Search

A large body of compelling preclinical evidence supports the clinical use of neurokinin (NK) receptor antagonists in a plethora of CNS and non-CNS therapeutic areas. The significant investment made in this area over the past 2 decades culminated with the observation that NK1 receptor antagonists elicited clinical efficacy in major depression disorders. In addition, aprepitant (Merck) was launched as a new drug able to prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). After the discovery by GlaxoSmithKline of vestipitant, a wide drug discovery program was launched aimed at identifying additional clinical candidates. New compounds were designed to maximize affinity at the NK1 receptor binding site while retaining suitable physicochemical characteristics to ensure excellent pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties in vivo. Herein we describe the discovery process of a new NK1 receptor antagonist (casopitant) selected as clinical candidate and progressed into clinical studies to treat major depre...

An efficient scalable route to synthesize the enantiomerically pure tert-butyl-(1R,4S,6R)-4-(hydroxymethyl)-3-azabicyclo[4.1.0]heptane-3-carboxylate is described. Compared to the original routes, significant improvements were made by using an innovative approach starting from commercially available chiral lactone. In this approach, one of the key steps described is an elegant epimerization/hydrolysis of the undesired diastereoisomer avoiding tedious purification. The chemistry has been scaled up to produce kilogram amounts of tert-butyl-(1R,4S,6R)-4-(hydroxymethyl)-3-azabicyclo[4.1.0]heptane-3-carboxylate in 43% yield over nine chemical transformations.

The development of the molecular imaging technique based on radiopharmaceuticals is requiring sophisticated devices with sub-millimeter spatial resolution and high detection efficiency. Recently, in the field of scintillation gamma camera, it has been demonstrated that continuous crystals may improve spatial resolution with respect to the use of scintillation arrays. In this work we propose a new algorithm that improves spatial resolution. It calculates the position from a single scintillation event by squaring the charge collected on a multi-anodes photomultiplier tube (MA-PMT). It is able to remove the position linearity distortion due to the light reflections and the truncations at the crystal edge. We present measurements from a compact gamma camera based on a 51 mm × 51 mm × 4.0 mm LaBr3:Ce continuous scintillation crystal, coupled to a MA-PMT Hamamatsu H8500. The results show a strong improvement in spatial resolution and confirm the high potential in using of LaBr continuous crystal for molecular imaging applications. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The performance of the new prototype of high quantum efficiency PMT (43% at 380 nm), Hamamatsu R7600U-200, was studied coupled to a LaBr 3 :Ce crystal with the size of ∅12.5 mm×12.5 mm. The energy resolution results were compared with ones from two PMTs, Hamamatsu R7600U and R6231MOD, with 22% and 30% quantum efficiency (QE), respectively. Moreover, the photodetectors were equipped with tapered and un-tapered voltage dividers to study the non-linearity effects on pulse height distribution, due to very high peak currents induced in the PMT by the fast and intense light pulse of LaBr 3 :Ce. The results show an energy resolution improvement with UBA PMT of about 20%, in the energy range of 80–662 keV, with respect to the BA one.

In an effort to discover novel druglike NK1 receptor antagonists a new series of suitably substituted C-phenylpiperazine derivatives was identified by an appropriate chemical exploration of related N-phenylpiperazine analogues, with the specific aim to maximize their in vitro affinity and optimize in parallel their pharmacokinetic profile. Among the compounds synthesized, 2-(S)-(4-fluoro-2-methylphenyl)piperazine-1-carboxylic acid [1-(R)-(3,5-bis-trifluoromethylphenyl)ethyl]methylamide (vestipitant) was identified as one of the most in vitro potent and selective NK1 receptor antagonists ever discovered, showing appropriate pharmacokinetic properties and in vivo activity. On the basis of its preclinical profile, this compound was selected as a drug candidate.

To identify new CRF(1) receptor antagonists, an attempt to modify the bis-heterocycle moiety present in the top region of the dihydropyrrole[2,3]pyridine template was made following new pharmacophoric hypothesis on the CRF(1) receptor antagonists binding pocket. In particular, the 2-thiazole ring, present in the previous series of compounds, was replaced by more hydrophilic non aromatic heterocycles able to make appropriate H-bond interactions with amino acid residues Thr192 and Tyr195. This exploration, followed by an accurate analysis of the substitution of the pendant aryl ring, enabled to identify in vitro potent compounds showing excellent pharmacokinetics and outstanding in vivo activity in animal models of anxiety, both in rodents and primates.

