Distribution of satellite clusters around seed cluster in ATLAS

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the analysis of satellite clusters around seed clusters in proton-proton collision data from the ATLAS detector at the LHC. A heatmap was created to visualize the distribution of brem and converted photons around electron/photon candidates at (eta, phi) = (0,0) using approximately 1 million events. The increase in satellite clusters for eta = 0 near phi = 0 is attributed to the magnetic field's influence on particle trajectories. Concerns were raised regarding the release of LHC data without adequate support for interpretation, emphasizing the complexity of data analysis in high-energy physics.

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  • Understanding of ATLAS detector functionality
  • Familiarity with pseudorapidity (eta) and azimuth (phi) in particle physics
  • Knowledge of bremsstrahlung processes in electron interactions
  • Experience with data visualization techniques, specifically heatmaps
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kimi7335
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TL;DR
Why is there an increase in the number of satellite clusters for eta = 0 in the ATLAS detector?
From data of proton-proton collisions at the LHC using the ATLAS detector I have plotted a heatmap of the distribution of satellite clusters (brem and converted photons) around seed clusters (electron/photon candidates without satellites) at (eta, phi) = (0,0).
The data I am using is of the order of 1 million events.
The x- and y-axes show the distance between the satellites and the seed cluster in eta (pseudorapidity) and phi (azimuth).
Why is there an increase in the number of satellites for eta = 0 above and below phi = 0?

heatmap_high_stats_data.png
 
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The magnetic field bends particles in phi but not in eta. You might see bremsstrahlung from (relatively low energy) electrons. You can make this plot separately for electrons, positrons and photons to check.
 
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I assume this is entirely your own plot from released data, and that's why you use non-standard terms like "hearmap" and "satellite".

It might be physics, as @mfb said. Or it might be some artifact of noise, or geometry or both. Without knowing a lot more about what went into this plot, it is hard to tell.

I think it was a mistake to release the LHC data without a corresponding paid team to help people understand it. The collaborations invested many person-centuries in understanding this data, and dumping it on the public with just a hearty "good luck" seems a little mean-spirited.

What you can take away from a plot depends on what you put into it - what is your definition of electron, photon, etc. What subdetectos you are looking at. What event selection you applied. And so on.
 

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