Secondary Vertexing in REDTOP Experiment Simulations
The η/η’ mesons are almost unique in the particle universe since they are Goldstone bosons and the dynamics of their decays are strongly constrained. Because the η/η’ have no charge, decays that violate conservation laws can occur without interfering with a corresponding current. The integrated eta meson samples collected in earlier experiments have been less than ~10 9 events, limiting considerably the search for such rare decays. The η’ sample is even more scarce. REDTOP (Rare Eta Decays with a TPC for Optical Photons) is being proposed at the proton booster of Fermilab with the intent of collecting more than 10 15 triggers/year for studies of rare η/η’ decays. Such statistics are sufficient for investigating several symmetry violations, and for searches for new particles beyond the Standard Model. This following project is most concerned with the detection of such new particles by way of the identification of detached, secondary vertices.