arXiv subjects

Josef Pochodzalla

Publications and source records attributed to Josef Pochodzalla.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

A Helical-Deflector-Based Radio-Frequency Spiral Scanning System for keV Energy Electrons

We present the design, modeling, and experimental validation of a radio-frequency based time-to-position conversion system for keV electrons incorporating a helical deflector operating in the 400-1000 MHz range. The device performs circular deflection of the electrons when driven by a single RF frequency and enables spiral scanning when two phase-locked RF voltages with slightly different frequencies are applied. The superposition of the two phase-locked RF voltages produces an amplitude-beating field whose slowly varying envelope modulates the deflection radius, transforming the circular scan into a controlled spiral on the detector plane. A detailed theoretical model describing the electron dynamics under two phase-locked RF voltages with different frequencies was derived, yielding analytical expressions for the transverse velocity and radius-vector components at the deflector exit. The experimental studies demonstrated good agreement with the model predictions. Spiral scanning will allow measurements with picosecond resolution in a temporal dynamic range 1-2 orders of magnitude larger than the period of the circular scanning.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2026

Response to the $^7_Λ$He interpretation of MAMI's recent determination of $B_Λ(^3_Λ$H)

We respond to the recent suggestion by A. Gal [arXiv:2604.18259] that the sharp pion-momentum peak at $p_{π^-} \approx 113.8$~MeV/$c$ observed in our $^7\mathrm{Li}(e,e^\prime K^+)$ electroproduction experiment at MAMI [Phys. Rev. Lett. 136, 152301 (2026)] originates from $^7_Λ\mathrm{He}$ weak decay rather than from $^3_Λ\mathrm{H} \to π^- + {}^3\mathrm{He}$ as we reported. We present quantitative arguments against this interpretation and conclude that the $^3_Λ\mathrm{H}$ assignment remains the most well-supported interpretation of the data.

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arXiv2026

Compact sub-10 ps Resolution Radio Frequency Photomultiplier Tube

Experimental measurements of the radial spreading of photoelectrons emitted from a multi-alkali photocathode in a MCP-based photomultiplier tube have shown that, for photon wavelengths of 455 nm, 515 nm and 625 nm, the maximum initial energies of the emitted photoelectrons are approximately 0.3 eV, 0.2 eV and 0.1 eV respectively. Combining these experimental results with simulations performed using the SIMION simulation package, a compact radio-frequency photoelectron multiplier tube with a temporal resolution better than 10 ps is proposed. The device would be suitable for applications in several fields, particularly in medical optical instruments employing time-correlated single-photon counting.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2026

Precise measurement of the $Λ$-binding energy difference between $^3_Λ$H and $^4_Λ$H via decay-pion spectroscopy at MAMI

We performed high-precision decay-pion spectroscopy of light $Λ$ hypernuclei at the Mainz Microtron (MAMI) using the A1 spectrometer facility. By measuring the monochromatic $π^-$ momentum from the two-body weak decay $^3_Λ\mathrm{H} \to {}^3\mathrm{He} + π^-$ and referencing it to the $^4_Λ\mathrm{H} \to {}^4\mathrm{He} + π^-$ decay, we determined the $Λ$ binding energy of $^3_Λ\mathrm{H}$ with unprecedented accuracy. The obtained value, $B_Λ(^3_Λ\mathrm{H}) = 0.523 \pm 0.013~(\mathrm{stat.}) \pm 0.075~(\mathrm{syst.})$~MeV, is consistent with the STAR result, but indicates a significantly deeper binding than inferred from earlier measurements. This result implies a stronger $Λ$-deuteron interaction and provides stringent constraints on hyperon-nucleon interactions.

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arXiv2026

Picosecond Precision Heavy-Ion Detector for Λ Hypernuclei Lifetime Studies

In this paper, we present the design and preliminary performance evaluation of a new heavy-ion detector for direct measurements of heavy Λ hypernuclei lifetime. The detector employs the previously developed 10 picosecond resolution Radio Frequency (RF) Timer, which converts the temporal information of incident particles into spatial coordinates of secondary or photoelectrons on a position-sensitive detector by means of circular RF scanning in the 500-1000 MHz range. Here, we report the detector design to achieve efficient suppression of accidental background and effective separation of prompt reaction products and delayed events from Λ hypernuclei decays, results of test studies carried out with RF synchronized laser as well as preliminary results obtained by using alpha particles. Dedicated Monte-Carlo simulations have been performed to estimate the detector's performance under realistic experimental conditions at RF-driven electron, photon, or proton beams. The results confirm the feasibility of the proposed design and provide a basis for upcoming experimental measurements, based on the delayed fission detection.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2025