A novel high-yielding and regioselective method to prepare N-methylpyrazole derivative is reported, by reaction of an N-Boc- and N-Me-substituted hydrazone with an aromatic alkyl ester.

The very low sensitivity of Scintimammography for tumors under 1 cm in diameter, with current nuclear medicine cameras in use, is the major limitation in recommending this test modality for screening purposes. Recently latest generation cameras with superior imaging performances have allowed to foresee a very promising future for scintimammography. Recent technological advances obtained from our research group on the new Lanthanum scintillation crystals are now demonstrating how continuous crystals coupled to Hamamatsu Flat panel tube can overcome a number of limitations in spatial and energy resolution of scintillation arrays, carrying out 6% energy resolution, and submillimeter spatial resolution values at 140 keV. In this paper three basic detection systems have been analysed: a LumaGEM 3200S gamma camera (Gamma Medica, InC., Northridge, USA), based on a cadmium–zinc–telluride (CZT) semiconductor detector with a FoV of 12.5×12.5 cm 2 and with detector elements of 1.6×1.6 mm 2 in size and a detector prototype consisting of a Flat panel PMT coupled to planar LaBr 3 :Ce scintillator. The third one is a first generation large FoV gamma camera chosen for comparison, based on PSPMTs photodetector array coupled to a NaI(Tl) scintillation crystal matrix. LaBr 3 :Ce and CZT cameras showed superior spatial and energy resolution than previous generation one based on NaI(Tl) scintillation array. Both CZT and LaBr gamma cameras showed similar efficiencies for the same energy window though LaBr 3 :Ce continuous crystal showed better imaging performance than pixellated detectors. However large area LaBr 3 :Ce continuous crystals are not available yet.

SPARC-X is a two branch project consisting in the SPARC test facility dedicated to the development and test of critical subsystems such as high brightness photoinjector and a modular expandable undulator for SASE-FEL experiments at 500 nm with seeding, and the SPARK facility aiming at generation of high brilliance coherent radiation in the 1.5-13 nm range, based on the achieved expertise. The projects are supported by MIUR (Research Department of Italian Government) and Regione Lazio. SPARC has completed the commissioning phase of the photoinjector in November 2006. The achieved experimental results are here summarized together with the status of the second phase commissioning plans. The SPARK project is based on the generation of ultra high peak brightness electron beams at the energy of 1 and 2 GeV generating radiation in the 1.5-13 nm range. The construction is at the moment planned in two steps starting with a 1 GeV Linac. The project layout including both RF-compression and magnetic chicane techniques has been studied.

FELs based on SASE are believed to be powerful tools to explore the frontiers of basic sciences, from physics to chemistry to biology. Intense R&D programs have started in the USA and Europe in order to understand the SASE physics and to prove the feasibility of these sources. The allocation of considerable resources in the Italian National Research Plan (PNR) brought about the formation of a CNR–ENEA–INFN–University of Roma “Tor Vergata” study group. A conceptual design study has been developed and possible schemes for linac sources have been investigated, leading to the SPARX proposal. We report in this paper the results of a preliminary start to end simulation concerning one option we are considering based on an S-band normal conducting linac with high-brightness photoinjector integrated in an RF compressor.

We discuss the transverse evolution of the electromagnetic field in high gain free electron lasers and analyse the existence of soliton like solutions.

GV143253A is a broad-spectrum injectable β-lactam belonging to the class of trinem antibiotics. A key intermediate (3S,4R)-3-[(1R)-1-(tert-butyldimethyl- silyloxy)ethyl]-4-[-(6‘R)-2‘-[(E)-(pyrid-4yl)methylene]-1‘-oxocyclohex-6‘-yl]azetidin-2-one (10) was identified and synthesized via different enolate coupling approaches, using enol ether, lithium, sodium, magnesium, tin, zinc, zirconium, and titanium enolates. Among these approaches, the synthesis of (3S,4R)-3-[(1R)-1-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)ethyl]-4-[-(6‘R)-2‘-[(E)-(pyrid-4yl)-methylene]-1‘-oxocyclohex-6‘-yl]azetidin-2-one (10) via a titanium enolate offered advantages in terms of greater diastereoselectivity, higher yield, robustness, and isolation of intermediates and was superior to the method previously used for preparing large quantities of drug substance for early development studies.

