrm{E}$; 1200 m $\mathrm{a}.\mathrm{s}.\mathrm{l}=897\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{g}\text{ }\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$) and with two models GHEISHA and UrQMD for hadronic interactions at low energy and the QGSJET-II model for high-energy interactions. Using the positive and negative muons produced from these air showers, the muon charge ratios are obtained at various angles and energies. An east-west anisotropy is also achieved for this ratio.

Numerical Investigations on the Instability of Boulders Impacted by Experimental Coastal Flows

Coastal boulders transported inland by marine hazards, such as tsunamis and storms, are commonly found worldwide. Studies on the transport process of coastal boulders contribute to the understanding of a wide range of phenomena such as high-energy flow events, fluid-structure interaction, and coastal sediments. Consequently, it is crucial to understand how boulders move, but even more important to determine the instability condition for boulder transport. The hydrodynamic formulas including drag and lift coefficients are widely used to predict the incipient motion of boulders while few studies are conducted to evaluate the capability of these formulas. Recently, a series of laboratory experiments carried out at the Hydraulic Engineering Laboratory (Italian acronym LIDR) of the University of Bologna, Italy, revealed that boulders can start moving when the flow height and flow velocity are lower than the theoretical threshold computed by hydraulic formulas. In this paper, we use a numerical shallow water model to reproduce these freely available laboratory data with the aim of testing the capability of the model in capturing the main evolution of the process, and of casting new light on the instability condition of coastal boulders.

High energy interactions of cosmic rays

A discussion of a number of important topics related to modeling of high energy cosmic ray interactions is presented. Special attention is devoted to novel theoretical approaches employed in event generators of hadronic interactions and to the impact of experimental data from the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). In relation to studies of ultra-high energy cosmic rays (UHECRs), differences between various predictions for basic characteristics of UHECR-induced extensive air showers in the atmosphere are analyzed and traced down to differences in the respective treatments of hadronic interactions. Possibilities to discriminate between the alternative approaches, based on LHC and UHECR data, are demonstrated and the relation to UHECR primary composition is outlined. Finally, in relation to direct studies of charged cosmic rays, potential improvements of the treatment of cosmic ray interactions at low and intermediate energies are discussed.

An investigation of projectile helium fragments in high-energy nucleus–nucleus interactions

A detailed study on the multiplicity distribution of helium (He) fragments emitted in projectile fragmentation of 22Ne, 28Si, and 32S projectiles on interactions with H, CNO, and AgBr targets in a nuclear emulsion track detector has been presented at an incident momentum of (4.1–4.5) AGeV/c. The percentage of events with He fragments increases with increase in projectile mass for all three targets. Studies of multiplicity moments, dispersion of multiplicity distribution, and the investigation of dynamical fluctuations of the projectile He fragments have also been carried out.

Moments of multiplicity distributions using Tsallis statistics in leptonic and hadronic collisions

Moments play a crucial role in investigating the characteristics of charged particle multiplicities in high energy interactions. The success of any model which describes the multiplicity data can be understood well by studying the normalised and factorial moments of that distribution.~The Tsallis model is one of the most successful models which describes the multiplicity spectra, transverse momentum ($p_T$) spectra very precisely in high energy interactions.~In our previous work we have used the Tsallis $q$-statistics to describe the multiplicity distributions in leptonic and hadronic collisions at various energies ranging from 14 GeV to 7 TeV.~In the present study we have extended our analysis for calculating the moments using the Tsallis model for $e^+e^-$ interactions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 91 to 206 GeV from the LEP data and for $pp$ interactions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 0.9 to 7 TeV in various pseudo-rapidity intervals from the CMS data at LHC. By using the Tsallis model we have also calculated the average charged multiplicity and its dependence on energy.~It is found that the moments and the mean multiplicities predicted by the Tsallis model are in good agreement with the experimental values.~We have also predicted the mean multiplicity at $\sqrt{s}$ = 500 GeV for $e^+e^-$ collisions and at $\sqrt{s}$ = 14 TeV for $pp$ collisions in extreme pseudo-rapidity interval, $|\eta|$ $<$ 2.4

Scattering of high-energy cosmic ray electrons off the Dark Matter

High-energy cosmic ray electrons interaction with Dark Matter particles is considered. In particular, a weakening of energy spectrum of cosmic electrons is predicted resulting from inelastic electron scattering on hyperpions in the hypercolor extension of the Standard Model. Corresponding cross-section and angular distributions of secondary neutrino are calculated and studied. The number of events with these neutrinos at IceTop is also estimated.

