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The ALICE fixed-target programme layout using bent crystals at the CERN Large Hadron Collider.

Project description

Probing ALICE’s potential for fixed-target experiments

The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is the most powerful particle accelerator ever built, pushing protons or ions to move at near light speed. ALICE is a heavy-ion detector on the LHC ring. It is designed to study the physics of strongly interacting matter at extreme energy densities, where a phase of matter called quark–gluon plasma forms. The EU-funded FIXEDTARGETLAND project will investigate ALICE’s potential for running fixed-target experiments. The internal solid target coupled to a bent crystal could allow ALICE to run in such a mode. Accelerator and crystal parameters will be determined based on semi-analytical tools and simulations. The fixed-target mode allows for more intensive studies of rare processes, novel spin correlations, diffractive physics and nuclear phenomena.

Objective

ALICE in the FixedTargetLand.

The LHC at CERN is the world largest and most powerful particle accelerator colliding beams of protons and lead ions. ALICE is one of detector experiments optimised for heavy-ions. A research potential of the CERN accelerator complex and infrastructure can be expanded by deflecting the LHC beam halo particles by means of bent crystals on a fixed-target placed inside the ALICE experiment. A fixed-target experiment at such a high energy offers many physics opportunities related to the the parton content of the nucleon and nucleus at high-x, the nucleon spin and the Quark-Gluon Plasma. Feasibility of beam halo deflection using crystal channeling has been experimentally demonstrated at CERN, for both proton and lead ion beams. There are two main objectives of the proposal. The first objective is to assess the feasibility and performance of the ALICE crystal-based fixed-target programme layout from the accelerator complex side, e.g. compatibility with the collimation, impact on vacuum, impedance, etc. The second objective is to calculate particles production within the target and response of the ALICE detector in order to evaluate the physics potential of the project.
Accelerator and crystal parameters will be determined based on semi-analytical tools followed up by complete multi-turn tracking simulations using the SixTrack and BDSIM codes. The detector response and physics reach will be evaluated in collaboration with the ALICE experts, mostly from the Warsaw University of Technology (WUT). The proposal assumes a transfer of applicant's knowledge and experience obtained at CERN related to particle accelerators, collimation and crystals to an interdisciplinary project. In return, WUT is a partner providing the necessary expertise on particle physics and the ALICE detector. Moreover, WUT opens a possibility of a personal growth through teaching students, knowledge exchange and building a network for establishing an own research group.

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MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)

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(opens in new window) H2020-WF-2018-2020

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Coordinator

POLITECHNIKA WARSZAWSKA
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 149 625,60
Address
PLAC POLITECHNIKI 1
00-661 WARSZAWA
Poland

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Region
Makroregion województwo mazowieckie Warszawski stołeczny Miasto Warszawa
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 149 625,60
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