Multi-purpose Detector Research Articles

Concentration and duration dependence of a new prototype polycarbonate/activated-carbon fabric individual and environmental radon monitor

The basic design of new multi-purpose polycarbonate track detector (PCTD)/activated-carbon-fabric (ACF) detector for radon monitoring in particular for parametric studies has been recently self-invented in our laboratory by enhancing PCTD's sensitivity by using the ACF adsorptive layer as external alpha radiator. The PCTD/ACF monitor basically consists of a PCTD; half bare and half covered with ACF in order to adsorb radon on its carbon active sites. From parameters studied, radon concentration and exposure duration were discovered to be the most important parameters affecting the monitor's sensitivity enhancement. An amplification factor (AF), defined as ratio of net PCTD/ACF to PCTD/bare alpha track density responses after background track density subtraction, was found being highly dependent on the two stated parameters. The AF versus duration response is flat with a value ∼1.5 constant up to 32 days in ∼180±20 Bq.m−3 radon environment and also flat with a constant value ∼7.5 up to 8 days in ∼25±1.1 kBq.m−3 radon environment after which the AF decreases down to ∼3.0 up to 32 days exposure. This phenomenon seems be due to full occupancy of radon atoms on the ACF active sites at high concentrations with an equilibrium between adsorption and desorption processes. The latter significantly dominates after 8 days in ∼25±1.1 kBq.m−3 environment leaving behind non-active sites requiring regeneration. The prototype monitor developed can be applied to normal level individual and/or environmental radon monitoring for an extended period of time but to high radon concentrations for short-term such as a week as a “grab sampler” with a high prospect for determination of radon equilibrium factor with its progeny in the radon environment under measurement. The actual radon monitor and its parametric studies are under further development.

Odorant-Binding Proteins as Sensing Elements for Odour Monitoring.

Odour perception has been the object of fast growing research interest in the last three decades. Parallel to the study of the corresponding biological systems, attempts are being made to model the olfactory system with electronic devices. Such projects range from the fabrication of individual sensors, tuned to specific chemicals of interest, to the design of multipurpose smell detectors using arrays of sensors assembled in a sort of artificial nose. Recently, proteins have attracted increasing interest as sensing elements. In particular, soluble olfaction proteins, including odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) of vertebrates and insects, chemosensory proteins (CSPs) and Niemann-Pick type C2 (NPC2) proteins possess interesting characteristics for their use in sensing devices for odours. In fact, thanks to their compact structure, their soluble nature and small size, they are extremely stable to high temperature, refractory to proteolysis and resistant to organic solvents. Moreover, thanks to the availability of many structures solved both as apo-proteins and in complexes with some ligands, it is feasible to design mutants by replacing residues in the binding sites with the aim of synthesising proteins with better selectivity and improved physical properties, as demonstrated in a number of cases.

Commissioning of the J-PET detector in view of the positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy

The Jagiellonian Positron Emission Tomograph (J-PET) is the first PET device built from plastic scintillators. It is a multi-purpose detector designed for medical imaging and for studies of properties of positronium atoms in porous matter and in living organisms. In this article we report on the commissioning of the J-PET detector in view of studies of positronium decays. We present results of analysis of the positron lifetime measured in the porous polymer. The obtained results prove that J-PET is capable of performing simultaneous imaging of the density distribution of annihilation points as well as positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy.

Study on the radon removal for the water system of Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory

The Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO), a 20-kton multipurpose underground liquid scintillator detector, was proposed with the determination of the neutrino mass hierarchy as a primary physics goal. To veto the cosmogenic background and shield the central detector from the environmental radioactivity, a multi-veto system, which consists of a water Cherenkov detector and a top tracker detector, is required. In order to keep the water quality good and remove the radon from water, an ultrapure water system, a radon removal system and radon concentration measurement system have been designed.

P056] Dose distribution from computed tomograghy in anthropomorphic phantom using gafchromic XR-QA2 AND TLD100H

