arXiv subjects

R. Pestotnik

Publications and source records attributed to R. Pestotnik.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Characterization of CMOS SPADs for future RICH Detectors

In the planned or considered upgrades of LHCb, ALICE and Belle II experiments, the Ring imaging Cherenkov (RICH) detectors will have to be improved in order to function at increased beam interaction density. The photodetectors used in future RICH detector will have to provide high granularity, single photon sensitivity and excellent timing, while being exposed to a couple of 10$^{13}$ 1-MeV neutron equivalent/cm$^2$ of background irradiation during total experiment run time. The spadRICH project is developing a CMOS single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) based photodetector specifically optimized for the application of the planned RICH detectors, which includes neutron radiation hardness and cryogenic operation. In this work we present recent experimental characterization studies of existing SPADs produced in 55 nm BCD and 110 nm CMOS image sensor technologies. Main results include dark count rate (DCR) measurements with SPADs irradiated up to 10$^{12}$ 1-MeV neutron equivalent/cm$^2$ and cooled down to liquid nitrogen temperature.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2025

Aerogel RICH Counter at the Belle II Detector

We report on the design, operation, and performance of a novel proximity-focusing Ring Imaging Cherenkov (RICH) detector equipped with a multilayer focusing aerogel radiator, developed for the forward region of the Belle II spectrometer at the SuperKEKB $e^+e^-$ collider. The system achieves effective separation of charged pions, kaons, and protons across the full kinematic range of the experiment, from 0.5 GeV/c to 4 GeV/c. To date, the detector has successfully operated in data-taking, contributing to the collection and analysis of nearly 600/fb of Belle II $e^+e^-$ collision data.

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arXiv2025

Characterisation of the LAPPD, a large area microchannel-plate PMT

We present a comprehensive characterization of the LAPPD Gen-II, a large-area microchannel-plate photomultiplier tube (MCP-PMT) equipped with a capacitively coupled sensing (readout) electrode. Two detector variants with different geometries and materials were investigated using a picosecond pulsed laser system. We measured the single-photon timing response and spatial charge distribution on segmented readout electrodes. The prompt timing peak exhibits a resolution of approximately 30 ps, with the overall timing structure explained by photoelectron propagation and back-scattering effects from the MCP input surface. We developed analytical models that describe the propagation of photoelectrons and the induced charge spread on the sensing electrodes, including secondary electron backscattering from the resistive anode. The model accurately reproduces the measured device properties and enables performance extrapolations for various detector geometries and dielectric properties. These results provide a predictive framework for optimizing MCP-PMTs for timing- and imaging-critical applications such as RICH detectors in high-energy physics and TOF-PET systems for medical imaging.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2025

Below 100 ps CTR using FastIC+, an ASIC including on-chip digitization for ToF-PET and beyond

This work presents the 8-channel FastIC+, a low-power consumption and highly configurable multi-channel front-end ASIC with internal digitization, for the readout of photo-sensors with picosecond time resolution and intrinsic gain. This ASIC, manufactured in 65 nm CMOS technology, can readout positive or negative polarity sensors and provides a digitized measurement of the arrival time and energy of the detected events with a power consumption of 12.5 mW per channel. On-chip digitization is executed by a Time-to-Digital Converter (TDC) based on a Phase-Locked Loop (PLL) generating 16 phases at 1.28 GHz. The internal TDC introduces a jitter contribution of 31.3 ps FWHM, with minimal impact on timing measurements. When evaluating FastIC+ to readout 3$\times$3 mm$^2$ silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) with a pulsed laser, we achieved a single-photon time resolution (SPTR) of (98 $\pm$ 1) ps FWHM. We also performed time-of-flight positron emission tomography (ToF-PET) experiments using scintillator crystals of different sizes and materials. With LYSO:Ce,Ca crystals of 2.8$\times$2.8$\times$20 mm$^3$ we obtained a coincidence time resolution (CTR) of (130 $\pm$ 1) ps FWHM. With LGSO crystals of 2$\times$2$\times$3 mm$^3$, a CTR of (85 $\pm$ 1) ps FWHM. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that a CTR below 100 ps using on-chip digitization is reported.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2024

