arXiv subjects

T. Schneider

Publications and source records attributed to T. Schneider.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2020

Modeling the Timing Characteristics of the PICOSEC Micromegas Detector

The PICOSEC Micromegas detector can time the arrival of Minimum Ionizing Particles with a sub-25 ps precision. A very good timing resolution in detecting single photons is also demonstrated in laser beams. The PICOSEC timing resolution is determined mainly by the drift field. The arrival time of the signal and the timing resolution vary with the size of the pulse amplitude. Detailed simulations based on GARFIELD++ reproduce the experimental PICOSEC timing characteristics. This agreement is exploited to identify the microscopic physical variables, which determine the observed timing properties. In these studies, several counter-intuitive observations are made for the behavior of such microscopic variables. In order to gain insight on the main physical mechanisms causing the observed behavior, a phenomenological model is constructed and presented. The model is based on a simple mechanism of "time-gain per interaction" and it employs a statistical description of the avalanche evolution. It describes quantitatively the dynamical and statistical properties of the microscopic quantities, which determine the PICOSEC timing characteristics, in excellent agreement with the simulations. In parallel, it offers phenomenological explanations for the behavior of these microscopic variables. The formulae expressing this model can be used as a tool for fast and reliable predictions, provided that the input parameter values (e.g. drift velocities) are known for the considered operating conditions.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2019

The XBPF, a new multipurpose scintillating fibre monitor for the measurement of secondary beams at CERN

The Beam Instrumentation group at CERN has developed a new scintillating fibre beam monitor for the measurement of secondary particle beams in the CERN Experimental Areas. The monitor has a simple design that stands out for its low material budget, vacuum compatibility, good performance, low cost, and ease of production. By using different read-out techniques the monitor can perform several functions, such as measurement of the profile, position and intensity of the beam, momentum spectrometry, generation of fast trigger signals, and measurement of the time-of-flight for particle identification. The monitor has been successfully commissioned in the recently created test beams of the CERN Neutrino Platform, where it has shown an excellent performance as described in the paper.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2019

A magnetic spectrometer to measure electron bunches accelerated at AWAKE

A magnetic spectrometer has been developed for the AWAKE experiment at CERN in order to measure the energy distribution of bunches of electrons accelerated in wakefields generated by proton bunches in plasma. AWAKE is a proof-of-principle experiment for proton-driven plasma wakefield acceleration, using proton bunches from the SPS. Electron bunches are accelerated to $\mathcal{O}$(1 GeV) in a rubidium plasma cell and then separated from the proton bunches via a dipole magnet. The dipole magnet also induces an energy-dependent spatial horizontal spread on the electron bunch which then impacts on a scintillator screen. The scintillation photons emitted are transported via three highly-reflective mirrors to an intensified CCD camera, housed in a dark room, which passes the images to the CERN controls system for storage and further analysis. Given the known magnetic field and determination of the efficiencies of the system, the spatial spread of the scintillation photons can be converted to an electron energy distribution. A lamp attached on a rail in front of the scintillator is used to calibrate the optical system, with calibration of the scintillator screen's response to electrons carried out at the CLEAR facility at CERN. In this article, the design of the AWAKE spectrometer is presented, along with the calibrations carried out and expected performance such that the energy distribution of accelerated electrons can be measured.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2019

Precise Charged Particle Timing with the PICOSEC Detector

The experimental requirements in near future accelerators (e.g. High Luminosity-LHC) has stimulated intense interest in development of detectors with high precision timing capabilities. With this as a goal, a new detection concept called PICOSEC, which is based to a "two-stage" MicroMegas detector coupled to a Cherenkov radiator equipped with a photocathode has been developed. Results obtained with this new detector yield a time resolution of 24\,ps for 150\,GeV muons and 76\,ps for single photoelectrons. In this paper we will report on the performance of the PICOSEC in test beams, as well as simulation studies and modelling of its timing characteristics.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2018

Emission and Propagation of Multi-Dimensional Spin Waves with nanoscale wavelengths in Anisotropic Spin Textures

Spin waves offer intriguing novel perspectives for computing and signal processing, since their damping can be lower than the Ohmic losses in conventional CMOS circuits. For controlling the spatial extent and propagation of spin waves on the actual chip, magnetic domain walls show considerable potential as magnonic waveguides. However, low-loss guidance of spin waves with nanoscale wavelengths, in particular around angled tracks, remains to be shown. Here we experimentally demonstrate that such advanced control of propagating spin waves can be obtained using natural features of magnetic order in an interlayer exchange-coupled, anisotropic ferromagnetic bilayer. Using Scanning Transmission X-Ray Microscopy, we image generation of spin waves and their propagation across distances exceeding multiple times the wavelength, in extended planar geometries as well as along one-dimensional domain walls, which can be straight and curved. The observed range of wavelengths is between 1 μm and 150 nm, at corresponding excitation frequencies from 250 MHz to 3 GHz. Our results show routes towards practical implementation of magnonic waveguides employing domain walls in future spin wave logic and computational circuits.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2018

