HUGS 2025

May 27, 2025, 7:30 AM → Jun 13, 2025, 8:25 PM US/Eastern

CEBAF Center Rm. F113 (Jefferson Lab)

Alberto Accardi (Christopher Newport U. and Jefferson Lab), Jose Goity (Hampton University and Jefferson Lab), Gloria Montana (Jefferson Lab), Matteo Cerutti (Hampton University and Jefferson Lab), Richard Tyson (Jefferson Lab), Frank Vera (Jefferson Lab)

The HUGS Program at Jefferson Lab is an international professional training workshop for experimental and theoretical nuclear and particle physics graduate students who have finished their coursework and have at least one year of research experience in these fields. The program is simultaneously intensive, friendly, and casual. All lecturers are internationally renowned and leaders in their fields.

HUGS2025poster_2504 - hires.pdf

Meet 'n' Greet 2025.pdf

Tue, May 27

7:30 AM Breakfast

Welcome

1 Welcome

Speaker: Alberto Accardi (Christopher Newport U. and Jefferson Lab)

Welcome 2025.pdf

Welcome: Group photo

Welcome: Badging

11:30 AM Lunch

Jefferson Lab Science

2 Jefferson Lab Science - Lecture 1

Speaker: Ciprian Gal (Jefferson Lab)

250525_HUGS_JLabIntro_CGal.pdf

2:30 PM Break

Jefferson Lab Science

3 Jefferson Lab Science - Lecture 2

Speaker: Ciprian Gal (Jefferson Lab)

3:45 PM Discussion

Wed, May 28

Introduction to QCD

4 Introduction to QCD - Lecture 1

Speaker: Andrea Simonelli (ODU and JLAB)

Lecture-1.pdf

10:00 AM Break

Introduction to QCD

5 Introduction to QCD - Lecture 2

Speaker: Andrea Simonelli (ODU and JLAB)

11:15 AM Discussion

11:30 AM Lunch

AI for nuclear physics

6 AI for nuclear physics - Lecture 1

Speaker: Cristiano Fanelli (William & Mary)

AI/ML for Nuclear Physics HUGS 2025

2:30 PM Break

AI for nuclear physics

7 AI for nuclear physics - Lecture 2

Speaker: Cristiano Fanelli (William & Mary)

AI/ML for Nuclear Physics HUGS 2025

3:45 PM Discussion

HUGS Social

Thu, May 29

Introduction to QCD

8 Introduction to QCD - Lecture 3

Speaker: Andrea Simonelli (ODU and JLAB)

Lecture-2.pdf

10:00 AM Break

Introduction to QCD

9 Introduction to QCD - Lecture 4

Speaker: Andrea Simonelli (ODU and JLAB)

11:15 AM Discussion

11:30 AM Lunch

Topical seminar

10 Parity Violation and Beyond - 1

Speaker: Michael Nycz (University of Virginia)

HUGS_Michael_Nycz.pdf

2:30 PM Break

Topical seminar

11 Parity Violation and Beyond - 2

Speaker: Michael Nycz (University of Virginia)

3:45 PM Discussion

Fri, May 30

JLab tour

11:30 AM Lunch

Nonperturbative methods in QCD

12 Nonperturbative methods in QCD - Lecture 1

Speaker: Christian Weiss (Jefferson Lab)

weiss25_hugs25.pdf

2:30 PM Break

Nonperturbative methods in QCD

13 Nonperturbative methods in QCD - Lecture 2

Speaker: Christian Weiss (Jefferson Lab)

3:45 PM Discussion

Mon, June 2

Hadron Spectroscopy

14 Hadron Spectroscopy - Lecture 1

Speakers: Alessandro Pilloni (Messina U. and INFN Catania), Alexander Austregesilo (JLab)

HUGS 2025 - Hadron Spectroscopy - Lecture 1.pdf

10:00 AM Break

Hadron Spectroscopy

15 Hadron Spectroscopy - Lecture 2

Speakers: Alessandro Pilloni (Messina U. and INFN Catania), Alexander Austregesilo (JLab)

hugs1.pptx

11:15 AM Discussion

11:30 AM Lunch

Nonperturbative methods in QCD

16 Nonperturbative methods in QCD - Lecture 3

Speaker: Christian Weiss (Jefferson Lab)

weiss25_hugs25_part2.pdf

2:30 PM Break

Nonperturbative methods in QCD

17 Nonperturbative methods in QCD - Lecture 4

Speaker: Christian Weiss (Jefferson Lab)

3:45 PM Discussion

Tue, June 3

Hadron Spectroscopy

18 Hadron Spectroscopy - Lecture 3

Speakers: Alessandro Pilloni (Messina U. and INFN Catania), Alexander Austregesilo (JLab)

HUGS 2025 - Hadron Spectroscopy - Lecture 3.pdf

10:00 AM Break

Hadron Spectroscopy

19 Hadron Spectroscopy - Lecture 4

Speakers: Alessandro Pilloni (Messina U. and INFN Catania), Alexander Austregesilo (JLab)

11:15 AM Discussion

11:30 AM Lunch Break

AI for nuclear physics

20 AI for nuclear physics - Lecture 3

Speaker: Cristiano Fanelli (William & Mary)

