Nuclotron Beam Research Articles

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 under construction at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR), Dubna, Russia. The main goal of the planned facility is to provide accelerated particle beams for a wide range of experimental studies of the hot and dense strongly interacting QCD matter generated during collisions. The NICA project in its entirety allows for a fixed target experimental site, as well as two interaction points. The heavy ion programme includes two planned detectors: Baryonic Matter at Nuclotron (BM@N) - a fixed target experiment with extracted Nuclotron beams; and a collider-mode experiment at one of the interaction points - the MultiPurpose Detector (MPD). For the NICA collider, the accelerated beams by design will consist of particles ranging from protons and light nuclei to fully stripped gold ions. Beam energies will span with luminosity Lpp ≥ 1 × 1030 cm−2s−1, and , and average luminosity LAuAu = 1 × 1027 cm−2s−1. The second interaction point is planned to be occupied by a third experiment - Spin Physics Detector (SPD), which will focus on the investigation of nucleon spin structure and polarization phenomena through the use of polarized proton and deuteron beams. A brief overview of the Multi-Purpose Detector is presented along with the major sub-detector systems. The MPD research programme will focus on multiple observables including collective flow, particle multiplicity and spectra. Special attention will be given to strangeness production and vector mesons, event-by-event fluctuations and hadron femtoscopy measurements. Several feasibility studies are referenced.

Performance of the BM@N GEM/CSC tracking system at the Nuclotron beam

BM@N (Baryonic Matter at the Nuclotron) is a fixed target experiment aimed to study nuclear matter in the relativistic heavy-ion collisions at the Nuclotron accelerator in JINR. The BM@N tracking system is based on Gas Electron Multipliers (GEM) detectors mounted inside the BM@N analyzing magnet. The Cathode Strip Chamber (CSC) is installed outside the magnet. The CSC is used for improvement of particles momentum identification. The structure of the GEM detectors and the CSC prototype and the results of study of their characteristics are presented. The GEM detectors and CSC are integrated into the BM@N experimental setup and data acquisition system. The results of first tests of the GEM tracking system and CSC in last runs are shortly reviewed.

The Development of High Sensitive Differential Amplifiers for Q-Measurement System

A few improvements have been made in order to enhance the resolution of the Q-measurement system such as development of the new amplification system for picking up signals. It was developed using diode detection technique, analog filtering and real-time gain adjusting to allow carry out measurements during beam injection and acceleration. Results and tests performed with the Nuclotron beam are presented.

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.

Status of the NICA project at JINR

The NICA (Nuclotron-based Ion Collider fAcility) is the new international research facility under construction at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR) in Dubna. The main targets of the facility are the following: 1) study of hot and dense baryonic matter at the energy range of the maximum baryonic density; 2) investigation of nucleon spin structure and polarization phenomena; 3) development of JINR accelerator facility for high energy physics research based on the new collider of relativistic ions from protons to gold and polarized protons and deuterons as well with the maximum collision energy of √SNN ~11GeV (Au79+ +Au79+) and ~ 27 GeV (p+p). Two collider detector setups MPD and SPD are foreseen. The setup BM@N (Baryonic Matter at Nuclotron) is commissioned for data taken at the existing Nuclotron beam fixed target area. The MPD construction is in progress whereas the SPD is still at the beginning design stage. An average luminosity of the collider is expected at the level of 1027 cm-2 s-1 for Au79+ and 1032 cm-2 s-1 for polarized protons at 27 GeV. The status of NICA design and construction work is briefly described below.

The Unified Database for BM@N experiment data handling

The article describes the developed Unified Database designed as a comprehensive relational data storage for the BM@N experiment at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in Dubna. The BM@N experiment, which is one of the main elements of the first stage of the NICA project, is a fixed target experiment at extracted Nuclotron beams of the Laboratory of High Energy Physics (LHEP JINR). The structure and purposes of the BM@N setup are briefly presented. The article considers the scheme of the Unified Database, its attributes and implemented features in detail. The use of the developed BM@N database provides correct multi-user access to actual information of the experiment for data processing. It stores information on the experiment runs, detectors and their geometries, different configuration, calibration and algorithm parameters used in offline data processing. An important part of any database - user interfaces are presented.

Status of NICA

The NICA (Nuclotron-based Ion Collider fAcility) is the new international research facility under construction at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR) in Dubna. The main targets of the facility are the following: 1) study of hot and dense baryonic matter at the energy range of the maximum baryonic density; 2) investigation of nucleon spin structure and polarization phenomena; 3) development of JINR accelerator facility for high energy physics research based on the new collider of relativistic ions from protons to gold and polarized protons and deuterons as well with the maximum collision energy of sqrt(sNN) ~11GeV (Au79+ +Au79+) and ~ 27 GeV (p+p). Two collider detector setups MPD and SPD are foreseen. The setup BM@N (Baryonic Matter at Nuclotron) is commissioned for data taken at the existing Nuclotron beam fixed target area. The MPD construction is in progress whereas the SPD is still at the beginning design stage. An average luminosity of the collider is expected at the level of 1027 cm-2 s-1 for Au (79+) and 1032 cm-2 s-1 for polarized protons at 27 GeV. The status of NICA design and construction work is briefly described below.

