Elementary Particles and Fields and String Theory Commons^™

Validation Of Electromagnetic Shower Development In A Reduced Alice Focal-E Detector Model Using Geant4, Isaac Lara Romo

Physics

This project focuses on the preliminary simulation of a reduced FoCal-E detector model for the ALICE experiment at CERN. Beamline tests were simulated using an electron gun at various incident energies, and the results were compared with those of the FoCal group. The longitudinal charge deposition per sensor layer was compared between the two setups to verify that the reduced model exhibited expected calorimeter behavior. Additionally, the transverse signal across the high-granularity sensor layers was examined to determine whether the reduced model reproduced the expected lateral development of electromagnetic showers. The results obtained from these measurements show that the reduced …

Experimental Methods For Cryogenic Rare Event Detection: Cuore And Cupid, Alessandro Libenson

Physics

This senior project was written with the primary purpose of serving as a introductory guide for undergraduate students learning about the experimental methods used in the CUORE and CUPID Collaborations. In particular, this project is geared towards getting students in Dr. Gutierrez's research group at Cal Poly up to speed on what CUORE and CUPID actually do. I wrote this as an undergraduate aiming to help future undergraduates. For Cal Poly students, I would suggest the following prerequisites before reading this paper: Electronics and Instrumentation, Quantum Laboratory 1, and the equivalent of the coding/analysis class. It is also important to …

On Resolving The Neutron Lifetime Puzzle, Polievkt Perov

College of Arts & Sciences Faculty Works

The neutron lifetime puzzle, characterized by significantly different lifetime values obtained from bottle vs beam experiments, may stem from differences in how decayed neutrons are counted. Neutron decay is a beta-decay process producing a proton, an electron, and a neutrino. In bottle experiments, the number of decayed neutrons is measured directly. In beam experiments, this number is inferred indirectly by counting the protons resulting from neutron decays. It is proposed that in beam experiments, some protons may capture electrons and form neutral hydrogen atoms, which go undetected by proton detectors. Consequently, not all neutron decay events are counted, leading to …

Unraveling Nonperturbative Qcd With Transverse Momentum Hadronic Structures, Tommaso Rainaldi

Physics Theses & Dissertations

The main purpose of this thesis is to investigate the theoretical foundations of the factorization theorems that involve transverse quark and gluon momentum distributions, and to better understand the interface between foundational questions and phenomenological applications. Many of these applications involve using transverse parton momentum dependent (TMD) correlation functions as tools for probing the complex nonperturbative structures of the hadrons.

We first introduce the concepts of collinear and TMD factorization in a toy-model theory and, by leveraging the comparative simplicity of such a model, we test the range of validity and limitations of the factorization approach. At the same time, …

Bismuth-207 For Purity Monitoring System For Lartpc: Dune And Proto-Dune, Rohit Raut

2025 Spring Honors Capstone Projects - Archive

The Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE), the U.S. flagship neutrino experiment, relies on high purity liquid argon (LAr) for optimal detector performance. Ensuring and monitoring LAr purity is crucial, as electronegative impurities can degrade signal quality in detectors. As part of Proto-DUNE, a prototype detector at CERN for DUNE, this study explores the use of Bismuth-207 (Bi-207) as a novel tool for real-time LAr purity monitoring and calibration. Bi-207 emits monochromatic internal conversion electrons, allowing precise impurity assessment without interfering with standard detector operations. By simulating the behavior of radioactive Bi-207 and analyzing data from the Proto-DUNE Vertical Drift detector, …

Measuring Cosmic Rays With Muon Detectors (Quarknet), Aiden Burton, Jack W. Maseberg

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

We report measurement of atmospheric muon particles originating from cosmic rays. Using four QuarkNet project scintillators in an unstacked geometry, we are counting muons in coincidence with each other. We are currently refurbishing a second detector apparatus and will soon be capable of measuring coincidence events for larger shower surface areas using a total of eight scintillators.

Nonlocal Nucleon Matrix Elements In The Rest Frame, Joe Karpie, Christopher Monahan, Anatoly Radyushkin

Physics Faculty Publications

Extracting parton structure from lattice quantum chromodynamics (QCD) calculations requires studying the coordinate scale 𝑧3 dependence of the matrix elements of bilocal operators. The most significant contribution comes from the 𝑧3 dependence induced by ultraviolet (UV) renormalization of the Wilson line. We demonstrate that the next-to-leading order perturbative calculations of the renormalization factor can describe, to a few percent accuracy, the logarithm of the lattice QCD rest frame matrix elements with separations up to distances of 0.6 fm on multiple lattice spacings. The residual discrepancies can be modeled by a leading effect from the structure of the nucleon.

