M. Gallinaro

The goal of this report is to give a comprehensive overview of the rich field of forward physics, with a special attention to the topics that can be studied at the LHC. The report starts presenting a selection of the Monte Carlo simulation tools currently available, chapter 2, then enters the rich phenomenology of QCD at low, chapter 3, and high, chapter 4, momentum transfer, while the unique scattering conditions of central exclusive production are analyzed in chapter 5. The last two experimental topics, Cosmic Ray and Heavy Ion physics are presented in the chapter 6 and 7 respectively. Chapter 8 is dedicated to the BFKL dynamics, multiparton interactions, and saturation. The report ends with an overview of the forward detectors at LHC. Each chapter is correlated with a comprehensive bibliography, attempting to provide to the interested reader with a wide opportunity for further studies.

The prospect of pileup induced backgrounds at the High Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC) has stimulated intense interest in developing technologies for charged particle detection with accurate timing at high rates. The required accuracy follows directly from the nominal interaction distribution within a bunch crossing (σz∼5 cm, σt∼170 ps). A time resolution of the order of 20–30 ps would lead to significant reduction of these backgrounds. With this goal, we present a new detection concept called PICOSEC, which is based on a “two-stage” Micromegas detector coupled to a Cherenkov radiator and equipped with a photocathode. First results obtained with this new detector yield a time resolution of 24 ps for 150 GeV muons, and 76 ps for single photoelectrons.

The discovery of the Higgs boson in 2012, by the ATLAS and CMS experiments, was a success achieved with only a percent of the entire dataset foreseen for the LHC. It opened a landscape of possibilities in the study of Higgs boson properties, Electroweak Symmetry breaking and the Standard Model in general, as well as new avenues in probing new physics beyond the Standard Model. Six years after the discovery, with a conspicuously larger dataset collected during LHC Run 2 at a 13 TeV centre-of-mass energy, the theory and experimental particle physics communities have started a meticulous exploration of the potential for precision measurements of its properties. This includes studies of Higgs boson production and decays processes, the search for rare decays and production modes, high energy observables, and searches for an extended electroweak symmetry breaking sector. This report summarises the potential reach and opportunities in Higgs physics during the High Luminosity phase of the LHC, with an expected dataset of pp collisions at 14 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3 ab$^{-1}$. These studies are performed in light of the most recent analyses from LHC collaborations and the latest theoretical developments. The potential of an LHC upgrade, colliding protons at a centre-of-mass energy of 27 TeV and producing a dataset corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 15 ab$^{-1}$, is also discussed.

Insight into the electroweak (EW) and Higgs sectors can be achieved through measurements of vector boson scattering (VBS) processes. The scattering of EW bosons are rare processes that are precisely predicted in the Standard Model (SM) and are closely related to the Higgs mechanism. Modifications to VBS processes are also predicted in models of physics beyond the SM (BSM), for example through changes to the Higgs boson couplings to gauge bosons and the resonant production of new particles. In this review, experimental results and theoretical developments of VBS at the Large Hadron Collider, its high luminosity upgrade, and future colliders are presented.

Abstract The PICOSEC Micromegas (MM) detector is a precise timing gaseous detector consisting of a Cherenkov radiator combined with a photocathode and a MM amplifying structure. A 100-channel PICOSEC MM prototype with 10 × 10 cm 2 active area equipped with a Cesium Iodide (CsI) photocathode demonstrated a time resolution below σ = 18 ps. The objective of this work is to improve the PICOSEC MM detector robustness aspects, i.e. integration of resistive MM and carbon-based photocathodes, while maintaining good time resolution. The PICOSEC MM prototypes have been tested in laboratory conditions and successfully characterised with 150 GeV/c muon beams at the CERN SPS H4 beam line. The excellent timing performance below σ = 20 ps for an individual pad obtained with the 10 × 10 cm 2 area resistive PICOSEC MM of 20 MΩ/□ showed no significant time resolution degradation as a result of adding a resistive layer. A single-pad prototype equipped with a 12 nm thick Boron Carbide (B 4 C) photocathode presented a time resolution below σ = 35 ps, opening up new possibilities for detectors with robust photocathodes. The results made the concept more suitable for the experiments in need of robust detectors with good time resolution.

The spatial dependence of the timing performance of the R3809U-50 Micro-Channel-Plate PMT (MCP-PMT) by Hamamatsu was studied in high energy muon beams. Particle position information is provided by a GEM tracker telescope, while timing is measured relative to a second MCP-PMT, identical in construction. In the inner part of the circular active area (radius r$<$5.5\,mm) the time resolution of the two MCP-PMTs combined is better than 10~ps. The signal amplitude decreases in the outer region due to less light reaching the photocathode, resulting in a worse time resolution. The observed radial dependence is in quantitative agreement with a dedicated simulation. With this characterization, the suitability of MCP-PMTs as $\text{t}_\text{0}$ reference detectors has been validated.

Axion Like Particles (ALPs) are potential dark matter candidates and searches at the LHC are performed in a wide range of masses. It is an active field of research. Several production processes in a variety of final states are explored using the data collected. Advanced analysis techniques are used to improve the search sensitivity. An overview of the analysis strategies and a selected sample of the analyses performed at the LHC are presented. The mass range covered spans from 0.5~GeV to few TeVs.

The CMS detector will be upgraded for the HL-LHC to include a MIP Timing Detector (MTD). The MTD will consist of barrel and endcap timing layers, BTL and ETL respectively, providing precision timing of charged particles. The BTL sensors are based on LYSO:Ce scintillation crystals coupled to SiPMs with TOFHIR2 ASICs for the front-end readout. A resolution of 30-60 ps for MIP signals at a rate of 2.5 Mhit/s per channel is expected along the HL-LHC lifetime. We present an overview of the TOFHIR2 requirements and design, simulation results and measurements with TOFHIR2 ASICs. The measurements of TOFHIR2 associated to sensor modules were performed in different test setups using internal test pulses or blue and UV laser pulses emulating the signals expected in the experiment. The measurements show a time resolution of 24 ps initially during Beginning of Operation (BoO) and 58 ps at End of Operation (EoO) conditions, matching well the BTL requirements. We also showed that the time resolution is stable up to the highest expected MIP rate. Extensive radiation tests were performed, both with x-rays and heavy ions, showing that TOFHIR2 is not affected by the radiation environment during the experiment lifetime.

The experiments at Run 2 of the Tevatron have each accumulated over 1 inverse femtobarn of high-transverse momentum data. Such a dataset allows for the first precision (i.e. comparisons between theory and experiment at the few percent level) tests of QCD at a hadron collider. While the Large Hadron Collider has been designed as a discovery machine, basic QCD analyses will still need to be performed to understand the working environment. The Tevatron-for-LHC workshop was conceived as a communication link to pass on the expertise of the Tevatron and to test new analysis ideas coming from the LHC community. The TeV4LHC QCD Working Group focussed on important aspects of QCD at hadron colliders: jet definitions, extraction and use of Parton Distribution Functions, the underlying event, Monte Carlo tunes, and diffractive physics. This report summarizes some of the results achieved during this workshop.

The multi-pad PICOSEC-Micromegas is an improved detector prototype with a segmented anode, consisting of 19 hexagonal pads. Detailed studies are performed with data collected in a muon beam over four representative pads. We demonstrate that such a device, scalable to a larger area, provides excellent time resolution and detection efficiency. As expected from earlier single-cell device studies, we measure a time resolution of approximately 25 picoseconds for charged particles hitting near the anode pad centres, and up to 30 picoseconds at the pad edges. Here, we study in detail the effect of drift gap thickness non-uniformity on the timing performance and evaluate impact position based corrections to obtain a uniform timing response over the full detector coverage.

