The 4th African Conference on Fundamental and Applied Physics (ACP2025)

14 Sept 2025, 14:00 → 20 Sept 2025, 17:50 UTC

The fourth African Conference of Fundamental and Applied Physics, ACP2025, will be a hybrid event, jointly organized by ASP and the University of Lomé, Togo, from September 14 to 20, 2025.

ACP2025 will bring together physicists, physics teachers, and policy makers in education and research from across Africa and beyond to share advances in fundamental and applied physics, foster collaborations, and support the growth of scientific communities across the continent.

We are pleased to announce that selected proceedings will be published in a special edition of the Journal of Advanced Instrumentation in Science (JAIS). This volume of the journal will be very visible, therefore an excellent opportunity to communicate your research.

Further information and guidelines are available here.

• Registration deadline: 14th September 2025
• Abstract submission deadline: 15th April 2025
• Paper submission deadline: To be announced

Note: 

If you are not a CERN user, please register your email address with CERN, please check here, https://users-portal.web.cern.ch/guest-registration. Once you have registered for a CERN account, give it 24h for database synchronization then you will be able to login and register and/ or submit your abstract.

 

This conference is been held as part of the African School of Fundamental Physics and Applications (ASP) program.

 

 

Sunday 14 September

14:00 → 19:00 Arrivals & Registrations

14:00 Registrations

17:00 Reception

Monday 15 September

09:00 → 10:00 Welcome addresses

Convener: Prof. Amou Apélété (Université de Lomé, Togo)

09:00 Welcome address by the Minister of higher Education and Research

09:15 Welcome address by the President Université de Lomé

09:30 Welcome address by the President of Université de Kara

09:45 Welcome address by the Dean of Faculty of Science, UL

10:00 → 10:45 Opening Talk

Speaker: Prof. M. Norbert Hounkonnou (University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin)

10:45 → 11:00 Discussion

11:00 → 11:30 Break

11:30 → 11:55 Complexity Science in Africa: Connecting Fundamental Physics with Complex Systems Across Nature, Technology, and Society

Complexity Science—or Complex Systems Science—offers a powerful, transdisciplinary framework for understanding how diverse systems evolve, adapt, and self-organize across scales. Rooted in the principles of fundamental physics—such as nonlinearity, emergence, feedback, and collective behavior—Complexity Science extends into diverse domains: from particle interactions to ecological networks, from neural circuits to innovation systems and cities.

Globally, this field is gaining momentum as a way to address dynamic and interconnected challenges. In Africa, however, Complexity Science remains largely underdeveloped, with limited institutional presence, few formalized research programs, and emerging but uncoordinated activity. This absence, while a limitation, presents a unique opportunity: to craft a continental agenda that positions Complexity Science as both an intellectual frontier and a strategic tool for research and innovation.

This talk will motivate why Complexity Science is not only relevant but essential for Africa’s scientific future. As the continent confronts complex issues—ranging from climate change and pandemics to infrastructure, energy, and food systems—there is an urgent need for frameworks that transcend disciplinary silos and engage with systems as wholes. Complexity Science provides both the language and the tools for this.

I will trace conceptual and methodological links between fundamental physics and complex systems theory, and explore how this perspective can guide interdisciplinary problem-solving in African contexts. I will also share emerging initiatives, including capacity-building efforts such as summer schools, undergraduate research programs, and the development of institutional platforms like the Mandela Institute for Theoretical and Computational Sciences (MITheCS).

Ultimately, this presentation aims to inspire African researchers, educators, and policy-makers to engage with Complexity Science as a means to advance scientific excellence and sustainable development. It is both a call to action and an invitation to collaboration—to build a thriving Complexity Science community that reflects African realities, priorities, and aspirations.

Speaker: Prof. Azwinndini Muronga (Nelson Mandela University)

