Proton Yield Research Articles

Proton beams of laser-hydrogenated metal targets

In this paper, we report a study on proton beams produced via laser interaction from hydrogenated solid targets useful for the development of new sources devoted to medical applications, such as hadron therapy and isotope production. The hydrogenation of the targets was made before the laser-matter interaction. In this study, we used as solid targets, pure samples of Ti, Ta and Al which in a first phase were treated by laser cleaning (via KrF excimer laser at the irradiance I = 3×107 W/cm2) and then they were exposed to laser irradiation (1500 pulses, I = 3×107 W/cm2}) under a constant flow of H2 (HiQ Hydrogen 6.0, highly pure). After that, the targets were maintained under H2 flow for 5 minutes, in order to promote a further hydrogen adsorption. We report laser ablation measurements performed at fluences of 1.3, 2.5 and 5.0 J/cm2. The results on hydrogenated targets showed an increase of proton yield of 25% (Ti), 64% (Al) and 550% (Ta), with respect to the corresponding untreated ones.

Transverse-momentum Spectra of Hadrons in \(p+p\) Collisions at CERN SPS Energies from the UrQMD Transport Model

Abstract The UrQMD transport model, version 3.4, is used to study the new experimental data on transverse momentum spectra of π ± , K ± , p and p ¯ produced in inelastic p + p interactions at SPS energies, recently published by the NA61/SHINE Collaboration. The comparison of model predictions to these new measurements is presented as a function of collision energy for central and forward particle rapidity intervals. In addition, the inverse slope parameters characterizing the transverse momentum distributions are extracted from the predicted spectra and compared to the corresponding values obtained from NA61/SHINE distributions, as a function of particle rapidity and collision energy. A complex pattern of deviations between the experimental data and the UrQMD model emerges. For charged pions, the fair agreement visible at top SPS energies deteriorates with the decreasing energy. For charged K mesons, UrQMD significantly underpredicts positive kaon production at lower beam momenta. It also underpredicts the central rapidity proton yield at top collision energy and overpredicts antiproton production at all considered energies. We conclude that the new experimental data analyzed in this paper still constitute a challenge for the present version of the model.

Impurity sources and fluxes in W7-X: from the plasma-facing components to the edge layer

Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X) is a nearly full-carbon machine with graphite divertors, baffles and shields in Operation Phase 1.2b (OP 1.2b). Divertor spectrometer measurements showed that an amount of helium and oxygen impurities existed in the predominately hydrogen plasma, which resulted in a high carbon impurity level by enhanced physical and chemical sputtering by these impurities in comparison with the pure impinging proton yields. In order to improve the wall conditions, especially to reduce the oxygen content, boronizations were applied in OP1.2b. After the boronization, an oxygen decrease by more than an order of magnitude was observed. Helium disappeared in comparison with OP1.2a due to reduced application of helium wall conditioning after introduction of boronizations. The overall radiation normalized to line integrated density was reduced by a factor of six. In addition, local CH4 injection was applied in the divertor in order to quantify the chemical sputtering by hydrogen on divertor plates. The experimentally determined effective D/XB of the A–X band of CH resulting from CH4 was at Te ≈ 20 eV and ne ≈ 5 × 1018 m−3. It was applied to determine the hydrocarbon fluxes and further to deduce the particle flux ratio ГCH4/ГH on divertor plates.

The neutron within the deuteron as a surrogate for neutron-induced reactions

We propose the use of neutron poisons in reactions induced by radioactive beams as a test of theoretical models aiming to relate neutron capture in nuclei with neutron surrogate reactions such as ([Formula: see text]) reactions. We exploit the approximations necessary to obtain a direct relation between the two reactions: surrogate versus neutron capture. We also show how this is intimately related to the momentum distribution of the neutron within the deuteron. The models we use are based on the theory of inclusive breakup reactions commonly employed in the treatment of incomplete fusion and surrogate method. Such theories were developed in the 1980s by Ichimura, Austern and Vincent [Phys. Rev. C 32 (1985) 431], Udagawa and Tamura [Phys. Rev. C 24 (1981) 1348] and Hussein and McVoy [Nucl. Phys. A 445 (1985) 124]. We use these theories to derive an expression for the proton yield in the reaction [Formula: see text]. The capture reaction [Formula: see text] is then extracted using reasonable approximations. By recalling an old method proposed by Serber [Phys. Rev. 80 (1950) 1098; Proc. Roy. Soc. A 208 (1951) 559] we explain how the momentum distribution of neutrons within the deuteron will depend on the short-range dependence of the nucleon–nucleon force. The relevance of our work to nucleosynthesis in the rapid neutron capture process is emphasized.

