arXiv subjects

A. Messina

Publications and source records attributed to A. Messina.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2020

A 1 m$^3$ Gas Time Projection Chamber with Optical Readout for Directional Dark Matter Searches: the CYGNO Experiment

The aim of the CYGNO project is the construction and operation of a 1~m$^3$ gas TPC for directional dark matter searches and coherent neutrino scattering measurements, as a prototype toward the 100-1000~m$^3$ (0.15-1.5 tons) CYGNUS network of underground experiments. In such a TPC, electrons produced by dark-matter- or neutrino-induced nuclear recoils will drift toward and will be multiplied by a three-layer GEM structure, and the light produced in the avalanche processes will be readout by a sCMOS camera, providing a 2D image of the event with a resolution of a few hundred micrometers. Photomultipliers will also provide a simultaneous fast readout of the time profile of the light production, giving information about the third coordinate and hence allowing a 3D reconstruction of the event, from which the direction of the nuclear recoil and consequently the direction of the incoming particle can be inferred. Such a detailed reconstruction of the event topology will also allow a pure and efficient signal to background discrimination. These two features are the key to reach and overcome the solar neutrino background that will ultimately limit non-directional dark matter searches.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2019

Measurement of the ion fraction and mobility of $^{218}$Po produced in $^{222}$Rn decays in liquid argon

We report measurements of the charged daughter fraction of $^{218}$Po as a result of the $^{222}$Rn alpha decay, and the mobility of $^{218}$Po$^+$ ions, using radon-polonium coincidences from the $^{238}$U chain identified in 532 live-days of DarkSide-50 WIMP-search data. The fraction of $^{218}$Po that is charged is found to be 0.37$\pm$0.03 and the mobility of $^{218}$Po$^+$ is (8.6$\pm$0.1)$\times$10$^{-4}$$\frac{\text{cm}^2}{\text{Vs}}$.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2019

CYGNO: Triple-GEM Optical Readout for Directional Dark Matter Search

CYGNO is a project realising a cubic meter demonstrator to study the scalability of the performance of the optical approach for the readout of large-volume, GEM-equipped TPC. This is part of the CYGNUS proto-collaboration which aims at constructing a network of underground observatories for directional Dark Matter search. The combined use of high-granularity sCMOS and fast sensors for reading out the light produced in GEM channels during the multiplication processes was shown to allow on one hand to reconstruct 3D direction of the tracks, offering accurate energy measurements and sensitivity to the source directionality and, on the other hand, a high particle identification capability very useful to distinguish nuclear recoils. Results of the performed R&D and future steps toward a 30-100 cubic meter experiment will be presented.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2019

Dynamics of a harmonic oscillator coupled with a Glauber amplifier

A system of a quantum harmonic oscillator bi-linearly coupled with a Glauber amplifier is analysed considering a time-dependent Hamiltonian model. The Hilbert space of this system may be exactly subdivided into invariant finite dimensional subspaces. Resorting to the Jordan-Schwinger map, the dynamical problem within each invariant subspace may be traced back to an effective SU(2) Hamiltonian model expressed in terms of spin variables only. This circumstance allows to analytically solve the dynamical problem and thus to study the exact dynamics of the oscillator-amplifier system under specific time-dependent scenarios. Peculiar physical effects are brought to light by comparing the dynamics of such a system with that of two interacting standard oscillators.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2019

CYGNO: a CYGNUs Collaboration 1 m^3 Module with Optical Readout for Directional Dark Matter Search

The design of the project named CYGNO is presented. CYGNO is a new proposal supported by INFN, the Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics, within CYGNUs proto-collaboration (CYGNUS-TPC) that aims to realize a distributed observatory in underground laboratories for directional Dark Matter (DM) search and the identification of the coherent neutrino scattering (CNS) from the Sun. CYGNO is one of the first prototypes in the road map to 100-1000 m^3 of CYGNUs and will be located at the National Laboratory of Gran Sasso (LNGS), in Italy, aiming to make significant advances in the technology of single phase gas-only time projection chambers (TPC) for the application to the detection of rare scattering events. In particular it will focus on a read-out technique based on Micro Pattern Gas Detector (MPGD) amplification of the ionization and on the visible light collection with a sub-mm position resolution sCMOS (scientific COMS) camera. This type of readout - in conjunction with a fast light detection - will allow on one hand to reconstruct 3D direction of the tracks, offering accurate sensitivity to the source directionality and, on the other hand, a high particle identification capability very useful to distinguish nuclear recoils.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2019