11:55 → 12:30 Condensed Matter & Materials Physics

11:55 Overview talk in Materials Physics

12:30 → 14:00 Lunch / Registration / Poster session

14:00 → 15:00 Condensed Matter & Materials Physics

14:00 A NEW APPROACH TO THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION FOR BUILDING IN THE FACE OF THE ENERGY AND CLIMATE CRISES: PRINCIPLES AND APPLICATIONS IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Faced with the exponential growth in the world's population and, above all, the increase in population density in urban areas, housing is often designed without considering environmental constraints and specific regional features. The result is very high internal temperatures in premises that require the use of conventional electric air conditioners to maintain acceptable thermal comfort. Unfortunately, the use of these electrical appliances contributes to the increased consumption of fossil fuels and consequently to the deterioration of environmental conditions. Recent studies carried out on the stock of buildings in urban areas in African countries show that these buildings are poorly adapted to their climatic environment. Most buildings in African cities are made of concrete and glass, similar to those in temperate countries, and are therefore veritable greenhouses, requiring considerable air conditioning to extract the excessive heat they produce to ensure the thermal comfort of their occupants. All these reasons argue in favour of a different design for new buildings, which will be energy-efficient, environmentally-friendly, and make harmonious use of the renewable energies available to them. The building sector will use local, bio-sourced and geo-sourced materials while revitalising local economies, and these buildings will be sufficiently resilient to adapt to the phenomena caused by climate change. In 2010, on a global scale, the buildings sector was responsible for emitting 24% of the total amount of greenhouse gases from the combustion of fossil fuels, giving way only to the industrial sector. However, if the intrinsic energy of building materials is taken into account, this proportion is much higher, and the construction sector becomes the main emitter of greenhouse gases. Consequently, the design and construction of buildings have a considerable impact on the possibility of achieving the objective of limiting the increase in global temperature to 2°C, all the more so as most of the energy currently consumed in buildings in developing countries is biomass, and the expected improvement in housing conditions will lead to a switch from biomass to fossil fuels, which will considerably increase the rate of CO2 emissions in developed countries, as this sector is responsible for 40% of fossil fuel energy consumption. Without the design and construction of eco-responsible buildings, this increase would be all the greater in African countries in general, where the construction sector accounts for well over 60% of final energy consumption. Because of their economic development, developing countries are set to play a decisive role in the global energy landscape. Energy consumption in industry will continue to grow, and we can expect a sharp rise in energy consumption in the transport sector, marked by an increase in the number of vehicles on the roads, if the currently accepted global concept of mobility does not change. The increase in energy consumption in the building sector can be expected to become even more
marked, not only because of the expansion of air conditioning and the number of household appliances, but also because of the increase in the number of buildings. If the rate of new building construction between now and 2050 is around 25-30% in Europe, it is estimated that it will be around 75% in developing countries. If all these new buildings consume as much energy as the existing ones, it will be impossible to achieve the objective of reducing CO2 emissions to an acceptable level. The construction sector is therefore called upon to play its part, with the long-term objective of transforming energy-guzzling buildings into net energy producers. This transformation, of course, is only possible in new buildings, which will have to compensate for the inevitable energy consumption of existing buildings. This unprecedented challenge is already requiring a radical transformation in design and construction methods. Ultimately, the absolute priority for the building sector at the moment is to reduce its CO2 emissions by curbing its energy consumption. If humanity as a whole is to reduce energy consumption without ceasing to improve living conditions inside buildings, it will be essential to rethink the entire system. Every opportunity to save energy must be considered, and the most energy-efficient technologies and techniques must be applied.

Keywords : Energy-intensive buildings, eco-responsible buildings, greenhouse gases, passive cooling, local materials, thermal comfort, climate change, building envelope skin, energy efficiency, architecture.

Speaker: Prof. Yawovi Nougbléga (University of Lome, Togo)

14:30 Aluminum doped titanium dioxide as an electrode material for lithium-ion battery

Lithium-ion batteries (LIB) have emerged as the most representative and versatile rechargeable energy-storage system. Among the numerous anode materials used in LIBs, titanium dioxide stands out as an excellent material. However, the poor conductivity of titanium dioxide in its raw form and limited cell capacity have hindered its practical use. In this study, we investigate aluminum-doped titanium dioxide for possible design of titanium-dioxide-based batteries which can offer new directions for enhancing performance. The sol-gel method was used to introduce aluminum into titanium dioxide and subsequently subject it to reduction treatment for the synthesis of aluminum doped non-stoichiometric titanium dioxide to increase the conductivity of titanium dioxide. This study shows that the conductivity of titanium dioxide is enhanced, leading to improved performance in capacity, impedance, cycle life, and rate as an anode material in LIBs. Cyclic stability test under high current condition shows that the capacity remained at 157 mAh/g without any noticeable decay after 750 charge-discharge cycles at a 1C rate. Further, Insitu X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis using synchrotron radiation was used to explore the behavior of lithium ions intercalating into and deintercalating from the titanium dioxide lattice and draw insights from the variations in the characteristic lattice diffraction peaks. The interaction mechanism between lithium ions and the lattice of mixed-phase (anatase, rutile) is responsible for the understanding of titanium dioxide based batteries for better performance.

