arXiv subjects

J. Zmeskal

Publications and source records attributed to J. Zmeskal.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

High-precision measurement of the kaonic hydrogen 1s level shift and width with SIDDHARTA-2

Kaonic atoms provide a unique experimental probe of strong interaction in the low-energy regime. In particular, the strong-interaction-induced shift ($\varepsilon_{1\text{s}}$) and width ($\Gamma_{1\text{s}}$) of kaonic hydrogen directly constrain the low-energy antikaon-nucleon ($\bar{K}N$) interaction at threshold and the theoretical description of the $\Lambda$(1405) resonance. We report a new high-precision measurement of kaonic hydrogen X-ray transitions performed by the SIDDHARTA-2 experiment at the DA$\Phi$NE collider (INFN-LNF), based on an integrated luminosity of 237 pb$^{-1}$. The extracted values, $\varepsilon_{1\text{s}}\,=\,-303.0\,\pm\,17.0\,(stat.)\,\pm\,2.5\,(syst.)$ eV and $\Gamma_{1\text{s}}\,=\,607\,\pm\,62\,(stat.)\,\pm\,6\,(syst.)$ eV, represent the most precise determination to date, improving the precision by approximately a factor-of-two with respect to the previous SIDDHARTA measurement. These results significantly tighten the experimental constraints on theoretical description of the low-energy $\bar{K}N$ interaction.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2026

Bound-state QED test above the Schwinger limit with kaonic fluorine

Kaonic atoms, formed when a negatively charged kaon replaces an electron in an atomic orbit, provide access to bound-state quantum electrodynamics (BSQED) in electromagnetic fields far stronger than in ordinary atoms. Here, we report an experimental test of BSQED in a regime where the mean Coulomb field exceeds the Schwinger limit. Using high-precision x-ray spectroscopy of kaonic fluorine with the SIDDHARTA-2 experiment at DA$\Phi$NE, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 22.4 pb$^{-1}$, we observe transitions involving the 4f and 3d levels, probing field-to-Schwinger-limit ratios of 1.11 and 3.70, respectively. The measured transition energies agree with state-of-the-art Dirac-Fock calculations. In particular, the 5g-4f transition showing a residual of 5.8 $\pm$ 4.7 (stat.) $\pm$ 5.5 (syst.) eV and a $\sim$ 9$\sigma$ sensitivity to QED contributions. These results provide a direct test of BSQED in the strong-field regime of QED above the Schwinger limit, opening a new avenue for precision studies in extreme electromagnetic fields.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2025

New 1mm thick Silicon Drift Detectors for future researches of Kaonic Atoms and the Pauli Exclusion principle

Kaonic atoms, formed when a negatively charged kaon replaces an electron, provide a sensitive probe of the low-energy strong interaction via precision X-ray spectroscopy. The SIDDHARTA-2 experiment at the DA$\Phi$NE collider employs high-performance Silicon Drift Detectors (SDDs) optimized for the 4-12 keV range to study light kaonic systems. In preparation for the EXKALIBUR phase, which targets heavier kaonic atoms, new 1 mm-thick SDDs have been developed with Politecnico di Milano and Fondazione Bruno Kessler. Their increased thickness enhances the quantum efficiency by a factor of about two at 30 keV while preserving excellent energy resolution. These detectors are also intended for VIP-3, the next-generation test of the Pauli Exclusion Principle (PEP). Building on VIP-2, which set the most stringent limits on PEP-violating $K_{\alpha}$ transitions in copper, VIP-3 will extend the search to heavier elements such as Ag, Sn, and Zr. Preliminary measurements demonstrate efficient detection up to 30 keV, supporting future high-precision studies of the kaon-nucleon interaction and PEP in heavier systems.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2025

Precision Test of Bound-State QED at Intermediate-Z with Kaonic Neon

We report Dirac-Fock calculations of transition energies for kaonic neon (KNe). For the most intense line, the 7-6 transition, the calculated energy is 9450.28 eV, which includes a bound-state QED (BSQED) contribution of 12.66 eV. This is in excellent agreement with the recent SIDDHARTHA-2 measurement at DA$Φ$NE of 9450.23 $\pm$ 0.37 (stat.) $\pm$ 1.50 (syst.) eV. With the QED shift far exceeding experimental uncertainty, these results establish kaonic atoms as powerful platforms for precision tests of BSQED in intermediate-Z systems.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2024

