arXiv subjects

J. C. Bernauer

Publications and source records attributed to J. C. Bernauer.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

The DarkLight Experiment at TRIUMF

This paper reports on the commissioning of the DarkLight experiment at the ARIEL superconducting electron linear accelerator located at TRIUMF in Vancouver, Canada. DarkLight was designed to utilize the ARIEL electron beam to search for a new boson, $A^\prime$, which preferentially couples to leptons, with a mass in the range 13-17 MeV/$c^2$. Such a boson could be produced via the $e^-~X\rightarrow e^-~X~A^\prime$ process, and the resulting $A^\prime\rightarrow e^+~e^-$ decay used to reconstruct the invariant mass of the $A^\prime$. The $e^+e^-$ pair is detected using a pair of magnetic spectrometers. Each spectrometer is instrumented with two triple GEM detectors and a scintillating strip hodoscope to trigger the event readout. Electron beam energies between 10 and 30 MeV were used to commission the experiment with a 1$~μ$m thick carbon target. With both spectrometer polarities set to select electrons, elastic and Møller scattering were used to examine detector performance and compare with predicted distributions from Monte Carlo simulations. Planned upgrades to the e-linac will allow searches to be made with beam energies up to 50 MeV using a 1$~μ$m thick tantalum target.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2026

Measurement of isolated prompt photon production in $p$+$p$ collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 200$ GeV with the sPHENIX detector

The differential cross section of isolated prompt photon production is measured as a function of photon transverse energy ($E_{\mathrm{T}}^γ$) in proton--proton ($p$+$p$) collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 200$ GeV. The data were recorded in $2024$ with the sPHENIX detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. Photons are reconstructed in $|η^γ| < 0.7$ and $12 < E_{\mathrm{T}}^γ < 32$ GeV using the electromagnetic calorimeter, and an isolation requirement is imposed using both the electromagnetic and hadronic calorimeters. The measured cross section is compared with the PYTHIA Monte Carlo event generator and perturbative quantum chromodynamics (pQCD) calculations at next-to-leading and next-to-next-to-leading order. The pQCD calculations are consistent with the result within the quoted uncertainties. This measurement provides a test of pQCD calculations for a process with sensitivity to the gluon parton distribution function of the proton and establishes the $p$+$p$ baseline for forthcoming sPHENIX measurements of isolated prompt photons in heavy-ion collisions.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2026

Measurement of dijet transverse momentum imbalance and azimuthal acoplanarity in $p$+$p$ collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 200$ GeV with the sPHENIX detector

This Letter reports on measurements of dijet transverse momentum ($p_\mathrm{T}$) imbalance and azimuthal acoplanarity in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 200$~GeV, using data recorded by the sPHENIX detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $41$~pb$^{-1}$. Jets are reconstructed using the anti-$k_t$ algorithm with radius parameters $R = 0.3$ to $0.8$ from electromagnetic and hadronic calorimeter energy deposits. The jet $p_\mathrm{T}$ resolution is determined directly in data using two independent methods. The dijet $p_\mathrm{T}$ imbalance is characterized by the ratio $x_\mathrm{J} = p_\mathrm{T,2}/p_\mathrm{T,1}$ where $p_\mathrm{T,1(2)}$ is the highest (second-highest) jet $p_\mathrm{T}$ in the event. The dijet azimuthal acoplanarity $Δϕ= |ϕ_1 - ϕ_2|$ is also reported. Results are reported for different $p_\mathrm{T,1}$ selections and jet radius parameters, normalized per dijet pair, and compared to the results of \textsc{Pythia} and \textsc{Herwig} Monte Carlo event generators. These measurements provide a stringent quantitative test of the modeling of QCD parton shower and hadronization dynamics, place important constraints on event-generator descriptions at RHIC energies, and establish a comprehensive proton-proton baseline for forthcoming measurements of jet modification in heavy ion collisions.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2026

