arXiv subjects

Mauro Villa

Publications and source records attributed to Mauro Villa.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Measurement of 80-200 MeV/n $^{16}$O nuclear cross-section on Carbon and Polyethylene targets with the nuclear emulsion detector of the FOOT experiment

Accurate knowledge of nuclear fragmentation cross-sections is essential for optimizing charged particle therapy. In this study, conducted within the framework of the FOOT (FragmentatiOn Of Target) experiment, we present the first measurements with a large angular acceptance of total charge-changing cross-section and the cross-section for the production of fragments (production cross-section) for $^{16}$O ions interacting with Carbon (C) and Polyethylene (C$_2$H$_4$) targets in the kinetic energy range of 80 to 200 MeV/nucleon. Measurements were performed using the Emulsion Cloud Chamber (ECC) technique, which combines high spatial resolution and angular acceptance, up to 45$^\circ$. The results are compared with Monte Carlo model predictions. Moreover, the total charge-changing and fragment production cross-sections for $^{16}$O on Hydrogen in the same energy range are derived.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2023

RIPTIDE: a novel recoil-proton track imaging detector for fast neutrons

Neutron detectors are an essential tool for the development of many research fields, as nuclear, particle and astroparticle physics as well as radiotherapy and radiation safety. Since neutrons cannot directly ionize, their detection is only possible via nuclear reactions. Consequently, neutron-based experimental techniques are related to the detection of charged particle or electromagnetic radiation originating from neutron-induced reactions. The study of fast neutrons is often based on the neutron-proton elastic scattering reaction. In this case, the ionization induced by the recoil protons in a hydrogenous material constitutes the basic information for the design and development of neutron detectors. Although experimental techniques have continuously improved and refined, so far, proton-recoil track imaging is still weak in laboratory rate environments because of the extremely small detection efficiency. To address this deficiency, we propose a novel recoil-proton track imaging system in which the light deriving from a fast scintillation signal is used to perform a complete reconstruction in space and time of the event. In particular, we report the idea of RIPTIDE (RecoIl Proton Track Imaging DEtector): an innovative system which combines a plastic scintillator coupled to imaging devices, based on CMOS technology, or Micro Channel Plate sensors. The proposed apparatus aims at providing neutron spectrometry capability by stereoscopically imaging the recoil-protons tracks, correlating the spatial information with the time information.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2020

The FragmentatiOn Of Target Experiment (FOOT) and its DAQ system

The FragmentatiOn Of Target (FOOT) experiment aims to provide precise nuclear cross-section measurements for two different fields: hadrontherapy and radio-protection in space. The main reason is the important role the nuclear fragmentation process plays in both fields, where the health risks caused by radiation are very similar and mainly attributable to the fragmentation process. The FOOT experiment has been developed in such a way that the experimental setup is easily movable and fits the space limitations of the experimental and treatment rooms available in hadrontherapy treatment centers, where most of the data takings are carried out. The Trigger and Data Acquisition system needs to follow the same criteria and it should work in different laboratories and in different conditions. It has been designed to acquire the largest sample size with high accuracy in a controlled and online-monitored environment. The data collected are processed in real-time for quality assessment and are available to the DAQ crew and detector experts during data taking.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2015

GPGPU for track finding in High Energy Physics

The LHC experiments are designed to detect large amount of physics events produced with a very high rate. Considering the future upgrades, the data acquisition rate will become even higher and new computing paradigms must be adopted for fast data-processing: General Purpose Graphics Processing Units (GPGPU) is a novel approach based on massive parallel computing. The intense computation power provided by Graphics Processing Units (GPU) is expected to reduce the computation time and to speed-up the low-latency applications used for fast decision taking. In particular, this approach could be hence used for high-level triggering in very complex environments, like the typical inner tracking systems of the multi-purpose experiments at LHC, where a large number of charged particle tracks will be produced with the luminosity upgrade. In this article we discuss a track pattern recognition algorithm based on the Hough Transform, where a parallel approach is expected to reduce dramatically the execution time.

physics.ins-det↗