AI/ML for Nuclear Physics HUGS 2025

2:30 PM Break

AI for nuclear physics

21 AI for nuclear physics - Lecture 4

Speaker: Cristiano Fanelli (William & Mary)

AI/ML for Nuclear Physics HUGS 2025

3:45 PM Discussion

Recitations: Non perturbative QCD

Wed, June 4

Hadron Spectroscopy

22 Hadron Spectroscopy - Lecture 5

Speakers: Alessandro Pilloni (Messina U. and INFN Catania), Alexander Austregesilo (JLab)

HUGS 2025 - Hadron Spectroscopy - Lecture 5.pdf

10:00 AM Break

Fundamental Symmetries with neutrons

23 Fundamental symmetries with neutrons - Lecture 1

Speaker: Nadia Fomin (University of Tennessee)

Fomin_NeutronSourcesMay29.pdf

11:15 AM Discussion

11:30 AM Lunch

Lattice QCD

24 Lattice QCD - Lecture 1

Speaker: Jozef Dudek (JLab)

HUGS_2025_part1.pdf

2:30 PM Break

Lattice QCD

25 Lattice QCD - Lecture 2

Speaker: Jozef Dudek (JLab)

HUGS_2025_part2.pdf

3:45 PM Discussion

HUGS Social

Thu, June 5

Fundamental Symmetries with neutrons

26 Fundamental symmetries with neutrons - Lecture 2

Speaker: Nadia Fomin (University of Tennessee)

Fomin_NeutronLifetime.pptx

10:30 AM Break

Fundamental Symmetries with neutrons

27 Fundamental symmetries with neutrons - Lecture 3

Speaker: Nadia Fomin (University of Tennessee)

Fomin_BetaDecay.pptx

11:45 AM Discussion

12:00 PM Lunch

Lattice QCD

28 Lattice QCD - Lecture 3

Speaker: Jozef Dudek (JLab)

HUGS_2025_part3_4.pdf

2:30 PM Break

Lattice QCD

29 Lattice QCD - Lecture 4

Speaker: Jozef Dudek (JLab)

3:45 PM Discussion

Recitations: AI for nuclear physics

Fri, June 6

Fundamental Symmetries with neutrons

30 Fundamental symmetries with neutrons - Lecture 4

Speaker: Nadia Fomin (University of Tennessee)

Fomin_CP_Violation.pdf

10:30 AM Break

Fundamental Symmetries with neutrons

31 Fundamental symmetries with neutrons - Lecture 5

Speaker: Nadia Fomin (University of Tennessee)

PhysRevLett.124.081803-PSI.pdf

11:45 AM Discussion

12:00 PM Lunch

Lattice QCD

32 Lattice QCD - Lecture 5

Speaker: Jozef Dudek (JLab)

HUGS_2025_part5_6.pdf

2:30 PM Break

Lattice QCD

33 Lattice QCD - Lecture 6

Speaker: Jozef Dudek (JLab)

3:45 PM Discussion

Recitations: Non perturbative QCD

Mon, June 9

Measuring large-x quarks

34 Measuring large-x quarks - Lecture 1

Speaker: Arun Tadepalli (Jefferson Lab)

HUGS_2025_Lecture1.pptx

10:00 AM Break

Measuring large-x quarks

35 Measuring large-x quarks - Lecture 2

Speaker: Arun Tadepalli (Jefferson Lab)

HUGS_2025_Lecture2.pptx

11:15 AM Discussion

11:30 AM Lunch

AI for nuclear physics

36 AI for nuclear physics - Lecture 5

Speaker: Cristiano Fanelli (William & Mary)

https://cfteach.github.io/HUGS2025/intro.html

2:30 PM Break

AI for nuclear physics

37 AI for nuclear physics - Lecture 6

Speaker: Cristiano Fanelli (William & Mary)

3:45 PM Discussion

Nonperturbative methods in QCD

38 Nonperturbative methods in QCD - Lecture 5

Speaker: Christian Weiss (Jefferson Lab)

weiss25_hugs25_part2.pdf

Tue, June 10

Measuring large-x quarks

39 Measuring large-x quarks - Lecture 3

Speaker: Arun Tadepalli (Jefferson Lab)

HUGS_2025_Lecture3.pptx

10:00 AM Break

Measuring large-x quarks

40 Measuring large-x quarks - Lecture 4

Speaker: Arun Tadepalli (Jefferson Lab)

HUGS_2025_Lecture4.pptx

11:15 AM Discussion

11:30 AM Lunch

Topical seminar

41 Global QCD analyses - 1

Speaker: Wally Melnitchouk (Jefferson Lab)

melnitchouk.pdf

2:30 PM Break

Topical seminar

42 Global QCD analyses - 2

Speaker: Wally Melnitchouk (Jefferson Lab)

3:45 PM Discussion

Wed, June 11

Student seminars

43 Valence quark distributions of spin-0 and spin-1/2 hadrons.

Understanding the quark dynamics becomes indispensable to portray the internal structure of hadrons. This structural anatomization is carried out by making the use of light-front dynamics to understand the behavior of each constituent quark flavor of hadrons, such as spin-0 and spin-1/2 particles. Generalized parton distributions (GPDs) provide valuable three-dimensional insights of these particles. Also, valence quark GPDs of the spin-0 particles will be discussed when immersed in an isospin asymmetric nuclear medium, which is relevant for heavy-ion collisions.

