The J-PET detector - a tool for precision studies of ortho-positronium decays
K. Dulski, S.D. Bass, J. Chhokar, N. Chug, C. Curceanu, E. Czerwiński, M. Dadgar, J. Gajewski, A. Gajos, M. Gorgol, R. Del Grande, B.C. Hiesmayr, B. Jasińska, K. Kacprzak, Ł. Kapłon, H. Karimi, D. Kisielewska, K. Klimaszewski, P. Kopka, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, N. Krawczyk, W. Krzemień, E. Kubicz, P. Małczak, M. Mohammed, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, M. Pędziwiatr, L. Raczyński7, J. Raj, A. Ruciński, S. Sharma, Shivani, R.Y. Shopa, M. Silarski, M. Skurzok, E. Ł. Stępień, F. Tayefi, W. Wiślicki, B. Zgardzińska, P. Moskal

abstract
The J-PET tomograph is constructed from plastic scintillator strips arranged axially in concentric cylindrical layers. It enables investigations of positronium decays by measurement of the time, position, polarization and energy deposited by photons in the scintillators, in contrast to studies conducted so far with crystal and semiconductor based detection systems where the key selection of events is based on the measurement of the photons energies. In this article we show that the J-PET tomography system constructed solely from plastic scintillator detectors is capable of exclusive measurements of the decays of ortho-positronium atoms. We present the first positronium production results and its lifetime distribution measurements. The obtained results prove the capability of the J-PET tomograph for (i) fundamental studies of positronium decays (in particular test of discrete symmetries in purely leptonic systems), (ii) positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy, as well as (iii) molecular imaging diagnostics and (iv) observation of entanglement
3D TOF-PET image reconstruction using total variation regularization
L. Raczyński, W. Wiślicki, K. Klimaszewski, W. Krzemień, P. Kopka, P. Kowalski, R. Y. Shopa, M. Bała, J. Chhokar, C. Curceanu, E. Czerwinski, K. Dulski, J. Gajewski, A. Gajos, M. Gorgol, R. Del Grande, B. Hiesmayr, B. Jasińska, K. Kacprzak, L. Kapłon, D. Kisielewska, G. Korcyl, T. Kozik, N. Krawczyk, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, S. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, J. Raj, K. Rakoczy, A. Ruciński, S. Sharma, S. Shivani, M. Silarski, M. Skurzok, E.Ł. Stepień, B. Zgardzińska, P. Moskal

abstract
In this paper we introduce a semi-analytic algorithm for 3-dimensional image reconstruction for positron emission tomography (PET). The method consists of the back-projection of the acquired data into the most likely image voxel according to time-of-flight (TOF) information, followed by the filtering step in the image space using an iterative optimization algorithm with a total variation (TV) regularization. TV regularization in image space is more computationally efficient than usual iterative optimization methods for PET reconstruction with a full system matrix that uses TV regularization. The efficiency comes from the one-time TOF back-projection step that might also be described as a reformatting of the acquired data. An important aspect of our work concerns the evaluation of the filter operator of the linear transform mapping an original radioactive tracer distribution into the TOF back-projected image. We obtain concise, closed-form analytical formula for the filter operator. The proposed method is validated with the Monte Carlo simulations of the NEMA IEC phantom using a one-layer, 50 cm-long cylindrical device called Jagiellonian PET scanner. The results show a better image quality compared with the reference TOF maximum likelihood expectation maximization algorithm.
Performance assessment of the 2gamma positronium imaging with the total-body PET scanners
P. Moskal, D. Kisielewska, Z. Bura, C. Chhokar, C. Curceanu, E. Czerwiński, M. Dadgar, K. Dulski, J. Gajewski, A. Gajos, M. Gorgol, R. Del Grande, B. C. Hiesmayr, B. Jasińska, K. Kacprzak, A. Kamińska, Ł. Kapłon, H. Karimi, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, N. Krawczyk, W. Krzemień, T. Kozik, E. Kubicz, P. Małczak, M. Mohammed, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, M. Pędziwiatr, L. Raczyński, J. Raj, A. Ruciński, S. Sharma, Shivani, R. Y. Shopa, M. Silarski, M. Skurzok, E. Ł. Stępień, S. Vandenberghe, W. Wiślicki, B. Zgardzińska

abstract
In living organisms the positron-electron annihilation (occurring during the PET imaging) proceeds in about 30% via creation of a metastable ortho-positronium atom. In the tissue, due to the pick-off and conversion processes, over 98% of ortho-positronia annihilate into two 511~keV photons. In this article we assess the feasibility for reconstruction of the mean ortho-positronium lifetime image based on annihilations into two photons. The main objectives of this work include: (i) estimation of the sensitivity of the total-body PET scanners for the ortho-positronium mean lifetime imaging using 2gamma annihilations, and (ii) estimation of the spatial and time resolution of the ortho-positronium image as a function of the coincidence resolving time (CRT) of the scanner. Simulations are conducted assuming that radiopharmaceutical is labelled with 44Sc isotope emitting one positron and one prompt gamma. The image is reconstructed on the basis of triple coincidence events. The ortho-positronium lifetime spectrum is determined for each voxel of the image. Calculations were performed for cases of total-body detectors build of (i) LYSO scintillators as used in the EXPLORER PET, and (ii) plastic scintillators as anticipated for the cost-effective total-body J-PET scanner. To assess the spatial and time resolution the three cases were considered assuming that CRT is equal to 140ps, 50ps and 10ps. The estimated total-body PET sensitivity for the registration and selection of image forming triple coincidences is larger by a factor of 12.2 (for LYSO PET) and by factor of 4.7 (for plastic PET) with respect to the sensitivity for the standard 2gamma imaging by LYSO PET scanners with AFOV=20cm.
Estimating relationship between the Time Over Threshold and energy loss by photons in plastic scintillators used in the J-PET scanner
S. Sharma, J. Chhokar, C. Curceanu, E. Czerwinski, M. Dadgar, K. Dulski, J. Gajewski, A. Gajos, M. Gorgol, N. Gupta-Sharma, R. Del Grande, B. C. Hiesmayr, B. Jasinska, K. Kacprzak, L. Kaplon, H. Karimi, D. Kisielewska, K. Klimaszewski, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, N. Krawczyk, W. Krzemien, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, Sz. Niedzwiecki, M. Palka, M. Pawlik-Niedzwiecka, L. Raczynski, J. Raj, A. Rucinski, Shivani, R. Y. Shopa, M. Silarski, M. Skurzok, E. L. Stepien, W. Wislicki, B. Zgardzinska, P. Moskal

abstract
Time-Over-Threshold (TOT) technique is being used widely due to its implications in developing the multi channel readouts mainly when fast signal processing is required. Using TOT technique as a measure of energy loss instead of charge integration methods significantly reduces the signals readout cost by combining the time and energy information. Therefore, this approach can potentially be used in J-PET tomograph which is build from plastic scintillators characterized by fast light signals. The drawback in adopting this technique is lying in the non-linear correlation between input energy loss and TOT of the signal. The main motivation behind this work is to develop the relationship between TOT and energy loss and validate it with the J-PET tomograph.
The experiment was performed using the 22Na beta emitter source placed in the center of the J-PET tomograph. One can obtain primary photons of two different energies: 511 keV photon from the annihilation of positron (direct annihilation or through the formation of para-Positronim atom or pick-off process of ortho-Positronium atoms), and 1275 keV prompt photon. This allows to study the correlation between TOT values and energy loss for energy range up to 1000 keV. As the photon interacts dominantly via Compton scattering inside the plastic scintillator, there is no direct information of primary photon energy. However, using the J-PET geometry one can measure the scattering angle of the interacting photon. Since, 22Na source emits photons of two different energies, it is required to know unambiguously the energy of incident photons and its corresponding scattering angle for the estimation of energy deposition. In this work, the relationship between Time Over Threshold and energy loss by interacting photons inside the plastic scintillators used in J-PET scanner is established for a energy deposited range 100-1000 keV.
Hit-time and hit-position reconstruction in strips of plastic scintillators using multi-threshold readouts
N. G. Sharma, M. Silarski, J. Chhokar, E. Czerwinski, C. Curceanu, K. Dulski, K. Farbaniec, A. Gajos, R. Del Grande, M. Gorgol, B. C. Hiesmayr, B. Jasinska, K. Kacprzak, L. Kaplon, D. Kisielewska, K. Klimaszewski, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, N. Krawczyk, W. Krzemien, T. Kozik, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, Sz. Niedzwiecki, M. Palka, M. Pawlik-Niedzwiecka, L. Raczynski, J. Raj, S. Sharma, S. Shivani, R. Y. Shopa, M. Skurzok, W. Wislicki, B. Zgardzinska, P. Moskal

abstract
In this article a new method for the reconstruction of hit-position and hit-time of photons in long scintillator detectors is investigated. This research is motivated by the recent development of the positron emission tomography scanners based on plastic scintillators. The proposed method constitutes a new way of signal processing in Multi-Voltage-Technique. It is based on the determination of the degree of similarity between the registered signals and the synchronized model signals stored in a library. The library was established for a set of well defined hit-positions along the length of the scintillator. The Mahalanobis distance was used as a measure of similarity between the two compared signals. The method was validated on the experimental data measured using two-strips J-PET prototype with dimensions of 5x9x300 mm. The obtained Time-of-Flight (TOF) and spatial resolutions amount to 325 ps (FWHM) and 25 mm (FWHM), respectively. The TOF resolution was also compared to the results of an analogous study done using Linear Fitting method. The best TOF resolution was obtained with this method at four pre-defined threshold levels which was comparable to the resolution achieved from the Mahalanobis distance at two pre-defined threshold levels. Although the algorithm of Linear Fitting method is much simpler to apply than the Mahalanobis method, the application of the Mahalanobis distance requires a lower number of applied threshold levels and, hence, decreases the costs of electronics used in PET scanner.
Feasibility study of the positronium imaging with the J-PET tomograph
P. Moskal, D. Kisielewska, C. Curceanu, E. Czerwiński, K. Dulski, A. Gajos, M. Gorgol, B. Hiesmayr, B. Jasińska, K. Kacprzak, Ł. Kapłon, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, W. Krzemień, T. Kozik, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, L. Raczyński, J. Raj, S. Sharma, Shivani, R.Y. Shopa, M. Silarski, M. Skurzok, E. Stępień, W. Wiślicki, B. Zgardzińska

abstract
A detection system of the conventional PET tomograph is set-up to record data from e+ e- annihilation into two photons with energy of 511 keV, and it gives information on the density distribution of a radiopharmaceutical in the body of the object. In this paper we explore the possibility of performing the three gamma photons imaging based on ortho- positronium annihilation, as well as the possibility of positronium average lifetime imaging with the J-PET tomograph constructed from plastic scintillators. For this purposes simulations of the ortho-positronium formation and its annihilation into three photons were performed taking into account distributions of photons' momenta as predicted by the theory of quantum electrodynamics and the response of the J-PET tomograph. In order to test the proposed ortho-positronium lifetime image reconstruction method, we concentrate on the decay of the ortho-positronium into three photons and applications of radiopharmaceuticals labeled with isotopes emitting a prompt gamma quantum. The proposed method of imaging is based on the determination of hit-times and hit-positions of registered photons which enables the reconstruction of the time and position of the annihilation point as well as the lifetime of the ortho-positronium on an event-by-event basis. We have simulated the production of the positronium in a cylindrical phantom composed of a set of different materials in which the ortho-positronium lifetime varied from 2 ns to ~2.9 ns, as expected for ortho-positronium created in the human body. The presented reconstruction method for total-body J-PET like detector allows to achieve a mean lifetime resolution of about 40 ps. Recent Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy measurements of cancerous and healthy uterine tissues show that this sensitivity may allow to study the morphological changes in cell structures.
Simulation studies of annihilation-photon's polarisation via Compton scattering with the J-PET tomograph
N. Krawczyk, B.C. Hiesmayr, J. Chhokar, C. Curceanu, E. Czerwiński, K. Dulski, A. Gajos, M. Gorgol, N. Gupta-Sharma, B. Jasińska, D. Kisielewska, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, W. Krzemień, T. Kozik, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, L. Raczyński, J. Raj, K. Rakoczy, Z. Rudy, S. Sharma, Shivani, R.Y. Shopa, M. Silarski, M. Skurzok, W. Wiślicki, B. Zgardzińska, M. Zieliński, P. Moskal

abstract
J-PET is the first positron-emission tomograph (PET) constructed from plastic scintillators. It was optimized for the detection of photons from electron-positron annihilation. Such photons, having an energy of 511 keV, interact with electrons in plastic scintillators predominantly via the Compton effect. Compton scattering is at most probable at an angle orthogonal to the electric field vector of the interacting photon. Thus registration of multiple photon scatterings with J-PET enables to determine the polarization of the annihilation photons. In this contribution we present estimates on the physical limitation in the accuracy of the polarization determination of 511 keV photons with the J-PET detector.
Feasibility studies of the polarization of photons beyond the optical wavelength regime with the J-PET detector
P. Moskal, N. Krawczyk, B. C. Hiesmayr, M. Bała, C. Curceanu, E. Czerwinski, K. Dulski, A. Gajos, M. Gorgol, R. Del Grande, B. Jasinska, K. Kacprzak, L. Kapłon, D. Kisielewska, K. Klimaszewski, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, W. Krzemien, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, L. Raczynski, J. Raj, Z. Rudy, S. Sharma, M. Silarski, Shivani, R. Y. Shopa, M. Skurzok, W. Wislicki, B. Zgardzinska

abstract
J-PET is a detector optimized for registration of photons from the electron-positron annihilation via plastic scintillators where photons interact predominantly via Compton scattering. Registration of both primary and scattered photons enables to determinate the linear polarization of the primary photon on the event by event basis with a certain probability. Here we present quantitative results on the feasibility of such polarization measurements of photons from the decay of positronium with the J-PET and explore the physical limitations for the resolution of the polarization determination of 511keV photons via Compton scattering. For scattering angles of about 82 degree (where the best contrast for polarization measurement is theoretically predicted) we find
that the single event resolution for the determination of the polarization is about 40 degree (predominantly due to properties
of the Compton effect). However, for samples larger than ten thousand events the J-PET is capable of determining relative average polarization of these photons with the precision of about few degrees. The obtained results open new perspectives for studies of various physics phenomena such as quantum entanglement and tests of discrete symmetries in decays of positronium and extend the energy range of polarization measurements by five orders of magnitude beyond the optical wavelength regime.
Evaluation of Single-Chip, Real-Time Tomographic Data Processing on FPGA - SoC Devices
G. Korcyl, P. Białas, C. Curceanu, E. Czerwiński, K. Dulski, B. Flak, A. Gajos, B. Głowacz, M. Gorgol, B. C. Hiesmayr, B. Jasińska, K. Kacprzak, M. Kajetanowicz, D. Kisielewska, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, N. Krawczyk, W. Krzemień, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pawlik- Niedźwiecka, M. Pałka, L. Raczyński, P. Rajda, Z. Rudy, P. Salabura, N. G. Sharma, S. Sharma, R. Y. Shopa, M. Skurzok, M. Silarski, P. Strzempek, A. Wieczorek, W. Wiślicki, R. Zaleski, B. Zgardzińska, M. Zieliński, P. Moskal

abstract
A novel approach to tomographic data processing
has been developed and evaluated using the Jagiellonian PET (J-
PET) scanner as an example. We propose a system in which there
is no need for powerful, local to the scanner processing facility,
capable to reconstruct images on the fly. Instead we introduce a
Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) System-on-Chip (SoC)
platform connected directly to data streams coming from the
scanner, which can perform event building, filtering, coincidence
search and Region-Of-Response (ROR) reconstruction by the
programmable logic and visualization by the integrated
processors. The platform significantly reduces data volume
converting raw data to a list-mode representation, while
generating visualization on the fly.
A feasibility study of the time reversal violation test based on polarization of annihilation photons from the decay of ortho-Positronium with the J-PET detector
J. Raj, A. Gajos, C. Curceanu, E. Czerwiński, K. Dulski, M. Gorgol, N. Gupta-Sharma, B. C. Hiesmayr, B. Jasińska, K. Kacprzak, Ł. Kapłon, D. Kisielewska, K. Klimaszewski, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, N. Krawczyk, W. Krzemień, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, L. Raczyński, K. Rakoczy, Z. Rudy, S. Sharma, Shivani, R.Y. Shopa, M. Silarski, M. Skurzok, W. Wiślicki, B. Zgardzińska, P. Moskal

abstract
The Jagiellonian Positron Emission Tomograph (J-PET) is a novel device being developed at Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland based on organic scintillators. J-PET is an axially symmetric and high acceptance scanner that can be used as a multi-purpose detector system. It is well suited to pursue tests of discrete symmetries in decays of positronium in addition to medical
imaging. J-PET enables the measurement of both momenta and the polarization vectors of annihilation photons. The latter is a unique feature of the J-PET detector which allows the study of time reversal symmetry violation operator which can be constructed solely from the annihilation photons momenta before and after the scattering in the detector.
Commissioning of the J-PET detector in view of the positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy
K. Dulski, C. Curceanu, E. Czerwiński, A. Gajos, M. Gorgol, N. Gupta-Sharma, B. C. Hiesmayr, B. Jasińska, K. Kacprzak, Ł. Kapłon, D. Kisielewska, K. Klimaszewski, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, N. Krawczyk, W. Krzemień, T. Kozik, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, L. Raczyński, J. Raj, K. Rakoczy, Z. Rudy, S. Sharma, Shivani, R. Y. Shopa, M. Silarski, M. Skurzok, W. Wiślicki, B. Zgardzińska, P. Moskal

abstract
The Jagiellonian Positron Emission Tomograph (J-PET) is the first PET device built from plastic scintillators. It is a multi-purpose detector designed for medical imaging and for studies of properties of positronium atoms in porous matter and in living organisms. In this article we report on the commissioning of the J-PET detector in view of studies of positronium decays. We present results of analysis of the positron lifetime measured in the porous polymer. The obtained results prove that J-PET is capable of performing simultaneous imaging of the density distribution of annihilation points as well as positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy.
Estimating the NEMA characteristics of the J-PET tomograph using the GATE package
P. Kowalski, W. Wiślicki, R.Y. Shopa, L. Raczyński, K. Klimaszewski, C. Curcenau, E. Czerwiński, K. Dulski, A. Gajos, M. Gorgol, N. Gupta-Sharma, B. Hiesmayr, B. Jasińska, Ł. Kapłon, D. Kisielewska-Kamińska, G. Korcyl, T. Kozik, W. Krzemień, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, S. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, J. Raj, K. Rakoczy, Z. Rudy, S. Sharma, S. Shivani, M. Silarski, M. Skurzok, B. Zgardzińska, M. Zieliński, P. Moskal