Speaker: Dipti Ranjan Sahu (Namibia University of Science and Technology)

ACP 2025_DRS_Aluminum doped titanium dioxide as a electrode material for lithium.docx

15:00 → 15:30 Light Sources

15:00 Light Source 1

15:30 → 16:00 Break

16:00 → 16:30 Light Sources

16:00 Light Sources 2

16:30 → 18:30 Societal engagements

16:30 Physics Communication

17:00 Physics Education

17:30 Women in Physics

18:00 Discussion

Tuesday 16 September

09:00 → 10:00 Light source applications

09:00 Atomic & Molecular Physics, Biophysics

09:30 DFT and Molecular Docking Analyses of the Effects of Solvent Polarity and Temperature on the Structural, Electronic, and Thermodynamic Properties of p-Coumaric Acid: Insights for Anti-Cancer Applications

Title: DFT and Molecular Docking Analyses of the Effects of Solvent Polarity and Temperature on the Structural, Electronic, and Thermodynamic Properties of p-Coumaric Acid: Insights for Anti-Cancer Applications
Umer Sherefedina, Abebe Belaya, Kusse Gudisheb, Alemu Kebedea, Alemayehu Getahun Kumelac, Tadesse Lemma Wakjiraa, Dereje Gelanua, Tesfaye Feyisea, Jebel Haji Mahamuda, Abdulkerim Abdelad, Kebede Shankute Gizewe
aDepartment of Applied Physics School of Applied Natural Sciences Adama Science and Technology University Adama P. O . Box 1888 Ethiopia.
bDepartment of Applied Physics School of Applied Natural and Computational Sciences Jinka University Jinka P. O . Box 165 Ethiopia.
cDepartment of Applied Physics School of Applied Natural and Computational Sciences Makdela Amba University Tullu Awulia P. O . Box 032 Ethiopia.
dDepartment of Applied Chemistry School of Applied Natural and Computational Sciences Jinka University Jinka P. O . Box 165 Ethiopia.
eDepartment of Applied Chemistry School of Applied Natural Sciences Adama Science and Technology University Adama P. O . Box 1888 Ethiopia.
Abstract: This study investigated the effects of solvent polarity and temperature on the structural, electronic, and thermodynamic properties of p-coumaric acid (p-CA) and its interaction with caffeine, a promising natural phenolic compound for cancer treatment because of its ability to inhibit tumor growth and induce apoptosis. This work investigated the effect of these factors via computational techniques, including semiempirical methods (MP6), Hartree-Fock (HF) calculations with the 6-311++G (d, p) basis set, and density functional theory (DFT) with various basis sets, such as STO-3G, SDD, 3-21+G, Aug-CC-pVDZ, 6-31++G (d, p), LANL2DZ, 6-31++G’ (d, p), and 6-311++G (d, p). DFT calculations revealed notable changes in the geometric features of p-CA, including bond angles, dihedral angles, and bond lengths, in both vacuum and water. Furthermore, the results indicated that solvent polarity caused variations in the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, absolute and solvation energies, dipole moment, and HOMO‒LUMO gap. The thermal analysis also revealed that increasing the temperature from 100 K to 1000 K led to higher enthalpy, heat capacity, and entropy, along with a decrease in Gibbs free energy values due to enhanced molecular vibrations, contributing to the degradation and instability of p-CA. Time-dependent DFT (TDDFT) analysis revealed that solvent polarity influenced UV–Vis absorption and excited-state dipole moments, leading to significant changes in electronic transitions. Additionally, molecular docking studies indicated that p-CA achieved strong binding affinities with various proteins, notably a maximum of -7.5 eV with the 3rts protein; however, the presence of caffeine reduced this binding affinity, suggesting competitive interactions that could diminish its therapeutic effectiveness. These findings underscore the potential of p-CA as an effective anticancer agent, emphasizing the critical roles of solvent, temperature, and molecular interactions in its efficacy.

Speaker: Dr Umer Sherefedin (Adama Science and technology university)

South Africa Conference-Abstract (p-CA).docx

10:00 → 10:30 Nuclear Physics

10:30 → 11:00 Break

11:00 → 12:30 Nuclear Physics

11:00 Modelling High-Energy Heavy-Ion collisions

High-energy heavy-ion collisions at RHIC and the LHC offer unique insight into the many-body physics of QCD. I will give a broad introduction to the physics of Heavy-ion collisions and how they are modelled, before touching on an open problem in the field and the potential of the LHC's recent oxygen run.