Method to search for the triple-neutron state in an electron scattering experiment

An electron scattering experiment to search for the trineutron state $^3n$ by reaction ${\rm ^4He}(e,~e'pπ^{+})^{3}n$ is designed for the A1 facility at Mainzer Microtron. The detailed principles, setup, and simulation of this experiment are presented. With the momenta of the scattered electron, the produced proton and $π^+$ from the reaction measured by three spectrometers with their triple coincidence, the missing mass spectrum of $^3n$ can be obtained. The production rate of $^3n$ based on the cross section of the reaction and a MC simulation is estimated to be about 1.5 per day, which can provide a confidence level of the signal greater than 5$σ$ with a beam time longer than 16 days. According to a MC simulation that evaluates the energy losses of particles in materials and the performance of three spectrometers, the estimated resolution and the predicted shape of the missing mass spectrum are presented. This work provides a new experimental concept for the search for multineutron states in future experiments with an electron beam.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2025

Perspectives for hyperon and hypernuclei physics

Hypernuclei, nuclei containing one or more hyperons, serve as unique laboratories for probing the non-perturbative quantum chromodynamics (QCD). Recent progress in hypernuclear physics, driven by advanced experimental techniques and theoretical innovations, is briefly reviewed with a focus on key findings and unresolved challenges, such as the precise determination of the hypertriton binding energy, investigations of charge symmetry breaking in mirror hypernuclei, and the search for exotic systems, including the neutral nn$Λ$ state. Experimental breakthroughs, including invariant-mass analyses and femtoscopy studies in heavy-ion collisions, as well as high-resolution $γ$-spectroscopy, have enabled precise studies of light hypernuclei and offered critical insights into the hyperon-nucleon interaction. Theoretical progress, including ab initio calculations based on chiral effective field theory and lattice QCD, has further enhanced our understanding of hyperon-nucleon and hyperon-hyperon interactions.

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arXiv2025

Probing small neutron skin variations in isotope pairs by hyperon-antihyperon production in antiproton--nucleus interactions

We propose a new method to study the evolution of the neutron periphery between different isotopes by considering antiproton--nucleus interactions close to the production threshold of $Λ\overline{Λ}$ and $Σ^-\overline{Λ}$ pairs. At low energies, $Λ\overline{Λ}$ pairs are produced in $\overline{\text{p}} +\text{p}$ collisions, while $Σ^-\overline{Λ}$ pairs can only be produced in $\overline{\text{p}} +\text{n}$ interactions. Within a simple geometrical picture we show that the double ratio for the production of $Σ^-\overline{Λ}$ and $Λ\overline{Λ}$ pairs for two different isotopes are related to the variation of the neutron skin thickness between the two nuclei. Performing high statistics calculations with the Gießen Boltzmann--Uehling--Uhlenbeck (GiBUU) transport model for several isotope pairs covering a wide range of elements we verify a strong correlation between the double ratio from the full transport simulations and the schematic model. This correlation enables us to quantify the potential of the proposed method for precise studies of neutron skin variations in isotope chains.

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arXiv2025

Measurement of $\rm ^{6}H$ ground state energy in an electron scattering experiment at MAMI-A1

For the first time the neutron-rich hydrogen isotope $\rm ^{6}H$ was produced in an electron scattering experiment in the reaction $\rm ^{7}Li(e,~e'pπ^{+})^{6}H$ using the spectrometer facility of the A1 Collaboration at the Mainz Microtron accelerator. By measuring the triple coincidence between the scattered electron, the produced proton, and $π^{+}$, the missing mass spectrum of $\rm ^{6}H$ was obtained. A clear peak above $^3$H+n+n+n energy threshold was seen resulting in a ground state energy of $\rm ^{6}H$ at $2.3\pm0.5({\rm stat.})\pm0.4({\rm syst.})$ MeV with a width of $1.9\pm1.0({\rm stat.})\pm0.4({\rm syst.})$ MeV. This work challenges the understandings of multi-nucleon interactions and presents a new method to study light neutron-rich nuclei with electron scattering experiments.