Measurement of the mesonic decay branch of the $\bar{K}\!N\!N$ quasi-bound state

We conducted measurements of $K^- + {^3{\rm He}} \to π\!Y \!N + N'$ reactions using a $1~{\rm GeV}/c$ $K^-$-beam, with the objective of understanding the broad decay width of $\bar{K} \!N \!N$ (approximately twice as broad as that of $Λ(1405)$ considered to be the $\bar{K} \!N$ quasi-bound state). We successfully reproduced distributions of the $π\! Y \! N$ invariant mass and momentum transfer for $π\! Y \! N$ using model fitting functions for $\bar{K} \!N \!N$ formation and quasi-free $\bar{K}$ absorption (${\rm QF}_{\bar{K}-{\rm abs}}$) processes. The model can describe the experimental data quite well, and four $\bar{K} \! N \! N \to π\! Y \! N $ cross-sections were obtained. The results indicate that mesonic decay is the dominant decay branch of $\bar{K} \! N \! N$. The results also suggest that $Γ_{πΛN} \sim Γ_{πΣN}$, which indicates that the $I_{\bar{K} \! N}=1$ absorption channel, in addition to the $I_{\bar{K} \! N}=0$ absorption channel, substantially contribute to the $\bar{K} \! N \! N$ decay, making the $\bar{K} \! N \! N$ state approximately twice as unstable as $Λ$(1405).

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2024

Kaonic lead feasibility measurement at DAΦNE to solve the charged kaon mass discrepancy

An HPGe detector equipped with a transistor reset preamplifier and readout with a CAEN DT5781 fast pulse digitizer was employed in the measurement of X-rays from kaonic lead at the DA$Φ$NE $e^+e^-$ collider at the Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati of INFN. A thin scintillator in front of a lead target was used to select kaons impinging on it and to form the trigger for the HPGe detector. We present the results of the kaonic lead feasibility measurement, where we show that the resolution of the HPGe detector in regular beam conditions remains the same as that without the beam and that a satisfactory background reduction can be achieved. This measurement serves as a test bed for future dedicated kaonic X-rays measurements for the more precise determination of the charged kaon mass.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2023

SIDDHARTA-2 apparatus for kaonic atoms research on the DA$Φ$NE collider

SIDDHARTA-2 represents a state-of-the-art experiment designed to perform dedicated measurements of kaonic atoms, which are particular exotic atom configurations composed of a negatively charged kaon and a nucleus. Investigating these atoms provides an exceptional tool to comprehend the strong interactions in the non-perturbative regime involving strangeness. The experiment is installed at the DA$Φ$NE electron-positron collider, of the INFN National Laboratory of Frascati (INFN-LNF) in Italy, aiming to perform the first-ever measurement of the 2p$\rightarrow$1s X-ray transitions in kaonic deuterium, a crucial step towards determining the isospin-dependent antikaon-nucleon scattering lengths. Based on the experience gained with the previous SIDDHARTA experiment, which performed the most precise measurement of the kaonic hydrogen 2p$\rightarrow$1s X-ray transitions, the present apparatus has been upgraded with innovative Silicon Drift Detectors (SDDs), distributed around a cryogenic gaseous target placed in a vacuum chamber at a short distance above the interaction region of the collider. We present a comprehensive description of the SIDDHARTA-2 setup including the optimization of its various components during the commissioning phase of the collider.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2023

CdZnTe detectors tested at the DAΦNE collider for future kaonic atoms measurements

The SIDDHARTA-2 collaboration at the INFN Laboratories of Frascati (LNF) aims to perform groundbreaking measurements on kaonic atoms. In parallel and beyond the ongoing kaonic deuterium, presently running on the DA$Φ$NE collider at LNF, we plan to install additional detectors to perform further kaonic atoms' studies, taking advantage of the unique low energy and low momentum spread $K^-$ beam delivered by the at-rest decay of the $ϕ$ meson. CdZnTe devices are ideal for detecting transitions toward both the upper and lower levels of intermediate-mass kaonic atoms, like kaonic carbon and aluminium, which have an important impact on the strangeness sector of nuclear physics. We present the results obtained in a set of preliminary tests conducted on DA$Φ$NE, in view of measurements foreseen in 2024, with the twofold aim to tune the timing window required to reject the extremely high electromagnetic background, and to quantify the readout electronics saturation effect due to the high rate, when placed close to the Interaction Region (IR). In the first test we used commercial devices and electronics, while for the second one both were customized at the IMEM-CNR of Parma and the University of Palermo. The results confirmed the possibility of finding and matching a proper timing window where to identify the signal events and proved better performances, in terms of energy resolution, of the custom system. In both cases, strong saturation effects were confirmed, accounting for a loss of almost 90\% of the events, which will be overcome by a dedicated shielding structure foreseen for the final experimental setup.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2023

