Menendez, A., Esperante, D., Garcia-Olcina, R., Torres, J., Perez-Soler, J., Marco, R., et al. (2022). RF Acquisition System Based on μTCA for Testing of High-Gradient Acceleration Cavities. Electronics, 11(5), 720–22pp.
Abstract: The radio frequency (RF) laboratory hosted in the Corpuscular Physics Institute (IFIC) of the University of Valencia is designed to house a high-power and high-repetition-rate facility to test normal conduction RF accelerator cavities in the S-Band (2.9985 GHz) in order to perform R & D activities related to particle accelerator cavities. The system, which manages the entire process of RF signal generation, data acquisition and closed-loop control of the laboratory, is currently based on a modular and compact PXI platform system. This contribution details the development of a platform with similar features, but which is based on open architecture standards at both the hardware and software level. For this purpose, a complete system based on the μTCA platform has been developed. This new system must be able to work with accelerator cavities at other operating frequencies, such as 750 MHz, as well as to explore different options at firmware and software levels based on open-source codes.
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Real, D., Calvo, D., Zornoza, J. D., & Manzaneda, M. (2023). White Rabbit Expansion Board: Design, Architecture, and Signal Integrity Simulations. Electronics, 12(16), 3394–16pp.
Abstract: The White Rabbit protocol allows synchronization and communication via an optical link in an integrated, modular, and scalable manner. It provides a solution to those applications that have very demanding requirements in terms of synchronization. Field-programmable gate arrays are used to implement the protocol; additionally, special hardware is needed to provide the necessary clock signals used by the dual-mixer time difference for precise phase measurement. In the present work, an expansion board that allows for White Rabbit functionality is presented. The expansion board contains the oscillators required by the White Rabbit protocol, one running at 125 MHz and another at 124.922 MHZ. The architecture of this board includes two oscillator systems for tests and comparison. One is based on VCOs and another on crystal oscillators running at the desired frequencies. In addition, it incorporates a temperature sensor, from where the medium access control address is extracted, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, a pulse-per-second output, and a USB UART to access the White Rabbit IP core at the field-programmable gate array. Finally, to ensure the quality of the layout design and guarantee the level of synchronization desired, the results of the power and signal integrity simulations are also presented.
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El-Neaj, Y. A. et al, & Bernabeu, J. (2020). AEDGE: Atomic Experiment for Dark Matter and Gravity Exploration in Space. EPJ Quantum Technol., 7(1), 6–27pp.
Abstract: We propose in this White Paper a concept for a space experiment using cold atoms to search for ultra-light dark matter, and to detect gravitational waves in the frequency range between the most sensitive ranges of LISA and the terrestrial LIGO/Virgo/KAGRA/INDIGO experiments. This interdisciplinary experiment, called Atomic Experiment for Dark Matter and Gravity Exploration (AEDGE), will also complement other planned searches for dark matter, and exploit synergies with other gravitational wave detectors. We give examples of the extended range of sensitivity to ultra-light dark matter offered by AEDGE, and how its gravitational-wave measurements could explore the assembly of super-massive black holes, first-order phase transitions in the early universe and cosmic strings. AEDGE will be based upon technologies now being developed for terrestrial experiments using cold atoms, and will benefit from the space experience obtained with, e.g., LISA and cold atom experiments in microgravity. KCL-PH-TH/2019-65, CERN-TH-2019-126
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Alonso, I. et al, & Bernabeu, J. (2022). Cold atoms in space: community workshop summary and proposed road-map. EPJ Quantum Technol., 9(1), 30–55pp.
Abstract: We summarise the discussions at a virtual Community Workshop on Cold Atoms in Space concerning the status of cold atom technologies, the prospective scientific and societal opportunities offered by their deployment in space, and the developments needed before cold atoms could be operated in space. The cold atom technologies discussed include atomic clocks, quantum gravimeters and accelerometers, and atom interferometers. Prospective applications include metrology, geodesy and measurement of terrestrial mass change due to, e.g., climate change, and fundamental science experiments such as tests of the equivalence principle, searches for dark matter, measurements of gravitational waves and tests of quantum mechanics. We review the current status of cold atom technologies and outline the requirements for their space qualification, including the development paths and the corresponding technical milestones, and identifying possible pathfinder missions to pave the way for missions to exploit the full potential of cold atoms in space. Finally, we present a first draft of a possible road-map for achieving these goals, that we propose for discussion by the interested cold atom, Earth Observation, fundamental physics and other prospective scientific user communities, together with the European Space Agency (ESA) and national space and research funding agencies.
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n_TOF Collaboration(Patronis, N. et al), Babiano-Suarez, V., Balibrea Correa, J., Domingo-Pardo, C., Ladarescu, I., & Lerendegui-Marco, J. (2023). Status report of the n_TOF facility after the 2nd CERN long shutdown period. EPJ Tech. Instrum., 10(1), 13–10pp.
Abstract: During the second long shutdown period of the CERN accelerator complex (LS2, 2019-2021), several upgrade activities took place at the nTOF facility. The most important have been the replacement of the spallation target with a next generation nitrogen-cooled lead target. Additionally, a new experimental area, at a very short distance from the target assembly (the NEAR Station) was established. In this paper, the core commissioning actions of the new installations are described. The improvement in the nTOF infrastructure was accompanied by several detector development projects. All these upgrade actions are discussed, focusing mostly on the future perspectives of the n_TOF facility. Furthermore, some indicative current and future measurements are briefly reported.