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arXiv2023

An infrared light-guide based target positioning system for operation in a harsh environment

In the PANDA experiment's hypernuclear and hyperatom setup, a positioning system for the primary production target is required, which will be located in the center of the solenoid magnet, in ultra-high vacuum, and exposed to high radiation levels. In this work, a prototype for a positioning sensor was built using a bisected light guide for infrared light and a low-priced readout system based on microcontrollers. In contrast to many modern positioning systems that require electronics in direct proximity, this setup has no active electronic components close to the moving parts. The prototype system was operated with a resolution of better than 5$\micro$m, and with a repeatability of better than $\pm$18$\micro$m in a total of 14000 measurements. The demonstrated performance is by far satisfying the positioning requirement of $\pm$300 $\micro$m in the hypernuclear and hyperatom setup at PANDA.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2022

Advanced Radio Frequency Timing AppaRATus (ARARAT) Technique and Applications

The development of the advanced Radio Frequency Timer of electrons is described. It is based on a helical deflector, which performs circular or elliptical sweeps of keV electrons, by means of 500 MHz radio frequency field. By converting a time distribution of incident electrons to a hit position distribution on a circle or ellipse, this device achieves extremely precise timing. Streak Cameras, based on similar principles, routinely operate in the ps and sub-ps time domain, but have substantial slow readout system. Here, we report a device, where the position sensor, consisting of microchannel plates and a delay-line anode, produces ~ns duration pulses which can be processed by using regular fast electronics. A photon sensor based on this technique, the Radio Frequency Photo-Multiplier Tube (RFPMT), has demonstrated a timing resolution of ~10 ps and a time stability of ~0.5 ps, FWHM. This makes the apparatus highly suited for Time Correlated Single Photon Counting which is widely used in optical microscopy and tomography of biological samples. The first application in lifetime measurements of quantum states of graphene, under construction at the A. I. Alikhanyan National Science Laboratory (AANL), is outlined. This is followed by a description of potential RFPMT applications in time-correlated Diffuse Optical Tomography, time-correlated Stimulated Emission Depletion microscopy, hybrid FRET/STED nanoscopy and Time-of-Flight Positron Emission Tomography.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2022

Exploring the neutron skin by hyperon-antihyperon production in antiproton-nucleus interactions

In this work we propose a new method to measure the evolution of the neutron skin thickness between different isotopes. We consider antiproton-nucleus interactions close to the production threshold of $Λ\overlineΛ$ and $Σ\overlineΛ$ pairs. At low energies, $Λ\overlineΛ$ pairs are produced in p + p collisions, while $Σ\overlineΛ$ pairs can only be produced in p + n interactions. Measuring these cross sections provides information on the neutron skin thickness

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arXiv2022

An RF Timer of Electrons and Photons with the Potential to reach Picosecond Precision

This paper describes a new radio frequency timer of keV energy electrons. It is based on a helical deflector, which performs circular or elliptical sweeps of keV electrons, by means of 500 MHz radio frequency field. By converting a time distribution of incident electrons to a hit position distribution on a circle or ellipse, this device achieves extremely precise timing. Streak Cameras, based on similar principles, routinely operate in the ps and sub-ps time domain, but have substantial dead time associated with the readout system. Here, we report a new type of RF timing technique, where the position sensor, consisting of microchannel plates and a delay-line anode, produces ~ns duration pulses with small dead time. Measurements made with sub-ps duration laser pulses, synchronized to the radio frequency power, produced a timing resolution of ~10 ps. This ultra-high precision technique has potential applications in a large variety of scientific devices, and in all cases, electrons are timed and detected simultaneously in the same device.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2021

Measurements of the electron-helicity asymmetry in the quasi-elastic ${\rm A}(\vec{e},e' p)$ process

We present measurements of the electron helicity asymmetry in quasi-elastic proton knockout from $^{2}$H and $^{12}$C nuclei by polarized electrons. This asymmetry depends on the fifth structure function, is antisymmetric with respect to the scattering plane, and vanishes in the absence of final-state interactions, and thus it provides a sensitive tool for their study. Our kinematics cover the full range in off-coplanarity angle $ϕ_{pq}$, with a polar angle $θ_{pq}$ coverage up to about 8 degrees. The missing energy resolution enabled us to determine the asymmetries for knock-out resulting in different states of the residual $^{11}$B system. We find that the helicity asymmetry for $p$-shell knockout from $^{12}$C depends on the final state of the residual system and is relatively large (up to $\approx 0.16$), especially at low missing momentum. It is considerably smaller (up to $\approx 0.01$) for $s$-shell knockout from both $^{12}$C and $^2$H. The data for $^2$H are in very good agreement with theoretical calculations, while the predictions for $^{12}$C exhibit differences with respect to the data.