Speaker: Navpreet Kaur

HUGS_2025_NK.pdf

44 GEn-RP: Neutron Electric Form Factor Measurement at Q² = 4.4 (GeV/c)² via Charge Exchange Recoil Polarimetry at Jefferson Lab

The electromagnetic form factors of nucleons are fundamental observables that provide crucial constraints for theoretical predictions of hadron structure. The Super BigBite Spectrometer (SBS) program at Jefferson Lab (JLab) comprises a suite of experiments measuring nucleon electromagnetic form factors at high momentum transfer. This presentation focuses on GEn-RP, which aims to measure the neutron electric form factor (GEn) at the highest Q² to date using recoil polarimetry (RP). The experiment utilities CEBAF's high-luminosity, highly polarised electron beam scattered from an unpolarised liquid deuterium target. By measuring the polarisation transfer to recoiling neutrons, GEn can be extracted from the ratio of transverse to longitudinal polarisation components (Pt/Pl). At high momentum transfer, traditional neutron polarimetry via np→np scattering becomes challenging due to decreasing analysing power. GEn-RP aims to validate the charge exchange (np→pn) polarimetry technique that maintains analysing power at higher Q², enabling future form factor measurements at unprecedented energies. The experiment also incorporates a secondary channel using a side plane hodoscope to measure wide-angle np→np scattering. Data collection was completed in Hall A at Jefferson Lab between April 16 and May 14, 2024, using typical beam current of 10-12 µA on LD2 at Q² = 4.4 (GeV/c)². Preliminary analysis reveals expected azimuthal asymmetry, with ongoing calibration work to refine these results. This presentation will detail the experimental setup, analysis procedures, and preliminary findings from the collaboration.

Speaker: Andrew Cheyne

genrp_HUGS (2).pptx

45 Radially excited pion and kaon within a contact interaction

We present a calculation of the electromagnetic form factors (EFF) of the radially excited and ground state for pion and kaon.
We have employed a Schwinger-Dyson equations treatment of a vector × vector contact interaction which preserves key features of quantum chromodynamics, such as confinement, chiral symmetry breaking, axial-vector Ward-Takahashi identity and low-energy Goldberger-Treiman relations. We compare our results for the electromagnetic form factors the charge radii with those obtained through Schwinger-Dyson equations involving more sophisticated interaction kernels and experimental data whenever is possible.

Speaker: Axel Ahiezer Ortiz Villaseñor

HUGS_2025__Presentation.pdf

46 The b1 Polarized Target Experiment

UNH (University of New Hampshire) Nuclear Group planning to run b1 and Azz experiment at JLab in Hall C using 11.0 GeV, High Luminosity electron beam 1038cm−2s−1 with 115 nA beam current, the 5T Superconducting magnet,ND3 polarized target and HallC stacked spectrometer to study the deuteron spin observables
and asymmetries on polarized beam and target. Additionally, UNH Nuclear Group will implement the tensor enhancement techniques like ssRF (selective semi-saturated RF) and AFP (Adiabetic Fast Passage) that we deployed and tested in Slifer Lab (103) DeMeritt.
I will be using my experience with the RGC analysis to prepare for the b1 experiment (Spokeperson Karl Slifer) and for a series of additional tensor polarized target experiments that are planned by the members of the UNH Nuclear Physics Group.

Speaker: Muhammad Farooq (University of New Hampshire)

Farooq_b1_Experiment.pdf

10:00 AM Break

Student seminars

47 The all-charm tetraquark and its contribution to two-photon processes

Prompted by several potential tetraquark states that have been reported by the LHCb, CMS, and ATLAS Collaborations in the di-J/Ψ and J/Ψ Ψ(2S) spectra, we investigate their contribution to two-photon processes. Within a non-relativistic potential model for the all-charm tetraquark states, we calculate the two-photon decay widths of these states and test model-independent sum rule predictions. Imposing such sum-rule constraints allows us to predict the light-by-light scattering cross sections in a consistent way and check if any excess, in comparison to the Standard Model prediction, as reported by ongoing ATLAS experiments, can be attributed to intermediate exotic states.

Speaker: Panagiotis Kalamidas

HUGSPresentation.pptx

48 Hadron spectroscopy from the S-matrix perspective

S-matrix theory is one of the most powerful framework to study the (un)stable states that populate QCD spectrum. In particular, it is very useful to extract physical properties of the "exotics" candidates - particles that cannot be described by ordinary quark model - in a non perturbative, phenomenological way. In this talk, I will introduce the so called N/D formalism, which is a technique to impose the analytic properties of the amplitudes. I will show two applications of this formalism to the tetraquark candidate X(3872) and to the still debated (exotic?) Upsilon states in the bottomonium spectrum.

