DOE/INFN Summer Exchange Program for 2009 (table updated on April 10th, 2009)

1 position: JLAB12 experiment
JLAB12 includes the Italian activity with CLAS at Jefferson Lab. We do experiments with electron and photon beams impinging on hydrogen, deuterium and nuclear targets. Our projects include: the measurement of inclusive electron scattering off proton, deuteron and nuclei to derive the moments of the structure function F2; the measurement of semiinclusive pion electroproduction to derive information about factorization at low momentum transfer and the behavior of fracture functions as a more general description of semiinclusive scattering; the measurement of polarized electron scattering off a polarized proton target at momentum transfers as low as 0.01 GeV2/c2 to verify the predictions of chiral perturbation theory (the "EG4" experiment); the measurement of several photoproduction reactions on the proton to establish upper limits on the previously reported pentaquark. Our group has been heavily involved in hardware projects (we built a new Cherenkov detector for the EG4 experiment), conduction of experiments at JLab and data analysis. In particular there is the opportunity to contribute to the "EG4" experiment that has several small projects that can fit into the 2 months period.

For futher infromation see: http://www.jlab.org; EG4 wiki

Tutor: Marco Ripani (marco.ripani@ge.infn.it)

Possibility of cheap accommodation in University dorm (150 Euros/month) or Bed&Breakfast (approximately from 250 to 500 Euros/month).

Local Secretariat:

Elisa Carnevali - Roberta Rossi

(tel. +39-010-3536241

email:segrdir@ge.infn.it)

1 position: "4th concept" collaboration
The activities in Lecce covers both hardware and software realm.
* From the hardware point of view, the group is developing a Drift Chamber with the novel concept of Cluster Counting readout. Most of the activities consists in R&D to optimize the tecnology. The student is expected to partecipate into laboratory measurements.

* From the software point of view, the group is involved in the simulation of the 4th Concept detector with particular enphasis to the optimization of the layout based on Physics studies. The student is expected to take part of the studies and, eventually, perform an analysis of simulated data.
Scientific Coordinator:
Corrado Gatto
email corrado.gatto@le.infn.it

Recommended periods:
•June-July
•September-October
•October-November

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1 Position: Ion acceleration
The development of ion beams needs of innovative sources that they can be obtained by pulsed laser LIS. Acceleration and propagation of heavy ions can be employed for material implantation and nuclear reactions. Plasma characterization, temperature measurement, ion dose measurement, ion energy measurement.
Scientific Coordinator:
Vincenzo Nassisi
email: vincenzo.nassisi@le.infn.it

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1 position: mathematical methods for applied sciences (LE41 Collaboration)
The research project aims at enriching the mathematical support to pioneering areas of applied sciences such as nonlinear optics, nanosciences and nanotechnologies. The need for mathematical support to the applied sciences has recently been underlined by the US DOE who has warned against the risk of a bottleneck in the future developments due to a lack of mathematical advances in the fields.

We plan to address fundamental mathematical issues regarding nonlinear Schrodinger systems or three-wave interaction equations which, because of their wide applicability in several areas of physics, deserve special attention. A combination of analytical, asymptotic and numerical techniques will be used to obtain solutions of complex nonlinear differential equations and understand their behavior.

The student is expected to take part to the analytical studies and perform numerical simulations.

Scientific Coordinator:
Barbara Prinari
email: barbara.prinari@le.infn.it

Recommended Period: June-July

Local Secretariat:

Carla Gentile

(tel. +39-0832-297491)

email: carla.gentile@le.infn.it)

1 position: Gamma experiment
The proposed activity is to rebuild and characterize a BaF2-detector array that will be used in Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro (Italy) in the coming autumn for a campaign of experiments devoted to studies of nuclear structure.
The student will participate in the whole procedure of setting up of the detectors, starting from the optimization of the crystal and of the optical contact with the photomultiplier. Moreover, the student will work on the definition of the typical figures of merit (linearity, resolution and efficiency). Coincidence measurements against various type of other detectors will define the time response of the BaF2-detectors, especially required for heavy ion fusion-evaporation reactions.
The student will therefore have the chance to learn how to treat scintillator detectors and how to handle the basic electronic chain needed to perform the aforementioned measurements. Most of the work will be performed in the physics department of Milan University. The final mounting and test control will be done at the INFN National Laboraty of Legnaro, Italy.
No specific knowledge is needed.

