arXiv subjects

Igor Zolkin

Publications and source records attributed to Igor Zolkin.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

Atmospheric muon flux suppression at potential new low-radiation underground physics laboratory in Israel

The residual atmospheric muon flux was measured at a candidate site for a new underground, low-radiation physics laboratory beneath the Kokhav HaYarden national park in Israel. Located inside the tunnels of a hydroelectric pumped-storage facility operating since 2024, the proposed site benefits from a vertical rock overburden of 361 meters, large potential floorspace, and easy access by road. A muon hodoscope of vertically stacked wide-area $144 \times 60 \times 1.2 $ cm$^3$ plastic scintillator plates was employed to measure the suppression in the integrated muon flux at the site as compared with above ground at sea level. Data-taking took place in mid-August of 2024 for several days and was split into South-North and West-East orientations to account for the directional acceptances due to the geometry of the detector. The suppression factor is reported at $4456 \pm 77$, expressed as $3.75 \pm 0.06 \times 10^{-6}$ cm$^{-2}$ s$^{-1}$ in absolute terms, corresponding to an effective overburden of roughly $873$ m.w.e.. A deeper location at the site may also be available, but it could not be reached at this time. Furthermore, the asymmetric topography of the mountain above and its muon shadow are clearly visible in the angular data. Finally, auxiliary environmental measurements recorded low background radon activity at $28.3 \pm 14.0$ Bq m$^{-3}$. The experimental campaign thus succeeded in demonstrating the viability of the site's working conditions for future scientific research.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2025

First Demonstration of Underground Muon Imaging at an Archaeological Site in Ancient Jerusalem

We present a novel underground imaging system that utilizes cosmic-ray muons to explore the subsurface environment at the City of David archaeological site in ancient Jerusalem. This report details the initial findings from measurements conducted at a large cistern, commonly called "Jeremiah's cistern" (referenced in Jeremiah 38:6). The system aims to locate and map hidden voids and structural anomalies within the overburden. Our primary outcome is the derivation of the angular ground depth, which serves as a proxy for understanding the integrated density distribution of the overburden. This work represents a significant interdisciplinary effort to deepen our understanding of this historically important site.

physics.app-ph↗

arXiv2025

MATHUSLA: An External Long-Lived Particle Detector to Maximize the Discovery Potential of the HL-LHC

We present the current status of the MATHUSLA (MAssive Timing Hodoscope for Ultra-Stable neutraL pArticles) long-lived particle (LLP) detector at the HL-LHC, covering the design, fabrication and installation at CERN Point 5. MATHUSLA40 is a 40 m-scale detector with an air-filled decay volume that is instrumented with scintillator tracking detectors, to be located near CMS. Its large size, close proximity to the CMS interaction point and about 100 m of rock shielding from LHC backgrounds allows it to detect LLP production rates and lifetimes that are one to two orders of magnitude beyond the ultimate reach of the LHC main detectors. This provides unique sensitivity to many LLP signals that are highly theoretically motivated, due to their connection to the hierarchy problem, the nature of dark matter, and baryogenesis. Data taking is projected to commence with the start of HL-LHC operations. We summarize the new 40m design for the detector that was recently presented in the MATHUSLA Conceptual Design Report, alongside new realistic background and signal simulations that demonstrate high efficiency for the main target LLP signals in a background-free HL-LHC search. We argue that MATHUSLA's uniquely robust expansion of the HL-LHC physics reach is a crucial ingredient in CERN's mission to search for new physics and characterize the Higgs boson with precision.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2025

Conceptual Design Report for the MATHUSLA Long-Lived Particle Detector near CMS

We present the Conceptual Design Report (CDR) for the MATHUSLA (MAssive Timing Hodoscope for Ultra-Stable neutraL pArticles) long-lived particle detector at the HL-LHC, covering the design, fabrication and installation at CERN Point 5. MATHUSLA is a 40 m-scale detector with an air-filled decay volume that is instrumented with scintillator tracking detectors, to be located near CMS. Its large size, close proximity to the CMS interaction point and about 100 m of rock shielding from HL-LHC backgrounds allows it to detect LLP production rates and lifetimes that are one to two orders of magnitude beyond the ultimate sensitivity of the HL-LHC main detectors for many highly motivated LLP signals. Data taking is projected to commence with the start of HL-LHC operations. We present a new 40m design for the detector: its individual scintillator bars and wavelength-shifting fibers, their organization into tracking layers, tracking modules, tower modules and the veto detector; define a high-level design for the supporting electronics, DAQ and trigger system, including supplying a hardware trigger signal to CMS to record the LLP production event; outline computing systems, civil engineering and safety considerations; and present preliminary cost estimates and timelines for the project. We also conduct detailed simulation studies of the important cosmic ray and HL-LHC muon backgrounds, implementing full track/vertex reconstruction and background rejection, to ultimately demonstrate high signal efficiency and $\ll 1$ background event in realistic LLP searches for the main physics targets at MATHUSLA. This sensitivity is robust with respect to detector design or background simulation details. Appendices provide various supplemental information.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2023

Recent Progress and Next Steps for the MATHUSLA LLP Detector

We report on recent progress and next steps in the design of the proposed MATHUSLA Long Lived Particle (LLP) detector for the HL-LHC as part of the Snowmass 2021 process. Our understanding of backgrounds has greatly improved, aided by detailed simulation studies, and significant R&D has been performed on designing the scintillator detectors and understanding their performance. The collaboration is on track to complete a Technical Design Report, and there are many opportunities for interested new members to contribute towards the goal of designing and constructing MATHUSLA in time for HL-LHC collisions, which would increase the sensitivity to a large variety of highly motivated LLP signals by orders of magnitude.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2022

Muon Detector for Underground Tomography

We utilise muons from cosmic ray to explore hidden underground archaeological structures. Presented here is the design, simulation studies and first laboratory results of a compact, scintillators based, cosmic ray muon telescope for underground muon radiography.

physics.ins-det↗