On Magnetic Moments Of Up And Down Quarks And Electron Neutrino Structures Composed Of Fractional Charges, Polievkt Perov

College of Arts & Sciences Faculty Works

Abstract

Using our models of elementary particles as spinning structures composed of fractional +-e/3 charges, we suggest a possible mechanism of the inverse-b reaction as the transfer of one +e/3 charge from its axial position in the antineutrino to the axial position in an up-quark of a proton. Such a transfer converts that up-quark into a positron, and the antineutrino becomes a down-quark after one of the antineutrino’s axial positive charges is removed from it. We will consider that a positron is a tetrahedral-like structure with three positive basic charges revolve about the axis passing through the fourth positive …

Measurement Of The Photoproduction Cross-Section Of F1(1285) In The Exclusive Reactions Γp → P′K∓KSΠ± At 7.5 < Eγ < 11.5 Gev With Gluex At Jefferson Lab, Tyler Viducic

Physics Theses & Dissertations

The f₁(1285) meson is commonly understood to belong to the axial-vector nonet as the low-mass isoscalar partner to the f₁(1420) but has been suggested as a candidate for a KK^∗+c.c molecule. A nearly mass-degenerate 0 ⁻⁺ state has been observed in πp scattering that calls into question the established branching ratios of the f₁(1285) decays. Recently, the differential cross-section for the photoproduction of f₁(1285) was measured by the CLAS experiment and the results disagreed with theoretical predictions. Additionally, the CLAS experiment did not observe a mass-degenerate 0⁻⁺ state. …

An Educational Resource For Particle Identification (Pid) In Experimental Particle Physics Data, Richard Dube

University Scholar Projects

Although particle physics research is typically reserved for advanced undergraduates, algebra-based physics students can readily develop the foundational skills necessary to conduct particle physics research. Despite this, there is a shortage of educational resources that introduce particle physics to algebra-based physics students. This project, Particle Identification Playground, is a collection of Python-based activities that teach students about several fundamental topics in experimental particle physics research. Through these activities, students will learn about the common detectors used in particle physics, how they work, and how we can use these detectors to identify particles. Students are able to interact with 3D models …

The Search For Photonuclear Interactions Of Muons Utilizing Test Beam Data At The Large Hadron Collider, Miranda M. Williams

2024 Spring Honors Capstone Projects - Archive

The ATLAS Detector is one of four different types of detectors within the Large Hadron Collider and is used to study the fundamental theories of the universe. Within the ATLAS experiment, beams of known composition and energies – otherwise known as “test beams” – are one of the many methods used to study specific physical phenomena. In this study, a test beam of muons with an energy of 160 GeV was analyzed to search for evidence of photonuclear interactions. This necessitated analyzing and filtering over 50,000 total events using specific parameters that would indicate such an event had occurred. To …

An Educational Resource For Particle Identification (Pid) In Experimental Particle Physics Data, Richard Dube

Honors Scholar Theses

Although particle physics research is typically reserved for advanced undergraduates, algebra-based physics students can readily develop the foundational skills necessary to conduct particle physics research. Despite this, there is a shortage of educational resources that introduce particle physics to algebra-based physics students. This project, Particle Identification Playground, is a collection of Python-based activities that teach students about several fundamental topics in experimental particle physics research. Through these activities, students will learn about the common detectors used in particle physics, how they work, and how we can use these detectors to identify particles. Students are able to interact with 3D models …

Development Of One And Two Current Transition Amplitudes With Two Body Final States, Keegan H. Sherman

Physics Theses & Dissertations

One of the biggest challenges facing modern day nuclear physics is understanding the structure of states within the hadronic spectrum of Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD). We have shown this spectrum to be quite rich with hundreds of allowed states; however, if we wish to better grasp the dynamics of QCD, then it is necessary that we start investigating the internal structure of these states. This may be done by probing these states with external currents, but this requires a description of the intersection of QCD with the electroweak sector. This work acts as a stepping stone in this direction. Working to …

Beyond Standard Model: Neutrino-Antineutrino Pairs In Nuclear Reactions Of Beta-Decay And Proton-Neutron Transmutation., Polievkt Perov

