Several features of the production of Na/sup 24/ and Mg/sup 28/ fragments produced in the interaction of protons and He ions with Cu, Ag, Au, and U were investigated. Formation cross sections were determined for He ions of different energies between 320 and 880 Mev and for protons of 700 Mev. Thick- target recoil experiments were performed at bombarding energies of 0.7 and 3 Bev for protons, and 880 Mev for He ions. Also given are some recoil measurements of Na/sup 24/ from Al. Analysis of data obtained with target materials heavier than Al showed that for the bombarding energies used, Na/sup 24/ and Mg/sup 28/ are probably produced by the cleavage of the target nucleus into two heavy fragmerts. One of these fragments has a mass approximately equal to the mass Na 4 or Mg/6 and the other contains most of the remaining mass of the target nucleus. However, Na/sup 24/ and Mg/sup 28/ are very probably not slowly evaporated particles nor products of a slow fission process. The experimental information covering fragmentation from photographic emulsion studies and radiochemical studies is discussed. The various mechanisms proposed are considered and a new one suggested. According to this new mechanism Na/sup …

Results are reported from a streamer chamber experiment performed at Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) to study the production of the phi (1020) in OZI-allowed and forbidden processes in ..pi../sup +/p interactions at 16 GeV/c. Production properties of the anti K*/sup ./(896) are also studied and discussed.

A search for the Standard Model Higgs boson was carried out in WH {yields} {ell}{nu}b{bar b} process in p{bar p} collisions at a center of mass energy of 1.96 TeV, where W, H, {ell}, {nu}, b and p denote either a W{sup +} or W{sup -} boson, Higgs boson, lepton (electron or muon), neutrino, bottom quark and proton, respectively. The data were collected with the Collider Detector at Fermilab from February 2002 to August 2004. The corresponding integrated luminosity is 319 pb{sup -1}. We select events containing a single high-p{sub T} electron or muon, a large imbalance of the total transverse energy from a neutrino and two b quark jets. The main backgrounds are the W + light flavor/gluon jets and W + heavy flavor jets processes. Requiring the secondary vertex b-tagging enables us to reject the W + light flavor/gluon jets events effectively. After all event selections, they observe 187 events which is in agreement with the Standard Model background expectation of 175.2 {+-} 26.3 events, and there is no significant excess originating from the Higgs boson in the reconstructed dijet invariant mass distribution. They thus set a 95% confidence level upper limit on the production cross section times …

Run IIa of the D0 experiment at the Tevatron took place between Spring 2002 and Spring 2006, collecting approximately 1.2 fb{sup -1} of data. A fundamental principal of the D0 computing model is the utilization of globally distributed computing resources as part of a grid. In particular use is made of the 'SAMGrid'. The first part of this thesis describes the work undertaken at Imperial College on several D0 distributed computing projects. These included the deployment and development of parts of the SAMGrid software suite, and participation in the Winter 2003/2004 data reprocessing effort. One of the major goals of the D0 experiment is the observation of mixing in the B{sub s}{sup 0}-meson system. The measurement of the mixing frequency is important as it can be used to constrain the CKM matrix, which describes CP violation in the Standard Model. The second part of this thesis describes the development of an opposite side flavour tagging algorithm and its calibration using B{sup +} and B{sub d}{sup 0} meson decays. The application of this algorithm to an analysis of the B{sub s}{sup 0} meson system is then described, which lead to the world's first two-sided limit on the B{sub s}{sup 0} meson …

Particle physics deals with the fundamental building blocks of matter and their interactions. The vast number of subatomic particles can be reduced to twelve fundamental fermions, which interact by the exchange of spin-1 particles as described in the Standard Model (SM) of particle physics. The SM provides the best description of the subatomic world to date, despite the fact it does not include gravitation. Following the relation {lambda} = h/p, where h is Planck's constant, for the examination of physics at subatomic scales with size {lambda} probes with high momenta p are necessary. These high energies are accessible through particle colliders. Here, particles are accelerated and brought to collision at interaction points at which detectors are installed to record these particle collisions. Until the anticipated start-up of the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, the Tevatron collider at Fermilab near Chicago is the highest energy collider operating in the world, colliding protons and anti-protons at a center-of-mass energy of {radical}s = 1.96 TeV. Its two interaction points are covered by the multi purpose particle detectors D0 and CDF. During the first data-taking period, known as Run I, the Tevatron operated at a center-of-mass energy of 1.8 TeV. This run period lasted …

