120177817
Performance of a UA1 Hadron Calorimeter Prototype
The hadron calorimeter for the UA1 experiment at the CERN SPS proton-antiproton collider consists of a lead-scintillator sandwich plus an iron-scintillator sandwich with wavelength shifter readout. We have tested prototype modules in muon and hadron beams in the momentum range from 0.7 to 90 GeV/c. For several angles of incidence, we have studied the uniformity of the response to hadrons as a function of position. This has included regions where there is reduced sensitivity due to mechanical constraints and the presence of the wavelength shifter readout. The response, resolution and degree of shower containment were measured as a function of incident momentum.
123678522
Options for machines and experiments in the future
The highest energy particle accelerators in operation and under construction are described briefly, together with a selection of detectors. Extrapolations of existing techniques both for accelerators and for detectors appear to be adequate for the next upward step in energy, but beyond this new techniques will probably have to be developed. Some predictions are given.
123687310
Antiproton--proton annihilation into charged pion and kaon pairs
Events of the type anti pp $Yields$ K$sup -$K$sup +$, $pi$$sup - $$pi$$sup +$ were studied at 0.79 to 2.43 GeV/c. Differential cross sections and Legendre coefficient ratios are shown. Resonances found as a result of model fitting showing spin--parity assignment versus mass squared are also shown. (JFP)
123595435
Particle accelerators and the fundamental constants
As an instructive exercise in elementary quantum physics, we explore the relationship between the sizes of circular particle accelerators and the fundamental constants of nature.
117258763
A study of nucleon isobar production in proton-proton collisions
SummaryThe momentum spectra of protons scattered inelastically in proton-proton collisions were obtained in an external beam at NIMROD, using incident-proton momenta of 2.85, 4.55, 6.06 and 7.88 GeV/c, and various scattering angles in the range 22 to 144 mrad. The isobars of mass 1236, 1518 and 1688 MeV are clearly seen. There is evidence also in the spectra at small angles for the production of the 1410 MeV isobar at a mass of (1410±15) MeV and width (125±20) MeV. It is shown that the observed peak cannot be explained by the Deck effect. The differential cross-sections for the production of these isobars are presented in terms of the usual variabless andt, and are compared with absorption and Regge-pole model predictions. Fits to the data with various empirical functions of these variables are also investigated. The behaviour of the total cross-section for the 1236 MeV isobar is found to exhibit energy-dependence consistent with one-pion exchange, whereas the 1410 MeV and 1688 MeV isobar total cross-sections are found to be energy-independent. Also the total cross-section for the 1518 MeV isobar is found to exhibit energy-dependence in this energy range.RiassuntoSi sono ottenuti gli spettri delle quantità di moto dei protoni diffusi anelasticamente nelle collisioni protone-protone ottenute in un raggio esterno di NIMROD, usando quantità di moto del protone incidente di 2.85, 4.55, 6.06 e 7.88 GeV/c, e vari angoli di scattering da 22 a 144 mrad. Si vedono chiaramente gli isobari di massa 1236, 1518 e 1688 MeV. Si hanno anche prove negli spettri a piccoli angoli della produzione dell’isobaro da 1410 MeV di massa (1410±15) MeV e ampiezza (125±20) MeV. Si dimostra che il picco osservato non può essere spiegato con l’effetto Deck. Si presentano le sezioni d’urto differenziali per la produzione di questi isobari in funzioni delle usuali variabilis et, e si confrontano con le previsioni del modello dei poli di Regge e del modello di assorbimento. Si studiano anche le approssimazioni ai dati con varie funzioni empiriche di queste variabili. Si trova che il comportamento della sezione d’urto totale per l’isobaro da 1236 MeV presenta una dipendenza dall’energia che concorda con lo scambio di un pione, mentre le sezioni d’urto degli isobari da 1410 MeV e 1688 MeV risultano indipendenti dall’energia. Si trova che anche la sezione d’urto totale presenta una dipendenza dall’energia in questo intervallo di energie.РеэумеПолучаются импульсные спектры протонов, неупруго рассеянных в протон-протонных соударениях во внещнем пучке в HИMPOД, испольэуя импульсы падаюших протонов 2.85, 4.55, 6.06 и 7.88 ГЭB/c, и раэличные углы рассеяния в области от 22 до 144 миллирадиан. Четко видны иэобары с массами 1236, 1518 и 1688 MЭB. Также имеется подтверждение в спектрах при малых углах для рождения иэобары 1410 MЭB с массой (1410±15) MЭB и щириной (125±20) MЭB. Покаэывается, что наблюденный пик не может быть общяснен с помошью Эффекта Дека. Представлены дифференциальные поперечные сечения для рождения Этих иэобар в терминах обычных переменныхs иt, которые сравниваются с предскаэаниями моделей поглошения и полюсов Редже. Также исследуются подгонки для Этих данных с помошью раэличных Эмпирических функций Этих переменных. Найдено, что поведение полного поперечного сечения для иэобары 1236 MЭB обнаруживает Энергетическую эависимость, согласуюшуюся с одно-пионным обменом, в то зе время получено, что полные поперечные сечения иэобар 1410 MЭB и 1688 MЭB не эависят от Энергии. Также найдено, что полное поперечное сечение для иэобары 1518 MЭB обнаруживает эависимость от Энергии в Этой области Энергий.
