Upgrading particle identification and searching for leptophobic bosons at GlueX

Abstract

MIT's contribution to the GLUEX project was the design and implementation of upgraded particle identification (PID) for the GLUEX strangeness program. The development of a Cherenkov detector known as a DIRC (Detection of Internally Reflected Cherenkov light) is presented. The design begins with a DIRC configuration implemented as a prototype for the SuperB experiment, and modifications to this design are made based on simulations and tests of components. A novel method of reconstructing DIRC patterns is presented. In addition to detector design, a search for a leptophobic boson using GLUEX data is also presented. The process of preparing for a general 3[pi] and [pi]⁰[gamma] bump hunt is discussed along with the expected sensitivity of this search to the specific model of a B boson, which is a proposed particle generated by a U(1) gauge symmetry associated with baryon number. This preparation includes the data-driven determination of GLUEX properties such as reconstruction efficiencies and invariant mass resolution. A paper containing these results is expected to go into GLUEX review this summer.