Speaker: Isobel Kolbe (University of the Witwatersrand (ZA))

11:30 Nuclear Physics 2

12:00 Unraveling the properties of strongly interacting matter with the ALICE experiment at the LHC

Colliding heavy nuclei at a speed approaching that of light allows QCD matter to be investigated in the Quark-Gluon-Plasma (QGP) state that existed microseconds after the Big Bang. Numerous competing physics processes that influence the final detected particles require a vast amount of data and diverse measurements to unravel the properties of strongly interacting matter in this regime of high temperatures and densities. The ALICE experiment at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) has been specifically designed to study the QCD matter in the QGP state. With this aim, ALICE has measured a wide range of particles and different observables, and has collected data from Pb–Pb, Xe–Xe, p–Pb and pp collisions at multi-TeV center-of-mass energies. The ALICE experiment is currently running since 2022 in the LHC Run 3, taking advantage of increased readout rates and improved vertex resolution that have been achieved thanks to the upgrades implemented during the Long Shutdown 2 (LS 2). A major upgrade will follow during LS 3 and a complete redesign of the detector will be implemented after the High-Luminosity LHC Run 4. A summary overview of recent ALICE experimental physics results will be discussed together with the plans for Run 4, scheduled to begin in 2030.

Speaker: Enrico Fragiacomo (Universita e INFN Trieste (IT))

abstract_EnricoFragiacomo_ACP2025_v4.pdf

12:30 → 14:00 Lunch

14:00 → 14:30 Particle Physics

14:00 Advancing Dark-QCD searches: Model Development, Constraints, and Novel Anomaly Detection Technique

Strongly interacting dark sectors, colloquially referred to as dark-QCD, is becoming increasingly popular in the collider community, primarily because of the rich phenomenology and the novel signatures it offers. The author pioneered the first search for semi-visible jets in ATLAS, and is following that up with multiple studies focussing on other final states, new generator setups to simulate the signals (WiP), new discriminating observables, setting constraints on these models based on existing results and a novel use of anomaly detection algorithms to aid finding these signatures. In the presentation, the lessons learnt from the ATLAS result will be discussed, and these work-in-progress results on model development, constraints of the models, as well anomaly detection method being proposed will be presented, essentially summarising the state-of-the art in the semi-visible jets.

Speaker: Deepak Kar (University of the Witwatersrand)

14:30 → 15:30 Particle Physics

14:30 Exploring Z' and right-handed neutrinos in the BLSM at the Large Hadron Collider

Speaker: Prof. Shaaban Khalil Ibrahim (ENHEP Egyptian Network of High Energy Physics (EG))

15:00 Validation of the LArSoft workflow for ProtoDUNE-VD: alpha particle analysis and implementation of analytical mode.

A new technology is currently being developed for the DUNE Vertical Drift prototype at CERN. By combining the strengths of dual-phase and single-phase designs, the Vertical Drift concept was developed, featuring a single-phase liquid-argon time projection chamber
(TPC). A specific new geometry was created for this prototype.

LArSoft is designed to simulate the physical processes occurring in liquid argon when particles pass through it, particularly the amount of light produced after each particle interaction. Adapting to the new geometry of the Vertical Drift requires fi ne-tuning the software
to validate its performance, stability, and accuracy from a physics perspective.

This study aims to verify, step by step, whether the simulation work ow behaves as expected and to address any suspected issues related to key variables critical for future physics analysis. Simulating alpha particles is particularly valuable, as it allows for straightforward
verification of how LArSoft predicts physical phenomena inside detectors for neutrino studies.

Considering diff erent models provides a better understanding of the simulation and other alternatives for various types of analysis. Two models, the photon library and the computable graph, have been successfully implemented and tested in LArSoft for ProtoDUNE-VD. Another model, referred to as the "analytical" model, needs to be generated in the same manner as the previous ones.

Speaker: Fenompanirina Andrianala (Universite d'Antananarivo (MG))

15:30 → 16:00 Break

16:00 → 16:30 Societal engagements

16:00 Physics Without Frontiers in Africa

Physics Without Frontiers is the flagship international outreach programme of the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), built through a network of physics ambassadors who are PhD students, researchers, and professors who work to help build the next generation of scientists in the Global South, often in their home country. Working with universities without strong research teams, the programme aims to bring training in all areas of physics and mathematics to students who might otherwise lack exposure, and mentor them to further study whether in academia or industry. This talk will present the impact and successes of the programme in African countries, and open the floor to discussion on how to support students further.

16:30 → 17:00 Poster Room: 1 — Nuclear physics

16:30 The Role of Neutrinos in Astrophysics and Cosmology

Neutrinos are elementary particles that interact with other particles through the weak nuclear force, making them incredibly difficult to detect due to their extremely small mass and lack of electric charge. Despite their elusive nature, neutrinos play a pivotal role in astrophysics and cosmology. Modern research in high-energy astrophysics, astronomy, and cosmology reveals that neutrinos are integral to understanding a variety of fundamental processes, such as stellar explosions, the origin of cosmic rays, and the nature of dark matter. This article aims to explore the role of neutrinos in astrophysics, their impact on cosmic processes, and their significance for our understanding of the universe on large scales.
To investigate the role of neutrinos in astrophysics and cosmology, we employed theoretical physics approaches, numerical simulations, and observational data from neutrino detectors such as IceCube, Super-Kamiokande, and ANTARES, as well as data from cosmic telescopes. This research also draws upon cosmological data, particularly the cosmic microwave background (CMB), which provides insights into the early stages of the universe. Additionally, we examined the impact of neutrinos on processes like supernova explosions, cosmic ray propagation, and the potential link between neutrinos and dark matter. The methods of particle physics, along with computational models of astrophysical systems, were utilized to gain a comprehensive understanding of the role neutrinos play in the cosmos.