The PICOSEC Micromegas detector can time the arrival of Minimum Ionizing Particles with a sub-25 ps precision. A very good timing resolution in detecting single photons is also demonstrated in laser beams. The PICOSEC timing resolution is determined mainly by the drift field. The arrival time of the signal and the timing resolution vary with the size of the pulse amplitude. Detailed simulations based on GARFIELD++ reproduce the experimental PICOSEC timing characteristics. This agreement is exploited to identify the microscopic physical variables, which determine the observed timing properties. In these studies, several counter-intuitive observations are made for the behavior of such microscopic variables. In order to gain insight on the main physical mechanisms causing the observed behavior, a phenomenological model is constructed and presented. The model is based on a simple mechanism of “time-gain per interaction” and it employs a statistical description of the avalanche evolution. It describes quantitatively the dynamical and statistical properties of the microscopic quantities, which determine the PICOSEC timing characteristics, in excellent agreement with the simulations. In parallel, it offers phenomenological explanations for the behavior of these microscopic variables. The formulae expressing this model can be used as a tool for fast and reliable predictions, provided that the input parameter values (e.g. drift velocities) are known for the considered operating conditions.

The PICOSEC Micromegas detector is a precise timing gaseous detector based on a Cherenkov radiator coupled to a semi-transparent photocathode and a Micromegas amplifying structure. First single-pad prototypes demonstrated a time resolution below σ= 25 ps, however, to make the concept appropriate to physics applications, several developments are required. The objective of this work was to achieve an equivalent time resolution for a 10 × 10 cm2 area PICOSEC Micromegas detector. The prototype was designed, produced and tested in the laboratory and successfully operated with a 80 GeV/c muon beam. Preliminary results for this device equipped with a CsI photocathode demonstrated a time resolution below σ= 25 ps for all measured pads. The time resolution was reduced to be below σ= 18 ps by decreasing the drift gap to 180 μm and using dedicated RF amplifier cards as new electronics. The excellent timing performance of the single-channel proof of concept was not only transferred to the 100-channel prototype, but even improved, making the PICOSEC Micromegas detector more suitable for large-area experiments in need of detectors with high time resolutions.

For an efficient data taking, the Electromagnetic Calorimeter data of the CMS experiment must be limited to 10% of the full event size (1MB). Other requirements limit the average data size to 2kB per data acquisition link. These conditions imply a reduction factor of close to twenty on the data collected. The data filtering in the readout of the Electromagnetic Calorimeter detector is discussed. Test beam data are used to study the digital filtering applied in the readout channels and a full detector simulation allows to estimate the energy thresholds to achieve the desired data suppression factor.

Using an impact parameter tag to select an enriched sample of ${\mathit{Z}}^{0}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}bb\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{} events, we have measured the difference between the average charged multiplicity of ${\mathit{Z}}^{0}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}bb\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{} and ${\mathit{Z}}^{0}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow} hadrons to be n${\mathrm{\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{}}}_{\mathit{b}}$-n${\mathrm{\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{}}}_{\mathrm{had}}$=2.24\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.30 ( stat )\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.33 ( syst ) tracks per event. From this, we have derived n${\mathrm{\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{}}}_{\mathit{b}}$-n${\mathrm{\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{}}}_{\mathit{u}\mathit{d}\mathit{s}}$=3.31\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.41\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.79. Comparing this measurement with those at lower center-of-mass energies, we find no evidence that n${\mathrm{\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{}}}_{\mathit{b}}$-n${\mathrm{\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{}}}_{\mathit{u}\mathit{d}\mathit{s}}$ depends on energy. This result is in agreement with a precise prediction of perturbative QCD, and supports the notion that QCD remains asymptotically free down to the scale ${\mathit{M}}_{\mathit{b}}^{2}$.

We have determined the strong coupling ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\alpha}}}_{\mathit{s}}$ from measurements of jet rates in hadronic decays of ${\mathit{Z}}^{0}$ bosons collected by the SLD experiment at SLAC. Using six collinear and infrared safe jet algorithms we compared our data with the predictions of QCD calculated up to second order in perturbation theory, and also with resummed calculations. We find ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\alpha}}}_{\mathit{s}}$(${\mathit{M}}_{\mathit{Z}}^{2}$)=0.118\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.002(stat)\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.003(syst)\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.010(theory), where the dominant uncertainty is from uncalculated higher order contributions.

We present a detailed examination of the heavy flavor properties of jets produced at the Fermilab Tevatron collider. The data set, collected with the Collider Detector at Fermilab, consists of events with two or more jets with transverse energy ET>~15GeV and pseudorapidity |η|<~1.5. The heavy flavor content of the data set is enriched by requiring that at least one of the jets (lepton-jet) contains a lepton with a transverse momentum larger than 8GeV/c. Jets containing hadrons with heavy flavor are selected via the identification of secondary vertices. The parton-level cross sections predicted by the HERWIG Monte Carlo generator program are tuned within theoretical and experimental uncertainties to reproduce the secondary-vertex rates in the data. The tuned simulation provides new information on the origin of the discrepancy between the bb¯ cross section measurements at the Tevatron and the next-to-leading order QCD prediction. We also compare the rate of away-jets (jets recoiling against the lepton-jet) containing a soft lepton (pT>~2GeV/c) in the data to that in the tuned simulation. We find that this rate is larger than what is expected for the conventional production and semileptonic decay of pairs of hadrons with heavy flavor.Received 2 December 2003DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.69.072004©2004 American Physical Society

A detector designed to measure early particle showers has been installed in front of the central CDF calorimeter at the Tevatron. This new preshower detector is based on scintillator tiles coupled to wavelength-shifting fibers read out by multi-anode photomultipliers and has a total of 3,072 readout channels. The replacement of the old gas detector was required due to an expected increase in instantaneous luminosity of the Tevatron collider in the next few years. Calorimeter coverage, jet energy resolution, and electron and photon identification are among the expected improvements. The final detector design, together with the R$&$D studies that led to the choice of scintillator and fiber, mechanical assembly, and quality control are presented. The detector was installed in the fall 2004 Tevatron shutdown and started collecting colliding beam data by the end of the same year. First measurements indicate a light yield of 12 photoelectrons/MIP, a more than two-fold increase over the design goals.

The CMS Detector will be upgraded for the HL-LHC to include a MIP Timing Detector (MTD). The MTD will consist of barrel and endcap timing layers, BTL and ETL respectively, providing precision timing of charged particles. The BTL sensors are based on LYSO:Ce scintillation crystals coupled to SiPMs with TOFHIR2 ASICs for the front-end readout. A resolution of 30–40 ps for MIP signals at a rate of 2.5 Mhit/s per channel is expected at the beginning of HL-LHC operation. We present an overview of the TOFHIR2 requirements and design, simulation results and the first measurements with TOFHIR2A silicon samples.

The experiments at Run 2 of the Tevatron have each accumulated over 1 fb{sup -1} of high-transverse momentum data. Such a dataset allows for the first precision (i.e. comparisons between theory and experiment at the few percent level) tests of QCD at a hadron collider. While the Large Hadron Collider has been designed as a discovery machine, basic QCD analyses will still need to be performed to understand the working environment. The Tevatron-for-LHC workshop was conceived as a communication link to pass on the expertise of the Tevatron and to test new analysis ideas coming from the LHC community. The TeV4LHC QCD Working Group focused on important aspects of QCD at hadron colliders: jet definitions, extraction and use of Parton Distribution Functions, the underlying event, Monte Carlo tunes, and diffractive physics. This report summarizes some of the results achieved during this workshop.

