Proceedings Series


Vol. 6 (2013), No. 4, pp. 1005 – 1170

Symposium on Applied Nuclear Physics and Innovative Technologies

Kraków, Poland; June 3–6, 2013

A Monte Carlo-based Treatment Planning Tool for Proton Therapy

abstract

In the present work, a newly-developed MC-based treatment planning (MCTP) tool for proton therapy is proposed to support treatment planning studies and research applications. It allows for single-field and simultaneous multiple-fields optimization in realistic treatment scenarios and is based on the MC code FLUKA. Relative biological effectiveness (RBE)-weighted dose is optimized either with the common approach using a constant RBE of 1.1 or using a variable RBE according to radiobiological input tables. An example of treatment plan in a patient-CT geometry is presented for clinical treatment parameters as used at the Italian National Center for Oncological Hadron Therapy (CNAO).


The Response of 2D TL Foils After Doses of Co-60 Gamma-ray, 6 MV X-ray and 60 MeV Proton Beams Applied in Radiotherapy

abstract

A Two-dimensional Thermoluminescence Dosimetry (2D TLD) system has been developed at the Institute of Nuclear Physics (IFJ PAN) in Kraków, Poland. The system consists of TLD foils and of a TL reader equipped with a \(200\times 200\,{\rm mm}^2\) heater and a CCD camera. The foils contain LiF:Mg,Cu,P powder mixed with ETFE polymer pressed at high temperature. The CCD camera is able to read out 2D images of TL light in real time, and the re-usable foils are flexible, mechanically stable and water-resistant. We have determined the response of our 2D TL foils after doses of Co-60 gamma-ray, 6 MV X-ray and 60 MeV proton radiotherapy beams, over the range between 1 and 30 Gy, as required in clinical dosimetry. In measurements, performed at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), at the Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT) and at the IFJ PAN, we compared the dose response of our foils with those of Kodak® EDR2 and Gafchromic® EBT films. We find both the sensitivity (signal per dose) and the characteristic (saturation) dose of our 2D TL foils to be higher than those of the EDR2 and EBT films, for all beam modalities tested.


all authors

P. Białas, J. Kowal, A. Strzelecki, T. Bednarski, E. Czerwiński, Ł. Kapłon, A. Kochanowski, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, W. Krzemień, M. Molenda, P. Moskal, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, M. Pawlik, L. Raczyński, Z. Rudy, P. Salabura, N.G. Sharma, M. Silarski, A. Słomski, J. Smyrski, W. Wiślicki, M. Zieliński

System Response Kernel Calculation for List-mode Reconstruction in Strip PET Detector

abstract

Reconstruction of the image in Positron Emission Tomographs (PET) requires the knowledge of the system response kernel which describes the contribution of each pixel (voxel) to each tube of response (TOR). This is especially important in list-mode reconstruction systems, where an efficient analytical approximation of such function is required. In this contribution, we present a derivation of the system response kernel for a novel 2D strip PET.


Search for a New Gauge Boson in \(\pi ^{0}\) Leptonic Decay with WASA-at-COSY

abstract

The WASA-at-COSY detector has recorded a high statistic run of \(\pi ^0\) decays. A search for a new vector boson in the \(e^+e^-\) invariant mass spectrum of \(\pi ^0\rightarrow e^+e^-\gamma \) decay has been done. No new boson has been found and an upper limit has been set in the mass range of 30–100 MeV.


Studies of Systematic Uncertainties of Polarization Estimation for Experiments with the WASA Detector at COSY

abstract

In November 2010, the azimuthally symmetric WASA detector and the polarized proton beam of COSY have been used to collect a high statistics sample of \(\vec {p}p \rightarrow pp\eta \) reactions in order to determine the analyzing power as a function of the invariant mass spectra of the two-particle subsystems. Here, we show studies of the influence of the beam and target characteristics such as location and direction on the determination of degree of the polarization.


all authors

A. Balla, G. Bencivenni, P. Branchini, A. Budano, M. Capodiferro, S. Cerioni, P. Ciambrone, E. Czerwinski, E. De Lucia, G. De Robertis, A. Di Domenico, D. Domenici, J. Dong, G. Fanizzi, G. Felici, M. Gatta, N. Lacalamita, R. Liuzzi, F. Loddo, M. Mongelli, G. Morello, A. Palladino, A. Pelosi, L. Quintieri, A. Ranieri, E. Tskhadadze, V. Valentino