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A first study of single diffractive central high-p{sub T} dijet events in p{bar p} collisions at center-of-mass energy {radical}s = 1.96 TeV is presented, using data recorded by the D0 detector at the Tevatron during RunIIa in 2002-2004. The total integrated luminosity corresponding to the data sample is 398 pb{sup -1}. A diffractive sample is selected using a rapidity gap approach. A precise definition of the rapidity gap constitutes the first part of the thesis. The rapidity gap is defined by means of two parts of the D0 detector--luminosity detectors and calorimeter. Luminosity detectors serve as a basic indicators of diffractive candidates and the calorimeter is used to confirm the low energy activity in the forward region (a rapidity gap). Presented studies of energy deposited in forward part of calorimeter by various types of events yield two rapidity gap definitions. Both of them use a fixed rapidity interval in calorimeter |{eta}| {element_of} [2.6,5.2] and introduce an upper limit on the energy deposited in this region. First definition, which corresponds to the lowest systematical errors, uses a limit of 10 GeV, an energy limit in the second definition is set to 3 GeV. This alternative definition corresponds to the lowest contamination …

For over decades, focused ion beam (FIB) has been playing a very important role in microscale technology and research, among which, semiconductor microfabrication is one of its biggest application area. As the dimensions of IC devices are scaled down, it has shown the need for new ion beam tools and new approaches to the fabrication of small-scale devices. In the meanwhile, nanotechnology has also deeply involved in material science research and bioresearch in recent years. The conventional FIB systems which utilize liquid gallium ion sources to achieve nanometer scale resolution can no longer meet the various requirements raised from such a wide application area such as low contamination, high throughput and so on. The drive towards controlling materials properties at nanometer length scales relies on the availability of efficient tools. In this thesis, three novel ion beam tools have been developed and investigated as the alternatives for the conventional FIB systems in some particular applications. An integrated focused ion beam (FIB) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) system has been developed for direct doping or surface modification. This new instrument employs a mini-RF driven plasma source to generate focused ion beam with various ion species, a FEI two-lens electron (2LE) column …

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The authors present the first measurement of the top quark mass using simultaneously data from two decay channels. They use a data sample of {radical}s = 1.96 TeV collisions with integrated luminosity of 1.9 fb{sup -1} collected by the CDF II detector. They select dilepton and lepton + jets channel decays of t{bar t} pairs and reconstruct two observables in each topology. They use non-parametric techniques to derive probability density functions from simulated signal and background samples. The observables are the reconstructed top quark mass and the scalar sum of transverse energy of the event in the dilepton topology and the reconstructed top quark mass and the invariant mass of jets from the W boson decay in lepton + jets channel. They perform a simultaneous fit for the top quark mass and the jet energy scale which is constrained in situ by the hadronic W boson resonance from the lepton + jets channel. Using 144 dilepton candidate events and 332 lepton + jets candidate events they measure: M{sub top} = 171.9 {+-} 1.7 (stat. + JES) {+-} 1.1 (other sys.) GeV/c{sup 2} = 171.9 {+-} 2.0 GeV/c{sup 2}. The measurement features a robust treatment of the systematic uncertainties, correlated between …

