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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Commissioning of the Mu2e tracker DAQ, planning for the Vertical Slice Test and pre-pattern recognition studies

The primary objective of the Mu2e experiment at Fermilab is to search for the neutrino-less coherent $\mu \rightarrow e$ conversion in the field of an aluminum nucleus ($\mu^- \text{Al} \rightarrow e^- \text{Al}$). The signature of this process is a monochromatic Conversion Electron (CE) with an energy of approximately 104.97 MeV \cite{bartoszek2015mu2e}. Within the Standard Model (SM), the branching ratio for this process, including neutrino masses and oscillation, is expected to be less than $\mathcal{O}(10^{-50})$. This value is far beyond current experimental capabilities. However, models of physics beyond the SM predict much higher relative rates, approaching an observable level. The SINDRUM II experiment set an upper limit on muon conversion at $7 \times 10^{-13}$ (90\% CL) on Au target \cite{SINDRUMII:2006dvw}, and the Mu2e collaboration aims to improve this limit by four orders of magnitude. Observing this process would provide a clear evidence of physics beyond the Standard Model. A brief discussion of the theoretical and experimental aspects is provided in Chapter \ref{intr}. Mu2e adopts a sophisticated experimental setup to achieve its goals, further described in Chapter \ref{mu2echapter}. The central part of the Mu2e detector is the tracker, that consists of 18 tracking stations. The tracker must provide excellent momentum resolution, approximately 1 MeV/c, to distinguish the monochromatic CE signal from the background. To minimize the energy losses, a straw tube tracker will be used \cite{bobbb}. Chapter \ref{chaptertrk} provides an overview of the straw tracker design and its working principles. This Thesis presents a comprehensive study of the Mu2e tracker, covering complementary aspects from initial commissioning to optimization and first steps of the calibration processes. My work at Fermilab has been focused on the complete Data Acquisition (DAQ) testing from both hardware and software perspectives. I was involved in the commissioning of the Mu2e DAQ system and the Vertical Slice Test (VST) of the tracker. The VST encompasses the entire testing chain, from the straws to the readout, and to processed data on disk. I was also focused on the offline analysis, especially on pre-pattern recognition studies, to explore the best methods for identifying $\delta$-electrons during the data taking. Chapter \ref{commissioning} details the commissioning of the tracker DAQ system, emphasizing the importance of understanding of the readout process before the data acquisition. This includes validating the readout logic and firmware through Monte Carlo simulations to confirm functionality and buffering, monitoring the quality of the data from the tracker preamplifiers and front-end electronics, and assessing overall DAQ performance to ensure reliability during future calibration and data-taking. Chapter \ref{planning} discusses the initial steps towards the tracker calibration. The ultimate goal is to perform a time calibration of the first assembled station of the tracker using cosmic muons, aiming for a longitudinal hit position resolution better than 4 cm. This involves determining the signal propagation times and channel-to-channel delays. I performed a Monte Carlo study to determine the impact of the station orientation on the quality of the calibration, in particular on the cosmic track reconstruction, focusing on potential biases that could arise. These studies provide essential insights into the operation, optimization, and calibration of the Mu2e tracker system. Given the high data volume expected during Mu2e operations, estimated at approximately 7 PBytes per year, optimizing memory usage and minimizing CPU consumption are critical. A significant challenge lies in effectively flagging $\delta$-electron hits, which are the primary source of hits in the tracker, without compromising the efficiency of CE hit detection and track reconstruction. A detailed study of pre-pattern recognition and a thorough comparison of two $\delta$-electron flagging algorithms is provided in Chapter \ref{delta}. In Chapter \ref{conclusions}, the findings are concisely summarized, offering a comprehensive synthesis of the research and emphasizing the key insights derived from this study.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2016

SU-G-JeP1-01: A Combination of Real Time Electromagnetic Localization and Tracking with Cone Beam Computed Tomography in Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Brain Tumors