Speaker: Bakhtiyar Iskakov (al-Farabi Kazakh National University)

Iskakov_ACFAP1.docx

16:35 The Quality of the Luminosity Spectrum and Its Impact on Higgs Boson Mass at 380 GeV in CLIC

The precise determination of the Higgs boson mass is a fundamental objective in future high-energy physics experiments, particularly at the Compact Linear Collider (CLIC). This study uses a comprehensive simulation and analysis framework to examine the impact of the luminosity spectrum quality at 380 GeV on Higgs boson mass measurements. The beam-beam interaction effects were simulated with GUINEA-PIG, while event generation and parton-level processes were modeled using WHIZARD. The event reconstruction and data analysis were performed using ROOT, with multivariate classification techniques implemented via TMVA to optimize signal-to-background separation. We demonstrate a strong correlation between luminosity spectrum degradation and shifts in the Higgs boson mass distribution by analyzing the mean values and standard deviations of Landau and RooBifurGauss fitting functions across different energy regions. Additionally, classifier efficiency analysis underscores the crucial role of advanced machine learning techniques in enhancing precision measurements. These findings provide valuable insights into optimizing beam parameters and improving the accuracy of Higgs boson studies at future linear colliders.

Speaker: Mr Philippe Manjakasoa Randriantsoa (University of Antananarivo, Madagascar)

Randriantsoa ACP 2025 Abstract.pdf

16:40 Reweighting Leading-Order Events to Next-to-Leading Order Accuracy in MC@NLO Simulations

Monte Carlo simulations at next-to-leading order (NLO) precision are crucial for accurate predictions in high-energy physics, yet they remain computationally expensive due to intensive phase-space integration and event unweighting. This project explores an alternative strategy: generating events at leading order (LO) accuracy and reweighting them to NLO precision. The method is evaluated in the context of MC@NLO and MC@NLO-Δ frameworks, focusing on the generation of S-events that retain the same kinematics as the original LO events. This approach aims to reduce computational demands while preserving the theoretical rigor of NLO calculations, offering potential improvements for future large-scale event generation campaigns.

Speaker: Saad El Farkh (University Ibn Tofaïl - Kénitra (MA))

16:45 Efficiency Maximization in ED-XRF: A Monte Carlo Study of Palladium Target Energy and Filter Thickness in End-Window Tubes

Background/Purpose: End-window X-ray tubes, despite their growing application in energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF), remain less studied than side-window designs. This work focuses on using Monte Carlo simulations to investigate the effect of Palladium (Pd) target thickness and beam energy on X-ray spectra. The goal is to optimize these parameters to enhance spectral quality and improve the efficiency of ED-XRF analysis, especially for environmental applications.

Materials & Methods: Monte Carlo simulations were performed using the Penelope code to model the behavior of an end-window X-ray tube with a Pd target. Target thicknesses ranging from 5 µm to 50 µm and beam energies from 30 kV to 50 kV were simulated. The peak-to-background (P/B) ratio for the Pd Kα line was used as a metric to assess spectral quality under varying conditions. Spectral results were analyzed using PyMca to extract characteristic peak intensities and evaluate background contributions [1,2].

Results: The P/B ratio for the Pd Kα line exhibited a consistent increase with both target thickness and beam energy. At higher beam energies (40 kV and 50 kV), thicker targets (30–50 µm) produced significantly higher X-ray yields, compensating for the increased Bremsstrahlung background. Conversely, thinner targets (5–15 µm) demonstrated reduced background levels at lower beam energies, leading to better peak clarity and higher P/B ratios in these configurations. The Pd L line was excluded from P/B analysis due to its dominance in thin targets and its absence in spectra for thicker targets. These findings indicate a trade-off between spectral clarity and X-ray yield, with thicker targets favoring high-energy applications and thinner targets excelling at low-energy analysis. The study also highlights that optimizing the target thickness is critical for achieving the desired analytical performance, especially in applications requiring precise quantification of trace elements.

Conclusion: This work provides insights into the optimization of Palladium target configurations in end-window X-ray tubes, emphasizing the balance between target thickness and beam energy to enhance spectral quality for ED-XRF applications. These findings can guide the design of sources tailored for environmental and analytical studies.