Period: september-november
(tutor: O. Wieland: oliver.wieland@mi.infn.it)
For further information: http://www.mi.infn.it/spec_gamma/

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2 positions: ATLAS experiment

Study of physics processes in the ATLAS experiment at the LHC collider (Higgs boson, SUSY particles, b physics, etc.).
Description: The ATLAS experiment at the LHC collider (CERN-Geneva) will study proton-proton collisions searching for the Higgs boson, for supersymmetric particles and other processes at the new highest energy frontier in particle physics. The data taking with p-beam will start during summer 2009.
The student will participate to the preparation of the software for the analysis of the events from either the cosmic-rays that have already been collected or the first events with p-beam. Then the student will have the opportunity to analyse the signal released in the inner detectors by the events collected by the ATLAS detector in view of the calibration of the detector.
(Tutor: C. Troncon - e mail: clara.troncon@mi.infn.it)
Period: June-July or September-November.
For further information:
http://troncon.web.cern.ch/troncon/atlas_mi.html

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Test, characterization and design of the front-end electronics used in the liquid argon electromagnetic calorimeter of the ATLAS experiment.
Description: The architecture implemented in the front-end boards of the LAr calorimeter will be tested and reviewed to assess the possibility of using it at luminosity exceeding 10x34 cm-2 s-1.
The preamplification, shaping and sampling stage will be reviewed in relation to new emerging technologies for integrated circuits, such the 130 nm CMOS and SiGe BiCMOS technologies.
The student will be involved in both, testing of the existing electronics as well as design of new front-end.
(Tutor: M. Citterio - e mail: mauro.citterio@mi.infn.it)
Period: June-July or September-November.

Scientific Coordinator:
Bénédict Million (tel +39-02-50317292 - email benedicte.million@mi.infn.it)

Clara Troncon (tel +39-02-50317388 - email clara.troncon@mi.infn.it)

Local Secretariat:
Ileana Giussiani (tel +39-02-50317248
fax +39-02-50317487 - email ileana.giussani@mi.infn.it

1 position:
Characterisation of monolithic pixel detectors fabricated in CMOS bulk and Silicon on Insulator technologies for High Energy Physics and multisciplinary applications. The developments of such detectors is performed by INFN Padova in collaboration with LBNL.

(Contact: Prof. Dario Bisello)

Local Secretariat:

Cristina Miletti
tel. +39 049 827 7080

email: cristina.miletti@pd.infn.it

1 position: (DISI TRENTO)
Experimental characterization (electrical, electro-optical, and with radioactive sources) of silicon radiation detectors with three-dimensional electrodes (3D) for the ATLAS upgrade.

(Contact: Prof. Gian-Franco Dalla Betta)

Period: June-October

Local Secretariat:

Dr. Manuel Zucchellini
tel. +39 0461 883936

email: manuel@disi.unitn.it

1 position: Babar experiment:
search for rare b meson decays using recoil analysis technique.

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1 position: SuperB experiment:
R&D study on LSO crystals for a forward calorimeter for a SuperB factory.

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1 position: VIPIX experiment:
R&D study of Monolithic Pixel Silicon Sensors for charged particle tracking and soft X-ray.

1 position: CMS experiment:
Reconstruction of tau leptons for Higgs and New Physics search in CMS at LHC.

Period: 15 Sept. - 30 Nov. 2009

Tutor: Simone Gennai (simone.gennai@pi.infn.it)

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1 position: CMS experiment:
Analysis of the CMS Silicon Strip Tracker performance with cosmic muons and LHC collision data.