Purpose The Directive 2013/59/Euratom, in the transposition phase, pays particular attention to the radioprotection of the patients and therefore to the absorbed doses evaluation by diagnostic phases. In Computed Tomography (CT), this evaluation is closely linked to the CTDI calculation in homogeneous phantom. Aim of this work is to make an assessment of the dose distribution inside the organs with an anthropomorphic Rando phantom in CT, through the use of Gafchromic™XR-QA2 and TLD100H. Methods Dose mapping were obtained by using Gafchromic™XR-QA2 film and individual TLD100H dosimeters included in RANDO® Woman anthropomorphic phantom by Computed Tomography. Luminescence emissions from TLD100H, were carried out with low constant heating rate of 1 K/s and 513.15 K maximum temperature using a Riso TL/OSL-DA-10 reader. For thermoluminescence intensity evaluation a theoretical glow curve fitting, using the General-Order kinetics (GOK) expressions was applied to experimental glow curves. Gafchromic™XR-QA2 film dosimetry were digitized with Epson 10000 XL with the pixel-to-pixel veil subtraction method. For calibration curve, both for the film and for the TLD, irradiation was delivered with an X-ray tube (Samsung GC 80) in following experimental conditions: ΔV = 140 kVp, source-detector distance (SDD) = 60 cm, 10 × 10 cm2 open field. The dosimeters was placed on 30 × 30 × 10 cm3 of RW3. Calibration of the X-ray tube was done in terms of radiation output (mGy/mAs), using a Multi-Purpose Detector (MPD). Delivered doses were in the range between 0 and 100 mGy. Results A dose distribution between about 10 mGy and 30 mGy was obtained both with gafcromic film and TLDs. While in the pulmonary areas a good homogeneity of dose distribution was found. Along the sagittal sternal axis, a dose gradient was observed, especially in the area of the medulla, where dose distribution reached minimum levels. TLD and Gafchromic dose measured discrepancy was of 5% −20%. Conclusion Dose gradients found in the particular area such as the sternal/ mammary area and the medullary area are the starting point for a deepening and a critical treatment to the CDTI index until now used.

Time-Projection Chamber Development for the Multi-Purpose Detector in the NICA Project

Within the framework of the scientific program for the study of hot and dense nuclear matter in the Veksler and Baldin Laboratory of High Energy Physics of the Joint Institute of Nuclear Research, Dubna (JINR), the NICA megaproject (Nuclotron-based Ion Collider fAcility) based on the Nuclotron-M accelerator is implemented. The new accelerator facility will make it possible to research the properties of dense baryonic matter in the collision of heavy ions in a wide range of atomic masses from p–p collisions in the energy range √Spp = 12–27 GeV/n and d + d collisions with energies of √SNN = 4–13.8 GeV/n with the average luminosity L = 1032 cm–2 s–1 up to Au+79 + Au+79 collisions in the energy range √SNN = 4–11 GeV/n with the average luminosity L = 1027 cm–2 s–1 (Au+79). A collider provides two points of intersection of beams, in one of which the multipurpose detector (Multi-Purpose Detector, MPD) will be installed. The time-projection gas chamber (TPC) is the main tracking detector and the particle identifier of the Multi-Purpose Detector. The article considers the structure of the MPD, the design and the main working parameters of TPC and its subsystems. The front-end electronics (FEE), as well as the procedure for assembling and integrating the TPC into the MPD are discussed.

Status and perspectives of the JUNO experiment

The JUNO (Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory), a 20 kton multi-purpose underground liquid scintillator detector, has been proposed and approved for realization in the south of China. After an intense design phase, the overall concept of the structure of the detector has been finalized, paving the way towards the construction of the several components and subsystems, which will compose it. Meanwhile, the excavation of the site which will host the experiment has been started and is rapidly progressing. The main physics target of JUNO is the determination of the neutrino mass hierarchy, which will be accessible through the measurement of the pattern of antineutrino spectrum from two high power nuclear complexes under installation 53 km away from the experimental site. In this work I describe the broad physics capabilities of the experiment, which include in addition to the crucial measure of the neutrino hierarchy the high precision determination of three oscillation parameters, as well as a rich astroparticle program, and I illustrate the main technical characteristics of the detector.

The Nuclotron-based Ion Collider Facility Project. The Physics Programme for the Multi-Purpose Detector

The Nuclotron-based Ion Collider fAcility (NICA) is a new accelerator complex being constructed at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR). The general objective of the project is to provide beams for the experimental study of hot and dense strongly interacting QCD matter. The heavy ion programme includes two planned detectors: BM@N (Baryonic Matter at Nuclotron) a fixed target experiment with extracted Nuclotron beams; and MPD (MultiPurpose Detector) a collider mode experiment at NICA. The accelerated particles can range from protons and light nuclei to gold ions. Beam energies will span GeV with luminosity L ≥ 1 × 1030 cm−2s−1 and GeV and average luminosity L = 1 × 1027cm−2s−1(for 197Au79+), respectively. A third experiment for spin physics is planned with the SPD (Spin Physics Detector) at the NICA collider in polarized beams mode. A brief overview of the MPD is presented along with several observables in the MPD physics programme.