A new synthetic pathway to the final compound 1-[(1S)-5’,11’-dihydrospiro[cyclopentane-1,10’-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten]-3-yl]-3-azetidinecarboxylic acid (1) was set up. The two preparative chiral HPLC separations needed in the first route were successfully avoided and replaced by two diastereomeric crystallizations of intermediate compounds 5 and 10.

In the last few years, integrated dual-imaging systems have emerged as a new modality for cancer staging with the aim to offer both functional and anatomic information. At moment the prevalent dual modality devices are based on Computer Tomography and Positron Emission Tomography. In this sense, the scientific community is debating about the high effective dose to the patient, representing an indicator of the stochastic risk, especially from Computer Tomography examination. So, a new dual modality imager, based on a Ultrasound probe and a Single Photon Emission Tomography was made in order to combine functional information, from gamma camera with structural one, obtained from the Ultrasound equipment. The Ultrasound probe is the most diffuse anatomical examination device at zero-dose, using a cost-effective and reliable method with few restriction in use. The proposed Single Photon Emission Tomography detector is a compact gamma camera (10x10 cm 2 active area), based on LaBr 3:Ce scintillation crystal coupled to 4x4 array of Hamamatsu H8500C-MOD8 Multi Anode Photomultiplier, with high spatial and energy resolution performances, equipped with rotating slant-hole collimator. A calibration phantom, made of a Co 57 point source inside a water filled box, was utilized to acquire 3D dual modality images. The detector has shown good performances in terms of spatial resolution and localization along z-axis of object of interest. This project was developed by several Italian Universities under an INFN collaboration.

A kinetic study of the side-chain oxidation of α-substituted 4-methoxytoluenes (4-MeOPhCH 2 R, R=H, Me, OH, OMe, OAc, CN) by K 5 Co III W 12 O 40 .11H 2 O (Co(III)W) in AcOH/H 2 O (55:45) has been carried out. The reactions follow complex kinetics, suggesting that both the electron transfer and the radical cation deprotonation steps influence the reaction rate. A careful kinetic analysis has allowed the determination of the values of k 1 , the rate constant for the electron transfer step, and of k -1 /k 2 , the ratio between the rate constant of the back electron transfer and the one of the deprotonation of the cation radical

The reactions of some ring-substituted benzyltrimethylsilanes (IZ), (p-methylbenzyl)triethylsilane (2), p-methylbenzyl)triisopropylsilane (3), and (p-methoxybenzyl)triisopropylsilane (4) with potassium 12-tungstocobalt (III)ate, K 5 [Co III W 12 O 40 ] (Co(III)W), have been studied in AcOH-H 2 O. In all cases desilylated products, benzyl acetates, and benzyl alcohols have been obtained, with a 2:1 oxidant to substrate stoichiometry

The role of stereoelectronic effects in the side-chain bromination of alkylaromatics has been assessed by a product study of the reactions of p-ethyltoluene, p-neopentyltoluene, 5,6-dimethylindane and 2,2,5,6-tetramethylindane with NBS in CCl4

In an effort to discover novel druglike NK(1) receptor antagonists a new series of suitably substituted C-phenylpiperazine derivatives was identified by an appropriate chemical exploration of related N-phenylpiperazine analogues, with the specific aim to maximize their in vitro affinity and optimize in parallel their pharmacokinetic profile. Among the compounds synthesized, 2-(S)-(4-fluoro-2-methylphenyl)piperazine-1-carboxylic acid [1-(R)-(3,5-bis-trifluoromethylphenyl)ethyl]methylamide (vestipitant) was identified as one of the most in vitro potent and selective NK(1) receptor antagonists ever discovered, showing appropriate pharmacokinetic properties and in vivo activity. On the basis of its preclinical profile, this compound was selected as a drug candidate.

γ-ray diffraction measurements have been performed to characterize the degree of perfection of several crystals of BGO and barium fluoride. In particular the mosaic structure and homogeneity of samples grown with different techniques have been determined.