References:
[1] Salvat, F., Fernández-Varea, J. M., & Sempau, J. (2019). PENELOPE-2018: A Code System for Monte Carlo Simulation of Electron and Photon Transport. OECD Publishing.
[2] James E. Penner-Hahn. Handbook of X-ray Spectrometry, 2nd ed. Journal of the American Chemical Society 2002, 124 (42), 12627-12627. DOI: 10.1021/ja015389k

Keywords: Monte Carlo simulation; End-window X-ray tubes; ED-XRF optimization

Speaker: MOHAMED ISLAM KHADIR (Department of Physics, LRPRIM Laboratory, University Of Batna 1)

16:50 Automated Gamma-Ray Spectrometry Using Convolutional Neural Networks and Kolmogorov–Arnold Networks

Gamma-ray spectrometry remains a cornerstone technique in nuclear science and environmental radioactivity assessment, offering precise identification and quantification of radionuclides. Despite its efficacy, conventional analytical methods often rely on manual processing, which can introduce subjectivity, reduce throughput, and hinder real-time analysis. In this study, an automated framework is proposed for gamma-ray spectrometry by employing two advanced deep learning architectures: Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) and Kolmogorov–Arnold Networks (KAN). The models are trained and evaluated using high-resolution spectral datasets acquired from high-purity germanium (HPGe) detectors. Input features include energy, channel, peak area, and centroid, extracted through digital signal processing techniques. Model performance is assessed based on standard classification metrics such as accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score, allowing for a comparative evaluation of the CNN and KAN methodologies in terms of classification robustness and generalization capability. This work aims to demonstrate the potential of deep learning for automating gamma-ray spectrum interpretation, thereby enhancing the efficiency, reproducibility, and scalability of nuclear measurement systems. Detailed performance comparisons and implications for real-world deployment will be discussed during the presentation.

Speaker: Vuako Maluleke

16:30 → 17:00 Poster Room: 2—Materials physics

16:30 AB INITIO INVESTIGATION OF ELECTRONIC AND OPTICAL PROPERTIES IN Sb/Bi CODOPED METHYLAMMONIUM LEAD BROMIDE

The continuous search for high-performing energy materials in photovoltaics is driving the exploration of novel doping schemes to modify the properties of established semiconductors. This work suggests a study using ab initio calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) to explore the impacts of codoping Bi and Sb in methylammonium lead bromide (MAPbBr$_3$), which is a highly promising perovskite. DFT calculations will be employed in Quantum Espresso code. The possibility of tailoring band structure and improving optical absorption that are
indispensable for photovoltaic applications makes these dopants worth considering. The electronic structure, charge density and optical properties of MAPbBr$_3$ with Bi and Sb will be studied systematically. The research will start with the optimization of crystal structure of
undoped MAPbBr$_3$. Afterwards, various doping concentrations and configurations will be simulated so as to establish the best possible arrangement for dopants. Emphasis will also be put on changes that occur as a result, including gap variation and spectra absorptions. This research expands the understanding of Bi/Sb codoped perovskites in terms of theory but also it supports global goals towards sustainable and high-efficient photovoltaic technologies.

Speaker: Mr David Machiri (Masinde Muliro University)

dmachiri_abstract.pdf

16:35 Amorphous MoS2 from a Machine Learning Inter-atomic potential

Amorphous molybdenum disulfide has shown potential as a hydrogen evolution catalyst, but the origin of its high activity is unclear, as is its atomic structure. Here, we have developed a classical inter-atomic potential using the charge equilibration neural network method, and we have employed it to generate atomic models of amorphous MoS2 by melting and quenching processes. The amorphous phase contains an abundance of molybdenum and sulfur atoms in low coordination. Besides the 6-coordinated molybdenum typical of the crystalline phases, a substantial fraction displays coordinations 4 and 5. The amorphous phase is also characterized by the appearance of direct S–S bonds. Density functional theory shows that the amorphous phase is metallic, with a considerable contribution of the 4-coordinated molybdenum to the density of states at the Fermi level. S–S bonds are related to the reduction of sulfur, with the excess electrons spread over several molybdenum atoms. Moreover, S–S bond formation is associated with a distinctive broadening of the 3s states, which could be exploited for experimental characterization of the amorphous phases. The large variety of local environments and the high density of electronic states at the Fermi level may play a positive role in increasing the electrocatalytic activity of this compound.

