MRI Consortium: Development of a Complete Kaon Detection System for Hall C at 12 GeV JLab

该奖项将资助一个新的探测器系统的K介子识别，这将开辟新的机会，进行领先的研究在大厅C在杰斐逊实验室后，12-GeV的升级。K介子计划的基本科学目标是通过排斥反应和半包容反应来研究夸克。例如，从后者我们可以了解质子内部夸克的横向动量，而前者可以告诉我们产生的介子（kaon）的横向尺寸，这与量子染色体动力学（QCD）中的因子分解和色透明性直接相关。这种分解的短期和长期的相互作用也是一个先决条件，创建一个断层图像的质子使用的语言的广义Parton分布（GPD），从而在12 GeV的GPD程序的可解释性至关重要。拟议的仪器将是一个独立的设备，可以与新的超高动量光谱仪一起使用。它将由美国天主教大学领导的研究人员合作建造。该项目还将包括南卡罗来纳州大学、密西西比州立大学、佛罗里达国际大学，以及作为非主要合作伙伴（未接受资助）的杰斐逊实验室和埃里温物理研究所。博士后研究人员、研究生和本科生的参与是该项目不可分割的一部分，为年轻科学家提供进一步培训和教育的机会。这些将包括学习核物理概念和获得硬件和软件开发的实践经验。参加并协助一个主要国家实验室的实验，还可以接触到广泛的国际科学界。由两位女物理学家领导的项目可以为其他妇女提供榜样，并鼓励她们从事物理学方面的高级研究。

This award will fund a new detector system for kaon identification which will open up new opportunities for conducting leading-edge research in Hall C at the Jefferson Laboratory after the 12-GeV upgrade. The underlying scientific objective of the kaon program is to study quarks through exclusive and semi-inclusive reactions. From the latter we can, for instance, learn about the transverse momentum of the quarks inside a proton, while the former can tell us about the transverse size of the produced meson (kaon), which is directly linked to factorization and color transparency in Quantum Chromo Dynamics (QCD). This factorization of short- and long-range interactions is also a prerequisite for the creation of a tomographic image of the proton using the language of Generalized Parton Distributions (GPDs), and thus essential for the interpretability of the GPD program at 12 GeV. The proposed instrument will be a standalone device that can be used together with the new Super High Momentum Spectrometer. It will be built by a collaboration of researchers led by the Catholic University of America. It will also include the University of South Carolina, Mississippi State University, Florida International University, and as non-lead partners (not receiving funding) the Jefferson Laboratory and the Yerevan Physics Institute.The participation of postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, and undergraduate students is an integral part of the project, providing young scientists with opportunities to further their training and education. These will include learning nuclear physics concepts and getting hands-on experience in the development of hardware and software. Participating in and contributing to experiments at a major national laboratory also provides exposure to a broad international scientific community. The project leadership by two women physicists could provide a role model for other women and encourage them to pursue advanced studies in physics.