College of Arts & Sciences Faculty Works

On examples of different beta-decay reactions, we show that the neutrino-antineutrino pairs should be added as necessary reagents to the equations of the decay reactions where a neutrino or an antineutrino is among the products of the reaction. In our models, quarks and leptons are all made of basic fractional +-e/3 charges. Transfer of basic charges between reagents forms the products of the reaction. We suggest that there is no direct conversion of u-quark to d-quark and visa versa. Each transmutation involves a transfer of basic charges from a neutrino to a quark so the structure of remaining charges in …

Beyond Standard Model: Neutrino Dipoles And Proto Hydrogen Bundles., Polievkt Perov

College of Arts & Sciences Faculty Works

In our composite models of elementary particles as consisting of just two types of elementary basic charges, +e/3 and -e/3, the axial electric potential of any elementary particle is a function of a distance from the particle, and this function differs from the Coulomb potential of a point total charge of the particle. The electric potential of neutrinos is not zero at close distances from neutrinos. Neutrinos can form dipoles and bundles of 3 or more neutrinos. The three-neutrino bundle (a proto-hydrogen) can be converted to a hydrogen atom. As we suggested in our previous paper [4], the total numbers …

Beyond Standard Model: Electrostatic Potential Energy Of Quarks, Electron, And Neutrinos As Spinning Composite Structures, Polievkt Perov

College of Arts & Sciences Faculty Works

The potential energy of any composite structure is related to the binding energy of the structure. The equations for the electrostatic potential energy of quarks, electron-like structures, and neutrinos are presented for our models of elementary particles as spinning composite structures. The structures consist of up to 3 basic elementary charges of magnitude e/3 on the axis of rotation and N charges revolving about the axis. We applied these general equations specifically to the models of different quarks, electron and electron-like particles (muon and tau), and neutral particles (neutrinos). It is shown that the electrostatic potential energies of all considered …

Beyond Standard Model: Axial Electric Potentials Of Quarks And Neutrinos, Polievkt Perov

College of Arts & Sciences Faculty Works

The equations of axial electric potentials are presented for our models of quarks and neutrinos as spinning composite structures where up to 3 basic elementary charges are on the axis or rotation and the other N charges are revolving about the axis. The axial potential functions at given point on the axis of rotation were calculated as the sum of electric potentials at that point from all the charges in the structure. We applied these general equations specifically to the models of two types of neutral particles (neutrinos), one with 2 like charges on the axis and the other with …

Beyond Standard Model: Structure Factors Of Models Of Different Quarks And Neutrinos As Spinning Structures Made Of Basic Fractional Charges +- E/3, Polievkt Perov

College of Arts & Sciences Faculty Works

We consider a possible line of “elementary” particles as composite spinning structures made of just two basic elementary particles of charges + e/3 and -e/3. In considered structures, up to 3 basic charges can be on the axis of rotation and other charges can be in a revolving motion about the axis. In addition to the simplest structures of quarks, an electron and a neutral particle containing mostly one or no charges on the axis of rotation, suggested initially in [4], we analyze possible spatial structures of spinning composite particles having 2 or 3 charges on the axis of rotation. …

Jets And Underlying Event In √S_Nn = 200 Gev P+Au Collisions At Rhic, Veronica Verkest

Wayne State University Dissertations

Small collision systems, such as that between a proton or deuteron and a heavy-ion, were originally studied to assess cold nuclear matter (CNM) effects but have produced surprising results at RHIC and the LHC over the last several years. Namely, observations of jet yield suppression (enhancement) in central (peripheral) p/d+A events have motivated further investigations into small systems, including the search for signs of Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP) formation. This thesis focuses primarily on an analysis of correlations of hard and soft particle production in √s_NN = 200 GeV p+Au collisions in STAR. Jets and Underlying Event (UE) are measured at …

Novel Time Projection Chamber Techniques With Applications Towards Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay Searches, Nicholas K. Byrnes

Physics Dissertations - Archive

One of the highest priority endeavors in nuclear and particle physics is the search for Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay (0νββ). The observation of 0νββ would prove that the neutrino is a Majorana particle i.e. its own antiparticle, offering a mechanism by which the matter-antimatter asymmetry observed in our universe could be explained. This theoretical decay mechanism is only energetically favored in certain neutron-rich isotopes and, if found, would be the rarest decay process ever observed. To compete with the exceedingly long half-life of 0νββ, all contemporary searches are focused on the following detector performance metrics: Increasing the instrumented isotopic mass …

