Dense and Strange Hadronic Matter

Course with Participations of Group Members

Offers for Theses in the Group

Analysis of simulated and experimental data to study Vector Meson-Nucleon Interactions

Vector Mesons interactions with nucleons are not known at all in a quantitative way. A new method developed in our TUM group, allows to make use of the copius data collected at the LHC with the ALICE experiment to identify vector mesons as phi and omega together with protons produced in pp and pPb collisions at energiey of the center of mass of 13 and 5 TeV.

The femotscopy technique allows then to extract the scattering parameters that governs the vector meson-nucleon interaction.

This kind of measurements have been not yet carried out by any experimental group yet but are highly important to undertand low energy QCD and hence strong interaction among hadrons.

The work implies programming in c++ but no prior experience is requested.

suitable as

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

Supervisor: Laura Fabbietti

Development of a Modular Stacking Concept for Scintillating Fiber Trackers

The RadMap Telescope is a TUM-led NASA experiment that will monitor the radiation background on the International

Space Station (ISS). The instrument incorporates several state-of-the-art particle detection technologies and has a

scintillating fiber tracker at its core. As part of this thesis, an existing prototype tracker shall be analyzed and a new,

modular stacking concept shall be developed, constructed, and tested.

Your Tasks

Depending on the time available for your thesis, your work could include some or all of the following tasks:

Familiarize yourself with the working principle of the fiber tracker and associated hardware.

Learn how to use 3D CAD software (SolidWorks) and 3D printers.

Analyze the current tracker prototype from a hardware perspective and identify weak spots in the design.

Support testing of the existing prototype using radioactive sources.

Develop a new, modular stacking concept whose parts can be manufactured on a 3D printer.

Build, evaluate, and test prototype modules.

Support the development, construction, and test of the final flight model.

Prerequisites

Experience in 3D CAD design and/or manufacturing techniques is helpful, but not required. You should enjoy working in

the lab and interacting with a young and dynamic team.

Contact

If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, please contact

Prof. Laura Fabbietti (laura.fabbietti@ph.tum.de).

suitable as

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

Supervisor: Laura Fabbietti

Development of a Photo-detecting detector with Thick GEMs

Gas Electron Multipliers (GEMs) are used to multiply incoming electrons to enable the detection of originally small amounts of charge. Thick GEMs (THGEMs) are a robust variation of GEMs. With thickness, hole size, and hole pitch being one order of magnitude larger than in standard GEMs, THGEMs offer more stability against mechanical stress and contamination by dirt. Therefore, they are suited for operation in much harsher environments and form an interesting alternative for a variety of applications.

A novel and innovative method of photodetection is to use a THGEM coated with a material with a low working function (e.g. CsI). Electrons from the top coating are released by incoming photons and can be multiplied by the THGEM for readout. This device offers the possibility for relatively cheap large scale applications, which is particularly advantageous for neutrino detectors.

The student will take part in the coating process of THGEMs and extensive R\&D studies in order to proof the feasibility of this kind of technology.

suitable as

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

Supervisor: Laura Fabbietti

Measurement of antideutron interaction cross-sections as a reference for future indirect searches of dark matter

 Our Group at the Technische Universität München (TUM) studies the properties of hadronic interactions and their implications for astro-particle physics by means of accelerator experiments. 

One of the indirect ways to search for dark matter (c) is to look for 𝜒𝜒̅ annihilations resulting in final states such as 𝑝𝑝̅,𝑒+𝑒−,𝑑𝑑̅…with satellite or balloon experiments. In particular, low energy 𝑑̅ seem to be optimal candidates for such searches, since cosmic ray-induced background does not contribute too much to this final state. 

In order to estimate a reliable detection probability of dark matter-induced events such as 𝜒𝜒̅⟶𝑑𝑑̅+ .., the interaction probability of 𝑑̅ with normal nuclear matter must first be measured. The latter will indeed drive the detection probability of antiparticles in the spectrometers. 

Since the 𝑑̅+𝐴 (𝐴=𝐶,𝐴𝑙,𝑆𝑖..) elastic and inelastic cross-sections for 𝑑̅ with energies lower than 6 GeV is completely unknown, the topic of the advertised PhD deals with the measurement of these interactions. 

This is made possible by analyzing pp collisions at √𝑠=13 𝑇𝑒𝑉 at the LHC measured by the ALICE detector, since in these collisions a large statistics of 𝑝̅ and 𝑑̅ is produced and their interaction with the detector material can be studied. 

The Master Thesis work will be structured in the following way: 

* Determination of the  𝑝̅/p and  𝑑̅ /d experimental ratios as a function of the particle momentum, extracted from pp collisions measured by ALICE at  √𝑠=13 𝑇𝑒𝑉

* Comparison of the experimental ratio to GEANT4 simulations

* estimation of the 𝑑̅+𝐴 (𝐴=𝐶,𝐴𝑙,𝑆𝑖..) cross sections.

suitable as

• Master’s Thesis Nuclear, Particle, and Astrophysics

Supervisor: Laura Fabbietti

Current and Finished Theses in the Group