Abstract: Theories beyond the standard model often predict the existence of an additional neutral boson, the Z'. Using data collected by the Belle II experiment during 2018 at the SuperKEKB collider, we perform the first searches for the invisible decay of a Z' in the process e(+)e(-) -> mu(+)mu(-) Z' and of a lepton-flavor-violating Z' in e(+) e(-) -> e(+/-)mu(-/+)Z'. We do not find any excess of events and set 90% credibility level upper limits on the cross sections of these processes. We translate the former, in the framework of an L, – L, theory, into upper limits on the Z' coupling constant at the level of 5 x 10(-2) – 1 for M-z' <= 6 GeV/c(2).

Abstract: The Belle II experiment at the SuperKEKB collider in Tsukuba, Japan, has collected e+e- + e – collision data between 2019 and 2022. After reaching a record-breaking instantaneous luminosity of 4.71x1034 . 71x10 34 cm -2 s -1 and recording a dataset corresponding to 424 fb -1 , it completed its first planned long shutdown phase in December 2023. Aside from upgrades of the collider and detector maintenance, the shutdown was used for the installation of the two-layer Pixel VerteX Detector (PXD). As the innermost sub-detector, multiple scattering effects need to be reduced. PXD utilizes the Depleted P-channel Field Effect Transistor (DEPFET) technology, allowing for a material budget of 0.21% X0 0 per layer. Each of the tracker's 40 modules consists of an array of 250x768 pixels with a pitch ranging from 50 μmx 55 μm for the inner to 85 μmx 55 μm for the outer layer yielding high gain and high signal-to-noise ratio while retaining about 99% hit efficiency. This article discusses the experience of the 4-year operation of the previous single-layer PXD in harsh background conditions as well as commissioning and testing of the fully-populated PXD2 during Long Shutdown 1.

Abstract: In this paper we explore the effect of delta-ray emission and fluctuations in the signal deposition on the detection of charged particles in silicon-based detectors. We show that these two effects ultimately limit the resolution that can be achieved by interpolation of the signal in finely segmented position-sensitive solid-state devices.

Abstract: An upgrade of the successful asymmetric e(+)e(-) collider in KEK (Tsukuba, Japan) is foreseen by the fall of 2013. This new Super Flavor Factory will deliver an increased instantaneous luminosity of up to L = 8 x 10(35) cm(-2) s(-1), 40 times larger than the current KEKB machine. To exploit these new conditions and provide high precision measurements of the decay vertex of the B meson systems, a new silicon vertex detector will be operated in Belle. This new detector will consist of two layers of DEPFET Active Pixel Sensors as close as possible to the interaction point. DEPFET is a field effect transistor, with an additional deep implant underneath the channel's gate, integrated on a completely depleted bulk. This technology offers detection and an in-pixel amplification stage, while keeping low the power consumption. Under these conditions, thin sensors with small pixel size and low intrinsic noise are possible. In this article, an overview of the full system will be described, including the sensor, the front-end electronics and both the mechanical and thermal proposed solutions as well as the expected performance.

Abstract: The simulation and analysis of High Energy Physics experiments require a realistic simulation of the detector material and its distribution. The challenge is to describe all active and passive parts of large scale detectors like ATLAS in terms of their size, position and material composition. The common method for estimating the radiation length by weighing individual components, adding up their contributions and averaging the resulting material distribution over extended structures provides a good general estimate, but can deviate significantly from the material actually present. A method has been developed to assess its material distribution with high spatial resolution using the reconstructed scattering angles and hit positions of high energy electron tracks traversing an object under investigation. The study presented here shows measurements for an extended structure with a highly inhomogeneous material distribution. The structure under investigation is an End-of-Substructure-card prototype designed for the ATLAS Inner Tracker strip tracker – a PCB populated with components of a large range of material budgets and sizes. The measurements presented here summarise requirements for data samples and reconstructed electron tracks for reliable image reconstruction of large scale, inhomogeneous samples, choices of pixel sizes compared to the size of features under investigation as well as a bremsstrahlung correction for high material densities and thicknesses.