arXiv subjects
Publications and source records attributed to V. Filippini.
The production of neutron rich $Λ$-hypernuclei via the ($K^-_stop$,$π^+$) reaction has been studied using data collected with the FINUDA spectrometer at the DA$Φ$NE $ϕ$-factory (LNF). The analysis of the inclusive $π^+$ momentum spectra is presented and an upper limit for the production of $^6_Λ$H and $^7_Λ$H from $^6$Li and $^7$Li, is assessed for the first time.
Momenta spectra of protons emitted following the capture of $K^-$ in $^6$Li and $^{12}$C have been measured with 1% resolution. The $^{12}$C spectrum is smooth whereas for $^6$Li a well defined peak appears at about 500 MeV/$c$. The first observation of a structure in this region was identified as a strange tribaryon or, possibly, a $\bar K$-nuclear state. The peak is correlated with a $π^-$ coming from $Σ^-$ decay in flight, selected by setting momenta larger than 275 MeV/$c$. The $Σ^-$ could be produced, together with a 500 MeV/$c$ proton, by the capture of a $K^-$ in a deuteron-cluster substructure of the $^6$Li nucleus. The capture rate for such a reaction is $(1.62\pm 0.23_{stat} ^{+0.71}_{-0.44}(sys))%/K^-_{stop}$, in agreement with the existing observations on $^4$He targets and with the hypothesis that the $^6$Li nucleus can be interpreted as a $(d+α)$ cluster.
Antihydrogen, the atomic bound state of an antiproton and a positron, was produced at low energy for the first time by the ATHENA experiment, marking an important first step for precision studies of atomic antimatter. This paper describes the first production and some subsequent developments.
We demonstrate three-dimensional annihilation imaging of antiprotons trapped in a Penning trap. Exploiting unusual feature of antiparticles, we investigate a previously unexplored regime in particle transport; the proximity of the trap wall. Particle loss on the wall, the final step of radial transport, is observed to be highly non-uniform, both radially and azimuthally. These observations have considerable implications for the production and detection of antihydrogen atoms.
Production of antihydrogen atoms by mixing antiprotons with a cold, confined, positron plasma depends critically on parameters such as the plasma density and temperature. We discuss non-destructive measurements, based on a novel, real-time analysis of excited, low-order plasma modes, that provide comprehensive characterization of the positron plasma in the ATHENA antihydrogen apparatus. The plasma length, radius, density, and total particle number are obtained. Measurement and control of plasma temperature variations, and the application to antihydrogen production experiments are discussed.
The ATHENA experiment recently produced the first atoms of cold antihydrogen. This paper gives a brief review of how this was achieved.