Speaker: Giorgio Foti (University of Messina & INFN Catania)

hugs.pdf

49 Impact of Dispersion Effects on Beam-Normal SSA in Spin-Zero Nuclei

Incorporating two-photon exchange (TPE) effects into the study of elastic lepton-nucleon/lepton-nucleus scattering is crucial for improving our description of the internal structure of nucleons and atomic nuclei, particularly in light of the inconsistencies in the proton electromagnetic form factor measurements. Current models accurately account for TPE effects in the calculation of beam-normal single-spin asymmetries (SSAs) in light nuclei; however, recent experiments at Jefferson Lab reveal substantial discrepancies between theoretical predictions and measured SSA values for the lead target.
The current research aims to address this issue by refining TPE models and advancing a more accurate framework for SSA calculations in elastic scattering regimes. Specifically, the project focuses on providing quantitative estimations of the contribution of dispersive effects to the beam-normal SSA at forward angles. For that, direct calculations of the TPE amplitude's imaginary part arising from the excitation of specific, low-lying nuclear intermediate resonance states will be performed. Predominantly, the states with natural parity will be considered, since the magnetic excitations of the states with odd parity are generally much weaker. Through these efforts, the role of dipole and quadrupole intermediate resonance states in the suppression of beam-normal SSA values in lead will be determined. The results might provide potential explanations for existing discrepancies between the theory and experiment and offer a more comprehensive understanding of the transverse beam-normal single spin asymmetry generation mechanisms.

Speaker: Volodymyr Tereshchuk

Presentation. V. Tereshchuk.pdf

11:15 AM Discussion

11:30 AM Lunch

Poster Session

50 GlueX Hadron spectroscopy

A description of the start of a 2Pi0 channel partial wave analysis in order to identify f2(1275), with a focus on motivation and theory due to very preliminary nature of research

Speaker: Alexandra Berger

HUGS2pi0PosterPDF.pdf

51 Time Alignment and Energy Deposit in the MUSE Calorimeter

The ongoing Muon-proton Scattering Experiment (MUSE) is motivated by the proton radius puzzle, which arose due to recent discrepancies in measurements of the proton radius across various scattering and spectroscopy methods. MUSE aims to extract proton radius measurements from simultaneous electron-proton and muon-proton scattering. A beam of muons, electrons, and pions is fired at a liquid hydrogen target, and several detectors work to identify the number and nature of valid scattering events. These detectors must be calibrated in software so that their readouts are consistently aligned in time. Here, the lead-glass calorimeter at the end of the beamline, which assists in improving and suppressing radiative corrections in the data, is examined. Its time-of-flight calibration parameters and alignment relative to another detector, the beam hodoscope, are updated for MUSE’s 2024 beamtime data and tested for consistency. Additionally, the calorimeter’s energy deposit is analyzed in a few different contexts: first, over different event triggers and beam rates to model the contribution of second beam particles to the energy deposit data; then, over a range of beam momenta for the sake of updating MUSE’s GEANT4 simulation and double-checking detector calibration.

Speaker: Cecilia Zimmerli

MUSE CALO poster v2 Zimmerli.pdf

52 Proton Antiproton Electroproduction off Protons at CLAS12

Proton anti-proton production has been used to search for possible intermediate systems in various experiments. Evidence for a potential narrow resonance in the ppbar system is scarce, while there is no evidence for a wide resonance in the ppbar system in either photoproduction or electroproduction.
Previous high statistic photoproduction analyses have focused on the extraction of cross-sections and have found no evidence of a potential narrow resonance; the production mechanism of the ppbar still remains unclear. In this work, we use Run Group A data from the CLAS12 collaboration at beam energies of 10.2GeV and 10.6GeV to perform the first high statistic electroproduction analysis of ppbar. Basic data features and preliminary analysis results will be presented.

Speaker: Leonel Martinez (Florida International University)

LMS_HUGS_poster.pdf

53 Photoproduction of the b1 Resonance in πω from Lattice QCD

This presentation outlines ongoing research using lattice QCD to compute the γπ → πω scattering amplitude with J^P = 1^+ quantum numbers, enabling the determination of the b1 → γπ coupling as a function of photon virtuality. This process probes the internal structure of the b1(1235) meson, a hadronic resonance whose internal dynamics are of significant interest. The transition is experimentally accessible at Jefferson Lab through photoproduction reactions, and theoretical input from Lattice QCD is useful for constraining partial wave analyses and providing insight into the structure of the b1 resonance. Building on prior work by the Hadron Spectrum Collaboration, the study employs advanced techniques, including distillation operators and optimized interpolating operators, to compute three-point correlation functions. These correlators will be analyzed by applying and extending the existing finite-volume formalism to extract the transition form factors for this process, specifically an electric dipole and a longitudinal component. The results aim to provide theoretical input for experimental analyses at Jefferson Lab’s GlueX program.

