arXiv subjects

Claude Leroy

Publications and source records attributed to Claude Leroy.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Analysis of Mixed Radiation Fields at the MoEDAL Experiment Based on Real-Time Data from a Timepix Detector Network

The primary objective of this work is the determination of fluences and characteristics of fast neutrons, other hadrons, and highly ionizing particles (HIPs) in the environment of the MoEDAL experiment at the Large Hadron Collider. These particles may constitute an experimental background for the passive Nuclear Track Detectors (NTDs) used by MoEDAL to search for tracks potentially produced by magnetic monopoles, in particular by particles indistinguishable in NTD from monopoles. The study is based on data acquired by the Timepix hybrid silicon pixel detector network, which represents the first and only active detector system installed and operated as part of the MoEDAL experiment from 2013 to 2018. The Timepix detector network enables real-time measurements of mixed radiation fields, including the composition, spectral properties, and directional characteristics of individual radiation components across different regions of the MoEDAL experimental area. The paper presents detailed results of the radiation field analysis with emphasis on neutrons and highly ionizing particles, including their directional distributions. The first results demonstrating the spatial tracking capabilities of the Timepix detectors are also reported, illustrating the reconstruction of particle direction and energy-loss profiles from individual detector frames.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2024

Influence of buffer gas on the formation of $N$-resonances in rubidium vapors

The $N$-resonance process is an accessible and effective method for obtaining narrow (down to subnatural linewidth), and contrasted resonances, using two continuous lasers and an Rb vapor cell. In this article, we investigate the impact of buffer gas partial pressure on the contrast and linewidth of $N$-resonances formed in the $D_1$ line of an $^{85}$Rb thermal vapor. $N$-resonances are compared to usual EIT resonances, and we highlight their advantages and disadvantages. Several rounds of measurements were performed with five vapor cells, each containing Rb and Ne buffer gas with different partial pressures (ranging from 0 to 400 Torr). This reveals the existence of an optimum Ne partial pressure that yields the best contrast, for which we provide a qualitative description. We then study the behavior of the $N$-resonance components when a transverse magnetic field is applied to the vapor cell. The frequency shift of each component is well described by theoretical calculations.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2023

Formation of narrow atomic lines of Rb in the UV region using a magnetic field

Magnetically induced (MI) transitions (F${}_{g}$ = 1 $\rightarrow$ F${}_{e}$= 3) of ${}^{87}$Rb D${}_{2}$ line are among the most promising atomic transitions for applications in laser physics. They reach their maximum intensity in the 0.2--2 kG magnetic field range and are more intense than many conventional atomic transitions. An important feature of MI transitions is their large frequency shift with respect to the unperturbed hyperfine transitions which reaches $\sim$12 GHz in magnetic fields of $\sim$ 3 kG, while they are formed on the high-frequency wing of the spectrum and do not overlap with other transitions. Some important peculiarities have been demonstrated for the MI 5S${}_{1/2}$$\rightarrow$ 5P${}_{3/2}$ transitions ($λ$=780 nm). Particularly, it was shown that using a nanocell with thickness $L= 100$~nm it is possible to realize 1 $μ$m-spatial resolution which is important when determining magnetic fields with strong spatial gradient (of $>$~3G /$μ$m). Earlier, our studies have been performed for 5S${}_{1/2}$ $\rightarrow$ $n$P${}_{3/2}$ transition with $n = 5$, while it is also theoretically shown to be promising for the transitions with $n = 6, 7, 8$ and $9$, corresponding to the transition wavelengths of 420.2~nm, 358.7~nm, 334.9~nm and 322.8~nm, respectively.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2023

Formation of strongly shifted EIT resonances using "forbidden" transitions of Cesium

