arXiv subjects

G. Gorini

Publications and source records attributed to G. Gorini.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

Fundamental Nuclear and Particle Physics At Neutron Sources

Fundamental neutron and neutrino physics at neutron sources, combining precision measurements and theory, can probe new physics at energy scales well beyond the highest energies probed by the LHC and possible future high energy collider facilities. The European Spallation Source (ESS) will in the not too far future be a most powerful pulsed neutron source and simultaneously the world's brightest pulsed neutrino source. The ESS, and neutron sources in general, can provide unprecedented and unique opportunities to contribute to the search for the missing elements in the Standard Model of particle physics. Currently there are no strong indications where hints of the origin of the new physics will emerge. A multi-pronged approach will provide the fastest path to fill the gaps in our knowledge and neutron sources have a pivotal role to play. To survey the ongoing and proposed physics experiments at neutron sources and assess their potential impact, a workshop was held at Lund University in January, 2025. This report is a summary of that workshop and has been prepared as input to the European Strategy Update.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2023

The HIBEAM Instrument at the European Spallation Source

The European Spallation Source (ESS) will be the world's brightest neutron source and will open a new intensity frontier in particle physics. The HIBEAM collaboration aims to exploit the unique potential of the ESS with a dedicated ESS instrument for particle physics which offers world-leading capability in a number of areas. The HIBEAM program includes the first search in thirty years for free neutrons converting to antineutrons and searches for sterile neutrons, ultralight axion dark matter and nonzero neutron electric charge. This paper outlines the capabilities, design, infrastructure, and scientific potential of the HIBEAM program, including its dedicated beamline, neutron optical system, magnetic shielding and control, and detectors for neutrons and antineutrons. Additionally, we discuss the long-term scientific exploitation of HIBEAM, which may include measurements of the neutron electric dipole moment and precision studies of neutron decays.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2023

HighNESS Conceptual Design Report: Volume I

The European Spallation Source, currently under construction in Lund, Sweden, is a multidisciplinary international laboratory. Once completed to full specifications, it will operate the world's most powerful pulsed neutron source. Supported by a 3 million Euro Research and Innovation Action within the EU Horizon 2020 program, a design study (HighNESS) has been completed to develop a second neutron source located below the spallation target. Compared to the first source, designed for high cold and thermal brightness, the new source has been optimized to deliver higher intensity, and a shift to longer wavelengths in the spectral regions of cold (CN, 2--20\,\AA), very cold (VCN, 10--120\,\AA), and ultracold (UCN, ${>}\,{500}$\,\AA) neutrons. The second source comprises a large liquid deuterium moderator designed to produce CN and support secondary VCN and UCN sources. Various options have been explored in the proposed designs, aiming for world-leading performance in neutronics. These designs will enable the development of several new instrument concepts and facilitate the implementation of a high-sensitivity neutron-antineutron oscillation experiment (NNBAR). This document serves as the Conceptual Design Report for the HighNESS project, representing its final deliverable.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2022

Development of a High Intensity Neutron Source at the European Spallation Source: The HighNESS project

The European Spallation Source (ESS), presently under construction in Lund, Sweden, is a multidisciplinary international laboratory that will operate the world's most powerful pulsed neutron source. Supported by a 3M Euro Research and Innovation Action within the EU Horizon 2020 program, a design study (HighNESS) is now underway to develop a second neutron source below the spallation target. Compared to the first source, located above the spallation target and designed for high cold and thermal brightness, the new source will provide higher intensity, and a shift to longer wavelengths in the spectral regions of cold (2 /- 20 Å), very cold (VCN, 10 /- 120 Å), and ultra cold (UCN, > 500 Å) neutrons. The core of the second source will consist of a large liquid deuterium moderator to deliver a high flux of cold neutrons and to serve secondary VCN and UCN sources, for which different options are under study. The features of these new sources will boost several areas of condensed matter research and will provide unique opportunities in fundamental physics. Part of the HighNESS project is also dedicated to the development of future instruments that will make use of the new source and will complement the initial suite of instruments in construction at ESS. The HighNESS project started in October 2020. In this paper, the ongoing developments and the results obtained in the first year are described.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2022