Projective geometry for the NICA/MPD Electromagnetic Calorimeter

A Multi Purpose Detector (MPD) is being constructed for the Heavy-Ion Collider at Dubna (NICA). One of the important components of MPD setup is an Electromagnetic Calorimeter, which will operate in the magnetic field of MPD solenoid 0.5 T and provide good energy and space resolution to detect particles in the energy range from ∼20 MeV to few GeV . For this purpose the, so-called, “shashlyk” sampling structure with the fiber readout to the silicon Multi Pixel Avalanche Photodetector is used. Serious modifications in comparison to conventional “shaslyk” calorimeter are proposed to improve the properties of device. These modifications are presented in the report along with the beam test results obtained with the MPD/NICA module prototypes.

A Multi-Purpose, Detector-Based Photometric Calibration System for Luminous Intensity, Illuminance and Luminance

A multi-purpose detector based calibration system for luminous intensity, illuminance and luminance has been developed at the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Standards and Calibration Laboratory (SCL). In this paper, the measurement system and methods are described. The measurement models and contributory uncertainties were validated using the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM) framework and Supplement 1 to the GUM – Propagation of distributions using a Monte Carlo method in accordance with the JCGM 100:2008 and JCGM 101:2008 at the intended precision level.

Development of trigger and start detectors for experiments with high-energy heavy ions at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research

Fast Cherenkov and scintillation detectors based on microchannel-plate photomultiplier tubes and silicon photomultipliers are being developed for application in the multi-purpose detector and baryonic matter at the Nuclotron experiments with the heavy ion beams at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research. The aim of the detectors is the fast triggering of nucleus–nucleus collisions with high efficiency and to generate the start signal with picosecond time resolution for time-of-flight measurements. The detectors provide a time resolution better than 50 ps and can operate in the strong magnetic field of the experimental facilities.

BM@N and MPD experiments at NICA

The project NICA (Nuclotron-based Ion Collider fAcility) aims to study hot and baryon rich QCD matter in heavy ion collisions in the energy range [see formula in PDF] = 4 − 11 GeV. The rich heavy-ion physics program will be performed at two experiments, BM@N (Baryonic Matter at Nuclotron) at beams extracted from the Nuclotron, and at MPD (Multi-Purpose Detector) at the NICA collider. This program covers a variety of phenomena in strongly interacting matter of the highest baryonic density, which includes study of collective effects, production of hyperon and hypernuclei, in-medium modification of meson properties, and event-by-event fluctuations.

Cherenkov and scintillation detectors with MCP-PMT and SiPM readout for MPD and BM@N experiments at JINR

Two fast interaction trigger systems based on fast detectors with MCP-PMTs and SiPMs readout have been developed for fixed target experiment Baryonic Matter at Nuclotron and collider experiment Multi-Purpose Detector at Laboratory of High Energy Physics, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research. These detectors provide the effective L0 trigger for nucleus–nucleus collisions and the start pulse T0 for TOF detectors with picosecond time resolution. Important requirement to the detectors is good operation in a strong magnetic field.

MEXnICA, Mexican group in the MPD-NICA experiment at JINR

The Nuclotron Ion Collider fAcility (NICA) accelerator complex is currently under construction at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR) laboratory located in the city of Dubna in the Russian Federation. The main goal of NICA is to collide heavy ion nuclei to study the properties of the phase diagram of strongly interacting matter at high baryon density. In this accelerator complex, two big particle detectors are planned to be installed: Spin Physics Detector (SPD) and Multi-Purpose Detector (MPD). At the design luminosity, the event rate in the MPD interaction region is about 6 kHz; the total charged particle multiplicity would exceeds 1000 in the most central Au+Au collisions at .Since the middle of 2016 a group of researchers and students from Mexican institutions was formed (MEXnICA). The main goal of the MEXnICA group is to collaborate in the experimental efforts of MPD-NICA proposing a BEam-BEam counter detector which we called BEBE. In this written general aspects of MPD-NICA detector and BEBE are discussed. This material was shown in a contributed talk given at the XXXI Annual Meeting of the Mexican Division of Particles and Fields held in the Physics Department of CINVESTAV located in Mexico City during the last week of May 2017.

Overview of recent results from HADES

HADES is a multi-purpose charged-particle detector operated at the SIS18 synchrotron located at the GSI Helmholtz Center for Heavy Ion Research in Darmstadt, Germany. The provided ion beam energies of 1-2 A GeV are the lowest of all currently running heavy-ion experiments and result in the highest baryo-chemical potentials at freeze-out in case of Au+Au collisions. At this Quark Matter conference we presented results from Au+Au collisions at sNN=2.4GeV. The created system exhibits a very clear hierarchy in hadron yields, with about 100 protons, 10 pions, 10−2 kaons and 10−4 antikaons per event. The HADES program focuses on four main observables: (subthreshold) strangeness production, particle flow and its anisotropies, virtual photon emission and net-proton number fluctuations.