This thesis describes the contribution of partially reconstructed hadronic decays in the world's first observation of B{sub s}{sup 0}-{bar B}{sub s}{sup 0} oscillations. The analysis is a core member of a suite of closely related studies whose combined time-dependent measurement of the B{sub s}{sup 0}-{bar B}{sub s}{sup 0} oscillation frequency {Delta}m{sub s} is of historic significance. Using a data sample of 1 fb{sup -1} of p{bar p} collisions at {radical}s = 1.96 TeV collected with the CDF-II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron, they find signals of 3150 partially reconstructed hadronic B{sub s} decays from the combined decay channels B{sub s}{sup 0} {yields} D*{sub s}{sup -} {pi}{sup +} and B{sub s}{sup 0} {yields} D{sub s}{sup -} {rho}{sup +} with D{sub s}{sup -} {yields} {phi}{pi}{sup -}. These events are analyzed in parallel with 2000 fully reconstructed B{sub s}{sup 0} {yields} D{sub s}{sup -} {pi}{sup +} (D{sub s}{sup -} {yields} {phi}{pi}{sup -}) decays. The treatment of the data is developed in stages of progressive complexity, using high-statistics samples of hadronic B{sup 0} and B{sup +} decays to study the attributes of partially reconstructed events. The analysis characterizes the data in mass and proper decay time, noting the potential of the partially reconstructed decays …

Elementary particle physics tries to find an answer to no minor question: What is our universe made of? To our current knowledge, the elementary constituents of matter are quarks and leptons, which interact via four elementary forces: electromagnetism, strong force, weak force and gravity. All forces, except gravity, can be described in one framework, the Standard Model of particle physics. The model's name reflects its exceptional success in describing all available experimental high energy physics data to high precision up to energies of about 100 GeV. An exception is given by the neutrino masses but even these can be integrated into the model. The Standard Model is based on the requirement of invariance of all physics processes under certain fundamental symmetry transformations. The consideration of these symmetries leads naturally to the correct description of the electromagnetic, weak and strong forces as the exchange of interaction particles, the gauge bosons. However, this formalism has the weakness that it only allows for massless particles. In order to obey the symmetries, a way to introduce the particle masses is given by the Higgs mechanism, which predicts the existence of the only particle of the Standard Model which has yet to be observed: the …

The top quark has been discovered in 1995 by CDF and D0 collaborations in proton-antiproton collisions at the Tevatron. The amount of data recorded by both experiments makes it possible to accurately measure the properties of this very massive quark. This thesis is devoted to the measurement of the top pair production cross-section via the strong interaction, in a final state composed of two electrons, two particle jets and missing transverse energy. It is based on a 1 fb{sup -1} data set collected by the D0 experiment between 2002 and 2006. The reconstruction and identification of electrons and jets is of major importance in this analysis, and have been studied in events where a Z boson is produced together with one or more jets. The Z+jets process is indeed the dominant physics background to top pair production in the dielectron final state. The primary goal of this cross-section measurement is to verify Standard Model predictions. In this document, this result is also interpreted to indirectly extract the top quark mass. Moreover, the cross-section measurement is sensitive to new physics such as the existence of a charged Higgs boson. The selection established for the cross-section analysis has been used to search …

This dissertation describes the development andimplementation of a visible/near infrared pump/mid-infrared probeapparatus. Chapter 1 describes the background and motivation ofinvestigating optically induced structural dynamics, paying specificattention to solvation and the excitation selection rules of highlysymmetric molecules such as carotenoids. Chapter 2 describes thedevelopment and construction of the experimental apparatus usedthroughout the remainder of this dissertation. Chapter 3 will discuss theinvestigation of DCM, a laser dye with a fluorescence signal resultingfrom a charge transfer state. By studying the dynamics of DCM and of itsmethyl deuterated isotopomer (an otherwise identical molecule), we areable to investigate the origins of the charge transfer state and provideevidence that it is of the controversial twisted intramolecular (TICT)type. Chapter 4 introduces the use of two-photon excitation to the S1state, combined with one-photon excitation to the S2 state of thecarotenoid beta-apo-8'-carotenal. These 2 investigations show evidencefor the formation of solitons, previously unobserved in molecular systemsand found only in conducting polymers Chapter 5 presents an investigationof the excited state dynamics of peridinin, the carotenoid responsiblefor the light harvesting of dinoflagellates. This investigation allowsfor a more detailed understanding of the importance of structuraldynamics of carotenoids in light harvesting.