Purpose: 1. online verification of patient position during treatment using calypso electromagnetic localization and tracking system. 2. Verification and comparison of positional accuracy between cone beam computed tomography and calypso system. 3. Presenting the advantage of continuation localization in Stereotactic radiosurgery treatments. Methods: Ten brain tumor cases were taken for this study. Patients with head mask were under gone Computed Tomography (CT). Before scanning, mask was cut on the fore head area to keep surface beacons on the skin. Slice thickness of 0.65 mm were taken for this study. x, y, z coordinates of these beacons in TPS were entered into tracking station. Varian True Beam accelerator, equipped with On Board Imager was used to take Cone beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) to localize the patient. Simultaneously Surface beacons were used to localize and track the patient throughout the treatment. The localization values were compared in both systems. For localization CBCT considered as reference. Tracking was done throughout the treatment using Calypso tracking system using electromagnetic array. This array was in tracking position during imaging and treatment. Flattening Filter free beams of 6MV photons along with Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy was used for the treatment. The patient movement was observed throughout the treatment ranging from 2 min to 4 min. Results: The average variation observed between calypso system and CBCT localization was less than 0.5 mm. These variations were due to manual errors while keeping beacon on the patient. Less than 0.05 cm intra-fraction motion was observed throughout the treatment with the help of continuous tracking. Conclusion: Calypso target localization system is one of the finest tools to perform radiosurgery in combination with CBCT. This non radiographic method of tracking is a real beneficial method to treat patients confidently while observing real-time motion information of the patient.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2019

Measurement of vertical betatron oscillations using the straw tracking detectors for the E989 muon g-2 experiment at Fermilab.

The measurement of the anomalous magnetic moment of electrons and muons has been an important test of the Standard Model (SM) of particle physics over many decades. This is because it can be measured experimentally and calculated theoretically to a high precision. In particular the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon, a µ , is an ideal candidate for the search of new physics due to the combination of the muons large mass and relatively long lifetime. The current world’s most precise value of aµ was measured by the E821 experiment at the Brookhaven National laboratory (BNL). This achieved a precision of 540 ppb (463 ppb stat., 283 ppb syst.) and measured a ~ 3.5 σ deviation from the SM value [1]. This motivated a new experiment: the E989 muon g–2 experiment at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab) to confirm or reject this discrepancy. This experiment aims to gather a data sample 21 times larger than the BNL experiment and improve the determination of the systematic uncertainties by a factor of three and thereby achieve a fourfold increase in precision to 140 ppb [2]. If the aµ value were to remain unchanged, this improvement in precision would establish evidence for Beyond SM (BSM) physics with a significance of more than 7 standard deviations. The Fermilab experiment has the same methodology as the BNL experiment and reuses the experiment’s storage ring magnet. New, improved experimental apparatus has been introduced to reduce the systematic uncertainty on the a µ measurement. One such improvement is the addition of two straw tracking stations. These measure the trajectory of the positrons emitted from the (positive) muon decays which allows a detailed study of the spatial and temporal motion of the beam and critical crosschecks of the calorimeter data. This thesis describes in detail the design, construction and testing of the tracking detectors which were built at the University of Liverpool. A detailed study of the vertical motion of the beam is also presented. This study provides an important correction that must be applied to the data before a µ can be determined.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2026

Proposal to search for long-lived neutral particles in CERN service shafts

Long-lived particles are predicted by many extensions of the Standard Model and have been gaining interest in recent years. In this paper the original proposal is presented for AN Underground Belayed In-Shaft (ANUBIS) detector that substantially extends the sensitivity to particle lifetimes by instrumenting the existing service shafts above the ATLAS or CMS experiments with tracking stations. For scenarios with electrically neutral long-lived particles with 𝑚 ≳ 1~GeV produced at the electroweak scale and above, the lifetime reach is increased by 2-3 orders of magnitude compared to currently operating and approved future experiments at the LHC. Here, the original ANUBIS detector design proposal is outlined along with the projected costs.

ANUBIS↗
DOE OSTI2014

SU-E-J-32: Calypso(R) and Laser-Based Localization Systems Comparison for Left-Sided Breast Cancer Patients Using Deep Inspiration Breath Hold

Purpose: Our institution uses a manual laser-based system for primary localization and verification during radiation treatment of left-sided breast cancer patients using deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH). This primary system was compared with sternum-placed Calypso(R) beacons (Varian Medical Systems, CA). Only intact breast patients are considered for this analysis. Methods: During computed tomography (CT) simulation, patients have BB and Calypso(R) surface beacons positioned sternally and marked for free-breathing and DIBH CTs. During dosimetry planning, BB longitudinal displacement between free breathing and DIBH CT determines laser mark (BH mark) location. Calypso(R) beacon locations from the DIBH CT are entered at the Tracking Station. During Linac simulation and treatment, patients inhale until the cross-hair and/or lasers coincide with the BH Mark, which can be seen using our high quality cameras (Pelco, CA). Daily Calypso(R) displacement values (difference from the DIBH-CT-based plan) are recorded.The displacement mean and standard deviation was calculated for each patient (77 patients, 1845 sessions). An aggregate mean and standard deviation was calculated weighted by the number of patient fractions.Some patients were shifted based on MV ports. A second data set was calculated with Calypso(R) values corrected by these shifts. Results: Mean displacement values indicate agreement within 1±3mm, with improvement for shifted data (Table). Conclusion: Both unshifted and shifted data sets show the Calypso(R) system coincides with the laser system within 1±3mm, demonstrating either localization/verification system will Resultin similar clinical outcomes. Displacement value uncertainty unilaterally reduces when shifts are taken into account.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