Upgrade of the positron system of the ASACUSA-Cusp experiment

The ASACUSA-Cusp collaboration has recently upgraded the positron system to improve the production of antihydrogen. Previously, the experiment suffered from contamination of the vacuum in the antihydrogen production trap due to the transfer of positrons from the high pressure region of a buffer gas trap. This contamination reduced the lifetime of antiprotons. By adding a new positron accumulator and therefore decreasing the number of transfer cycles, the contamination of the vacuum has been reduced. Further to this, a new rare gas moderator and buffer gas trap, previously used at the Aarhus University, were installed. Measurements from Aarhus suggested that the number of positrons could be increased by a factor of four in comparison to the old system used at CERN. This would mean a reduction of the time needed for accumulating a sufficient number of positrons (of the order of a few million) for an antihydrogen production cycle. Initial tests have shown that the new system yields a comparable number of positrons to the old system.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2023

Slow positron production and storage for the ASACUSA-Cusp experiment

The ASACUSA Cusp experiment requires the production of dense positron plasmas with a high repetition rate to produce a beam of antihydrogen. In this work, details of the positron production apparatus used for the first observation of the antihydrogen beam, and subsequent measurements are described in detail. This apparatus replaced the previous compact trap design resulting in an improvement in positron accumulation by a factor of ($52\pm3)$

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2023

SDR, EVC, and SDREVC: Limitations and Extensions

Methods for reducing the radius, temperature, and space charge of nonneutral plasma are usually reported for conditions which approximate an ideal Penning Malmberg trap. Here we show that (1) similar methods are still effective under surprisingly adverse circumstances: we perform SDR and SDREVC in a strong magnetic mirror field using only 3 out of 4 rotating wall petals. In addition, we demonstrate (2) an alternative to SDREVC, using e-kick instead of EVC and (3) an upper limit for how much plasma can be cooled to T < 20 K using EVC. This limit depends on the space charge, not on the number of particles or the plasma density.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2023

Measurements of high-n transitions in intermediate mass kaonic atoms by SIDDHARTA-2 at DA$\mathrmΦ$NE

The SIDDHARTA-2 experiment installed at the DA$\mathrmΦ$NE collider of INFN-LNF performed, for the first time, measurements of high-n transitions in intermediate mass kaonic atoms during the data taking campaigns of 2021 and 2022. Kaonic carbon, oxygen, nitrogen and aluminium transitions, which occur in the setup materials, were measured by using the kaons stopped in the gaseous helium target cell with aluminium frames and Kapton walls, and are reported in this paper. These new kaonic atoms measurements add valuable input to the kaonic atoms transitions data base, which is used as a reference for theories and models of the low-energy strong interaction between antikaon and nuclei. Moreover, these results pave the way for future dedicated kaonic atoms measurements through the whole periodic table and to a new era for the antikaon-nuclei studies at low energy.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2023

New opportunities for kaonic atoms measurements from CdZnTe detectors

We present the tests performed by the SIDDHARTA-2 collaboration at the DAΦNE collider with a quasi-hemispherical CdZnTe detector. The very good room-temperature energy resolution and efficiency in a wide energy range show that this detector technology is ideal for studying radiative transitions in intermediate and heavy-mass kaonic atoms. The CdZnTe detector was installed for the first time in an accelerator environment to perform tests on the background rejection capabilities, which were achieved by exploiting the SIDDHARTA-2 Luminosity Monitor. A spectrum with an $^{241}Am$ source has been acquired, with beams circulating in the main rings, and peak resolutions of 6% at 60 keV and of 2.2% at 511 keV have been achieved. The background suppression factor, which turned out to be of the order of $\simeq10^{5-6}$, opens the possibility to plan for future kaonic atom measurements with CdZnTe detectors.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2022