Recently scintillators with very high light yield and photodetectors with high quantum efficiency have been opening a new way to realize gamma cameras with superior performances based on continuous crystals. Pixilated imagers have a spatial resolution limited by pixel size, in contrast with continuous scintillation crystals, where spatial resolution is a statistical function depending on light distribution spread and on generated photoelectrons from scintillation light flash. Continuous LaBr 3 :Ce crystal, with a light yield almost two times higher than NaI:Tl ones and a lower intrinsic energy resolution, could be the best candidate to carry out a gamma imaging with sub-millimeter spatial resolution and very good energy resolution. Unfortunately standard Anger algorithm produces an intrinsic position non-linearity affecting spatial resolution for small size continuous crystal. In this work we propose a new method to calculate the position mean value by squaring the 2D collected charge distribution on a multi-anodes photomultiplier tube (MA-PMT). In this study we take into account four different detector configurations: three sample of LaBr 3 :Ce scintillation crystals, 49mm×49mm area, a couple of 4.0 with different surface treatment and a single 10 mm thick, with 3 mm glass window. Moreover a forth one with 5.0mm thickness which was integral assembled with an Hamamatsu H8500. We applied the new position algorithm to simulated data, obtained by Geant4 code and afterwards to the experimental data obtained scanning the different detectors with 0.4 mm O collimated Tc99m point source, at 1.5 mm step. The results obtained with the new algorithm show an improvement in position linearity and in spatial resolution of about a factor two. The best values in terms of spatial resolution were 0.9 mm, 1.1 mm and 1.8 mm for integral assembled, 4.0 mm thick and 10 mm thick LaBr 3 :Ce crystal respectively. These results demonstrate the potential of LaBr crystal for molecular imaging application and more in general for gamma ray imaging

In the framework of the DS4 EUROFEL collaboration, a research work plan at the SPARC free-electron laser (FEL) test facility aiming at the investigation of seeded and cascaded FEL configurations is under implementation. The main goal of the collaboration is to study and test the amplification and the FEL harmonic generation process of an input seed signal obtained as higher-order harmonics generated both in crystals (400 and 266 nm) and in gases (266,160,114 nm). The SPARC FEL can be configured to test several cascaded FEL configurations. In this paper we introduce SPARC and its main parameters and we analyze the superradiant cascade and the harmonic cascade seeded with a signal with the typical time structure of the harmonics generated in gas. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The new generation of linac injectors driving free electron lasers in the self-amplified stimulated emission (SASE-FEL) regime requires high brightness electron beams to generate radiation in the wavelength range from UV to x rays. The choice of the injector working point and its matching to the linac structure are the key factors to meet this requirement. An emittance compensation scheme presently applied in several photoinjectors worldwide is known as the "Ferrario" working point. In spite of its great importance there was, so far, no direct measurement of the beam parameters, such as emittance, transverse envelope, and energy spread, in the region downstream the rf gun and the solenoid of a photoinjector to validate the effectiveness of this approach. In order to fully characterize the beam dynamics with this scheme, an innovative beam diagnostic device, the emittance meter, consisting of a movable emittance measurement system, has been designed and built. With the emittance meter, measurements of the main beam parameters in both transverse phase spaces can be performed in a wide range of positions downstream the photoinjector. These measurements help in tuning the injector to optimize the working point and provide an important benchmark for the validation of simulation codes. We report the results of these measurements in the SPARC photoinjector and, in particular, the first experimental evidence of the double minimum in the emittance oscillation, which provides the optimized matching to the SPARC linac. © 2008 The American Physical Society.

The new PMT generation with very high quantum efficiency is very attractive for their potential to improve energy resolution, in particular for applications involving new scintillation crystals with high light yield. Furthermore recent development of new devices, like silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs), with high gain and quantum efficiency have raised the competition between silicon and standard photomultiplier device in particular for application where high energy resolution may improve the imaging response of the detector. Hamamatsu has recently developed a new prototype PMT R7600-200 with an Ultra BiAlkali (UBA) photocathode (QE=42%). To evaluate the improvement, we compared the energy resolution obtained by R7600-200 PMT with ones from a standard R7600 PMT (QE=22%); the results from both PMTs was obtained with a standard and a tapered divider circuit respectively. We compared also the data from a MA-PMT H8500 and from a PMT R6231, representing a gold standard. A LaBr3:Ce scintillator crystal (½” diam. x ½” thick) was coupled to all PMTs. Preliminary results show an energy resolution improvement with UBA photocathode of about 30% @122keV with respect to R7600, close to what expected from the higher quantum efficiency (40%). On the contrary they agree with ones from R6231 PMT, thought its lower QE. This result is probably due to the different collection efficiency of first dynode stage related to different dynode structure of tubes. Furthermore an energy resolution improvement smaller than expected resulted from H8500 MA-PMT. Thought the same dynode structure, this result is not well understood and it could probably due to the larger size of MAPMT photocathode, involving a better light collection. In any case, the improvement of 30% between UBA e No-UBA PMT is not in agreement with the expected one (20%), considering the intrinsic energy resolution of LaBr3:Ce (4.4%@ 140 keV). This behavior is not well explained at moment and is matter of next investigations.

