Categoria: News

Lunedi 23 gennaio 23 ore 15:00

Abstract:
In comparison to photon radiotherapy, particle beam radiotherapy (mostly protons and carbon ions are used) results in a lower radiation dose to normal tissue, reducing long– term complications and increasing the quality of life of patients. However, the dose distribution delivered during particle therapy is quite sensitive to anatomical changes in the patient, particle range uncertainties and patient setup errors. Because of this, several techniques for in–vivo dose delivery verification have and are being developed. The most investigated method is positron emission tomography (PET) of the positron emitters that are created by the particles via nuclear reactions in the patient. The PET signal is obviously delayed by the radioactive decay half–life. For most positron emitters this precludes real–time feedback and leaves room for biological washout. I will report on investigations towards real–time verification using PET during proton, helium ion and heavy ion therapy. At the University Medical Center Groningen, we are investigating imaging of 12 N, with a half–life of just 11 ms, produced by the proton or helium beam in the patient. I will report on recent proof–of–principle demonstrations of the range accuracy in homogeneous targets, and discuss our present research to
establish the clinical relevance on the basis of irradiations of an anthropomorphic head phantom. Treatment with positron emitting radioactive heavy ions gives a much stronger PET signal which is more closely correlated to the Bragg peak compared to treatment with stable heavy ions. Within the BARB project at the GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, we have investigated the precision with which the range of 10,11 C and 14,15 O can be measured using PET. The design and outcome of these experiments will be discussed.

Il seminario si terrà in presenza nella sala Galilei (131) e via zoom al seguente indirizzo: https://infn-it.zoom.us/j/84261721878?pwd=MDZNaGdBUlcvUUJXa2phSHZVZk5sdz09

Abstract: The muon is an elementary particle, a short-lived cousin of the electron. Since about 20 years the calculation of its magnetic moment disagrees with its measurement, indicating that a not-yet-known particle or force might be influencing the muon. An experiment at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL,US) confirmed this puzzling discrepancy with an announcement in April 2021. The event received significant media attention. 

At the same time our group published a new ab-inito calculation, based on lattice formulation of quantum chromodynamics (lattice QCD), which challenged previous computations and brought the theoretical prediction closer to the experimental value. According to this result, no new forces or particles are neccessary to explain the FNAL and previous measurements.

Currently, the question if there is any new physics in the muon magnetic moment, is open. Since 2021 several new independent lattice QCD computations have appeared, there are updates of the old style theory approach, and also comparisons of the two approaches. In the meantime the FNAL experiment keeps on gathering new data.

The talk will give a review of these efforts with the main focus on our original lattice computation.
Il seminario si terrà in presenza nella sala riunioni 250 e via zoom al seguente indirizzo:  https://infn-it.zoom.us/j/84261721878?pwd=MDZNaGdBUlcvUUJXa2phSHZVZk5sdz09

Abstract: Control over the quantum states of atoms and molecules can lead to a fundamentally new understanding of how these particles interact and react. This knowledge has the potential to impact our ability to probe processes in planetary atmospheres and in the interstellar medium. Experimental techniques developed for control and measurement of atoms is now being used to study more and more complex molecules. We study these rich systems at low temperatures where we can trap and examine their properties for many minutes, as compared to small fractions of a second in standard experiments. Using these cold, trapped molecular ions, we investigate mechanisms of ion-molecule reactions to gain insights into the mechanisms driving these processes. In particular, we explore possible mechanisms that may initiate growth of carbon chains in the interstellar medium.

Abstract:

Artificial Intelligence for digital REStoration of Cultural Heritage (AIRES-CH) is a project focused on a creation of a cloud-native web app for the digital restoration of pictorial artworks through Computer Vision technologies applied to nuclear imaging raw data, such as X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF). In this talk, after a really brief introduction on nuclear imaging technologies, I will show that the task of associating an RGB colour image to an XRF imaging raw data is feasible by means of a multidimensional neural network, by discussing the Deep Neural Network models pipeline (training dataset composition, models’ architecture definition, training process, hyperparameter optimisation, validation); I will close with a brief discussion on how the trained neural network is employed in the cloud-native web application for XRF raw data real-time analysis.

Young Organization for Young Researchers 

New Physics Signals (NePSi – NeΨ) is the 1ˢᵗ International Workshop completely organized by Young Researchers which supports the active participation of Young Researchers.

The organization provides alternating Senior and Young Researchers sessions. This gives the opportunity to early stage researchers, severely penalized by the pandemic, to spread their work and, also, to experienced academic to be aware about the innovative ideas coming from the newcomers. 

NeΨ 2023 will take place in the Aula Magna “Fratelli Pontecorvo” at the Physics Department “E. Fermi” of the University of Pisa.

It aims at bringing together the theoretical and experimental communities, to create a discussion table to settle the main results recently obtained in the context of high-energy physics.

The event includes oral presentations on the most promising tests concerning the physics beyond the Standard Model, the tensions that have already been reduced in the sector of Flavor physics, and the ones that still require a deeper investigation. The ultimate goal is to draw a common path for the search of New Physics, especially in view of the improved precision that will be achieved by current and future collider experiments (e.g., Belle II and LHCb Upgrade II).

The registration as a listener is reserved for participants without contribution (talk/poster) in a maximum number of 60 people. Invited speakers can instead already register as presenters.

Young researchers are strongly invited to apply for a contribution too! Abstract of the talk/poster can be submitted for approval by the Organizing Committee via the dedicated form. In this case we recommend registration after the committee decision. 

Finally, we will also allow for remote attendance to the workshop for a limited number of participants.

Please check the indico page for further details https://agenda.infn.it/e/nepsi23