Flat Bands, Indirect Gaps, and Unconventional Spin-Wave Behavior Induced by a Periodic Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya Interaction

Periodically patterned metamaterials are known for exhibiting wave properties similar to the ones observed in electronic band structures in crystal lattices. In particular, periodic ferromagnetic materials are characterized by the presence of bands and bandgaps in their spin-wave spectrum at tunable GHz frequencies. Recently, the fabrication of magnets hosting Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions has been pursued with high interest since properties such as the stabilization of chiral spin textures and nonreciprocal spin-wave propagation emerge from this antisymmetric exchange coupling. In this context, to further engineer the magnon band structure, we propose the implementation of magnonic crystals with periodic Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions, which can be obtained, for instance, via patterning of periodic arrays of heavy-metals wires on top of an ultrathin magnetic film. We demonstrate through theoretical calculations and micromagnetic simulations that such systems show an unusual evolution of the standing spin waves around the gaps in areas of the film that are in contact with the heavy-metal wires. We also predict the emergence of indirect gaps and flat bands and, effects that depend on the strength of the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction. This study opens new routes towards engineered metamaterials for spin-wave-based devices.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2018

Charged particle timing at sub-25 picosecond precision: the PICOSEC detection concept

The PICOSEC detection concept consists in a "two-stage" Micromegas detector coupled to a Cherenkov radiator and equipped with a photocathode. A proof of concept has already been tested: a single-photoelectron response of 76 ps has been measured with a femtosecond UV laser at CEA/IRAMIS, while a time resolution of 24 ps with a mean yield of 10.4 photoelectrons has been measured for 150 GeV muons at the CERN SPS H4 secondary line. This work will present the main results of this prototype and the performance of the different detector configurations tested in 2016-18 beam campaigns: readouts (bulk, resistive, multipad) and photocathodes (metallic+CsI, pure metallic, diamond). Finally, the prospects for building a demonstrator based on PICOSEC detection concept for future experiments will be discussed. In particular, the scaling strategies for a large area coverage with a multichannel readout plane, the R\&D on solid converters for building a robust photocathode and the different resistive configurations for a robust readout.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2018

PICOSEC: Charged particle timing at sub-25 picosecond precision with a Micromegas based detector

The prospect of pileup induced backgrounds at the High Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC) has stimulated intense interest in developing technologies for charged particle detection with accurate timing at high rates. The required accuracy follows directly from the nominal interaction distribution within a bunch crossing ($σ_z\sim5$ cm, $σ_t\sim170$ ps). A time resolution of the order of 20-30 ps would lead to significant reduction of these backgrounds. With this goal, we present a new detection concept called PICOSEC, which is based on a "two-stage" Micromegas detector coupled to a Cherenkov radiator and equipped with a photocathode. First results obtained with this new detector yield a time resolution of 24 ps for 150 GeV muons, and 76 ps for single photoelectrons.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2016

Thermal and Quantum critical Properties of overdoped La_{2-x}Sr_{x}CuO_{4}

We analyze the extended superfluid density data of Božović \textit{ et al}. taken on homogenous thin films to explore the critical properties of the thermal (TSM) and quantum superconductor to metal (QSM) transitions in overdoped La$_{2-x}$Sr$_{x}$CuO$_{4}$. The temperature dependence reveals remarkable agreement with d-wave BCS behavior, where $σ\propto 1/λ^{2}$. No sign of the expected KTB transition is observable. We show that the critical amplitude $ρ_{s0}=ρ_{s}\left( T\right) /\left( 1-T/T_{c}\right) $ scales as $T_{c}\propto ρ_{s0}^{1/2}$ and with that as $T_{c}\propto ρ_{s}\left( 0\right) $, empirically verified by Božović \textit{et al}. Together with additional evidence for BCS behavior in overdoped La$_{2-x}$Sr$_{x}$CuO$_{4}$ we show that the scaling relation $T_{c}\propto λ\left( 0\right) ^{-1}\propto Δ\left( 0\right) \propto ξ\left( 0\right) ^{-1}\propto H_{c2}\left( 0\right) ^{-1/2}\propto λ_{0}^{-1}\propto Δ_{0}\propto ξ_{0}^{-1}\propto H_{c20}^{-1/2}$ applies, by approaching the QSM and TSM transitions. This differs from the dirty limit behavior $λ\left( 0\right) \propto ξ\left( 0\right) ^{1/2}$, maintains the $T_{c}$ \ independence of the Ginzburg-Landau parameter $κ=λ_{o}/ξ_{0}$, and puts a stringent constraint on the effect at work. We notice that potential candidates appear to be the nonlocal effects on the penetration depth of clean d-wave superconductors explored by Kosztin and Legget.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2016