Backgrounds Study And Ai-Powered Waveform Processing For Legend Experiment, Laxman Paudel

Dissertations and Theses

Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay (0$\nu \beta \beta $) is a presumed rare nuclear decay process and is considered the most promising way to prove the Majorana nature of neutrinos, that is, neutrinos are their own antiparticles. The discovery of \zero decay would also enhance our understanding of nuclear physics, astrophysical observations, and physical processes in the early Universe. The Large Enriched Germanium Experiment for Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay (LEGEND) is a phased $^{\mathrm{76}}$Ge-based 0$\nu \beta \beta $ decay experimental program, aiming for the discovery potential of a half-life of 0$\nu \beta \beta $ beyond 10$^{\mathrm{28}}$ years. The first phase, LEGEND-200, comprises 200 …

Search For Axion-Like Particles Through Nuclear Primakoff Production Using The Gluex Detector, J. R. Pybus, T. Kolar, B. Devkota, P. Sharp, B. Yu, O. Hen, E. Piasetzky, S. N. Santiesteban, A. Schmidt, A. Somov, Y. Soreq, H. Szumila-Vance, S. Adhikari, C. S. Akondi, C. Ayerbe Gayoso, V. V. Berdnikov, H. Bhatt, D. Bhetuwal, M. M. Dalton, A. Deur, R. Dotel, C. Fanelli, J. Guo, T. J. Hague, D. W. Higinbotham, N. D. Hoffman, P. Hurck, I. Jaegle, A. Karki, W. Li, V. Lyubovitskij, H. Marukyan, M. D. Mccaughan, M. E. Mccracken, S. Oresic, Z. Papandreou, C. Paudel, S. Ratliff, E. M. Seroka, S. Somov, I. Strakovsky, K. Suresh, A. Thiel, B. Zihlmann

Physics Faculty Publications

We report on the results of the first search for the production of axion-like particles (ALPs) via Primakoff production on nuclear targets, ᵧA → aA, in the "SRC-CT" experiment using the GlueX detector at Jefferson Lab. This search uses an integrated luminosity of 100 pb^-1 center dot nucleon on a C-12 target with a real photon beam of energies 6 < Eᵧ < 10.8 GeV, and explores the mass region of 200 < m(a) < 450 MeV via the decay a → ᵧᵧ. This mass range is between the pi⁰ and η meson masses, which enables the use of the measured η meson production rate to obtain absolute bounds on the ALP production with reduced sensitivity to …

The Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility At 12 Gev, P. A. Adderly, S. Ahmed, T. Allison, R. Bachimanchi, K. Baggett, M. Bastaninejad, B. Bevins, M. Bevins, M. Bickley, R. M. Bodenstein, S. A. Bogacz, M. Bruker, A. Burrill, L. Cardman, J. Creel, Y. -C. Chao, G. Cheng, G. Ciovati, S. Chattopadhyay, Y. Zhang, Et Al.

Physics Faculty Publications

This review paper describes the energy-upgraded Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility (CEBAF) accelerator. This superconducting linac has achieved 12 GeV beam energy by adding 11 new high-performance cryomodules containing 88 superconducting cavities that have operated cw at an average accelerating gradient of 20 MV/m. After reviewing the attributes and performance of the previous 6 GeV CEBAF accelerator, we discuss the upgraded CEBAF accelerator system in detail with particular attention paid to the new beam acceleration systems. In addition to doubling the acceleration in each linac, the upgrade included improving the beam recirculation magnets, adding more helium cooling capacity to …

Phenomenology Of Tmd Parton Distributions In Drell-Yan And Z⁰ Boson Production In A Hadron Structure Oriented Approach, F. Aslan, M. Boglione, J. O. Gonzalez-Hernandez, T. Rainaldi, T. C. Rogers, A. Simonelli

Physics Faculty Publications

We present a first practical implementation of a recently proposed hadron structure oriented (HSO) approach to transverse momentum dependent (TMD) phenomenology applied to Drell-Yan-like processes, including lepton pair production at moderate Q² and Z⁰ boson production. We compare and contrast general features of our methodology with other common practices and emphasize aspects that we view as improvements. Separately, we discuss the importance of treatments that preserve various theoretical properties of the nonperturbative parts of TMD parametrizations for future applications that have the extraction of hadron structure as a primary goal. These include the HSO’s preservation of a basic TMD parton-model-like …