Period: 1 Sept. - 15 Nov. 2009

Tutor: Andrea Venturi (andrea.venturi@pi.infn.it)

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1 position:
Gyrolaser G-Pisa, sensitivity study and perimeter stabilization

Period: September-October-November 2009

Tutor: Angela Di Virgilio

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1 position:

• SuperB/VIPIX
  Title: Test of CMOS MAPS pixels.
  Topic: The VIPIX project is developing a monolithic active pixel detector based on a commercial CMOS process and vertical integration technologies.
  The applicant will be involved in laboratory tests for the characterization of the first prototype MAPS chips realized by the Collaboration

  Tutor: Giuliana Rizzo
  Period: from mid September to November
  

• SuperB
  Title: Testbeam Data Analysis
  Topic: The SuperB group is developing a monolithic active pixel detector based on commercial CMOS technology for application in the innermost layer of the Silicon Vertex Tracker. The applicant will be involved in data analysis for the characterization of the performance of new MAPS chips recently
  tested with beams at CERN.

  Tutor: John Walsh
  Period: from mid September to November

• SuperB
  Title: Detector Design Optimization
  Topic: The SuperB group is finalizing the design of the detector for the high luminosity SuperB e+ e- collider. The applicant will be involved in the physics studies performed with a FastSimulation tool in order to optimize the internal geometry of the Silicon Vertex Tracker.

  Tutor: Nicola Neri
  Period: from mid September to November

• BaBar
  Title: Detector alignment systematics on the D0 mixing measurement
  Topic: Members of the BaBar Pisa group work on a D0 mixing measurement based on a Dalitz plot technique. The applicant will be involved in estimating the systematic error related to the detector alignment uncertainty.

  Tutor: Alberto Lusiani
  Period: from mid September to November
  
  

In July and August,availability
of lodgingarrangement based
on "standard" student
requirements: single room
in an apartment.
The apartment is shared with
Italian students or with another
participant in this exchange program.

1 position: ATLAS experiment:

• Study of physics processes in the ATLAS experiment at the LHC collider (Higgs boson, SUSY particles, b physics, etc.).
• Studies of performances and calibration of the MDT chambers (Monitored Drift Chambers) for muon precision measurement in the ATLAS experiment.
• Study of Hidden Valley triggers in ATLAS.

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1 position: CMS experiment:

• Search for Supersymmetry with Gauge-Mediated Breaking at CMS with the first LHC data.

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1 position: CDF experiment:

• Search for Higgs boson at Tevatron.
• CP violation studies in the Bs system.

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1 position: CUORE experiment:

• Physics models and tools for the characterization of the bolometer pulses are currently under study: understanding deeply the physics of these detectors could lead to an improvement in assembly setups to reach better resolutions and higher reproducibility. Moreover a faithful waveform modeling can be a powerful data-analysis tool as well as a useful item to be inserted in the MonteCarlo simulations.
• New software and analysis tools are being developed in view of the upcoming new experiment CUORE0, the first CUORE tower. The same software will be used later with CUORE.
• The production of ultra radio-pure components for CUORE is starting. A production database is under development to keep tracks and drive this very delicate process.

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1 position: KLOE experiment:

• Design, construction, and test of the KLOE low energy tagger crystal calorimeters for gamma gamma physics.

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1 position: MEG experiment:

• Search for the neutrinoless muon decay into electron, gamma with the MEG experiment.

1 position:

Activity in theoretical physics: string theory/string phenomenology
In the period proposed there will be intensive activity on this subject
and most of the experts in this fields will come to Italy. We start with the GGI (Galileo Galilei institute) in Florence in April (closing by june 19th), then the String2009 Conference in Rome (June 22-26). next week is the School on Attractor Mechanisms in Frascati. All of these activities are organized by the theoretical physics group in Rome Tor Vergata. Finally mid-July there is the ICTP Summer School on Cosmology and Strings. While not attending these conferences, the students will be attending string lectures at the University of Tor Vergata.