Production cross sections of light and charmed mesons in $e^+e^-$ annihilation near 10.58 GeV

We report measurements of production cross sections for $\rho^+$, $\rho^0$, $\omega$, $K^{*+}$, $K^{*0}$, $\phi$, $\eta$, $K_S^0$, $f_0(980)$, $D^+$, $D^0$, $D_s^+$, $D^{*+}$, $D^{*0}$, and $D^{*+}_s$ in $e^+e^-$ collisions at a center-of-mass energy near 10.58 GeV. The data were recorded by the Belle experiment, consisting of 571 fb$^{-1}$ at 10.58 GeV and 74 fb$^{-1}$ at 10.52 GeV. Production cross sections are extracted as a function of the fractional hadron momentum $x_p$ . The measurements are compared to {\sc pythia} Monte Carlo generator predictions with various fragmentation settings, including those that have increased fragmentation into vector mesons over pseudo-scalar mesons. The cross sections measured for light hadrons are consistent with no additional increase of vector over pseudo-scalar mesons. The charmed-meson cross sections are compared to earlier measurements -- when available -- including older Belle results, which they supersede. They are in agreement before application of an improved initial-state radiation correction procedure that causes slight changes in their \xp shapes.

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arXiv2024

Search for charmed baryons in the $Λ_c^+η$ system and measurement of the branching fractions of $Λ_c(2880)^+$ and $Λ_c(2940)^+$ decaying to $Λ_c^+η$ and $pD^0$ relative to $Σ_c(2455)π$

We search for excited charmed baryons in the $Λ_c^+η$ system using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 980 $\rm fb^{-1}$. The data were collected by the Belle detector at the KEKB $e^{+}$$e^{-}$ asymmetric-energy collider. No significant signals are found in the $Λ_c^+η$ mass spectrum, including the known $Λ_c(2880)^+$ and $Λ_c(2940)^+$. Clear $Λ_c(2880)^+$ and $Λ_c(2940)^+$ signals are observed in the $pD^0$ mass spectrum. We set upper limits at 90\% credibility level on ratios of branching fractions of $Λ_c(2880)^+$ and $Λ_c(2940)^+$ decaying to $Λ_c^+η$ relative to $Σ_c(2455)π$ of $<0.13$ for the $Λ_c(2880)^+$ and $<1.11$ for the $Λ_c(2940)^+$. We measure ratios of branching fractions of $Λ_c(2880)^+$ and $Λ_c(2940)^+$ decaying to $pD^0$ relative to $Σ_c(2455)π$ of $0.75 \pm 0.03(\text{stat.}) \pm 0.07(\text{syst.})$ for the $Λ_c(2880)^+$ and $3.59 \pm 0.21(\text{stat.}) \pm 0.56(\text{syst.})$ for the $Λ_c(2940)^+$.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2023

LAPPD operation using ToFPETv2 PETSYS ASIC

Single photon sensitive detectors used in high energy physics are, in some applications, required to cover areas the size of several m2, and more specifically in very strong demand with15 an ever finer imaging and timing capability for Cherenkov Ring Imaging Detector (RICH) configurations. We are evaluating the Large Area Picosecond Photo-detector (LAPPD) produced by INCOM company, as a possible candidate for future RICH detector upgrades. In this work we perform tests on the second generation device, which is capacitively coupled to a custom designed anode back plane, consisting of various pixels and strips varying in size, that allows for connecting various readout systems such as standard laboratory equipment, as well as the TOFPET2 ASIC from PETsys company. Our aim is to evaluate what can be achieved by merging currently available technology, in order to find directions for future developments adapted for specific uses.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2022

Observation of $\Omega(2012)^- \to \Xi(1530)\bar{K}$ and measurement of the effective couplings of $\Omega(2012)^-$ to $\Xi(1530)\bar{K}$ and $\Xi\bar{K}$

