T2K neutrino flux prediction
The Tokai-to-Kamioka (T2K) experiment studies neutrino oscillations using an off-axis muon neutrino beam with a peak energy of about 0.6 GeV that originates at the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex accelerator facility. Interactions of the neutrinos are observed at near detectors placed at 280 m from the production target and at the far detector—Super-Kamiokande—located 295 km away. The flux prediction is an essential part of the successful prediction of neutrino interaction rates at the T2K detectors and is an important input to T2K neutrino oscillation and cross section measurements. A FLUKA and GEANT3-based simulation models the physical processes involved in the neutrino production, from the interaction of primary beam protons in the T2K target, to the decay of hadrons and muons that produce neutrinos. The simulation uses proton beam monitor measurements as inputs. The modeling of hadronic interactions is reweighted using thin target hadron production data, including recent charged pion and kaon measurements from the NA61/SHINE experiment. For the first T2K analyses the uncertainties on the flux prediction are evaluated to be below 15% near the flux peak. The uncertainty on the ratio of the flux predictions at the far and near detectors is less than 2% near the flux peak.

title: A multi-moded rf delay line distribution system for the next linear collider
abstract: The Delay Line Distribution System (DLDS) is an alternative to conventional pulse compression, which enhances the peak power of rf sources while matching the long pulse of those sources to the shorter filling time of accelerator structures. We present an implementation of this scheme that combines pairs of parallel delay lines of the system into single lines. The power of several sources is combined into a single waveguide delay line using a multi-mode launcher. The output mode of the launcher is determined by the phase coding of the input signals. The combined power is extracted from the delay line using mode-selective extractors, each of which extracts a single mode. Hence, the phase coding of the sources controls the output port of the combined power. The power is then fed to the local accelerator structures. We present a detailed design of such a system, including several implementation methods for the launchers, extractors, and ancillary high power rf components. The system is designed so that it can handle the 600 MW peak power required by the NLC design while maintaining high efficiency.

title: A MRPC prototype for SOLID-TOF in JLab
abstract: A prototype of Multi-gap Resistive Plate Chamber (MRPC) for the future SoLID time of flight system at JLab has been developed. The counter, trapezoidal in shape, is assembled with the newly developed low-resistive Chinese glass. It has 10 × 0.25 mm gas gaps and 11 readout strips of different lengths. The strip width is 2.5 cm with a strip-to-strip interval of 3 mm. Preliminary tests performed with cosmic-rays showed an efficiency higher than 95% and a time resolution around 50 ps. Results under diffuse/uniform irradiation performed at JLab with scattered high energy electrons showed a time resolution of 70–80 ps and over-95% efficiency up to an incoming flux of 15 kHz/cm2. These performances meet the requirements of the new time of flight system SoLID-TOF.

title: STATUS OF THE X-BAND RF POWER SOURCE DEVELOPMENT FOR JLC
abstract: In this paper, we summarize the status of X-band RF power source development for the Japan Linear Collider (JLC) project. The periodic permanent magnet (PPM) klystrons are under development in the two-year/two-stage project with Toshiba. The goal is to produce 50MW output power at 1.5 µs pulse length at the first klystron and then to advance to 75MW at the second one. The high power testing of the first klystron is scheduled to start in July 2000. The multi-mode RF windows have been high power tested at KEK and SLAC. The window with smaller diameter (53mm) achieved a circulation power of 80MW with 1.5µs duration at 30Hz repetition. It was not destroyed during the testing. As for the modulator, the SIthyristor solid state switches were tested successfully. KEK is developing the multi-mode 2x2 DLDS (Delay Line Distribution System) power distribution system, in which the stability of linearly polarized TE12 mode in a long (up to 160m) waveguide is the key for low loss power transport. The experiment was carried out successfully in the ATF linac tunnel in collaboration with SLAC using a specially installed 55m long waveguide. Details of these developments and measurement results are presented.

title: Alignment of the CMS Silicon Tracker during Commissioning with Cosmic Rays
abstract: This is the Pre-print version of the Article. The official published version of the Paper can be accessed from the link below - Copyright @ 2010 IOP

title: CMS Data Processing Workflows during an Extended Cosmic Ray Run
abstract: The CMS Collaboration conducted a month-long data taking exercise, the Cosmic Run At Four Tesla, during October-November 2008, with the goal of commissioning the experiment for extended operation. With all installed detector systems participating, CMS recorded 270 million cosmic ray events with the solenoid at a magnetic field strength of 3.8 T. This paper describes the data flow from the detector through the various online and offline computing systems, as well as the workflows used for recording the data, for aligning and calibrating the detector, and for analysis of the data.