Upgrade of ASACUSA's Antihydrogen Detector

The goal of the ASACUSA (Atomic Spectroscopy And Collisions Using Slow Antiprotons) CUSP experiment at CERN's Antiproton Decelerator is to measure the ground state hyperfine splitting of antihydrogen in order to test whether CPT invariance is broken. The ASACUSA hodoscope is a detector consisting of two layers of 32 plastic scintillator bars individually read out by two serially connected silicon photo multipliers (SiPMs) on each end. Two additional layers for position resolution along the beam axis were scintillator fibres, which will now be replaced by scintillating tiles placed onto the existing bars and also read out by SiPMs. If the antiproton of antihydrogen annihilates in the center of the hodoscope, particles (mostly pions) are produced and travel through the various layers of the detector and produce signals. The hodoscope was successfully used during the last data taking period at CERN. The necessary time resolution to discriminate between particles travelling through the detector from outside and particles produced in the center of the detector was achieved by the use of waveform digitisers and software constant fraction discrimination. The disadvantage of this readout scheme was the slow readout speed, which was improved by two orders of magnitude. This was done by omitting the digitisers and replacing them with TDCs reading out the digital time-over-threshold (ToT) signal using leading edge discrimination.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2022

Pole position of $Λ(1405)$ measured in $d(K^-,n)πΣ$ reactions

We measured a set of $π^\pmΣ^\mp$, $π^0Σ^0$, and $π^-Σ^0$ invariant mass spectra below and above the $\bar{K}N$ mass threshold in $K^-$-induced reactions on deuteron. We deduced the $S$-wave $\bar{K}N\rightarrowπΣ$ and $\bar{K}N\rightarrow\bar{K}N$ scattering amplitudes in the isospin 0 channel in the framework of a $\bar{K}N$ and $πΣ$ coupled channel. We find that a resonance pole corresponding to $Λ(1405)$ is located at 1417.7$^{+6.0}_{-7.4}$(fitting errors)$^{+1.1}_{-1.0}$(systematic errors) + $[-26.1^{+6.0}_{-7.9}$(fitting errors)$^{+1.7}_{-2.0}$(systematic errors)]$i$ MeV/$c^2$, closer to the $\bar{K}N$ mass threshold than the value determined by the Particle Data Group.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2022

Studies of the linearity and stability of Silicon Drift Detectors for kaonic atoms X-ray spectroscopy

The SIDDHARTA-2 experiment at the DA$Φ$NE collider aims to perform precision measurements of kaonic atoms X-ray spectroscopy for the investigation of the antikaon-nucleon strong interaction. To achieve this goal, novel large-area Silicon Drift Detectors (SDDs) have been developed. These devices have special geometry, field configuration and readout electronics that ensure excellent performance in terms of linearity and stability. The paper presents preliminary results for the linearity determination and stability monitoring of the SDDs system during the measurement of kaonic deuterium carried out in the summer of 2022.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2022

First tests of the full SIDDHARTA-2 experimental apparatus with a 4 He gaseous target

In this paper, we present the first tests performed after the full installation of the SIDDHARTA-2 experimental apparatus on the Interaction Region of the DAΦNE collider at the INFN National Laboratories of Frascati. Before starting the first measurement of the kaonic deuterium 2p{\rightarrow}1s transition, accurate evaluation of the background rejection. mainly achieved with the Kaon Trigger system, was required. This run, performed in the period 04-26/05/2022 with a 4 He gaseous target, confirmed the 10^5 rejection factor obtained with a reduced version of the setup and different machine conditions in 2021. This important outcome motivated the filling of the target cell with deuterium and the starting of the measurement campaign of the kaonic deuterium 2p{\rightarrow}1s transition.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2022

Cyclotron cooling to cryogenic temperature in a Penning-Malmberg trap with a large solid angle acceptance

Magnetized nonneutral plasma composed of electrons or positrons couples to the local microwave environment via cyclotron radiation. The equilibrium plasma temperature depends on the microwave energy density near the cyclotron frequency. Fine copper meshes and cryogenic microwave absorbing material were used to lower the effective temperature of the radiation environment in ASACUSA's Cusp trap, resulting in significantly reduced plasma temperature.

physics.plasm-ph↗