Using $\Upsilon(1S)$, $\Upsilon(2S)$, and $\Upsilon(3S)$ data collected by the Belle detector, we discover a new three-body decay, $\Omega(2012)^-\to\Xi(1530)\bar K\to\Xi\pi\bar K$, with a significance of 5.2~$\sigma$. The mass of the $\Omega(2012)^-$ is $(2012.5\pm0.7\pm0.5)$ MeV and its effective couplings to $\Xi(1530)\bar{K}$ and $\Xi\bar{K}$ are $(39^{+31}_{-39}\pm9)\times10^{-2}$ and $(1.7\pm0.3\pm0.3)\times10^{-2}$, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic. The ratio of the branching fraction for the three-body decay to that for the two-body decay to $\Xi\bar{K}$ is $0.99\pm0.26\pm0.06$, assuming isospin symmetry.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2020

Intermodular Configuration Scrubbing of On-detector FPGAs for the ARICH at Belle II

On-detector digital electronics in High-Energy Physics experiments is increasingly being implemented by means of SRAM-based FPGA, due to their capabilities of reconfiguration, real-time processing and multi-gigabit data transfer. Radiation-induced single event upsets in the configuration hinder the correct operation, since they may alter the programmed routing paths and logic functions. In most trigger and data acquisition systems, data from several front-end modules are concentrated into a single board, which then transmits data to back-end electronics for acquisition and triggering. Since the front-end modules are identical, they host identical FPGAs, which are programmed with the same bitstream. In this work, we present a novel scrubber capable of correcting radiation-induced soft-errors in the configuration of SRAM-based FPGAs by majority voting across different modules. We show an application of this system to the read-out electronics of the Aerogel Ring Imaging CHerenkov (ARICH) subdetector of the Belle2 experiment at SuperKEKB of the KEK laboratory (Tsukuba, Japan). We discuss the architecture of the system and its implementation in a Virtex-5 LX50T FPGA, in the concentrator board, for correcting the configuration of up to six Spartan-6 LX45 FPGAs, on pertaining front-end modules. We discuss results from fault-injection and neutron irradiation tests at the TRIGA reactor of the Jozef Stefan Institute (Ljubljana, Slovenia) and we compare the performance of our solution to the Xilinx Soft Error Mitigation controller.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2020

Performance evaluation of the aerogel RICH counter for the Belle II spectrometer using early beam collision data

The Aerogel Ring Imaging Cherenkov (ARICH) counter serves as a particle identification device in the forward end-cap region of the Belle II spectrometer. It is capable of identifying pions and kaons with momenta up to $4 \, {\rm GeV}/c$ by detecting Cherenkov photons emitted in the silica aerogel radiator. After the detector alignment and calibration of the probability density function, we evaluate the performance of the ARICH counter using early beam collision data. Event samples of $D^{\ast +} \to D^0 π^+ (D^0 \to K^-π^+)$ were used to determine the $π(K)$ efficiency and the $K(π)$ misidentification probability. We found that the ARICH counter is capable of separating kaons from pions with an identification efficiency of $93.5 \pm 0.6 \, \%$ at a pion misidentification probability of $10.9 \pm 0.9 \, \%$. This paper describes the identification method of the counter and the evaluation of the performance during its early operation.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2019

Azimuthal asymmetries of back-to-back $π^\pm-(π^0,η,π^\pm)$ pairs in $e^+e^-$ annihilation

This work reports the first observation of azimuthal asymmetries around the thrust axis in $e^+e^-$ annihilation of pairs of back-to-back charged pions in one hemisphere, and $π^0$ and $η$ mesons in the opposite hemisphere. These results are complemented by a new analysis of pairs of back-to-back charged pions. The $π^0$ and $η$ asymmetries rise with the relative momentum $z$ of the detected hadrons as well as with the transverse momentum with respect to the thrust axis. These asymmetries are sensitive to the Collins fragmentation function $H_1^{\perp}$ and provide complementary information to previous measurements with charged pions and kaons in the final state. In particular, the $η$ final states will provide additional information on the flavor structure of $H_1^{\perp}$. This is the first measurement of the explicit transverse-momentum dependence of the Collins fragmentation function from Belle data. It uses a dataset of 980.4~fb$^{-1}$ collected by the Belle experiment at or near a center-of-mass energy of 10.58 GeV.