Atomic transitions satisfying $F_e - F_g = ΔF = \pm 2$ (where $F_e$ stands for excited and $F_g$ stands for ground state) of alkali atoms have zero probability in zero magnetic field (they are so-called "forbidden" transitions) but experience a large probabilty increase in an external magnetic field. These transitions are called magnetically induced (MI) transitions. In this paper, we use for the first time the $σ^+$ ($Δm_F~=~+1$) MI transitions $F_g = 3 \rightarrow F_e = 5$ of {Cesium} as probe radiation to form EIT resonances in strong magnetic fields (1 - 3 kG) while the coupling radiation frequency is resonant with $F_g=4\rightarrow F_e=5$ $σ^+$ transitions. The experiment is performed using a nanometric-thin cell filled with Cs vapor and a strong permanent magnet. The thickness of the vapor column is 852 nm, corresponding to the Cs $D_2$ line transition wavelength. Due to the large frequency shift slope of the MI transitions ($\sim$ 4 MHz/G), it is possible to form contrasted and strongly frequency-shifted EIT resonances. Particularly, a strong 12 GHz frequency shift is observed when applying an external magnetic field of $\sim$ 3 kG. Preliminary calculations performed considering Doppler-broadened three level systems in a nanocell are in reasonable agreement with the experimental measurements.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2022

Saturated absorption technique used in Potassium microcell for magnetic field sensing

It is demonstrated that the use of a Micrometric Thin $^{39}$K vapor Cell (MTC) and Saturated Absorption spectroscopy (SA) allows to form narrow atomic lines in transmission spectrum without unwanted Cross-Over (CO) resonances. Another important feature is the small characteristic magnetic field value $B_0 = A_{hf}/μ_B$ of $^{39}$K, significantly smaller than for Rb and Cs. As a consequence, decoupling of $J$ and $I$ can be observed at relatively low magnetic fields $\sim$300 G, which results in the formation of two groups of four well-spectrally-resolved and equidistantly-positioned atomic transitions having the same amplitude (each group corresponds to a given circular polarization $σ^\pm$) which we record using a simple experimental setup with a linearly polarized tunable diode-laser and a longitudinal magnetic field obtained with two permanent magnets. Fabrication of a MTC is much easier than the fabrication of the $^{39}$K nanocells used in our previous works. A simple method to determine the magnitude of a wide range of B-fields with a spatial resolution of 30 $μ$m is presented, which is intrinsically calibrated and does not require a frequency reference.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2022

All magnetic field values cancelling $D_1$ line transitions of alkali metal atoms

In this work, $π$, $σ^+$ and $σ^-$ transitions between magnetic sublevels of the $D_1$ line of all alkali atoms are considered analytically. General block Hamiltonian matrices in presence of a magnetic field for the ground and excited states are built in order to describe all the transitions. Eigenvalues and eigenkets describing ground and excited levels are calculated, "modified" and unperturbed transfer coefficients as a function of the nuclear spin $I$, the magnetic quantum number $m$ and the magnetic field magnitude $B$ are defined. Transition cancellations are observed only for some $π$ transitions of each isotope. The main result is that we obtain one single formula which expresses the magnetic field values cancelling these transitions. These values also correspond to the case when some of other transitions intensity have their maximum. In addition, we examine the derivative of $π$ transition "modified" transfer coefficients in order to find the magnetic field values which correspond to the intensities maximum. The accuracy of the magnetic field $B$ values is only limited by the uncertainty of the involved physical quantities.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2021

Strongest Magnetically Induced Transitions in Alkali Metal Atoms with nuclear spin $3/2$

The probabilities of atomic transitions $F_e - F_g = \pm 2$ between a ground $F_g$ and an excited $F_e$ level of $D_2$ line of any alkali metal atom are zero when no external magnetic field is applied. In an external magnetic field in the range $0.1 - 3$ kG, the probabilities of these transitions called magnetically induced (MI) are highly modified. For these MI transitions, we have previously exhibited the following rule: the probabilities of MI transitions with $ΔF = +2$ are maximal when using $σ^+$-polarized laser radiation, while the probabilities of MI transitions with $ΔF = -2$ are maximal when using $σ^-$-polarized laser radiation. This difference has been termed Type 1 Magnetically Induced Circular Dichroism (MCD1). It is demonstrated for the first time that for alkali atoms with a nuclear spin $I=3/2$ ($^{87}\text{Rb}$, $^{39}\text{K}$,$^{23}\text{Na}$, $^7\text{Li}$) in magnetic fields $> 100$ G, the probability of the strongest $σ^+$ MI transition of the group $F_g = 1 \rightarrow F_e = 3'$ (transition $\ket{1,-1}\rightarrow\ket{3',0'}$) is about 4 times higher than the probabilities of the strongest MI $σ^-$-transitions $\ket{1,-1}\rightarrow\ket{3',-2'}$ and $\ket{2,+1}\rightarrow \ket{0',0'}$. These properties make the $σ^+$ MI transition $\ket{1,-1}\rightarrow\ket{3',0'}$ an interesting candidate for the study of magneto-optical processes in strong magnetic fields.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2021

