Transverse Lambda Polarization at LHC
Transverse polarization of Lambda hyperons produced in p p and p Pb collisions is discussed. A factorized description in the intermediate to high p_T region is considered that involves transverse momentum and spin dependence in the fragmentation process. Consequences and suggestions for investigations at LHC are pointed out for the process p + p -> Lambda^uparrow + jets + X at midrapidity and p + p/Pb -> Lambda^uparrow + X in the forward region.
Transverse Lambda polarization at high energy colliders
Measurements of transverse polarization of Lambda hyperons produced in high energy pp collisions may help to address several open issues about Lambda production and polarization mechanisms, such as the amount of SU(3) breaking, the importance of gluons and sea quarks, and the origin of spontaneous Lambda polarization. The process p + p -> Lambda^\uparrow + jet + X at midrapidity is ideally suited for this purpose, for instance at LHC's ALICE experiment. New expressions and predictions are presented for the transverse Lambda polarization in this process, within a factorized description which involves transverse momentum and spin dependence in the fragmentation process. Uncertainties from the unpolarized Lambda fragmentation functions, due to the unknown magnitude of SU(3) breaking and the apparent inconsistency between pp and e^+ e^- data, are investigated.
rPET detectors design and data processing
Small animal PET systems based on rotating planar detectors posses some interesting advantages for high sensitivity, high resolution imaging. We have designed the rPET detectors based on MLS crystals assembled on a 30times30 matrix optically coupled to a flat-panel PS-PMT. Weighted position readout circuits pre-process the 64 signals from the 8times8 anodes matrix, which are digitized using a charge-integrating converter. The amplification electronics, including the trigger output for coincidence detection, and the high voltage supply are integrated in a three PCBs stack that forms the base attached to the back of the PMT. The whole assembly is enclosed in a light tight, lead (Pb) shielded aluminum box. The detectors are mounted on a rotating gantry with more than 180 degrees rotation span. The digitized events are screened and histogramed, and a modified center of gravity algorithm removes from the position calculation those signals with poor signal to noise ratio. Apparent mean crystal size on the 511 keV field-flood images is 0.6 mm, mean peak-to-valley ratio is better than 8, and intrinsic resolution is 1.5 mm at the central row, with the energy window wide open. Sensitivity (CPS) for a pair of these detectors set in coincidence at 160 mm distance is 1%