The MUSE Target Chamber Post Veto

The Muon Scattering Experiment (MUSE) was developed to address the proton radius puzzle through simultaneous electron-proton and muon-proton scattering using the Paul Scherrer Institute's PiM1 secondary beamline. MUSE uses a large-solid-angle, non-magnetic spectrometer to detect beam particles scattering from a liquid hydrogen cell contained within a vacuum chamber. Due to the large scattering windows, the structural integrity of the chamber is supported by posts located at small scattering angles. While out of the acceptance, particles in the tails of the beam distribution can strike these posts, causing a significant trigger background. We describe the design and performance of the Target Chamber Post Veto (TCPV) detector installed inside the vacuum chamber to remove these background events at the trigger level.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2025

Measurement of charged hadron multiplicity in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{\text{s}_{\text{NN}}} = 200$ GeV with the sPHENIX detector

The pseudorapidity distribution of charged hadrons produced in Au+Au collisions at a center-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}} = 200$ GeV is measured using data collected by the sPHENIX detector. Charged hadron yields are extracted by counting cluster pairs in the inner and outer layers of the Intermediate Silicon Tracker, with corrections applied for detector acceptance, reconstruction efficiency, combinatorial pairs, and contributions from secondary decays. The measured distributions cover $|η| < 1.1$ across various centralities, and the average pseudorapidity density of charged hadrons at mid-rapidity is compared to predictions from Monte Carlo heavy-ion event generators. This result, featuring full azimuthal coverage at mid-rapidity, is consistent with previous experimental measurements at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider, thereby supporting the broader sPHENIX physics program.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2025

Measurement of the transverse energy density in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 200$ GeV with the sPHENIX detector

This paper reports measurements of the transverse energy per unit pseudorapidity ($dE_{T}/dη$) produced in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} = 200$ GeV, performed with the sPHENIX detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). The results cover the pseudorapidity range $\left|η\right| < 1.1$ and constitute the first such measurement performed using a hadronic calorimeter at RHIC. Measurements of $dE_{T}/dη$ are presented for a range of centrality intervals and the average $dE_{T}/dη$ as a function of the number of participating nucleons, $N_{\mathrm{part}}$, is compared to a variety of Monte Carlo heavy-ion event generators. The results are in agreement with previous measurements at RHIC, and feature an improved granularity in $η$ and improved precision in low-$N_{\mathrm{part}}$ events.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2025

Measurement of the $^{40}$Ar(e,e$^{\prime}$) elastic scattering cross section with a novel gas-jet target

We report on a measurement of elastic electron scattering on argon performed with a novel cryogenic gas-jet target at the Mainz Microtron accelerator MAMI. The luminosity is estimated with the thermodynamical parameters of the target and by comparison to a calculation in distorted-wave Born approximation. The cross section, measured at new momentum transfers of 1.24 fm$^{-1}$ and 1.55 fm$^{-1}$ is in agreement with previous experiments performed with a traditional high-pressure gas target, as well as with modern ab-initio calculations employing state-of-the-art nuclear forces from chiral effective field theory. The nearly background-free measurement highlights the optimal properties of the gas-jet target for elements heavier than hydrogen, enabling new applications in hadron and nuclear physics.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2024

The MUSE Beamline Calorimeter

The MUon Scattering Experiment (MUSE) was motivated by the proton radius puzzle arising from the discrepancy between muonic hydrogen spectroscopy and electron-proton measurements. The MUSE physics goals also include testing lepton universality, precisely measuring two-photon exchange contribution, and testing radiative corrections. MUSE addresses these physics goals through simultaneous measurement of high precision cross sections for electron-proton and muon-proton scattering using a mixed-species beam. The experiment will run at both positive and negative beam polarities. Measuring precise cross sections requires understanding both the incident beam energy and the radiative corrections. For this purpose, a lead-glass calorimeter was installed at the end of the beam line in the MUSE detector system. In this article we discuss the detector specifications, calibration and performance. We demonstrate that the detector performance is well reproduced by simulation, and meets experimental requirements.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2024

