arXiv subjects

Rusty S. Towell

Publications and source records attributed to Rusty S. Towell.

2 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2017

Performance of a MICROMEGAS-based TPC in a high-energy neutron beam

The MICROMEGAS (MICRO-MEsh GAseous Structure) charge amplification structure has found wide use in many detection applications, especially as a gain stage for the charge readout of Time Projection Chambers (TPCs). Here we report on the behavior of a MICROMEGAS TPC when operated in a high-energy (up to 800 MeV) neutron beam. It is found that neutron-induced reactions can cause discharges in some drift gas mixtures that are stable in the absence of the neutron beam. The discharges result from recoil ions close to the MICROMEGAS that deposit high specific ionization density and have a limited diffusion time. For a binary drift gas, increasing the percentage of the molecular component (quench gas) relative to the noble component and operating at lower pressures generally improves stability.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2001

Measurement of the Antiquark Flavor Asymmetry in the Nucleon Sea

A precise measurement of the ratio of Drell-Yan yields from an 800 GeV/c proton beam incident on liquid hydrogen and deuterium targets is reported. Over 370,000 Drell-Yan muon pairs were recorded. From these data, the ratio of anti-down ($\bar{d}$) to anti-up ($\bar{u}$) quark distributions in the proton sea is determined over a wide range in Bjorken-x. A strong x dependence is observed in the ratio $\bar{d}/\bar{u}$. From this result, the integral of $(\bar{d}-\bar{u})$ is evaluated for 0.015<x<0.35 and compared with deep inelastic scattering results. The origin of this asymmetry is probably due to non-perturbative effects such as those contained in pion cloud models. This measurement has instigated new global fits since previous parameterizations of the proton could not accommodate this large asymmetry.

nucl-ex↗