Sub-Doppler spectra of sodium $D$ lines in a wide range of magnetic field: theoretical study

We compute the interaction of a sodium vapor with a static magnetic field ranging from 0 up to 1 Tesla, which allows to obtain the behavior of all Zeeman transitions as a function of the magnetic field for any polarization of incident laser radiation: $π, σ^\pm$. We use these results combined with a Fabry-Pérot microcavity model to describe the transmitted and reflected signal of a sodium vapor confined in a nanometric-thin cell. This allows us to present for the first time high resolution absorption spectra, and provide a complete description of the Zeeman transitions, along with some important peculiarities such as the appearance of guiding transitions and magnetically-induced circular dichroism. The obtained theoretical results can be used in the upcoming experiments with sodium vapor nanocells.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2020

New standard magnetic field values determined by cancellations of ${}^{85}\text{Rb}$ and ${}^{87}\text{Rb}$ atomic vapors $5{}^2{S}_{1/2} \rightarrow 6{}^2{P}_{1/2,~3/2}$ transitions

In this article, we study the theoretical behaviour of all the possible hyperfine transitions ($π$, $σ^+$ and $σ^-$) between the $5S$ and $6P$ states of ${}^{87}\text{Rb}$ and ${}^{85}\text{Rb}$ atomic vapors under the influence of an external magnetic field $B$. We show that, for specific transitions, we obtain one or several $B$-values for which the transition intensity is cancelled. The precision of these values is limited to the uncertainty of the physical quantities that are involved in the problem, thus measuring precisely the $B$-values for the cancellations could be a way to determine these quantities more precisely. In the simplest cases involving $2\times 2$ hamiltonians, we give eigenvectors, eigenvalues and analytical formulas to determine the transition cancellation. By checking accuracy between formulas and numerical simulations, we conclude that it is possible to use the latter in order to determine all the cancellations even in the most complicated cases.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2020

Transition cancellations of $^{87}$Rb and $^{85}$Rb atoms in a magnetic field setting new standards

We have analyzed the magnetic field dependences of intensities of all the optical transitions between magnetic sublevels of hyperfine levels, excited with $σ^+$, $π$ and $σ^-$ polarized light, for the $D_1$ and $D_2$ lines of $^{87}$Rb and $^{85}$Rb atoms. Depending on the type of transition and the quantum numbers of involved levels, the Hamiltonian matrices are of $1\times 1$, $2\times 2$, $3\times 3$ or $4\times 4$ dimension. As an example, analytical expressions are presented for the case of $2\times 2$ dimension matrices for $D_1$ line of both isotopes. Eigenvalues and eigenkets are given, and the expression for the transition intensity as a function of $B$ has been determined. It is found that some $π$ transitions of $^{87}$Rb and $^{85}$Rb get completely canceled for certain, extremely precise, values of $B$. No cancellation occurs for $σ^+$ or $σ^-$ transitions of $D_1$ line. For matrices with size over $2\times 2$, analytical formulas are heavy, and we have performed numerical calculations. All the $B$ values cancelling $σ^+$, $π$ and $σ^-$ transitions of $D_1$ and $D_2$ lines of $^{87}$Rb and $^{85}$Rb are calculated, with an accuracy limited by the precision of the involved physical quantities. We believe our modeling can serve as a tool for determination of standardized values of magnetic field. The experimental implementation feasibility and its possible outcome are addressed. We believe the experimental realization will allow to increase precision of the physical quantities involved, in particular the upper state atomic levels energy.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2019