Project Nuclotron-based Ion Collider fAcility at JINR

The project of Nuclotron-based Ion Collider fAcility (NICA) that is under development at JINR (Dubna) is presented. The general goals of the project are experimental studies of both hot and dense baryonic matter and spin physics (in collisions of polarized protons and deuterons). The first program requires providing of heavy ion collisions in the energy range of $$\sqrt {{s_{NN}}} $$ = 4–11 Gev at average luminosity of L = 1 × 1027 cm−2 s−1 for 197Au79+ nuclei. The polarized beams mode is proposed to be used in energy range of $$\sqrt {{s_{NN}}} $$ = 12–27 Gev (protons at luminosity of L ≥ 1 × 1030 cm−2 s−1. The report contains description of the facility scheme and its characteristics in heavy ion operation mode. The Collider will be equipped with two detectors—MultiPurpose Detector (MPD), which is in an active stage of construction, and Spin Physics Detector (SPD) that is in the stage of conceptual design. Fixed target experiment “Baryonic matter at Nuclotron” (BM@N) will be performed in very beginning of the project. The wide program of applied researches at NICA facility is being developed as well.

Status and prospects of the JUNO experiment

The JUNO (Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory), a 20 kton multi-purpose underground liquid scintillator detector, has been proposed and approved for realization in the south of China. After an intense design phase, the overall concept of the structure of the detector has been finalized, paving the way towards the construction of the several components and subsystems, which will compose it. Meanwhile, the excavation of the site which will host the experiment has been started and is rapidly progressing. The main physics target of JUNO is the determination of the neutrino mass hierarchy, which will be accessible through the measurement of the antineutrino spectrum from two high power nuclear complexes under installation 53 km away from the experimental site. In this work, after the description of the broad physics capabilities of the experiment, which include in addition to the crucial measure of the neutrino hierarchy the high precision determination of three oscillation parameters, as well as a rich astroparticle program, I illustrate the technical characteristics of the detector, with particular emphasis on the technological challenges which are being addressed along the path towards its realization.

TPC status for MPD experiment of NICA project

In a frame of the JINR scientific program on study of hot and dense baryonic matter a new accelerator complex Ion Collider fAcility (NICA) based on the Nuclotron-M is under realization. It will operate at luminosity up to 1027 cm−2s−1 for Au79+ ions. Two interaction points are foreseen at NICA for two detectors which will operate simultaneously. One of these detectors, the Multi-Purpose Detector (MPD), is optimized for investigations of heavy-ion collisions. The Time-Projection Chamber (TPC) is the main tracking detector of the MPD central barrel. It is a well-known detector for 3-dimensional tracking and particle identification for high multiplicity events. The conceptual layout of MPD and detailed description of the design and main working parameters of TPC, the readout system based on MWPC and readout electronics as well as the TPC subsystems and tooling for assembling and integration TPC into MPD are presented.

NICA project at JINR: status and prospects

The project NICA (Nuclotron-based Ion Collider fAcility) is aimed to study hot and dense baryonic matter in heavy-ion collisions in the energy range up to 11.0 AGeV . The plan of NICA accelerator block development includes an upgrade of the existing superconducting (SC) synchrotron Nuclotron and construction of the new injection complex, SC Booster, and SC Collider with two interaction points (IP). The heavy-ion collision program will be performed with the fixed target experiment Baryonic Matter at Nuclotron (BM@N) at the beam extracted from the Nuclotron, and with Multi-Purpose Detector (MPD) at the first IP of NICA Collider. Investigation of nucleon spin structure and polarization phenomena is foreseen with the Spin Physics Detector (SPC) at the second IP of the Collider.

Front-end electronics development for TPC detector in the MPD/NICA project

The article is aimed at describing the development status, measuring results and design changes of the TPC front-end electronics. The TPC is placed in the middle of Multi-Purpose Detector (MPD) and provides tracing and identifying of charged particles in the pseudorapidity range |η| < 1.2. The readout system is one of the most complex parts of the TPC. The electronics of each readout chamber is an independent system. The whole system contains 95232 channels, 1488 64-channel—front-end cards (FEC), 24 readout control units (RCU). The front-end electronics (FEE) is based on ASICs, FPGAs and high-speed serial links. The concept of the TPC front-end electronics has been motivated from one side—by the requirements concerning the NICA accelerator complex which will operate at the luminosity up to 1027 cm−2 s−1 for Au79+ ions over the energy range of 4 < √SNN < 11 GeV with the trigger rate up to 7 kHz and from the other side—by the requirements of the 4-π geometry to minimize the substance on the end-caps of the TPC.