Yield ratio of neutrons to protons in $$^{12}$$C(d,n)$$^{13}$$N and $$^{12}$$C(d,p)$$^{13}$$C from 0.6 to 3 MeV

The neutron yield in $^{12}$C(d,n)$^{13}$N and the proton yield in $^{12}C(d,p)^{13}$C have been measured by deuteron beam from 0.6 MeV to 3 MeV which is delivered from a 4-MeV electro static accelerator bombarding on the thick carbon target. The neutrons are detected at $0\degree$, $24\degree$, $48\degree$ and the protons at $135\degree$ in the lab frame. The ratios of the neutron yield to the proton one have been calculated and can be used as an effective probe to pin down the resonances. The resonances are found at 1.4 MeV, 1.7 MeV, 2.5 MeV in $^{12}C(d,p)^{13}$C and at 1.6 MeV, 2.7 MeV in $^{12}$C(d,n)$^{13}$N. This method provides a way to reduce the systematic uncertainty and helps to confirm more resonances in compound nuclei.

Multiplicity dependence of light (anti-)nuclei production in p–Pb collisions at [formula omitted] TeV

The measurement of the deuteron and anti-deuteron production in the rapidity range −1<y<0 as a function of transverse momentum and event multiplicity in p–Pb collisions at sNN = 5.02 TeV is presented. (Anti-)deuterons are identified via their specific energy loss dE/dx and via their time-of-flight. Their production in p–Pb collisions is compared to pp and Pb–Pb collisions and is discussed within the context of thermal and coalescence models. The ratio of integrated yields of deuterons to protons (d/p) shows a significant increase as a function of the charged-particle multiplicity of the event starting from values similar to those observed in pp collisions at low multiplicities and approaching those observed in Pb–Pb collisions at high multiplicities. The mean transverse particle momenta are extracted from the deuteron spectra and the values are similar to those obtained for p and Λ particles. Thus, deuteron spectra do not follow mass ordering. This behaviour is in contrast to the trend observed for non-composite particles in p–Pb collisions. In addition, the production of the rare He3 and He‾3 nuclei has been studied. The spectrum corresponding to all non-single diffractive p-Pb collisions is obtained in the rapidity window −1<y<0 and the pT-integrated yield dN/dy is extracted. It is found that the yields of protons, deuterons, and He3, normalised by the spin degeneracy factor, follow an exponential decrease with mass number.

Proton beams obtained by hydrogenated Al targets

Nowadays, the transport and acceleration of particle beams is performed by conventional accelerators, but in the last decade the scientific community is focused on the study of laser-driven ion acceleration, which can offer a potentially more compact and cost-effective mean of delivering ions/protons. To this purpose, the choice of the target plays a fundamental role in the quality and intensity of the ion beam. The starting point to obtain protons is the use of materials rich in hydrogen (adsorbed through contaminants and H2O) or hydrogenated chemical compounds (hydrates, polymers and so on). In this paper, we show a method to enhance the proton yield via ablation process, from aluminium targets. The method consists in the hydrogen enrichment of the targets with laser treatment in H2 atmosphere. Ablation measurements performed on treated Al targets (500 μm thick) showed a very high increase of proton yield (above 100%) with respect to those not enriched in hydrogen.

Hadron production models\u2019 prediction for pT distribution of charged hadrons in pp interactions at 7 TeV