The Muon g-2 Straw Tracking Detectors

• Built to measure the muon anomalous magnetic moment to an uncertainty of 140 ppb and search for a muon electric dipole moment. • Determine whether discrepancy from the Standard Model in the previous experiment $\Delta 𝒂_{\mu}$ 𝑬𝟖𝟐𝟏 − 𝑺𝑴 = 𝟐𝟓𝟓 ± 𝟖𝟎 ×$𝟏𝟎^{-𝟏𝟏}$ is a statistical fluctuation or indicates non-SM physics. • A muon storage ring located at Fermilab, Illinois. • 15m diameter storage ring. • 1.45T uniform magnetic field. • 24 calorimeters around the ring. • 2 tracking stations. • Storing 100s of billions of muons.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2014

2013 R&D 100 Award: DNATrax could revolutionize air quality detection and tracking

A team of LLNL scientists and engineers has developed a safe and versatile material, known as DNA Tagged Reagents for Aerosol Experiments (DNATrax), that can be used to reliably and rapidly diagnose airflow patterns and problems in both indoor and outdoor venues. Until DNATrax particles were developed, no rapid or safe way existed to validate air transport models with realistic particles in the range of 1-10 microns. Successful DNATrax testing was conducted at the Pentagon in November 2012 in conjunction with the Pentagon Force Protection Agency. This study enhanced the team's understanding of indoor ventilation environments created by heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. DNATrax are particles comprised of sugar and synthetic DNA that serve as a bar code for the particle. The potential for creating unique bar-coded particles is virtually unlimited, thus allowing for simultaneous and repeated releases, which dramatically reduces the costs associated with conducting tests for contaminants. Among the applications for the new material are indoor air quality detection, for homes, offices, ships and airplanes; urban particulate tracking, for subway stations, train stations, and convention centers; environmental release tracking; and oil and gas uses, including fracking, to better track fluid flow.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Tracking Volumetric Units in Modular Factories for Automated Progress Monitoring Using Computer Vision

The construction industry is increasingly adopting off-site and prefabricated methods due to advantages offered in safety, quality, and lead time. Applying industrialized methods for plant management in offsite construction factories requires the collection of large volumes of production process data, which is a tedious task when performed manually. Recent attempts to automate this process have relied on sensor-based data collection methods which are susceptible to noise, expensive, and difficult to validate. Computer vision methods, however, enable process data collection from videos without the limitations of the other sensor-based methods. This technology has not been applied for offsite construction except in very few instances and therefore, this study proposes a novel method to reliably collect the production process data using computer vision method in near real-time from widely used surveillance cameras in offsite construction. The proposed method allows the user to annotate the workstations of interest on the video as ground truths and process these areas throughout the entire video to track the units entering and leaving stations, while continuously updating a near real-time schedule of the production line. This framework was validated by implementing on the surveillance videos of the production process of modular home manufacturing in a factory. The results consistently provided 100% accuracy, after denoising, for all the videos processed including 60 h of work for a station. The developed method enables real-time tracking of station performance, which can enable continuous improvement methods for factory management and resource allocation.

computer vision↗
DOE OSTI2025

Performance assessment after long-term irradiation of ATLAS Micromegas detectors using 120 GeV muons at the Gamma Irradiation Facility at CERN

The ATLAS muon spectrometer will face an increased particle rate as a result of the increased instantaneous luminosity expected during the High-Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC) upgrade. The HL-LHC will provide a luminosity of $\mathscr{L}$ = 7.5 × 10 34 cm −2 s −1 and 3000 fb −1 of integrated luminosity in 10 years, about 9 times more data of the ones so far collected by the ATLAS experiment. Micromegas chambers are used in the New Small Wheel(s), the first forward muon spectrometer station, to provide tracking and triggering at the intense particle rates expected. The detectors are operated with a ternary gas mixture composed of Ar + 5%CO 2 + 2%iC 4 H 10 , providing good high voltage stability and a large pulse height, important for inclined track reconstruction of particles crossing the detector. To ensure the long-term stable operation of the detector during the whole HL-LHC period, and due to the hydrocarbon content in the mixture, an extensive aging campaign has been ongoing since 2021 at the CERN Gamma Irradiation Facility, where spare production chambers are long-term exposed to a 14 TBq 137 Cs 𝛾-source, accumulating so far, a charge equivalent to five years of HL-LHC operations under the highest expected background rate. This paper describes the results of the Micromegas chamber performance studies after two years of gamma irradiation and using the SPS/H4 120 GeV muon beams at CERN.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2022

