arXiv subjects

H. J. Lubatti

Publications and source records attributed to H. J. Lubatti.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2023

Cosmic-ray searches with the MATHUSLA detector

The performance of the proposed MATHUSLA detector as an instrument for studying the physics of cosmic rays by measuring extensive air showers is presented. The MATHUSLA detector is designed to observe and study the decay of long-lived particles produced at the pp interaction point of the CMS detector at CERN during the HL-LHC data-taking period. The proposed MATHUSLA detector will be composed of many layers of long scintillating bars that cannot measure more than one hit per bar and correctly report the hit coordinate in case of multiple hits. This study shows that adding a layer of RPC detectors with both analogue and digital readout significantly enhances the capabilities of MATHUSLA to measure the local densities and arrival times of charged particles at the front of air showers. We discuss open issues in cosmic-ray physics that the proposed MATHUSLA detector with an additional layer of RPC detectors could address and conclude by comparing with other air-shower facilities that measure cosmic rays in the PeV energy range.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2020

The MATHUSLA Test Stand

The rate of muons from LHC $pp$ collisions reaching the surface above the ATLAS interaction point is measured and compared with expected rates from decays of $W$ and $Z$ bosons and $b$- and $c$-quark jets. In addition, data collected during periods without beams circulating in the LHC provide a measurement of the background from cosmic ray inelastic backscattering that is compared to simulation predictions. Data were recorded during 2018 in a 2.5 $\times$ 2.5 $\times$ 6.5~$\rm{m}^3$ active volume MATHUSLA test stand detector unit consisting of two scintillator planes, one at the top and one at the bottom, which defined the trigger, and six layers of RPCs between them, grouped into three $(x,y)$-measuring layers separated by 1.74 m from each other. Triggers selecting both upward-going tracks and downward-going tracks were used.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2019

Long-Lived Particles at the Energy Frontier: The MATHUSLA Physics Case

We examine the theoretical motivations for long-lived particle (LLP) signals at the LHC in a comprehensive survey of Standard Model (SM) extensions. LLPs are a common prediction of a wide range of theories that address unsolved fundamental mysteries such as naturalness, dark matter, baryogenesis and neutrino masses, and represent a natural and generic possibility for physics beyond the SM (BSM). In most cases the LLP lifetime can be treated as a free parameter from the $μ$m scale up to the Big Bang Nucleosynthesis limit of $\sim 10^7$m. Neutral LLPs with lifetimes above $\sim$ 100m are particularly difficult to probe, as the sensitivity of the LHC main detectors is limited by challenging backgrounds, triggers, and small acceptances. MATHUSLA is a proposal for a minimally instrumented, large-volume surface detector near ATLAS or CMS. It would search for neutral LLPs produced in HL-LHC collisions by reconstructing displaced vertices (DVs) in a low-background environment, extending the sensitivity of the main detectors by orders of magnitude in the long-lifetime regime. In this white paper we study the LLP physics opportunities afforded by a MATHUSLA-like detector at the HL-LHC. We develop a model-independent approach to describe the sensitivity of MATHUSLA to BSM LLP signals, and compare it to DV and missing energy searches at ATLAS or CMS. We then explore the BSM motivations for LLPs in considerable detail, presenting a large number of new sensitivity studies. While our discussion is especially oriented towards the long-lifetime regime at MATHUSLA, this survey underlines the importance of a varied LLP search program at the LHC in general. By synthesizing these results into a general discussion of the top-down and bottom-up motivations for LLP searches, it is our aim to demonstrate the exceptional strength and breadth of the physics case for the construction of the MATHUSLA detector.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2017

New Detectors to Explore the Lifetime Frontier

Long-lived particles (LLPs) are a common feature in many beyond the Standard Model theories, including supersymmetry, and are generically produced in exotic Higgs decays. Unfortunately, no existing or proposed search strategy will be able to observe the decay of non-hadronic electrically neutral LLPs with masses above $\sim$ GeV and lifetimes near the limit set by Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN), $c τ\lesssim 10^7 - 10^8$~m. We propose the MATHUSLA surface detector concept (MAssive Timing Hodoscope for Ultra Stable neutraL pArticles), which can be implemented with existing technology and in time for the high luminosity LHC upgrade to find such ultra-long-lived particles (ULLPs), whether produced in exotic Higgs decays or more general production modes. We also advocate for a dedicated LLP detector at a future 100 TeV collider, where a modestly sized underground design can discover ULLPs with lifetimes at the BBN limit produced in sub-percent level exotic Higgs decays.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2017

Data-driven Model-independent Searches for Long-lived Particles at the LHC

Neutral long-lived particles (LLPs) are highly motivated by many BSM scenarios, such as theories of supersymmetry, baryogenesis, and neutral naturalness, and present both tremendous discovery opportunities and experimental challenges for the LHC. A major bottleneck for current LLP searches is the prediction of SM backgrounds, which are often impossible to simulate accurately. In this paper, we propose a general strategy for obtaining differential, data-driven background estimates in LLP searches, thereby notably extending the range of LLP masses and lifetimes that can be discovered at the LHC. We focus on LLPs decaying in the ATLAS Muon System, where triggers providing both signal and control samples are available at the LHC Run-2. While many existing searches require two displaced decays, a detailed knowledge of backgrounds will allow for very inclusive searches that require just one detected LLP decay. As we demonstrate for the $h \to X X$ signal model of LLP pair production in exotic Higgs decays, this results in dramatic sensitivity improvements for proper lifetimes $\gtrsim 10$ m. In theories of Neutral Naturalness, this extends reach to glueball masses far below the $\bar b b$ threshold. Our strategy readily generalizes to other signal models, and other detector subsystems. This framework therefore lends itself to the development of a systematic, model-independent LLP search program, in analogy to the highly successful simplified-model framework of prompt searches.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2009

The Layer 0 Inner Silicon Detector of the D0 Experiment

This paper describes the design, fabrication, installation and performance of the new inner layer called Layer 0 (L0) that was inserted in the existing Run IIa Silicon Micro-Strip Tracker (SMT) of the D0 experiment at the Fermilab Tevatron collider. L0 provides tracking information from two layers of sensors, which are mounted with center lines at a radial distance of 16.1 mm and 17.6 mm respectively from the beam axis. The sensors and readout electronics are mounted on a specially designed and fabricated carbon fiber structure that includes cooling for sensor and readout electronics. The structure has a thin polyimide circuit bonded to it so that the circuit couples electrically to the carbon fiber allowing the support structure to be used both for detector grounding and a low impedance connection between the remotely mounted hybrids and the sensors.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv1997

The Higgs Particle as a Self Consistent Bound State

We consider Higgs-Higgs scattering in a minimal Higgs model with strong coupling which leads to the Higgs as a bound state. The partial wave amplitude is unitarized using general principles of analyticity. We find lambda(m_H)/16pi is approximately 1/2. A Higgs mass of approximately 1 TeV follows from m_H = sqrt{lambda/2} * v (spontaneous symmetry breaking).

hep-ph↗