abstract
A novel whole-body positron emission tomography (PET) system based on plastic scintillators is
developed by the J-PET Collaboration. It consists of plastic scintillator strips arranged axially in the
form of a cylinder, allowing the cost-effective construction of the total-body PET system. In order to
determine the properties of the scanner prototype and optimize its geometry, advanced computer
simulations were performed using the GATE (Geant4 application for tomographic emission)
software.
The spatial resolution, sensitivity, scatter fraction and noise equivalent count rate were estimated
according to the National Electrical Manufacturers Association norm, as a function of the length
of the tomograph, the number of detection layers, the diameter of the tomographic chamber and
for various types of applied readout. For the single-layer geometry with a diameter of 85 cm, a strip
length of 100 cm, a cross-section of 4 mm × 20 mm and silicon photomultipliers with an additional
layer of wavelength shifter as the readout, the spatial resolution (full width at half maximum) in
the centre of the scanner is equal to 3 mm (radial, tangential) and 6 mm (axial). For the analogous
double-layer geometry with the same readout, diameter and scintillator length, with a strip crosssection
of 7 mm × 20 mm, a noise equivalent count rate peak of 300 kcps was reached at 40 kBq cc?1
activity concentration, the scatter fraction is estimated to be about 35% and the sensitivity at the
centre amounts to 14.9 cps kBq?1. Sensitivity profiles were also determined.
A Method to Produce Linearly Polarized Positrons and Positronium Atoms with the J-PET Detector
M. Mohammed, P. Białas, C. Curceanu, E. Czerwiński, K. Dulski, A. Gajos, B. Głowacz, M. Gorgol, B.C. Hiesmayr, B. Jasińska, D. Kisielewska, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, N. Krawczyk, W. Krzemień, E. Kubicz, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, S. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, L. Raczyński, J. Raj, Z. Rudy, N.G. Sharma, S. Sharma, Shivani, M. Skurzok, M. Silarski, A. Wieczorek, W. Wiślicki, B. Zgardzińska, M. Zieliński, P. Moskal

abstract
A method for creating linearly polarized positrons and ortho-positronium (o-Ps) atoms with the J-PET detector is presented. The unique geometry and properties of the J-PET tomography enable one to design a positron source such that the quantization axis for the estimation of the linear polarization of produced o-Ps can be determined on the event by event basis in a direction of the positron motion. We intend to use 22Na or other beta+ decay isotopes as a source of polarized positrons. Due to the parity violation in the beta decay, the emitted positrons are longitudinally polarized. The choice of the quantization axis is based on the known position of the positron emitter and the reconstructed position of the positronium annihilation. We show that the J-PET tomography is equipped with all needed components.
Human Tissue Investigations Using PALS Technique - Free Radicals Influence
B. Jasińska, B. Zgardzińska, G. Chołubek, M. Pietrow, M. Gorgol, K. Wiktor, K. Wysogląd, P. Białas, C. Curceanu, E. Czerwiński, K. Dulski, A. Gajos, B. Głowacz, B.C. Hiesmayr, B. Jodłowska-Jędrych, D. Kamińska, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, N. Krawczyk, W. Krzemień, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, S. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, L. Raczyński, Z. Rudy, N.G. Sharma, S. Sharma, R. Shopa, M. Silarski, M. Skurzok, A. Wieczorek, H. Wiktor, W. Wiślicki, M. Zieliński, P. Moskal

abstract
The positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy was applied to the samples of the human uterine leiomyomas and the normal myometrium tissues taken from the selected place of the uterus during a surgery. The method indicated differences in values of the measured positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy parameters (lifetimes and intensities) between healthy and diseased tissue samples. The additional measurements were performed either in darkness or in presence of visible light which influenced the free radicals present in both kind of tissues and, as a result, made changes in free annihilation and o-Ps decay lifetime and intensity values.
Preliminary Studies of J-PET Detector Spatial Resolution
M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, S. Niedźwiecki, D. Alfs, P. Białas, C. Curceanu, E. Czerwiński, K. Dulski, A. Gajos, B. Głowacz, M. Gorgol, B. C. Hiesmayr, B. Jasińska, D. Kisielewska, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, N. Krawczyk, W. Krzemień, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, M. Pałka, L. Raczyński, J. Raj, Z. Rudy, Shivani, M. Silarski, M. Skurzok, N.G. Sharma, S. Sharma, R.Y. Shopa, A. Strzelecki, A. Wieczorek, W. Wiślicki, B. Zgardzińska, M. Zieliński, P. Moskal

abstract
The J-PET detector, based on long plastic scintillator strips, was recently constructed at the Jagiellonian University. It consists of 192 modules axially arranged into three layers, read out from both sides by digital constant-threshold front-end electronics. This work presents preliminary results of measurements of the spatial resolution of the J-PET tomograph performed with 22Na source placed at selected position inside the detector chamber.
Analysis procedure of the positronium lifetime spectra for the J-PET detector
K. Dulski , B. Zgardzińska , P. Białas , C. Curceanu E. Czerwiński , A. Gajos , B. Głowacz , M. Gorgol , B. C. Hiesmayr , B. Jasińska , D. Kisielewska-Kamińska , G. Korcyl , P. Kowalski , T. Kozik , N. Krawczyk , W. Krzemień , E. Kubicz , M. Mohammed , M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, S. Niedźwiecki , M. Pałka , L. Raczyński , J. Raj , Z. Rudy , N. G. Sharma, S. Sharma, Shivani, R. Y. Shopa, M. Silarski , M. Skurzok , A. Wieczorek , W. Wiślicki , M. Zieliński , P. Moskal

abstract
Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy (PALS) has shown to be a powerful tool to study the nanostructures of porous materials. Positron Emissions Tomography (PET) are devices allowing imaging of metabolic processes e.g. in human bodies. A newly developed device, the J-PET (Jagiellonian PET), will allow PALS in addition to imaging, thus combining both analyses providing new methods for physics and medicine. In this contribution we present a computer program that is compatible with the J-PET software. We compare its performance with the standard program LT 9.0 by using PALS data from hexane measurements at different temperatures. Our program is based on an iterative procedure, and our fits prove that it performs as good as LT 9.0.
Introduction of total variation regularization into filtered backprojection algorithm
L. Raczyński, W. Wiślicki, K. Klimaszewski, W. Krzemień, P. Kowalski, R. Shopa, P. Białas, C. Curceanu, E. Czerwiński, K. Dulski A. Gajos, B. Głowacz, M. Gorgol, B. Hiesmayr, B. Jasińska, D. Kisielewska-Kamińska, G. Korcyl, T. Kozik, N. Krawczyk, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, S. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, Z. Rudy, N.G. Sharma, S. Sharma, M. Silarski, M. Skurzok, A. Wieczorek, B. Zgardzińska, M. Zieliński, P. Moskal

abstract
In this paper we extend the state-of-the-art filtered backprojection (FBP) method with application of the concept of Total Variation regularization. We compare the performance of the new algorithm with the most common form of regularizing in the FBP image reconstruction via apodizing functions. The methods are validated in terms of cross-correlation coefficient between reconstructed and real image of radioactive tracer distribution using standard Derenzo-type phantom. We demonstrate that the proposed approach results in higher cross-correlation values with respect
to the standard FBP method.
Time calibration of the J-PET detector
M. Skurzok, M. Silarski, D. Alfs, P. Bialas, Shivani, C. Curceanu , E. Czerwinski , K. Dulski , A. Gajos, B. G lowacz , M. Gorgol, B. C. Hiesmayr, B. Jasinska, D. Kisielewska, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik , N. Krawczyk, W. Krzemien, E. Kubicz , M. Mohammed, M. Pawlik-Niedzwiecka, S. Niedzwiecki, M. Palka, L. Raczynski , J. Raj, Z. Rudy, N. G. Sharma, S. Sharma , R. Y. Shopa , A. Wieczorek, W. Wislicki , B. Zgardzinska, M. Zielinski, P. Moskal

abstract
The Jagiellonian Positron Emission Tomograph (J-PET) project carried out in the Institute of Physics of the Jagiellonian University is focused on construction and tests of the first prototype of PET scanner for medical diagnostic which allows for the simultaneous 3D imaging of the whole human body using organic scintillators. The J-PET prototype consists of 192 scintillator strips forming three cylindrical layers which are optimized for the detection of photons from the electron-positron annihilation with high time- and high angular-resolutions. In this article we present time calibration and synchronization of the whole J-PET detection system by irradiating each single detection module with a 22Na source and a small detector providing common reference time for synchronization of all the modules.
Novel scintillating material 2-(4-styrylphenyl)benzoxazole for the fully digital and MRI compatible J-PET tomograph based on plastic scintillators
A. Wieczorek, K. Dulski, Sz. Niedźwiecki, D. Alfs, P. Białas, C. Curceanu, E. Czerwiński, A. Danel, A. Gajos, B. Głowacz, M. Gorgol, B. Hiesmayr, B. Jasińska, K. Kacprzak, D. Kamińska, Ł. Kapłon, A. Kochanowski, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, W. Krzemień, E. Kubicz, M. Kucharek, M. Mohammed, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, M. Pałka, L. Raczyński, Z. Rudy, O. Rundel, N. G. Sharma, M. Silarski, T. Uchacz, W. Wiślicki, B. Zgardzińska, M. Zieliński, P. Moskal

abstract
A novel
plastic
scintillator
is developed
for
the
application
in the
digital
positron
emission
tomography
(PET).
The
novelty
of the
concept
lies
in application
of the
2-(4-styrylphenyl)
benzoxazole
as
a wavelength
shifter.
The
substance
has
not
been
used
as
scintillator
dop-
ant
before.
A dopant
shifts
the
scintillation
spectrum
towards
longer
wavelengths
making
it
more
suitable
for
applications
in scintillators
of long
strips
geometry
and
light
detection
with
digital
silicon
photomultipliers.
These
features
open
perspectives
for
the
construction
of the
cost-effective
and
MRI-compatib
le PET
scanner
with
the
large
field
of view.
In this
article
we
present
the
synthesis
method
and
characterize
performance
of the
elaborated
scintillator
by
determining
its
light
emission
spectrum,
light
emission
efficiency,
rising
and
decay
time
of
the
scintillation
pulses
and
resulting
timing
resolution
when
applied
in the
positron
emission
tomography.
The
optimal
concentratio
n of the
novel
wavelength
shifter
was
established
by
maximizing
the
light
output
and
it was
found
to be
0.05
?
for
cuboidal
scintillator
with
dimen-
sions
of 14
mm
x 14
mm
x 20
mm.
Commissioning of the J-PET Detector for Studies of Decays of Positronium Atoms
E. Czerwiński, K. Dulski, P. Białas, C. Curceanu, A. Gajos, B. Głowacz, M. Gorgol, B.C. Hiesmayr, B. Jasińska, D. Kisielewska, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, N. Krawczyk, W. Krzemień, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, L. Raczyński, Z. Rudy, N.G. Sharma, S. Sharma, R.Y. Shopa, M. Silarski, M. Skurzok, A. Wieczorek, W. Wiślicki, B. Zgardzińska, M. Zieliński, P. Moskal

abstract
The Jagiellonian Positron Emission Tomograph (J-PET) is a detector for medical imaging of the whole human body as well as for physics studies involving detection of electron?positron annihilation into photons. J-PET has high angular and time resolution, and allows for measurement of spin of the positronium and the momenta and polarization vectors of annihilation quanta. In this article, we present the potential of the J-PET system for the background rejection in the decays of positronium atoms.
J-PET: A New Technology for the Whole-body PET Imaging
S. Niedźwiecki, P. Białas, C. Curceanu, E. Czerwiński, K. Dulski, A. Gajos, B. Głowacz, M. Gorgol, B.C. Hiesmayr, B. Jasińska, Ł. Kapłon, D. Kisielewska-Kamińska, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, N. Krawczyk, W. Krzemień, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, M. Pałka, L. Raczyński, Z. Rudy, N.G. Sharma, S. Sharma, R.Y. Shopa, M. Silarski, M. Skurzok, A. Wieczorek, W. Wiślicki, B. Zgardzińska, M. Zieliński, P. Moskal

abstract
The Jagiellonian Positron Emission Tomograph (J-PET) is the first PET built from plastic scintillators. J-PET prototype consists of 192 detection modules arranged axially in three layers forming a cylindrical diagnostic chamber with the inner diameter of 85 cm and the axial field-of-view of 50 cm. An axial arrangement of long strips of plastic scintillators, their small light attenuation, superior timing properties, and relative ease of the increase of the axial field-of-view opens promising perspectives for the cost effective construction of the whole-body PET scanner, as well as construction of MR and CT compatible PET inserts. Present status of the development of the J-PET tomograph will be presented and discussed.
Three-dimensional Image Reconstruction in J-PET Using Filtered Back-projection Method
R.Y. Shopa, K. Klimaszewski, P. Kowalski, W. Krzemień, L. Raczyński, W. Wiślicki, P. Białas, C. Curceanu, E. Czerwiński, K. Dulski, A. Gajos, B. Głowacz, M. Gorgol, B. Hiesmayr, B. Jasińska, D. Kisielewska-Kamińska, G. Korcyl, T. Kozik, N. Krawczyk, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, S. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, Z. Rudy, N.G. Sharma, S. Sharma, M. Silarski, M. Skurzok, A. Wieczorek, B. Zgardzińska, M. Zieliński, P. Moskal

abstract
We present a method and preliminary results of the image reconstruction in the Jagiellonian PET tomograph. Using GATE (Geant4 Application for Tomographic Emission), interactions of the 511 keV photons with a cylindrical detector were generated. Pairs of such photons, flying back-to-back, originate from e+e? annihilations inside a 1 mm spherical source. Spatial and temporal coordinates of hits were smeared using experimental resolutions of the detector. We incorporated the algorithm of the 3D Filtered Back Projection, implemented in the STIR and TomoPy software packages, which differ in approximation methods. Consistent results for the Point Spread Functions of ? 5 ÷ 7 mm and ? 9 ÷ 20 mm were obtained, using STIR, for transverse and longitudinal directions, respectively, with no time-of-flight information included.
Human Tissues Investigation Using PALS Technique
B. Jasińska, B. Zgardzińska, G. Chołubek, M. Gorgol, K. Wiktor, K. Wysogląd, P. Białas, C. Curceanu, E. Czerwiński, K. Dulski, A. Gajos, B. Głowacz, B. Hiesmayr, B. Jodłowska-Jędrych, D. Kamińska, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, N. Krawczyk, W. Krzemień, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, S. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, L. Raczyński, Z. Rudy, N.G. Sharma, S. Sharma, R. Shopa, M. Silarski, M. Skurzok, A. Wieczorek, H. Wiktor, W. Wiślicki, M. Zieliński, P. Moskal

abstract
Samples of uterine leiomyomatis and normal tissues taken from patients after surgery were investigated using the Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy (PALS). Significant differences in all PALS parameters between normal and diseased tissues were observed. For all studied patients, it was found that the values of the free annihilation and ortho-positronium lifetime are larger for the tumorous tissues than for the healthy ones. For most of the patients, the intensity of the free annihilation and ortho-positronium annihilation was smaller for the tumorous than for the healthy tissues. For the first time, in this kind of studies, the 3? fraction of positron annihilation was determined to describe changes in the tissue porosity during morphologic alteration.
Human Tissues Investigation Using PALS Technique
B. Jasińska, B. Zgardzińska, G. Chołubek, M. Gorgol, K. Wiktor, K. Wysogląd, P. Białas, C. Curceanu, E. Czerwiński, K. Dulski, A. Gajos, B. Głowacz, B.C. Hiesmayr, B. Jodłowska-Jędrych, D. Kamińska, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, N. Krawczyk, W. Krzemień, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, S. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, L. Raczyński, Z. Rudy, N.G. Sharma, S. Sharma, R. Shopa, M. Silarski, M. Skurzok, A. Wieczorek, H. Wiktor, W. Wiślicki, M. Zieliński, P. Moskal

abstract
Samples of uterine leiomyomatis and normal tissues taken from patients
after surgery were investigated using the Positron Annihilation Lifetime
Spectroscopy (PALS). Significant differences in all PALS parameters
between normal and diseased tissues were observed. For all studied patients,
it was found that the values of the free annihilation and orthopositronium
lifetime are larger for the tumorous tissues than for the healthy
ones. For most of the patients, the intensity of the free annihilation and
ortho-positronium annihilation was smaller for the tumorous than for the
healthy tissues. For the first time, in this kind of studies, the 3gamma fraction
of positron annihilation was determined to describe changes in the tissue
porosity during morphologic alteration.
Multichannel FPGA based MVT system for high precision time (20 ps RMS) and charge measurement
M. Palka, P. Strzempek, G. Korcyl, T. Bednarski, S. Niedzwiecki, P. Bialas, E. Czerwinski, K. Dulski, A. Gajos, B. Glowacz, M. Gorgol, B. Jasinska, D. Kaminska, M. Kajetanowicz, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, W. Krzemien, E. Kubicz, M. Mohhamed, L. Raczynski, Z. Rudy, O. Rundel, P. Salabura, NG. Sharma, M. Silarski, J. Smyrski, A. Strzelecki, A. Wieczorek, W. Wislicki, M. Zielinski, B. Zgardzinska, P. Moskal

abstract
In this article it is presented an FPGA based Multi-Voltage Threshold (MVT) system which allows of sampling fast signals (1-2 ns rising and falling edge) in both voltage and time domain. It is possible to achieve a precision of time measurement of 20 ps RMS and reconstruct charge of signals, using a simple approach, with deviation from real value smaller than 10%. Utilization of the differential inputs of an FPGA chip as comparators together with an implementation of a TDC inside an FPGA allowed us to achieve a compact multi-channel system characterized by low power consumption and low production costs. This paper describes realization and functioning of the system comprising 192-channel TDC board and a four mezzanine cards which split incoming signals and discriminate them. The boards have been used to validate a newly developed Time-of-Flight Positron Emission Tomography system based on plastic scintillators. The achieved full system time resolution of sigma (TOF) approximate to 68 ps is by factor of two better with respect to the current TOF-PET systems.
Calculation of the time resolution of the J-PET tomograph using kernel density estimation
L. Raczyński, W. Wiślicki, W. Krzemień, P. Kowalski, D. Alfs, T. Bednarski, P. Białas, C. Curceanu, E. Czerwiński, K. Dulski, A. Gajos, B. Głowacz, M. Gorgol, B. Hiesmayr, B. Jasińska, D. Kamińska, G. Korcyl, T. Kozik, N. Krawczyk, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, S. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, Z. Rudy, O. Rundel, N. Gupta-Sharma, M. Silarski, J. Smyrski, A. Strzelecki, A. Wieczorek, B. Zgardzińska, M. Zieliński and P. Moskal

abstract
In this paper we estimate the time resolution of the J-PET scanner built from plastic scintillators. We incorporate the method of signal processing using the Tikhonov regularization framework and the kernel density estimation method. We obtain simple, closed-form analytical formulae for time resolution. The proposed method is validated using signals registered by means of the single detection unit of the J-PET tomograph built from a 30?cm long plastic scintillator strip. It is shown that the experimental and theoretical results obtained for the J-PET scanner equipped with vacuum tube photomultipliers are consistent.
Lambda p interaction studied via femtoscopy in p plus Nb reactions at root s(NN)=3.18 GeV
J. Adamczewski-Musch, G. Agakishiev, O. Arnold, ET. Atomssa, C. Behnke, JC. Berger-Chen, J. Biernat, A. Blanco, C. Blume, M. Bohmer, P. Bordalo, S. Chernenko, C. Deveaux, A. Dybczak, E. Epple, L. Fabbietti, O. Fateev, P. Fonte, C. Franco, J. Friese, I. Frohlich, T. Galatyuk, JA. Garzon, K. Gill, M. Golubeva, F. Guber, M. Gumberidze, S. Harabasz, T. Hennino, S. Hlavac, C. Hohne, R. Holzmann, A. Ierusalimov, A. Ivashkin, M. Jurkovic, B. Kampfer, T. Karavicheva, B. Kardan, I. Koenig, W. Koenig, BW. Kolb, G. Korcyl, G. Kornakov, R. Kotte, A. Krasa, E. Krebs, H. Kuc, A. Kugler, T. Kunz, A. Kurepin, A. Kurilkin, P. Kurilkin, V. Ladygin, R. Lalik, K. Lapidus, A. Lebedev, L. Lopes, M. Lorenz, T. Mahmoud, L. Maier, S. Maurus, A. Mangiarotti, J. Markert, V. Metag, J. Michel, C. Muntz, R. Munzer, L. Naumann, M. Palka, et al.