Measurements of neutron fields in a wide energy range using multi-foil activation analysis

An accurate characterization of the neutron fields at spallation sources is crucial for many applications based on neutron irradiations, such as radiation damage tests that need a precise dose estimate. In this work we present the neutron flux measurements performed with the multi-foil activation technique in the ROTAX and ChipIr beamlines of the ISIS spallation source, characterized by moderated and unmoderated spectra, respectively. We selected many different activation reactions to cover a wide energy range, from thermal to very fast neutrons up to about 100 MeV. By applying a Bayesian unfolding algorithm, we demonstrate the effectiveness of this technique in measuring the neutron flux intensity and energy spectrum with precision and accuracy.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2021

Thermal neutron cross sections of amino acids from average contributions of functional groups

The experimental thermal neutron cross sections of the twenty proteinogenic amino acids have been measured over the incident-neutron energy range spanning from 1 meV to 10 keV and data have been interpreted using the multi-phonon expansion based on first-principles calculations. The scattering cross section, dominated by the incoherent inelastic contribution from the hydrogen atoms, can be rationalised in terms of the average contributions of different functional groups, thus neglecting their correlation. These results can be used for modelling the total neutron cross sections of complex organic systems like proteins, muscles, or human tissues from a limited number of starting input functions. This simplification is of crucial importance for fine-tuning of transport simulations used in medical applications, including boron neutron capture therapy as well as secondary neutrons-emission induced during proton therapy. Moreover, the parametrized neutron cross sections allow a better treatment of neutron scattering experiments, providing detailed sample self-attenuation corrections for a variety of biological and soft-matter systems.

physics.chem-ph↗

arXiv2020

Mechanical Ventilator Milano (MVM): A Novel Mechanical Ventilator Designed for Mass Scale Production in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Presented here is the design of the Mechanical Ventilator Milano (MVM), a novel mechanical ventilator designed for rapid mass production in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to address the urgent shortage of intensive therapy ventilators in many countries, and the growing difficulty in procuring these devices through normal supply chains across borders. This ventilator is an electro-mechanical equivalent of the old and reliable Manley Ventilator, and is able to operate in both pressure-controlled and pressure-supported ventilation modes. MVM is optimized for the COVID-19 emergency, thanks to the collaboration with medical doctors in the front line. MVM is designed for large-scale production in a short amount of time and at a limited cost, as it relays on off-the-shelf components, readily available worldwide. Operation of the MVM requires only a source of compressed oxygen (or compressed medical air) and electrical power. Initial tests of a prototype device with a breathing simulator are also presented. Further tests and developments are underway. At this stage the MVM is not yet a certified medical device but certification is in progress.

physics.med-ph↗

arXiv2013

Neutron Energy Spectrum Measurements with a Compact Liquid Scintillation Detector on EAST

A neutron detector based on EJ301 liquid scintillator has been employed at EAST to measure the neutron energy spectrum for D-D fusion plasma. The detector was carefully characterized in different quasi-monoenergetic neutron fields generated by a 4.5 MV Van de Graaff accelerator. In recent experimental campaigns, due to the low neutron yield at EAST, a new shielding device was designed and located as close as possible to the tokamak to enhance the count rate of the spectrometer. The fluence of neutrons and gamma-rays was measured with the liquid neutron spectrometer and was consistent with 3He proportional counter and NaI (Tl) gamma-ray spectrometer measurements. Plasma ion temperature values were deduced from the neutron spectrum in discharges with lower hybrid wave injection and ion cyclotron resonance heating. Scattered neutron spectra were simulated by the Monte Carlo transport Code, and they were well verified by the pulse height measurements at low energies.

physics.ins-det↗