116914560
Physicists make the most of antimatter.
14608151
X-Pipeline: an analysis package for autonomous gravitational-wave burst searches
Autonomous gravitational-wave searches—fully automated analyses of data that run without human intervention or assistance—are desirable for a number of reasons. They are necessary for the rapid identification of gravitational-wave burst candidates, which in turn will allow for follow-up observations by other observatories and the maximum exploitation of their scientific potential. A fully automated analysis would also circumvent the traditional 'by hand' setup and tuning of burst searches that is both labourious and time consuming. We demonstrate a fully automated search with X-Pipeline, a software package for the coherent analysis of data from networks of interferometers for detecting bursts associated with gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) and other astrophysical triggers. We discuss the methods X-Pipeline uses for automated running, including background estimation, efficiency studies, unbiased optimal tuning of search thresholds and prediction of upper limits. These are all done automatically via Monte Carlo with multiple independent data samples and without requiring human intervention. As a demonstration of the power of this approach, we apply X-Pipeline to LIGO data to compute the sensitivity to gravitational-wave emission associated with GRB 031108. We find that X-Pipeline is sensitive to signals approximately a factor of 2 weaker in amplitude than those detectable by the cross-correlation technique used in LIGO searches to date. We conclude with comments on the status of X-Pipeline as a fully autonomous, near-real-time-triggered burst search in the current LSC-Virgo Science Run.
3138911
Accurate measurement of the time delay in the response of the LIGO gravitational wave detectors
We present a method to precisely calibrate the time delay in a long baseline gravitational-wave interferometer. An accurate time stamp is crucial for data analysis of gravitational wave detectors, especially when performing coincidence and correlation analyses between multiple detectors. Our method uses an intensity-modulated radiation pressure force to actuate on the mirrors. The time delay is measured by comparing the phase of the signal at the actuation point with the phase of the recorded signal within the calibrated data stream used for gravitational wave searches. Because the signal-injection path is independent of the interferometer's control system, which is used for the standard calibration, this method can be an independent verification of the timing error in the system. A measurement performed with the 4 km interferometer at the LIGO Hanford Observatory shows a 1 µs relative accuracy when averaging over 50 min. Our understanding of the systematic time delay in the detector response has reached the level of 10 µs.
26319866
Accurate calibration of test mass displacement in the LIGO interferometers
We describe three fundamentally different methods we have applied to calibrate the test mass displacement actuators to search for systematic errors in the calibration of the LIGO gravitational-wave detectors. The actuation frequencies tested range from 90 Hz to 1 kHz and the actuation amplitudes range from 10−6 m to 10−18 m. For each of the four test mass actuators measured, the weighted mean coefficient over all frequencies for each technique deviates from the average actuation coefficient for all three techniques by less than 4%. This result indicates that systematic errors in the calibration of the responses of the LIGO detectors to differential length variations are within the stated uncertainties.
44041464
Inferring core-collapse supernova physics with gravitational waves
Stellar collapse and the subsequent development of a core-collapse supernova explosion emit bursts of gravitational waves (GWs) that might be detected by the advanced generation of laser interferometer gravitational-wave observatories such as Advanced LIGO, Advanced Virgo, and LCGT. GW bursts from core-collapse supernovae encode information on the intricate multidimensional dynamics at work at the core of a dying massive star and may provide direct evidence for the yet uncertain mechanism driving supernovae in massive stars. Recent multidimensional simulations of core-collapse supernovae exploding via the neutrino, magnetorotational, and acoustic explosion mechanisms have predicted GW signals which have distinct structure in both the time and frequency domains. Motivated by this, we describe a promising method for determining the most likely explosion mechanism underlying a hypothetical GW signal, based on principal component analysis and Bayesian model selection. Using simulated Advanced LIGO noise and assuming a single detector and linear waveform polarization for simplicity, we demonstrate that our method can distinguish magnetorotational explosions throughout the Milky Way (D≲10  kpc) and explosions driven by the neutrino and acoustic mechanisms to D≲2  kpc. Furthermore, we show that we can differentiate between models for rotating accretion-induced collapse of massive white dwarfs and models of rotating iron core collapse with high reliability out to several kpc.
14925786
Benefits of artificially generated gravity gradients for interferometric gravitational-wave detectors
We present an approach to experimentally evaluate gravity gradient noise, a potentially limiting noise source in advanced interferometric gravitational-wave detectors. In addition, the method can be used to provide sub-percent calibration in phase and amplitude. Knowledge of calibration to such certainties shall enhance the scientific output of the instruments in the case of an eventual detection of gravitational waves. The method relies on a rotating symmetrical two-body mass, a dynamic gravity field generator (DFG). The placement of the DFG in the proximity of one of the interferometer's suspended test masses generates a change in the local gravitational field detectable with current interferometric gravitational-wave detectors.