abstract
We report on the first measurement of p Lambda and pp correlations via the femtoscopy method in p + Nb reactions at root sNN = 3.18 GeV, studied with the High Acceptance Di-Electron Spectrometer (HADES). By comparing the experimental correlation function to model calculations, a source size for pp pairs of r(0,pp) = 2.02 +/- 0.01(stat)(-0.12)(+0.11)(sys) fm and a slightly smaller value for p Lambda pairs of r(0,Lambda p) = 1.62 +/- 0.02(stat)(-0.08)(+0.19)(sys) fm are extracted. Using the geometrical extent of the particle-emitting region, determined experimentally with pp correlations as reference together with a source function from a transport model, it is possible to study different sets of scattering parameters. The p Lambda correlation is proven to be sensitive to predicted scattering length values from chiral effective field theory. We demonstrate that the femtoscopy technique can be used as a valid alternative to the analysis of scattering data to study the hyperon-nucleon interaction.
Determination of the 3gamma Fraction from Positron Annihilation in Mesoporous Materials for Symmetry Violation Experiment with J-PET Scanner
B. Jasińska, M. Gorgol, M. Wiertel, R. Zaleski, D. Alfs, T. Bednarski, P. Białas, E. Czerwiński, K. Dulski, A. Gajos B. Głowacz, D. Kamińska, Ł. Kapłon, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, W. Krzemień, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, L. Raczyński, Z. Rudy, O. Rundel, N.G. Sharma, M. Silarski, A. Słomski, A. Strzelecki, A. Wieczorek, W. Wiślicki, B. Zgardzińska, M. Zieliński, P. Moskal

abstract
Various mesoporous materials were investigated to choose the best material for experiments requiring high yield of long-lived positronium. We found that the fraction of 3? annihilation determined using ?-ray energy spectra and positron annihilation lifetime spectra (PAL) changed from 20% to 25%. The 3? fraction and o-Ps formation probability in the polymer XAD-4 is found to be the largest. Elemental analysis performed using scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscope EDS shows high purity of the investigated materials.
Sampling FEE and Trigger-less DAQ for the J-PET Scanner
G. Korcyl, D. Alfs, T. Bednarski, P. Białas, E. Czerwiński, K. Dulski, A. Gajos, B. Głowacz, B. Jasińska, D. Kamińska Ł. Kapłon, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, W. Krzemień, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, L. Raczyński, Z. Rudy, O. Rundel, N.G. Sharma, M. Silarski, A. Słomski, K. Stoła, A. Strzelecki, A. Wieczorek, W. Wiślicki, B.K. Zgardzińska, M. Zieliński, P. Moskal

abstract
In this paper, we present a complete Data Acquisition System (DAQ) together with the readout mechanisms for the J-PET tomography scanner. In general, detector readout chain is constructed out of Front-End Electronics (FEE) measurement devices such as Time-to-Digital or Analog-to-Digital Converters (TDCs or ADCs), data collectors and storage. We have developed a system capable for maintaining continuous readout of digitized data without preliminary selection. Such operation mode results in up to 8 Gbps data stream, therefore, it is required to introduce a dedicated module for on-line event building and feature extraction. The Central Controller Module, equipped with Xilinx Zynq SoC and 16 optical transceivers, serves as such true real time computing facility. Our solution for the continuous data recording (trigger-less) is a novel approach in such detector systems and assures that most of the information is preserved on the storage for further, high-level processing. Signal discrimination applies a unique method of using LVDS buffers located in the FPGA fabric.
Scatter Fraction of the J-PET Tomography Scanner
P. Kowalski, W. Wiślicki, L. Raczyński, D. Alfs, T. Bednarski, P. Białas, E. Czerwiński, A. Gajos, B. Głowacz, J. Jasińska D. Kamińska, G. Korcyl, T. Kozik, W. Krzemień, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammad, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, Z. Rudy, M. Silarski, A. Wieczorek, B. Zgardzińska, M. Zieliński, P. Moskal

abstract
A novel Positron Emission Tomography system, based on plastic scintillators, is being developed by the J-PET Collaboration. In this article, we present the simulation results of the scatter fraction, representing one of the parameters crucial for background studies defined in the NEMA-NU-2-2012 norm. We elaborate an event selection methods allowing to suppress events in which gamma quanta were scattered in the phantom or underwent the multiple scattering in the detector. The estimated scatter fraction for the single-layer J-PET scanner varies from 37% to 53% depending on the applied energy threshold.
Application of the compress sensing theory for improvement of the TOF resolution in a novel J-PET instrument
L. Raczyński, P. Moskal, P. Kowalski, W. Wiślicki, T. Bednarski, P. Białas, E. Czerwiński, A. Gajos, Ł. Kapłon, A. Kochanowski, G. Korcyl, J. Kowal, T. Kozik, W. Krzemień, E. Kubicz, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, Z. Rudy, P. Salabura, N. Gupta-Sharma, M. Silarski, A. Słomski, J. Smyrski, A. Strzelecki, A. Wieczorek, M. Zieliński, N. Zoń

abstract
Trilateration-based reconstruction of ortho-positronium decays into three photons with the J-PET detector
A. Gajos, D. Kamińska, E. Czerwiński, D. Alfs, T. Bednarski, P. Białas, B. Głowacz, M. Gorgol, B. Jasińska, Ł. Kapłon, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, W. Krzemień, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, L. Raczyński, Z. Rudy, O. Rundel, N.G. Sharma, M. Silarski, A. Słomski, A. Strzelecki, A. Wieczorek, W. Wiślicki, B. Zgardzińska, M. Zieliński, P. Moskal

abstract
This work reports on a new reconstruction algorithm allowing us to reconstruct the decays of ortho-positronium atoms into three photons using the places and times of photons recorded in the detector. The method is based on trilateration and allows for a simultaneous reconstruction of both location and time of the decay. Results of resolution tests of the new reconstruction in the J-PET detector based on Monte Carlo simulations are presented, which yield a spatial resolution at the level of 2 cm (FWHM) for X and Y and at the level of 1 cm (FWHM) for Z available with the present resolution of J-PET after application of a kinematic fit. Prospects of employment of this method for studying angular correlations of photons in decays of polarized ortho-positronia for the needs of tests of CP and CPT discrete symmetries are also discussed. The new reconstruction method allows for discrimination of background from random three-photon coincidences as well as for application of a novel method for determination of the linear polarization of ortho-positronium atoms, which is also introduced in this work.
Time resolution of the plastic scintillator strips with matrix photomultiplier readout for J-PET tomograph
P. Moskal, O. Rundel, D. Alfs, T. Bednarski, P. Białas, E. Czerwiński, A. Gajos, K. Giergiel, M. Gorgol, B. Jasińska, D. Kamińska, Ł. Kapłon, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, W. Krzemień, E. Kubicz, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, L. Raczyński, Z. Rudy, N.G. Sharma, A. Słomski, M. Silarski, A. Strzelecki, A. Wieczorek, W. Wiślicki, P. Witkowski, M. Zieliński, N. Zoń

abstract
Recent tests of a single module of the Jagiellonian Positron Emission
Tomography system (J-PET) consisting of 30 cm long plastic scintillator
strips have proven its applicability for the detection of annihilation quanta
(0.511 MeV) with a coincidence resolving time (CRT) of 0.266 ns. The
achieved resolution is almost by a factor of two better with respect to the
current TOF-PET detectors and it can still be improved since, as it is shown
in this article, the intrinsic limit of time resolution for the determination of
time of the interaction of 0.511 MeV gamma quanta in plastic scintillators
is much lower. As the major point of the article, a method allowing to
record timestamps of several photons, at two ends of the scintillator strip,
by means of matrix of silicon photomultipliers (SiPM) is introduced. As a
result of simulations, conducted with the number of SiPM varying from 4 to 42, it is shown that the improvement of timing resolution saturates with
the growing number of photomultipliers, and that the 2×5 configuration at
two ends allowing to read twenty timestamps, constitutes an optimal solution.
The conducted simulations accounted for the emission time distribution,
photon transport and absorption inside the scintillator, as well as quantum
efficiency and transit time spread of photosensors, and were checked based on
the experimental results. Application of the 2×5 matrix of SiPM allows for
achieving the coincidence resolving time in positron emission tomography of
0.170 ns for 15 cm axial field-of-view (AFOV) and 0.365 ns for 100 cm
AFOV. The results open perspectives for construction of a cost-effective TOFPET
scanner with significantly better TOF resolution and larger AFOV with
respect to the current TOF-PET modalities.
Strange hadron production at SIS energies: an update from HADES
M. Lorenz, J. Adamczewski-Musch, O. Arnold, ET. Atomssa, C. Behnke, JC. Berger-Chen, J. Biernat, A. Blanco, C. Blume, M. Bohmer, P. Bordalo, S. Chernenko, C. Deveaux, A. Dybczak, E. Epple, L. Fabbietti, O. Fateev, P. Fonte, C. Franco, J. Friese, I. Frohlich, T. Galatyuk, JA. Garzon, K. Gill, M. Golubeva, F. Guber, M. Gumberidze, S. Harabasz, T. Hennino, S. Hlavac, C. Hohne, R. Holzmann, A. Ierusalimov, A. Ivashkin, M. Jurkovic, B. Kampfer, T. Karavicheva, B. Kardan, I. Koenig, W. Koenig, BW. Kolb, G. Korcyl, G. Kornakov, R. Kotte, A. Krasa, E. Krebs, H. Kuc, A. Kugler, T. Kunz, A. Kurepin, A. Kurilkin, P. Kurilkin, V. Ladygin, R. Lalik, K. Lapidus, A. Lebedev, L. Lopes, T. Mahmoud, L. Maier, A. Mangiarotti, J. Markert, V. Metag, J. Michel, C. Muntz, R. Munzer, L. Naumann, M. Palka, Y. Parpottas, V. Pechenov, et al.

abstract
We present and discuss recent experimental activities of the HADES collaboration on open and hidden strangeness production close or below the elementary NN threshold. Special emphasis is put on the feed-down from phi mesons to antikaons, the presence of the Xi(-) excess in cold nuclear matter and the comparison of statistical model rates to elementary p+p data. The implications for the interpretation of heavy-ion data are discussed as well.
J-PET: A Novel TOF-PFT Detector based on Plastic Scintillators
P. Moskal, D. Alfs, T. Bednarski, P. Bialas, C. Curceanu, E. Czerwinski, K. Dulski, A. Gajos, B. Glowacz, M. Gorgol, B. Hiesmayr, B. Jasinska, D. Kaminska, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, W. Krzemien, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, M. Pawlik-Niedzwiecka, S. Niedzwiecki, M. Palka, L. Raczynski, Z. Rudy, O. Rundel, NG. Sharma, M. Silarski, J. Smyrski, A. Strzelecki, A. Wieczorek, W. Wislicki, B. Zgardzinska, M. Zielinski

abstract
The purpose of the reported research is the elaboration of the method for construction of the cost-effective whole body single-bed positron emission tomography scanner enabling simultaneous PET/CT and PET/MR imaging The Jagiellonian Positron Emission Tomograph (J-PET) is built out of 192 scintillator strips arranged axially in three layers forming a cylindrical diagnostic chamber with the diameter of 85 cm and axial field of-view of 50 cm. The novelty of the concept lies in employing long strips of plastic scintillators instead of crystals as detectors of the annihilation quanta, and in using the timing of signals instead of their amplitudes for the reconstruction of Lines-of Response. To take advantage of the superior timing properties of plastic scintillators a novel multi-voltage-threshold front-end electronics was developed allowing for sampling of signals in a voltage domain. An axial arrangement of long strips of plastic scintillators, and their small light attenuation allows us to make a TOE-PET scanner with a long axial field-of-view. The presented solution opens unique possibilities of combining PET with CT and PET with MRI for scanning the same part of a patient at the same time with both methods. The relative ease of the cost effective increase of the axial field-of-view makes the J-PET tomograph competitive with respect to the current commercial PET scanners as regards sensitivity and time resolution.
Statistical Analysis of Time Resolution of the J-PET Scanner
L. Raczynski, W. Wislicki, P. Kowalski, W. Krzemien, D. Alfs, T. Bednarski, P. Bialas, C. Curceanu, E. Czerwinski, K. Dulski, A. Gajos, B. Glowacz, M. Gorgol, B. Hiesmayr, B. Jasinska, D. Kaminska, G. Korcyl, T. Kozik, N. Krawczyk, E. Kubicz, M. Mohammed, M. Pawlik-Niedzwiecka, S. Niedzwiecki, M. Palka, Z. Rudy, O. Rundel, NG. Sharma, M. Silarski, J. Smyrski, A. Strzelecki, A. Wieczorek, B. Zgardzinska, M. Zielinski, P. Moskal

abstract
The commercial Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanners use inorganic crystal scintillators for the detection of gamma photons. The Jagiellonian-PET (J-PET) detector exhibits high time resolution due to use of fast plastic scintillators and dedicated electronics circuits. Since the time resolution of PET scanner is influenced by numerous factors, e.g. a type of photomultipliers attached to the scintillators, the optimal selection of components of the J-PET system requires detailed understanding of the method for calculation the time resolution. In this paper we show the idea of this method, based on statistical analysis of the observed signals on the photomultiplier's output. The method is tested using signals registered by means of the single detection module of the J-PET scanner built out from 30 cm long plastic scintillator strips. We investigate two main factors affecting the photon registration probability, photomultipliers quantum efficiency and photomultipliers transit time spread. We demonstrate that the quantum efficiency of photomultipliers represents the most important factor influencing overall performance of the J-PET scanner.
Searches for discrete symmetries violation in ortho-positronium decay using the J-PET detector
D. Kamińska, A. Gajos, E. Czerwiński, T. Bednarski, P. Białas, M. Gorgol, B. Jasińska, Ł. Kapłon, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, W. Krzemień, E. Kubicz, S. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, L. Raczyński, Z. Rudy, O. Rundel, N. Gupta-Sharma, M. Silarski, A. Słomski, A. Strzelecki, A. Wieczorek, W. Wiślicki, M. Zieliński, B. Zgardzińska, P. Moskal

abstract
In this paper, we present prospects for using the Jagiellonian positron emission tomograph (J-PET)
detector to search for discrete symmetries violations in a purely leptonic system of the positronium atom. We
discuss tests of CP and CPT symmetries by means of ortho-positronium decays into three photons. No zero
expectation values for chosen correlations between ortho-positronium spin and momentum vectors of photons
would imply the existence of physics phenomena beyond the standard model. Previous measurements resulted
in violation amplitude parameters for CP and CPT symmetries consistent with zero, with an uncertainty of
about 10?3. The J-PET detector allows to determine those values with better precision, thanks to the unique
time and angular resolution combined with a high geometrical acceptance. Achieving the aforementioned is possible
because of the application of polymer scintillators instead of crystals as detectors of annihilation quanta.
Studies of unicellular microorganisms Saccharomyces cerevisiae by means of positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy
E. Kubicz, B. Jasińska, B. Zgardzińska, T. Bednarski, P. Białas, E. Czerwiński, A. Gajos, M. Gorgol, D. Kamińska, Ł. Kapłon, A. Kochanowski, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, W. Krzemień, S. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, L. Raczyński, Z. Rajfur, Z. Rudy, O. Rundel, N. Gupta-Sharma, M. Silarski, A. Słomski, A. Strzelecki, A. Wieczorek, W. Wiślicki, M. Zieliński, P. Moskal

abstract
Results of positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) and microscopic studies on simple microorganisms,
brewing yeasts, are presented. Lifetime of ortho-positronium (o-Ps) were found to change from 2.4 to 2.9 ns
(longer-lived component) for lyophilized and aqueous yeasts, respectively. Also hygroscopicity of yeasts in time was
examined, allowing to check how water ? the main component of the cell ? affects PALS parameters, thus lifetime
of o-Ps were found to change from 1.2 to 1.4 ns (shorter-lived component) for the dried yeasts. The time suffi cient
to hydrate the cells was found below 10 hours. In the presence of liquid water, an indication of reorganization of
yeast in the molecular scale was observed. Microscopic images of the lyophilized, dried, and wet yeasts with best
possible resolution were obtained using inverted microscopy (IM) and environmental scanning electron microscopy
(ESEM) methods. As a result, visible changes to the surface of the cell me mbrane were observed in ESEM images.
Analysis of pion production data measured by HADES in proton-proton collisions at 1.25 GeV
G. Agakishiev, A. Balanda, D. Belver, A. Belyaev, JC. Berger-Chen, A. Blanco, M. Bohmer, JL. Boyard, P. Cabanelas, S. Chernenko, A. Dybczak, E. Epple, L. Fabbietti, O. Fateev, P. Finocchiaro, P. Fonte, J. Friese, I. Frohlich, T. Galatyuk, JA. Garzon, R. Gernhauser, K. Gobel, M. Golubeva, D. Gonzalez-Diaz, F. Guber, M. Gumberidze, T. Heinz, T. Hennino, R. Holzmann, A. Ierusalimov, I. Iori, A. Ivashkin, M. Jurkovic, B. Kampfer, T. Karavicheva, I. Koenig, W. Koenig, BW. Kolb, G. Kornakov, R. Kotte, A. Krasa, F. Krizek, R. Krucken, H. Kuc, W. Kuhn, A. Kugler, A. Kurepin, V. Ladygin, R. Lalik, S. Lang, K. Lapidus, A. Lebedev, T. Liu, L. Lopes, M. Lorenz, L. Maier, A. Mangiarotti, J. Markert, V. Metag, B. Michalska, J. Michel, C. Muntz, R. Munzer, L. Naumann, YC. Pachmayer, M. Palka, Y. Parpottas, V. Pechenov, O. Pechenova, et al.