This contribution describes the PICOSEC-Micromegas detector which achieves a time resolution below 25 ps. In this device the passage of a charged particle produces Cherenkov photons in a radiator, which then generate electrons in a photocathode and these photoelectrons enter a two-stage Micromegas with a reduced drift region and a typical anode region. The results from single-channel prototypes (demonstrating a time resolution of 24 ps for minimum ionizing particles, and 76 ps for single photoelectrons), the understanding of the detector in terms of detailed simulations and a phenomenological model, the issues of robustness and how they are tackled, and preliminary results from a multi-channel prototype are presented (demonstrating that a timing resolution similar to that of the single-channel device is feasible for all points across the area covered by a multi-channel device).

Detectors with a time resolution of a few tens of picoseconds and long-term durability in high particle fluxes are necessary for an accurate vertex separation in future particle physics experiments. The PICOSEC-Micromegas detector concept is a Micro-Pattern Gaseous Detector (MPGD) based solution addressing this particular challenge. It is based on a Micromegas detector coupled to a Cherenkov radiator and a photocathode. Primary electrons from the incident particles are generated in the photocathode and the time fluctuations due to different primary ionisation positions in the gaseous volume are reduced. The feasibility to reach a good time resolution using this concept was demonstrated in test beam studies, and time resolution values down to 24 ps were measured with muon beams at the CERN SPS accelerator complex. The previously simulated effects of different detector parameters on the time resolution were confirmed by measurements. For these measurements, a femtosecond laser system is used. For a single photoelectron, a time resolution of better than 50 ps is achieved mostly by minimising the drift gap distance. Furthermore, gain and Amplitude-to-Signal ratio (A/Q) with different gas mixtures are compared.

The MIP Timing Detector will provide additional timing capabilities for detection of minimum ionizing particles (MIPs) at CMS during the High Luminosity LHC era, improving event reconstruction and pileup rejection. The central portion of the detector, the Barrel Timing Layer (BTL), will be instrumented with LYSO:Ce crystals and Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs) providing a time resolution of about 30 ps at the beginning of operation, and degrading to 50-60 ps at the end of the detector lifetime as a result of radiation damage. In this work, we present the results obtained using a 120 GeV proton beam at the Fermilab Test Beam Facility to measure the time resolution of unirradiated sensors. A proof-of-concept of the sensor layout proposed for the barrel region of the MTD, consisting of elongated crystal bars with dimensions of about 3 x 3 x 57 mm$^3$ and with double-ended SiPM readout, is demonstrated. This design provides a robust time measurement independent of the impact point of the MIP along the crystal bar. We tested LYSO:Ce bars of different thickness (2, 3, 4 mm) with a geometry close to the reference design and coupled to SiPMs manufactured by Hamamatsu and Fondazione Bruno Kessler. The various aspects influencing the timing performance such as the crystal thickness, properties of the SiPMs (e.g. photon detection efficiency), and impact angle of the MIP are studied. A time resolution of about 28 ps is measured for MIPs crossing a 3 mm thick crystal bar, corresponding to an MPV energy deposition of 2.6 MeV, and of 22 ps for the 4.2 MeV MPV energy deposition expected in the BTL, matching the detector performance target for unirradiated devices.

The CMS Detector will be upgraded for the High-Luminosity LHC to include a MIP Timing Detector (MTD). The MTD will consist of barrel and endcap timing layers, BTL and ETL, respectively, providing precision timing of charged particles. The BTL sensors are based on LYSO:Ce scintillating crystals coupled to SiPMs that are read out by TOFHIR2 ASICs in the front-end system. A resolution of 30 ps for MIP signals is expected at the beginning of HL-LHC operation degrading to 60 ps at the end of operation due to the SiPMs radiation damage. Relative to the first version of the front-end ASIC, TOFHIR2X implements improved circuitry for mitigation of the SiPM dark current noise as well as a new current mode discriminator. We present an overview of the TOFHIR2 requirements and design, simulation results and the first measurements with TOFHIR2X silicon samples coupled to LYSO/SiPM prototype sensors.

Experimental results from the CDF experiment at the Tevatron in $p\bar{p}$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}$=1.96 TeV are presented on the diffractive structure function at different values of the exchanged momentum transfer squared in the range $0<Q^2<10,000$ GeV$^2$, on the four-momentum transfer $|t|$ distribution in the region $0<|t|<1$ GeV$^2$ for both soft and hard diffractive events up to $Q^2\approx 4,500$ GeV$^2$, and on the first experimental evidence of exclusive production in both dijet and diphoton events. A novel technique to align the Roman Pot detectors is also presented.

Two MiniPlug calorimeters, designed to measure the energy and lateral position of particles in the (forward) pseudorapidity region of 3.6<|η|<5.1 of the CDF detector, have been recently installed as part of the Run II CDF upgrade at the Tevatron p̄p collider. In this paper we describe the final design of the MiniPlugs and present results from a cosmic ray test, in which a light yield of approximately 100pe/MIP was obtained, exceeding our design requirements.

The upgrades of ATLAS and CMS for the High Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC) highlighted physics objects timing as a tool to resolve primary interactions within a bunch crossing. Since the expected pile-up is around 200, with an r.m.s. time spread of 180 ps, a time resolution of about 30 ps is needed. The timing detectors will experience a 1-MeV neutron equivalent fluence of about $\Phi_{eq}=10^{14}$ and $10^{15}$ cm$^{-2}$ for the barrel and end-cap regions, respectively. In this contribution, deep diffused Avalanche Photo Diodes (APDs) produced by Radiation Monitoring Devices are examined as candidate timing detectors for HL-LHC applications. To improve the detector's timing performance, the APDs are used to directly detect the traversing particles, without a radiator medium where light is produced. Devices with an active area of $8\times8$ mm$^2$ were characterized in beam tests. The timing performance and signal properties were measured as a function of position on the detector using a beam telescope and a microchannel plate photomultiplier (MCP-PMT). Devices with an active area of $2\times2$ mm$^2$ were used to determine the effects of radiation damage and characterized using a ps pulsed laser. These detectors were irradiated with neutrons up to $\Phi_{eq}=10^{15}$ cm$^{-2}$.

The papers review the main theoretical and experimental aspects of the Forward Physics at the Large Hadron Collider.

Abstract Detectors with a time resolution of 20-30 ps and a reliable performance in high particles flux environments are necessary for an accurate vertex separation in future HEP experiments. The PICOSEC-Micromegas detector concept is a Micro-Pattern Gaseous Detector (MPGD) based solution addressing this particular challenge. The PICOSEC-Micromegas concept is based on a Micromegas detector coupled to a Cherenkov radiator and a photocathode. In this detector concept, all primary electrons are initiated in the photocathode and the time jitter fluctuations are reduced. Different resistive anode layers have been tested with the goal of preserving a stable detector operation in a high intensity pion beam. One important characteristic of a gaseous detector in a high flux environment is the ion backflow (IBF). That can cause damage to more fragile photocathode materials like CsI. Various types of photocathode materials have been tested in order to find a robust solution against IBF bombardment.

Between the years 2015 and 2019, members of the Horizon 2020-funded Innovative Training Network named "AMVA4NewPhysics" studied the customization and application of advanced multivariate analysis methods and statistical learning tools to high-energy physics problems, as well as developed entirely new ones. Many of those methods were successfully used to improve the sensitivity of data analyses performed by the ATLAS and CMS experiments at the CERN Large Hadron Collider; several others, still in the testing phase, promise to further improve the precision of measurements of fundamental physics parameters and the reach of searches for new phenomena. In this paper, the most relevant new tools, among those studied and developed, are presented along with the evaluation of their performances.