title: Search for light resonances decaying into pairs of muons as a signal of new physics
abstract: A search for groups of collimated muons is performed using a data sample collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC, at a centre-of-mass energy of 7TeV, and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 35 pb−1. The analysis searches for production of new low-mass states decaying into pairs of muons and is designed to achieve high sensitivity to a broad range of models predicting leptonic jet signatures. With no excess observed over the background expectation, upper limits on the production cross section times branching fraction times acceptance areset, ranging from 0.1 to 0.5 pb at the 95% CL depending on event topology. In addition, the results are interpreted in several benchmark models in the context of supersymmetry with a new light dark sector exploring previously inaccessible parameter space.

title: EXSdetect: an end-to-end software for extended source detection in X-ray images: application to Swift-XRT data
abstract: We present a stand-alone software (named EXSdetect) for the detection of extended sources in X-ray images. Our goal is to provide a flexible tool capable of detecting extended source s down to the lowest flux levels attainable within instrument al limitations, while maintaining robust photometry, high completeness, and low contamination, regardless of source morphology. EXSdetect was developed mainly to exploit the ever-increasing wealth of archival X-ray data, but is also ideally suited to explore the scientific capabilities of future X-ray facilities, with a strong focu s on investigations of distant groups and clusters of galaxi es.  EXSdetect combines a fast Voronoi tessellation code with a friends-of-friends algorithm and an automated deblending procedure. The values of key parameters are matched to fundamental telescope properties such as angular resolution and instrumental background. In addition, the software is designed to permit extensive tests of its performance via simulations of a wide range of observational scenarios.  We applied EXSdetect to simulated data fields modeled to real istically represent the Swift X-ray Cluster Survey (SXCS ), which is based on archival data obtained by the X-ray telescope onboard the Swift satellite. We achieve more than 90% completeness for extended sources comprising at least 80 photons in the 0.5‐2 keV band, a limit that corresponds to 10 14 erg cm 2 s 1 for the deepest SXCS fields. This detection limit is comparable to th e one attained by the most sensitive cluster surveys conducted with much larger X-ray telescopes. While evaluating the performance of EXSdetect, we also explored the impact of improved angular resolution and discuss the ideal properties of the next generation of X-ray survey missions.

title: GUT breaking on the lattice
abstract: We construct a supersymmetric grand unified model in the framework of a latticized extra dimension. The SU (5) symmetries on the lattice are broken by the vacuum expectation values of the link fields connecting adjacent SU (5) sites, leaving just the MSSM at low energies. Below the SU (5) breaking scale, the theory gives rise to a similar spectrum as in orbifold breaking of SU (5) symmetry in 5 dimensions, and shares many features with the latter scenario. We discuss gauge coupling unification and proton decay emphasizing the differences with respect to the usual grand unified theories. Our model may be viewed as an effective four-dimensional description of the orbifold symmetry breaking in higher dimensions.

title: Determination of the proton separation energy of Rh93 from mass measurements
abstract: The proposed {nu}p process, which occurs in the early time proton-rich neutrino winds of core-collapse supernovae, has the potential to resolve the long-standing uncertainty in the production of the light p-nuclei {sup 92}Mo and {sup 94}Mo. A recent study incorporating this {nu}p process has indicated that the proton separation energy S{sub p} of {sup 93}Rh is especially important in determining the relative production of these two isotopes. To reproduce the observed solar {sup 92}Mo/{sup 94}Mo abundance ratio of 1.57 a S{sub p} value for {sup 93}Rh of 1.64 {+-} 0.1 MeV is required. The previously unknown masses of {sup 92}Ru and {sup 93}Rh have been measured with the Canadian Penning Trap mass spectrometer resulting in an experimental value for S{sub p}({sup 93}Rh) of 2.007 {+-} 0.009 MeV. This implies that with our current understanding of the conditions in core-collapse supernova explosions the {nu}p process is not solely responsible for the observed solar {sup 92}Mo/{sup 94}Mo abundance ratio.

title: XMM observations of BAL Quasars with polar outflows
abstract: We have selected a sample of broad absorption line (BAL) quasars which show significant radio variations, indicating the presence of polar BAL outflows. We obtained snapshot XMM observations of four polar BAL QSOs, to check whether strong X-ray absorption, one of the most prominent characteristics of most BAL QSOs, also exist in polar outflows. Two of the sources are detected in X-ray. Spectral fittings show that they are X-ray normal with no intrinsic X-ray absorption, suggesting the X-ray shielding gas might be absent in polar BAL outflows. Comparing to non-BAL QSOs, one of two X-ray nondetected sources remains consistent with X-ray normal, while the other one, which is an iron low-ionization BAL (FeLoBAL), shows an X-ray weakness factor of > 19, suggesting strong intrinsic X-ray absorption. Alternative explanations to the nondetection of strong X-ray absorption in the two X-ray detected sources are 1) the absorption is more complex than a simple neutral absorber, such as partial covering absorption or ionized absorption; 2) there might be significant jet contribution to the detected X-ray emission. Current data is insufficient to test these possibilities, and further observations are required to understand the X-ray nature of polar BAL outflows.  quasars: general — quasars: absorption lines — radiation: radio continuum