Improving Mu2e momentum resolution through Synchrotron Radiation Emission Spectroscopy
Yury Kolomensky, Professor
Physics
Applications for Fall 2026 are closed for this project.
Mu2e is a medium-scale Particle Physics experiment currently under construction at Fermi National Lab, with UCB and Lawrence Berkeley National Lab as collaborating institutions. Mu2e will search for the ultra-rare process whereby a muon particle converts directly into an electron, without the emission of any neutrinos. Though not forbidden by the Standard Model of particle physics, this process has never been observed, despite nearly 80 years of attempts. Mu2e will employ the world's most intense muon beam to increase the search sensitivity by nearly 4 orders of magnitude over previous efforts, potentially opening a new window on particle physics. Mu2e is commissioning the detector with cosmic rays, and the first muon beam physics run is planned for 2027. For more information about Mu2e see https://mu2e.fnal.gov/.
While Mu2e will deploy traditional particle tracking detectors to detect electrons and measure their momenta, this measurement could be substantially improved through detection of synchrotron radiation emitted by the electrons spiraling in the magnetic field. This concept is similar to using cyclotron radiation emission spectroscopy (CRES) for the measurements of neutrino mass, which has recently been demonstrated.
Role: The project can accommodate software/simulations and hardware development. The software part of the project involves numerically modeling the SRES process for 100-MeV electrons and developing the simulation for a demonstrator experiment. The hardware project involves building a test stand for ultra-fast single photon sensors (LAPPDs) to be used in this experiment and evaluating their performance. The students will need basic computer programming skills (Python and/or C++).
Student researchers will be expected to meet regularly with senior researchers, as well as work independently and/or with each other. Meetings can be through zoom or in person on campus or at Lawrence Berkeley Lab.
Qualifications: Physics, Astrophysics, or Engineering Physics majors preferred. The student researcher will need basic computer programming skills (Python and/or C++). Understanding of special relativity at the level of Physics 5A/7C and E&M at the level of Physics 5B/7B is required. Understanding of E&M at the level of Physics 110 and familiarity with digital electronics and basic laboratory skills at the level of Physics 5BL/5CL are beneficial.
Hours: 6-8 hrs
Related website: http://mu2e.fnal.gov/
Related website: https://arxiv.org/abs/2409.02878