abstract
Baryon resonance production in proton-proton collisions at a kinetic beam energy of 1.25 GeV is investigated. The multi-differential data were measured by the HADES Collaboration. Exclusive channels with one pion in the final state (np pi(+) and pp pi(0)) were put to extended studies based on various observables in the framework of a one-pion exchange model and with solutions obtained within the framework of a partial wave analysis (PWA) of the Bonn-Gatchina group. The results of the PWA confirm the dominant contribution of the.(1232), yet with a sizable impact of the N(1440) and non-resonant partial waves.
Reconstruction of hit time and hit position of annihilation quanta in the J-PET detector usi ng the Mahalanobis distance
N. G. Sharma, M. Silarski, T. Bednarski, P. Białas, E. Czerwiński, A. Gajos, M. Gorgol, B. Jasińska, D. Kamińska, Ł. Kapłon, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, W. Krzemień, E. Kubicz, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, L. Raczyński, Z. Rudy, O. Rundel, A. Słomski, A. Strzelecki, A. Wieczorek, W. Wiślicki, M. Zieliński, B. Zgardzińska, P. Moskal

abstract
The J-PET detector being developed at Jagiellonian University, is a Positron Emission Tomograph composed of the long strips of polymer scintillators. At the same time it is a detector system which will be used for studies of the decays of positronium atoms. The shape of photomultiplier signals depends on the hit-time and hit-position of the gamma quantum. In order to take advantage of this fact a dedicated sampling front-end electronics which enables to sample signals in voltage domain with the time precision of about 20 ps and novel reconstruction method based on the comparison of examined signal with the model signals stored in the library has been developed. As a measure of the similarity we use the Mahalanobis distance. The achievable position and time-resolution depends on number and values of the threshold levels at which the signal is sampled. A reconstruction method, as well as preliminary results are presented and discussed.
PALS investigations of free volumes thermal expansion of J-PET plastic scintillator synthesized in polystyrene matrix
A. Wieczorek, B. Zgardzińska, B. Jasińska, M. Gorgol, T. Bednarski, P. Białas, E. Czerwiński, A. Gajos, D. Kamińska, Ł. Kapłon, A. Kochanowski, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, W. Krzemień, E. Kubicz, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, L. Raczyński, Z. Rudy, O. Rundel, N.G. Sharma, M. Silarski, A. Słomski, A. Strzelecki, W. Wiślicki, M. Zieliński, P. Moskal

abstract
The polystyrene dopped with 2,5-diphenyloxazole as a primary fluor and 2-(4-styrylphenyl)benzoxazole as a wavelength shifter, prepared as a plastic scintillator was investigated using positronium probe in wide range of temperatures from 123 to 423 K. Three structural transitions at 260 K, 283 K and 370 K were found in the material. In the o-Ps intensity dependence on temperature, the significant hysteresis is observed. Heated to 370 K, the material exhibits the o-Ps intensity variations in time.
Processing optimization with parallel computing for the J-PET scanner
W. Krzemień, M. Bała, T. Bednarski, P. Białas, E. Czerwiński, A. Gajos, M. Gorgol, B. Jasińska, D. Kamińska, Ł. Kapłon, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, E. Kubicz, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, L. Raczyński, Z. Rudy, O. Rundel, N.G. Sharma, M. Silarski, A. Słomski, K. Stola, A. Strzelecki, D. Trybek, Anna Wieczorek, W. Wiślicki, M. Zieliński, B. K. Zgardzińska, P. Moskal

abstract
The Jagiellonian-PET (J-PET) collaboration is developing a prototype TOF-PET detector based on long polymer scintillators. This novel approach exploits the excellent time properties of the plastic scintillators, which permit very precise time measurements. The very fast, FPGA-based front-end electronics and the data acquisition system, as well as, low- and high-level reconstruction algorithms were specially developed to be used with the J-PET scanner. The TOF-PET data processing and reconstruction are time and resource demanding operations, especially in case of a large acceptance detector, which works in triggerless data acquisition mode. In this article, we discuss the parallel computing methods applied to optimize the data processing for the J-PET detector. We begin with general concepts of parallel computing and then we discuss several applications of those techniques in the J-PET data processing.
K*(892)(+) production in proton-proton collisions at E-beam=3.5 GeV
G. Agakishiev, O. Arnold, D. Belver, A. Belyaev, JC. Berger-Chen, A. Blanco, M. Bohmer, JL. Boyard, P. Cabanelas, S. Chernenko, A. Dybczak, E. Epple, L. Fabbietti, O. Fateev, P. Finocchiaro, P. Fonte, J. Friese, I. Frolich, T. Galatyuk, JA. Garzon, R. Gernhauser, K. Gobel, M. Golubeva, D. Gonzalez-Diaz, F. Guber, M. Gumberidze, T. Heinz, T. Hennino, R. Holzmann, A. Ierusalimov, I. Iori, A. Ivashkin, M. Jurkovic, B. Kampfer, T. Karavicheva, I. Koenig, W. Koenig, BW. Kolb, G. Korcyl, G. Kornakov, R. Kotte, A. Krasa, F. Krizek, R. Krucken, H. Kuc, W. Kuhn, A. Kugler, T. Kunz, A. Kurepin, V. Ladygin, R. Lalik, K. Lapidus, A. Lebedev, L. Lopes, M. Lorenz, L. Maier, A. Mangiarotti, J. Markert, V. Metag, J. Michel, D. Mihaylov, C. Muntz, R. Munzer, L. Naumann, YC. Pachmayer, M. Palka, Y. Parpottas, V. Pechenov, O. Pechenova, et al.

abstract
We present results on the K*(892)(+) production in proton-proton collisions at a beam energy of E = 3.5 GeV, which is hitherto the lowest energy at which this mesonic resonance has been observed in nucleon-nucleon reactions. The data are interpreted within a two-channel model that includes the three-body production of K*(892)(+) associated with the Lambda or Sigma hyperon. The relative contributions of both channels are estimated. Besides the total cross section sigma(p + p -> K*(892)(+) + X) = 9.5 +/- 0.9(-0.9)(+1.1) +/- 0.7 mu b, which adds a new data point to the excitation function of the K*(892)+ production in the region of low excess energy, transverse momenta and angular spectra are extracted and compared with the predictions of the two-channel model. The spin characteristics of K*(892)(+) are discussed as well in terms of the spin-alignment.
Subthreshold Xi(-) Production in Collisions of p(3.5 GeV) + Nb
G. Agakishiev, O. Arnold, A. Balanda, D. Belver, AV. Belyaev, JC. Berger-Chen, A. Blanco, M. Bhmer, JL. Boyard, P. Cabanelas, S. Chernenko, A. Dybczak, E. Epple, L. Fabbietti, OV. Fateev, P. Finocchiaro, P. Fonte, J. Friese, I. Frohlich, T. Galatyuk, JA. Garzon, R. Gernhauser, K. Gobel, M. Golubeva, D. Gonzalez-Diaz, F. Guber, M. Gumberidze, T. Heinz, T. Hennino, R. Holzmann, A. Ierusalimov, I. Iori, A. Ivashkin, M. Jurkovic, B. Kampfer, T. Karavicheva, I. Koenig, W. Koenig, BW. Kolb, G. Kornakov, R. Kotte, A. Krasa, F. Krizek, R. Krucken, H. Kuc, W. Kuhn, A. Kugler, A. Kurepin, V. Ladygin, R. Lalik, S. Lang, K. Lapidus, A. Lebedev, T. Liu, L. Lopes, M. Lorenz, L. Maier, A. Mangiarotti, J. Markert, V. Metag, B. Michalska, J. Michel, C. Muntz, R. Muntzer, L. Naumann, YC. Pachmayer, M. Palka, Y. Parpottas, V. Pechenov, et al.

abstract
Results on the production of the double strange cascade hyperon Xi(-) are reported for collisions of p(3.5 GeV) + Nb, studied with the High Acceptance Di-Electron Spectrometer (HADES) at SIS18 at GSI Helmholtzzentrum for Heavy-Ion Research, Darmstadt. For the first time, subthreshold Xi(-) production is observed in proton-nucleus interactions. Assuming a Xi(-) phase-space distribution similar to that of. hyperons, the production probability amounts to P Xi- = [2.0 +/- 0.4(stat) +/- 0.3(norm) +/- 0.6(syst)] x 10(-4) resulting in a Xi(-)/d(Lambda + Sigma(0)) ratio of P Xi-/P Lambda+Sigma 0 = [1.2 +/- 0.3(stat) +/- 0.4(syst)] x 10(-2). Available model predictions are significantly lower than the measured Xi(-) yield.
Multiple Scattering and Accidental Coincidences in the J-PET Detector Simulated Using GATE Package
P. Kowalski, P. Moskal, W. Wislicki, L. Raczynski, T. Bednarski, P. Bialas, J. Bulka, E. Czerwinski, A. Gajos, A. Gruntowski, D. Kaminska, L. Kaplon, A. Kochanowski, G. Korcyl, J. Kowal, T. Kozik, W. Krzemien, E. Kubicz, S. Niedzwiecki, M. Palka, Z. Rudy, P. Salabura, NG. Sharma, M. Silarski, A. Slomski, J. Smyrski, A. Strzelecki, A. Wieczorek, I. Wochlik, M. Zielinski, N. Zon

abstract
Novel positron emission tomography system, based on plastic scintillators, is developed by the J-PET collaboration. In order to optimize geometrical configuration of built device, advanced computer simulations are performed. Detailed study is presented of background given by accidental coincidences and multiple scattering of gamma quanta.
A pilot study of the novel J-PET plastic scintillator with 2-(4-styrylphenyl)benzoxazole as a wavelength shifter
A. Wieczorek, P. Moskal, Sz. Niedźwiecki, T. Bednarski, P. Białas, E. Czerwiński, A. Danel, A. Gajos, A. Gruntowski, D. Kamińska, Ł. Kapłon, A. Kochanowski, G. Korcyl, J. Kowal, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, W. Krzemień, E. Kubicz, M. Molenda, M. Pałka, L. Raczyński, Z. Rudy, O. Rundel, P. Salabura, N.G. Sharma, M. Silarski, A. Słomski, J. Smyrski, A. Strzelecki, T. Uchacz, W. Wiślicki, M. Zieliński, N. Zoń

abstract
For the first time a molecule of 2-(4-styrylphenyl)benzoxazole containing benzoxazole and stilbene groups is applied as a scintillator dopant acting as a wavelength shifter. In this article a light yield of the plastic scintillator, prepared from styrene doped with 2 wt% of 2,5-diphenylbenzoxazole and 0.03 wt% of 2-(4-styrylphenyl)benzoxazole, is determined to be as large as 60% ? 2% of the anthracene light output. There is a potential to improve this value in the future by the optimization of the additives concentrations.
Compressive sensing of signals generated in plastic scintillators in a novel J-PET instrument
L. Raczyński, P. Moskal, P. Kowalski, W. Wiślicki, T. Bednarski, P. Białas, E. Czerwiński, A. Gajos, Ł. Kapłon, A. Kochanowski, G. Korcyl, J. Kowal, T. Kozik, W. Krzemień, E. Kubicz, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, Z. Rudy, O. Rundel, P. Salabura, N.G. Sharma, M. Silarski, A. Słomski, J. Smyrski, A. Strzelecki, A. Wieczorek, M. Zieliński, N. Zoń

abstract
The J-PET scanner, which allows for single bed imaging of the whole human body, is currently under development at the Jagiellonian University. The discussed detector offers improvement of the Time of Flight (TOF) resolution due to the use of fast plastic scintillators and dedicated electronics allowing for sampling in the voltage domain of signals with durations of few nanoseconds. In this paper we show that recovery of the whole signal, based on only a few samples, is possible. In order to do that, we incorporate the training signals into the Tikhonov regularization framework and we perform the Principal Component Analysis decomposition, which is well known for its compaction properties. The method yields a simple closed form analytical solution that does not require iterative processing. Moreover, from the Bayes theory the properties of regularized solution, especially its covariance matrix, may be easily derived. This is the key to introduce and prove the formula for calculations of the signal recovery error. In this paper we show that an average recovery error is approximately inversely proportional to the number of acquired samples.
Partial wave analysis of the reaction p(3.5 GeV) + p -> pK(+) Lambda to search for the "ppK(-)" bound state
G. Agakishiev, O. Arnold, D. Belver, A. Belyaev, JC. Berger-Chen, A. Blanco, M. Bohmer, JL. Boyard, P. Cabanelas, S. Chernenko, A. Dybczak, E. Epple, L. Fabbietti, O. Fateev, P. Finocchiaro, P. Fonte, J. Friese, I. Frohlich, T. Galatyuk, JA. Garzon, R. Gernhauser, K. Gobel, M. Golubeva, D. Gonzalez-Diaz, F. Guber, M. Gumberidze, T. Heinz, T. Hennino, R. Holzmann, A. Ierusalimov, I. Iori, A. Ivashkin, M. Jurkovic, B. Kampfer, T. Karavicheva, I. Koenig, W. Koenig, BW. Kolb, G. Kornakov, R. Kotte, A. Krasa, F. Krizek, R. Krucken, H. Kuc, W. Kuhn, A. Kugler, T. Kunz, A. Kurepin, V. Ladygin, R. Lalik, K. Lapidus, A. Lebedev, L. Lopes, M. Lorenz, L. Maier, A. Mangiarotti, J. Markert, V. Metag, J. Michel, C. Muntzh, R. Muenzer, L. Naumann, YC. Pachmayer, M. Palka, Y. Parpottas, V. Pechenov, O. Pechenova, J. Pietraszko, et al.

abstract
Employing the Bonn-Gatchina partial wave analysis framework (PWA), we have analyzed HADES data of the reaction p(3.5 GeV) + p -> pK(+) Lambda. This reaction might contain information about the kaonic cluster "ppK(-)" (with quantum numbers J(P)=0(-) and total isospin I=1/2) via its decay into p Lambda. Due to interference effects in our coherent description of the data, a hypothetical (K) over bar NN(or, specifically "ppK-") cluster signal need not necessarily show up as a pronounced feature (e.g. a peak) in an invariant mass spectrum like p Lambda. Our PWA analysis includes a variety of resonant and non-resonant intermediate states and delivers a good description of our data (various angular distributions and two-hadron invariant mass spectra) without a contribution of a (K) over bar NN cluster. At a confidence level of CLs=95% such a cluster cannot-contribute more than 2-12% to the total cross section with a pK(+) Lambda final state, which translates into a production cross-section between 0.7 mu b and 4.2 mu b, respectively. The range of the upper limit depends on the assumed cluster mass, width and production process. (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license.
Analysis framework for the J-PET scanner
W. Krzemień, A. Gajos, A. Gruntowski, K. Stola, D. Trybek, T. Bednarski, P. Białas, E. Czerwiński, D. Kamińska, L. Kapłon, A. Kochanowski, G. Korcyl, J. Kowal, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, E. Kubicz, P. Moskal, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, L. Raczyński, Z. Rudy, P. Salabura, N. G. Sharma, M. Silarski, A. Słomski, J. Smyrski, A. Strzelecki, A. Wieczorek, W. Wiślicki, M. Zieliński, N. Zoń

abstract
J-PET analysis framework is a flexible, lightweight, ROOT-based software package which provides the tools to develop reconstruction and calibration procedures for PET tomography. In this article we present the implementation of the full data-processing chain in the J-PET framework which is used for the data analysis of the J-PET tomography scanner. The Framework incorporates automated handling of PET setup parameters' database as well as high level tools for building data reconstruction procedures. Each of these components is briefly discussed.
Hit time and hit position reconstruction in the J-PET detector based on a library of averaged model signals
P. Moskal, N.G.Sharma, M.Silarski, T. Bednarski, P. Białas, J. Bułka, E. Czerwiński, A. Gajos, D. Kamińska, L. Kapłon, A. Kochanowski, G. Korcyl, J. Kowal, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, W. Krzemień, E. Kubicz, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, L. Raczyński, Z. Rudy, O. Rundel, P. Salabura, A. Słomski, J. Smyrski, A. Strzelecki, A. Wieczorek, W. Wiślicki, I. Wochlik, M. Zieliński, N. Zoń

abstract
n this article we present a novel method of hit time and hit position reconstruction in long scintillator detectors. We take advantage of the fact that for this kind of detectors amplitude and shape of registered signals depends strongly on the position where particle hit the detector. The reconstruction is based on determination of the degree of similarity between measured and averaged signals stored in a library for a set of well-defined positions along the scintillator. Preliminary results of validation of the introduced method with experimental data obtained by means of the double strip prototype of the J-PET detector are presented.
GPU accelerated image reconstruction in a two-strip J-PET tomograph
P. Białas, J. Kowal, A. Strzelecki, T. Bednarski, E. Czerwiński, A. Gajos, D. Kamińska, Ł. Kapłon, A. Kochanowski, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, W. Krzemień, E. Kubicz, P. Moskal, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, L. Raczyński, Z. Rudy, O. Rundel, P. Salabura, N.G. Sharma, M. Silarski, A. Słomski, J. Smyrski, A. Wieczorek, W. Wiślicki, M. Zieliński, N. Zoń

abstract
We present a fast GPU implementation of the image reconstruction routine, for a novel two strip PET detector that relies solely on the time of flight measurements.
Highlights of Resonance Measurements With HADES
E. Epple, J. Adamczewski-Musch, O. Arnold, ET. Atomssa, C. Behnke, JC. Berger-Chen, J. Biernat, A. Blanco, C. Blume, M. Bohmer, P. Bordalo, S. Chernenko, C. Deveaux, A. Dybczak, L. Fabbietti, O. Fateev, P. Fonte, C. Franco, J. Friese, I. Frohlich, T. Galatyuk, JA. Garzon, K. Gill, M. Golubeva, F. Guber, M. Gumberidze, S. Harabasz, T. Hennino, S. Hlavac, C. Hohne, R. Holzmann, A. Ierusalimov, A. Ivashkin, M. Jurkovic, B. Kampfer, T. Karavicheva, K. Kardan, I. Koenig, W. Koenig, BW. Kolb, G. Korcyl, G. Kornakov, R. Kotte, A. Krasa, E. Krebs, H. Kuc, A. Kugler, T. Kunz, A. Kurepin, A. Kurilkin, P. Kurilkin, V. Ladygin, R. Lalik, K. Lapidus, A. Lebedev, L. Lopes, M. Lorenz, T. Mahmoud, L. Maier, A. Mangiarotti, J. Markert, V. Metag, J. Michel, C. Muntz, R. Munzer, L. Naumann, M. Palka, Y. Parpottas, V. Pechenov, et al.

