Showing papers by "Claude Leroy published in 2005"

Leptoquark single and pair production at LHC with CalcHEP/CompHEP in the complete model

Abstract: We study combined leptoquark (LQ) single and pair production at LHC at the level of detector simulation. A set of kinematical cuts to maximize significance for combined signal events has been worked out. It was shown that combination of signatures from LQ single and pair production not only significantly increases the LHC reach, but also allows us to give the correct signal interpretation. In particular, it was found that the LHC has potential to discover LQ with a mass up to 1.2 TeV and 1.5 TeV for the case of scalar and vector LQ, respectively, and LQ single production contributes about 30-50% to the total signal rate for LQ−l−q coupling, taken equal to the electromagnetic coupling. This work is based on an implementation of the most general form of scalar and vector LQ interactions with quarks and gluons into CalcHEP/CompHEP packages. This implementation, which authors made publicly available, was one the most important aspects of the study.

Response of superheated droplet detectors of the PICASSO dark matter search experiment

Abstract: We present results of systematic studies of the radiation response of superheated liquid droplet detectors, which are used in the PICASSO dark matter search experiment. This detection technique is based on the phase transitions of superheated liquid Freon droplets dispersed and trapped in a polymerized gel. Phase transitions can be induced by nuclear recoils following particle interactions and, in particular, interactions with Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs). These detectors are threshold devices since a minimal energy deposition is necessary to induce a phase transition and their sensitivity to various types of radiation depends strongly on the operating temperature and pressure. The sensitivity to neutrons, α-particles and γ-rays was determined as a function of these operating parameters and the results are compared with simulations. In particular, we present a complete characterization of the response of detector modules already in use for a dark matter search at the SNO site to detect WIMPs and discuss possible background sources.

Leptoquark Single and Pair production at LHC with CalcHEP/CompHEP in the complete model

Abstract: We study combined leptoquark (LQ) single and pair production at LHC at the level of detector simulation. A set of kinematical cuts has been worked out to maximize significance for combined signal events. It was shown that combination of signatures from LQ single and pair production not only significantly increases the LHC reach, but also allows us to give the correct signal interpretation. In particular, it was found that the LHC has potential to discover LQ with a mass up to 1.2 TeV and 1.5 TeV for the case of scalar and vector LQ, respectively, and LQ single production contributes 30-50% to the total signal rate for LQ-l-q coupling, taken equal to the electromagnetic coupling. This work is based on implementation of the most general form of scalar and vector LQ interactions with quarks and gluons into CalcHEP/CompHEP packages. This implementation, which authors made publicly available, was one the most important aspects of the study.

Radiation-hard semiconductor detectors for SuperLHC

Abstract: An option of increasing the luminosity of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN to 1035 cm−2 s−1 has been envisaged to extend the physics reach of the machine. An efficient tracking down to a few centimetres from the interaction point will be required to exploit the physics potential of the upgraded LHC. As a consequence, the semiconductor detectors close to the interaction region will receive severe doses of fast hadron irradiation and the inner tracker detectors will need to survive fast hadron fluences of up to above 1016 cm−2. The CERN-RD50 project “Development of Radiation Hard Semiconductor Devices for Very High Luminosity Colliders” has been established in 2002 to explore detector materials and technologies that will allow to operate devices up to, or beyond, this limit. The strategies followed by RD50 to enhance the radiation tolerance include the development of new or defect engineered detector materials (SiC, GaN, Czochralski and epitaxial silicon, oxygen enriched Float Zone silicon), the improvement of present detector designs and the understanding of the microscopic defects causing the degradation of the irradiated detectors. The latest advancements within the RD50 collaboration on radiation hard semiconductor detectors will be reviewed and discussed in this work.

Development of radiation tolerant semiconductor detectors for the Super-LHC.

Abstract: The envisaged upgrade of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN towards the Super-LHC (SLHC) with a 10 times increased luminosity of 1035 cm−2 s−1 will present severe challenges for the tracking detectors of the SLHC experiments. Unprecedented high radiation levels and track densities and a reduced bunch crossing time in the order of 10 ns as well as the need for cost effective detectors have called for an intensive R&D program. The CERN RD50 collaboration “Development of Radiation Hard Semiconductor Devices for Very High Luminosity Colliders” is working on the development of semiconductor sensors matching the requirements of the SLHC. Sensors based on defect engineered silicon like Czochralski, epitaxial and oxygen enriched silicon have been developed. With 3D, Semi-3D and thin detectors new detector concepts have been evaluated and a study on the use of standard and oxygen enriched p-type silicon detectors revealed a promising approach for radiation tolerant cost effective devices. These and other most recent advancements of the RD50 collaboration are presented.

Recent advancements in the development of radiation hard semiconductor detectors for S-LHC

Abstract: The proposed luminosity upgrade of the Large Hadron Collider (S-LHC) at CERN will demand the innermost layers of the vertex detectors to sustain fluences of about 1016 hadrons/cm2. Due to the high multiplicity of tracks, the required spatial resolution and the extremely harsh radiation field new detector concepts and semiconductor materials have to be explored for a possible solution of this challenge. The CERN RD50 collaboration “Development of Radiation Hard Semiconductor Devices for Very High Luminosity Colliders” has started in 2002 an R&D program for the development of detector technologies that will fulfill the requirements of the S-LHC. Different strategies are followed by RD50 to improve the radiation tolerance. These include the development of defect engineered silicon like Czochralski, epitaxial and oxygen-enriched silicon and of other semiconductor materials like SiC and GaN as well as extensive studies of the microscopic defects responsible for the degradation of irradiated sensors. Further, with 3D, Semi-3D and thin devices new detector concepts have been evaluated. These and other recent advancements of the RD50 collaboration are presented and discussed.

Production of excited neutrinos at the LHC

Abstract: We study the potential of the CERN LHC to observe excited neutrinos resulting from the single production process through gauge interactions and decaying in various channels. The mass range accessible with the ATLAS detector is determined.

Status of the Picasso project

Abstract: The Picasso project is a dark matter search experiment based on the superheated droplet technique. Preliminary runs performed at the Picasso Laboratory in Montreal showed the suitability of this detection technique to the search for weakly interacting cold dark matter particles. In July 2002, a new phase of the project started. A batch of six 1-liter detectors with an active mass of approximately 40 g was installed in a gallery of the SNO observatory in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada at a depth of 6,800 feet (2,070 m). We give a status report on the new experimental setup, data analysis, and preliminary limits on spin-dependent neutralino interaction cross section.