The PICOSEC Micromegas precise timing detector is based on a Cherenkov radiator coupled to a semi-transparent photocathode and a Micromegas amplification structure. The first proof of concept single-channel small area prototype was able to achieve time resolution below 25 ps. One of the crucial aspects in the development of the precise timing gaseous detectors applicable in high-energy physics experiments is a modular design that enables large area coverage. The first 19-channel multi-pad prototype with an active area of approximately 10 cm$^2$ suffered from degraded timing resolution due to the non-uniformity of the preamplification gap. A new 100 cm$^2$ detector module with 100 channels based on a rigid hybrid ceramic/FR4 Micromegas board for improved drift gap uniformity was developed. Initial measurements with 80 GeV/c muons showed improvements in timing response over measured pads and a time resolution below 25 ps. More recent measurements with a new thinner drift gap detector module and newly developed RF pulse amplifiers show that the resolution can be enhanced to a level of 17~ps. This work will present the development of the detector from structural simulations, design, and beam test commissioning with a focus on the timing performance of a thinner drift gap detector module in combination with new electronics using an automated timing scan method.

The top quark sector is almost decoupled from lighter quark generations due to the fact that $V_{tb}\approx$~1. The current experimental measurements of $V_{tb}$ are compatible with the Standard Model expectations but are still dominated by experimental uncertainties. In this manuscript, a revision of the experimental methods used to measure $V_{tb}$ is given, and a simple method to probe heavy flavor content fraction of top quark events, $R=B(t\rightarrow Wb)/B(t\rightarrow Wq)$, is presented and discussed. Prospects for the measurements at the Large Hadron Collider based on generator level simulations are outlined.

The SLD detector at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center is a general purpose device for studying e{sup +}{epsilon}{sup {minus}} interaction at the Z{sup 0}. The SLD calorimeter system consists of two parts: a lead Liquid Argon Calorimeter (LAC) with both electromagnetic (22 radiation lengths) and hadronic sections (2.8 absorption lengths) housed inside the coil, and the Warm Ion limited streamer tubes Calorimeter (WIC) outside the coil which uses as radiator the iron of the flux return for the magnetic field. The WIC completes the measurement of the hadronic shower energy ({approximately}85% on average is contained in the LAC) and it provides identification and tracking for muons over 99% of the solid angle. In this note we report on the construction, test and commissioning of such a large system.

The PICOSEC detection concept consists in a “two-stage” Micromegas detector coupled to a Cherenkov radiator and equipped with a photocathode. A proof of concept has already been tested: a single-photoelectron response of 76 ps has been measured with a femtosecond UV laser at CEA/IRAMIS, while a time resolution of 24 ps with a mean yield of 10.4 photoelectrons has been measured for 150 GeV muons at the CERN SPS H4 secondary line. This work will present the main results of this prototype and the performance of the different detector configurations tested in 2016–2018 beam campaigns: readouts (bulk, resistive, multipad) and photocathodes (metallic+CsI, pure metallic, diamond). Finally, the prospects for building a demonstrator based on PICOSEC detection concept for future experiments will be discussed. In particular, the scaling strategies for a large area coverage with a multichannel readout plane, the R&D on solid converters for building a robust photocathode and the different resistive configurations for a robust readout.

Recent interest in pile-up mitigation through fast timing at the HL-LHC has focused attention on technologies that now achieve minimum ionising particle (MIP) time resolution of 30 picoseconds or less. The constraints of technical maturity and radiation tolerance narrowed the options in this rapidly developing field for the ATLAS and CMS upgrades to low gain avalanche detectors and silicon photomultipliers. In a variety of applications where occupancies and doses are lower, devices with pixel elements of order 1 cm2, nevertheless achieving 30 ps, would be attractive. In this paper, deep diffused Avalanche Photo Diodes (APDs) are examined as candidate timing detectors for HL-LHC applications. Devices with an active area of 8 × 8 mm2 are characterised using a pulsed infrared laser and, in some cases, high energy particle beams. The timing performance as well as the uniformity of response are examined. The effects of radiation damage on current, signal amplitude, noise, and timing of the APDs are evaluated using detectors with an active area of 2 × 2 mm2. These detectors were irradiated with neutrons up to a 1-MeV neutrons fluence Φeq=1015 cm−2. Their timing performance was characterised using a pulsed infrared laser. While a time resolution of 27±1 ps was obtained in a beam test using an 8 × 8 mm2 sensor, the present study only demonstrates that gain loss can be compensated by increased detector bias up to fluences of Φeq=6⋅1013 cm−2. So it possibly falls short of the Φeq=1014 cm−2 requirement for the CMS barrel over the lifetime of the HL-LHC.

Abstract The PICOSEC-Micromegas detector was developed for precise timing of the arrival of charged particles with a resolution bellow 30 ps. This contribution, after a brief introduction presents results concerning the PICOSEC-Micromegas response to single photoelectrons, estimation of the photoelectron yield of various photocathode types, as well as its performance to time the arrival of test beam muons. In addition, results based on detailed simulation studies and a stochastic model developed for the understanding of the detector are presented. Finally, results of studies related to the development of large scale PICOSEC-Micromegas detector for practical applications are also presented, in particular, the timing performance of a multi-channel PICOSEC prototype.

The experimental requirements in near future accelerators (e.g. High Luminosity-LHC) has stimulated intense interest in development of detectors with high precision timing capabilities. With this as a goal, a new detection concept called PICOSEC, which is based to a “two-stage” MicroMegas detector coupled to a Cherenkov radiator equipped with a photocathode has been developed. Results obtained with this new detector yield a time resolution of 24 ps for 150 GeV muons and 76 ps for single photoelectrons. In this paper we will report on the performance of the PICOSEC in test beams, as well as simulation studies and modelling of its timing characteristics.

This document summarises the talks and discussions happened during the VBSCan Mid-Term Scientific Meeting workshop. The VBSCan COST action is dedicated to the coordinated study of vector boson scattering (VBS) from the phenomenological and experimental point of view, for the best exploitation of the data that will be delivered by existing and future particle colliders.

Two MiniPlug calorimeters, designed to measure the energy and lateral position of particles in the pseudorapidity region of 3.6<|eta|<5.1 of the CDF detector, have been installed as part of the Run II CDF upgrade at the Tevatron collider. Detector performance and first results from $\bar pp$ collision data are presented.

Experimental results in diffractive processes are summarized and a few notable characteristics described in terms of Quantum Chromodynamics. Exclusive dijet production is used to establish a benchmark for future experiments in the quest for diffractive Higgs production at the Large Hadron Collider. Using new data from the Tevatron and dedicated diffractive triggers, no excess over a smooth falling distribution for exclusive dijet events could be found. Stringent upper limits on the exclusive dijet production cross section are presented. The quark/gluon composition of dijet final states is used to provide additional hints on exclusive dijet production.

The CDF Forward Detector upgrade project was designed to enhance the capabilities for diffractive physics at the Tevatron. It consists of a Roman Pot spectrometer to detect leading antiprotons, a set of counters near and around the beam-pipe to reject the non-diffractive event contamination to the data sample, and two Miniplug calorimeters to measure the event energy flow in the very forward rapidity region. In the novel design of the Miniplugs, a lead/liquid-scintillator is read out by wave-length shifting fibers arranged in a flexible tower geometry and relatively short depth allows calorimetric tracking. Performance of the Forward Detectors during the first two years of operation in Run II with colliding proton-antiproton beams at $\sqrt{s}$=1.96 TeV, as well as the first results obtained, are discussed. A measurement of the antiproton momentum loss using the Forward Detectors is also presented.