The yield of transverse momentum (pT) spectra of integrated hadrons and their ratios produced in pp collisions at 7 TeV are reported using DPMJET-III, EPOS1.99, EPOS-LHC, HIJING1.383, QGSJETII-04, and Sibyll2.3c models. The models’ predictions are compared with the ALICE measurements obtained at mid rapidity and in the pT range from 0.3–6 GeV/c, 0.2–6 GeV/c, and 0.1–3 GeV/c for protons, kaons and pions respectively. Compared to the experimental data, the EPOS1.99 and EPOS-LHC models predict the yield of pion very well while reproducing yields of kaon and proton at low pT only. The DPMJET-III model predicts the yield of pions, kaons and protons only at intermediate value of pT. The HIJING and Sibyll models describe the integrated yield of pion well at high pT only. The QGSJETII model predicts the yield of kaon for almost the whole pT range. EPOS1.99 and Sibyll models reproduce excellent prediction of the K/π ratio over the entire range of pT whereas the EPOS-LHC, HIJING and DPMJET models underpredict with increasing order of discrepancy respectively. The EPOS1.99, EPOS-LHC, and Sibyll models predict the p/π ratio for low values of pT, but overpredict at high values, while the DPMJET-III and HIJING models underpredict over the entire range of pT. Although the models’ predictions are mostly consistent with the ALICE measurements but none of the models completely describe the entire distribution for the integrated yield of hadron and their ratios.

Energy Dependent Chemical Potentials of Light Particles and Quarks from Yield Ratios of Antiparticles to Particles in High Energy Collisions

We collect the yields of charged pions ( π − and π + ), charged kaons ( K − and K + ), anti-protons ( p ¯ ), and protons (p) produced in mid-rapidity interval (in most cases) in central gold–gold (Au–Au), central lead–lead (Pb–Pb), and inelastic or non-single-diffractive proton–proton ( p p ) collisions at different collision energies. The chemical potentials of light particles and quarks are extracted from the yield ratios, π − / π + , K − / K + , and p ¯ / p , of antiparticles to particles over an energy range from a few GeV to above 10 TeV. At a few GeV (∼4 GeV), the chemical potentials show, and the yield ratios do not show, different trends comparing with those at other energies, although the limiting values of the chemical potentials and the yield ratios at very high energy are 0 and 1, respectively.

Study of Hadrons Produced in Proton—Carbon Interactions at 120 GeV/c Using Hadron-Production Models

Double differential yield of π±, K±, protons, and antiprotons as a function of laboratory momentum is presented using hadron production models. This study is done in several polar angle intervals from 0 < θ < 420 mrad for π± mesons and 0 < θ < 360 mrad for K± mesons, protons, and antiprotons. The study is carried out for p + C interactions at 120 GeV/c. For simulation, three hadron-production models: EPOS-LHC, EPOS 1.99, and QGSJETII-04 are used. Since no experimental data at 120 GeV/c is available yet, therefore, the models’ predictions are compared with the measurements of NA61/SHINE experiments at 31 GeV/c. It is found that the QGSJETII-04 model gives high peak value, for π± mesons, in the polar angle interval of 20–40 mrad, while in the range of 40–240 mrad, EPOS-LHC shows higher yield than EPOS 1.99 and QGSJETII-04 models, whereas all show higher yield than the experimental data. For π± mesons, in all angular intervals, at high momentum values, all the three models are consistent and surprisingly give the same yield as that of the experimental data. For K± mesons, QGSJETII-04 shows higher peak values at all polar angles ranging from 0 to 360 mrad as compared to that of EPOS 1.99 and EPOS-LHC models, whereas all models give higher yield at low angular intervals than the experimental data and the same yield at high angular intervals. The models demonstrate similar yields for protons at all angles but underestimate the experimental data at low angular intervals and provide the same yield at high angular intervals. The QGSJETII-04 model presents higher yields of antiprotons in comparison to the EPOS 1.99 and EPOS-LHC models, for almost all angular intervals. Generally, at higher angular range, i.e., from 240 to 420 mrad, particularly at high momentum, all the three models show similar results.

Constraints on symmetry energy and n/p effective mass splitting with improved quantum molecular dynamics model

A new version of improved quantum molecular dynamics model that includes standard Skyrme interactions has been developed. Based on the new code,four commonly used parameter sets,SLy4,SkI2,SkM*and Gs are adopted in the improved quantum molecular dynamics model and the isospin sensitive observables,namely isospin transport ratios,single and double ratios of the yields of neutrons and protons are investigated. The isospin transport ratios are strongly sensitive to the slope of symmetry energy,and are not very sensitive to the nucleon effective mass splitting. On the other hand,the high energy neutrons and protons yields ratios from reactions at different incident energies provide a good observable to the momentum dependence of nucleon effective mass splitting. By comparing our calculations with the data,we find that the constrained L value(the slope of density dependence of symmetry energy) is about ~46 MeV when the Skyrme type interaction is considered in transport models,and the isospin diffusion data prefer to mn*mp*,but it is not a strong constraint with deep χ2minimum.

