HARP, otherwise known as PS214, is a hadron production experiment at the CERN PS. It aims to study relatively low energy hadron production, both to optimise the construction of the target for a proposed neutrino factory and to aid in understanding of the atmospheric neutrino flux.
The UK members of HARP are RAL, Sheffield and Oxford. We were accepted into the newly formed HARP collaboration at the end of February 2000, and UK funding was agreed following the PPESP meeting in March. The time scale of the experiment is quite short, with a technical run in September 2000, followed by a lengthy data taking phase in 2001.
The UK has reponsibility for the targets and their supports. We have produced an insertion mechanism which allows targets to be mounted within the Time Projection Chamber using a method which allows rapid changes in target type with precise relocation of the new target. A support cap holds the targets accurately in place, with the minimum of surrounding material. Targets supplied include a number of thin and thick metal cylinders, as well as specialised test and alignment objects.
We are also preparing for analysis of the data which will come from HARP. This will involve Monte Carlo simulation of the hadronic interactions involved, using programs such as MARS and FLUKA. Our aim is to improve the production models within these programs so that they more reliably reproduce the data and so can be used for future target design studies. UK members of HARP are also working on reconstruction of tracks in the upstream beam chambers and the NOMAD drift chambers.
The UK members of HARP are:
HARP notes and training material produced by the UK group
Further details
PostScript
PowerPoint