We used the cyclotron facility of the Joint Research Centre at Ispra (Varese) in order to investigate the performance of a cryogenic bolometric detector under proton irradiation, as a simulation of the operating conditions on a satellite, during the crossing of the Van Allen Belts. We investigated the radiation hardness of the composite bolometer with 12 MeV protons, after calibration in the energy range 12–38 MeV. We found that, contrary to photoconductors, the performance of the cryogenic composite bolometer is not significantly affected by radiation, at the doses expected in the Van Allen Belts.

In the SPARC photoinjector, the amplified Ti:Sa laser system is conceived to produce an UV flat top pulse profile required to reduce the beam emittance by minimizing the non-linear space charge effects in the photoelectrons pulse. Beam dynamic simulations indicate that the optimal pulse distribution must be flat top in space and time with 10 ps FWHM duration, 1 ps of rise and fall time and a limited ripple on the plateau. In a previous work it was demonstrated the possibility to use a programmable dispersive acousto-optics (AO) filter to achieve pulse profile close to the optimal one. In this paper we report the characterization of the effects of harmonics conversion on the pulse temporal profile. A technique to overcome the harmonics conversion distortions on the laser pulses at the fundamental wavelength in order to obtain the target pulse profile is explained too. Measurements and simulations in the temporal and spectral domain at the fundamental laser wavelength and at the second and third harmonics are presented in order to validate our work. It is also described a time diagnostic device for the UV pulses.© (2007) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

The first phase of the SPARX project, now funded by MIUR (Research Department of Italian Government), is an R&D activity focused on developing techniques and critical components for future X-ray FEL facilities. This project is the natural extension of the activities under development within the ongoing SPARC collaboration. The aim is the generation of electron beams characterized by an ultra-high peak brightness with a linear accelerator based on the upgrade of the existing Frascati 800 MeV LINAC and to drive a single pass FEL experiment in the range of 3-5 nm, both in SASE and SEEDED FEL configurations, exploiting the use of superconducting and exotic undulator sections. In this paper we discuss the present status of the collaboration.

The availability of LaBr3:Ce crystals from St. Gobain has started various investigations in the field of medical imaging, in particular in PET, SPECT and Compton camera systems. At present LaBr3:Ce crystals are available in a continuous shape covering up to 10×10 cm2 with a thickness of 1 cm, in contrast, serious concerns are arising in pixellated manufacturing. With the aim of verifying the potentials introduced by LaBr3:Ce for SPET imaging, two small γ cameras based on Anger camera principle have been assembled and imaging performances were compared. Two crystals of LaBr3:Ce and NaI(Tl) with the same detection area (5×5 cm2) and thickness of 5 and 1.5 mm, respectively were been integrally assembled with a H8500 Hamamatsu flat panel PMT. Through the thicker crystal, the LaBr3:Ce camera showed superior imaging and detection performances at 140 keV compared with the NaI(Tl) one, with 0.9 mm FWHM intrinsic spatial resolution, 8% FWHM energy resolution and 80% intrinsic detection efficiency.

In this Letter we report the first experimental observation of the double emittance minimum effect in the beam dynamics of high-brightness electron beam generation by photoinjectors; this effect, as predicted by the theory, is crucial in achieving minimum emittance in photoinjectors aiming at producing electron beams for short wavelength single-pass free electron lasers. The experiment described in this Letter was performed at the SPARC photoinjector site, during the first stage of commissioning of the SPARC project. The experiment was made possible by a newly conceived device, called an emittance meter, which allows a detailed and unprecedented study of the emittance compensation process as the beam propagates along the beam pipe.

