M.Sc. Martin Losekamm

Courses and Dates

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

Development of a Flight Computer for an ISS Experiment

The RadMap Telescope, currenlty under development at TUM, is a demonstrator for new radiation-sensing technologies that can be used aboard manned and unmanned spacecraft. The instrument will be deployed to the International Space Station (ISS) next year for a 6-month on-orbit demonstration. The objective of this thesis is the development and qualification of the instrument's flight computer.

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