arXiv subjects

Frank Simon

Publications and source records attributed to Frank Simon.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2018

A highly granular calorimeter concept for long baseline near detectors

Future long baseline neutrino experiments such as the DUNE experiment under construction at Fermilab will perform precision measurements of neutrino oscillations, including the potential for the discovery of CP violation in the lepton sector. These measurements require an understanding of the unoscillated neutrino beam with unprecedented accuracy. This will be provided by complex near detectors which consist of different subsystems including tracking elements and electromagnetic calorimetry. A high granularity in the calorimeter, provided by scintillator tiles with SiPM readout as used in the CALICE analog hadron calorimeter, provides the capability for direction reconstruction of photon showers, which can be used to determine the decay positions of neutral pions. This can enable the association of neutral pions to neutrino interactions in the tracker volume, improving the event reconstruction of the near detector. Beyond photon and electron reconstruction, the calorimeter also provides sensitivity to neutrons. In this presentation, we will discuss a simulation study exploring the potential of high granularity for the electromagnetic calorimeter of the DUNE near detector. Particular emphasis will be placed on the combination with a high pressure TPC as tracking detector, which puts particularly stringent requirements on the calorimeter. The dependence of the projected detector performance on granularity, absorber material and absorber thickness as well as geometric arrangement satisfying the constraints of the TPC are explored.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2018

Physics Case for the 250 GeV Stage of the International Linear Collider

The International Linear Collider is now proposed with a staged machine design, with the first stage at 250 GeV with a luminosity goal of 2 ab-1. In this paper, we review the physics expectations for this machine. These include precision measurements of Higgs boson couplings, searches for exotic Higgs decays, other searches for particles that decay with zero or small visible energy, and measurements of e+e- annihilation to W+W- and 2-fermion states with improved sensitivity. A summary table gives projections for the achievable levels of precision based on the latest full simulation studies.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2018

The role of positron polarization for the inital $250$ GeV stage of the International Linear Collider

The International Linear Collider is now proposed with a staged machine design, with the first stage at $\sqrt{s}=$~250 GeV and an integrated luminosity goal of 2~ab$^{-1}$. One of the questions for the machine design is the importance of positron polarization. In this report, we review the impact of positron polarization on the physics goals of the $250$ GeV stage of the ILC and demonstrate that positron polarization has distinct advantages.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2017

Software compensation in Particle Flow reconstruction

The particle flow approach to calorimetry benefits from highly granular calorimeters and sophisticated software algorithms in order to reconstruct and identify individual particles in complex event topologies. The high spatial granularity, together with analogue energy information, can be further exploited in software compensation. In this approach, the local energy density is used to discriminate electromagnetic and purely hadronic sub-showers within hadron showers in the detector to improve the energy resolution for single particles by correcting for the intrinsic non-compensation of the calorimeter system. This improvement in the single particle energy resolution also results in a better overall jet energy resolution by improving the energy measurement of identified neutral hadrons and improvements in the pattern recognition stage by a more accurate matching of calorimeter energies to tracker measurements. This paper describes the software compensation technique and its implementation in particle flow reconstruction with the Pandora Particle Flow Algorithm (PandoraPFA). The impact of software compensation on the choice of optimal transverse granularity for the analogue hadronic calorimeter option of the International Large Detector (ILD) concept is also discussed.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2017

Dielectric Haloscopes: A New Way to Detect Axion Dark Matter

We propose a new strategy to search for dark matter axions in the mass range of 40--400 $μ$eV by introducing dielectric haloscopes, which consist of dielectric disks placed in a magnetic field. The changing dielectric media cause discontinuities in the axion-induced electric field, leading to the generation of propagating electromagnetic waves to satisfy the continuity requirements at the interfaces. Large-area disks with adjustable distances boost the microwave signal (10--100 GHz) to an observable level and allow one to scan over a broad axion mass range. A sensitivity to QCD axion models is conceivable with 80 disks of 1 m$^2$ area contained in a $10$ Tesla field.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2017

The Potential of the ILC for Discovering New Particles

This paper addresses the question of whether the International Linear Collider has the capability of discovering new particles that have not already been discovered at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. We summarize the various paths to discovery offered by the ILC, and discuss them in the context of three different scenarios: 1. LHC does not discover any new particles, 2. LHC discovers some new low mass states and 3. LHC discovers new heavy particles. We will show that in each case, ILC plays a critical role in discovery of new phenomena and in pushing forward the frontiers of high-energy physics as well as our understanding of the universe in a manner which is highly complementary to that of LHC. For the busy reader, a two-page executive summary is provided at the beginning of the document.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2016

Impact of Theory Uncertainties on the Precision of the Top Quark Mass in a Threshold Scan at Future e+e- Colliders

