A fiber detector to monitor ortho-Ps formation and decay

TL;DR

This paper introduces a fiber-based detector system that effectively monitors the formation and decay of ortho-positronium atoms in cryogenic and magnetic environments, enhancing detection capabilities in antimatter research.

Contribution

The study presents a novel fiber scintillator detector setup that tracks ortho-positronium dynamics, adapting existing cryogenic tracking technology for positronium monitoring.

Findings

Successful detection of ortho-positronium formation and decay

Effective tracking in cryogenic and magnetic environments

Demonstrated potential for improved antimatter experiments

Abstract

We describe a novel method to use a scintillating fiber detector similar to the Fast Annihilation Cryogenic Tracking (FACT) used at the antimatter experiment AEgIS to monitor the presence of ortho-positronium. A single scintillating fiber was coupled to a photomultiplier tube and irradiated by flashes of about $6\cdot10^6$ $511\,\text{keV}$ $\gamma$-rays produced by $\approx10\,\text{ns}$ long positron pulses. The results were used to demonstrate the ability to track the creation and annihilation of ortho-positronium atoms over time in cryogenic and highly magnetic environments by using the FACT detector as a "digital calorimeter".