The top quark, the heaviest known elementary particle discovered at the Fermilab Tevatron more than twenty years ago, has taken a central role in the study of fundamental interactions. Due to its large mass, the top quark provides a unique environment for tests of the standard model. With a cumulative luminosity of more than 100~fb$^{-1}$ collected at $\sqrt{s}=7,8,13$ TeV by each of the ATLAS and CMS experiments at the Large Hadron Collider in the first ten years of operation, top quark physics is probing uncharted territories in precision and rare measurements with sensitivity to New Physics processes. This document summarizes the latest experimental measurements and studies of top quark properties.

Forward detectors are described together with the first physics results from Run II. Using new data and dedicated diffractive triggers, a measurement of single diffractive dijet production rate, with particular focus on the diffractive structure function of the antiproton, is discussed. Upper limits on the exclusive dijet and $\chi^0_c$ production cross sections are also presented.

For their operation at the CERN High Luminosity Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC), the ATLAS and CMS experiments are planning to implement dedicated systems to measure the time of arrival of minimum ionizing particles with an accuracy of about 30 ps. The timing detectors will be subjected to radiation levels corresponding up to a 1-MeV neutrons fluence (Φeq) of 1015 cm−2 for the goal integrated luminosity of HL-LHC of 3000 fb−1. In this paper, deep-diffused Avalanche Photo Diodes (APDs) produced by Radiation Monitoring Devices are examined as candidate timing detectors for HL-LHC applications. These APDs are operated at 1.8 kV, resulting in a gain of up to 500. The timing performance of the detectors is evaluated using a pulsed laser. The effects of radiation damage on current, signal amplitude, noise, and timing performance of the APDs are evaluated using detectors irradiated with neutrons up to Φeq = 1015 cm−2.

For an efficient data taking, the electromagnetic calorimeter (ECAL) data of the CMS experiment must be limited to 10% of the full event size (1 MB). Other requirements limit the average data size to 2 kB per data acquisition link. These conditions imply a reduction factor of close to twenty on the data collected. The data filtering in the readout of the ECAL detector is discussed. Test beam data are used to study the digital filtering applied in the readout channels and a full detector simulation allows to estimate the energy thresholds to achieve the desired data suppression factor.

This document summarises the talks and discussions happened during the VBSCan Mid-Term Scientific Meeting workshop. The VBSCan COST action is dedicated to the coordinated study of vector boson scattering (VBS) from the phenomenological and experimental point of view, for the best exploitation of the data that will be delivered by existing and future particle colliders.

The high-energy scattering of massive electroweak bosons, known as vector boson scattering (VBS), is a sensitive probe of new physics. VBS signatures will be thoroughly and systematically investigated at the LHC with the large data samples available and those that will be collected in the near future. Searches for deviations from Standard Model (SM) expectations in VBS facilitate tests of the Electroweak Symmetry Breaking (EWSB) mechanism. Current state-of-the-art tools and theory developments, together with the latest experimental results, and the studies foreseen for the near future are summarized. A review of the existing Beyond the SM (BSM) models that could be tested with such studies as well as data analysis strategies to understand the interplay between models and the effective field theory paradigm for interpreting experimental results are discussed. This document is a summary of the EU COST network "VBScan" workshop on the sensitivity of VBS processes for BSM frameworks that took place December 4-5, 2019 at the LIP facilities in Lisbon, Portugal. In this manuscript we outline the scope of the workshop, summarize the different contributions from theory and experiment, and discuss the relevant findings.

The cosmic ray spectrum extends to energies above 10^20 eV. In direct production or acceleration models, as well as by photo-pion interaction high energy cosmic ray flux must contain neutrinos and photons. The latter are absorbed by cosmic radiations while neutrinos are not. The need of a Neutrino Astronomy is compelling. In this paper a study of a detector array designed to measure horizontal tau air-showers emerging from the ground, produced by nu_tau interactions with the Earth's crust, is presented. Each array unit is composed of a pair of scintillator tiles mounted on a frame with a front field of view of about 0.1 sr, optimized to distinguish between up-going and down-going crossing particles by their time of flight. The detector array sensitivity, the size of the array and the tau shower identification are discussed. Because of the almost complete mixing of nu_mu to nu_tau the ultrahigh energy neutrino tau and its minimal consequent tau-airshower rate is estimated; assuming that the neutrino energy spectrum follows a Fermi-like power law E^-2, the sensitivity with 3 years of observation is estimated to be about 60 eV cm^-2s^-1sr^-1 in the energy range 10^{17-20} eV. This value would provide competitive upper limit with present and future experiments. We found also that, in the same time, this system can observe about one GZK neutrino event per km^2.

Insight into the electroweak (EW) and Higgs sectors can be achieved through measurements of vector boson scattering (VBS) processes. The scattering of EW bosons are rare processes that are precisely predicted in the Standard Model (SM) and are closely related to the Higgs mechanism. Modifications to VBS processes are also predicted in models of physics beyond the SM (BSM), for example through changes to the Higgs boson couplings to gauge bosons and the resonant production of new particles. In this review, experimental results and theoretical developments of VBS at the Large Hadron Collider, its high luminosity upgrade, and future colliders are presented.

Measurements of soft and hard diffractive processes have been performed at the Tevatron p-pbar collider during the past decade. Diffractive events are studied by means of identification of one or more rapidity gaps and/or a leading antiproton. Here, results are discussed within the Tevatron data and compared to those obtained at the HERA ep collider. The traditional ``pomeron'' is described within the framework of QCD and the issues discussed include pomeron structure, diffractive cross section factorization, and universality of rapidity gap formation. Exclusive dijet and low-mass state production in double-pomeron exchange processes, including predictions for Higgs production at the LHC from dijet measurements at the Tevatron.

Exclusive dijet production at the Tevatron can be used as a benchmark to establish predictions on exclusive diffractive Higgs production, a process with a much smaller cross section. Exclusive dijet production in Double Pomeron Exchange processes, including diffractive Higgs production with measurements at the Tevatron and predictions for the Large Hadron Collider are presented. Using new data from the Tevatron and dedicated diffractive triggers, no excess over a smooth falling distribution for exclusive dijet events could be found. Upper limits on the exclusive dijet production cross section are presented and compared to current theoretical predictions.

Experimental results in diffractive processes are summarized and a few notable characteristics described in terms of Quantum Chromodynamics. Exclusive dijet production is used to establish a benchmark for future experiments in the quest for diffractive Higgs production at the Large Hadron Collider. Using new data from the Tevatron and dedicated diffractive triggers, no excess over a smooth falling distribution for exclusive dijet events could be found. Stringent upper limits on the exclusive dijet production cross section are presented. The quark/gluon composition of dijet final states is used to provide additional hints on exclusive dijet production.

The Collider Detector at Fermilab is upgrading its end plug calorimeter from a gas detector system to one using scintillating tiles read out through wavelength shifting fibers. This upgrade is required to take advantage of the increase in luminosity which the Tevatron will provide in the future. The tile-fiber calorimeter, which is longitudinally segmented into electromagnetic and hadronic sections, will be read out through 1824 photomultiplier tubes. The performance requirements of the calorimeter demand that the PMTs have good response to light in the 500 nm region, provide adequate amplification for signals from minimum ionizing particles, provide linear response for peak anode currents up to 25 mA at a gain of 5×104, and fit into the restricted space at the rear of the plugs. For convenience, we also desire a single PMT and base combination be used for the electromagnetic and hadron calorimeters even though the required gains in these sections differ by a factor of 10. This paper describes the evaluation process used to determine the adequacy of the commercially available PMTs which appeared to meet our performance requirements.