Future energy-frontier electron-positron colliders will be capable of high-precision studies of top quark properties. The measurement of the top-pair production cross section around the threshold provides access to the mass of the top quark in theoretically well-defined schemes, with statistical uncertainties of 20 MeV or less, depending on the assumed integrated luminosity of the measurement. At this level of precision, experimental and theory systematics are likely to become important or even dominant. This contribution presents a first analysis of the impact of the remaining uncertainties of the recently completed calculation of the top pair production cross section at NNNLO QCD including the exchange of Higgs bosons on the extraction of the top quark mass from a threshold scan. The analysis is based on reconstruction efficiencies and background levels obtained in full simulation studies for CLIC, combined with signal cross sections from the higher-order calculations. To assess possible differences between different collider options, the study is performed in the context of CLIC, ILC and FCC-ee by considering the differences in the luminosity spectra.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2016

A First Look at the Impact of NNNLO Theory Uncertainties on Top Mass Measurements at the ILC

A scan of the top production threshold at a future electron-positron collider provides the possibility for a precise measurement of the top quark mass in theoretically well-defined mass schemes. With statistical uncertainties of 20 MeV or below, systematics will likely dominate the total uncertainty of the measurement. This contribution presents a first look at the impact of the renormalization scale uncertainties in recent NNNLO calculations of the top pair production cross section in the threshold region on the measurement of the top quark mass at the International Linear Collider.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2016

Implications of the 750 GeV gamma-gamma Resonance as a Case Study for the International Linear Collider

If the gamma-gamma resonance at 750 GeV suggested by 2015 LHC data turns out to be a real effect, what are the implications for the physics case and upgrade path of the International Linear Collider? Whether or not the resonance is confirmed, this question provides an interesting case study testing the robustness of the ILC physics case. In this note, we address this question with two points: (1) Almost all models proposed for the new 750 GeV particle require additional new particles with electroweak couplings. The key elements of the 500 GeV ILC physics program---precision measurements of the Higgs boson, the top quark, and 4-fermion interactions---will powerfully discriminate among these models. This information will be important in conjunction with new LHC data, or alone, if the new particles accompanying the 750 GeV resonance are beyond the mass reach of the LHC. (2) Over a longer term, the energy upgrade of the ILC to 1 TeV already discussed in the ILC TDR will enable experiments in gamma-gamma and e+e- collisions to directly produce and study the 750 GeV particle from these unique initial states.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2015

Light-flavor squark reconstruction at CLIC

We present a simulation study of the prospects for the mass measurement of TeV-scale light-flavored right-handed squarks at a 3 TeV e+e- collider based on CLIC technology. In the considered model, these particles decay into their standard-model counterparts and the lightest neutralino, resulting in a signature of two jets plus missing energy. The analysis is based on full GEANT4 simulations of the CLIC_ILD detector concept, including Standard Model physics backgrounds and beam-induced hadronic backgrounds from two-photon processes. The analysis serves as a generic benchmark for the reconstruction of highly energetic jets in events with substantial missing energy. Several jet finding algorithms were evaluated, with the longitudinally invariant kt algorithm showing a high degree of robustness towards beam-induced background while preserving the features typically found in algorithms developed for e+e- collisions. The presented study of the reconstruction of light-flavored squarks shows that for TeV-scale squark masses, sub-percent accuracy on the mass measurement can be achieved at CLIC.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2015

Physics Case for the International Linear Collider

We summarize the physics case for the International Linear Collider (ILC). We review the key motivations for the ILC presented in the literature, updating the projected measurement uncertainties for the ILC experiments in accord with the expected schedule of operation of the accelerator and the results of the most recent simulation studies.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2014

Perspectives for Top Quark Physics at the (I)LC

Linear e+e- colliders provide a rich set of opportunities for top quark physics, crucial for the understanding of electroweak symmetry breaking and for the search for physics beyond the Standard Model. A ttbar threshold scan in e+e- annihilation enables a precise measurement in theoretically well-defined mass schemes with small experimental and theoretical systematic uncertainties. Above the production threshold, the efficient identification of top pair events combined with polarized beams provides the potential to extract the form factors for the top quark couplings with high precision and in a model-independent way, resulting in excellent sensitivity to physics beyond the Standard Model. This contribution provides an overview of top physics at linear colliders based on results from full-simulation studies of top quark pair production in the detectors proposed for ILC and CLIC. In addition, the influence of the luminosity spectrum of a 100 km circular e+e- collider (FCCee) compared to linear colliders on a top threshold scan is briefly discussed.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2014