Speaker: Kossi Kety (ICTP-EAIFR and Université Gustave Eiffel)

Kety-204709_1_5.0211841.pdf

16:40 A Density Functional Theory study of hydrogen storage in Al2Ti4V6Cr3Fe High-Entropy alloy

The search for sustainable and clean alternative energy sources has recently increased interest in hydrogen storage using hydride-forming alloys. High -entropy alloys have become a topic of interest in the recent years, this is because of their potential application in hydrogen storage materials. Although numerus experimental studies have been conducted, there is still a lack in the understanding of hydrogen absorption process in the atomic level. In this study first principle calculations were employed to investigate the electronic and phase evolution during hydrogenation in Al2Ti4V6Cr3Fe alloy as well as the mechanical characteristic of the metal hydride. The lattice parameters, heats of formation, binding energy and the electronic properties of the pure and hydrogenated Al2Ti4V Cr3Fe were computed. The calculated heats of formation for hydrogenated structure were found to be negative which implies that the formation of metal hydride is thermodynamically stable and energetically favourable. The computed lattice parameters were found to be increasing with increasing the hydrogen content this suggesting the volume expansion and phase transformation. In addition, the partial density of states was calculated to investigate the electronic properties. This material is characterised as body-centred cubic. The maximum hydrogen storage capacity of Al2Ti4V6Cr3Fe is predicted to be 4.1 wt%. These calculations demonstrate that the Al2Ti4V6Cr3Fe high entropy alloy could be a promising hydrogen storage material.

Speaker: Ashley Phala (University of Pretoria)

Ashley-4th African Conference on Fundamental and Applied Physics (ACP2025).pdf

16:45 Advancing Thin-Film Photovoltaics for Sustainable Energy Solutions in Africa.

Title: Advancing Thin-Film Photovoltaics for Sustainable Energy Solutions in Africa.

Abstract

Africa faces high energy demand with millions of people on the continent still not being able to access stable electricity. Renewable energy – particularly solar – presents an exciting alternative to address this longstanding challenge. Thin-film photovoltaic (TFPV) technology has been a hot topic recently because of its low cost, flexibility and ability to be deployed in large amounts. But TFPV technology also faces several challenges in its widespread implementation such as its low efficiency, instability under harsh conditions in the field, and the lack of local manufacturing capability required to ensure successful implementation.

We report on the possibilities of TFPV technology in Africa, assessing those opportunities regarding progress in materials, fabrication techniques and integration with existing energy infrastructure and also investigate the implications that low efficiency is having on performance and propose measures to improve it under various climatic conditions. We conclude by providing insights into the potential of TFPV to become a reliable, sustainable renewable energy source on the continent.

An assessment of recent developments in TFPV materials, such as perovskite, cadmium telluride (CdTe), and copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) were carried out in conjunction with experimental data on energy efficiency, durability, and scalability. Performance of TFPV systems were simulated under different environmental conditions commonly observed in Africa. This study found that efficient deposition techniques and encapsulation strategies can help significantly to enhance the longevity and efficiency of TFPV technologies. perovskite-based solar cells show high efficiency, but its stability remains an issue in this regard. Economic analysis suggests that more local access to raw materials and better development of manufacturing processes would reduce costs and accessibility to TFPV technologies in Africa.

In line with the overall goals to increase the use of renewable energy sources, reduce dependence on fossil fuel, and improve energy security, this paper concludes that TFPV is one of the promising sustainable energies to leverage in Africa. Because of its technological features in terms of power efficiency and scaleability, TFPV technology is believed to have a transformative potential in alleviating energy gaps in Africa, catalyzing economic growth, and contributing to the global efforts to tackle climate change.

Speaker: Shally Jemutai

16:30 → 17:00 Poster Room: 3-particle astrophysics & cosmology

16:30 Structure growth in diffusive cosmology

The cosmological background and perturbation dynamics have been explored using an interacting dark-fluid model, where energy is exchanged between dark matter and dark energy via diffusion. After solving the background expansion history for the late-time Universe, we aim to constrain the best-fit cosmological parameters ({\Omega_m, h, r_d, Q_m}) through the MCMC simulations using several datasets: Hubble parameter (H(z)) from cosmic chronometers (CC), Baryon Acoustic Oscillations from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), and SNIa distance moduli from the Pantheon+ sample. Joint analyses such as CC+DESI, CC+SNIa, DESI+SNIa, and CC+SNIa+DESI are accompanied by a detailed statistical analysis. With the best-fit values, we provide numerical results for (H(z)), the deceleration parameter (q(z)), the effective equation of state (w_{eff}), and distance moduli (\mu(z)) as functions of redshift to evaluate the dark fluid model's viability in describing cosmic dynamics. Additionally, we analyze diagnostic parameters jerk (r) vs snap (s) and (r) vs (q) to distinguish the dark fluid model's effects, which reveal energy transfer between dark matter and dark energy. The results show that the dark fluid behaves like Chaplygin gas that supports the cosmic acceleration when (Q_m) is negative and exhibits a quintessence phase when (Q_m) is positive. This work also aims to derive the evolution equation of the matter density contrast (\delta(z)) using $1+3$ covariant formalism, present the numerical results of $\delta(z)$, and demonstrate the growth rate $f(z)$ and the redshift space distortion using the large-scale structure datasets. The best fit values of the corresponding parameters {(\Omega_m,\sigma_8, Q_m)} with detailed statistical analysis.