Proof of the feasibility of a nanocell-based wide-range optical magnetometer

We present an experimental scheme performing scalar magnetometry based on the fitting of Rb D$_2$ line spectra recorded by derivative selective reflection spectroscopy from an optical nanometric-thick cell. To demonstrate its efficiency, the magnetometer is used to measure the inhomogeneous magnetic field produced by a permanent neodimuim-iron-boron alloy ring magnet at different distances. The computational tasks are realized by relatively cheap electronic components: an Arduino Due board for the external control of the laser and acquisition of spectra, and a Raspberry Pi computer for the fitting. The coefficient of variation of the measurements remains under $5\%$ in the magnetic field range of 40 - 200 mT, limited only by the size of the oven and translation stage used in our experiment. The proposed scheme is expected to operate with a high measurement precision also for stronger magnetic fields ($>500~$mT), in the hyperfine Paschen-Back regime, where the evolution of the atomic transitions can be calculated with a high accuracy.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2019

Resolution-enhanced quantitative spectroscopy of atomic vapor in optical nanocells based on second-derivative processing of spectra

We present a method for recovery of narrow homogeneous spectral features out of broad inhomogeneous overlapped profile based on second-derivative processing of the absorption spectra of alkali metal atomic vapor nanocells. The method is shown to preserve the frequency positions and amplitudes of spectral transitions, thus being applicable for quantitative spectroscopy. The proposed technique was successfully applied and tested for: measurements of hyperfine splitting and atomic transition probabilities; development of an atomic frequency reference; determination of isotopic abundance; study of atom-surface interaction; and determination of magnetic field-induced modification of atomic transitions frequency and probability. The obtained experimental results are fully consistent with theoretical modeling.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2019

Selective reflection from a Potassium atomic layer with a thickness as small as $λ/13$

We demonstrate that a method using the derivative of the selective reflection signal from a nanocell is a convenient and robust tool for atomic laser spectroscopy, achieving a nearly Doppler-free spectral resolution. The recorded linewidth of the signal from a potassium-filled cell, whose thickness $\ell$ lies in the range $350-500$ nm, is 18 times smaller than the Doppler linewidth ($\sim 900$ MHz full width at half maximum) of potassium atoms. We also show experimentally a sign oscillation of the reflected signal's derivative with a periodicity of $λ/2$ when $\ell$ varies from 190 to 1200~nm confirming the theoretical prediction. We report the first measurement of the van der Waals atom-surface interaction coefficient $C_3 = 1.9\pm 0.3$ kHz$\cdotμ$m$^3$ of potassium $4S_{1/2} \rightarrow 4P_{3/2}$ transitions with the nanocell's sapphire windows, demonstrating the usefulness and convenience of the derivative of selective reflection technique for cell thicknesses in the range $60 -120~$nm.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2018

Hyperfine Paschen-Back regime of Potassium D$_2$ line observed by Doppler-free spectroscopy

Selective reflection of a laser radiation from an interface formed by a dielectric window and a potassium atomic vapour confined in a nano-cell with $350~$nm gap thickness is implemented for the first time to study the atomic transitions of K D$_2$ line in external magnetic fields. In moderate $B$-fields, there are 44 individual Zeeman transitions which reduce to two groups (one formed by $σ^+$ the other one by $σ^-$ circularly-polarised light), each containing eight atomic transitions, as the magnetic field increases. Each of these groups contains one so-called "guiding" transition whose particularities are to have a probability (intensity) as well as a frequency shift slope (in MHz/G) that are constant in the whole range of $0 - 10~$kG magnetic fields. In the case of $π$-polarised laser radiation, among eight transitions two are forbidden at $B = 0$, yet their probabilities undergo a giant modification under the influence of a magnetic field. We demonstrate that for $B$-fields $> 165~$G a complete hyperfine Paschen-Back regime is observed. Other peculiarities of K D$_2$ line behaviour in magnetic field are also presented. We show a very good agreement between theoretical calculations and experiments. The recording of the hyperfine Paschen-Back regime of K D$_2$ line with high spectral resolution is demonstrated for the first time.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2017

Magnetic field--induced modification of selection rules for Rb D$_2$ line monitored by selective reflection from a vapor nanocell