The thermal proton yield anomaly in Pb-Pb collisions at the LHC and its resolution

We propose a resolution of the discrepancy between the proton yield predicted by the statistical hadronization approach and data on hadron production in ultra-relativistic nuclear collisions at the LHC. Applying the S-matrix formulation of statistical mechanics to include pion-nucleon interactions, we reexamine their contribution to the proton yield, taking resonance widths and the presence of nonresonant correlations into account. The effect of multi-pion-nucleon interactions is estimated using lattice QCD results on the baryon-charge susceptibility. We show that a consistent implementation of these features in the statistical hadronization model, leads to a reduction of the predicted proton yield, which then quantitatively matches data of the ALICE collaboration for Pb-Pb collisions at the LHC.

Multiplicity dependence of light-flavor hadron production in pp collisions at s=7TeV

Comprehensive results on the production of unidentified charged particles, $\pi^{\pm}$, $\rm{K}^{\pm}$, $\rm{K}^{0}_{S}$, $\rm{K}$*(892)$^{0}$, $\rm{p}$, $\overline{\rm{p}}$, $\phi$(1020), $\Lambda$, $\overline{\Lambda}$, $\Xi^{-}$, $\overline{\Xi}^{+}$, $\Omega^{-}$ and $\overline{\Omega}^{+}$ hadrons in proton-proton (pp) collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 7 TeV at midrapidity ($|y| < 0.5$) as a function of charged-particle multiplicity density are presented. In order to avoid auto-correlation biases, the actual transverse momentum ($p_{\rm{T}}$) spectra of the particles under study and the event activity are measured in different rapidity windows. In the highest multiplicity class, the charged-particle density reaches about 3.5 times the value measured in inelastic collisions. While the yield of protons normalized to pions remains approximately constant as a function of multiplicity, the corresponding ratios of strange hadrons to pions show a significant enhancement that increases with increasing strangeness content. Furthermore, all identified particle to pion ratios are shown to depend solely on charged-particle multiplicity density, regardless of system type and collision energy. The evolution of the spectral shapes with multiplicity and hadron mass shows patterns that are similar to those observed in p-Pb and Pb-Pb collisions at LHC energies. The obtained $p_{\rm{T}}$ distributions and yields are compared to expectations from QCD-based pp event generators as well as to predictions from thermal and hydrodynamic models. These comparisons indicate that traces of a collective, equilibrated system are already present in high-multiplicity pp collisions.

Measurements of pi ^pm , K^pm and proton double differential yields from the surface of the T2K replica target for incoming 31\xa0GeV/c protons with the NA61/SHINE spectrometer at the CERN SPS

Measurements of the pi ^pm , K^pm , and proton double differential yields emitted from the surface of the 90-hbox {cm}-long carbon target (T2K replica) were performed for the incoming 31,hbox {GeV}!/!c protons with the NA61/SHINE spectrometer at the CERN SPS using data collected during 2010 run. The double differential pi ^pm yields were measured with increased precision compared to the previously published NA61/SHINE results, while the K^pm and proton yields were obtained for the first time. A strategy for dealing with the dependence of the results on the incoming proton beam profile is proposed. The purpose of these measurements is to reduce significantly the (anti)neutrino flux uncertainty in the T2K long-baseline neutrino experiment by constraining the production of (anti)neutrino ancestors coming from the T2K target.

η-nuclei in the SCAN experiment

η-mesic nucleus or the quasibound nuclear state of an η-meson in a nucleus is caused by the strong-interaction force alone. The project SCAN2 is aimed at searching and studying the η-meson nuclei production. The experiment is based on two-arms spectrometer using internal target at the Nuclotron. The setup was designed to study products from η-meson nucleus decay in the reaction d + 12C → (A)η + X → π + p + (A – 2) at deuteron energies from 0:5 to 2:5 GeV/nucl. The energy spectrum of secondary protons has been measured. The dependence of the yields of protons and pions on the beam energy has been obtained. This dependence can show us the minimum energy for the S 11 resonance formation. The first prototype of the neutron detector, which will be used in a new modified experimental setup SCAN3 for recording of neutrons from η-nucleus decays in the πn and pn channels, has been tested. The time-offlight method to obtain the neutron spectrum was used. The time resolution and efficiency of the neutron detector have been obtained.

