The name of his thesis is “Algorithm for particle track reconstruction in SuperNEMO detector”. This algoritm combines recursive clustering, Legendre transform techniques, and a maximum likelihood procedure to achieve precise and robust trajectory reconstruction, even in complex event topologies. Dedicated methods resolve ambiguities and account for scattering, and the algorithm is implemented as a full data processing module.

The name of his thesis is “Development of a script for calibration of individual optical modules in the segmented calorimeter of the SuperNEMO experiment”. In the first part, he studied corrections (energy loss correction and optical correction) to improve energy calibration and reconstruction. He developed an algorithm to apply these corrections within the calibration process. In the final part, he also studied energy resolution of optical modules.

Two undergraduate students, Khrystyna Trofimiuk and Viktoriia Lebed, traveled all the way from Kyiv to Modane, with a stop-off in Prague, Czechia where they met SuperNEMO team at CTU and learned about their analysis work. This trip was our first chance to host KNU collaborators, and they got to work at once, helping the on-site team installing SuperNEMO’s iron shielding. The installation is progressing excellently, with hands-on work from collaborators round the world: the KNU students joined members from France, the UK and Czechia at LSM; and Slovak colleagues have also contributed to this huge effort. Viktoriia and Khrystyna certainly worked hard, but there was also time to relax with evening walks in the beautiful Alps - and a delicious home-cooked Ukrainian feast! All in all, it was a very successful week, and we are all united in our wish for further scientific cooperation with KNU. Thanks for the hard work, Khrystyna and Viktoriia - you are always welcome at SuperNEMO!

On the second day of the meeting, former SuperNEMO member Xin Ran Liu gave a fascinating talk on how his company, UNDO, harnesses rock remnants from excavation projects to reduce atmospheric CO₂ levels through weathering. UNDO takes excess crushed basalt from local quarries and spreads it across agricultural fields, enhancing the natural carbon capturing processes of the land and improving soil quality with high efficiency.

With enthusiastic discussions, whisky tastings, and interesting updates throughout, the 2023 summer collaboration meeting concluded to the sound of bagpipes, as a parade for the King’s visit to Edinburgh marched down the Royal Mile.

Also featured among the talks was a guest lecture given by Karol Lang. Karol introduced his work on PET (Positron Emission Tomography) at UT Austin. He spoke about how targeted proton therapy has improved cancer treatments, as it is able to deliver the highest radiation levels at the site of tumor cells while minimizing damage to healthy cells. However, one limitation of proton therapy is its need for extensive planning by a large team, which can be time consuming and expensive. The team at UT Austin is tackling some of these issues by developing a prototype for a Time of Flight PET for Proton Therapy (TPPT) which would provide feedback by measuring nuclides activated during proton irradiation. They hope that this prototype, and others of a similar nature, may be the first step in a larger collaborative effort to progress the field of nuclear medical imaging.

For more information on proton therapy research, visit the MD Anderson research site here.

One night brought a delicious fondue dinner and a visit from everyone’s favorite dog, Lascar. The following night, collaborators celebrated the meeting with French, English, Czech, and Chinese karaoke. Throughout the four-day meeting, much fun was had, and progress was made with thorough discussions and new ideas.

There was a real mood of celebration as old friends were at last able to meet again, and new members of the collaboration finally met people they’d worked with for years on Zoom. The pandemic has been isolating, especially for students starting new courses during the long period of working from home, and it was a real joy to finally spend time together. And what a time it was! With SuperNEMO now taking data from the tracker and calorimeter, there was a lot to be glad about.

It was tremendous to watch our students present their analyses, see the data we’d collected from the detector, and discuss plans for the final push twards physics data taking. The joy of being together, and the inspiring work that everyone has been doing really has made us even more motivated for the last few steps of getting SuperNEMO running. We’re all so excited!