The ALFA Roman Pot Detectors of ATLAS

The ATLAS Roman Pot system is designed to determine the total proton-proton cross-section as well as the luminosity at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) by measuring elastic proton scattering at very small angles. The system is made of four Roman Pot stations, located in the LHC tunnel in a distance of about 240~m at both sides of the ATLAS interaction point. Each station is equipped with tracking detectors, inserted in Roman Pots which approach the LHC beams vertically. The tracking detectors consist of multi-layer scintillating fibre structures readout by Multi-Anode-Photo-Multipliers.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2016

Spin-wave spectra in periodically surface-modulated ferromagnetic thin films

This article presents theoretical results for the dynamic response of periodically surface-modulated ferromagnetic thin films. For such system, the role of the periodic dipolar field induced by the modulation is addressed by using the plane-wave method. By controlling the geometry of the modulated volumes within the film, the frequency modes and spatial profiles of spin waves can be manipulated. The angular dependence of the frequency band-gaps unveils the influence of both dynamic and static magnetic charges, which reside in the edges of the etching periodic zones, and it is stablished that band-gap widths created by static magnetic charges are broader than the one created by dynamic magnetic charges. To corroborate the validity of the model, the theoretical results are compared with ferromagnetic resonance simulations, where a very good agreement is achieved between both methods. The theoretical model allows for a detailed understanding of the physics underlying these kind of systems, thereby providing an outlook to potential applications associated with magnonic crystals-based devices.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2016

Measurement of the front-end dead-time of the LHCb muon detector and evaluation of its contribution to the muon detection inefficiency

A method is described which allows to deduce the dead-time of the front-end electronics of the LHCb muon detector from a series of measurements performed at different luminosities at a bunch-crossing rate of 20 MHz. The measured values of the dead-time range from 70 ns to 100 ns. These results allow to estimate the performance of the muon detector at the future bunch-crossing rate of 40 MHz and at higher luminosity.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2014

Suppression of the Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless and Quantum Phase Transitions in 2D Superconductors by Finite Size Effects

We perform a detailed finite-size scaling analysis of the sheet resistance in Bi-films and the LaAlO$_{3}$/SrTiO$_{3}$ interface in the presence and absence of a magnetic field applied perpendicular to the system. Our main aim is to explore the occurrence of Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless (BKT) and quantum phase transition behavior in the presence of limited size, stemming from the finite extent of the homogeneous domains or the magnetic field. Moreover we explore the implications thereof. Above an extrapolated BKT transition temperature, modulated by the thickness $d$, gate voltage $%V_{g}$ or magnetic field $H$, we identify a temperature range where BKT behavior occurs. Its range is controlled by the relevant limiting lengths,which are set by the extent of the homogeneous domains or the magnetic field. The extrapolated BKT transition lines $T_{c}\left(d,V_{g},H\right) $ uncover compatibility with the occurrence of a quantum phase transition where $T_{c}\left( d_{c},V_{gc},H_{c}\right) =0$. However, an essential implication of the respective limiting length is that the extrapolated phase transition lines $T_{c}\left( d,V_{g},H\right) $ are unattainable. Consequently, given a finite limiting length, BKT and quantum phase transitions do not occur. Nevertheless, BKT and quantum critical behavior is observable, controlled by the extent of the relevant limiting length. Additional results and implications include: the magnetic field induced finite size effect generates a flattening out of the sheet resistance in the $T\rightarrow 0$ limit, while in zero field it exhibits a characteristic temperature dependence and vanishes at $T=0$ only. The former prediction is confirmed in both, the Bi-films and the LaAlO$_{3}$/SrTiO$_{3}$ interface, as well as in previous studies. The latter is consistent with the LaAlO$_{3}$/SrTiO$_{3}$ interface data, while the Bi-films exhibit a flattening out.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2013

Gate voltage tuned quantum superconductor to insulator transition in an ultrathin bismuth film revisited