Design of the ECCE Detector for the Electron Ion Collider

The EIC Comprehensive Chromodynamics Experiment (ECCE) detector has been designed to address the full scope of the proposed Electron Ion Collider (EIC) physics program as presented by the National Academy of Science and provide a deeper understanding of the quark-gluon structure of matter. To accomplish this, the ECCE detector offers nearly acceptance and energy coverage along with excellent tracking and particle identification. The ECCE detector was designed to be built within the budget envelope set out by the EIC project while simultaneously managing cost and schedule risks. This detector concept has been selected to be the basis for the EIC project detector.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2024

Instrumental uncertainties in radiative corrections for the MUSE experiment

The MUSE experiment at the Paul Scherrer Institute is measuring elastic lepton-proton scattering cross sections in a four-momentum transfer range from $Q^2$ of approximately 0.002 to 0.08 GeV$^2$ using positively and negatively charged electrons and muons. The extraction of the Born cross sections from the experimental data requires radiative corrections. Estimates of the instrumental uncertainties in those corrections have been made using the ESEPP event generator. The results depend in particular on the minimum lepton momentum that contributes to the experimental cross section and the fraction of events with hard initial-state radiation that is detected in the MUSE calorimeter and is excluded from the data. These results show that the angular-dependent instrumental uncertainties in radiative corrections to the electron cross section are better than 0.4 % and are negligible for the muon cross section.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2023

Blinding for precision scattering experiments: The MUSE approach as a case study

Human bias is capable of changing the analysis of measured data sufficiently to alter the results of an experiment. It is incumbent upon modern experiments, especially those investigating quantities considered contentious in the broader community, to blind their analysis in an effort to minimize bias. The choice of a blinding model is experiment specific, but should also aim to prevent accidental release of results before an analysis is finalized. In this paper, we discuss common threats to an unbiased analysis, as well as common quantities that can be blinded in different types of nuclear physics experiments. We use the Muon Scattering Experiment as an example, and detail the blinding scheme used therein.

physics.data-an↗

arXiv2023

Measurement of the Charge-Averaged Elastic Lepton-Proton Scattering Cross Section by the OLYMPUS Experiment

We report the first measurement of the average of the electron-proton and positron-proton elastic scattering cross sections. This lepton charge-averaged cross section is insensitive to the leading effects of hard two-photon exchange, giving more robust access to the proton's electromagnetic form factors. The cross section was extracted from data taken by the OLYMPUS experiment at DESY, in which alternating stored electron and positron beams were scattered from a windowless gaseous hydrogen target. Elastic scattering events were identified from the coincident detection of the scattered lepton and recoil proton in a large-acceptance toroidal spectrometer. The luminosity was determined from the rates of Møller, Bhabha and elastic scattering in forward electromagnetic calorimeters. The data provide some selectivity between existing form factor global fits and will provide valuable constraints to future fits.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2023

A Direct Measurement of Hard Two-Photon Exchange with Electrons and Positrons at CLAS12

One of the most surprising discoveries made at Jefferson Lab has been the discrepancy in the determinations of the proton's form factor ratio $μ_p G_E^p/G_M^p$ between unpolarized cross section measurements and the polarization transfer technique. Over two decades later, the discrepancy not only persists but has been confirmed at higher momentum transfers now accessible in the 12-GeV era. The leading hypothesis for the cause of this discrepancy, a non-negligible contribution from hard two-photon exchange, has neither been conclusively proven or disproven. This state of uncertainty not only clouds our knowledge of one-dimensional nucleon structure but also poses a major concern for our field's efforts to map out the three-dimensional nuclear structure. A better understanding of multi-photon exchange over a wide phase space is needed. We propose making comprehensive measurements of two-photon exchange over a wide range in momentum transfer and scattering angle using the CLAS12 detector. Specifically, we will measure the ratio of positron-proton to electron-proton elastic scattering cross sections, using the proposed positron beam upgrade for CEBAF. The experiment will use 2.2, 4.4, and 6.6 GeV lepton beams incident on the standard CLAS12 unpolarized hydrogen target. Data will be collected by the CLAS12 detector in its standard configuration, except for a modified trigger to allow the recording of events with beam leptons scattered into the CLAS12 central detector. The sign of the beam charge, as well as the polarity of the CLAS12 solenoid and toroid, will be reversed several times in order to suppress systematics associated with local detector efficiency and time-dependent detector performance. The proposed high-precision determination of two-photon effects will be...