Recommended period: June-July

Tutor: Francesco Fucito (francesco.fucito@roma2.infn.it)

Scientific Coordinator: Francesco Fucito
(tel-fax +3907259-4594 - email: francesco.fucito@roma2.infn.it)

Local Secretariat: Marta Solinasi
(tel. +39 06 7259 4102 - email: marta.solinas@roma2.infn.it)

Tutor: Filippo Ceradini (filippo.ceradini@roma3.infn.it)
Period: to be agreed with the tutor

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1 position: Upgrade of the KLOE experiment
The upgrade of the KLOE experiment at the DAFNE electron-positron storage ring foresees the design and construction of a Time-to-Digital-Converter (TDC) with sub-nanosecond resolution and long dynamic range. The students participates to the measurement in the laboratory of the performance of the TDC, the time resolution, the stability, the synchronization with the world GPS system and the integration in the experiment data acquisition system.

Tutor: Paolo Branchini (paolo.branchini@roma3.infn.it)
Period: to be agreed with the tutor

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1 position: ATLAS experiment
The ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is completely installed and ready to take data as soon as the LHC will provide colliding proton beams. We are setting up the procedure of calibration of the response of the detectors to identify muons produced in proton-proton collisions. Many data are available with cosmic ray tracks crossing the detectors. The student will participate in the analysis of these data and to the tuning of the algorithms for track reconstruction and detector calibration.

Tutor: Fabrizio Petrucci (fabrizio.petrucci@roma3.infn.it)
Period: to be agreed with the tutor

Physics Department: http://www.fis.uniroma3.it/
INFN-Roma Tre: http://www.roma3.infn.it/

1 position: SuperB
Study and characterization of silicon detectors and related front-end electronics as a contribution to the design of the Silicon Vertex Tracker at the proposed Super B-Factory. The student is expected to participate in laboratory measurements of the performance of front-end electronic chips and silicon microstrip detectors.

Recommended period: September-October 2009

Foresteria/GuestHouse in Area Science Park
AREA1

AREA2

Secretariat:
Alessandra Filippi, filippi@ts.infn.it

Tutors:
Luciano Bosisio (bosisio@ts.infn.it)
Lorenzo Vitale (lorenzo.vitale@ts.infn.it)

1 position: P-SuperB
Optimization of the performances of a Drift Chamber for high precision measurements at a Super Flavor Factory
The design of a new e+e- collider with luminosity of 10^36 cm^-2s^-1 to be hosted by INFN's Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati (LNF), is progressing rapidly. Such a facility will allow to perform Flavour Physics measurements with unprecedented precision, and to search for manifestations of Physics beyond the Standard Model with very high sensitivity. The Drift Chamber of the SuperB experiment plays a crucial role in the event reconstruction: it must in yield a precision measurement of both momentum and energy loss of charged particles. In order to ensure the needed performance, several detector parameters, including the gas mixture, the cell geometry, the readout electronics, must be carefully optimized. In the framework of this R&D activity presently ongoing at LNF, we propose a research programme for the optimization of the Drift Chamber parameters through the simulation of B decays sensitive to New Physics, of machine background processes in the detector, and of gas mixtures to be used in the Drift Chamber.
To carry out this program, candidates with previous computer programming experience will be preferred.

Tutor: Riccardo de Sangro (riccardo.desangro@slac.stanford.edu riccardo.desangro@lnf.infn.it)

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1 position: P-SuperB
Construction, commissioning, operation and data analysis of small drift chamber prototypes for high precision measurements at a Super Flavor Factory
The design of a new e+e- collider with luminosity of 10^36 cm^-2s^-1 to be hosted by INFN's Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati (LNF), is progressing rapidly. Such a facility will allow to perform Flavour Physics measurements with unprecedented precision, and to search for manifestations of Physics beyond the Standard Model with very high sensitivity. The Drift Chamber of the SuperB experiment plays a crucial role in the event reconstruction: it must in yield a precision measurement of both momentum and energy loss of charged particles. In order to ensure the needed performance, several detector parameters, including the gas mixture, the cell geometry, the readout electronics, must be carefully optimized. In the framework of the R&D activity presently ongoing at the LNF, we propose a research programme for the validation of the design choices obtained with simulation studies, via the analysis of data collected with small scale experimental prototypes.
To carry out this program, candidates with previous laboratory experience will be preferred.