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arXiv2017

Measurement of the Decays $\boldsymbol{B\toη\ellν_\ell}$ and $\boldsymbol{B\toη^\prime\ellν_\ell}$ in Fully Reconstructed Events at Belle

We report branching fraction measurements of the decays $B^+\toη\ell^+ν_\ell$ and $B^+\toη^\prime\ell^+ν_\ell$ based on 711~fb$^{-1}$ of data collected near the $Υ(4S)$ resonance with the Belle experiment at the KEKB asymmetric-energy $e^+e^-$ collider. This data sample contains 772 million $B\bar B$~events. One of the two $B$~mesons is fully reconstructed in a hadronic decay mode. Among the remaining ("signal-$B$") daughters, we search for the $η$~meson in two decay channels, $η\toγγ$ and $η\toπ^+π^-π^0$, and reconstruct the $η^{\prime}$~meson in $η^\prime\toηπ^+π^-$ with subsequent decay of the $η$ into $γγ$. Combining the two $η$ modes and using an extended maximum likelihood, the $B^+\toη\ell^+ν_\ell$ branching fraction is measured to be $(4.2\pm 1.1 (\rm stat.)\pm 0.3 (\rm syst.))\times 10^{-5}$. For $B^+\toη^\prime\ell^+ν_\ell$, we observe no significant signal and set an upper limit of $0.72\times 10^{-4}$ at 90\% confidence level.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2016

Search for $XYZ$ states in $Υ(1S)$ inclusive decays

The branching fractions of the $Υ(1S)$ inclusive decays into final states with a $J/ψ$ or a $ψ(2S)$ are measured with improved precision to be $\BR(Υ(1S)\to J/ψ+ {\rm anything})=(5.25\pm 0.13(\mathrm{stat.})\pm 0.25(\mathrm{syst.}))\times 10^{-4}$ and $\BR(Υ(1S)\to ψ(2S) + {\rm anything})=(1.23\pm 0.17(\mathrm{stat.})\pm 0.11(\mathrm{syst.}))\times 10^{-4}$. The first search for $Υ(1S)$ decays into $XYZ$ states that decay into a $J/ψ$ or a $ψ(2S)$ plus one or two charged tracks yields no significant signals for $XYZ$ states in any of the examined decay modes, and upper limits on their production rates in $Υ(1S)$ inclusive decays are determined.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2016

Particle identification performance of the prototype Aerogel RICH counter for the Belle II experiment

We have developed a new type of particle identification device, called an Aerogel Ring Imaging Cherenkov (ARICH) counter, for the Belle II experiment. It uses silica aerogel tiles as Cherenkov radiators. For detection of Cherenkov photons, Hybrid Avalanche Photo-Detectors (HAPDs) are used. The designed HAPD has a high sensitivity to single photons under a strong magnetic field. We have confirmed that the HAPD provides high efficiency for single-photon detection even after exposure to neutron and gamma-ray radiation that exceeds the levels expected in the 10-year Belle II operation. In order to confirm the basic performance of the ARICH counter system, we carried out a beam test at the DESY using a prototype of the ARICH counter with six HAPD modules. The results are in agreement with our expectations and confirm the suitability of the ARICH counter for the Belle II experiment. Based on the in-beam performance of the device, we expect that the identification efficiency at 3.5 GeV/c is 97.4% and 4.9% for pions and kaons, respectively. This paper summarizes the development of the HAPD for the ARICH and the evaluation of the performance of the prototype ARICH counter built with the final design components.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2015

Measurement of $e^+e^- \to γχ_{cJ}$ via initial state radiation at Belle

The process $e^+e^- \to γχ_{cJ}$ ($J$=1, 2) is studied via initial state radiation using 980 fb$^{-1}$ of data at and around the $Υ(nS)$ ($n$=1, 2, 3, 4, 5) resonances collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy $e^+e^-$ collider. No significant signal is observed except from $ψ(2S)$ decays. Upper limits on the cross sections between $\sqrt{s}=3.80$ and $5.56~{\rm GeV}$ are determined at the 90% credibility level, which range from few pb to a few tens of pb. We also set upper limits on the decay rate of the vector charmonium [$ψ(4040$), $ψ(4160)$, and $ψ(4415)$] and charmoniumlike [$Y(4260)$, $Y(4360)$, and $Y(4660)$] states to $γχ_{cJ}$.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2014