Landau-Majorana-Stuckelberg-Zener dynamics driven by coupling for two interacting qutrit systems

A time-dependent two interacting spin-qutrit model is analysed and solved. The two interacting qutrits are subjected to a longitudinal field linearly varying over time as in the Landau-Majorana-Stückelberg-Zener (LMSZ) scenario. Although a transverse field is absent, we show the occurrence of LMSZ transitions assisted by the coupling between the two spin-qutrits. Such a physical effects permits to estimate experimentally the coupling strength between the spins and allows the generation of entangled states of the two qutrits by appropriately setting the slope of the ramp. Furthermore, the possibility of local and non-local control as well as the existence of dark states of the two qutrits have been brought to light. Effects stemming from a noisy surrounding environment are also taken into account by introducing a random fluctuating field component as well as non-Hermitian terms in the Hamiltonian model.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2019

Performance of Optically Readout GEM-based TPC with a 55Fe source

Optical readout of large Time Projection Chambers (TPCs) with multiple Gas Electron Multipliers (GEMs) amplification stages has shown to provide very interesting performances for high energy particle tracking. Proposed applications for low-energy and rare event studies, such as Dark Matter search, ask for demanding performance in the keV energy range. The performance of such a readout was studied in details as a function of the electric field configuration and GEM gain by using a $^{55}$Fe source within a 7 litre sensitive volume detector developed as a part of the R\&D for the CYGNUS project. Results reported in this paper show that the low noise level of the sensor allows to operate with a 2~keV threshold while keeping a rate of fake-events lesser than 10 per year. In this configuration, a detection efficiency well above 95\% along with an energy resolution ($σ$) of 18\% is obtained for the 5.9 keV photons, demonstrating the very promising capabilities of this technique.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2019

Coupling-assisted Landau-Majorana-Stuckelberg-Zener transition in two-interacting-qubit systems

We analyse a system of two interacting spin-qubits subjected to a Landau-Majorana-Stückelberg-Zener (LMSZ) ramp. We prove that LMSZ transitions of the two spin-qubits are possible without an external transverse static field since its role is played by the coupling between the spin-qubits. We show how such a physical effect could be exploited to estimate the strength of the interaction between the two spin-qubits and to generate entangled states of the system by appropriately setting the slope of the ramp. Moreover, the study of effects of the coupling parameters on the time-behaviour of the entanglement is reported. Finally, our symmetry-based approach allows us to discuss also effects stemming from the presence of a classical noise or non-Hermitian dephasing terms.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2019

Resonant transitions due to changing boundaries

The problem of a particle confined in a box with moving walls is studied, focusing on the case of small perturbations which do not alter the shape of the boundary (\lq pantography\rq). The presence of resonant transitions involving the natural transition frequencies of the system and the Fourier transform of the velocity of the walls of the box is brought to the light. The special case of a pantographic change of a circular box is analyzed in dept, also bringing to light the fact that the movement of the boundary cannot affect the angular momentum of the particle.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2019

Analytically solvable $2\times2$ $PT$-symmetry dynamics from su(1,1)-symmetry problems

A protocol for explicitly constructing the exact time-evolution operators generated by $2 \times 2$ time-dependent $PT$-symmetry Hamiltonians is reported. Its mathematical applicability is illustrated with the help of appropriate examples. The physical relevance of the proposed approach within gain-loss system scenarios, like two-coupled wave-guides, is discussed in detail.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2018