Development of CGEM Technology for Ultra-light Tracking Detectors: the KLOE-2 Inner Tracker

abstract

KLOE-2 at the \({\mit \Phi }\)-factory DA\(\Phi \)NE of INFN Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati (LNF), is the first experiment using the GEM technology with a cylindrical geometry (CGEM), developed at the LNF by the Inner Tracker group and within the RD51 Collaboration. Four layers with 26\(\div \)41 cm diameters and \(L = 70\) cm, each realized as a Triple-GEM detector, compose this new detector. To produce GEM foils of unprecedented size, the novel single-mask manufacturing procedure has been developed with the TE-MPE-EM CERN group, together with the realization of a novel XV readout pattern. The adopted solutions allowed the total material budget to be kept below 2\(\%\) of the radiation length \(X_0\). The final assembly of the Inner Tracker has been completed on March 14, 2014. The production procedure will be reported together with the validation test results.


Applications of Neutron Activation Spectroscopy

abstract

Since the discovery in 1932, neutrons became a basis of many methods used not only in research, but also in industry and engineering. Among others, the exceptional role in the modern nuclear engineering is played by the neutron activation spectroscopy, based on the interaction of neutron flux with atomic nuclei. In this article, we shortly describe application of this method in medicine and detection of hazardous substances.


Calibration of a Modular Straw-Tube-Tracker for the COSY-TOF Experiment

abstract

The Straw-Tube-Tracker (STT) is an essential detector in the COSY-TOF experiment which provides accurate position information of charged particle tracks to study strangeness physics. The STT consists of 2704 straw tubes in 13 double-layers, installed in a vacuum tank behind a liquid hydrogen target. The spatial resolution of 150 \(\mu \)m and an efficiency of 98% has been achieved under experimental condition for the individual straws. The STT performance is crucial for geometrical track reconstruction and could be improved further by optimizing the calibration which will increase the reconstruction efficiency and resolution. The new calibration has included different systematic effect corrections e.g. electronics offset and signal width. Hence, \(pp\) elastic scattering events measured in fall 2012 at 2.95 GeV/\(c\) beam momentum were analyzed for the improved calibration of the STT. The spatial resolution of the COSY-TOF STT could be improved by about 20% with the new calibration.


Technologies for Obtaining Radio-pure Materials; Methods of Low Radioactivity Detection

abstract

This paper discusses selected problems arising from the presence of radioactive background sources in experiments searching for extremely rare processes. Physical properties of \(^{42}\)K ions, present in argon as a progeny of \(^{42}\)Ar, were investigated. A model of \(^{42}\)K ions behavior in liquiefied argon is presented. Also, construction and operation of an electrostatic \(^{222}\)Rn monitor of gaseous nitrogen is outlined.


Isospin Transport in \(^{84}\)Kr + \(^{112,124}\)Sn Reactions at Fermi Energies — First Physics Results from FAZIA

abstract

The FAZIA Collaboration studied collisions of a \(^{84}\)Kr beam at 35 \(A\)MeV with \(^{112}\)Sn and \(^{124}\)Sn targets by means of a three-layer telescope. A good isotopic resolution up to \(Z=20\) was reached. The isotopic content of the products was found to depend on the neutron richness of the target, which is an evidence of isospin diffusion. Neutron-rich light fragments emitted from the phase space close to the centre-of-mass were observed, which can be interpreted as an effect of isospin drift in the neck region of low density.


Future Vertex Detector for Open Charm Measurements with the NA61/SHINE Experiment at the CERN SPS

abstract

A studies related to the future Vertex Detector (VD) for the \(D^{0}\) meson (open charm) measurements in the NA61/SHINE experiment at the CERN SPS are presented. The VD will allow for precise track reconstruction at the target proximity. The measurement of \(D^{0}\) mesons provide a unique opportunity to test the validity of perturbative QCD-based and statistical models of nucleus–nucleus collisions at SPS energies. Moreover, the production and propagation of charm in heavy-ion collisions is sensitive to the high-density effects and phase transitions. These measurements will be a challenging adventure due to the low multiplicity and short life time of \(D^{0}\) mesons. This study also addresses the issue of VD optimization and the emphasis is put on the prospect of the development of a VD based on CMOS technology.