The production cross section for t{bar t} pairs decaying into two lepton final states was measured using data from the D0 detector at Fermilab. The measurement was made using a lepton+track selection, where one lepton is fully identified and the second lepton is observed as an isolated track. This analysis is designed to complement similar studies using two fully identified leptons [1]. The cross section for the lepton+track selection was found to be {sigma} = 5.2{sub -1.4}{sup +1.6}(stat){sub -0.8}{sup +0.9}(syst) {+-} 0.3(lumi) pb. The combined cross section using both the lepton+track data and the data from the electron+electron, electron+muon, and muon+muon samples is: {sigma} = 6.4{sub -0.9}{sup +0.9}(stat){sub -0.7}{sup +0.8}(syst) {+-} 0.4(lumi) pb.

Supersymmetry, extension of the Standard Model of Particle Physics (SM), is searched for by trying to observe the supersymmetric partner of bottom quark ({tilde b}). This search is performed using events with a final state comprising two acoplanar b-quark jets and missing transverse energy (MET) and coming from a sample of 992 pb{sup -1} of data collected by the D0 detector at the Tevatron, the Fermilab p{bar p} collider. The absence of an excess of events in comparison to MS expectations leads to exclude sb masses up to 201 GeV, neutralino masses up to 94 GeV. The MET has been studied under two points of view, because of its fundamental role in this search. First, at the level of the trigger system which allows the online selection candidate events, and then, within the framework of the ALPGEN generator, the simulation of the Z boson transverse momentum which appears as MET when the Z boson decays into neutrino.

Central exclusive production of a system X in a collision between two hadrons h is defined as hh {yields} h + X + h with no other activity apart from the decay products of X. This thesis presents predictions for the production cross section of a CP violating supersymmetric Higgs boson and the radion of the Randall-Sundrum model. The ExHuME Monte Carlo generator was written to simulate central exclusive processes and is described and explored. A comparison to di-jet observations made by the D0 detector at the Tevatron, Fermilab between January and June 2004 is made and the distributions found support the predictions of ExHuME.

Using approximately 1.3 fb{sup -1} of data collected by the D0 detector between 2002 and 2006, the lifetime of the B{sub c}{sup {+-}} meson is studied in the B{sub c}{sup {+-}} {yields} J/{psi}{mu}{sup {+-}} + X final state. Using an unbinned likelihood simultaneous fit to J/{psi} + {mu} invariant mass and lifetime distributions, a signal of 810 {+-} 80(stat.) candidates is estimated and a lifetime measurement made of: {tau}(B{sub c}{sup {+-}}) = 0.448{sub -0.036}{sup +0.038}(stat) {+-} 0.032(sys) ps.

W{sup {+-}} + b{bar b} events contain the associated production of a W{sup {+-}} boson, a pair of bottom quarks (b{bar b}), and any number of additional partons. This process is of much importance at hadron collider experiments due to its role as a background source in searches for Standard Model Higgs boson and single top-quark production. In this thesis the results are presented for a measurement of the b-jet cross-section in W{sup {+-}} + b{bar b} events containing 1 or 2 jets in 695 pb{sup -1} of {radical}s =1.96 TeV p{bar p} collisions at the CDF experiment. This is the first measurement of the cross-section of W{sup {+-}} b{bar b} performed in any experiment. The cross-section is defined to be proportional to the number of b-jets from W{sup {+-}} b{bar b} events with one or two jets, and a leptonically decaying W{sup {+-}} with decay products passing kinematics cuts (p{sub T}({ell}{sup {+-}}) {ge} 20.0 GeV, |{eta}({ell}{sup {+-}})| {le} 1.1, p{sub T}({nu}) {ge} 25.0 GeV). The invariant mass distribution of jets identified as containing a long-lived hadron is fit with components for bottom, charm, and light-flavor to find the fraction due to true b-decays. Background b-jet sources are subtracted to …

