arXiv subjects

V. Tikhomirov

Publications and source records attributed to V. Tikhomirov.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

Observation of Fine Structure in Channeling of Particles in Bent Crystals

We observed highly efficient manipulation of the 530 MeV positron beam at Mainz Microtron via bent crystals. The low beam divergence revealed a fine structure in the angular distribution of channeled particles. A compact analytical model, supported by Monte Carlo including multiple scattering, accounts for the measurements. We established a criterion for designing a crystal with reduced angular spread of channeled particles for beam manipulation at any energy. This finding is particularly useful in view of applications of channeling to the highest energies.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2025

R&D on a high-performance electromagnetic calorimeter based on oriented crystalline scintillators

Although inorganic scintillators are widely used in the design of electromagnetic calorimeters for high-energy physics and astrophysics, their crystalline nature and, hence, their lattice orientation are generally neglected in the detector design. However, in general, the features of the electromagnetic field experienced by the particles impinging on a crystal at a small angle with respect to a lattice axis affect their interaction mechanisms. In particular, in case of electrons/photons of $\mathcal{O} (10~\mathrm{GeV})$ or higher impinging on a high-$Z$ crystal at an angle of $\lesssim 1~\mathrm{mrad}$, the so-called strong field regime is attained: the bremsstrahlung and pair production cross sections are enhanced with respect to the case of amorphous or randomly oriented materials. Overall, the increase of these processes leads to an acceleration of the electromagnetic shower development. These effects are thoroughly investigated by the OREO (ORiEnted calOrimeter) team, and pave the way to the development of innovative calorimeters with a higher energy resolution, a higher efficiency in photon detection and an improved particle identification capabilities due to the relative boost of the electromagnetic interactions with respect to the hadronic ones. Moreover, a detector with the same resolution as the current state of the art and reduced thickness could be developed. An overview of the lattice effects at the foundation of the shower boost and of the current status of the development of an operational calorimeter prototype are presented. This concept could prove pivotal for both accelerator fixed-target experiments and satellite-borne $γ$-ray observatories.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2022

A high-performance custom photodetection system to probe the light yield enhancement in oriented crystals

Scintillating homogeneous detectors represent the state of the art in electromagnetic calorimetry. Moreover, the currently neglected crystalline nature of the most common inorganic scintillators can be exploited to achieve an outstanding performance boost in terms of compactness and energy resolution. In fact, it was recently demonstrated by the AXIAL/ELIOT experiments that a strong reduction in the radiation length inside PWO, and a subsequent enhancement in the scintillation light emitted per unit thickness, are attained when the incident particle trajectory is aligned with a crystal axis within $\sim 1^\circ$. A SiPM-based system has been developed to directly probe this remarkable effect by measuring the scintillation light emitted by a PWO sample. The same concept could be applied to full-scale detectors that would feature a design significantly more compact than currently achievable and unparalleled resolution in the range of interest for present and future experiments.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2022

Crystal-based pair production for a lepton collider positron source

An intense positron sources is a demanding element in the design of future lepton colliders. A crystal-based hybrid positron source could be an alternative to a more conventional scheme based on the electron conversion into positron in a thick amorphous target. The conceptual idea of the hybrid source is to have two separate objects, a photon radiator and a photon-to-positron converter target. In such a scheme an electron beam crosses a thin axially oriented crystal with the emission of a channeling radiation, characterized by a considerably larger amount of photons if compared to Bremsstrahlung. The net result is an increase in the number of produced positrons at the converter target. In this paper we present the results of a beam test conducted at the DESY TB 21 with 5.6 GeV electron beam and a crystalline tungsten radiator. Experimental data clearly highlight an increased production of photons and they are critically compared with the outcomes of novel method to simulate the number of radiated photons, showing a very good agreement. Strong of this, the developed simulation tool has been exploited to design a simple scheme for a positron source based on oriented crystal, demonstrating the advantages in terms of reduction of both deposited energy and the peak energy deposition density if compared to conventional sources. The presented work opens the way for a realistic and detailed design of a hybrid crystal-based positron source for future lepton colliders.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2022

Progress towards the first measurement of charm baryon dipole moments

Electromagnetic dipole moments of short-lived particles are sensitive to physics within and beyond the Standard Model of particle physics but have not been accessible experimentally to date. To perform such measurements it has been proposed to exploit the spin precession of channeled particles in bent crystals at the LHC. Progress that enables the first measurement of charm baryon dipole moments is reported. In particular, the design and characterization on beam of silicon and germanium bent crystal prototypes, the optimization of the experimental setup, and advanced analysis techniques are discussed. Sensitivity studies show that first measurements of $Λ_c^+$ and $Ξ_c^+$ baryon dipole moments can be performed in two years of data taking with an experimental setup positioned upstream of the LHCb detector.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2021

First design of a crystal-based extraction of 6 GeV electrons for the DESY II Booster Synchrotron