Search for $B_{s}^{0}\rightarrowγγ$ and a measurement of the branching fraction for $B_{s}^{0}\rightarrowϕγ$

We search for the decay $B_{s}^{0}\rightarrowγγ$ and measure the branching fraction for $B_{s}^{0}\rightarrowϕγ$ using 121.4~$\textrm{fb}^{-1}$ of data collected at the $Υ(\mathrm{5}S)$ resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy $e^{+}e^{-}$ collider. The $B_{s}^{0}\rightarrowϕγ$ branching fraction is measured to be $(3.6 \pm 0.5 (\mathrm{stat.}) \pm 0.3 (\mathrm{syst.}) \pm 0.6 (f_{s})) \times 10^{-5}$, where $f_{s}$ is the fraction of $B_{s}^{(*)}\bar{B}_{s}^{(*)}$ in $b\bar{b}$ events. Our result is in good agreement with the theoretical predictions as well as with a recent measurement from LHCb. We observe no statistically significant signal for the decay $B_{s}^{0}\rightarrowγγ$ and set a $90\%$ confidence-level upper limit on its branching fraction at $ 3.1 \times 10^{-6}$. This constitutes a significant improvement over the previous result.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2014

Evidence of $Υ(1S) \to J/ψ+χ_{c1}$ and search for double-charmonium production in $Υ(1S)$ and $Υ(2S)$ decays

Using data samples of $102\times10^6$ $Υ(1S)$ and $158\times10^6$ $Υ(2S)$ events collected with the Belle detector, a first experimental search has been made for double-charmonium production in the exclusive decays $Υ(1S,2S)\rightarrow J/ψ(ψ')+X$, where $X=η_c$, $χ_{cJ} (J=~0,~1,~2)$, $η_c(2S)$, $X(3940)$, and $X(4160)$. No significant signal is observed in the spectra of the mass recoiling against the reconstructed $J/ψ$ or $ψ'$ except for the evidence of $χ_{c1}$ production with a significance of $4.6σ$ for $Υ(1S)\rightarrow J/ψ+χ_{c1}$. The measured branching fraction $\BR(Υ(1S)\rightarrow J/ψ+χ_{c1})$ is $(3.90\pm1.21(\rm stat.)\pm0.23 (\rm syst.))\times10^{-6}$. The $90\%$ confidence level upper limits on the branching fractions of the other modes having a significance of less than $3σ$ are determined. These results are consistent with theoretical calculations using the nonrelativistic QCD factorization approach.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2014

Observation of $e^+e^- \to π^+ π^- π^0 χ_{bJ}$ and search for $X_b \to ωΥ(1S)$ at $\sqrt{s}\sim 10.867$ GeV

The $e^+e^- \to π^+ π^- π^0 χ_{bJ}$ ($J=0,~1,~2$) processes are studied using a 118~fb$^{-1}$ data sample collected at a center-of-mass energy of 10.867 GeV, in the $Υ(10860)$ energy range, with the Belle detector. The $π^+ π^- π^0 χ_{b1}$, $π^+π^-π^0χ_{b2}$, $ωχ_{b1}$ signals and the evidence of $ωχ_{b2}$ are observed for the first time and the cross sections are measured. No significant $π^+π^-π^0χ_{b0}$ or $ωχ_{b0}$ signal is observed and 90\% confidence level upper limits on the cross sections for these two processes are obtained. In the $π^+π^-π^0$ invariant mass spectrum, significant non-$ω$ signals are also observed. We search for the $X(3872)$-like state with a hidden $b\bar{b}$ component (named $X_b$) decaying into $ωΥ(1S)$; no significant signal is observed with a mass between $10.55$ and $10.65$ GeV/$c^2$.

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