The top quark, the heaviest known elementary particle discovered at the Fermilab Tevatron almost exactly twenty years ago, has taken a central role in the study of fundamental interactions. Its large mass suggests that it may play a special role in Nature. With approximately 25 fb−1 of data collected by the CMS experiments at the Large Hadron Collider in Run 1 (2010-2012), top quark physics is at a turning point from first studies to precision measurements with sensitivity to new physics processes. This report summarizes the latest experimental results on top quark production cross section and mass measurements. Presented at LaThuile 2015 XXIXth Rencontres de Physique de la Vallee dAoste IL NUOVO CIMENTO Vol. ?, N. ? ? Top quark physics experimental results at CMS: Cross section and mass measurements at the LHC

Measurements in the final states with taus or with no-leptons are among the most challenging as they are those with the smallest signal-to-background ratio. However, these final states are of particular interest as they can be important probes of new physics. Tau identification techniques and cross section measurements in top quark decays in these final states are discussed. The results, limited by systematical uncertainties, are consistent with standard model predictions, and are used to set stringent limits on new physics searches. The large data samples available at the Fermilab and at the Large Hadron Collider may help further improving the measurements.

We present searches for quark-lepton compositeness and a heavy W' boson at high electron-neutrino transverse mass. We use ~110/pb of data collected in p-pbar collisions at sqrt(s) = 1.8 TeV by the CDF collaboration during 1992--95. The data are consistent with standard model expectations. Limits are set on the quark-lepton compositeness scale Lambda and the ratio of partial cross sections sigma (W' -> e nu) / sigma (W -> e nu). The cross section ratio is used to obtain a lower limit on the mass of a W' boson with standard model couplings. We exclude Lambda < 2.81 TeV and a W' boson with mass below 754 GeV/c^2 at the 95% confidence level. We combine the W' mass limit with our previously published limit obtained using the muon channel, to exclude a W' boson with mass below 786 GeV/c^2 at the 95% confidence level.

As the heaviest known fundamental particle, the top quark has taken a central role in the study of fundamental interactions. The top quark mass is a fundamental parameter of the standard model which places constraints on the Higgs boson mass and electroweak symmetry breaking. Observations of the relative rates and kinematics of top quark final states may provide constraints for new physics processes. Past and current experimental measurements are presented with a critical view, and a look at the future prospects.

The top quark, the heaviest known elementary particle discovered at the Fermilab Tevatron almost twenty years ago, has taken a central role in the study of fundamental interactions. The top quark behaves differently from all other quarks due to its large mass and its correspondingly short lifetime. Its large mass suggests that it may play a special role in nature. The top quark decays before it hadronizes, passing its spin information on to its decay products. Therefore, it is possible to measure observables that depend on the top quark spin, providing a unique environment for tests of the standard model and for new physics searches. With approximately 10 fb−1 of luminosity delivered to each experiment at the Tevatron, and about 20 fb−1 collected by the ATLAS and CMS experiments at the Large Hadron Collider in the first three years of operation, top quark physics is at a turning point from first studies to precision measurements with sensitivity to new physics processes. This report summarizes the latest experimental measurements and studies of top quark properties and rare decays.

We report an analysis of the {Lambda}{sub b}{sup 0} {yields} {Lambda}{sub c}{sup +}{pi}{sup -}{pi}{sup +}{pi}{sup -} decay in a data sample collected by the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron corresponding to 2.4 fb{sup -1} of integrated luminosity. We reconstruct the currently largest samples of the decay modes {Lambda}{sub b}{sup 0} {yields} {Lambda}{sub c}(2595){sup +}{pi}{sup -} (with {Lambda}{sub c}(2595){sup +} {yields} {Lambda}{sub c}{sup +}{pi}{sup +}{pi}{sup -}), {Lambda}{sub b}{sup 0} {yields} {Lambda}{sub c}(2625){sup +}{pi}{sup -} (with {Lambda}{sub c}(2625){sup +} {yields} {Lambda}{sub c}{sup +}{pi}{sup +}{pi}{sup -}), {Lambda}{sub b}{sup 0} {yields} {Sigma}{sub c}(2455){sup ++}{pi}{sup -}{pi}{sup -} (with {Sigma}{sub c}(2455){sup ++} {yields} {Lambda}{sub c}{sup +}{pi}{sup +}), and {Lambda}{sub b}{sup 0} {yields} {Sigma}{sub c}(2455)0{pi}{sup +}{pi}{sup -} (with {Sigma}{sub c}(2455)0 {yields} {Lambda}{sub c}{sup +}{pi}{sup -}) and measure the branching fractions relative to the {Lambda}{sub b}{sup 0} {yields} {Lambda}{sub c}{sup +}{pi}{sup -} branching fraction. We measure the ratio {Beta}({Lambda}{sub b}{sup 0} {yields} {Lambda}{sub c}{sup +}{pi}{sup -}{pi}{sup +}{pi}{sup -})/ {Beta}({Lambda}{sub b}{sup 0} {yields} {Lambda}{sub c}{sup +}{pi}{sup -})=3.04 {+-} 0.33(stat){sub -0.55}{sup +0.70}(syst) which is used to derive {Beta}({Lambda}{sub b}{sup 0} {yields} {Lambda}{sub c}{sup +}{pi}{sup -}{pi}{sup +}{pi}{sup -})=(26.8{sub -11.2}{sup +11.9}) x 10{sup -3}.

The Forward Detector upgrade project at CDF is designed to enhance the capabilities for studies of diffractive physics at the Tevatron during Run II. Studies of hard diffraction and very forward physics are some of the topics that can be addressed in the next few years at the Tevatron. The program for diffractive physics, including the detectors and their commissioning, is discussed here. All the detectors have been installed and are presently collecting data.

The papers review the main theoretical and experimental aspects of the Forward Physics at the Large Hadron Collider.

Diffractive events are studied by means of identification of one or more rapidity gaps and/or a leading antiproton. Measurements of soft and hard diffractive processes have been performed at the Tevatron p{bar p} collider and presented. We report on the diffractive structure function obtained from dijet production in the range 0 < Q{sup 2} < 10,000 GeV{sup 2}, and on the |t| distribution in the region 0 < |t| < 1 GeV{sup 2} for both soft and hard diffractive events up to Q{sup 2} {approx} 4,500 GeV{sup 2}. Results on single diffractive W/Z production, forward jets, and central exclusive production of both dijets and Z-bosons are also presented.

The CMS-TOTEM Precision Proton Spectrometer (CT-PPS) is an approved project to add tracking and timing information at approximately ±210 m from the interaction point around the CMS detector. It is designed to operate at high luminosity with up to 50 interactions per 25 ns bunch crossing to perform measurements of e.g. the quartic gauge couplings and search for rare exclusive processes. During 2016, CT-PPS took data in normal high-luminosity proton-proton LHC collisions. In the coming years, high radiation doses and large multiple-vertex interactions will represent difficult challenges that resemble those of the high-luminosity LHC program. A coordinated effort of detector upgrades with the goal of reaching the physics goals while mitigating the degradation effects is under way. Upgrades to the tracking and timing detectors are discussed.

Diffractive events are studied by means of identification of one or more rapidity gaps and/or a leading antiproton. Measurements of soft and hard diffractive processes have been performed at the Tevatron $p\bar p$ collider and presented. We report on the diffractive structure function obtained from dijet production in the range $0<Q^2<10,000$GeV$^2$, and on the $|t|$ distribution in the region $0<|t|<1$GeV$^2$ for both soft and hard diffractive events up to $Q^2\approx 4,500$GeV$^2$. Results on single diffractive W/Z production, forward jets, and central exclusive production of both dijets and Z-bosons are also presented.