A proof-of-principle experimental setup for the extraction of 6 GeV electrons from the DESY II Booster Synchrotron using the channeling effect in a bent crystal is elaborated. Various aspects of the experimental setup were investigated in detail, such as the particle beam dynamics during the extraction process, the manufacturing and characterization of bent crystals, and the detection of the extracted beam. In order to optimize the crystal geometry, the overall process of beam extraction was simulated, taking into account the influence of radiation energy losses. As result it is concluded that the multi-turn electron beam extraction efficiency can reach up to 16 %. In principle this crystal-based beam extraction technique can be applied at any electron synchrotron in order to provide multi-GeV electron beams in a parasitic mode. This technique will allow to supply fixed-target experiments by intense high-quality monoenergetic electron beams. Furthermore, electron/positron crystal-based extraction from future lepton colliders may provide an access to unique experimental conditions for ultra-high energy fixed-target experiments including searches for new physics beyond the Standard Model.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2021

Improved exclusion limit for light dark matter from $e^+e^-$ annihilation in NA64

The current most stringent constraints for the existence of sub-GeV dark matter coupling to Standard Model via a massive vector boson $A^\prime$ were set by the NA64 experiment for the mass region $m_{A^\prime}\lesssim 250$ MeV, by analyzing data from the interaction of $2.84\cdot10^{11}$ 100-GeV electrons with an active thick target and searching for missing-energy events. In this work, by including $A^\prime$ production via secondary positron annihilation with atomic electrons, we extend these limits in the $200$-$300$ MeV region by almost an order of magnitude, touching for the first time the dark matter relic density constrained parameter combinations. Our new results demonstrate the power of the resonant annihilation process in missing energy dark-matter searches, paving the road to future dedicated $e^+$ beam efforts.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2020

Hunting down the X17 boson at the CERN SPS

Recently, the ATOMKI experiment has reported new evidence for the excess of $e^+ e^-$ events with a mass $\sim$17 MeV in the nuclear transitions of $^4$He, that they previously observed in measurements with $^8$Be. These observations could be explained by the existence of a new vector $X17$ boson. So far, the search for the decay $X17 \rightarrow e^+ e^-$ with the NA64 experiment at the CERN SPS gave negative results. Here, we present a new technique that could be implemented in NA64 aiming to improve the sensitivity and to cover the remaining $X17$ parameter space. If a signal-like event is detected, an unambiguous observation is achieved by reconstructing the invariant mass of the $X17$ decay with the proposed method. To reach this goal an optimization of the $X17$ production target, as well as an efficient and accurate reconstruction of two close decay tracks, is required. A dedicated analysis of the available experimental data making use of the trackers information is presented. This method provides independent confirmation of the NA64 published results [Phys. Rev. D101, 071101 (2020)], validating the tracking procedure. The detailed Monte Carlo study of the proposed setup and the background estimate shows that the goal of the proposed search is feasible.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2019

Identification of particles with Lorentz factor up to $10^{4}$ with Transition Radiation Detectors based on micro-strip silicon detectors

This work is dedicated to the study of a technique for hadron identification in the TeV momentum range, based on the simultaneous measurement of the energies and of the emission angles of the Transition Radiation (TR) X-rays with respect to the radiating particles. A detector setup has been built and tested with particles in a wide range of Lorentz factors (from about $10^3$ to about $4 \times 10^4$ crossing different types of radiators. The measured double-differential (in energy and angle) spectra of the TR photons are in a reasonably good agreement with TR simulation predictions.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2011

Exclusive Measurements of pp -> dpi+pi0: Double-Pionic Fusion without ABC Effect

Exclusive measurements of the reaction pp -> dpi+pi0 have been carried out at T_p = 1.1 GeV at the CELSIUS storage ring using the WASA detector. The isovector pi+pi0 channel exhibits no enhancement at low invariant pipi masses, i. e. no ABC effect. The differential distributions are in agreement with the conventional t-channel Delta-Delta excitation process, which also accounts for the observed energy dependence of the total cross section. This is an update of a previously published version -- see important note at the end of the article.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2010

Exclusive Measurement of the $pp \to nnπ^+π^+$ Reaction at 1.1 GeV

First exclusive data for the $pp \to nnπ^+π^+$ reaction have been obtained at CELSIUS with the WASA detector setup at a beam energy of $T_p$ = 1.1 GeV. Total and differential cross sections disagree with theoretical calculations, which predict the $ΔΔ$ excitation to be the dominant process at this beam energy. Instead the data require the excitation of a higher-lying $Δ$ state, most likely the $Δ(1600)$, to be the leading process.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2010

Delta Delta Excitation in Proton-Proton Induced pi0pi0 Production

Exclusive measurements of the $pp \to ppπ^0π^0$ reaction have been performed at CELSIUS/WASA at energies from threshold up to $T_p$ = 1.3 GeV. Total and differential cross sections have been obtained. Here we concentrate on energies $T_p \ge$ 1 GeV, where the $ΔΔ$ excitation becomes the leading process. No evidence is found for a significant ABC effect beyond that given by the conventional $t$-channel $ΔΔ$ excitation. This holds also for the double-pionic fusion to the quasibound $^2$He. The data are compared to model predictions, which are based on both pion and $ρ$ exchange. Total and differential cross sections are at variance with these predictions and call for a profound modification of the $ρ$-exchange. A phenomenological modification allowing only a small $ρ$ exchange contribution leads to a quantitative description of the data.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2010

