Identification of the pixel of the first Compton interaction of a pixelated scintillator

• Grant number: 23/04514-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2023
• End date: June 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Nuclear Physics
• Principal Investigator: Jose Roberto Brandão de Oliveira
• Grantee: Ricardo D'Avila Biasotto Mano
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física (IF). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 19/07767-1 - Nuclear reactions with weakly-bound or cluster-structured radioactive and stable nuclei, AP.TEM

Abstract

The FAPESP Tematic Project entitled Nuclear Reactions with Weakly Bound or Cluster Stable and Radioactive Nuclei, proc. 2019/07767-1, is ongoing at the LAFN (Open Laboratory of Nuclear Physics), DFN, IFUSP. The project includes the development, assemblage and use of a gamma spectrometer (Nossa Caixa, coordinated by the grant supervisor) and ancillary charged particle detectors for experiments which aim the measurement of nuclear reaction mechanisms by the particle-gamma coincidence technique. Simulations based on the GEANT4 code indicate that it should be possible to identify the first pixel which interacts by Compton scattering in a multiple scattering that involves 2 or more pixels. The identification of this first interaction pixel is important for the measurements of the angular distribution or correlation of the gamma radiation with use of the spectrometer. In the present project, radioactive sources will be used in special mechanical mounts with GAGG(Ce) and LYSO(Ce) detectors. The multiple scattering between pixels will be measured in coincidence. Therefore, the student will be in contact with advanced experimental nuclear physics measurement techniques and data analysis.