Experimental results on diffraction from the Fermilab Tevatron collider obtained by the CDF experiment are reviewed and compared. We report on the diffractive structure function obtained from dijet production in the range 0 < Q{sup 2} < 10,000 GeV{sup 2}, and on the |t| distribution in the region 0 < |t| < 1 GeV{sup 2} for both soft and hard diffractive events up to Q{sup 2} {approx} 4,500 GeV{sup 2}. Results on single diffractive W/Z production, forward jets, and central exclusive production of both dijets and diphotons are also presented.

Experimental results on diffraction from the Fermilab Tevatron collider obtained by the CDF experiment are reviewed and compared. We report on the diffractive structure function obtained from dijet production in the range $0<Q^2<10,000$ GeV$^2$, and on the $|t|$ distribution in the region $0<|t<1$ GeV$^2$ for both soft and hard diffractive events up to $Q^2\approx 4,500$ GeV$^2$. Results on single diffractive W/Z production, forward jets, and central exclusive production of both dijets and diphotons are also presented.

Lepton families and lepton flavours are central pillars of the standard model (SM).However, these fundamental symmetries are explained but not motivated.The observation of neutrino oscillations indicates that lepton flavour (LF) is not conserved in the SM, and it is possible that LF violating decays could also be observed in the charged lepton sector.Charged LF violating decays are allowed in the SM although they are extremely rare and inaccessible at current colliders.Recent measurements provide a consistent tension of lepton flavour universality (LFU) in processes that include B-decays.These could either be due to simple fluctuations or indicate first hints of the breaking of the SM.If confirmed, LFU violation would imply physics beyond the SM, such as new fundamental interactions.Here, tests of charged LFU and searches for charged LFU violating decays at the CERN LHC with the CMS experiment are presented and discussed.

Experimental results on diffraction from the Fermilab Tevatron collider obtained by the CDF experiment are reviewed and compared. We report on the diffractive structure function obtained from dijet production in the range $0

Timing information in current and future accelerator facilities is important for resolving objects (particle tracks, showers, etc.) in extreme large particles multiplicities on the detection systems. The PICOSEC Micromegas detector has demonstrated the ability to time 150\,GeV muons with a sub-25\,ps precision. Driven by detailed simulation studies and a phenomenological model which describes stochastically the dynamics of the signal formation, new PICOSEC designs were developed that significantly improve the timing performance of the detector. PICOSEC prototypes with reduced drift gap size ($\sim$\SI{119}{\micro\metre}) achieved a resolution of 45\,ps in timing single photons in laser beam tests (in comparison to 76\,ps of the standard PICOSEC detector). Towards large area detectors, multi-pad PICOSEC prototypes with segmented anodes has been developed and studied. Extensive tests in particle beams revealed that the multi-pad PICOSEC technology provides also very precise timing, even when the induced signal is shared among several neighbouring pads. Furthermore, new signal processing algorithms have been developed, which can be applied during data acquisition and provide real time, precise timing.

Photon induced processes can be used as a sensitive probe of new physics searches and can be studied using exclusive processes. These processes lead to unprecedented sensitivities on quartic anomalous couplings between photons and W and Z bosons, and new physics searches. By tagging the leading proton from the hard interaction, the Precision Proton Spectrometer (PPS) provides an increased sensitivity to select exclusive processes. PPS is designed to operate in standard high-luminosity runs at the LHC to perform measurements of e.g. the quartic gauge couplings and search for rare exclusive processes. The first results obtained with PPS, and the status of the ongoing program are discussed.

Abstract We discuss tau identification tecniques at hadron colliders, and present the measurements and the searches performed so far. We report on the first evidence of t t production in the channel containing one hadronically decaying τ lepton. We also present a search for the charged Higgs boson in the tau decay channel, as well as for the leptoquark family containing tau leptons. In addition, we underline the importance of tau physics both at present and future collider experiments.

A study of the electron identification and selection efficiency of the L1 Trigger algorithm has been performed using the combined ECAL/HCAL test beam data. A detailed discussion of the electron isolation and its impact on the selection efficiency is presented. The L1 electron algorithm is studied for different beam energies and the results indicate that efficiencies of 98% or more can be achieved for electrons with energies between 15 and 100 GeV. The fraction of charged hadrons with energies from 3 up to 100 GeV rejected by the L1 electron trigger algorithm is estimated to be larger than 93%.

The CDF Central Preshower and Crack Detector Upgrade consist of scintillator tiles with embedded wavelength-shifting fibers, clear-fiber optical cables, and multi-anode photomultiplier readout. A description of the detector design, test results from R&D studies, and construction phase are reported. The upgrade was installed late in 2004, and a large amount of proton-antiproton collider data has been collected since then. Detector studies using those data are also discussed.

Convincing and direct evidence for dark matter (DM) on galactic scales comes from the observation of the rotation curves of galaxies.At particle colliders, searches for DM involve the production of a pair of stable electrically neutral and weakly interacting particles with a signature of missing transverse energy (E T miss ) recoiling against a SM particle.The resulting signature yields a final state denoted as X+E T miss , where the SM particle X is emitted as initial state radiation.The Higgs boson discovery at the LHC opens a new window into the searches for new physics processes beyond the SM through the h+E T miss signature, as a direct probe of the interaction involving DM particles.Due to the small Yukawa couplings to quarks and gluons, the initial state radiation of the Higgs boson is suppressed, but it can be produced in the case of a new interaction with DM particles.Searches for DM particles produced in association with the Higgs boson are discussed.They are based on proton-proton collision data at the LHC in different final states.

Convincing and direct evidence for dark matter (DM) on galactic scales comes from the observation of the rotation curves of galaxies. At particle colliders, searches for DM involve the production of a pair of stable electrically neutral and weakly interacting particles with a signature of missing transverse energy ($E^{\rm T}_{\rm miss}$) recoiling against a SM particle. The resulting signature yields a final state denoted as X+$E^{\rm T}_{\rm miss}$, where the SM particle X is emitted as initial state radiation. The Higgs boson discovery at the LHC opens a new window into the searches for new physics processes beyond the SM through the h+$E^{\rm T}_{\rm miss}$ signature, as a direct probe of the interaction involving DM particles. Due to the small Yukawa couplings to quarks and gluons, the initial state radiation of the Higgs boson is suppressed, but it can be produced in the case of a new interaction with DM particles. Searches for DM particles produced in association with the Higgs boson are discussed. They are based on proton-proton collision data at the LHC in different final states.

This work presents the concept of the PICOSEC-Micromegas detector to achieve a time resolution below 30 ps. PICOSEC consists of a two-stage Micromegas detector coupled to a Cherenkov radiator and equipped with a photocathode. The results from single-channel prototypes as well as the understanding of the detector in terms of detailed simulations and preliminary results from a multichannel prototype are presented.

Exclusive dilepton production occurs with high cross section in gamma-mediated processes at the LHC. The pure QED process γγ → ℓ+ ℓ− provides the conditions to study particle production with masses at the electroweak scale. By tagging the leading proton from the hard interaction, the Precision Proton Spectrometer (PPS) provides an increased sensitivity to selecting exclusive processes. PPS is a detector system to add tracking and timing information at approximately 210 m from the interaction point around the CMS detector. It is designed to operate at high luminosity with up to 50 interactions per 25 ns bunch crossing to perform measurements of e.g. the quartic gauge couplings and search for rare exclusive processes. Since 2016, PPS has been taking data in normal high-luminosity proton-proton LHC collisions. Exclusive dilepton production with proton tagging, the first results obtained with PPS, and the status of the ongoing program are discussed.