abstract
This contribution aims to give a basic overview of the latest results regarding the production of resonances in different collision systems. The results were extracted from experimental data collected with HADES that is a multipurpose detector located at the GSI Helmholtzzentrum, Darmstadt. The main points discussed here are: the properties of the strange resonances Lambda(1405) and Sigma(1385), the role of Delta's as a source of pions in the final state, the production dynamics reflected in form of differential cross sections, and the role of the phi meson as a source for K- particles.
Investigating hadronic resonances in pp interactions with HADES
W. Przygoda, J. Adamczewski-Musch, O. Arnold, ET. Atomssa, C. Behnke, JC. Berger-Chen, J. Biernat, A. Blanco, C. Blume, M. Bohmer, P. Bordalo, S. Chernenko, C. Deveaux, A. Dybczak, E. Epple, L. Fabbietti, O. Fateev, P. Fonte, C. Franco, J. Friese, I. Frohlich, T. Galatyuk, JA. Garzon, K. Gill, M. Golubeva, F. Guber, M. Gumberidze, S. Harabasz, T. Hennino, S. Hlavac, C. Hohne, R. Holzmann, A. Ierusalimov, A. Ivashkin, M. Jurkovic, B. Kampfer, T. Karavicheva, B. Kardan, I. Koenig, W. Koenig, BW. Kolb, G. Korcyl, G. Kornakov, R. Kotte, A. Krasa, E. Krebs, H. Kuc, A. Kugler, T. Kunz, A. Kurepin, A. Kurilkin, P. Kurilkin, V. Ladygin, R. Lalik, K. Lapidus, A. Lebedev, L. Lopes, M. Lorenz, T. Mahmoud, L. Maier, A. Mangiarotti, J. Markert, V. Metag, J. Michel, C. Muntz, R. Munzer, L. Naumann, M. Palka, Y. Parpottas, et al.

abstract
In this paper we report on the investigation of baryonic resonance production in proton-proton collisions at the kinetic energies of 1.25 GeV and 3.5 GeV, based on data measured with HADES. Exclusive channels np pi(+) and ppp(0) as well as ppe(+) e(-) were studied simultaneously in the framework of a one-boson exchange model. The resonance cross sections were determined from the one-pion channels for Delta(1232) and N(1440) (1.25 GeV) as well as further Delta and N* resonances up to 2 GeV/c(2) for the 3.5 GeV data. The data at 1.25 GeV energy were also analysed within the framework of the partial wave analysis together with the set of several other measurements at lower energies. The obtained solutions provided the evolution of resonance production with the beam energy, showing a sizeable non-resonant contribution but with still dominating contribution of Delta(1232)P-33. In the case of 3.5 GeV data, the study of the ppe(+)e(-) channel gave the insight on the Dalitz decays of the baryon resonances and, in particular, on the electromagnetic transition form-factors in the time-like region. We show that the assumption of a constant electromagnetic transition form-factors leads to underestimation of the yield in the dielectron invariant mass spectrum below the vector mesons pole. On the other hand, a comparison with various transport models shows the important role of intermediate rho production, though with a large model dependency. The exclusive channels analysis done by the HADES collaboration provides new stringent restrictions on the parameterizations used in the models.
A novel method for the line-of-response and time-of-flight reconstruction in TOF-PET detectors based on a library of synchronized model signals
P. Moskal, N. Zoń, T. Bednarski, P. Białas, E. Czerwiński, A. Gajos, D. Kamińska, Ł. Kapłon, A. Kochanowski, G. Korcyl, J. Kowal, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, W. Krzemień, E. Kubicz, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, L. Raczyński, Z. Rudy, O. Rundel, P. Salabura, N.G. Sharma, M. Silarski, A. Słomski, J. Smyrski, A. Strzelecki, A. Wieczorek, W. Wiślicki, M. Zieliński

abstract
A novel method of hit time and hit position reconstruction in scintillator detectors is described. The method is based on comparison of detector signals with results stored in a library of synchronized model signals registered for a set of well-defined positions of scintillation points. The hit position is reconstructed as the one corresponding to the signal from the library which is most similar to the measurement signal. The time of the interaction is determined as a relative time between the measured signal and the most similar one in the library. A degree of similarity of measured and model signals is defined as the distance between points representing the measurement- and model-signal in the multi-dimensional measurement space. Novelty of the method lies also in the proposed way of synchronization of model signals enabling direct determination of the difference between time-of-flights (TOF) of annihilation quanta from the annihilation point to the detectors. The introduced method was validated using experimental data obtained by means of the double strip prototype of the J-PET detector and 22Na sodium isotope as a source of annihilation gamma quanta.The detector was built out from plastic scintillator strips with dimensions of 5 mm x 19 mm x 300 mm, optically connected at both sides to photomultipliers,from which signals were sampled by means of the Serial Data Analyzer.Using the introduced method, the spatial and TOF resolution of about 1.3 cm (?) and 125 ps (?) were established, respectively.
Medium effects in proton-induced K-0 production at 3.5 GeV
G. Agakishiev, O. Arnold, D. Belver, A. Belyaev, JC. Berger-Chen, A. Blanco, M. Bohmer, JL. Boyard, P. Cabanelas, S. Chernenko, A. Dybczak, E. Epple, L. Fabbietti, O. Fateev, P. Finocchiaro, P. Fonte, J. Friese, I. Frohlich, T. Galatyuk, JA. Garzon, R. Gernhauser, K. Gobel, M. Golubeva, D. Gonzalez-Diaz, F. Guber, M. Gumbcridzc, T. Hcinz, T. Hcnnino, R. Holzmann, A. Icrusalimov, I. Iori, A. Ivashkin, M. Jurkovic, B. Kampfer, T. Karavicheva, I. Koenig, W. Koenig, BW. Kolb, G. Korcyl, G. Kornakov, R. Kotte, A. Krasa, F. Krizek, R. Krucken, H. Kuc, W. Kuhn, A. Kugler, T. Kunz, A. Kurepin, V. Ladygin, R. Lalik, K. Lapidus, A. Lebedev, L. Lopes, M. Lorenz, L. Maier, A. Mangiarotti, J. Markert, V. Metag, J. Michel, C. Muntz, R. Munzer, L. Naumann, YC. Pachmayer, M. Palka, Y. Parpottas, V. Pechenov, O. Pechenova, et al.

abstract
We present the analysis of the inclusive K-0 production in p + p and p + Nb collisions measured with the HADES detector (GSI Helmholtzzentrum for Heavy-Ion Research, Darmstadt) at a beam kinetic energy of 3.5 GeV. Data are compared to the Giessen Boltzmann-Uehling-Uhlenbeck (GiBUU) transport model. The data suggest the presence of a repulsive momentum-dependent kaon potential as predicted by the chiral perturbation theory (ChPT). For the kaon at rest and at normal nuclear density, the ChPT potential amounts to approximate to 35 MeV. A detailed tuning of the kaon production cross sections implemented in the model has been carried out to reproduce the experimental data measured in p + p collisions. The uncertainties in the parameters of the model were examined with respect to the sensitivity of the experimental results from p + Nb collisions to the in-medium kaon potential.
Test of a single module of the J-PET scanner based on plastic scintillators
P. Moskal, S. Niedzwiecki, T. Bednarski, E. Czerwinski, L. Kaplon, E. Kubicz, I. Moskal, M. Pawlik-Niedzwiecka, NG. Sharma, M. Silarski, M. Zielinski, N. Zon, P. Bialas, A. Gajos, A. Kochanowski, G. Korcyl, J. Kowal, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, W. Krzemien, M. Molenda, M. Palka, L. Raczynski, Z. Rudy, P. Salabura, A. Slomski, J. Smyrski, A. Strzelecki, A. Wieczorek, W. Wislicki

abstract
A Time of Flight Positron Emission Tomography scanner based on plastic scintillators is being developed at the Jagiellonian University by the J-PET collaboration. The main challenge of the conducted research lies in the elaboration of a method allowing application of plastic scintillators for the detection of low energy gamma quanta. In this paper we report on tests of a single detection module built out from the BC-420 plastic scintillator strip (with dimensions of 5 x 19 x 300 mm(3)) read out at two ends by Hamamatsu R5320 photomultipliers. The measurements were performed using collimated beam of annihilation quanta from the Ge-68 isotope and applying the Serial Data Analyzer (Lecroy SDA6000A) which enabled sampling of signals with 50 ps intervals. The time resolution of the prototype module was established to be better than 80 ps (sigma) for a single level discrimination. The spatial resolution of the determination of the hit position along the strip was determined to be about 0.93 cm (sigma) for the annihilation quanta. The fractional energy resolution for the energy E deposited by the annihilation quanta via the Compton scattering amounts to sigma(E)/E approximate to 0.044/root E(MeV) and corresponds to the (sigma(E)/E of 7.5% at the Compton edge. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Time of flight measurement in heavy-ion collisions with the HADES RPC TOF wall
G. Kornakov, I. Arnold, ET. Atomssa, C. Behnke, A. Belyaev, JC. Berger-Chen, J. Biernat, A. Blanco, C. Blume, M. Bohmer, P. Bordalo, S. Chernenko, C. Deveaux, A. Dybczak, E. Epple, L. Fabbietti, O. Fateev, P. Fonte, C. Franco, J. Friese, I. Frohlich, T. Galatyuk, JA. Garzon, K. Gill, M. Golubeva, D. Gonzalez-Diaz, F. Guber, M. Gumberidze, S. Harabasz, T. Hennino, C. Hohne, R. Holzmann, A. Ierusalimov, A. Ivashkin, M. Jurkovic, B. Kampfer, T. Karavicheva, K. Kardan, I. Koenig, W. Koenig, BW. Kolb, G. Korcyl, R. Kotte, A. Krasa, E. Krebs, F. Krizek, H. Kuc, A. Kugler, T. Kunz, A. Kurepin, A. Kurilkin, P. Kurilkin, V. Ladygin, R. Lalik, S. Lang, K. Lapidus, A. Lebedev, L. Lopes, L. Maier, A. Mangiarotti, J. Markert, V. Metag, J. Michel, C. Muntz, R. Munzer, L. Naumann, M. Palka, V. Pechenov, O. Pechenova, V. Petousis, et al.

abstract
This work presents the analysis of the performance of the RPC ToF wall of the HADES, located at GSI Helmholtzzentrum fur Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt. The behavior of the detector is studied in Au+Au collisions at 1.23 AGeV. A main characteristic of the detector is that all the active areas were designed to be electrically shielded in order to operate in high occupancies of the chambers. Here we show the achieved performance regarding efficiency and timing capabilities at different occupancies of this special design after the applied offline corrections to the data. Also the stability of the intrinsic time resolution over time of data taking is presented.
Test of a single module of the J-PET scanner based on plastic scintillators
P. Moskal, Sz. Niedźwiecki, T. Bednarski, E. Czerwiński, Ł. Kapłon, E. Kubicz, I. Moskal, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, N.G. Sharma, M. Silarski, M. Zieliński, N. Zoń, P. Białas, A. Gajos, A. Kochanowski, G. Korcyl, J. Kowal, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, W. Krzemień, M. Molenda, M. Pałka, L. Raczyński, Z. Rudy, P. Salabura, A. Słomski, J. Smyrski, A. Strzelecki, A. Wieczorek, W. Wiślicki

abstract
Time of Flight Positron Emission Tomography scanner based on plastic scintillators is being developed at the Jagiellonian University by the J-PET collaboration. The main challenge of the conducted research lies in the elaboration of a method allowing application of plastic scintillators for the detection of low energy gamma quanta. In this article we report on tests of a single detection module built out from BC-420 plastic scintillator strip (with dimensions of 5x19x300mm^3) read out at two ends by Hamamatsu R5320 photomultipliers. The measurements were performed using collimated beam of annihilation quanta from the 68Ge isotope and applying the Serial Data Analyzer (Lecroy SDA6000A) which enabled sampling of signals with 50ps intervals. The time resolution of the prototype module was established to be better than 80ps (sigma) for a single level discrimination. The spatial resolution of the determination of the hit position along the strip was determined to be about 0.93cm (sigma) for the annihilation quanta. The fractional energy resolution for the energy E deposited by the annihilation quanta via the Compton scattering amounts to sigma(E)/E = 0.044/sqrt(E[MeV]) and corresponds to the sigma(E)/E of 7.5% at the Compton edge.
Novel method for hit-position reconstruction using voltage signals in plastic scintillators and its application to Positron Emission Tomography
L. Raczyński, P. Moskal, P. Kowalski, W. Wiślicki, T. Bednarski, P. Białas, E. Czerwiński, Ł. Kapłon, A. Kochanowski, G. Korcyl, J. Kowal, T. Kozik, W. Krzemień, E. Kubicz, M. Molenda, I. Moskal, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, Z. Rudy, P. Salabura, N.G. Sharma, M. Silarski, A. Słomski, J. Smyrski, A. Strzelecki, A. Wieczorek, M. Zieliński, N. Zoń

abstract
Currently inorganic scintillator detectors are used in all commercial Time of Flight Positron Emission Tomograph (TOF-PET) devices. The J-PET collaboration investigates a possibility of construction of a PET scanner from plastic scintillators which would allow for single bed imaging of the whole human body. This paper describes a novel method of hit-position reconstruction based on sampled signals and an example of an application of the method for a single module with a 30 cm long plastic strip, read out on both ends by Hamamatsu R4998 photomultipliers. The sampling scheme to generate a vector with samples of a PET event waveform with respect to four user-defined amplitudes is introduced. The experimental setup provides irradiation of a chosen position in the plastic scintillator strip with an annihilation gamma quanta of energy 511 keV. The statistical test for a multivariate normal (MVN) distribution of measured vectors at a given position is developed, and it is shown that signals sampled at four thresholds in a voltage domain are approximately normally distributed variables. With the presented method of a vector analysis made out of waveform samples acquired with four thresholds, we obtain a spatial resolution of about 1 cm and a timing resolution of about 80 ps (sigma).
Associate K-0 production in p plus p collisions at 3.5 GeV: The role of Delta(1232)(++)
G. Agakishiev, O. Arnold, D. Belver, A. Belyaev, JC. Berger-Chen, A. Blanco, M. Bohmer, JL. Boyard, P. Cabanelas, S. Chernenko, A. Dybczak, E. Epple, L. Fabbietti, O. Fateev, P. Finocchiaro, P. Fonte, J. Friese, I. Frohlich, T. Galatyuk, JA. Garzon, R. Gernhauser, K. Gobel, M. Golubeva, D. Gonzalez-Diaz, F. Guber, M. Gumberidze, T. Heinz, T. Hennino, R. Holzmann, A. Ierusalimov, I. Iori, A. Ivashkin, M. Jurkovic, B. Kampfer, T. Karavicheva, I. Koenig, W. Koenig, BW. Kolb, G. Korcyl, G. Kornakov, R. Kotte, A. Krasa, F. Krizek, R. Krucken, H. Kuc, W. Kuhn, A. Kugler, T. Kunz, A. Kurepin, V. Ladygin, R. Lalik, K. Lapidus, A. Lebedev, L. Lopes, M. Lorenz, L. Maier, A. Mangiarotti, J. Markert, V. Metag, J. Michel, C. Muntz, R. Munzer, L. Naumann, YC. Pachmayer, M. Palka, Y. Parpottas, V. Pechenov, O. Pechenova, et al.

abstract
An exclusive analysis of the four-body final states Lambda + p + pi(+) + K-0 and Sigma(0) + p + pi(+) + K-0 measured with HADES for p + p collisions at a beam kinetic energy of 3.5 GeV is presented. The analysis uses various phase space variables, such as missing mass and invariant mass distributions, in the four-particle event selection (p,pi(+),pi(+),pi(-)) to find cross sections of the different production channels, contributions of the intermediate resonances Delta(++) and Sigma(1385)(+), and corresponding angular distributions. A dominant resonant production is seen, where the reaction Lambda + Delta(++) + K-0 has a cross section about ten times higher (29.45 +/- 0.08(-1.46)(+1.67) +/- 2.06 mu b) than the analogous nonresonant reaction (2.57 +/- 0.02(-1.98)(+0.21) +/- 0.18 mu b). A similar result is obtained in the corresponding Sigma(0) channels with 9.26 +/- 0.05(-0.31)(+1.41) +/- 0.65 mu b in the resonant and 1.35 +/- 0.02(-1.35)(+0.10) +/- 0.09 mu b in the nonresonant reactions.
Lambda hyperon production and polarization in collisions of p(3.5 GeV)+Nb
G. Agakishiev, O. Arnold, A. Balanda, D. Belver, AV. Belyaev, JC. Berger-Chen, A. Blanco, M. Bohmer, JL. Boyard, P. Cabanelas, S. Chernenko, A. Dybczak, E. Epple, L. Fabbietti, OV. Fateev, P. Finocchiaro, P. Fonte, J. Friese, I. Frohlich, T. Galatyuk, JA. Garzon, R. Gernhauser, K. Gobel, M. Golubeva, D. Gonzalez-Diaz, F. Guber, M. Gumberidze, T. Heinz, T. Hennino, R. Holzmann, A. Ierusalimov, I. Iori, A. Ivashkin, M. Jurkovic, B. Kampfer, T. Karavicheva, I. Koenig, W. Koenig, BW. Kolb, G. Kornakov, R. Kotte, A. Krasa, F. Krizek, R. Krucken, H. Kuc, W. Kuhn, A. Kugler, A. Kurepin, V. Ladygin, R. Lalik, S. Lang, K. Lapidus, A. Lebedev, T. Liu, L. Lopes, M. Lorenz, L. Maier, A. Mangiarotti, J. Markert, V. Metag, B. Michalska, J. Michel, C. Muntz, L. Naumann, YC. Pachmayer, M. Palka, Y. Parpottas, V. Pechenov, et al.