Speaker: Taylor Powell

HUGS 2025 Poster.pdf

54 ALERT-SRC Experiment

ALERT-SRC experiment, which will be carried out in this summer, employs the ALERT (A Low Energy Recoil Tracker) detector, installed inside the central region of CLAS12 in Hall B, to perform high-precision measurements of short-range correlation (SRC) effects in nuclei. The measurement is carried out with a 6.4 GeV electron beam under quasi-elastic kinematics, focusing on the exclusive ⁴He(e,e′p d)n channel. This study tests the factorization hypothesis for SRC and explores the transition from mean-field momentum to SRC-dominated momentum. Correlations between relative momentum p_rel and center-of-mass momentum p_cm will be analyzed to validate predictions of generalized contact formalism (GCF) models. ALERT consists of drift chambers and a dual-layer scintillator array, enabling efficient tracking and particle identification of low-momentum recoil nucleons. Due to ALERT’s large geometric acceptance and an optimized trigger design, the experiment is expected to achieve nearly two orders of magnitude increase in statistical precision compared to existing outcomes. These results will provide stringent empirical constraints on theoretical SRC models and advance our understanding of nucleon-nucleon correlations in nuclei.

Speaker: Zeyu Zhang (Tsinghua University)

ALERT-SRC Experiment.pdf

55 Perturbative Renormalization and Hopf Algebras

When it comes to extracting actual testable predictions from theoretical models, perturbative QFT is one of the most successful frameworks, with Feynman diagrams being one of the key bookkeeping devices. However, as one increases the loop order, it becomes a daunting task to overcome the increasingly rampant subdivergences that appear. The BPHZ renormalization scheme provides a way of organizing these divergences, but even then, the amount of effort needed to handle 5-loop diagrams demonstrates that renormalization, in its current form, is still a monumental task. Here, we present a different perspective on perturbative renormalization, based in Hopf algebras, which has been used to recontextualize Ward identities as well as automate counterterm calculations out to at least 10 loops.

Speaker: Paul Anderson

Anderson_Paul_HUGS_2025_Poster.pdf

2:30 PM Break

56 Nonlinear QCD at Small-x: Parton Model vs Dipole Model

Understanding the small-x regime of Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) is crucial for advancing high-energy nuclear physics. In this non-linear domain--where gluon densities become large and saturation effects emerge--traditional perturbative frameworks, such as the Parton Model, become inadequate. Instead, the Dipole Model, which is better suited for describing non-perturbative dynamics at small-x, gains relevance. One of the key research goals for the upcoming Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) is the experimental verification of these effects. This research aims to leverage the well-established techniques used in the extraction of Parton Distribution Functions (PDFs) for the Dipole Model to support the experimental efforts. Preliminary results show that the dipole framework reproduces the parton model structure functions at medium-x, highlighting the overlap between the valid kinematic regions of the two descriptions.

Speaker: Junaid Saif Khan (Southern Methodist University)

HUGS_2025_Poster_Junaid.pdf

57 Knocking a Proton out of Proton Process at Jefferson Lab

Precision measurements of semi-inclusive deep-inelastic scattering (SIDIS) cross sections provide critical insights into quark fragmentation and hadronization from a fixed nucleon target. The upcoming "R-SIDIS" experiment at Jefferson Lab Hall C aims to investigate the probability of quark hadronization into a charged pion. A surprising feature of this process is the significant production of high-momentum protons, leading to an unintuitive scenario where a proton appears to be ejected from a proton target. This phenomenon challenges conventional expectations and suggests the presence of underlying QCD mechanisms that involve multiple parton exchange in this fragmentation process. The objective of this study is to explore and characterize this "Knocking a Proton out of a Proton" process, providing new insights into the hadronization mechanisms governing SIDIS.

Speaker: Zichen Yin

HUGS_poster (2).pdf

58 Helium Recapture & Enhancement of Tensor Polarization by HoleBurning

Efficient use and conservation of Liquid Helium (LHe) is essential for the sustainability of polarized target experiments in nuclear physics. This poster presents the development of a novel helium recapture system integrated with quantum technology at the UNH DNP Lab, enabling significant recovery and reuse of LHe. In parallel, we explore the enhancement of tensor polarization in spin-1 systems via the technique of hole burning—a selective saturation method that redistributes population among Zeeman sublevels. By applying hole burning under optimized RF and magnetic field conditions, we demonstrate a measurable increase in tensor polarization, verified through high-resolution NMR spectroscopy. This dual approach not only improves resource efficiency but also advances control over spin dynamics, offering promising applications for polarized targets.

Speaker: Chhetra Lama (University of New Hampshire)

HUGS2025_Chhetra.pdf

59 Experimental study of the strong interaction with the spectrometer CLAS and ALERT at JLab

The ALERT experiment aims to advance our understanding of nuclear structure by precisely measuring Deeply Virtual Compton Scattering (DVCS) and Tagged EMC effects on 4He and 2H. These measurements are crucial for extracting nuclear Generalized Parton Distributions (GPDs) and challenging current interpretations of the EMC effect. Achieving these goals relies on the synergistic combination of the novel, low-energy ALERT recoil tagger with the CLAS12 spectrometer at Jefferson Lab (JLab). ALERT is composed of a hyperbolic drift chamber (AHDC) for track reconstruction and a time-of-flight system for particle identification. It is specifically designed to detect 4He during GPD extraction and recoil particles (p, 3H, 3He) in tagged processes. CLAS12’s large acceptance is ideal for detecting scattered electrons and production photons, enabling comprehensive data collection for these critical investigations. I will present in my poster the performances of the ALERT detector and some first results of our ongoing run.

