Experimental activities/projects
ARGO YBJ:
The purpose of the experiment, located in Yangbajing Tibet, is to detect very high energy photons produced by galactic and extragalactic cosmic sources. For the development of the joint project ARGO-YBJ (Astrophysical Radiation Ground based Observatory) at the Cosmic Rays Laboratory (CRL) the collaboration is regulated by an Agreement between INFN and the Institute for High Energy Physics (IHEP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The experiment is based at 4300 meters above sea level in order to take advantage of a rarefied atmosphere and of the absence of rainfalls.
The activity in 2007 at the Yanbajing Lab developed along the following steps:
January: Upgrading of the DAQ system in a dedicated room. In this way the detector can be operated at a very low energy threshold by recording data at high frequency rate, about 4.5KHz., with negligible dead time < 4%.
Feb-May: Detector in data taking. The analysis of data shows the excellent sensitivity of ARGO which can integrate a 5 signal from the “standard candle” crab in about 20 days. This performance costs ARGO as the most performing air shower array in the world for gamma astronomy.
June-Aug: During this period the data taking has been stopped to allow a study of the effect on temperature and humidity induced inside the building by the dissipated electronics power and by the sunlight.
Sept-Oct: Upgrading of the Laboratory infrastructures to increase the electric power available to the experiment (from 100Kw to 150Kw) and improve its distribution. Some detectors have been repaired or replaced and the so-called “guard ring” put in acquisition.
From Nov:Detector in data taking. During this year a lot of work has been carried out to analyze data recorded in the 2006-2007 runs. We have presented 15 papers at the International Cosmic Ray Conference (Mexico) and we have participated in many other conferences and workshops presenting ARGO results concerning cosmic ray physics, gamma astronomy, gamma ray burst and hadronic interactions. Four papers summarizing these results are in progress, to be sent to international journals.
The activities planned in 2008 include:
Jan-June: Detector in data-taking
July-Sept.: Installation of the lead-plates
Oct-Dec: Detector in data-taking
Fellowship programs
China Institute of Atomic Energy:
The Agreement between INFN and the Chinese Institute of Atomic Energy (CIAE) of Beijing includes a Fellowship Program consisting of 5 one-year fellowships for Chinese researchers to be carried out at the INFN National Laboratories of Legnaro and Catania, as well as the possibility for INFN researchers to visit CIAE.
The implementation of the Agreement has always been smooth and successful. All available positions have always been covered every year. The implementation of the Fellowship Programme 2007 has seen 5 fellows from the Dept. of Nuclear Physics and Technology Application of CIAE visiting LNL and LNS (3 at LNL and 2 at LNS).
For the 2008 programme INFN will host 5 Chinese researchers from CIAE (3 at LNL and 2 at LNS).
Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS):
The new Framework Agreement for the period 2006-2009, signed on early January 2006 in Beijing, is aimed at encouraging and developing this long-lasting cooperation in the fields of experimental and theoretical astroparticle, nuclear and sub-nuclear physics and related technologies. It includes also the exchange of senior and junior researchers between the two Institutions. The Fellowship Program is open to junior Chinese researchers and consists of fellowships of the duration of six months renewable for one further period of six months and of short-term visits which are instead open to senior Chinese researchers for a duration of up to three months. As a follow up to the Agreement, several Sections and Laboratories of INFN and several Institutes of CAS have started in 2007 procedures in order to grant fellowships to young physicists and short term visits to senior researchers on specific activities and on the basis of bilateral Memoranda of Understanding.
For 2008, a new Protocol on scientific cooperation is under negotiation between the Parties aimed at establishing, among other activities, a Joint Laboratory.
Exchange of researchers
In 2007 INFN hosted in its Sections and Laboratories 21 Chinese researchers for 1.021 days and for a total contribution of 65.000,00 Euros.