The principal limiting factor in the clinical acceptance of scintimammography is certainly its low sensitivity for cancers sized

Over the last three years, there has been a growing interest in the development of a new class of fast scintillators such as LaCl3 :Ce and LaBr3:Ce, or their superior energy resolution is opening an easier way to improve spatial resolution. In this paper we present the results obtained from the first LaBr3:Ce small gamma camera. It is based on continuous 50 times 50 mm2 crystal 5 mm thick integral assembled with a Hamamatsu Flat panel PMT. This detector optical configuration permits the narrowest light distribution and highest light collection to obtain the best spatial and energy resolution values respectively. At the same time 5 mm crystal thickness carries out 80% efficiency at 140 keV photon energy. Measurements of spatial resolution are also compared with the analogous ones obtained from another 50 times 50 mm2 LaBr3:Ce crystal, assembled with a 3 mm glass optical window. Energy resolution values have been furtherly compared with ones obtained from a LaBr3:Ce one inch diameter and thickness optimized for spectrometric measurements. The first LaBr3:Ce gamma camera shows excellent intrinsic spatial resolution values such as 0.9 mm with a best energy resolution value of 6.0% at 140 keV photon energy

Over the last three years, there is a growing interest in the development of a new class of fast scintillators like LaCl/sub 3/:Ce and LaBr/sub 3/:Ce. The new scintillation crystals for the first time, have the main characteristic in producing a light photon number higher than NaI(Tl) at a wavelength suited for the photocathode. The most important characteristic of these crystals is represented from the scintillation light to be yield proportionality as a function of incident gamma ray energy. With the aim to investigate on their potential in single photon imaging three one inch square LaCl/sub 3/:Ce continuous scintillation crystals with 3 and 6 mm thickness were specifically designed for position measurements. They have been coupled to a flat panel PMT through a 3 mm thickness glass window. In order to highlight all the characteristics of the detection system the third one, 3 mm thick, was integral assembled with a one inch PSPMT Hamamatsu R5900-C8. Free and collimated point radioactive sources were used for energy resolution measurements as well for scanning crystals to investigate spatial resolution and position response. Energy resolution values were compared with ones obtained from a sample of LaBr/sub 3/:Ce with one inch diameter and one thickness designed for spectrometric measurements. LaCl/sub 3/:Ce with 3 mm thickness shown energy resolution values worse than expected (13% at 140 KeV) due to the sub-optimal size and configuration for light collection. On the contrary LaBr/sub 3/:Ce carried out 6% relative energy resolution at 140 keV. Intrinsic spatial resolution values of 1 mm and 1.3 mm were obtained from 3 mm thickness LaCl/sub 3/:Ce crystals in the two configurations investigated.

SPARC and SPARX are two different initiatives toward an X-ray FEL SASE source at LNF. SPARC is a high gain FEL project devoted to provide a source of visible and VUV radiation while exploiting SASE mechanism. An advanced Photo-Injector system, emittance self-compensating RF-gun plus a 150 MeV Linac, will inject a high quality e-beam into the undulator to generate high brilliance FEL radiation in the visible region at the fundamental wavelength, (530 nm). The production of flat top drive laser beams, high peak current bunches, and an emittance compensation scheme will be investigated together with the generation of higher harmonic radiation in the VUV region. SPARX is the direct evolution of such a high gain SASE FEL towards the 13.5 and 1.5 nm operating wavelengths, at 2.5 GeV. The first phase of the SPARX project, fiinded by Government Agencies, will be focused on R&D activity on critical components and techniques for future X-ray facilities as described in this paper.

In recent years there has been a growing interest in developing compact gamma cameras to improve gamma ray imaging for application in nuclear medicine as well as in astrophysics, radiation physics and high energy physics. The gamma cameras based on position sensitive photomultipliers could be the best chance to obtain a realistic and low cost compact gamma camera. Since 1985 the development of position sensitive photo multiplier tubes (PSPMT) has shown the highest rate in technological advancement achieving very compact size (25 × 25 × 20 mm3) by a novel charge multiplication system. The PSPMT shows the same advantages of a standard gamma camera with the additional possibility to utilize scintillation arrays with pixel dimension less than 1 mm, thus achieving sub-millimeter spatial resolution values. The last technological advance is a PSPMT with Flat Panel structure, named H8500. Its dimension is 50 × 50 mm2 with a narrow peripheral dead zone to place closely different modules achieving large detection areas. In this paper the technological development of different PSPMT generations is reviewed and some measurements of the first Flat Panel PMT prototype are presented and compared with ones from previous generation. Flat Panel PMT could be the best trade-off between compactness, large detection areas, effective area (packing density) and imaging performance.