Inclusive Reactions From Finite Minkowski Spacetime Correlation Functions, Marco A. Carrillo, Raúl A. Briceño, Alexandru M. Sturzu

Physics Faculty Publications

The need to determine scattering amplitudes of few-hadron systems for arbitrary kinematics expands a broad set of subfields of modern-day nuclear and hadronic physics. In this work, we expand upon previous explorations on the use of real-time methods, like quantum computing or tensor networks, to determine few-body scattering amplitudes. Such calculations must be performed in a finite Minkowski spacetime, where scattering amplitudes are not well defined. Our previous work presented a conjecture of a systematically improvable estimator for scattering amplitudes constructed from finite-volume correlation functions. Here we provide further evidence that the prescription works for larger kinematic regions than previously …

Qcd Analysis Of Flavor-Nonchanging Hadronic Weak Processes Through Next-To-Leading Order, Girish Lingadahalli Muralidhara

Theses and Dissertations--Physics and Astronomy

Studies in quantum chromodynamics (QCD), the fundamental theory of the strong interactions, of low-energy hadronic weak processes utilize an effective Hamiltonian framework. Below the weak-mass scale, an effective Hamiltonian contains a series of Wilson coefficients and four-quark operators that come from the operator product expansion in the Standard Model. The effective hadronic Hamiltonian pertinent to a weak process is then obtained via a renormalization group analysis in QCD from the weak-mass scale to the low-energy scale of O(2 GeV). In this thesis, the construction and phenomenological implications of such an effective Hamiltonian for flavor-conserving, parity-violating quark processes in the Standard …

Precision Neutrino Interactions In And Beyond The Standard Model, Kaushik Borah

Theses and Dissertations--Physics and Astronomy

This dissertation investigates precision measurements of neutrino interactions within the framework of the Standard Model and explores potential extensions beyond it. Neutrinos, often referred to as ghostly particles due to their weak interactions and elusive nature, have long been a frontier in particle physics. Through detailed theoretical modeling and comparison with experimental data, this work focuses on improving our understanding of neutrino-nucleon cross-sections, nucleon form factors, and generalized neutrino interactions. The study begins with a comprehensive examination of the role of vector and axial-vector form factors in neutrino-nucleon scattering and their impact on the interpretation of neutrino oscillation data from …

Beyond Standard Model: Electromagnetic Origin Of Strong Interaction Between Composite Structures Made Of Basic Elementary ±E/3 Charges, Polievkt Perov

College of Arts & Sciences Faculty Works

Interaction between spinning composite structures of quarks is considered. In simple variants of the quark structures, one basic elementary particle of charge of magnitude |e|/3 is on the axis of rotation and several basic particles of an opposite sign are revolving in the circular orbit about the axis. Each charge in the structure contributes to the electric field and electric potential around the structure. But only revolving basic particles contribute to the spin and to the magnetic moment of the structure. Equations for the axial electric field and the electric potential of each structure at points on its axis are …

Inverse Mappers For Qcd Global Analysis, Manal Almaeen

Computer Science Theses & Dissertations

Inverse problems – using measured observations to determine unknown parameters – are well motivated but challenging in many scientific problems. Mapping parameters to observables is a well-posed problem with unique solutions, and therefore can be solved with differential equations or linear algebra solvers. However, the inverse problem requires backward mapping from observable to parameter space, which is often nonunique. Consequently, solving inverse problems is ill-posed and a far more challenging computational problem.

Our motivated application in this dissertation is the inverse problems in nuclear physics that characterize the internal structure of the hadrons. We first present a machine learning framework …

Deep Virtual Pion Pair Production, Dilini Lakshani Bulumulla

Physics Theses & Dissertations

This experiment investigates the deep virtual production of both σ− and ρ− mesons, with a particular focus on the microscopic structure of the σ mesons. While the ρ meson is an ordinary qq¯ pair, the σ meson is composed of not only the typical qq¯ pair, making it a topic of controversy for nearly six decades. Although the existence of the σ− meson is now well established, its microscopic structure remains poorly understood. The primary objective of this thesis is to contribute to the understanding of the σ meson by analyzing its deep virtual production. The main focus of this …