Cooling of Many-Body Systems via Selective Interactions

We propose a model describing $N$ spin-1/2 systems coupled through $N$-order homogeneous interaction terms, in presence of local time-dependent magnetic fields. This model can be experimentally implemented with current technologies in trapped ions and superconducting circuits. By introducing a chain of unitary transformations, we succeed in exactly converting the quantum dynamics of this system into that of $2^{N-1}$ fictitious spin-1/2 dynamical problems. We bring to light the possibility of controlling the unitary evolution of the $N$ spins generating GHZ states under specific time-dependent scenarios. Moreover, we show that by appropriately engineering the time-dependence of the coupling parameters, one may choose a specific subspace in which the $N$-spin system dynamics takes place. This dynamical feature, which we call time-dependent selective interaction, can generate a cooling effect of all spins in the system.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2018

Exactly solvable time-dependent pseudo-Hermitian $su$(1,1) Hamiltonian models

An exact analytical treatment of the dynamical problem for time-dependent 2x2 pseudo-hermitian su(1,1) Hamiltonians is reported. A class of exactly solvable and physically transparent new scenarios are identified within both classical and quantum contexts. Such a class is spanned by a positive parameter $ν$ that allows to distinguish two different dynamical regimes. Our results are usefully employed for exactly solving a classical propagation problem in a guided wave optics scenario. The usefulness of our procedure in a quantum context is illustrated by defining and investigating the su(1,1) "Rabi" scenario bringing to light analogies and differences with the standard su(2) Rabi model. Our approach, conjugated with the generalized von Neumann equation describing open quantum systems through non-Hermitian Hamiltonians, succeeds in evidencing that the $ν$-dependent passage from a real to a complex energy spectrum is generally unrelated to the existence of the two dynamical regimes.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2018

Electroluminescence pulse shape and electron diffusion in liquid argon measured in a dual-phase TPC

We report the measurement of the longitudinal diffusion constant in liquid argon with the DarkSide-50 dual-phase time projection chamber. The measurement is performed at drift electric fields of 100 V/cm, 150 V/cm, and 200 V/cm using high statistics $^{39}$Ar decays from atmospheric argon. We derive an expression to describe the pulse shape of the electroluminescence signal (S2) in dual-phase TPCs. The derived S2 pulse shape is fit to events from the uppermost portion of the TPC in order to characterize the radial dependence of the signal. The results are provided as inputs to the measurement of the longitudinal diffusion constant DL, which we find to be (4.12 $\pm$ 0.04) cm$^2$/s for a selection of 140keV electron recoil events in 200V/cm drift field and 2.8kV/cm extraction field. To study the systematics of our measurement we examine datasets of varying event energy, field strength, and detector volume yielding a weighted average value for the diffusion constant of (4.09 $\pm$ 0.09) cm$^2$ /s. The measured longitudinal diffusion constant is observed to have an energy dependence, and within the studied energy range the result is systematically lower than other results in the literature.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2018

Classes of Exactly Solvable Generalized Semi-Classical Rabi Systems

The exact quantum dynamics of a single spin-1/2 in a generic time-dependent classical magnetic field is investigated and compared with the quantum motion of a spin-1/2 studied by Rabi and Schwinger. The possibility of regarding the scenario studied in this paper as a generalization of that considered by Rabi and Schwinger is discussed and a notion of time-dependent resonance condition is introduced and carefully legitimated and analysed. Several examples help to disclose analogies and departures of the quantum motion induced in a generalized Rabi system with respect to that exhibited by the spin-1/2 in a magnetic field precessing around the $z$-axis. We find that, under generalized resonance condition, the time evolution of the transition probability $P_+^-(t)$ between the two eigenstates of ${\hat{S}}^z$ may be dominated by a regime of distorted oscillations, or may even exhibit a monotonic behaviour. At the same time we succeed in predicting no oscillations in the behaviour of $P_+^-(t)$ under general conditions. New scenarios of experimental interest originating a Landau-Zener transition is brought to light. Finally, the usefulness of our results is emphasized by showing their applicability in a classical guided wave optics scenario.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2018