abstract
Results on. hyperon production are reported for collisions of p(3.5 GeV) + Nb, studied with the High-Acceptance Di-Electron Spectrometer (HADES) at SIS18 at GSI Helmholtzzentrum for Heavy-Ion Research, Darmstadt. The transverse mass distributions in rapidity bins are well described by Boltzmann shapes with a maximum inverse slope parameter of about 90 MeV at a rapidity of y = 1.0, i.e. slightly below the center-of-mass rapidity for nucleon-nucleon collisions, y(cm) = 1.12. The rapidity density decreases monotonically with increasing rapidity within a rapidity window ranging from 0.3 to 1.3. The Lambda phase-space distribution is compared with results of other experiments and with predictions of two transport approaches which are available publicly. None of the present versions of the employed models is able to fully reproduce the experimental distributions, i.e. in absolute yield and in shape. Presumably, this finding results from an insufficient modelling in the transport models of the elementary processes being relevant for Lambda production, rescattering and absorption. The present high-statistics data allow for a genuine two-dimensional investigation as a function of phase space of the self-analyzing Lambda polarization in the weak decay Lambda -> p pi(-). Finite negative values of the polarization in the order of 5-20% are observed over the entire phase space studied. The absolute value of the polarization increases almost linearly with increasing transverse momentum for p(t) > 300 MeV/c and increases with decreasing rapidity for y < 0.8.
Baryon resonance production and dielectron decays in proton-proton collisions at 3.5 GeV
G. Agakishiev, A. Balanda, D. Belver, A. Belyaev, JC. Berger-Chen, A. Blanco, M. Bohmer, JL. Boyard, P. Cabanelas, S. Chernenko, A. Dybczak, E. Epple, L. Fabbietti, O. Fateev, P. Finocchiaro, P. Fonte, J. Friese, I. Frohlich, T. Galatyuk, JA. Garzon, R. Gernhauser, K. Gobel, M. Golubeva, D. Gonzalez-Diaz, F. Guber, M. Gumberidze, T. Heinz, T. Hennino, R. Holzmann, A. Ierusalimov, I. Iori, A. Ivashkin, M. Jurkovic, B. Kampfer, T. Karavicheva, I. Koenig, W. Koenig, BW. Kolb, G. Kornakov, R. Kotte, A. Krasa, F. Krizek, R. Krucken, H. Kuc, W. Kuhn, A. Kugler, A. Kurepin, V. Ladygin, R. Lalik, S. Lang, K. Lapidus, A. Lebedev, T. Liu, L. Lopes, M. Lorenz, L. Maier, A. Mangiarotti, J. Markert, V. Metag, B. Michalska, J. Michel, C. Muntz, L. Naumann, YC. Pachmayer, M. Palka, Y. Parpottas, V. Pechenov, O. Pechenova, et al.

abstract
We report on baryon resonance production and decay in proton-proton collisions at a kinetic energy of 3.5 GeV based on data measured with HADES. The exclusive channels pp -> np pi(+) and pp -> pp pi(0) as well as pp -> ppe(+)e(-) are studied simultaneously for the first time. The invariant masses and angular distributions of the pion-nucleon systems were studied and compared to simulations based on a resonance model ansatz assuming saturation of the pion production by an incoherent sum of baryonic resonances (R) with masses < 2 GeV/c(2). A very good description of the one-pion production is achieved allowing for an estimate of individual baryon resonance production cross sections which are used as input to calculate the dielectron yields from R -> pe(+)e(-) decays. Two models of the resonance decays into dielectrons are examined assuming a point-like RN gamma* coupling and the dominance of the rho meson. The results of model calculations are compared to data from the exclusive ppe(+)e(-) channel by means of the dielectron and pe(+)e(-) invariant mass distributions.
Computing support for advanced medical data analysis and imaging
W. Wiślicki, T. Bednarski, P. Białas, E. Czerwiński, Ł. Kapłon, A. Kochanowski, G. Korcyl, J. Kowal, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, W. Krzemień, M. Molenda, P. Moskal, S. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, M. Pawlik, L. Raczyński, Z. Rudy, P. Salabura, N.G. Sharma, M. Silarski, A. Słomski, J. Smyrski, A. Strzelecki, A. Wieczorek, M. Zieliński, N. Zoń

abstract
We discuss computing issues for data analysis and image reconstruction of PET-TOF medical scanner or other medical scanning devices producing large volumes of data. Service architecture based on the grid and cloud concepts for distributed processing is proposed and critically discussed.
Searching a dark photon with HADES
G. Agakishiev, A. Balanda, D. Belver, A. Belyaev, JC. Berger-Chen, A. Blanco, M. Bohmer, JL. Boyard, P. Cabanelas, S. Chernenko, A. Dybczak, E. Epple, L. Fabbietti, O. Fateev, P. Finocchiaro, P. Fonte, J. Friese, I. Frohlich, T. Galatyuk, JA. Garzon, R. Gernhauser, K. Gobel, M. Golubeva, D. Gonzalez-Diaz, F. Guber, M. Gumberidze, T. Heinz, T. Hennino, R. Holzmann, A. Ierusalimov, I. Iori, A. Ivashkin, M. Jurkovic, B. Kampfer, T. Karavicheva, I. Koenig, W. Koenig, BW. Kolb, G. Kornakov, R. Kotte, A. Krasa, F. Krizek, R. Krucken, H. Kuc, W. Kuhn, A. Kugler, A. Kurepin, V. Ladygin, R. Lalik, S. Lang, K. Lapidus, A. Lebedev, T. Liu, L. Lopes, M. Lorenz, L. Maier, A. Mangiarotti, J. Markert, V. Metag, B. Michalska, J. Michel, C. Muntz, L. Naumann, YC. Pachmayer, M. Palka, Y. Parpottas, V. Pechenov, O. Pechenova, et al.

abstract
We present a search for the e(+)e(-) decay of a hypothetical dark photon, also named U vector boson, in inclusive dielectron spectra measured by HADES in the p(3.5 GeV) + p, Nb reactions, as well as the Ar (1.756 GeV/u) KCl reaction. An upper limit on the kinetic mixing parameter squared epsilon(2) at 90% CL has been obtained for the mass range M-U = 0.02-0.55 GeV/c(2) and is compared with the present world data set. For masses 0.03-0.1 GeV/c(2), the limit has been lowered with respect to previous results, allowing now to exclude a large part of the parameter region favored by the muon g - 2 anomaly. Furthermore, an improved upper limit on the branching ratio of 2.3 x 10(-6) has been set on the helicity-suppressed direct decay of the eta meson, eta --> e(+)e(-), at 90% CL. (C) 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license
A novel method based solely on FPGA units enabling measurement of time and charge of analog signals in Positron Emission Tomography
M. Pałka, T. Bednarski, P. Białas, E. Czerwiński, Ł. Kapłon, A. Kochanowski, G. Korcyl, J. Kowal, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, W. Krzemień, M. Molenda, P. Moskal, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pawlik, L. Raczyński, Z. Rudy, P. Salabura, N.G. Sharma, M. Silarski, A. Słomski, J. Smyrski, A. Strzelecki, W. Wiślicki, M. Zieliński, N. Zoń

abstract
This article presents a novel technique for precise measurement of time and charge based solely on FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) device and few satellite discrete electronic components used in Positron Emission Tomography (PET). Described approach simplifies electronic circuits, reduces the power consumption, lowers costs, merges front-end electronics with digital electronics and also makes more compact final design. Furthermore, it allows to measure time when analog signals cross a reference voltage at different threshold levels with a very high precision of ? 10ps (rms) and thus enables sampling of signals in a voltage domain.
A novel method for calibration and monitoring of time synchronization of TOF-PET scanners by means of cosmic rays
M. Silarski, E. Czerwiński, T. Bednarski, P. Moskal, P. Białas, Ł. Kapłon, A. Kochanowski, G. Korcyl, J. Kowal, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, W. Krzemień, M. Molenda, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, M. Pawlik, L. Raczyński, Z. Rudy, P. Salabura, N.G. Sharma, A. Słomski, J. Smyrski, A. Strzelecki, W. Wiślicki, M. Zieliński, N. Zoń

abstract
All of the present methods for calibration and monitoring of TOF-PET scanner detectors utilize radioactive isotopes such as e.g. 22Na or 68Ge, which are placed or rotate inside the scanner. In this article we describe a novel method based on the cosmic rays application to the PET calibration and monitoring methods. The concept allows to overcome many of the drawbacks of the present methods and it is well suited for newly developed TOF-PET scanners with a large longitudinal field of view. The method enables also monitoring of the quality of the scintillator materials and in general allows for the continuous quality assurance of the PET detector performance.
3D PET image reconstruction based on the maximum likelihood estimation method (MLEM) algorithm
A. Słomski, Z. Rudy, T. Bednarski, P. Białas, E. Czerwiński, Ł. Kapłon, A. Kochanowski, G. Korcyl, J. Kowal, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, W. Krzemień, M. Molenda, P. Moskal, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, M. Pawlik, L. Raczyński, P. Salabura, N. G. Sharma, M. Silarski, J. Smyrski, A. Strzelecki, W. Wiślicki, M. Zieliński, N. Zoń

abstract
A positron emission tomography (PET) scan does not measure an image directly. Instead, a PET scan measures a sinogram at the boundary of the field-of-view that consists of measurements of the sums of all the counts along the lines connecting the two detectors. Because there is a multitude of detectors built in a typical PET structure, there are many possible detector pairs that pertain to the measurement. The problem is how to turn this measurement into an image (this is called imaging). Significant improvement in PET image quality was achieved with the introduction of iterative reconstruction techniques. This was realized approximately 20 years ago (with the advent of new powerful computing processors). However, three-dimensional imaging still remains a challenge. The purpose of the image reconstruction algorithm is to process this imperfect count data for a large number (many millions) of lines of response and millions of detected photons to produce an image showing the distribution of the labeled molecules in space.
Trigger-less and reconfigurable data acquisition system for positron emission tomography
G. Korcyl, P. Moskal, T. Bednarski, P. Białas, E. Czerwiński, Ł. Kapłon, A. Kochanowski, J. Kowal, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, W. Krzemień, M. Molenda, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, M. Pawlik, L. Raczyński, Z. Rudy, P. Salabura, N. G. Sharma, M. Silarski, A. Słomski, J. Smyrski, A. Strzelecki, W. Wiślicki, M. Zieliński, N. Zoń

abstract
This article is focused on data acquisition system (DAQ) designed especially to be used in positron emission tomography (PET) or single-photon emission computed tomography. The system allows for continuous registration of analog signals during measurement. It has been designed to optimize registration and processing of the information carried by signals from the detector system in PET scanner. The processing does not require any rejection of data with a trigger system. The proposed system possesses also an ability to implement various data analysis algorithms that can be performed in real time during data collection.
Determination of the map of efficiency of the Jagiellonian Positron Emission Tomograph (J-PET) detector with the GATE package
P. Kowalski, L. Raczyński, T. Bednarski, P. Białas, E. Czerwiński, K. Giergiel, Ł. Kapłon, A. Kochanowski, G. Korcyl, J. Kowal, T. Kozik, W. Krzemień, M. Molenda, I. Moskal, P. Moskal, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, M. Pawlik-Niedźwiecka, Z. Rudy, P. Salabura, N.G. Sharma, M. Silarski, A. Słomski, J. Smyrski, A. Strzelecki, K. Szymański, W. Wiślicki, P. Witkowski, M. Zieliński, N. Zoń

abstract
A novel PET detector consisting of strips of polymer scintillators is being developed by the J-PET Collaboration. The map of efficiency and the map of geometrical acceptance of the 2-strip J-PET scanner are presented. Map of efficiency was determined using the Monte Carlo simulation software GATE based on GEANT4. Both maps were compared using method based on the chi2 test.
Plastic scintillators for positron emission tomography obtained by the bulk polymerization method
Ł. Kapłon, A. Kochanowski, M. Molenda, P. Moskal, A. Wieczorek, T. Bednarski, P. Białas, E. Czerwiński, G. Korcyl, J. Kowal, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, W. Krzemień, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, M. Pawlik, L. Raczyński, Z. Rudy, P. Salabura, N. G. Sharma, M. Silarski, A. Słomski, J. Smyrski, A. Strzelecki, W. Wiślicki, M. Zieliński, N. Zoń

abstract
This paper describes three methods regarding the production of plastic scintillators. One method appears to be suitable for the manufacturing of plastic scintillators, revealing properties which fulfill the requirements of novel positron emission tomography scanners based on plastic scintillators. The key parameters of the manufacturing process are determined and discussed.
J-PET analysis framework for the prototype TOF-PET detector
W. Krzemień, M. Silarski, K. Stola, D. Trybek, T. Bednarski, P. Białas, E. Czerwiński, Ł. Kapłon, A. Kochanowski, G. Korcyl, J. Kowal, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, M. Molenda, P. Moskal, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, M. Pawlik, L. Raczyński, Z. Rudy, P. Salabura, N.G. Sharma, A. Słomski, J. Smyrski, A. Strzelecki, W. Wiślicki, M. Zieliński, N. Zoń

abstract
Novel TOF-PET scanner solutions demand, apart from the state of the art detectors, software for fast processing of the gathered data, monitoring of the whole scanner and reconstruction of the PET image. In this article we present an analysis framework for the novel STRIP-PET scanner developed by the J-PET collaboration in the Institute of Physics of the Jagiellonian University. This software is based on the ROOT package used in many particle physics experiments.
Database and data structure for the novel TOF-PET detector developed for J-PET project
E. Czerwiński, M. Zieliński, T. Bednarski, P. Białas, Ł. Kapłon, A. Kochanowski, G. Korcyl, J. Kowal, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, W. Krzemień, E. Kubicz, M. Molenda, P. Moskal, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, M. Pawlik, L. Raczyński, Z. Rudy, P. Salabura, N. G. Sharma, M. Silarski, A. Słomski, J. Smyrski, A. Strzelecki, A. Wieczorek, W.Wiślicki, N. Zoń

abstract
The complexity of the hardware and the amount of data collected during the PET imaging process require application of modern methods of efficient data organization and processing. In this article we will discuss the data structures and the flow of collected data from the novel TOF-PET medical scanner which is being developed at the Jagiellonian University. The developed data format reflects: registration process of the gamma quanta emitted from positron-electron annihilation, Front-End Electronic (FEE) structure and required input information for the image reconstruction. In addition, the system database fulfills possible demands of the evolving J-PET project.
Calibration of photomultipliers gain used in the J-PET detector
T. Bednarski, E. Czerwiński, P. Moskal, P. Białas, K. Giergiel, Ł. Kapłon, A. Kochanowski, G. Korcyl, J. Kowal, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, W. Krzemień, M. Molenda, I. Moskal, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, M. Pawlik, L. Raczyński, Z. Rudy, P. Salabura, N.G. Sharma, M. Silarski, A. Słomski, J. Smyrski, A. Strzelecki, K. Szymański, W. Wiślicki, P. Witkowski, M. Zieliński, N. Zoń

abstract
Photomultipliers are commonly used in commercial PET scanner as devices which convert light produced in scintillator by gamma quanta from positron-electron annihilation into electrical signal. For proper analysis of obtained electrical signal, a photomultiplier gain curve must be known, since gain can be significantly different even between photomultipliers of the same model. In this article we describe single photoelectron method used for photomultipliers calibration applied for J-PET scanner, a novel PET detector being developed at the Jagiellonian University. Description of calibration method, an example of calibration curve and gain of few R4998 Hamamatsu photomultipliers are presented.
List-mode reconstruction in 2D strip PET
P. Białas, J. Kowal, A. Strzelecki, T. Bednarski, E. Czerwiński, K. Giergiel, Ł. Kapłon, A. Kochanowski, G. Korcyl, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, W. Krzemień, M. Molenda, I. Moskal, P. Moskal, S. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, M. Pawlik, L. Raczyński, Z. Rudy, P. Salabura, N.G. Sharma, M. Silarski, A. Słomski, J. Smyrski, K. Szymański, W. Wiślicki, P. Witkowski, M. Zieliński, N. Zoń

abstract
Using a theory of list-mode maximum likelihood
expectation-maximization (MLEM) algorithm, in this contribution,
we present a derivation of the system response
kernel for a novel positron emission tomography (PET)
detector based on plastic scintillators.
Measurement of the quasi free np -> np pi(+)pi(-) and np -> pp pi(-)pi(0) reactions at 1.25 GeV with HADES
A. Kurilkin, O. Arnold, ET. Atomssa, C. Behnke, A. Belyaev, JC. Berger-Chen, J. Biernat, A. Blanco, C. Blume, M. Bohmer, P. Bordalo, S. Chernenko, C. Deveaux, A. Dybczak, E. Epple, L. Fabbietti, O. Fateev, P. Fonte, C. Franco, J. Friese, I. Frohlich, T. Galatyuk, JA. Garzon, K. Gill, M. Golubeva, D. Gonzalez-Diaz, F. Guber, M. Gumberidze, S. Harabasz, T. Hennino, C. Hohne, R. Holzmann, A. Ierusalimov, A. Ivashkin, M. Jurkovic, B. Kampfer, T. Karavicheva, K. Kardan, I. Koenig, W. Koenig, BW. Kolb, G. Korcyl, G. Kornakov, R. Kotte, A. Krasa, E. Krebs, F. Krizek, H. Ku, A. Kugler, T. Kunz, A. Kurepin, P. Kurilkine, V. Ladygin, R. Lalik, S. Lang, K. Lapidus, A. Lebedev, L. Lopes, M. Lorenz, L. Maier, A. Mangiarotti, J. Markert, V. Metag, J. Michel, C. Muntz, R. Munzer, L. Naumann, M. Palka, V. Pechenov, O. Pechenova, et al.

abstract
We present the results of two-pion production in tagged quasi-free np collisions at a deutron incident beam energy of 1.25 GeV/c measured with the High-Acceptance Di-Electron Spectrometer (HADES) installed at GSI. The specific acceptance of HADES allowed for the first time to obtain high-precision data on pi(+)pi(-) and pi(-)pi(0) production in np collisions in a region corresponding to large transverse momenta of the secondary particles. The obtained differential cross section data provide strong constraints on the production mechanisms and on the various baryon resonance contributions (Delta Delta, N(1440), N(1520), Delta(1600)). The invariant mass and angular distributions from the np -> np pi(+)pi(-) and np -> pp pi(-)pi(0) reactions are compared with different theoretical model predictions.
HADES results in elementary reactions
B. Ramstein, J. Adamczewski-Musch, O. Arnold, ET. Atomssa, C. Behnke, JC. Berger-Chen, J. Biernat, A. Blanco, C. Blume, M. Bohmer, P. Bordalo, S. Chernenko, C. Deveaux, A. Dybczake, E. Epple, L. Fabbietti, O. Fateev, P. Fonteb, C. Franco, J. Friese, I. Frohlich, T. Galatyuk, JA. Garzon, K. Gill, M. Golubeva, F. Guber, M. Gumberidze, S. Harabasz, T. Hennino, S. Hlava, C. Hohne, R. Holzmann, A. Ierusalimov, A. Ivashkin, M. Jurkovic, B. Kampfer, T. Karavicheva, K. Kardan, I. Koenig, W. Koenig, BW. Kolb, G. Korcyl, G. Kornakov, R. Kotte, A. Krasa, E. Krebs, H. Kuc, A. Kugler, T. Kunz, A. Kurepin, A. Kurilkin, P. Kurilkin, V. Ladygin, R. Lalik, K. Lapidus, A. Lebedev, L. Lopes, M. Lorenz, T. Mahmoud, L. Maier, A. Mangiarotti, J. Markert, V. Metag, J. Michel, C. Muntz, R. Munzer, L. Naumann, M. Palka, Y. Parpottas, et al.

