Difference between revisions of "Van der Meer method"
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+ | [[Category:Collider physics]] | ||
+ | [[Category:Experimental method]] | ||
{{DISPLAYTITLE:van der Meer method}} | {{DISPLAYTITLE:van der Meer method}} | ||
− | The '''van der Meer method''', named after its inventor | + | The '''van der Meer method''', named after its inventor [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_van_der_Meer Simon van der Meer], is a technique for measuring the [[Transverse plane|transverse]] [[Beam profile|distribution of particles]] in an [[accelerator]] [[beam]]. It can be used to measure the [[instantaneous luminosity]] of an accelerator. |
The van der Meer method works for [[Collider|colliding beams]], by slightly varying the [[Beam spot|location of one beam]] of one of the beams with respect to the other and observing how the [[rate]] of [[Particle reaction|reactions]] changes. These beam spot variations are called '''van der Meer scans'''. It is often interesting to observe the rate of some particularly well-known reaction (called a [[standard candle]]), and use the scans to measure the instantaneous luminosity of the accelerator. The van der Meer method is particularly useful for establishing the absolute [[calibration]] scale of the luminosity measurement. | The van der Meer method works for [[Collider|colliding beams]], by slightly varying the [[Beam spot|location of one beam]] of one of the beams with respect to the other and observing how the [[rate]] of [[Particle reaction|reactions]] changes. These beam spot variations are called '''van der Meer scans'''. It is often interesting to observe the rate of some particularly well-known reaction (called a [[standard candle]]), and use the scans to measure the instantaneous luminosity of the accelerator. The van der Meer method is particularly useful for establishing the absolute [[calibration]] scale of the luminosity measurement. | ||
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== Learn more == | == Learn more == | ||
− | http://cms.web.cern.ch/news/how-does-cms-measure-luminosity | + | * [http://cms.web.cern.ch/news/how-does-cms-measure-luminosity How does CMS measure luminosity?] |
− | + | * [http://cds.cern.ch/record/1357865/files/SW_LumiDays_pdf.pdf Luminosity scans at the LHC] | |
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Latest revision as of 10:07, 13 December 2016
The van der Meer method, named after its inventor Simon van der Meer, is a technique for measuring the transverse distribution of particles in an accelerator beam. It can be used to measure the instantaneous luminosity of an accelerator.
The van der Meer method works for colliding beams, by slightly varying the location of one beam of one of the beams with respect to the other and observing how the rate of reactions changes. These beam spot variations are called van der Meer scans. It is often interesting to observe the rate of some particularly well-known reaction (called a standard candle), and use the scans to measure the instantaneous luminosity of the accelerator. The van der Meer method is particularly useful for establishing the absolute calibration scale of the luminosity measurement.