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Modern physics experiments are frequently very complex, relying on multiple simultaneous events to happen in order to obtain the desired result. The experiment control system plays a central role in orchestrating the measurement setup: However, its development is often treated as secondary with respect to the hardware, its importance becoming evident only during the operational phase. Therefore, the AE g ̄ IS (Antimatter Experiment: Gravity, Interferometry, Spectroscopy) collaboration has created a framework for easily coding control systems, specifically targeting atomic, quantum, and antimatter experiments. This framework, called Total Automation of LabVIEW Operations for Science (TALOS), unifies all the machines of the experiment in a single entity, thus enabling complex high-level decisions to be taken, and it is constituted by separate modules, called MicroServices, that run concurrently and asynchronously. This enhances the stability and reproducibility of the system while allowing for continuous integration and testing while the control system is running. The system demonstrated high stability and reproducibility, running completely unsupervised during the night and weekends of the data-taking campaigns. The results demonstrate the suitability of TALOS to manage an entire physics experiment in full autonomy: being open-source, experiments other than the AE g ̄ IS experiment can benefit from it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The weak equivalence principle states that the motion of a body in a gravitational field is independent of its structure or composition. This postulate of general relativity has been tested to very high precision with ordinary matter, but no relevant experimental verification with antimatter has ever been carried out. The AEGIS experiment will measure the gravitational acceleration of antihydrogen to ultimately 1% precision. For this purpose, a pulsed horizontal antihydrogen beam with a velocity of several 100 m s−1 will be produced. Its vertical deflection due to gravity will be detected by a setup consisting of material gratings coupled with a position-sensitive detector, operating as a moiré deflectometer or an atom interferometer. The AEGIS experiment is installed at CERN’s Antiproton Decelerator, currently the only facility in the world which produces copious amounts of low-energy antiprotons. The construction of the setup has been going on since 2010 and is nearing completion. A proof-of-principle experiment with antiprotons has demonstrated that the deflection of antiparticles by a few μm due to an external force can be detected. Technological and scientific development pertaining to specific challenges of the experiment, such as antihydrogen formation by positronium charge exchange or the position-sensitive detection of antihydrogen annihilations, is ongoing.

The AEg¯ $\overline {\rm{g}}$IS experiment [1] aims at directly measuring the gravitational acceleration g on a beam of cold antihydrogen (H¯$\overline {\rm{H}}$) to a precision of 1%, performing the first test with antimatter of the (WEP) Weak Equivalence Principle. The experimental apparatus is sited at the Antiproton Decelerator (AD) at CERN, Geneva, Switzerland. After production by mixing of antiprotons with Rydberg state positronium atoms (Ps), the H¯$\overline {\rm{H}}$ atoms will be driven to fly horizontally with a velocity of a few 100 ms−1 for a path length of about 1 meter. The small deflection, few tens of μm, will be measured using two material gratings (of period ∼ 80 μm) coupled to a position-sensitive detector working as a moiré deflectometer similarly to what has been done with matter atoms [2]. The shadow pattern produced by the H¯$\overline {\rm{H}}$ beam will then be detected by reconstructing the annihilation points with a spatial resolution (∼ 2 μm) of each antiatom at the end of the flight path by the sensitive-position detector. During 2012 the experimental apparatus has been commissioned with antiprotons and positrons. Since the AD will not be running during 2013,during the refurbishment of the CERN accelerators, the experiment is currently working with positrons, electrons and protons, in order to prepare the way for the antihydrogen production in late 2014.

