Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Bastian Märkisch

Phone: +49 89 289-14485
Room: PH: 3269
E-Mail: maerkisch@ph.tum.de
Links: Homepage
Page in TUMonline
Group: Fundamental Particle Physics at Low Energies
Job Title: Professorship on Fundamental Particle Physics at Low Energies

Courses and Dates

WS 2019/20 SS 2019 WS 2018/9 SS 2018

Title and Module Assignment
Art	SWS	Lecturer(s)	Dates
Experimental Physics for Machine Engineering Assigned to modules: PH9024: Experimentalphysik für Maschinenwesen / Experimental Physics for Engineering
VO	3	Märkisch, B.	Fri, 10:00–11:00, MW 2001 Thu, 16:00–18:00, MW 2001
Exercises to Experimental Physics for Machine Engineering Assigned to modules: PH9024: Experimentalphysik für Maschinenwesen / Experimental Physics for Engineering
UE	2	Responsible/Coordination: Märkisch, B.	dates in groups
Munich Physics Colloquium Assigned to modules: PH0058: Münchner Physik-Kolloquium / Munich Physics Colloquium
KO	2	Finley, J. Märkisch, B.	Mon, 17:15–19:00, LMU H030 Mon, 17:15–19:00, PH HS2 and dates in groups
Scientific Topics in Particle Physics for Students and Staff Members Assigned to modules: PH6048: Seminar zu aktuellen Forschungsthemen in der Teilchenphysik (für Mitarbeiter und Studenten) / Scientific Topics in Particle Physics for Students and Staff Members
SE	2	Märkisch, B. Paul, S.	Thu, 09:30–11:00, PH 3268

Offered Bachelor’s or Master’s Theses Topics

Development of an Electron Backscattering Detector for PERC

PERC (Proton Electron Radiation Channel) is a new neutron decay facility that is currently being constructed at the FRM II research reactor. PERC is a versatile source of decay electrons and protons and allows the measurement of several correlation coefficients of the neutron decay with an order of magnitude improvement in precision over current experiments. Measurements of these coefficients are a sensitive probe to investigate the mechanisms of the weak interaction.

The core component of PERC is an 8 m long superconducting magnet. Electrons and protons produced by neutrons decaying inside the magnet are guided along the magnetic field lines to the main detector system behind the spectrometer. Our group has previously used scintillator-based electron detectors for precision measurements of neutron decay correlations. Building on this experience, we plan to use similar devices to detect backscattering in PERC. The purpose of these backscattering detectors is to identify events where the decay electron only deposits a fraction of its energy in the main detector.

The objective of this thesis is the design and demonstration of the backscattering detectors for PERC, including the development of a new read-out system for electron spectroscopy with plastic scintillators and silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs).

Tasks

Familiarize yourself with neutron decay studies and particle-tracking simulations.

Optimize the design of the backscattering detectors for PERC based on simulation data.

Develop and test a SiPM-based read-out system for plastic scintillators suitable for precision electron spectroscopy.
Construct and test a prototype of the backscattering detectors.

What we offer

We offer you an interesting opportunity to participate in the development of a new high-profile experiment, allowing you to gain diverse experiences in the fields of detector physics, electronics, and low-energy particle physics!

suitable as

Master’s Thesis Nuclear, Particle, and Astrophysics
Master’s Thesis Applied and Engineering Physics

Supervisor: Bastian Märkisch