Convincing and direct evidence for dark matter (DM) on galactic scales comes from the observation of the rotation curves of galaxies. At particle colliders, searches for DM involve the production of a pair of stable electrically neutral and weakly interacting particles with a signature of missing transverse energy ($E^{\rm T}_{\rm miss}$) recoiling against a SM particle. The resulting signature yields a final state denoted as X+$E^{\rm T}_{\rm miss}$, where the SM particle X is emitted as initial state radiation. The Higgs boson discovery at the LHC opens a new window into the searches for new physics processes beyond the SM through the h+$E^{\rm T}_{\rm miss}$ signature, as a direct probe of the interaction involving DM particles. Due to the small Yukawa couplings to quarks and gluons, the initial state radiation of the Higgs boson is suppressed, but it can be produced in the case of a new interaction with DM particles. Searches for DM particles produced in association with the Higgs boson are discussed. They are based on proton-proton collision data at the LHC in different final states.

Recent jet results in p{bar p} collisions at {radical}s = 1.96 TeV from the CDF experiment at the Tevatron are presented. The jet inclusive cross section is compared to next-to-leading order QCD prediction in different rapidity regions. The b-jet inclusive cross section is measured exploiting the long lifetime and large mass of B-hadrons. Jet shapes, W+jets and W/Z+photon cross sections are also measured and compared to expectations from QCD production.

Experimental results from the CDF experiment at the Tevatron in p{bar p} collisions at {radical}s = 1.96 TeV are presented on the diffractive structure function at different values of the exchanged momentum transfer squared in the range 0 < Q{sup 2} < 10,000 GeV{sup 2}, on the four-momentum transfer |t| distribution in the region 0 < |t| < 1 GeV{sup 2} for both soft and hard diffractive events up to Q{sup 2} {approx} 4,500 GeV{sup 2}, and on the first experimental evidence of exclusive production in both dijet and diphoton events. A novel technique to align the Roman Pot detectors is also presented.

Recent jet results in $p\bar{p}$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}$=1.96 TeV from the CDF experiment at the Tevatron are presented. The jet inclusive cross section is compared to next-to-leading order QCD prediction in different rapidity regions. The $b$-jet inclusive cross section is measured exploiting the long lifetime and large mass of $B$-hadrons. Jet shapes, W+jets and W/Z+photon cross sections are also measured and compared to expectations from QCD production.

Forward detectors are described together with the first physics results from Run II. Using new data and dedicated diffractive triggers, a measurement of single diffractive dijet production rate, with particular focus on the diffractive structure function of the antiproton, is discussed. Upper limits on the exclusive dijet and {chi}{sub c}{sup 0} production cross sections are also presented.

The CDF Forward Detector upgrade project was designed to enhance the capabilities for diffractive physics at the Tevatron. It consists of a Roman Pot spectrometer to detect leading antiprotons, a set of counters near and around the beam-pipe to reject the non-diffractive event contamination to the data sample, and two Miniplug calorimeters to measure the event energy flow in the very forward rapidity region. In the novel design of the Miniplugs, a lead/liquid-scintillator is read out by wave-length shifting fibers arranged in a flexible tower geometry and relatively short depth allows calorimetric tracking. Performance of the Forward Detectors during the first two years of operation in Run II with colliding proton-antiproton beams at $\sqrt{s}$=1.96 TeV, as well as the first results obtained, are discussed. A measurement of the antiproton momentum loss using the Forward Detectors is also presented.

Recent jet results in $p\bar{p}$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}$=1.96 TeV from the CDF experiment at the Tevatron are presented. The jet inclusive cross section is compared to next-to-leading order QCD prediction in different rapidity regions. The $b$-jet inclusive cross section is measured exploiting the long lifetime and large mass of $B$-hadrons. Jet shapes, W+jets and W/Z+photon cross sections are also measured and compared to expectations from QCD production.

A detector designed to measure early particle showers has been installed in front of the central CDF calorimeter at the Tevatron. This new preshower detector is based on scintillator tiles coupled to wavelength-shifting fibers read out by multi-anode photomultipliers and has a total of 3,072 readout channels. The replacement of the old gas detector was required due to an expected increase in instantaneous luminosity of the Tevatron collider in the next few years. Calorimeter coverage, jet energy resolution, and electron and photon identification are among the expected improvements. The final detector design, together with the R&D studies that led to the choice of scintillator and fiber, mechanical assembly, and quality control are presented. The detector was installed in the fall 2004 Tevatron shutdown and is expected to start collecting colliding beam data by the end of 2004. First measurements indicate a light yield of 12 photoelectrons/MIP, a more than two-fold increase over the design goals.

Exclusive dijet production at the Tevatron can be used as a benchmark to establish predictions on exclusive diffractive Higgs production, a process with a much smaller cross section. Exclusive dijet production in Double Pomeron Exchange processes, including diffractive Higgs production with measurements at the Tevatron and predictions for the Large Hadron Collider are presented. Using new data from the Tevatron and dedicated diffractive triggers, no excess over a smooth falling distribution for exclusive dijet events could be found. Upper limits on the exclusive dijet production cross section are presented and compared to current theoretical predictions.

Experimental results in diffractive processes are summarized and a few notable characteristics described in terms of Quantum Chromodynamics. Exclusive dijet production is used to establish a benchmark for future experiments in the quest for diffractive Higgs production at the Large Hadron Collider. Using new data from the Tevatron and dedicated diffractive triggers, no excess over a smooth falling distribution for exclusive dijet events could be found. Stringent upper limits on the exclusive dijet production cross section are presented. The quark/gluon composition of dijet final states is used to provide additional hints on exclusive dijet production.

Forward detectors are described together with the first physics results from Run II. Using new data and dedicated diffractive triggers, a measurement of single diffractive dijet production rate, with particular focus on the diffractive structure function of the antiproton, is discussed. Upper limits on the exclusive dijet and {chi}{sub c}{sup 0} production cross sections are also presented.

First QCD results obtained from the CDF experiment using Run II data are reported. The Run II physics program at the Tevatron started in the spring of 2001, with protons and anti-protons colliding at an energy of {radical}s = 1.96 TeV. The size of the data sample already compares to that of Run I. Results presented here include the measurement of the inclusive jet cross section, a search for new particles decaying to dijets, and a study of diffractive dijet events.

The Collider Detector at Fermilab (CDF) is a 5000 tons detector built to study 2 TeV proton-antiproton collisions at the Fermilab Tevatron. In the CDF detector the successful calibration of the central calorimeter is critical for understanding the events in the central region. The central calorimeter has about 1800 PMTs. Long term variations are monitored by /sup 137/Cs sources which can be moved through the modules. Short term gain changes are also monitored by light flasher systems. The procedure has an accuracy of 1-2%. All the calibration systems for the electromagnetic calorimeter are controlled by, and read out with a calibration card, within the front end electronic system. The calibration card for the next collider run, starting in the spring of the year 2000, is a VME based upgrade of the RABBIT based calibration card which was used during the previous data taking period (1992-1995). The board was completely redesigned, while maintaining the original functionality. We describe the functionality and discuss the design of the board, present the results from tests on a prototype, and show the performance achieved using the board in commissioning the central calorimeter.

Two Miniplug calorimeters, designed to measure the energy and lateral position of particles in the forward pseudorapidity region of 3.6 < |η|; < 5.1, have been installed as part of the CDF upgraded detector for Run 11 at the Tevatron. Proton-antiproton beams are colliding at √=1.96 TeV. One year after installation, Miniplug detector performance and first results are presented.