The MPD test beam setup for testing detectors with the Nuclotron beams

A new specialized MPD Test Beam setup was mounted at the extracted beam of the Nuclotron at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research to carry out methodical research and test detectors produced for the MPD experiment at the NICA accelerating facility. The setup is described in detail. The results of the testing of fast detectors for the MPD time-of-flight system are presented as an example of the operation of the setup.

Development of tools for real-time betatron tune measurements at the Nuclotron

A betatron tune measurement system was developed and tested at the Nuclotron. A white noise and chirp signals were used for transverse beam motion excitation. A custom FlexRIO digitizer module was developed which provides excitation signal generation for kicker electrodes and real-time signal acquisition from pickup electrodes. A high resolution FFT algorithm was implemented inside a NI PXI FPGA module, connected to digitizer. The measurement system is integrated with the NICA control system based on the TANGO Controls. Results and tests performed with the Nuclotron beam are presented.

TANGO standard software to control the Nuclotron beam slow extraction

TANGO Controls is a basis of the NICA control system. The report describes the software which integrates the Nuclotron beam slow extraction subsystem into the TANGO system of NICA. Objects of control are power supplies for resonance lenses. The software consists of the subsystem device server, remote client and web-module for viewing the subsystem data.

Investigation of hypernuclei with Nuclotron beams

At the Laboratory of High Energy Physics (JINR, Dubna) a unique approach was elaborated with hypernuclei produced by the excitation of the accelerator beam nuclei and decay observed at a distance of tens of cm behind the production target. While the very first experiments were carried out in the Synchrophasotron beams, a more extensive hypernuclei research programme is planned for the Nuclotron accelerator and the new spectrometer created by the authors (Hypernuclei and NIS experiments). An investigation of hydrogen hypernuclei isotopes is in the first line of the experimental research plans. Namely, lifetimes and cross sections of Λ4H and Λ3H together with the search for Λ6H are among the tasks. The next experiment can be the investigation of Λ6He.

Detector based on microchannel plates for monitoring space-time characteristics of a circulating beam at Nuclotron

In the framework of the NICA project preparation and experiments with the extracted Nuclotron beams, the development of an advanced system of circulating-beam diagnostics based on microchannel plates is presented. The detector prototype that has been developed, created, and tested on Nuclotron beams during four runs allows the space-time characteristics of a beam to be measured within a range of singly charged ion intensities from 106 to 109, which is not covered by the existing measuring tools.

Measurement of Neutrons in Different Pb/U Setups Irradiated by Relativistic Protons and Deuterons by means of Activation Samples

The collaboration Energy and Transmutation of Radioactive Waste uses different setups consisting of lead, uranium and graphite irradiated by relativistic protons and deuterons to study transmutation of radioactive materials by produced neutrons. Our group measured spatial distribution of neutrons by means of activation samples during the assembly irradiation by the JINR Nuclotron beams. We also present results of simulations using MCNPX code and their comparison with obtained experimental data. We use Au, Al, Bi, In and Ta foils as activation detectors, but unfortunately almost no experimental cross-section data for observed threshold (n,xn) reactions are available for higher neutron energies. Therefore we carried out series experiments devoted to determination of neutron cross-sections of various threshold reactions using different quasi-monoenergetic neutron sources.

Studying of hypernuclei with nuclotron beams

The hypernuclear program at Dubna was started in 1988 with investigation of the light hypernuclei production and decay [1]. Nowadays, we are planning to measure lifetime and production cross section of Λ6He and Λ6H hypernuclei.

Search results of η-mesic nuclei in the [formula omitted] reaction in JINR

The results of the search quasi bound state η-meson and nucleus of the target obtained during several years on the internal target of the Nuclotron beam are represented. Formation of η-mesic nuclei studied in d+C reaction in the interval of energies 1.5 ÷ 2.1 GeV/nucl. The phenomena was analyzed for product of decay S 11 resonance what is the result of capture η-meson by a nucleon of the target. The measurement has performed with a scintillation spectrometer SCAN. Analysis of the obtained results is presented.

Studying of hypernuclei with nuclotron beams

A spectrometer is created to study relativistic hypernuclei produced with beams of accelerated nuclei from the Nuclotron facility (Dubna, JINR). Test runs have been carried out and the conclusion is drawn that the properties of the facility meet the requirements of the task of searching for unknown and studying poorly known neutron-rich hypernuclei.

Beryllium (boron) clustering quest in relativistic multifragmentation (BECQUEREL Project)

A physical program of irradiation of emulsions in beams of relativistic nuclei named the BECQUEREL Project is reviewed. It is destined to study in detail the processes of relativistic fragmentation of light radioactive and stable nuclei. The expected results would make it possible to answer some topical questions concerning the cluster structure of light nuclei. Owing to the best spatial resolution, the nuclear emulsions would enable one to obtain unique and evident results. The most important irradiations will be performed in the secondary beams of He, Be, B, C, and N radioactive nuclei formed on the basis of JINR Nuclotron beams of stable nuclei. We present results on the charged state topology of relativistic fragmentation of the 10B nucleus at low energy-momentum transfers as the first step of the research.