Nanochanneled silicon targets with high positron/positronium (Ps) conversion rate and efficient Ps cooling were produced. Morphological parameters of the nanochannels, such as their diameter and length, were adjusted to get a large fraction of thermalized Ps at room temperature being emitted into vacuum. Ps cooling measurements were conducted combining single-shot positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy and Doppler spectroscopy of the 13S → 23P transition. 2γ–3γ annihilation ratio measurements were also performed to estimate the positron/Ps conversion efficiency. In a converter with nanochannel diameter of 7–10 nm and depth of 3.89 μm, ∼28% of implanted positrons with an energy of 3.3 keV was found to be emitted as Ps with a transverse kinetic energy of 11 ± 2 meV. The reduction of the nanochannels depth to 1.13 μm, without changing the nanochannel diameter, was found to result in a less efficient cooling, highlighting the presence of Ps reflection from the bottom end of nanochannels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We discuss gas barrier mechanisms in biopolymer nanocomposite in which fillers of different natures and concentrations are added. The kinetics of gas transport is studied by gas phase permeation techniques and free volumes are analyzed by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy. Gas barrier properties of two biopolymer nanocomposite films are presented in relation to their free volume. The first film is poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3- hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBH) containing 0.25 wt% of graphene oxide (GO) filler nanoparticles. The second film is poly(lactic acid) (PLA) in which cellulose nanofibrils have been dispersed with content from 4.1 to 12.4 vol.%. It is shown that in both biopolymer films the filler addition improves their gas barrier properties but with different mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silicon-based nanochanneled converters for the production of cold positronium (Ps) have been introduced in 2010 and since then provided a reliable source of cold Ps to a variety of experiments. With the goal of advancing the optimization of such converters, we have formulated a classical model to describe the production and cooling of Ps in nanochanneled converters. The simulation of this process poses several challenges due to the complexity of the geometry in which it takes place. We will here briefly give an overview of our model and discuss several simplifications of the simulation process which, without altering significantly the simulation results, reduce the computational costs enough to allow for systematic scans of the nanochanneled converter construction parameter space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work we present a hybrid detection method providing simultaneous imaging and timing information suitable for fully monitoring positronium (Ps) formation, its laser excitation, and its spatial propagation for the first trials of pulsed antihydrogen (H) production through a charge-exchange reaction with trapped antiprotons (p). This combined method, based on the synchronous acquisition of an EJ-200 scintillation detector and a microchannel plate (MCP) detector with a dual readout (phosphor screen image and electrical pick-up signal), allows all relevant events in the experiment to be accurately determined in time while allowing high resolution images of e+ from Ps laser photodissociations to be acquired. The timing calibration process of the two detectors discussed in details as well as the future perspectives opened by this method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purification of hydrogen rich gases is of great technological importance in the “hydrogen economy” and is achieved by selective membranes made of organic or inorganic materials. In this field, a strong challenge is the synthesis of defect-free ultrathin Pd-based selective membranes. We present a study on the synthesis and performances of a bilayer structure consisting of 100 nm nanoporous silica coated with a 150 nm Pd–Ag layer. An alumina disk having periodic microsieves structure was used as support for the bilayer. The hydrogen transport through this nanocomposite membrane is controlled by the dissociation of molecular hydrogen at the surface of the Pd–Ag functional layer. When operating at 573 K, the membrane exhibits high H2/N2 selectivity (a factor as high as 600–900), high H2 permeance (∼10-6 mol m-2 s-1 Pa-1), and operative stability on long-term operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tungsten-silicon-nitrogen, W–Si–N, ternary thin films have been reactively sputter deposited from W5Si3 and WSi2 targets using several nitrogen partial pressures. The films have been thermal annealed in the 600–1000 °C temperature range and a wide region of the W–Si–N ternary phase diagram has been explored by changing the N2/Ar ratio during the deposition. Multitechnique approach was adopted for the analysis of the samples. Composition has been determined via ion beam analysis; chemical states were investigated using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS); crystalline structure was studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) and surface morphology by scanning electron microscope. The films deposited in pure argon atmosphere are tungsten rich and approach the target contents as N2/Ar ratio is varied during deposition. Tungsten enrichment in the films is caused by resputtering of silicon which can be inhibited by the formation of silicon nitride, allowing films with Si/W ratio closer to the target compositions. The higher capability to form nitrides with silicon than with tungsten favors enhancement of nitrogen content in samples deposited from the silicon rich target (WSi2). The samples with excess nitrogen content have shown losses of this element after thermal treatment. XPS measurements show a break of W–N bonds caused by thermal instability of tungsten nitrides. TEM and XRD revealed the segregation of tungsten in form of metallic or silicide nanoclusters in samples with low nitrogen content (W58Si21N21 and W24Si42N34). High amounts of nitrogen were revealed to be highly effective in inhibiting metallic cluster coalescence. Measurements of electrical resistivity of as deposited films were performed using four point probe technique. They were found to lie in the range between 0.4 and 79 mΩ cm depending on sample composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanocrystalline magnesium deuteride thin films with the β-MgD[sub 2] structure were prepared by vacuum evaporation of hexagonal magnesium (h-Mg) samples and thermal annealing in 0.15 MPa D[sub 2] atmosphere at 373 K. Thermal desorption spectroscopy analysis indicated that the rate-limiting step in the deuterium desorption was given by the thermal decomposition of the deuteride phase. The activation energy Δg of the β-MgD[sub 2]→h-Mg+D[sub 2] reaction scaled from 1.13±0.03 eV in 650-nm-thick films to 1.01±0.02 eV in 75-nm-thick films most likely as consequence of different stress and defect level. Positron annihilation spectroscopy analysis of the thin-film samples submitted to deuterium absorption and desorption cycles reveal the presence of a high concentration of void-like defects in the h-Mg layers after the very first decomposition of the β-MgD[sub 2] phase, the presence of these open volume defects reduces the D[sub 2] absorption capacity of the h-Mg thin film. © 2004 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silicon-rich silicon oxide films were deposited by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition. Energy was released into the film by ion bombardment, with the aim of promoting formation of Si nanoclusters and reordering the oxide matrix. The effect of the initial stoichiometry, as well as the evolution of the oxide films due to the ion bombardment and to subsequent thermal treatments, has been studied by depth-resolved positron annihilation Doppler spectroscopy, Raman scattering and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. As-deposited films were found to contain an open volume fraction in the form of subnanometric cavities that are positively correlated with oxygen deficiency. No Si aggregates were observed. The ion bombardment was found to promote the formation of amorphous Si nanoclusters, together with a reduction of the open volume in the matrix and a substantial release of hydrogen. It also leaves electrically active sites in the oxide and produces gas-filled vacancy defects in the substrate, with the concentrations depending on the implantation temperature. Thermal treatment at 500 °C removes charge defects in the oxide, but vacancy defects are not completely annealed even at 1100 °C. In one case, heating at 1100 °C produced cavities of about 0.6 nm in the oxide. Transformation of Si nanoclusters into nanocrystals is observed to occur from 800 °C. © 2003 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Provides information on a study which presented the results of positron annihilation spectroscopy measurements. Experimental details; Results and analysis; Discussion.

The primary goal of the Antihydrogen Experiment: Gravity, Interferometry, Spectroscopy (AEGIS) collaboration is to measure for the first time precisely the gravitational acceleration of antihydrogen, H, a fundamental issue of contemporary physics, using a beam of antiatoms. Indeed, although indirect arguments have been raised against a different acceleration of antimatter with respect to matter, nevertheless some attempts to formulate quantum theories of gravity, or to unify gravity with the other forces, consider the possibility of a non-identical gravitational interaction between matter and antimatter. We plan to generate H through a charge-exchange reaction between excited Ps and antiprotons coming from the Antiproton Decelerator facility at CERN. It offers the advantage to produce sufficiently cold antihydrogen to make feasible a measurement of gravitational acceleration with reasonable uncertainty (of the order of a few percent). Since the cross-section of the above reaction increases with n4, n being the principal quantum number of Ps, it is essential to generate Ps in a highly excited (Rydberg) state. This will occur by means of two laser excitations of Ps emitted from a nanoporous silica target: a first UV laser (at 205 nm) will bring Ps from the ground to the n = 3 state; a second laser pulse (tunable in the range 1650-1700 nm) will further excite Ps to the Rydberg state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Positronium (Ps), the unstable bound state of electron and positron, is a valuable system for neutral antimatter spectroscopic studies and for antihydrogen production. Forming a pulsed beam cold antihydrogen using charge-exchange with the Rydberg Ps is the goal of the AEgIS Collaboration, which aims to measure gravity on neutral antimatter. Recent results achieved in producing, manipulating and studying Ps are summarized. Ps has been first produced with mesoporous silica targets in a reflection geometry. Spectroscopy of Ps n = 3 state has been conducted, yielding as a byproduct an independent estimate of the produced Ps temperature. Efficient laser excitation to the Rydberg levels was then achieved, validating the proof-of-concept of AEgIS. Subsequently, production of Ps from a new class of transmission targets was also achieved, opening the possibility for future experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The principal aim of the AE\bargIS experiment at CERN is to measure the acceleration of antihydrogen due to Earth’s gravitational field. This would be a test of the Weak Equivalence Principle, which states that all bodies fall with the same acceleration independently of their mass and composition. The effect of Earth’s gravitational field on antimatter will be determined by measuring the deflection of the path of the antihydrogen from a straight line. The position of the antihydrogen will be found by detecting its annihilation on the surface of a silicon detector. The gravitational measurement in AE\bargIS will be performed with a gravity module, which includes the silicon detector, an emulsion detector and a scintillating