High-energy neutrino-nucleus interactions

High-energy neutrino-nucleus interactions are discussed by considering neutrino-oscillation experiments and ultra-high-energy cosmic neutrino interactions. The largest systematic error for the current neutrino oscillation measurements comes from the neutrino-nucleus interaction part, and its accurate understanding is essential for high-precision neutrino physics, namely for studying CP violation in the lepton sector. Depending on neutrino beam energies, quasi-elastic, resonance, Regge, or/and deep inelastic scattering (DIS) processes contribute to the neutrino cross section. It is desirable to have a code to calculate the neutrino-nucleus cross section in any kinematical range by combining various theoretical descriptions. On the other hand, the IceCube collaboration started obtaining cross section data up to the 1015 eV range, so that it became necessary to understand ultra-high-energy neutrino interactions beyond the artificial lepton-accelerator energy range. For future precise neutrino physics including the CP measurement, it is also necessary to understand accurate nuclear corrections. The current status is explained for nuclear corrections in DIS structure functions. The possibility is also discussed to find gravitational sources within nucleons and nuclei, namely matrix elements of quark-gluon energy-momentum tensor. They could be probed by neutrino interactions without replying on direct ultra-weak “gravitational interactions” with high-intensity neutrino beams, possibly at a future neutrino factory, by using techniques of hadron tomography.

High-energy neutrino interaction physics with IceCube

Although they are best known for studying astrophysical neutrinos, neutrino telescopes like IceCube can study neutrino interactions, at energies far above those that are accessible at accelerators. In this writeup, I present two IceCube analyses of neutrino interactions at energies far above 1 TeV. The first measures neutrino absorption in the Earth, and, from that determines the neutrino-nucleon cross-section at energies between 6.3 and 980 TeV. We find that the cross-sections are 1.30 +0.21 -0.19 (stat.) +0.39 -0.43 (syst.) times the Standard Model crosssection. We also present a measurement of neutrino inelasticity, using νμ charged-current interactions that occur within IceCube. We have measured the average inelasticity at energies from 1 TeV to above 100 TeV, and found that it is in agreement with the Standard Model expectations. We have also performed a series of fits to this track sample and a matching cascade sample, to probe aspects of the astrophysical neutrino flux, particularly the flavor ratio.

EAS longitudinal development distribution parameters for different extrapolations of the nuclei intaraction cross section to the very high energy domain

Determination of the primary particle mass using air fluorescence or a Cherenkov detector array is one of the most difficult task of experimental cosmic ray studies. The information about the primary particle mass is a compound of the produced particle multiplicity, inelasticity, interaction cross-section and many other parameters, thus it is necessary to compare registered showers with sophisticated Monte-Carlo simulation results. In this work we present results of the studies of at least three possible ways of extrapolating proton- Nucleus and Nucleus-Nucleus cross sections to cosmic ray energies based on the Glauber theory. They are compared with experimental accelerator and cosmic ray data for the proton-air cross section. We also present results of the EAS development with the most popular high-energy interaction models adopted in the CORSIKA program with our cross section extrapolations. The average position of the shower maximum and the width of its distribution are compared with experimental data and some discussion is given.

Neutron Contamination Unexpected Dose in Varian LINAC

Introduction: Neutron contamination is very harmful for the patients receiving radiation therapy due to the high relative biological effect of neutrons. Medical linear accelerators head are made up of materials with high atomic numbers, and High-energy photons interaction with heavy materials can produce neutron contamination. In this study, neutron equivalent dose, neutron spectrum, and the effect of field size on neutron contamination dose is calculated by the FLUKA Monte Carlo code system. Materials and Methods: In this study, all parts of the Varian Clinac 2100 accelerator head’s elements, such as target, flattening filter, jaws, MLC, shields, primary and secondary collimators are simulated by the FLUKA code system. LINAC performance energy was considered 18MV and a water phantom with dimension of 140×140×35 cm3 was simulated for neutron dose calculation. To investigate the effect of field size on neutron contamination, larger treatment fields such as 10×10, 20×20, 30×30 and 40×40 was formed by the jaws, and the smaller ones like 1×1, 3×3 and 5×5 was formed by the MLC. Results: The results show that the Neutron contamination dose can be up to 2.54 mSv per 1Gy photon dose at isocenter. Neutron to photon dose ratio is 0.004 at isocenter and more than 8.6 in out-of-field areas. Furthermore, the neutron dose changes at the surface of the water phantom is only 15% that show the protective elements of the LINAC head are not able to control the neutron contamination flux. The most of neutron dose distribution is at the surface of the water phantom, So it can increases the secondary cancer risk in patients, including skin cancer. The effect of treatment field size on neutron contamination shows that the larger field size formed by the jaws contribute to higher in-field neutron dose, and using of smaller field size formed by the MLC, cause the lower in-field neutron dose. Conclusion: The neutron contamination dose can not be neglected, and the effective parameters in neutron contamination exasperation should be thoroughly investigated. Furthermore, the harmful effects of the neutron contamination should be minimized by the appropriate protective shields