Tuning Thiol-Based Self-Assembled Monolayer Chemistry on a Gold Surface towards the Synthesis of Biochemical Fuel.

A proton gradient across a lipid membrane is required for the production of biochemical fuel. Much effort has been devoted to reactions involving proton production in biomimetic assembled architectures under mild conditions. Herein, we explored thiol-based self-assembled monolayer chemistry on a naked gold surface for the production of biochemical fuel. Protons are generated when alkanethiols self-assemble on a gold surface, and the proton yield can be tuned by the choice of thiol and by variation of the procedure used for the deposition of gold. Consequently, the proton gradient across a lipid membrane above the gold surface can be modulated to vary the production rate of biochemical fuel performed by lipid-embedded motor proteins. Our work presents evidence that a simple and efficient abiotic chemical reaction in a well-defined biohybrid system can convert unnatural chemicals, namely alkanethiols, into bioenergy molecules, a finding that has a great potential in biofuel-driven catalysis and devices.

Tuning Thiol‐Based Self‐Assembled Monolayer Chemistry on a Gold Surface towards the Synthesis of Biochemical Fuel

AbstractA proton gradient across a lipid membrane is required for the production of biochemical fuel. Much effort has been devoted to reactions involving proton production in biomimetic assembled architectures under mild conditions. Herein, we explored thiol‐based self‐assembled monolayer chemistry on a naked gold surface for the production of biochemical fuel. Protons are generated when alkanethiols self‐assemble on a gold surface, and the proton yield can be tuned by the choice of thiol and by variation of the procedure used for the deposition of gold. Consequently, the proton gradient across a lipid membrane above the gold surface can be modulated to vary the production rate of biochemical fuel performed by lipid‐embedded motor proteins. Our work presents evidence that a simple and efficient abiotic chemical reaction in a well‐defined biohybrid system can convert unnatural chemicals, namely alkanethiols, into bioenergy molecules, a finding that has a great potential in biofuel‐driven catalysis and devices.

Observation of the Independence of the p/π Ratio from the Nuclear Size for Hadrons Knocked out with Large Transverse Momenta from a Nuclear Target by 50-GeV Protons

The yields of cumulative protons and π± mesons emitted at a laboratory angle of 40° from carbon and heavier nuclear targets irradiated by a proton beam from the U70 accelerator (Institute for High Energy Physics, Protvino) have been studied in the SPIN experiment. It has been found that the effect of the target nucleus on the yield of particles with large transverse momenta is weakened.

Effects of micro-structures on laser-proton acceleration

Micro-structures are advantageous in manipulating the laser intensity and laser-driven high energy electron sources. Both effects benefit acceleration of high energy protons by ultra-intense laser pulses. We investigate the enhancement on proton cut-off energy and yield induced by micro-wire-array structure via particle-in-cell simulation. Our simulations reveal that the abundant energetic electrons originating from the structures are essential for sequential proton acceleration. We find that this effect becomes active only when the laser pulse intensity reaches a = 2. The proton energies are further optimized by designing structures of different featured sizes. The results suggest two distinctive regimes, where the electron number is significantly enhanced by using short and dense arrays, while the long and sparse arrays are more efficient in increasing the cut-off beam energies. When combining both patterns, we see that the compound target contains features from both the long array and the short array, comparing to flat interfaces. These results will guide future experiments utilizing three-dimensional micro-engineered targets.

Finite resonance widths influence the thermal-model description of hadron yields

Different scenarios for modeling resonances in a thermal model description of hadron yields measured in heavy-ion collisions are explored: the zero-width approximation, the energy independent Breit-Wigner scheme, and the energy dependent Breit-Wigner (eBW) scheme. Application of the eBW scheme leads to a notable suppression in the proton yields, stemming mainly from a reduced feeddown from $\Delta$ resonances because of the threshold effects. A significantly improved agreement of thermal model with hadron yields measured in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}} = 2.76$ TeV by the ALICE collaboration is obtained in the eBW scheme at $T \simeq 155$ MeV, indicating a possible resolution of the so-called 'proton anomaly'. The results obtained show that there are significant systematic uncertainties in the thermal model due to the modeling of broad resonances.