Production of eta and 3pi mesons in the pd->3HeX reaction at 1360 and 1450 MeV

The cross sections of the pd -> 3He eta, pd -> 3He pi0 pi0 pi0 and pd -> 3He pi+ pi- pi0 reactions have been measured at beam kinetic energies T_p= 1360 MeV and T_p= 1450 MeV using the CELSIUS/WASA detector setup. At both energies, the differential cross section dsigma/dOmega of the eta meson in the pd -> 3He eta reaction shows a strong forward-backward asymmetry in the CMS. The ratio between the pd -> 3He pi+ pi- pi0 and the pd -> 3He pi0 pi0 pi0 cross sections has been analysed in terms of isospin amplitudes. The reconstructed invariant mass distributions of the pi-pi, 3He-pi and 3He-2pi systems provide hints on the role of nucleon resonances in the 3pi production process.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2009

The pd --> ^3He eta pi0 reaction at T_p = 1450 MeV

The cross section for the pd --> ^3He eta pi0 reaction has been measured at a beam energy of 1450 MeV using the WASA detector at the CELSIUS storage ring and detecting one ^3He and four photons from the decays of the two photons. The data indicate that the production mechanism involves the formation of the Delta(1232) isobar. Although the beam energy does not allow the full peak of this resonance to be seen, the invariant masses of all three pairs of final state particles are well reproduced by a phase space Monte Carlo simulation weighted with the p-wave factor of the square of the pi^0 momentum in the ^3Hepi^0 system.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2009

Two-Pion Production in Proton-Proton Collisions -- Experimental Total Cross Sections and their Isospin Decomposition

The two-pion production in pp-collisions has been investigated at CELSIUS in exclusive measurements from threshold up to $T_p$ = 1.36 GeV. Total and differential cross sections have been obtained for the channels $pnπ^+π^0$, $ppπ^+π^-$, $ppπ^0π^0$ and also $nnπ^+π^+$. For intermediate incident energies $T_p >$ 1 GeV, i.e. in the region which is beyond the Roper excitation but at the onset of $ΔΔ$ excitation, the total $ppπ^0π^0$ cross section falls behind theoretical predictions by as much as an order of magnitude near 1.2 GeV, whereas the $nnπ^+π^+$ cross section is a factor of five larger than predicted. An isospin decompostion of the total cross sections exhibits a s-channel-like energy dependence in the region of the Roper excitation as well as a significant contribution of an isospin 3/2 resonance other than the $Δ(1232)$. As possible candidates the $Δ(1600)$ and the $Δ(1700)$ are discussed.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2009

Exclusive measurement of two-pion production in the dd --> 4Hepipi reaction

The results from the first kinematically complete measurement of the dd --> 4Hepipi reaction are reported. The aim was to investigate a long standing puzzle regarding the origin of the peculiar pipi-invariant mass distributions appearing in double pion production in light ion collisions, the so-called ABC effect. The measurements were performed at the incident deuteron energies of 712 MeV and 1029 MeV, with the WASA detector assembly at CELSIUS in Uppsala, Sweden. We report the observation of a characteristic enhancement at low pipi-invariant mass at 712 MeV, the lowest energy yet. At the higher energy, in addition to confirming previous experimental observations, our results reveal a strong angular dependence of the pions in the overall centre of mass system. The results are qualitatively reproduced by a theoretical model, according to which the ABC effect is described as resulting from a kinematical enhancement in the production of the pion pairs from two parallel and independent NN--> dpi sub-processes.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2009

Production of the omega meson in the pd --> 3He omega reaction at 1450 MeV and 1360 MeV

The production of $ω$ mesons in the $pd \to{}^3$He$ ω$ reaction has been studied at two energies near the kinematic threshold, $T_p=1450$ MeV and $T_p=1360$ MeV. The differential cross section was measured as a function of the $ω$ cm angle at both energies over the whole angular range. Whereas the results at 1360 MeV are consistent with isotropy, strong rises are observed near both the forward and backward directions at 1450 MeV. Calculations made using a two-step model with an intermediate pion fail to reproduce the shapes of the measured angular distributions and also underestimate the total cross sections.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2009

Double-Pionic Fusion of Nuclear Systems and the ABCEffect -- Aproaching a Puzzle by Exclusive and Kinematically Complete Measurements

The ABC effect - a puzzling low-mass enhancement in the $ππ$ invariant mass spectrum - is well-known from inclusive measurements of two-pion production in nuclear fusion reactions. Here we report on first exclusive and kinematically complete measurements of the most basic double pionic fusion reaction $pn \to d π^0π^0$ at 1.03 and 1.35 GeV. The measurements, which have been carried out at CELSIUS-WASA, reveal the ABC effect to be a $(ππ)_{I=L=0}$ channel phenomenon associated with both a resonance-like energy dependence in the integral cross section and the formation of a $ΔΔ$ system in the intermediate state. A corresponding simple s-channel resonance ansatz provides a surprisingly good description of the data.

nucl-ex↗