A Self-Organized Poly(vinylpyrrolidone)-Based Cathode Interlayer in Inverted Fullerene-Free Organic Solar Cells.

Herein, poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) is used as the cathode interlayer (CIL) through the self-organization method in inverted organic solar cells (OSCs). By coating a solution of PVP and active layer materials onto a glass/indium tin oxide (ITO) substrate, the PVP can segregate to the near ITO side due to its high surface energy and strong intermolecular interaction with the ITO electrode. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the obtained OSC device reaches 13.3%, much higher than that of the control device with a PCE of only 10.1%. The improvement results from the increased exciton dissociation efficiency and the depressed trap-assisted recombination, which can be attributed to the reduced work function of the cathode by the self-organized PVP. Additionally, the molecular weight of the PVP has almost no influence on the device performance, and the PVP-modified device presents superior stability. This method can also be applied in other highly efficient fullerene-free OSCs, and with a fine selection of the active layer, a high PCE of 14.0% is obtained. Overall, this work demonstrates the great potential of the PVP-based CIL in inverted OSCs fabricated via the self-organization method.

Correlation study in high energy interaction of muon with Ag and Br nuclei

In this work, we present the study of emissions of light fragments produced in interactions of 160 GeV muons with emulsion nuclei. A total of 820 interactions with emulsion nuclei were collected. Thickness, coordinate and range of each track were measured. Charges of emitted fragments were identified and the corresponding energies were calculated. Multiplicity, total particle production cross-sections and angular distribution of particles (P, He, Li, Be and B) were presented. Forward–backward–angular correlations were measured for the emitted alpha particles. Short and long range correlation among pairs of Alfa particles were observed at specific angular intervals. The experimental data and the results of the angular correlation were used to find the probable mechanism of producing alpha particles and to reveal the dynamic characteristics of the reactions.

The KASCADE Cosmic-ray Data Centre KCDC: granting open access to astroparticle physics research data

The ‘KASCADE Cosmic ray Data Centre’ is a web portal (https://kcdc.ikp.kit.edu), where the data of the astroparticle physics experiment KASCADE-Grande are made available for the interested public. The KASCADE experiment was a large-area detector for the measurement of high-energy cosmic rays via the detection of extensive air showers. The multi-detector installations KASCADE and its extension KASCADE-Grande stopped the active data acquisition in 2013 after more than 20 years of data taking. In several updates since our first release in 2013 with KCDC we provide the public measured and reconstructed parameters of more than 433 million air showers. In addition, KCDC provides meta data information and documentation to enable a user outside the community of experts to perform their own data analysis. Simulation data from three different high energy interaction models have been made available as well as a compilation of measured and published spectra from various experiments. In addition, detailed educational examples shall encourage high-school students and early stage researchers to learn about astroparticle physics, cosmic radiation as well as the handling of Big Data and about the sustainable and public provision of scientific data.

Measurement of charged particle spectra in minimum-bias events from proton\u2013proton collisions at sqrt{s}=13,text {TeV}

Pseudorapidity, transverse momentum, and multiplicity distributions are measured in the pseudorapidity range |eta | < 2.4 for charged particles with transverse momenta satisfying p_{mathrm {T}} > 0.5,text {GeV} in proton–proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of sqrt{s} = 13,text {TeV} . Measurements are presented in three different event categories. The most inclusive of the categories corresponds to an inelastic mathrm {p}mathrm {p} data set, while the other two categories are exclusive subsets of the inelastic sample that are either enhanced or depleted in single diffractive dissociation events. The measurements are compared to predictions from Monte Carlo event generators used to describe high-energy hadronic interactions in collider and cosmic-ray physics.