Magnetic field-induced giant modification of the probabilities of five transitions of $5S_{1/2}, F_g=2 \rightarrow 5P_{3/2}, F_e=4$ of $^{85}$Rb and three transitions of $5S_{1/2}, F_g=1 \rightarrow 5P_{3/2}, F_e=3$ of $^{87}$Rb forbidden by selection rules for zero magnetic field has been observed experimentally and described theoretically for the first time. For the case of excitation with circularly-polarized ($σ^+$) laser radiation, the probability of $F_g=2, ~m_F=-2 \rightarrow F_e=4, ~m_F=-1$ transition becomes the largest among the seventeen transitions of $^{85}$Rb $F_g=2 \rightarrow F_e=1,2,3,4$ group, and the probability of $F_g=1,~m_F=-1 \rightarrow F_e=3,~m_F=0$ transition becomes the largest among the nine transitions of $^{87}$Rb $F_g=1 \rightarrow F_e=0,1,2,3$ group, in a wide range of magnetic field 200 -- 1000 G. Complete frequency separation of individual Zeeman components was obtained by implementation of derivative selective reflection technique with a 300 nm-thick nanocell filled with Rb, allowing formation of narrow optical resonances. Possible applications are addressed. The theoretical model is perfectly consistent with the experimental results.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2017

Precision Luminosity of LHC Proton-Proton Collisions at 13 TeV Using Hit-Counting with TPX Pixel Devices

A network of Timepix (TPX) devices installed in the ATLAS cavern measures the LHC luminosity as a function of time as a stand-alone system. The data were recorded from 13 TeV proton-proton collisions in 2015. Using two TPX devices, the number of hits created by particles passing the pixel matrices was counted. A van der Meer scan of the LHC beams was analysed using bunch-integrated luminosity averages over the different bunch profiles for an approximate absolute luminosity normalization. It is demonstrated that the TPX network has the capability to measure the reduction of LHC luminosity with precision. Comparative studies were performed among four sensors (two sensors in each TPX device) and the relative short-term precision of the luminosity measurement was determined to be 0.1% for 10 s time intervals. The internal long-term time stability of the measurements was below 0.5% for the data-taking period.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2016

Decoupling of hyperfine structure of Cs $D_1$ line in strong magnetic field studied by selective reflection from a nanocell

Decoupling of total electronic and nuclear spin moments of Cs atoms in external magnetic field for the case of atomic $D_1$ line, leading to onset of the hyperfine Paschen-Back regime has been studied theoretically and experimentally. Selective reflection of laser radiation from an interface of dielectric window and atomic vapor confined in a nanocell with 300 nm gap thickness was implemented for the experimental studies. The real time derivative of selective reflection signal with a frequency position coinciding with atomic transitions was used in measurements, providing $\sim$ 40 MHz spectral resolution and linearity of signal response in respect to transition probability. Behavior of 28 individual Zeeman transitions in a wide range of longitudinal magnetic field (0 - 6 kG) has been tracked under excitation of Cs vapor by a low-intensity $σ^+$- polarized cw laser radiation. For $B\ge 6~$kG, only 8 transitions with nearly equal probabilities and the same frequency slope remained in the spectrum, which is a manifestation of the hyperfine Paschen-Back regime. The obtained experimental results are consistent with numerical modeling. Due to small divergence of selective reflection signal, as well as sub-wavelength thickness and sub-Doppler spectral linewidth inherent to nanocell, the employed technique can be used for distant remote sensing of magnetic field with high spatial and $B$-field resolution.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2015

MPX Detectors as LHC Luminosity Monitor

A network of 16 Medipix-2 (MPX) silicon pixel devices was installed in the ATLAS detector cavern at CERN. It was designed to measure the composition and spectral characteristics of the radiation field in the ATLAS experiment and its surroundings. This study demonstrates that the MPX network can also be used as a self-sufficient luminosity monitoring system. The MPX detectors collect data independently of the ATLAS data-recording chain, and thus they provide independent measurements of the bunch-integrated ATLAS/LHC luminosity. In particular, the MPX detectors located close enough to the primary interaction point are used to perform van der Meer calibration scans with high precision. Results from the luminosity monitoring are presented for 2012 data taken at sqrt(s) = 8 TeV proton-proton collisions. The characteristics of the LHC luminosity reduction rate are studied and the effects of beam-beam (burn-off) and beam-gas (single bunch) interactions are evaluated. The systematic variations observed in the MPX luminosity measurements are below 0.3% for one minute intervals.

physics.ins-det↗