Precision Measurements of Hadronic Contributions to Muon Anomaly with the KLOE Detector

abstract

We present the recent KLOE measurement of the dipion cross section, directly derived from the bin-by-bin ratio of \(e^+e^- \to \pi \pi \gamma \) to \(e^+e^- \to \mu \mu \gamma \) cross sections. The hadronic-loop contribution to the muon anomaly that has been obtained confirms our previous measurements, and the discrepancy between the experimental value of \(a_\mu \) and the Standard Model (SM). With the \(\mu \mu \gamma \) sample studied for the dipion cross section, we have obtained a preliminary exclusion plot for the \(U\)-boson in the Dark Force sector, in the mass range of 600–1000 MeV that is presented together with the excluded region from the analysis of the Dalitz decays, \(\phi \to \eta e^+ e^-\).


all authors

M. Zieliński, D. Grzonka, W. Oelert, T. Sefzick, G. Gabrielse, J. DiSciacca, S. Ettenauer, R. Karla, K. Marable, M. Marshall, E. Tardiff, E. Hessels, C. Storry, D. Fitzakerley, M. George, M. Weel, A. Müllers, J. Walz

Studies on Antihydrogen Atoms with the ATRAP Experiment at CERN

abstract

The CPT theorem predicts the same properties of matter and antimatter, however, in the nearby Universe, we observe a huge imbalance of matter and antimatter. Therefore, it is intriguing to measure the properties of particles and antiparticles in order to contribute to an explanation of this phenomena. In this article, we will describe the experimental efforts of the ATRAP Collaboration in order to test the CPT theorem using antihydrogen atoms.


Quantum Mechanics and CPT Tests with Neutral Kaons at the KLOE Experiment

abstract

Neutral kaons produced in the correlated pairs at the DA\(\Phi \)NE \(\phi \)-factory offer unique possibilities to perform fundamental tests of CPT invariance, as well as of the basic principles of quantum mechanics. The analysis of the data collected by the KLOE experiment allows to improve results on several parameters describing CPT violation and decoherence, and to measure the regeneration cross section on the beam pipe materials.


Search for Eta-mesic Helium via Deuteron–Deuteron Reactions with the WASA-at-COSY Facility

abstract

The \(\eta \)-mesic nuclei in which the \(\eta \) meson is bound with nucleus via strong interaction was postulated already in 1986, however, till now no experiment confirmed empirically its existence. The discovery of this new kind of an exotic nuclear matter would be very important for better understanding of the \(\eta \) meson structure and its interaction with nucleons. The search for \(\eta \)-mesic helium is carried out with high statistic and high acceptance with the WASA-at-COSY detection setup in the Forschungszentrum Jülich. The search is conducted via the measurement of the excitation function for the chosen decay channels of the \(^{4}\hspace {-0.03cm}\textrm {He}\)–\(\eta \) system. Until now, two reactions \(dd\rightarrow (^{4}\hspace {-0.03cm}\textrm {He}\)–\(\eta )_{bs}\rightarrow \) \(^{3}\hspace {-0.03cm}\textrm {He} p \pi {}^{-}\) and \(dd\rightarrow (^{4}\hspace {-0.03cm}\textrm {He}\)–\(\eta )_{bs}\rightarrow \) \(^{3}\hspace {-0.03cm}\textrm {He} n \pi {}^{0}\) have been measured with the beam momentum ramped around the \(\eta \) production threshold. This report includes the description of experimental method and status of the analysis.


Analysis Method of \(\phi \)-meson Production in Proton–Proton Collisions in the NA61/SHINE Experiment at the CERN SPS

abstract

Fitting strategy for the analysis of \(\phi \)-meson production in proton–proton collisions in the NA61/SHINE experiment at the CERN SPS is discussed along with possible methods to correct for the particle identification efficiency.


Background Recognition Using Neural Network Methods

abstract

The Kohonen Self Organizing Neural Network has been used to recognize the background from secondary reactions in long CsI(Tl) crystals. It has been applied to the experimental data from the ASY-EOS campaign conducted at GSI, and allowed to reduce the background by \(75\%\).


all authors

L. Raczyński, P. Kowalski, T. Bednarski, P. Białas, E. Czerwiński, Ł. Kapłon, A. Kochanowski, G. Korcyl, J. Kowal, T. Kozik, W. Krzemień, M. Molenda, P. Moskal, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, M. Pawlik, Z. Rudy, P. Salabura, N.G. Sharma, M. Silarski, A. Słomski, J. Smyrski, A. Strzelecki, W. Wiślicki, M. Zieliński

Application of Compressive Sensing Theory for the Reconstruction of Signals in Plastic Scintillators

abstract

Compressive Sensing theory says that it is possible to reconstruct a measured signal if an enough sparse representation of this signal exists in comparison to the number of random measurements. This theory was applied to reconstruct signals from measurements of plastic scintillators. Sparse representation of obtained signals was found using SVD transform.