Higgs Physics at future Linear Colliders - A Case for precise Vertexing

The discovery of a Higgs boson by the experiments at the LHC marks a major breakthrough in particle physics, with far-reaching consequences for our understanding of the fundamental principles of our Universe. To fully explore this unique particle, experiments at high-energy electron-positron colliders are being planned, providing substantial added benefit over the capabilities of the LHC alone, such as model-independent measurements of couplings, constraints on invisible decays and precise measurements of the self-coupling. This contribution summarizes the Higgs physics program at such future facilities, highlighting in particular also the role of precise vertexing in achieving the ambitious goals of these experiments.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2013

T3B - An Experiment to measure the Time Structure of Hadronic Showers

The goal of the T3B experiment is the measurement of the time structure of hadronic showers with nanosecond precision and high spatial resolution together with the CALICE hadron calorimeter prototypes, with a focus on the use of tungsten as absorber medium. The detector consists of a strip of 15 scintillator cells individually read out by silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) and fast oscilloscopes with a PC-controlled data acquisition system. The data reconstruction uses an iterative subtraction technique which provides a determination of the arrival time of each photon on the light sensor with sub-nanosecond precision. The calibration is based on single photon-equivalent dark pulses constantly recorded during data taking, automatically eliminating the temperature dependence of the SiPM gain. In addition, a statistical correction for SiPM afterpulsing is demonstrated. To provide the tools for a comparison of T3B data with GEANT4 simulations, a digitization routine, which accounts for the detector response to energy deposits in the detector, has been implemented.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2013

Physics at the CLIC e+e- Linear Collider -- Input to the Snowmass process 2013

This paper summarizes the physics potential of the CLIC high-energy e+e- linear collider. It provides input to the Snowmass 2013 process for the energy-frontier working groups on The Higgs Boson (HE1), Precision Study of Electroweak Interactions (HE2), Fully Understanding the Top Quark (HE3), as well as The Path Beyond the Standard Model -- New Particles, Forces, and Dimensions (HE4). It is accompanied by a paper describing the CLIC accelerator study, submitted to the Frontier Capabilities group of the Snowmass process.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2013

The Time Structure of Hadronic Showers in Imaging Calorimeters with Scintillator and RPC Readout

The intrinsic time structure of hadronic showers has been studied to evaluate its influence on the timing capability and on the required integration time of highly granular hadronic calorimeters in future collider experiments. The experiments have been carried with systems of 15 detector cells, using both scintillator tiles with SiPM readout and RPCs, read out with fast digitizers and deep buffers. These were installed behind the CALICE scintillator - Tungsten and RPC - Tungsten calorimeters as well as behind the CALICE semi-digital RPC - Steel calorimeter during test beam periods at the CERN SPS. We will discuss the technical aspects of these systems, and present results on the measurement of the time structure of hadronic showers in steel and tungsten calorimeters. These are compared to GEANT4 simulations, providing important information for the validation and the improvement of the physics models. In addition, a comparison of the observed time structure with scintillator and RPC active elements will be presented, which provides insight into the differences in sensitivity to certain aspects of hadronic showers depending on readout technology.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2013

Top quark mass measurements at and above threshold at CLIC

We present a study of the expected precision of the top quark mass determination, measured at a linear e+ e- collider based on CLIC technology. GEANT4-based detector simulation and full event reconstruction including realistic physics and beam-induced background levels are used. Two different techniques to measure the top mass are studied: The direct reconstruction of the invariant mass of the top quark decay products and the measurement of the mass together with the strong coupling constant in a threshold scan, in both cases including first studies of expected systematic uncertainties. For the direct reconstruction, experimental uncertainties around 100 MeV are achieved, which are at present not matched by a theoretical understanding on a similar level. With a threshold scan, total uncertainties of around 100 MeV are achieved, including theoretical uncertainties in a well-defined top mass scheme. For the threshold scan, the precision at ILC is also studied to provide a comparison of the two linear collider technologies.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2012

Prospects for Precision Higgs Physics at Linear Colliders

A linear e+e- collider provides excellent possibilities for precision measurements of the properties of the Higgs boson. At energies close to the Z-Higgs threshold, the Higgs boson can be studied in recoil against a Z boson, to obtain not only a precision mass measurement but also direct measurements of the branching ratios for most decay modes, including possible decay to invisible species. At higher energies, the Higgs boson coupling to top quarks and the Higgs boson self-coupling can also be measured. At energies approaching 1 TeV and above, the rising cross section for Higgs production in WW fusion allows the measurement of very small branching ratios, including the branching ratio to muon pairs. These experiments make it possible to determine the complete profile of the Higgs boson in a model-independent way. The prospects for these measurements are summarized, based on the results of detailed simulation studies performed within the frameworks of the CLIC conceptual design report and the ILC technical design report.

hep-ex↗