fibre time-of-flight detector. As the experiment attempts to determine the gravitational acceleration with a precision of 1%, a position resolution better than 10~\mu\m is required. Here we present the results of a study of antiproton annihilations in a 3D silicon pixel sensor and compare the results with a previous study using a monolithic active pixel sensor. This work is part of a larger study on different silicon sensor technologies needed for the development of a silicon position detector for the AE\bargIS experiment. The 3D detector together with its readout electronics have been originally designed for the ATLAS detector at the LHC. The direct annihilation of low energy antiprotons (\sim \100~keV) takes place in the first few \mu\m of the silicon sensor and we show that the charged products of the annihilation can be detected with the same sensor. The present study also aims to understand the signature of an antiproton annihilation event in segmented silicon detectors and compares it with a GEANT4 simulation model. These results will be used to determine the geometrical and process parameters to be adopted by the silicon annihilation detector to be installed in AE\bargIS. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

AEgIS (Antimatter experiment: gravity, interferometry, spectroscopy) is an experiment approved by CERN with the goal of studying antihydrogen physics. In AEgIS, antihydrogen will be produced by charge exchange reactions of cold antiprotons with positronium atoms excited in a Rydberg state (n > 20). In the first phase of the experiment, controlled acceleration by an electric field gradient (Stark effect) and subsequent measurement of free fall in a Moiré deflectometer will allow a test of the weak equivalence principle. In a second phase, the antihydrogen will be slowed, confined, and laser-cooled to perform CPT studies and detailed spectroscopy. In the present work, after a general description of the experiment, the present status of advancement will be reviewed, with special attention to the production and excitation of positronium atoms. AEgIS (Expérience sur l'Antimatière: Gravité, Interférométrie, Spectrométrie) est une expérience approuvée par le CERN qui vise une étude globale de la physique de l'anti-hydrogène. Dans AEgIS, l'anti-hydrogène sera produit par des réactions d'échange de charges d'anti-protons froids avec des atomes de positronium excités dans un état de Rydberg (n > 20). Dans la première phase de l'expérience, l'accélération est contrôlée par un gradient de champ électrique (effet Stark); une mesure subséquente en chute libre dans un déflectomètre de Moiré nous fournira un test du principe d'équivalence faible. Dans une deuxième phase, l'anti-hydrogène sera ralenti, confiné et refroidi par laser pour des études de CPT et de spectroscopie de précision. Après une description générale de l'expérience, nous passons ici en revue l'état d'avancement des travaux en accordant une attention particulière à la production et l'excitation des atomes de positronium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The radiation damage produced in silica glass implanted with Ar+ and Au+ ions at different implantation energies and fluences was depth profiled by positron annihilation spectroscopy. The modification of the sub-nanovoids structure of the glass was investigated by measuring the change in the Doppler broadening of the 511 keV positron annihilation line induced by the quenching of positronium, and the increasing of positron annihilation with oxygen defects. Two distinct defected regions were pointed out. The first region was found to be confined below the ion projected range Rp, and the second extended deep into the sample, up to two to three times the Rp plus the range straggling Δ Rp. The type, origin and concentration of the defects are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The terminations of buried surfaces of two different cavity types (nano- and microcavities) produced in the same He+–H+ co-implanted p-type Si (100) sample annealed at 900 °C, are studied and characterized by positron annihilation spectroscopy. The characterization was carried out by means of three complementary positron techniques: Doppler broadening and coincidence-Doppler broadening spectroscopy with a continuous slow positron beam, and lifetime spectroscopy with a pulsed slow positron beam. It was found that the nanocavities have a pristine surface of Si, while the surfaces of the microcavities, formed below protruding blisters, are oxygen decorated. This case study opens the interesting use of the positron spectroscopy tool in the topical subject of empty space for microelectronics applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amorphous carbon films of several thicknesses were prepared by graphite sputtering on crystalline silicon substrate. The samples were depth profiled with positron annihilation spectroscopy for open-volume measurements and characterized for their residual internal stress. It was found that after film growth the substrate presents vacancy-like defects decorated by oxygen in a layer extending in the substrate by several tens of nanometers beyond the film/Si interface. The width of the defected layer and the decoration of vacancy-like defects are directly and inversely proportional to the measured intensity of the residual stress, respectively. These findings indicate the existence of a relaxation mechanism of the stress in the films that involves deeply the substrate. The decorated vacancy-like defects are suggested to be bounded to dislocations induced in the substrate by the stress relaxation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The geometrical efficiency is calculated for a radioactive source-moderator assembly, which is often used for the production of slow-positron beams, and comparisons are made between a cylinder source, touching the circumference of the moderator, and a spot source, facing the center of the moderator. It is shown that higher beam intensity and brightness can be obtained with the cylinder source in most practical situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]