SPARC and SPARX are two different initiatives toward an ItalianFreeElectronLaser (FEL) source operating in theSelfAmplifiedSpontaneousEmission (SASE) mode, in which several national research institutions are involved. SPARC is a high gain FEL project devoted to provide a source of visible and VUV radiation while exploiting the SASE mechanism. An advanced Photo-Injector system, emittance compensating RF-gun plus a 150 MeV Linac, will inject a high quality e-beam into the undulator to generate high brilliance FEL radiation in the visible region at the fundamental wavelength, (∼500 nm). The production of flat top drive laser beams, high peak current bunches, and emittance compensation scheme will be investigated together with the generation of higher harmonic radiation in the VUV region. SPARX is the direct evolution of such a high gain SASE FEL toward the 13.5 and 1.5 nm operating wavelengths, at 2.5 GeV. To get the required value for the bunch peak current, Ipeak≈ 2.5 kA, the “hybrid” scheme, RF-compression stage plus magnetic chicane, is analyzed and compared with the more standard double stage of magnetic compression. The two options are reviewed considering the tolerance to the drive laser pulse phase jitter.

FELs based on SASE are believed to be powerful tools to explore the frontiers of basic sciences, from physics to chemistry to biology. Intense R&D programs have started in the USA and Europe in order to understand the SASE physics and to prove the feasibility of these sources. The allocation of considerable resources in the Italian National Research Plan (PNR) brought about the formation of a CNR‐ENEA‐INFN‐University of Roma “Tor Vergata” study group. A conceptual design study has been developed and possible schemes for linac sources have been investigated, bringing to the SPARX proposal. We report in this paper the results of a preliminary start to end simulation concerning one option we are considering based on an S‐band normal conducting linac with high brightness photoinjector integrated in a RF compressor.

Several types of organic scintillator were exposed to a 60 Co γ-ray source at a dose rate of 1.838 x 10 −2 Gy/s in order to study the radiation damage in the range 10 3 -4 x 10 4 Gy of absorbed dose, both in air and in nitrogen environment. The effect of radiation damage was measured by the change in optical transmission and light output before and after the irradiation of each sample. A different degree of damage, related to the type of scintillator and to the radiation environment, was observed.

Design, construction and performance characteristics of the ZEUS barrel and rear muon detector are presented.

A systematic investigation of the properties of cerium fluoride monocrystals has been performed by the “Crystal Clear” collaboration in view of a p

La cinetique de la reaction d'amines primaires ou secondaires avec des tribromomethyl-4 ou trichloromethyl-4 quinazolines est etudiee dans l'acetonitrile

The Project SPARC (Sorgente Pulsata e Amplificata di Radiazione Coerente), proposed by a collaboration among ENEA-INFN-CNR-Universitadi Roma Tor Vergata- INFM-ST, was recently funded by the Italian Government. The aim of the project is to promote an R&D activity oriented to the development of a coherent ultra-brilliant X-ray source in Italy (SPARX proposal (1)). The SPARC collaboration identified a program based on two main issues: the generation of ultra-high peak brightness electron beams and experimental study of SASE-FEL process with generation of resonant higher harmonics. The SPARC project is being designed in order to encompass the construction of an advanced photo- injector producing a 150-200 MeV beam to drive a SASE-FEL in the optical range. The machine will be built at LNF, inside an underground bunker: it is comprised of an rf gun driven by a Ti:Sa laser, injecting into three SLAC accelerating sections. We foresee conducting investigations on the emittance correction(2) and on the rf compression techniques(3), which are expected to increase the peak current achievable at the injector exit up to kA level, with proper preservation of the transverse emittance. Although the system is expected to drive a FEL experiment, it can be used also to investigate beam physics issues like surface-roughness-induced wake fields, bunch-length measurements in the sub-ps range, emittance degradation in magnetic compressors due to CSR, and Compton backscattering production of sub-ps X-ray pulses.