Tutor: Riccardo de Sangro (riccardo.desangro@slac.stanford.edu riccardo.desangro@lnf.infn.it)

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1 position: NA62
Test and commissioning of a prototype photon-veto detector for the NA62 experiment.
The goal of the NA62 experiment at the CERN SPS is to collect on the order of 100 events of the extremely rare decay K+ --> pi+ nu anti-nu. Because of the clean theoretical prediction for the branching ratio for this decay, a precise measurement of its branching ratio may shed light on physics beyond the Standard Model. Such a measurement is extremely challenging, since the
predicted branching ratio is 8 x 10^-11. Sensitive detectors are needed to identify photons from abundant decays such as K+ --> pi+ pi0. A prototype, one of twelve detectors to be installed in the experiment at CERN, is currently being built at Frascati. The prototype is a cylinder, two meters in diameter, with 160 lead-glass crystal photodetectors arranged about the inside wall.
The student will particpate in the testing and commissioning of the detector elements and the front-end electronics. The completed prototype will ship to CERN at the end of the summer.

Preferred period: 1 June to 7 August (10 weeks)

Tutor: M. Moulson (matthew.moulson@lnf.infn.it)

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1 position: NAUTILUS/EEE
Cosmic rays of very high energies
The argument of this stage is the search of coincidences between cosmic ray detectors, near the gravitational wave antenna NAUTILUS, in the Frascati INFN Laboratory and cosmic ray detectors installed in 3 schools in the Frascati/Grottaferrata area. The coincidences should be due to very high energies cosmic rays. This work is in the framework of the EEE (Extreme Energy Events) project involving many italian schools.

Tutor: Silvia Miozzi (silvia.miozzi@lnf.infn.it)

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1 position: DAFNE-BTF
Implementation of diagnostic device in the DAFNE Bema Test Facility
The DAFNE Beam Test Facility hosts tens of users per year, providing electron, positron and gamma beams for detector calibration purpose, testing and low energy electromagnetic interaction study. The facility provides to users many tools, form diagnostics detector to data acquisition system (DAQ) to record the information during the data taking. This DAQ is developed in labview and C and needs a continuous implementation to host the various diagnostic detectors, and provide in a easy way the information to the hosted experiment. The job will consists in developing the system, including new diagnostics device and photon tagging. The position is indicated for people in accelerator physics diagnostics and/or software engineer.

Tutor: Giovanni Mazzitelli (giovanni.mazzitelli@lnf.infn.it)

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1 position: SIDDHARTA experiment
Data analyses for the SIDDHARTA
SIDDHARTA (SIlicon Drift Detector for hadronic Atom Research by timing Application) represents an international collaboration among 7 Institutes out of 5 countries. The goal of the experiment is to perform the most precise measurements of kaonic atom (kaonic hydrogen and deuterium) transitions up to present, by using triggered Silicon Drift Detectors, 1 cm**2 active surface each, designed and built in the framework of the Collaboration. SIDDHARTA in 2009 is in data taking. The student will take part in data analyses.

Tutor: Catalina Curceanu (petrascu@lnf.infn.it)

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1 position: ALICE Experiment
The ALICE experiment at CERN will study heavy ion collisions at very large energy searching signatures for a new state of QCD matter, known as the Quark-Gluon-Plasma.
One of the processes that will be investigated is the quenching of hadronic jets in the hot and dense matter created by the interaction. For this purpose an electromagnetic calorimeter is under construction by an Italian, French and US-American Collaboration. The student will be involved in the development of the software tools needed to simulate this process and will have the change to participate in the detector construction as well.

Tutor: Dr. Nicola Bianchi (nicola.bianchi@lnf.infn.it)

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1 position: Kloe Experiment
Data analysis with the KLOE detector
DAFNE, the Frascati phi factory, has been in operation since 1999. At the center of the physics program is the KLOE experiment, a multipurpose detector with optimizations for tagged and interferometry-based measurements of the neutral kaon system. KLOE has been taking data since 2000 and has helped to explore a wide array of topics in kaon and hadronic physics, including a comprehensive set of measurements to determine the CKM matrix element |Vus|, and a measurement of the e+e- --> pi+pi- cross section for the determination of the hadronic contribution to the muon anomaly.
The student will participate in the analysis of the measurement of e+e- --> pi+pi- cross section, which is a key ingredient for the theoretical evaluation of the muon anomaly.