We explore the implications of Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless (BKT) critical behavior and variable-range hopping on the two dimensional (2D) quantum superconductor-insulator (QSI) transition driven by tuning the gate voltage. To illustrate the potential and the implications of this scenario we analyze sheet resistance data of Parendo et al. taken on a gate voltage tuned ultrathin amorphous bismuth film. The finite size scaling analysis of the BKT-transition uncovers a limiting length preventing the correlation length to diverge and to enter the critical regime deeply. Nevertheless the attained BKT critical regime reveals consistency with two parameter quantum scaling and an explicit quantum scaling function determined by the BKT correlation length. The two parameter scaling yields for the zero temperature critical exponents of the QSI-transition the estimates zn = 3/2, z = 3, and n = 1/2, revealing that hyperscaling is violated and in contrast to finite temperature disorder is relevant at zero temperature. Furthermore, zn = 3/2 is also consistent with the two variable quantum scaling form associated with a variable-range hopping controlled insulating ground state.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2013

Performance of the LHCb muon system

The performance of the LHCb Muon system and its stability across the full 2010 data taking with LHC running at ps = 7 TeV energy is studied. The optimization of the detector setting and the time calibration performed with the first collisions delivered by LHC is described. Particle rates, measured for the wide range of luminosities and beam operation conditions experienced during the run, are compared with the values expected from simulation. The space and time alignment of the detectors, chamber efficiency, time resolution and cluster size are evaluated. The detector performance is found to be as expected from specifications or better. Notably the overall efficiency is well above the design requirements

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2012

Quantum superconductor-insulator transition: Implications of BKT-critical behavior

We explore the implications of Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless (BKT) critical behavior on the two dimensional (2D) quantum superconductor-insulator (QSI) transition driven by the tuning parameter x. Concentrating on the sheet resistance R(x) BKT behavior implies: an explicit quantum scaling function for R(x) along the superconducting branch ending at the nonuniversal critical value R_c=R(x_c); a BKT-transition line T_c(x) that is proportional to (x-x_c)^(z*nu) where z is the dynamic and nu the exponent of the zero temperature correlation length; independent estimates of z*nu, z and nu from the x dependence of the nonuniversal parameters entering the BKT expression for the sheet resistance. To illustrate the potential and the implications of this scenario we analyze data of Bollinger et al. taken on gate voltage tuned epitaxial films of La_(2-x)Sr_xCuO_4 that are one unit cell thick. The resulting estimates z=2.35 and nu=0.63 point to a 2D-QSI critical point where hyperscaling, the proportionality between d/λ^2(0) and T_c, and the correspondence between quantum phase transitions in D and classical ones in (D+z) dimensions are violated and disorder is relevant.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2010

Diamagnetism, Nernst signal, and finite size effects in superconductors above the transition temperature

Various superconductors, including cuprate superconductors, exhibit peculiar features above the transition temperature T_c. In particular the observation of a large diamagnetism and Nernst signal in a wide temperature window above T_c attracted considerable attention. Noting that this temperature window exceeds the fluctuation dominated regime drastically and that in these materials the spatial extent of homogeneity is limited, we explore the relevance of the zero dimensional (0D)-model, neglecting thermal fluctuations. It is shown that both, the full 0D-model as well as its Gaussian approximation, mimic the essential features of the isothermal magnetization curves in Pb nanoparticles and various cuprates remarkably well. This analysis also provides estimates for the spatial extent of the homogeneous domains giving rise to a smeared transition in zero magnetic field. The resulting estimates for the amplitude of the in-plane correlation length exhibit a doping dependence reflecting the flow to the quantum phase transition in the underdoped limit. Furthermore it is shown that the isothermal Nernst signal of a superconducting Nb_(0.15)Si_(0.85) film is fully consistent with this scenario. Accordingly, the observed diamagnetism above T_c in Pb nanoparticles, in the cuprates La_(1.91)Sr_(0.09)CuO_4 and BiSr_2Ca_2CuO_(8-d), as well as the Nernst signal in Nb_(0.15)Si_(0.85) films, are all in excellent agreement with the scaling properties emerging from the 0D-model, giving a universal perspective on the interplay between diamagnetism, Nernst signal, correlation length, and the limited spatial extent of homogeneity. Our analysis also provides evidence that singlet Cooper pairs subjected to orbital pair breaking in a 0D system are the main source of the observed diamagnetism and Nernst signal in an extended temperature window above T_c.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2010

Performance of the LHCb muon system with cosmic rays

The LHCb Muon system performance is presented using cosmic ray events collected in 2009. These events allowed to test and optimize the detector configuration before the LHC start. The space and time alignment and the measurement of chamber efficiency, time resolution and cluster size are described in detail. The results are in agreement with the expected detector performance.

physics.ins-det↗