Microbial Tracking-2, a metagenomics analysis of bacteria and fungi onboard the International Space Station

The International Space Station (ISS) is a unique and complex built environment with the ISS surface microbiome originating from crew and cargo or from life support recirculation in an almost entirely closed system. The Microbial Tracking 1 (MT-1) project was the first ISS environmental surface study to report on the metagenome profiles without using whole-genome amplification. The study surveyed the microbial communities from eight surfaces over a 14-month period. The Microbial Tracking 2 (MT-2) project aimed to continue the work of MT-1, sampling an additional four flights from the same locations, over another 14 months. Eight surfaces across the ISS were sampled with sterile wipes and processed upon return to Earth. DNA extracted from the processed samples (and controls) were treated with propidium monoazide (PMA) to detect intact/viable cells or left untreated and to detect the total DNA population (free DNA/compromised cells/intact cells/viable cells). DNA extracted from PMA-treated and untreated samples were analyzed using shotgun metagenomics. Samples were cultured for bacteria and fungi to supplement the above results. Staphylococcus sp. and Malassezia sp. were the most represented bacterial and fungal species, respectively, on the ISS. Overall, the ISS surface microbiome was dominated by organisms associated with the human skin. Multi-dimensional scaling and differential abundance analysis showed significant temporal changes in the microbial population but no spatial differences. The ISS antimicrobial resistance gene profiles were however more stable over time, with no differences over the 5-year span of the MT-1 and MT-2 studies. Twenty-nine antimicrobial resistance genes were detected across all samples, with macrolide/lincosamide/streptogramin resistance being the most widespread. Metagenomic assembled genomes were reconstructed from the dataset, resulting in 82 MAGs. Functional assessment of the collective MAGs showed a propensity for amino acid utilization over carbohydrate metabolism. Co-occurrence analyses showed strong associations between bacterial and fungal genera. Culture analysis showed the microbial load to be on average 3.0 × 10 5 cfu/m 2 . Utilizing various metagenomics analyses and culture methods, we provided a comprehensive analysis of the ISS surface microbiome, showing microbial burden, bacterial and fungal species prevalence, changes in the microbiome, and resistome over time and space, as well as the functional capabilities and microbial interactions of this unique built microbiome. Data from this study may help to inform policies for future space missions to ensure an ISS surface microbiome that promotes astronaut health and spacecraft integrity.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2012

Reconstructing the South Pacific Convergence Zone Position during the Presatellite Era: A La Niña Case Study

Sixty-four southwest Pacific island meteorological stations were utilized to develop ENSO-related austral warm season (November–April) rainfall climatologies for 1961–90. Historical data for the same station set were then examined for 1955/56, one of the strongest La Niñas of the twentieth century. The pattern for that event was typical of a well-coupled protracted La Niña, with above-normal rainfall (>150%) observed for 17 stations in the case study. Tropical cyclone tracks were also used to illustrate the proximal effects of historical storms on station rainfall. Several stations that were located along the northern edge of the tropical cyclone swarm, but south of a region of anomalously low rainfall, were selected as possible candidates having been close to the mean South Pacific convergence zone (SPCZ) location. Linear interpolations between those stations highlighted a likely SPCZ position for the 1955/56 event. The reconstructed SPCZ location suggested a position southwest of normal, consistent with many La Niñas observed during the satellite era. The 1955/56 SPCZ reconstruction compared favorably with NOAA Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) twentieth-century reanalysis (20CR) positions of maximum atmospheric water content and omega (time derivative of pressure that illustrates vertical velocity, and a proxy for convection and SPCZ location) at 500 hPa. Comparisons between Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP) warm season rainfall composite plots for several satellite era La Niñas and one well-coupled La Niña event that occurred during 2010/11 to omega at 500 hPa and maximum rainfall amounts suggest that the 1955/56 reconstruction from in situ rainfall measurements captured the SPCZ location. Our results suggest that use of the 20CR could help to identify hemispheric-scale atmospheric circulation features like the SPCZ and improve understanding of ENSO dynamics prior to the satellite era.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2016