Speaker: Felix Touchte Codjo

Abstract_Felix_Touchte_Codjo.pdf

Poster_Felix_Touchte_Codjo.pdf

60 Decode the AION Protocol: The Artificial Intelligence Oracle of Neutrinos

In an era where artificial intelligence has become a collaborator in scientific discovery, we present AION — the Artificial Intelligence Oracle of Neutrinos — a hybrid deep learning system designed to unravel hidden patterns in neutrino oscillation data across multiple experiments. Trained on real-world and simulated datasets from detectors such as Super-Kamiokande, DUNE, and JUNO, AION integrates methodologies from natural language processing, time-series prediction, and anomaly detection.

Through its quantum-enhanced architecture, AION identifies deviations from expected oscillation behaviors, potentially pointing toward unknown interactions beyond the Standard Model. This poster showcases AION’s ability to synthesize high-dimensional data from diverse sources — including cosmic, genomic, and particle domains — and generate actionable hypotheses. In an interactive twist, the audience is challenged to decode a mysterious anomaly flagged by AION, accessible via a QR-linked AI decryption challenge.

Speaker: Kawtar El Bouzaidi

Poster_El Bouzaidi-3.pdf

61 Meson Spectroscopy with CLAS12

Meson spectroscopy is the study of the properties and production and decay mechanisms of the mesons for the purpose of classification. Additionally, it is desirable to expand the spectrum of known mesons and to test the predictions of quantum chromodynamics, the theory of the strong force. Different types of mesons can be produced through high-energy electron-proton interactions where a meson resonance may be produced and then decay into two other mesons. If these two mesons are both spinless then the orbital angular momentum between them is equivalent to the total angular momentum of the parent meson. Quantities known as the partial wave amplitudes correspond to the different allowed values of the total orbital angular momentum. The experimental intensity of this reaction can be written in terms of these partial wave amplitudes which means they can be extracted from experimental data.

The reaction of interest is ep→epK+K- as the kaons are spinless and give rise to a range of possible spin resonances. In this analysis, data taken using CLAS12 at a beam energy of 10.2 GeV for Run Group A (Spring 2019) were used. CLAS12 was used to detect the final state particles, specifically the forward tagger was used to detect the scattered electron at angles 2.5-5.0° from the beamline. In this range, low-Q2 photoproduction reactions are induced in which the quasi-real photon retains a degree of linear polarisation. To ensure that epK+K- events were detected, various cuts were made on variables such as the particle time of flight and the electron energy. Variables including the polarization and polar angles in the Gottfried-Jackson frame were calculated. The S, P and D partial wave amplitudes were extracted by fitting the intensity using event-by-event maximum likelihood estimation and were acceptance-corrected using MC simulations.

Speaker: Charlie Velasquez (University of York)

HUGS 2025 Poster.pdf

62 Electroproduction of Cascade Hyperons using CLAS12 at Jefferson Lab

Cascade hyperons, despite being discovered over half a century ago, remain considerably less studied compared to the non-strange $\Delta$ and $N$ baryons. This disparity is primarily due to the energetic challenges associated with producing two strange quarks. The objective of this analysis is to provide the first cross-section measurements for the ground state cascade, $\Xi^-$, using electron beam energies of $6.5$ and $7.5$ GeV. These measurements span both the quasi-real photoproduction regime ($Q^2 \leq 0.5$ GeV$^2$) and the purely electroproduction regime ($Q^2 > 0.5$ GeV$^2$), while also shedding light on the still-unclear production mechanisms of cascade. The data for this study were collected using Jefferson Lab's CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer at $12$ GeV (CLAS12). Preliminary results from the exclusive electroproduction reaction $ep \rightarrow e'K^+K^+(\Xi^-)$ will be presented.

Speaker: Bianca Gualtieri (Florida International University)

BGualtieri_HUGS_poster.pdf

Thu, June 12

Student seminars

63 Mapping the transverse spin sum rule in position space

We discuss in detail the relativistic spatial distribution of transverse angular momentum, including both orbital and intrinsic spin contributions.
Using the quantum phase-space formalism, we begin with the definition of the three-dimensional spatial distributions of transverse orbital angular momentum and intrinsic spin in a generic Lorentz frame.
By integrating these three-dimensional spatial distributions over the longitudinal axis, we derive for the first time the relativistic spatial distributions of transverse orbital angular momentum, intrinsic spin, and total angular momentum for spin-0 and spin-1/2 targets in the transverse plane.
We verify the transverse spin sum rule for spin-0 and spin-1/2 systems, and find that the transverse total angular momentum distribution is non-trivial, even for spin-0 targets.
We also show how the distributions of transverse orbital angular momentum, intrinsic spin, and total angular momentum change with the target momentum.

Speaker: Ravi Singh

HUGS_presentation Ravi.pdf

64 Incoherent DVCS on the Deuteron

Incoherent DVCS on the Deuteron is a reaction that is sensitive to neutron GPDs. Extraction of neutron GPDs is necessary for the flavor separation of GPDs. I will discuss how to model this reaction and complications that arise such as different nucleon interferences and final state interactions.