Nuclear Fission Within the Lublin–Strasbourg Drop Model

abstract

A review of applications of the nuclear Lublin–Strasbourg Drop (LSD) model to evaluation of masses and fission barrier heights is presented. Significant differences between the binding energies of neutron reach isotopes close to the neutron drip line obtained within the LSD and the Thomas–Fermi model of Świątecki and co-workers were found.


The Symmetry Energy at High Density: Experimental Probes

abstract

The symmetry energy, i.e. the difference between the energy densities of pure neutron matter and of symmetric matter, is essential for nuclear physics and astrophysics but still insufficiently known, in particular, at high density. Heavy-ion reactions at relativistic energies offer unique possibilities for studying compressed nuclear matter in the laboratory. The elliptic flow in collisions of neutron-rich heavy-ion systems has been identified as an observable sensitive to the strength of the symmetry energy at supra-saturation densities. First results obtained by comparing ratios or differences of neutron and hydrogen flows with predictions of transport models favor an approximately linear density dependence, consistent with ab initio nuclear-matter theories.


Few-nucleon Reactions in Three Dimensional Formalism

abstract

In this contribution, we present few-nucleon calculations performed in a three-dimensional framework. References are given to our treatment of two- and three-nucleon bound states as well as for the transition operator in the positive energy range. New results for the transition operator in the negative energy range are shown. Different features of the standard partial wave and three dimensional calculations are presented.


Alpha Clustering in Nucleus

abstract

The nuclear structure, as we know now, is a roughly homogeneous distribution of neutrons and protons. However, the clustering phenomena is important to determine the structure of light nuclei. Here, we present the semi-classical microscopic approach to the Liquid Drop Model and the emergence of alpha clusters as a result of spin–isospin pairing of nucleons in the variational energy minimization procedure.


The Phenomenology and Experiment of Spallation Processes

abstract

Spallation reactions are of large interest for application driven aspects and also highly relevant for basic research in fundamental physics. The relevance of and need for high quality nuclear data is discussed in the context of validation and development of computer models for spallation reactions. Limits and constraints of most recent intra-nuclear-cascade/evaporation models are pointed out and an emphasis is laid on the benchmark of spallation models carried our under the auspices of the IAEA.


Investigations of the Basic Double-pionic Fusion in the Region of the ABC Effect

abstract

In this contribution, we deal with the fusion to the light nuclei \(^2\)H, \(^3\)He and \(^4\)He. However, different from the conventional fusion processes in the primordial nucleosynthesis and those taking place in star burning, we invstigate here the fusion process to light nuclei in the case that two pions are produced associatedly. In such cases, the peculiar so-called ABC effect was already observed more than fifty years ago. New exclusive and kinematically complete measurements with the WASA detector reveal this ominous effect to be correlated with a narrow resonance in the \(pn\) system constituting the first solid evidence for the existence of resonances in the system of two baryons.


Validation of Spallation Models: An Approach

abstract

To understand and describe the proton induced spallation reactions, a large number of computer codes have been proposed. Various quantitative tests are used in literature to judge the agreement between model calculations and experimental data. The judgement is based on the magnitude of the deviation of the tests from their expected values in the case of the perfect agreement. However, the expected values of the tests and their standard deviations are usually not well known. Thus the conclusions may be ambiguous. It is proposed to calculate the expected values and standard deviations of the tests by Monte Carlo method and to use the tests in their standardized form.


all authors

G. Khatri, W. Parol, I. Ciepał, K. Bodek, St. Kistryn, A. Magiera, D. Rozpędzik, A. Wrońska, J. Zejma, B. Kłos, E. Stephan, A. Kozela, N. Kalantar-Nayestanaki, J. Messchendorp, I. Mazumdar, I. Skwira-Chalot

Three- and Four-nucleon Dynamics at Intermediate Energies

abstract

An experiment, with unpolarized deuteron beam of 160 MeV impinging on liquid hydrogen and liquid deuterium targets, was carried out using BINA detector at KVI in Groningen, the Netherlands. Data were collected for the purpose of obtaining high precision differential cross sections of break-up channels in \(dp\) and \(dd\) collisions. The elastic scattering data were also collected alongside for the purpose of cross-section normalization. A brief description of the experiment and the data analysis as well as some preliminary results are presented.


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