abstract
Recent results obtained with the HADES experimental set-up at GSI are presented with a focus on dielectron production and strangeness in pp and quasi-free np reactions. Perspectives related to the very recent experiment using the pion beam at GSI are also discussed.
Tracking with Straw Tubes in the PANDA Experiment
M. Bragadireanu, D. Pietreanu, ME. Vasile, M. Idzik, D. Przyborowski, P. Kulessa, K. Pysz, J. Biernat, S. Jowzaee, G. Korcyl, M. Palka, P. Salabura, J. Smyrski, D. Bettoni, E. Fioravanti, I. Garzia, M. Savrie, P. Gianotti, V. Lucherini, E. Pace, M. Mertens, H. Ohm, S. Orfanitski, J. Ritman, V. Serdyuk, P. Wintz, S. Dobbs, A. Tomaradze, GL. Boca, S. Costanza, P. Genova, L. Lavezzi, P. Montagna, A. Rotondi, S. Spataro

abstract
The PANDA spectrometer will be built at the FAIR facility at Darmstadt (Germany) to perform accurate tests of the strong interaction through (p) over barp and (p) over barA annihilation studies. The charged particle tracking at PANDA will be done using both solid state and gaseous detectors. Among the latter, two straw tube detector systems will be built [ 1]. The cylindrical, central straw tube tracker features a high spatial and momentum resolution for a wide range of particle momenta from about 8 GeV/c down to a few 100 MeV/c, together with particle identification in the momentum region below about 1 GeV/c by measuring the specific energy-loss. A new technique, based on self-supporting straw double layers with intrinsic wire tension developed for the COSY-TOF straw tracker [ 2], has been adopted for the PANDA trackers. The development of the readout electronics for the straw tubes is ongoing. Prototypes have been produced and used to instrument straw tube modules that have been tested with cosmic rays and proton beams. Design issues of the PANDA straw tubes, together with the results of the prototype tests are presented.
Low mass dielectrons radiated off cold nuclear matter measured with HADES
M. Lorenz, G. Agakishiev, C. Behnke, D. Belver, A. Belyaev, JC. Berger-Chen, A. Blanco, C. Blume, M. Bohmer, P. Cabanelas, S. Chernenko, C. Dritsa, A. Dybczak, E. Epple, L. Fabbietti, O. Fateev, P. Fonte, J. Friese, I. Frohlich, T. Galatyuk, JA. Garzon, K. Gill, M. Golubeva, D. Gonzalez-Diaz, F. Guber, M. Gumberidze, S. Harabasz, T. Hennino, C. Hohne, R. Holzmann, P. Huck, A. Ierusalimov, A. Ivashkin, M. Jurkovic, B. Kampfer, T. Karavicheva, I. Koenig, W. Koenig, BW. Kolb, G. Korcyl, G. Kornakov, R. Kotte, A. Krasa, E. Krebs, F. Krizek, H. Kuc, A. Kugler, A. Kurepin, A. Kurilkin, P. Kurilkin, V. Ladygin, R. Lalik, S. Lang, K. Lapidus, A. Lebedev, L. Lopes, L. Maier, A. Mangiarotti, J. Markert, V. Metag, J. Michel, C. Muntz, R. Munzer, L. Naumann, M. Palka, Y. Parpottas, V. Pechenov, O. Pechenova, J. Pietraszko, et al.

abstract
The High Acceptance DiElectron Spectrometer HADES [1] is installed at the Helmholtzzentrum fur Schwerionenforschung (GSI) accelerator facility in Darmstadt. It investigates dielectron emission and strangeness production in the 1-3 AGeV regime. A recent experiment series focusses on medium-modifications of light vector mesons in cold nuclear matter. In two runs, p + p and p + Nb reactions were investigated at 3.5 GeV beam energy; about 9 . 10(9) events have been registered. In contrast to other experiments the high acceptance of the HADES allows for a detailed analysis of electron pairs with low momenta relative to nuclear matter, where modifications of the spectral functions of vector mesons are predicted to be most prominent. Comparing these low momentum electron pairs to the reference measurement in the elementary p + p reaction, we find in fact a strong modification of the spectral distribution in the whole vector meson region.
In-medium hadron properties measured with HADES
J. Pietraszko, G. Agakishiev, C. Behnke, D. Belver, A. Belyaev, JC. Berger-Chen, A. Blanco, C. Blume, M. Bohmer, P. Cabanelas, S. Chernenko, C. Dritsa, A. Dybczak, E. Epples, L. Fabbietti, O. Fateev, P. Fonte, J. Friese, I. Frohlich, T. Galatyuk, JA. Garzon, K. Gill, M. Golubeva, D. Gonzalez-Diaz, F. Guber, M. Gumberidze, S. Harabasz, T. Hennino, C. Hohne, R. Holzmann, P. Huck, A. Ierusalimov, A. Ivashkin, M. Jurkovic, B. Kampfer, T. Karavicheva, I. Koenig, W. Koenig, BW. Kolb, G. Korcyl, G. Kornakov, R. Kotte, A. Krasa, E. Krebs, F. Krizek, H. Kuc, A. Kugler, A. Kurepin, A. Kurilkin, P. Kurilkin, V. Ladygin, R. Lalik, S. Lang, K. Lapidus, A. Lebedev, L. Lopes, M. Lorenz, L. Maier, A. Mangiarotti, J. Markert, V. Metag, J. Michel, C. Muntz, R. Munzer, L. Naumann, M. Palka, Y. Parpottas, V. Pechenov, O. Pechenova, et al.

abstract
Many QCD based and phenomenological models predict changes of hadron properties in a strongly interacting environment. The results of these models differ significantly and the experimental determination of hadron properties in nuclear matter is essential. In this paper we present a review of selected physics results obtained at GSI Helmholtzzentrum fur Schwerionenforschung GmbH by HADES (High-Acceptance Di-Electron Spectrometer). The e(+)e(-) pair emission measured for proton and heavy-ion induced collisions is reported together with results on strangeness production. The future HADES activities at the planned FAIR facility are also discussed.
Simulations of gamma quanta scattering in a single module of the J-PET detector
K. Szymański, P. Moskal, T. Bednarski, P. Białas, E. Czerwiński, K. Giergiel, Ł. Kapłon, A. Kochanowski, G. Korcyl, J. Kowal, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, W. Krzemień, M. Molenda, I. Moskal, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, M. Pawlik, L. Raczyński, Z. Rudy, P. Salabura, N.G. Sharma, M. Silarski, A. Słomski, J. Smyrski, A. Strzelecki, P. Witkowski, W. Wiślicki, M. Zieliński, N. Zoń

abstract
This article describes simulations of scattering of annihilation gamma quanta in a strip of plastic scintillator. Such strips constitute basic detection modules in a newly proposed Positron Emission Tomography which utilizes plastic scintillators instead of inorganic crystals. An algorithm simulating chain of Compton scatterings was elaborated and series of simulations have been conducted for the scintillator strip with the cross section of 5 mm x 19 mm. Obtained results indicate that secondary interactions occur only in the case of about 8% of events and out of them only 25% take place in the distance larger than 0.5 cm from the primary interaction. It was also established that light signals produced at primary and secondary interactions overlap with the delay which distribution is characterized by FWHM of about 40 ps.
Application of WLS strips for position determination in Strip PET tomograph based on plastic scintillators
J. Smyrski, P. Moskal, T. Bednarski, P. Białas, E. Czerwiński, Ł. Kapłon, A. Kochanowski, G. Korcyl, J. Kowal, P. Kowalski, T. Kozik, W. Krzemień, M. Molenda, Sz. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, M. Pawlik, L. Raczyński, Z. Rudy, P. Salabura, N.G. Sharma, M. Silarski, A. Słomski, A. Strzelecki, W. Wiślicki, M. Zieliński, N. Zoń

abstract
A method of determination of a gamma quantum absorption point in a plastic scintillator block using a matrix of wavelength-shifting (WLS) strips is proposed. Application of this method for improvement of position resolution in newly proposed PET detectors based on plastic scintillators is presented. The method enables to reduce parallax errors in reconstruction of images which occurs in the presently used Positron Emission Tomography scanners.
An upper limit on hypertriton production in collisions of Ar(1.76 A GeV) + KCl
G. Agakishiev, D. Belver, A. Blanco, M. Bohmer, JL. Boyard, P. Cabanelas, E. Castro, S. Chernenko, M. Destefanis, F. Dohrmann, A. Dybczak, E. Epple, L. Fabbietti, O. Fateev, P. Finocchiaro, P. Fonte, J. Friese, I. Frohlich, T. Galatyuk, JA. Garzon, R. Gernhauser, C. Gilardi, M. Golubeva, D. Gonzalez-Diaz, F. Guber, M. Gumberidze, T. Heinz, T. Hennino, R. Holzmann, I. Iori, A. Ivashkin, M. Jurkovic, B. Kampfer, T. Karavicheva, I. Koenig, W. Koenig, BW. Kolb, R. Kotte, A. Krasa, F. Krizek, R. Krucken, H. Kuc, W. Kuhn, A. Kugler, A. Kurepin, S. Lang, JS. Lange, K. Lapidus, T. Liu, L. Lopes, M. Lorenz, L. Maier, A. Mangiarotti, J. Markert, V. Metag, B. Michalska, J. Michel, E. Moriniere, J. Mousa, C. Muntz, L. Naumann, YC. Pachmayer, M. Palka, V. Pechenov, O. Pechenova, J. Pietraszko, W. Przygoda, B. Ramstein, et al.

abstract
A high-statistic data sample of Ar(1.76 AGeV)+KCl events recorded with HADES is used to search for a hypertriton signal. An upper production limit per centrality-triggered event of 1.04x10(-3) on the 3 sigma level is derived. Comparing this value with the number of successfully reconstructed. hyperons allows to determine an upper limit on the ratio N-A3H/N-A, which is confronted with statistical and coalescence-type model calculations.
pK(+)Lambda final state: Towards the extraction of the ppK(-) contribution
L. Fabbietti, G. Agakishiev, C. Behnke, D. Belver, A. Belyaev, JC. Berger-Chen, A. Blanco, C. Blume, M. Bohmer, P. Cabanelas, S. Chernenko, C. Dritsa, A. Dybczak, E. Epple, O. Fateev, P. Fonte, J. Friese, I. Frohlich, T. Galatyuk, JA. Garzon, K. Gill, M. Golubeva, D. Gonzalez-Diaz, F. Guber, M. Gumberidze, S. Harabasz, T. Hennino, C. Hohne, R. Holzmann, P. Huck, A. Ierusalimov, A. Ivashkin, M. Jurkovic, B. Kampfer, T. Karavicheva, I. Koenig, W. Koenig, BW. Kolb, G. Korcyl, G. Kornakov, R. Kotte, A. Krasa, E. Krebs, F. Krizek, H. Kuc, A. Kugler, A. Kurepin, A. Kurilkin, P. Kurilkin, V. Ladygin, R. Lalik, S. Lang, K. Lapidus, A. Lebedev, L. Lopes, M. Lorenz, L. Maier, A. Mangiarotti, J. Markert, V. Metag, J. Michel, C. Muntz, R. Munzer, L. Naumann, M. Palka, Y. Parpottas, V. Pechenov, O. Pechenova, J. Pietraszko, et al.

abstract
The reaction p(@3.5 GeV) + p -> p + Lambda + K+ can be studied to search for the existence of kaonic bound states like ppK(-) leading to this final state. This effort has been motivated by the assumption that in p + p collisions the Lambda(1405) resonance can act as a doorway to the formation of the kaonic bound states. The status of this analysis within the HADES Collaboration, with particular emphasis on the comparison to simulations, is shown in this work and the deviation method utilized by the DISTO Collaboration in a similar analysis is discussed. The outcome suggests the employment of a partial wave analysis do disentangle the different contributions to the measured pK(+)Lambda final state. (c) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Inclusive pion and eta production in p plus Nb collisions at 3.5 GeV beam energy
G. Agakishiev, A. Balanda, D. Belver, A. Belyaev, JC. Berger-Chen, A. Blanco, M. Bohmer, JL. Boyard, P. Cabanelas, S. Chernenko, A. Dybczak, E. Epple, L. Fabbietti, O. Fateev, P. Finocchiaro, P. Fonte, J. Friese, I. Frohlich, T. Galatyuk, JA. Garzon, R. Gernhauser, K. Gobel, M. Golubeva, D. Gonzalez-Diaz, F. Guber, M. Gumberidze, T. Heinz, T. Hennino, R. Holzmann, A. Ierusalimov, I. Iori, A. Ivashkin, M. Jurkovic, B. Kampfer, T. Karavicheva, I. Koenig, W. Koenig, BW. Kolb, G. Kornakov, R. Kotte, A. Krasa, F. Krizek, R. Krucken, H. Kuc, W. Kuhn, A. Kugler, A. Kurepin, V. Ladygin, R. Lalik, S. Lang, K. Lapidus, A. Lebedev, T. Liu, L. Lopes, M. Lorenz, L. Maier, A. Mangiarotti, J. Markert, V. Metag, B. Michalska, J. Michel, C. Muntz, L. Naumann, YC. Pachmayer, M. Palka, Y. Parpottas, V. Pechenov, O. Pechenova, et al.

abstract
Data on inclusive pion and eta production measured with the dielectron spectrometer HADES in the reaction p + Nb-93 at a kinetic beam energy of 3.5 GeV are presented. Our results, obtained with the photon-conversion method, supplement the rather sparse information on neutral-meson production in proton-nucleus reactions existing for this bombarding energy regime. The reconstructed e(+)e(-)e(+)e(-) transverse-momentum and rapidity distributions are confronted with transport-model calculations, which account fairly well for both pi(0) and eta production.
Particle identification using the time-over-threshold measurements in straw tube detectors
S. Jowzaee, E. Fioravanti, P. Gianotti, M. Idzik, G. Korcyl, M. Palka, D. Przyborowski, K. Pysz, J. Ritman, P. Salabura, M. Savrie, J. Smyrski, P. Strzempek, P. Wintz

abstract
The identification of charged particles based on energy losses in straw tube detectors has been simulated. The response of a new front-end chip developed for the PANDA straw tube tracker was implemented in the simulations and corrections for track distance to sense wire were included. Separation power for p-K, p-pi and K-pi pairs obtained using the time-over-threshold technique was compared with the one based on the measurement of collected charge. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
TOF-PET detector concept based on organic scintillators
P. Moskal, T. Bednarski, P. Białas, M. Ciszewska, E. Czerwiński, A. Heczko, M. Kajetanowicz, Ł. Kapłon, A. Kochanowski, G. Konopka-Cupiał, G. Korcyl, W. Krzemień, K. Łojek, J. Majewski, W. Migdał, M. Molenda, S. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, Z. Rudy, P. Salabura, M. Silarski, A. Słomski, J. Smyrski, J. Zdebik, M. Zieliński

abstract
In this contribution we present a new concept of the large acceptance detector systems based on organic scintillators which may allow for simultaneous diagnostic of large fraction of the human body. Novelty of the concept lies in employing large blocks of polymer scintillators instead of crystals as detectors of annihilation quanta, and in using predominantly the timing of signals instead of their amplitudes.
Strip-PET: a novel detector concept for the TOF-PET scanner
P. Moskal, T. Bednarski, P. Białas, M. Ciszewska, E. Czerwiński, A. Heczko, M. Kajetanowicz, Ł. Kapłon, A. Kochanowski, G. Konopka-Cupiał, G. Korcyl, W. Krzemień, K. Łojek, J. Majewski, W. Migdał, M. Molenda, S. Niedźwiecki, M. Pałka, Z. Rudy, P. Salabura, M. Silarski, A. Słomski, J. Smyrski, J. Zdebik, M. Zieliński

abstract
We briefly present a design of a new PET scanner based on
strips of polymer scintillators arranged in a barrel constituting
a large acceptance detector. The solution proposed is based on
the superior timing properties of the polymer scintillators. The
position and time of the reaction of the gamma quanta in the
detector material will be determined based on the time of arrival
of light signals to the edges of the scintillator strips.
Hades experiments: investigation of hadron in-medium properties
P. Salabura, G. Agakishiev, C. Behnke, D. Belver, A. Belyaev, JC. Berger-Chen, A. Blanco, C. Blume, M. Bohmer, P. Cabanelas, S. Chernenko, C. Dritsa, A. Dybczak, E. Epple, L. Fabbietti, O. Fateev, P. Fonte, J. Friese, I. Frohlich, T. Galatyuk, JA. Garzon, K. Gill, M. Golubeva, D. Gonzalez-Diaz, F. Guber, M. Gumberidze, S. Harabasz, T. Hennino, R. Holzmann, P. Huck, C. Hohne, A. Ierusalimov, A. Ivashkin, M. Jurkovic, B. Kampfer, T. Karavicheva, I. Koenig, W. Koenig, BW. Kolb, G. Korcyl, G. Kornakov, R. Kotte, A. Krasa, E. Krebs, F. Krizek, H. Kuc, A. Kugler, A. Kurepin, A. Kurilkin, P. Kurilkin, V. Ladygin, R. Lalik, S. Lang, K. Lapidus, A. Lebedev, L. Lopes, M. Lorenz, L. Maier, A. Mangiarotti, J. Markert, V. Metag, J. Michel, C. Muntz, R. Munzer, L. Naumann, M. Palka, Y. Parpottas, V. Pechenov, O. Pechenova, et al.