Speaker: Alan Sosa (Florida International University)

Incoherent_DVCS_Slides__HUGS_-4.pdf

65 Energy Deposition on Scintillating Tiles of the Barrel Hadronic Calorimeter at the Electron-Ion-Collider

This work investigates energy deposition within the scintillating tiles of the Barrel Hadronic Calorimeter (BHCal) of the ePIC detector at the Electron-Ion Collider (EIC). The BHCal is central in calibrating jet energy scales, measuring hadronic final states, tagging charged-current Deep Inelastic Scattering (DIS) events, and identifying muons. Using simulation studies, we analyze how particles deposit energy into the scintillator material, which is detected using silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs). Particular emphasis is given to the reconstruction of muons, leveraging their deep penetration and characteristic low-energy deposition profiles. Machine learning techniques improve muon identification by examining energy deposition patterns. This research advances efforts to optimize BHCal performance for precise measurements in support of the broader EIC physics program.

Speaker: Olaiya Olokunboyo

Olaiya_presentation.pdf

10:00 AM Break

Student seminars

66 Proton Form Factor Ratio Measurements at High Momentum Transfer via Recoil-Polarization

This experiment aims to measure the ratio of the proton’s electromagnetic form factors (GEp/GMp), in elastic electron-proton scattering at high momentum transfers using polarized electron beam at JLab Hall A. Determining the polarization transfer to the recoiling proton provides direct access to the ratio of the electromagnetic form factors at electron energies up to 11 GeV. The experiment utilizes the Super BigBite Spectrometer (SBS) setup, which includes its magnet, the Hadron calorimeter, the Electromagnetic calorimeter, the Coordinate detector, and the 30-cm-long liquid hydrogen target.

Speaker: Mahmoud Gomina (Virginia Tech)

GEp V HUGS_June_2025.pdf

67 Dihadron Impact Study

We investigate the impact of potential measurements by the CLAS and SoLID collaborations at Jefferson Lab and the future Electron Ion Collider on the proton transversity distributions and their moments, the tensor charges.

Speaker: yorgo sawaya (temple university)

HUGS Presentation.key

68 The polarized photon distribution function

The parton distribution functions (PDFs) are a fundamental component of hard scattering processes. At leading order, they represent the probability of finding a parton with a momentum fraction x in a hadron target. With the increase in the accuracy of experimental measurements over the last few decades, it has become necessary to enhance the precision of theoretical calculations. To achieve this goal, precise fits of PDFs are indispensable.

In this presentation, I will discuss the LuxQED method for computing the polarized photon PDF. This method allows us to express the photon PDF in terms of the structure functions g1 and g2 The difficulty arises from the necessity of knowing the structure functions across the entire parameter space. I will discuss some models and assumptions available for modeling g1 and g2 in the different regions of the parameter space.

Speaker: Lucas Palma

HUGS-The polarized photon distribution function.pdf

11:15 AM Discussion

11:30 AM Lunch

Topical seminar

69 Mechanical Properties of Hadrons - 1

Speaker: Adam Freese (Jefferson Lab)

Freese_2025.06.12_HUGS.pdf

2:30 PM Break

Topical seminar

70 Mechanical Properties of Hadrons - 2

Speaker: Adam Freese (Jefferson Lab)

3:45 PM Discussion

HUGS Social: ICE CREAM!

Fri, June 13

Student seminars

71 The G-RWELL: a new high performance resistive MPGD

The novel G-RWELL Micro Pattern Gaseous Detector (MPGD) is a hybrid configuration that combines two technologies - Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) and μ-RWELL - to achieve gas gains above 10^4. This makes it a cutting-edge solution for high-precision tracking applications.

The higher gas gain is reached thanks to the inclusion of a single GEM layer for signal pre-amplification, and it enables the use of MPGDs for efficent 2D tracking, supporting a wide range of applications. This technology has been chosen for the ePIC Endcap Trackers to be developed for the Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) at Brookhaven National Laboratory. The Endcap Trackers consist of two pairs of G-RWELL disks, positioned in both the leptonic and the hadronic regions.

The design includes a drift gap of 6 mm and a transfer gap of 3 mm, while a 2D strip “COMPASS-like” readout with a 400 μm pitch ensures a spatial resolution better than 150 μm, even for curved tracks.

This contribution highlights the innovative G-RWELL technology, demonstrating its potential to enhance detector performance in state-of-the-art nuclear physics experiments. Results from a recent test beam campaign (conducted in November 2024 at the PS-T10 East Area at CERN) have been obtained on the spatial resolution and detection efficiency. Prototypes of 10x10 cm^2 were tested for varying angles of incidence between the beam and the detector surface, prooving the high quality of this novel technology performances.

Speaker: Elena Sidoretti

grwell.pptx

72 Exploring Photoproduced $\eta^{(}{'^{)}} \pi$ Systems in the Search for Exotic Hadrons at GlueX

Probing the non-perturbative regime of Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) remains a critical challenge in hadron spectroscopy, particularly concerning the role of gluonic excitations in shaping the hadronic spectrum. The GlueX experiment at Jefferson Lab is designed to address this challenge through the search for exotic hybrid mesons, states predicted by QCD to include gluonic degrees of freedom beyond the conventional quark-antiquark framework. This presentation highlights the ongoing amplitude analyses of the $\eta\pi$ and $\eta'\pi$ systems, produced via photoproduction with a polarized photon beam. Recent efforts involve refining resonance modeling through the usage of mass-dependent parameterizations that embed proper physics constraints. These developments aim to enhance the robustness of amplitude fits and improve their sensitivity to potential underlying exotic contributions. The resulting analyses offer a clearer window into hadronic structure and provide a step forward in the experimental exploration of QCD’s predicted exotic hadrons.