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2023

The Two-Photon Exchange Experiment at DESY

We propose a new measurement of the ratio of positron-proton to electron-proton elastic scattering at DESY. The purpose is to determine the contributions beyond single-photon exchange, which are essential for the Quantum Electrodynamic (QED) description of the most fundamental process in hadronic physics. By utilizing a 20 cm long liquid hydrogen target in conjunction with the extracted beam from the DESY synchrotron, we can achieve an average luminosity of $2.12\times10^{35}$ cm$^{-2}\cdot$s$^{-1}\cdot$sr$^{-1}$ ($\approx200$ times the luminosity achieved by OLYMPUS). The proposed TPEX experiment entails a commissioning run at 2 GeV, followed by measurements at 3 GeV, thereby providing new data up to $Q^2=4.6$ (GeV/$c$)$^2$ (twice the range of current measurements). We present and discuss the proposed experimental setup, run plan, and expectations.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2023

Test of streaming and triggered readout schemes for the TPEX Lead Tungstate Calorimeter

Tests of a prototype lead tungstate calorimeter were made over two weeks at the end of September, 2019, at the DESY II Test Beam Facility in Hamburg, Germany. The purpose of these tests was to gain experience with the construction, operation, and performance of a simple lead tungstate calorimeter, and also to compare a traditional triggered readout scheme with a streaming readout approach. These tests are important for the proposed Two-Photon Exchange experiment at DESY and for work towards a future electromagnetic calorimeter that could be used in an Electron-Ion Collider detector. Details on the comparison of streaming and triggered readout schemes are presented here.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2023

Fundamental Symmetries, Neutrons, and Neutrinos (FSNN): Whitepaper for the 2023 NSAC Long Range Plan

This whitepaper presents the research priorities decided on by attendees of the 2022 Town Meeting for Fundamental Symmetries, Neutrons and Neutrinos, which took place December 13-15, 2022 in Chapel Hill, NC, as part of the Nuclear Science Advisory Committee (NSAC) 2023 Long Range Planning process. A total of 275 scientists registered for the meeting. The whitepaper makes a number of explicit recommendations and justifies them in detail.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2023

Non-forward radiative corrections to electron-carbon scattering

Radiative corrections to elastic scattering represent an important part of the interpretation of electron-induced nuclear reactions at small energy transfers, where they make for a dominant part of background. Here we present and validate a new event generator for mimicking QED radiative processes in electron-carbon scattering that exactly calculates the coherent sum of the Bethe-Heitler amplitudes for the leading diagrams and can be reliably employed for a more robust determination of inelastic cross-sections.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2023

Detector Requirements and Simulation Results for the EIC Exclusive, Diffractive and Tagging Physics Program using the ECCE Detector Concept

This article presents a collection of simulation studies using the ECCE detector concept in the context of the EIC's exclusive, diffractive, and tagging physics program, which aims to further explore the rich quark-gluon structure of nucleons and nuclei. To successfully execute the program, ECCE proposed to utilize the detecter system close to the beamline to ensure exclusivity and tag ion beam/fragments for a particular reaction of interest. Preliminary studies confirmed the proposed technology and design satisfy the requirements. The projected physics impact results are based on the projected detector performance from the simulation at 10 or 100 fb^-1 of integrated luminosity. Additionally, a few insights on the potential 2nd Interaction Region can (IR) were also documented which could serve as a guidepost for the future development of a second EIC detector.

physics.ins-det↗