M.Sc. Martin Losekamm
- Phone
- +49 89 289-12584
- Room
- PH: 3257
- m.losekamm@tum.de
- Links
-
Page in TUMonline
- Group
- Hadronic Structure and Fundamental Symmetries
Courses and Dates
| Title and Module Assignment | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Art | SWS | Lecturer(s) | Dates |
| Satellite-Based Particle Physics Assigned to modules: | |||
| HS | 2 |
Paul, S.
Assisstants: Losekamm, M.Pöschl, T. |
Wed, 16:00–18:00, PH 3268 |
Offered Bachelor’s or Master’s Theses Topics
- Construction and Test of a Scintillating-Fiber Tracker for a Measurement of the Proton Radius at CERN’s Super Proton Synchrotron
The proton is one of the primary building blocks of all matter in the visible universe and as such is at the core of the quest for understanding nature. Yet, many of its properties are not well understood. At the center of current interest stands its charge radius, oftentimes simply referred to as the proton radius. Recent measurements of this fundamental quantity are in significant disagreement with each other, in what is often called the proton radius puzzle.
As part of an international collaboration, we intend to measure the proton radius through elastic muon-proton scattering with a high-energy muon beam at CERN’s Super Proton Synchrotron starting in 2021. The experiment requires the development of several new particle detectors, among them a fast tracking detector made of scintillating-plastic fibers. The construction and test of this tracker is the main objective of this thesis.
Tasks
- Acquire the necessary understanding of the fundamentals of particle detection, scintillating materials, photodetectors, and detector read-out electronics.
- Perform initial tests of detector components in the laboratory environment.
- Design, construct, and commission three prototype detectors.
- Conduct a system test at the MAMI accelerator facility in Mainz.
- Analyze the performance of the tracker system.
What We Offer
We offer you to make your contribution to a new experiment trying to solve one of the most puzzling discrepancies in our understanding of the nature of matter. You will gain experience in detector design, electronics design, and data analysis. And you will get the chance to perform an experiment at a particle accelerator facility!
- suitable as
- Master’s Thesis Nuclear, Particle, and Astrophysics
- Master’s Thesis Applied and Engineering Physics
- Supervisor: Stephan Paul
- Optimization and Test of a Drift-Calibration System for the PERC Experiment
The PERC experiment, currently under construction at the FRM II research reactor, will perform precision measurements of neutron beta decay in search of physics beyond the standard model of particle physics. Aiming to improve the current sensitivity level of neutron decay studies by about an order of magnitude, the experiment requires precise knowledge of the amplification and detection characteristics of its electron detectors. To achieve the desired level of accuracy, we employ a drift-calibration system that monitors the variations in amplification of the photomultiplier tubes used in the detectors. In this thesis, an existing prototype of the drift-calibration system shall be tested and optimized.
Tasks
- Acquire the necessary understanding of photodetectors (photomultiplier tubes, silicon photomultipliers) and learn how to use them.
- Assemble the prototype system and test it under laboratory conditions.
- Implement changes to the mechanical system, if necessary.
- Optimize the control and read-out electronics.
- Help to prepare the system for use in the PERC experiment.
- suitable as
- Bachelor’s Thesis Physics
- Supervisor: Bastian Märkisch
- Simulations of the Lunar Radiation Environment
In recent years, the plan of sending human back to the Moon came back to the fore. Some ambitious plans even consider building a permanently inhabited base on the moon. However, the radiation environment on the Moon can be a problematic health issue for the astronauts. Only little data is available from the Moon’s surface and the effect of particles that are produced in the upper layers of the lunar surface by the bombardment of cosmic rays is not yet fully understood. In this thesis, a full simulation of the lunar radiation environment shall be conducted. A detailed simulation of the galactic cosmic-ray background interacting with the Moon’s regolith shall be conducted using the high-energy physics simulation tool Geant4. The outcome of this study shall be used to set requirements for radiation detectors that shall measure all contributing radiation components. These results shall be used to optimize the design of the radiation detector currently under development for the LUVMI-X moon rover.
Tasks
- Acquire the necessary theoretical understanding of the radiation environment in space and the interactions of cosmic rays with matter.
- Set up a simulation written in C++, based on the Geant4 simulation framework.
- Analyze and interpret the simulated radiation environment.
- Optimize the design of a particle detector that can efficiently measure the lunar radiation environment.
Prerequisites
Experience in C++ programming is helpful, but not required.
Contact
Thomas Pöschl, Room PH1 3257, Thomas.poeschl@ph.tum.de
Martin Losekamm, Room PH1 3257, m.losekamm@tum.de
Prof. Stephan Paul, Room PH1 3263, stephan.paul@tum.de
- suitable as
- Master’s Thesis Nuclear, Particle, and Astrophysics
- Master’s Thesis Applied and Engineering Physics
- Supervisor: Stephan Paul