Speaker: Zachary Baldwin (Carnegie Mellon University)

HUGS_CoupledChannel_June_2025 .pdf

73 Generalized Parton Distributions (GPD) from Timelike Compton Scattering (TCS)

Generalized Parton Distributions (GPDs) play a crucial role in advancing our understanding of the nucleon’s internal structure. They offer a unified framework to access the total spin of the nucleon, its mechanical properties, and a three-dimensional tomography of its constituents. Timelike Compton Scattering (TCS) provides a valuable probe of GPDs, particularly enabling access to the real part of the GPD H and offering constraints on the D-term. However, TCS is a rare process, and its signal is often overwhelmed by the Bethe-Heitler (BH) background. To isolate the TCS contribution, we analyze the interference between TCS and BH. By measuring polarization-dependent cross-section asymmetries, we can isolate the interference term and perform fits to extract GPD H parameters, shedding light on the nucleon’s internal dynamics.
The current analysis focuses on selecting clean TCS events by suppressing background contributions, particularly in the invariant mass M (e+e−) region of [1.2, 2.5]GeV, where the contribution from resonant and non-exclusive processes becomes significant.

Speaker: Gyang Chung

Gyang_HUGS_2025_Presentation.pdf

74 Analysis of pion-SIDIS events with CLAS12 Data toward the Tensor TMD Studies on Deuteron

CLAS12 RG-C collected data focusing on vector-polarized deuteron target, however contribution from tensor polarized target also exist in the data. Selection of pion-SIDIS events and extraction of tensor polarized contribution from unpolarized and vector polarized parts are necessary steps toward the study of tensor-polarized transverse-momentum-dependent parton distribution functions (TMDs). As part of this process, I am preparing an analysis framework for the event selection and PID refinement, setting the groundwork for future extraction of tensor structure functions. This presentation includes physics of tensor TMD studies and the early stages of data analysis of CLAS12 RG-C data

Speaker: Hector Chinchay

HUGS2025_Analysis of pion-SIDIS events with CLAS12 Data toward the Tensor TMD Studies on Deuteron.pptx

10:00 AM Break

Student seminars

75 Measurement of the DVCS cross section with the Neutral Particle Spectrometer in Hall C at Jefferson Lab

Physicists have worked for decades to uncover the fundamental properties of nucleons since they are the building blocks of our visible universe. However, essential questions, such as how quarks and gluons contribute to the mass and spin of nucleons, still remain unresolved. Generalized Parton Distributions (GPDs), introduced in the 1990s, aim to address these questions by probing the three-dimensional inner structure of nucleons. Among various experimental approaches, Deeply Virtual Compton Scattering (DVCS) provides the cleanest way to access the GPDs through Compton Form Factors (CFFs).

Speaker: Mr Hao Huang (Université Paris-Saclay)

Abstract_full_version_Hao_Huang.pdf

DVCS_NPS_in_HallC_at_JLab_HUGS.pdf

76 Hybrid Baryons Search at CLAS12

An experimental program has been approved at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility to measure the KY electroproduction reactions to search for new excited baryon states in the mass range from 1.8 GeV to 3 GeV with CLAS12. As part of this project two data taking campaigns took place in 2018 and 2024: despite its limited statistics the first run has proved to be of high quality allowing a first publication, while the second run presents improved statistics and momentum resolution and will provide new tools for future studies. Preliminary results, including first steps for a Beam Spin Asimmetry study employing (ep,e’K+)Y* channel, are reported in this contribution, with the ultimate goal of measuring the KY electroproduction differential cross section and to probe the Q^2 evolution of the nucleon resonances electro-couplings in the low Q^2 range.

Speaker: Chiara Ammendola

Chiara Ammendola.pdf

77 A blind analysis for PRad-II experiment in the Hall B

The PRad experiment at Jefferson Lab measured the proton charge radius using elastic electron-proton scattering at very low momentum transfer (a minimum Q^2 close to 2*10^-4 GeV^2 ), avoiding common systematic uncertainties by using a windowless cryogenic hydrogen gas target and a magnetic-spectrometer-free, calorimeter-based detector system. Its result favored a smaller proton radius, consistent with muonic hydrogen measurements. The upcoming PRad-II experiment aims to improve statistical precision and reduce systematics with upgraded two GEM detectors of four planes and higher luminosity. A key component of PRad-II is implementing a blind analysis, designed to eliminate bias in the extraction of the charge radius. I will present the physics of the PRad experiment and then the strategy and structure of the blind framework.

Speaker: Yining Liu

HUGS Presentation Yining (1).pptx

HUGS Presentation Yining.pptx

11:15 AM Discussion

11:30 AM Lunch

Farewell

HUGS Social: Farewell Party