PANDA Detectors

Next-generation DIRC detectors, like the PANDA Barrel DIRC, with improved optical designs and better spatial and timing resolution, require correspondingly advanced reconstruction and PID methods. The investigation of the PID performance of two DIRC counters and the evaluation of the reconstruction and PID algorithms form the core of this thesis. [...]

We report on the measurement of spin density matrix elements of the $\Lambda(1520)$ in the photoproduction reaction $\gamma p\rightarrow \Lambda(1520)K^+$, via its subsequent decay to $K^{-}p$. The measurement was performed as part of the GlueX experimental program in Hall D at Jefferson Lab using a linearly polarized photon beam with $E_\gamma =$ 8.2-8.8 GeV. [...]

We present a search for axion-like particles, $a$, produced in photon-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of approximately 4 GeV, focusing on the scenario where the $a$-gluon coupling is dominant. The search uses $a\to\gamma\gamma$ and $a\to\pi^+\pi^-\pi^0$ decays, and a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 168 pb$^{-1}$ collected with the GlueX detector. [...]