On-Orbit Ephemeris Determination with Radio Doppler Validation

Multiple CubeSats are often released from the same host spacecraft into virtually the same orbit at nearly the same time. A satellite team needs the ability to identify and track its own satellites as soon as possible. However, this can be a difficult and confusing task with a large number of satellites. Los Alamos National Laboratory encountered this issue during a launch of LANL-designed CubeSats that were released with more than 20 other objects. A simple radio Doppler method used shortly after launch by the Los Alamos team to select its satellites of interest from the list of available tracked ephemerides is described. This method can also be used for automated real time ephemeris validation. For future efforts, each LANL-designed CubeSat will automatically perform orbit determination from the position, velocity, and covariance estimates provided by an added on-board GPS receiver. This self-determined ephemeris will be automatically downlinked by ground stations for mission planning, antenna tracking, Doppler-pre-correction, etc. A simple algorithm based on established theory and well suited for embedded on-board processing is presented. The trades examined in selecting the algorithm components and data formats are briefly discussed, as is the expected performance.

Dallmann, Nicholas↗
DOE OSTI2014

Safeguards at Gas Centrifuge Enrichment Plants: Why is Iran a Threat? [Slides]

GCEPS safeguards (Desire to close gaps on undeclared feed) - Timely detection of the misuse of the facility to produce HEU - Timely detection of the diversion of declared UF6 - Timely detection of the misuse of the facility to produce undeclared LEU – Operator “no one would ever divert undeclared LEU product” – Breakout vs. Clandestine Ops (CSA and AP safeguards options) • Tightened coverage of GCEPs – declared operations (SNRI,C/S) • Unattended monitoring system – in development for GCEPs – Load Cells – Monitoring cylinders / weight – On-Line Enrichment Monitoring – Cylinder Verification Station – NDA, Weight,… – UF6 Cylinder Tracking - UID • Sensitive technology! Khan network and undeclared facilities

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Trends from the Alternative Fueling Station Locator (Q1 2020)

The US. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Alternative Fueling Station Locator contains information on public and private non-residential alternative fueling stations in the United States and Canada and currently tracks ethanol (E85), biodiesel, compressed natural gas, electric vehicle (EV) charging, hydrogen, liquefied natural gas, and propane stations. Of these fuels, EV charging continues to experience rapidly changing technology and growing infrastructure. This report provides a snapshot of the state of EV charging infrastructure in the United States in the first calendar quarter of 2020 (Q1). Using data from the Station Locator, this report breaks down the growth of public and private charging infrastructure by charging level, network, and location. Additionally, this report measures the current state of charging infrastructure compared with the amount projected to meet charging demand by 2030. This information is intended to help transportation planners, policymakers, researchers, infrastructure developers, and others understand the rapidly changing landscape for EV charging.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Trends from the Alternative Fueling Station Locator: Second Quarter 2020

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fueling Station Locator contains information on public and private non-residential alternative fueling stations in the United States and Canada and currently tracks ethanol (E85), biodiesel, compressed natural gas, electric vehicle (EV) charging, hydrogen, liquefied natural gas, and propane stations. Of these fuels, EV charging continues to experience rapidly changing technology and growing infrastructure. This report provides a snapshot of the state of EV charging infrastructure in the United States in the second calendar quarter of 2020. Using data from the Station Locator, this report breaks down the growth of public and private charging infrastructure by charging level, network, and location. Additionally, this report measures the current state of charging infrastructure compared with the amount projected to meet charging demand by 2030. This information is intended to help transportation planners, policymakers, researchers, infrastructure developers, and others understand the rapidly changing landscape for EV charging. This is the second report in a new series. The first report for the first calendar quarter of 2020 can be found in the publication databases of the Alternative Fuels Data Center and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2021

Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Trends from the Alternative Fueling Station Locator: Third Quarter 2020

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fueling Station Locator contains information on public and private non-residential alternative fueling stations in the United States and Canada and currently tracks ethanol (E85), biodiesel, compressed natural gas, electric vehicle (EV) charging, hydrogen, liquefied natural gas, and propane stations. Of these fuels, EV charging continues to experience rapidly changing technology and growing infrastructure. This report provides a snapshot of the state of EV charging infrastructure in the United States in the third calendar quarter of 2020. Using data from the Station Locator, this report breaks down the growth of public and private charging infrastructure by charging level, network, and location. Additionally, this report measures the current state of charging infrastructure compared with the amount projected to meet charging demand by 2030. This information is intended to help transportation planners, policymakers, researchers, infrastructure developers, and others understand the rapidly changing landscape for EV charging. This is the third report in a new series. Reports for the first two calendar quarters of 2020 can be found in the publication databases of the Alternative Fuels Data Center and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