abstract
Hadron modifications in nuclear matter are discussed in connection to chiral symmetry restoration and/or hadronic many body effects. Experiments with photon, proton and heavy ion beams are used to probe properties of hadrons embedded in nuclear matter at different temperatures and densities. Most of the information has been gathered for the light vector mesons rho, omega and phi. HADES is a second generation experiment operating at GSI with the main aim to study in-medium modifications by means of dielectron production at the SIS18/Bevelac energy range. Large acceptance and excellent particle identification capabilities allows also for measurements of strangeness production. These abilities combined with the variety of beams provided by the SIS18 allow for a characterization of properties of the dense baryonic matter properties created in heavy ion collisions at these energies. A review of recent experimental results obtained by HADES is presented, with main emphasis on hadron properties in nuclear matter.
The Straw Tube Trackers of the (P)over-barANDA Experiment
P. Gianotti, V. Lucherini, E. Pace, GL. Boca, S. Costanza, P. Genova, L. Lavezzi, P. Montanga, A. Rotondi, M. Bragadireanu, ME. Vasile, D. Pietreanu, J. Biernat, S. Jowzaee, G. Korcyl, M. Palka, P. Salabura, J. Smyrski, T. Fiutowski, M. Idzik, D. Przyborowski, K. Korcyl, P. Kulessa, K. Pysz, S. Dobbs, A. Tomaradze, D. Bettoni, E. Fioravanti, I. Garzia, M. Savrie, V. Kozlov, M. Mertens, H. Ohm, S. Orfanitski, J. Ritman, V. Serdyuk, P. Wintz, S. Spataro

abstract
The (P) over bar ANDA experiment will be built at the FAIR facility at Darmstadt (Germany) to perform accurate tests of the strong interaction through (p) over barp and (p) over barA annihilation's studies. To track charged particles, two systems consisting of a set of planar, closed-packed, self-supporting straw tube layers are under construction. The (P) over bar ANDA straw tubes will have also unique characteristics in term of material budget and performance. They consist of very thin mylar-aluminized cathodes which are made self-supporting by means of the operation gas-mixture over-pressure. This solution allows to reduce at maximum the weight of the mechanical support frame and hence the detector material budget. The (P) over bar ANDA straw tube central tracker will not only reconstruct charged particle trajectories, but also will help in low momentum (< 1 GeV) particle identification via dE/dx measurements. This is a quite new approach that <(P)over bar>ANDA tracking group has first tested with detailed Monte Carlo simulations, and then with experimental tests of detector prototypes. This paper addresses the design issues of the (P) over bar ANDA straw tube trackers and the performance obtained in prototype tests.
Strange baryon resonances in pp collisions measured with HADES
J. Siebenson, G. Agakishiev, D. Belver, A. Belyaev, A. Blanco, M. Bohmer, P. Cabanelas, S. Chernenko, A. Dybczak, E. Epple, L. Fabbietti, O. Fateev, P. Finocchiaro, P. Fonte, J. Friese, I. Frohlich, T. Galatyuk, JA. Garzon, M. Golubeva, D. Gonzalez-Diaz, F. Guber, M. Gumberidze, T. Hennino, R. Holzmann, P. Huck, A. Ierusalimov, A. Ivashkin, M. Jurkovic, B. Kampfer, T. Karavicheva, I. Koenig, W. Koenig, BW. Kolb, G. Korcyl, G. Kornakov, R. Kotte, A. Kozuch, A. Krasa, F. Krizek, R. Krucken, H. Kuc, W. Kuhn, A. Kugler, A. Kurepin, A. Kurilkin, P. Kurilkin, V. Ladygin, S. Lang, K. Lapidus, T. Liu, L. Lopes, M. Lorenz, L. Maier, A. Mangiarotti, J. Markert, V. Metag, B. Michalska, J. Michel, C. Muntz, L. Naumann, YC. Pachmayer, M. Palka, Y. Parpottas, V. Pechenov, O. Pechenova, J. Pietraszko, W. Przygoda, B. Ramstein, et al.

abstract
We present an analysis of the hyperons Lambda(1405) and Sigma(1385)(+) for p+p reactions at 3.5 GeV kinetic beam energy. The data were taken with the High Acceptance Di-Electron Spectrometer (HADES). A Lambda(1405) signal could be reconstructed in both charged decay channels Lambda(1405). Sigma(+/-)pi(-/+). The obtained statistics of the Sigma(1385)(+) signal allows also differential studies.
First measurement of proton-induced low-momentum dielectron radiation off cold nuclear matter
G. Agakishiev, A. Balanda, D. Belver, A. Belyaev, JC. Berger-Chen, A. Blanco, M. Bohmer, JL. Boyard, P. Cabanelas, S. Chernenko, A. Dybczak, E. Epple, L. Fabbietti, O. Fateev, P. Finocchiaro, P. Fonte, J. Friese, I. Frohlich, T. Galatyuk, JA. Garzon, R. Gernhauser, K. Gobelg, M. Golubeva, D. Gonzalez-Diaz, F. Guber, M. Gumberidze, T. Heinz, T. Hennino, R. Holzmann, A. Ierusalimov, I. Iori, A. Ivashkin, M. Jurkovic, B. Kampfer, T. Karavicheva, I. Koenig, W. Koenig, BW. Kolb, G. Kornakov, R. Kotte, A. Krasa, F. Krizek, R. Krucken, H. Kuc, W. Kuhn, A. Kugler, A. Kurepin, V. Ladygin, R. Lalik, S. Lang, K. Lapidus, A. Lebedev, T. Liu, L. Lopes, M. Lorenz, L. Maier, A. Mangiarotti, J. Markert, V. Metag, B. Michalska, J. Michel, D. Mishra, C. Muntz, L. Naumann, YC. Pachmayer, M. Palka, Y. Parpottas, V. Pechenov, et al.

abstract
We present data on dielectron emission in proton induced reactions on a Nb target at 3.5 GeV kinetic beam energy measured with HADES installed at GSI. The data represent the first high statistics measurement of proton-induced dielectron radiation from cold nuclear matter in a kinematic regime, where strong medium effects are expected. Combined with the good mass resolution of 2%, it is the first measurement sensitive to changes of the spectral functions of vector mesons, as predicted by models for hadrons at rest or small relative momenta. Comparing the e(+)e(-) invariant mass spectra to elementary p + p data, we observe for e(+)e(-) momenta P-ee < 0.8 GeV/c a strong modification of the shape of the spectrum, which we attribute to an additional rho-like contribution and a decrease of omega yield. These opposite trends are tentatively interpreted as a strong coupling of the rho meson to baryonic resonances and an absorption of the omega meson, which are two aspects of in-medium modification of vector mesons. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Technical Design Report for the PANDA (AntiProton Annihilations at Darmstadt) Straw Tube Tracker
W. Erni, ..., S. Jowzaee, M. Kajetanowicz, B. Kamys, S. Kistryn, G. Korcyl, K. Korcyl, W. Krzemień, A. Magiera, P. Moskal, M. Palka, Z. Rudy, P. Salabura, J. Smyrski, A. Wrońska et al.

abstract
This document describes the technical layout and the expected performance of the Straw Tube Tracker (STT), the main tracking detector of the PANDA target spectrometer. The STT encloses a Micro-Vertex-Detector (MVD) for the inner tracking and is followed in beam direction by a set of GEM-stations. The tasks of the STT are the measurement of the particle momentum from the reconstructed trajectory and the measurement of the specific energy-loss for a particle identification. Dedicated simulations with full analysis studies of certain proton-antiproton reactions, identified as being benchmark tests for the whole Panda scientific program, have been performed to test the STT layout and performance. The results are presented, and the time lines to construct the STT are described.
The dp-elastic cross section measurement at the deuteron kinetic energy of 2.5 GeV
P. Kurilkin, G. Agakishiev, C. Behnke, D. Belver, A. Belyaev, JC. Berger-Chen, A. Blanco, C. Blume, M. Bohmer, P. Cabanelas, S. Chernenko, C. Dritsa, A. Dybczak, E. Epple, L. Fabbietti, O. Fateev, P. Fonte, J. Friese, I. Frohlich, T. Galatyuk, JA. Garzon, K. Gill, M. Golubeva, D. Gonzalez-Diaz, F. Guber, M. Gumberidze, S. Harabasz, T. Hennino, R. Holzmann, P. Huck, C. Hohne, A. Ierusalimov, A. Ivashkin, M. Jurkovic, B. Kampfer, T. Karavicheva, I. Koenig, W. Koenig, BW. Kolb, G. Korcyl, G. Kornakov, R. Kotte, A. Krasa, E. Krebs, F. Krizek, H. Kuc, A. Kugler, A. Kurepin, A. Kurilkin, V. Ladygin, R. Lalik, S. Lang, K. Lapidus, A. Lebedev, L. Lopes, M. Lorenz, L. Maier, A. Mangiarotti, J. Markert, V. Metag, J. Michel, C. Muntz, R. Munzer, L. Naumann, M. Palka, Y. Parpottas, V. Pechenov, O. Pechenova, J. Pietraszko, et al.

abstract
New results on the differential cross section in deuteron-proton elastic scattering are obtained at the deuteron kinetic energy of 2.5 GeV with the HADES spectrometer. The angular range of 69 degrees - 125 degrees in the center of mass system is covered. The obtained results are compared with the relativistic multiple scattering model calculation using the CD-Bonn deuteron wave function. The data at fixed scattering angles in the c.m. are in qualitative agreement with the constituent counting rules prediction.
Resonance production in p plus p, p plus A and A plus A collisions measured with HADES
M. Lorenz, G. Agakishiev, C. Behnke, D. Belver, A. Belyaev, JC. Berger-Chen, A. Blanco, C. Blume, M. Bohmer, P. Cabanelas, C. Dritsa, A. Dybczak, E. Epple, L. Fabbietti, P. Fonte, J. Friese, I. Frohlich, T. Galatyuk, JA. Garzon, K. Gill, M. Golubeva, D. Gonzalez-Diaz, F. Guber, M. Gumberidze, S. Harabasz, T. Hennino, R. Holzmann, P. Huck, C. Hohne, A. Ierusalimov, A. Ivashkin, M. Jurkovic, B. Kampfer, T. Karavicheva, I. Koenig, W. Koenig, BW. Kolb, G. Korcyl, G. Kornakov, R. Kotte, A. Krasa, E. Krebs, F. Krizek, H. Kuc, A. Kugler, A. Kurepin, A. Kurilkin, P. Kurilkin, V. Ladygin, R. Lalik, S. Lang, K. Lapidus, A. Lebedev, L. Lopes, L. Maier, A. Mangiarotti, J. Markert, V. Metag, J. Michel, C. Muntz, R. Munzer, L. Naumann, M. Palka, Y. Parpottas, V. Pechenov, O. Pechenova, J. Pietraszko, W. Przygoda, B. Ramstein, et al.

abstract
The knowledge of baryonic resonance properties and production cross sections plays an important role for the extraction and understanding of medium modifications of mesons in hot and/or dense nuclear matter. We present and discuss systematics on dielectron and strangeness production obtained with HADES on p+p, p+A and A+A collisions in the few GeV energy regime with respect to these resonances.
Origin of the low-mass electron pair excess in light nucleus-nucleus collisions
G. Agakichiev, A. Balanda, D. Belver, AV. Belyaev, A. Blanco, M. Bohmer, JL. Boyard, P. Braun-Munzinger, P. Cabanelas, E. Castro, S. Chernenko, T. Christ, M. Destefanis, J. Diaz, F. Dohrmann, A. Dybczak, L. Fabbietti, OV. Fateev, P. Finocchiaro, P. Fonte, J. Friese, I. Frohlich, T. Galatyuk, JA. Garzon, R. Gernhauser, A. Gil, C. Gilardi, K. Gobel, M. Golubeva, D. Gonzalez-Diaz, GT. Hennino, R. Holzmann, I. Iori, A. Ivashkin, M. Jurkovic, B. Kampfer, T. Karavicheva, D. Kirschner, I. Koenig, W. Koenig, BW. Kolb, R. Kotte, F. Krizek, R. Krucken, W. Kuhn, A. Kugler, A. Kurepin, S. Lang, JS. Lange, K. Lapidus, T. Liu, L. Lopes, M. Lorenz, L. Maier, A. Mangiarotti, J. Markert, V. Metag, B. Michalska, J. Michel, E. Moriniere, J. Mousa, C. Muntz, L. Naumann, J. Otwinowski, YC. Pachmayer, M. Palka, Y. Parpottas, V. Pechenov, et al.

abstract
We report measurements of electron pair production in elementary p + p and d + p reactions at 1.25 GeV/mu with the HADES spectrometer. For the first time, the electron pairs were reconstructed for n + p reactions by detecting the proton spectator from the deuteron breakup. We find that the yield of electron pairs with invariant mass Me+e- > 0.15 GeV/c(2) is about an order of magnitude larger in n + p reactions as compared to p + p. A comparison to model calculations demonstrates that the production mechanism is not sufficiently described yet. The electron pair spectra measured in C + C reactions are compatible with a superposition of elementary n + p and p + p collisions, leaving little room for additional electron pair sources in such light collision systems. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Dilepton Production at SIS Energies Studied with HADES
R. Holzmann, A. Balanda, D. Belver, AV. Belyaev, A. Blanco, M. Bohmer, JL. Boyard, P. Braun-Munzinger, P. Cabanelas, E. Castro, S. Chernenko, J. Diaz, A. Dybczak, E. Epple, L. Fabbietti, OV. Fateev, P. Finocchiaro, P. Fonte, J. Friese, I. Frohlich, T. Galatyuk, JA. Garzon, R. Gernhauser, A. Gil, M. Golubeva, D. Gonzalez-Diaz, F. Guber, T. Hennino, R. Holzmann, P. Huck, AP. Ierusalimov, I. Iori, A. Ivashkin, M. Jurkovic, B. Kampfer, T. Karavicheva, I. Koenig, W. Koenig, BW. Kolb, A. Kopp, R. Kotte, A. Kozuch, A. Krasa, F. Krizek, R. Krucken, W. Kuhn, A. Kugler, A. Kurepin, PK. Khlitz, J. Lamas-Valverde, S. Lang, JS. Lange, K. Lapidus, T. Liu, L. Lopes, M. Lorenz, L. Maier, A. Mangiarotti, J. Markert, V. Metag, B. Michalska, J. Michel, E. Moriniere, J. Mousa, C. Muntz, L. Naumann, YC. Pachmayer, M. Palka, Y. Parpottas, et al.

abstract
One of the main goals of the HADES experiment is to achieve a detailed understanding of dielectron emission from hadronic systems at moderate bombarding energies. Results obtained on electron pair production in elementary N+N collisions pave the way to a better understanding of the origin of the pair excess seen in heavy-ion collisions. This puzzling excess, reported first by the former DLS experiment, is now being investigated systematically by HADES.
Studying Hadron Properties in Baryonic Matter with HADES
A. Kugler, A. Balanda, D. Belver, AV. Belyaev, A. Blanco, M. Bohmer, JL. Boyard, P. Braun-Munzinger, P. Cabanelas, E. Castro, S. Chernenko, J. Diaz, A. Dybczak, E. Epple, L. Fabbietti, OV. Fateev, P. Finocchiaro, P. Fonte, J. Friese, I. Frohlich, T. Galatyuk, JA. Garzon, R. Gernhauser, A. Gil, M. Golubeva, D. Gonzalez-Diaz, F. Guber, T. Hennino, R. Holzmann, P. Huck, AP. Ierusalimov, I. Iori, A. Ivashkin, M. Jurkovic, B. Kampfer, T. Karavicheva, I. Koenig, W. Koenig, BW. Kolb, A. Kopp, R. Kotte, A. Kozuch, A. Krasa, F. Krizek, R. Krucken, W. Kuhn, A. Kurepin, PK. Kahlitz, J. Lamas-Valverde, S. Lang, JS. Lange, K. Lapidus, T. Liu, L. Lopes, M. Lorenz, L. Maier, A. Mangiarotti, J. Markert, V. Metag, B. Michalska, J. Michel, E. Moriniere, J. Mousa, C. Muntz, L. Naumann, YC. Pachmayer, M. Palka, Y. Parpottas, V. Pechenov, et al.

abstract
The HADES spectrometer installed at GSI Darmstadt is a second generation experiment to study production of lepton pairs from proton, pion and nucleus induced reactions at the SIS/BEVALAC energy regime. The HADES study of the light C+C system at 1 and 2 AGeV confirms former finding of the DLS collaboration. Further studies of the reaction p+p and d+p allowed to reveal contribution to the above mentioned data of di-leptons produced during first chance collision. Finally, the results of the study of heavier system Ar+KCl indicates possible nonlinear dependence of the observed excess over the known long lived sources of di-leptons on the number of participants.
The New Data Acquisition System for the HADES Experiment
M. Palka, M. Bohmer, I. Frohlich, M. Kajetanowicz, J. Michel, P. Salabura, P. Skott, J. Stroth, H. Strobele, A. Tarantola, M. Traxler, R. Trebacz, E. Usenko, S. Yurevich

abstract
HADES (High Acceptance Di-Electron Spectrometer) is a running experiment installed at the SIS-18 synchrotron (GSI, Germany). The detector system has eighty thousands electronic channels provided by several different detectors: RICH (Ring Imaging Cherenkov Detector), RPC, Multi-wire Drift Chambers (MDCs), TOF (Time of flight wall), preShower (Shower) and beam detectors. During recent years, HADES has completed severals physics runs, from elementary reactions up to moderate ion systems. Currently, the detector undergoes an upgrade ("HADES-at-FAIR") for both the experimental setup and the data acquisition, in order to be able to take data in the Au+Au collision system at 8 GeV/u with a sustained trigger rate of 20 kHz. The average amount of data is expected to be 300MB/s. The DAQ upgrade includes the digital readout, the trigger distribution and event builder electronics and, moreover, also part of the front end electronics.
A general purpose trigger and readout board for HADES and FAIR-experiments
I. Frohlich, M. Kajetanowicz, K. Korcy, W. Krzemien, M. Palka, P. Salabura, C. Schrader, P. Skott, H. Strobele, J. Stroth, A. Tarantola, M. Traxler, R. Trebacz, S. Yurevich

abstract
HADES is a running spectrometer installed at GSI, Germany. PANDA and CBM are planned detector systems for the new FAIR facility at GSI. For these detectors, a general-purpose trigger and readout board with on-board DAQ functionality was developed. The original motivation for this project was the implementation of a 128-channel time to digital converter (TDC) with a time resolution of sigma = 40 ps based on the HPTDC chip from CERN into a fully fledged data acquisition system. The application of the board is detector independent, includes a 2 Gbit/s optical link and has the option to employ the TDC chips and/or to integrate versatile add-on boards through 16 Gbit/s connectors. The latter one may interface to the front end electronics of other types of detectors. A large FPGA (Xilinx Virtex 4 LX40) and a TigerSharc DSP can be used as on-board resources for trigger and on-line analysis algorithms. Data transfer to mass storage and slow control is done via an ETRAX processor running Linux and a 100 Mbit/s Ethernet interface.
TRB for HADES and FAIR experiments at GSI
I. Frohlich, C. Schrader, H. Stroeble, J. Stroth, A. Tarantrola, M. Kajetanowicz, K. Korcyl, W. Krzemien, M. Palka, P. Salabura, R. Trebacz, P. Skott, M. Traxler

abstract
TRB module is a multi-purpose Trigger and Readout Board with on-board DAQ functionality developed for the upgrade of the HADES experiment. It contains single computer chip (Etrax) running Linux and the 100 Mbit/s Ethernet interface. It has been orginally designed as the 128-channel Time to Digital Converter based on the HPTDC chip from CERN. The new version of TRB contains 2 Gbit/s optical link and interface connector (15 Gbit/s) implementing the add-on card concept and making the board more flexible. Moreover, FPGA chip (Xilinx, Virtex 4 LX 40) and TigerSharc DSP provide new computing resources which can be used to run on-line analysis algorithms. The TRB is proposed as a prototype of base readout module for the planned detector systems PANDA and CBM at the future FAIR facility at GSI-Darmstadt.