The MEV project: design and testing of a new high-resolution telescope for Muography of Etna Volcano

The MEV project aims at developing a muon telescope expressly designed for the muography of Etna Volcano. In particular, one of the active craters in the summit area of the volcano would be a suitable target for this experiment. A muon tracking telescope with high imaging resolution was built and tested during 2017. The telescope is a tracker based on extruded scintillating bars with WLS fibres and featuring an innovative read-out architecture. It is composed of three XY planes with a sensitive area of \SI{1}{m^2}; the angular resolution does not exceeds \SI{0.4}{\milli\steradian} and the total angular aperture is about $\pm$\SI{45}{\degree}. A special effort concerned the design of mechanics and electronics in order to meet the requirements of a detector capable to work in a hostile environment such as the top of a tall volcano, at a far distance from any facility. The test phase started in January 2017 and ended successfully at the end of July 2017. An extinct volcanic crater (the Monti Rossi, in the village of Nicolosi, about 15km from Catania) is the target of the measurement. The detector acquired data for about 120 days and the preliminary results are reported in this work.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2017

Time evolution of a pair of distinguishable interacting spins subjected to controllable and noisy magnetic fields

The quantum dynamics of a $\hat{\mathbf{J}}^2=(\hat{\mathbf{j}}_1+\hat{\mathbf{j}}_2)^2$-conserving Hamiltonian model describing two coupled spins $\hat{\mathbf{j}}_1$ and $\hat{\mathbf{j}}_2$ under controllable and fluctuating time-dependent magnetic fields is investigated. Each eigenspace of $\hat{\mathbf{J}}^2$ is dynamically invariant and the Hamiltonian of the total system restricted to any one of such $(j_1+j_2)-|j_1-j_2|+1$ eigenspaces, possesses the SU(2) structure of the Hamiltonian of a single fictitious spin acted upon by the total magnetic field. We show that such a reducibility holds regardless of the time dependence of the externally applied field as well as of the statistical properties of the noise, here represented as a classical fluctuating magnetic field. The time evolution of the joint transition probabilities of the two spins $\hat{\mathbf{j}}_1$ and $\hat{\mathbf{j}}_2$ between two prefixed factorized states is examined, bringing to light peculiar dynamical properties of the system under scrutiny. When the noise-induced non-unitary dynamics of the two coupled spins is properly taken into account, analytical expressions for the joint Landau-Zener transition probabilities are reported. The possibility of extending the applicability of our results to other time-dependent spin models is pointed out.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2017

Quantum Plasmonics with multi-emitters: Application to adiabatic control

We construct mode-selective effective models describing the interaction of N quantum emitters (QEs) with the localised surface plasmon polaritons (LSPs) supported by a spherical metal nanoparticle (MNP) in an arbitrary geometric arrangement of the QEs. We develop a general formulation in which the field response in the presence of the nanosystem can be decomposed into orthogonal modes with the spherical symmetry as an example. We apply the model in the context of quantum information, investigating on the possibility of using the LSPs as mediators of an efficient control of population transfer between two QEs. We show that a Stimulated Raman Adiabatic Passage configuration allows such a transfer via a decoherence-free dark state when the QEs are located on the same side of the MNP and very closed to it, whereas the transfer is blocked when the emitters are positioned at the opposite sides of the MNP. We explain this blockade by the destructive superposition of all the interacting plasmonic modes.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2017

An example of interplay between Physics and Mathematics: Exact resolution of a new class of Riccati Equations

A novel recipe for exactly solving in finite terms a class of special differential Riccati equations is reported. Our procedure is entirely based on a successful resolution strategy quite recently applied to quantum dynamical time-dependent SU(2) problems. The general integral of exemplary differential Riccati equations, not previously considered in the specialized literature, is explicitly determined to illustrate both mathematical usefulness and easiness of applicability of our proposed treatment. The possibility of exploiting the general integral of a given differential Riccati equation to solve an SU(2) quantum dynamical problem, is succinctly pointed out.

math-ph↗