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arXiv2020

Measurements of the induced polarization in the quasi-elastic $A(e,e'\vec p\,)$ process in non-coplanar kinematics

We report measurements of the induced polarization $\vec P$ of protons knocked out from $^2$H and $^{12}$C via the $A(e,e'\vec p\,)$ reaction. We have studied the dependence of $\vec P$ on two kinematic variables: the missing momentum $p_{\rm miss}$ and the "off-coplanarity" angle $ϕ_{pq}$ between the scattering and reaction planes. For the full 360$\degree$ range in $ϕ_{pq}$, both the normal ($P_y$) and, for the first time, the transverse ($P_x$) components of the induced polarization were measured with respect to the coordinate system associated with the scattering plane. $P_x$ vanishes in coplanar kinematics, however in non-coplanar kinematics, it is on the same scale as $P_y$. We find that the dependence on $ϕ_{pq}$ is sine-like for $P_x$ and cosine-like for $P_y$. For carbon, the magnitude of the induced polarization is especially large when protons are knocked out from the $p_{3/2}$ shell at very small $p_{\rm miss}$. For the deuteron, the induced polarization is near zero at small $|p_{\rm miss}|$, and its magnitude increases with $|p_{\rm miss}|$. For both nuclei such behavior is reproduced qualitatively by theoretical results, driven largely by the spin-orbit part of the final-state interactions. However, for both nuclei, sizeable discrepancies exist between experiment and theory.

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arXiv2019

Quasi-elastic polarization-transfer measurements on the deuteron in anti-parallel kinematics

We present measurements of the polarization-transfer components in the $^2$H$(\vec e,e'\vec p)$ reaction, covering a previously unexplored kinematic region with large positive (anti-parallel) missing momentum, $p_{\rm miss}$, up to 220 MeV$/c$, and $Q^2=0.65$ $({\rm GeV}/c)^2$. These measurements, performed at the Mainz Microtron (MAMI), were motivated by theoretical calculations which predict small final-state interaction (FSI) effects in these kinematics, making them favorable for searching for medium modifications of bound nucleons in nuclei. We find in this kinematic region that the measured polarization-transfer components $P_x$ and $P_z$ and their ratio agree with the theoretical calculations, which use free-proton form factors. Using this, we establish upper limits on possible medium effects that modify the bound proton's form factor ratio $G_E/G_M$ at the level of a few percent. We also compare the measured polarization-transfer components and their ratio for $^2$H to those of a free (moving) proton. We find that the universal behavior of $^2$H, $^4$He and $^{12}$C in the double ratio $\frac{(P_x/P_z)^A}{(P_x/P_z)^{^1\rm H}}$ is maintained in the positive missing-momentum region.

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arXiv2019

The proton charge radius extracted from the Initial State Radiation experiment at MAMI

We report on a comprehensive reinterpretation of the existing cross-section data for elastic electron-proton scattering obtained by the initial-state radiation technique, resulting in a significantly improved accuracy of the extracted proton charge radius. By refining the external energy corrections we have achieved an outstanding description of the radiative tail, essential for a detailed investigation of the proton finite-size effects on the measured cross-sections. This development, together with a novel framework for determining the radius, based on a regression analysis of the cross-sections employing a polynomial model for the form factor, led us to a new value for the charge radius, which is $(0.870 \pm 0.014_\mathrm{stat.}\pm 0.024_\mathrm{sys.} \pm 0.003_\mathrm{mod.})\,\mathrm{fm}$.

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arXiv2019

Has the neutral double hypernucleus $_{ΛΛ}^{4}$n been observed?

The BNL-AGS E906 experiment was the first fully electronic experiment to produce and study double hypernuclei with large statistics. Two dominant structures were observed in the correlated $π^-$--$π^-$ momentum matrix at (p$_{π-H}$,p$_{π-L}$) = (133,114) MeV/c and at (114,104) MeV/c. In this work we argue that the interpretation of the structure at (133,114) MeV/c in terms of $^3_Λ$H+$^4_Λ$H pairs is questionable. We show, that neither a scenario where the hypernuclei are produced after capture of a stopped $Ξ^-$ by a $^9$Be nucleus nor interactions of energetic $Ξ^-$ with $^9$Be nuclei in the target material can produce a sufficient amount of such twin pairs. We have therefore explored the conjecture of Avraham Gal that decays of the $_{ΛΛ}^{4}$n may be responsible for the observed structure. Indeed, the inclusion of $_{ΛΛ}^{4}$n with a two-body $π^-$ branching ratio of 50 % in a statistical multifragmentation model allows to describe the E906 data remarkably well. On the other hand, a bound $^{3}_Λ$n nucleus would cause a striking structure in the momentum correlation matrix which is clearly inconsistent with the observation of E906.

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