A computer model for simulation of the image contrast caused by Frank dislocation loops in field ion tips of fcc materials is presented. The model is based on the shell model for ion image simulation, whereas the displacement field of Frank loops is computed from the exact displacement equation for a closed dislocation loop in an isotropically elastic continuum. A method for taking surface effects into account by superposition of the displacement field of an image loop is introduced. The results indicate that Frank loops will cause image contrast while wholly beneath the surface of the tip, and that vacancy and interstitial loops will cause qualitatively different contrast. The effect of surface relaxation, while quantitatively substantial, does not qualitatively alter these results. Special emphasis is placed on small loops, with respect to which existing contrast theory is inadequate. Some micrographs of ion bombarded iridium tips are presented. These micrographs display contrast effects in excellent agreement with computer plots of interstitial loop contrast.

Gamma rays associated with psi mesons have been studied in 225 GeV/c ..pi../sup -/Be interactions. The psi-..gamma.. mass spectrum shows an excess of 47 +- 11 events above background centered at 3.531 GeV/c/sup 2/ with an rms width of 22.4 MeV. Attributing this excess of events to the decay chi ..-->.. psi ..gamma.. implies that 38 +- 9 % of all psi mesons are produced by this mechanism. The experimental setup and results are detailed.

The morphology of zinc as it is electrodeposited from acid solutions demonstrates a remarkable imprint of electrolyte flow conditions. The development of macromorphology of zinc deposits has been investigated under galvanostatic conditions on a rotating plantinum disk electrode by use of photomacrography, scanning electron microscopy, electron probe microanalysis and Auger microprobe analysis. Logarithmic spiral markings, which reflect the hydrodynamic flow on a rotating disk, appear in a certain region of current density well below the limiting current density. Morphological observations revealed the major influence of trace lead ions on the amplifications of surface roughness through coalescence and preferred growth of initial protrusions. Results obtained from ultra-pure electrolyte suggest preferred crystal growth towards well-mixed orientation in the concentration field caused by slight differences in crystallization overpotential. A qualitative model involving a coupling mechanism between the evolving surface roughness and instability phenomena in the boundary layer is advanced to explain the formation of spiral patterns.

A study of the forms of trace elements occurring in Solvent Refined Coal has been performed by chemical separation of the Solvent Refined Coal based on differences in the functionality and molecular weight of the organic matrix. Analysis of the fractions separated for various trace elements has revealed associations of certain elements with other elements as well as with certain fractions. The analysis of Solvent Refined Coal I by these methods provided data on the distribution of Ti, V, Ca, S, Al, Mn, As, Se, Cr, Fe, Ni, Zn, Sc, and Ga in the fractions generated. Because of the low trace element content of Solvent Refined Coal II only As, Se, and Cr could be detected in the silica fractions. Based on the distributions three different groups of elements have been based on the association of elements with each other and with certain fractions. The first group is composed of As, Se, and Cr associated with silica fractions of relatively low functionality; these elements have a high percent solubility in the starting Solvent Refined Coal II oil. The second group composed of Ti, V, and to a lesser extent a second form of Cr, is associated with fractions that have …

The determination of level populations and detailed population mechanisms in dense plasmas has become an increasingly important problem in atomic physics. In this work, the density variation of line intensities and level populations in aluminum K-shell and molybdenum and silver L-shell emission spectra have been measured from high-powered, laser-produced plasmas. For each case, the density dependence of the observed line emission is due to the effect of high frequency electron-ion collisions on metastable levels. The density dependent line intensities vary greatly in laser-produced plasmas and can be used to extract detailed information concerning the population kinetics and level populations of the ions. The laser-plasmas had to be fully characterized in order to clearly compare the observed density dependence with atomic theory predictions. This has been achieved through the combined use of new diagnostic instruments and microdot targets which provided simultaneously space, time, and spectrally resolved data. The plasma temperatures were determined from the slope of the hydrogen-like recombination continuum. The time resolved electron density profiles were measured using multiple frame holographic interferometry. Thus, the density dependence of K-shell spectral lines could be clearly examined, independent of assumptions concerning the dynamics of the plasma. In aluminum, the electron density dependence of …