Tutor: Dr. Graziano Venanzoni (graziano.venanzoni@lnf.infn.it)

1 position: CUORE experiment
Development of rare events (Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay) particle detectors at LNGS, in the CUORE R&D cryostat. Goals:
1) Getting familiar with the bolometric particle detectors.
2) Participation to the preparation and running of innovative tests for particle detectors (preparation, installation, data-taking and analysis). Basic knowledge of particle physics preferred.

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1 position: Low-level radioactivity measurements at LNGS in the Low Background Counting Facility. Goals:
1) Getting acquainted with using the technique of Monte-Carlo simulations (programming skills (C++, Fortran) and familiarity with computers required).
2) Participation in routine analysis work involving gamma and alpha spectrometry (basic knowledge of nuclear physics required).

Scientific Coordinator:
Dr. Ornella Palamara
(e-mail: palamara@lngs.infn.it)

Administrative Coordination:
Dr. Vincenzo Fantozzi
(e-mail: fantozzi@lngs.infn.it)
ph. +39 0862 437 236
fax +39 0862 437 218

1 position:
Exotic Nuclei far from stability and related astrophysical aspects.
LNL local

Tutor: dott. J. Valiente Dobon

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1 position:
Nuclear Dynamics and Thermodynamics.
LNL local tutor: dott. M. Cinausero, dott. F. Gramegna

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1 position:
Computational aspects of low energy and high intensity beam accelerators: beam dynamics and RF codes.
LNL local tutor: dott. M. Comunian

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1 position:
Remote control of LNL accelerators equipment.
LNL local tutor: dott. S. Canella

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1 position:
Measurements of new scintillation materials to be used in diagnostic, radiation monitoring and nuclear physics detection. Digital electronics read-out, Pulse Shape analysis for mass and charge discrimination.
LNL local tutor: dott. V. Kravchuk

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1 position:
Extraction and low energy transport of intense proton beam: simulation and test.
LNL local tutor: dott. E. Fagotti

1 position: nuclear reactions
Low and intermediate energy nuclear reactions, induced by stable and exotic beams, investigated using the large detection systems MEDEA (multi-detector for gamma rays), CHIMERA (multi-detector for charged particles) and MAGNEX (magnetic spectrometer). The student will be involved in computer simulations and/or detector calibration and/or data analysis.

Contact persons:
Dr. C. Maiolino - email maiolino@lns.infn.it (MEDEA)
Prof. F. Rizzo - email rizzo@lns.infn.it (CHIMERA)
Dr. F. Cappuzzello - email cappuzzello@lns.infn.it (MAGNEX)

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1 position: nuclear astrophysics
Indirect methods in nuclear astrophysics: nuclear reactions relevant for astrophysics studied through the Trojan Horse indirect method.

Contact person:
Dr. R.G. Pizzone - email pizzone@lns.infn.it

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1 position: new technologies
Integration of submarine modules for prototypal underwater detector (NEMO project), numerical simulations, study of detector response, acquisition and analysis of prototype detector signals.

Contact person:
Dr. G. Riccobene - email riccobene@lns.infn.it

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1 position: interdisciplinary research
Dosimetric and radiobiological characterization of high energy carbon beams in view of radiotherapy application: data analysis and interpretation of results from carbon fragmentation in water and tissue-like materials in the energy range of interest for radiotherapy.

Contact person:
Dr. G. Pablo Cirrone - email cirrone@lns.infn.it

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1 position: accelerators
Diagnostics for low intensity radioactive beams.

Contact person:
Dr. L. Calabretta - email calabretta@lns.infn.it

Local Secretariat:
Mrs Venera Todaro
tel. +39 095 542323
email: todaro@lns.infn.it