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Lerendegui-Marco, J., Babiano-Suarez, V., Balibrea-Correa, J., Caballero, L., Calvo, D., Ladarescu, I., et al. (2024). Simultaneous Gamma-Neutron Vision device: a portable and versatile tool for nuclear inspections. EPJ Tech. Instrum., 11(1), 2–17pp.
Abstract: This work presents GN-Vision, a novel dual gamma-ray and neutron imaging system, which aims at simultaneously obtaining information about the spatial origin of gamma-ray and neutron sources. The proposed device is based on two position sensitive detection planes and exploits the Compton imaging technique for the imaging of gamma-rays. In addition, spatial distributions of slow- and thermal-neutron sources (<100 eV) are reconstructed by using a passive neutron pin-hole collimator attached to the first detection plane. The proposed gamma-neutron imaging device could be of prime interest for nuclear safety and security applications. The two main advantages of this imaging system are its high efficiency and portability, making it well suited for nuclear applications were compactness and real-time imaging is important. This work presents the working principle and conceptual design of the GN-Vision system and explores, on the basis of Monte Carlo simulations, its simultaneous gamma-ray and neutron detection and imaging capabilities for a realistic scenario where a Cf-252 source is hidden in a neutron moderating container.
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Bueno Rogerio, R. J., Lima, R. D., Duarte, L., Hoff da Silva, J. M., Dias, M., & Senise, C. R. (2019). Mass-dimension-one fermions and their gravitational interaction. EPL, 128(2), 20004–6pp.
Abstract: We investigate in detail the interaction between the spin-(1/2) field endowed with mass dimension one and the graviton. We obtain an interaction vertex that combines the characteristics of scalar-graviton and Dirac's fermion-graviton vertices, due to the scalar-dynamic attribute and the fermionic structure of the mass-dimension-one field. It is shown that this vertex obeys the Ward-Takahashi identity, ensuring the gauge invariance for the interaction. In the contribution of the mass-dimension-one fermion to the graviton propagator at one-loop level, we found the conditions for the cancellation of the tadpole term by a cosmological counterterm. We calculate the scattering process for arbitrary momentum. For low energies, the result reveals that only the scalar sector present in the vertex contributes to the gravitational potential. Finally, we evaluate the non-relativistic limit of the gravitational interaction and obtain an attractive Newtonian potential, as required for a dark-matter candidate.
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n_TOF Collaboration(Sabate-Gilarte et al.), Domingo-Pardo, C., Tain, J. L., & Tarifeño-Saldivia, A. (2017). High-accuracy determination of the neutron flux in the new experimental area n_TOF-EAR2 at CERNx. Eur. Phys. J. A, 53(10), 210–13pp.
Abstract: A new high flux experimental area has recently become operational at the nTOF facility at CERN. This new measuring station, nTOF-EAR2, is placed at the end of a vertical beam line at a distance of approximately 20m from the spallation target. The characterization of the neutron beam, in terms of flux, spatial profile and resolution function, is of crucial importance for the feasibility study and data analysis of all measurements to be performed in the new area. In this paper, the measurement of the neutron flux, performed with different solid-state and gaseous detection systems, and using three neutronconverting reactions considered standard in different energy regions is reported. The results of the various measurements have been combined, yielding an evaluated neutron energy distribution in a wide energy range, from 2meV to 100MeV, with an accuracy ranging from 2%, at low energy, to 6% in the high-energy region. In addition, an absolute normalization of the n_TOF-EAR2 neutron flux has been obtained by means of an activation measurement performed with 197 Au foils in the beam.
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Garcia Canal, C. A., Tarutina, T., & Vento, V. (2017). Deuteron structure in the deep inelastic regime. Eur. Phys. J. A, 53(6), 118–5pp.
Abstract: We study nuclear effects in the deuteron in the deep inelastic regime using the newest available data. We put special emphasis on their Q(2) dependence. The study is carried out using a scheme which parameterizes, in a simple manner, these effects by changing the proton and neutron stucture functions in medium. The result of our analysis is compared with other recent proposals. We conclude that precise EMC ratios cannot be obtained without considering the nuclear effects in the deuteron.
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Sakai, S., Oset, E., & Ramos, A. (2018). Triangle singularities in B- -> K- pi- D(s0)+ and B- -> K- pi- D(s1)+. Eur. Phys. J. A, 54(1), 10–14pp.
Abstract: We study the appearance of structures in the decay of the B- into K-pi D--(s0)+ (2317) and K-pi D--(s1)+ (2460) final states by forming invariant mass distributions of pi D--(s0)+ and pi D--(s1)+ pairs, respectively. The structure in the distribution is associated to the kinematical triangle singularity that appears when the B- -> K- K*(0) D-0 (B- -> K- K*(0) D*(0)) decay process is followed by the decay of the K*(0) into pi(-) K+ and the subsequent rescattering of the K+ D-0 (K+ D*(0)) pair forming the D-s0(+) (2317) (D-s1(+) (2460)) resonance. We find this type of non-resonant peaks at 2850MeV in the invariant mass of pi D--(s0) pairs from B- -> K- pi(-) D-s0(+) (2317) decays and around 3000MeV in the invariant mass of pi D--(s1)+ pairs from B- -> K- pi(-) D-s1(+)(2460) decays. By employing the measured branching ratios of the B- -> K- K*(0) D-0 and B- -> K- K*(0) D*(0) decays, we predict the branching ratios for the processes B- into K-pi D--(s0)+ (2317) K-pi D--(s1)+ (2460), in the vicinity of the triangle singularity peak, to be about 8 x 10(-6) and 1 x 10(-6), respectively. The observation of this reaction would also give extra support to the molecular picture of the D-s0(+)(2317) and D-s1(+)(2460).
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