Speaker: Shambel Sahlu (Centre for Space Research, North-West University)

16:35 Late time cosmology of the a Nonminimal derivative coupling : John-George model

In this work, we numerically study the cosmological evolution of a coupling model of non-minimal derivatives with a potential term in front of the Ricci scalar tensor. Specifically, this work is devoted to the examination of the late time cosmoogy of John and George's field model. Using the FLRW metric, we determined the equations of motion that derive from the scalar field model used. We then form a system of equations that we solve numerically using two types of potentials, known in the literature, such as the power law potential, the exponential potential. We used the cosmological evolution quantity such as the Hubble parameter, the statefinder quantity, the statefinder parameters as well as the dark energy parameters such as the state equation and the energy density of dark energy. The numerical behavior of the quantities and parameters of the cosmological evolution obtained with the model used leads to a phenomenology compatible with the latest Planck data and reproducing the cold dark matter model with cosmological constant $\Lambda$CDM.

The action that describes John-George's model presents itself as such

\begin{eqnarray}{\label{action1}}
S = \int \sqrt{-g}\left[ \frac{M_{p}^{2}}{2}\left( 1+\epsilon V(\sqrt{\kappa }\phi)\right) \frac{R}{2\kappa}  -\frac{1}{2}(g^{\mu\nu}+\gamma \kappa G^{\mu\nu})\nabla_{\mu}\phi\nabla_{\nu}\phi +\mathcal{L}_{m}\right] d^{4}x\nonumber\\
\end{eqnarray}
with $\kappa = \frac{1}{M_{p}^{2}}$, $\gamma$ and $\epsilon$ are dimensionless parameters.

Speaker: ferdinand mavoa

Abstract_MAVOA.pdf

16:40 Spectal Energy Distribution (SED) Properties of Active and Non-Active Galaxies in the Green valley.

In large optical surveys, a bi-modal distribution of galaxies has been observed at all redshifts based on parameters such as colour, luminosity, stellar mass, star formation rate (SFR), and specific SFR. This distribution separates galaxies into the blue cloud, with active star formation, and the red sequence, with galaxies hosting older stellar populations. The region between the blue cloud and the red sequence; which is less populated by galaxies in optical, is called the green valley. This study shows how active galactic nuclei (AGN) influence star formation and morphological transformation in galaxies within the green valley. We used a sample of the X-ray detected AGN and non-AGN green valley galaxies with FIR emission from the COSMOS field selected in Mahoro et al. (2017) with stellar masses ranging from log M∗ = 10.6 − 11.6 M⊙, using 32 photometric filters across UV to FIR wavelengths to extract and fit their spectral energy distributions (SED) with CIGALE. Our findings reveal that FIR-detected AGN galaxies have higher star formation rates (SFRs), with a median log (SFR) of 1.4 M⊙/yr compared to 1.2 M⊙/yr for non-AGN galaxies. AGN galaxies also show higher dust luminosity, with a median of 11.2 L⊙, compared to 11.0 L⊙ in non-AGN galaxies. Despite similar dust masses between the two groups, with median values of 8.6 M⊙ for AGN and 8.5 M⊙ for non-AGN, a strong positive correlation of 0.86 is observed between AGN luminosity and SFR. No significant correlation is found between AGN luminosity and dust mass. Additionally, a higher AGN dust luminosity correlates with a greater AGN fraction in galaxies and a higher dust temperature was observed in AGN compared in non-AGN galaxies. These results implies that for FIR detected AGN with UV-Optical-NIR-MIR-FIR emissions AGN feedback may play a positive role in star formation processes within the green valley rather than negative one.

Keywords: galaxies : active, galaxies : star formation, galaxies: evolution; infrared: galaxies, ultraviolet: galaxies

Speaker: Delphine Nishimwe (Mbarara University of Science and Technology)

DELPHINE_Abstract.pdf

16:45 Swampland Statistics for Black Holes

In this work, we approach certain black hole issues, including remnants, by provid
ing a statistical description based on the weak gravity conjecture in the swampland
program. Inspired by the Pauli exclusion principal in the context of the Fermi sphere,
we derive an inequality which can be exploited to verify the instability manifestation of
the black holes via a characteristic function. For several species, we show that this func
tion is in accord with the weak gravity swampland conjecture. Then, we deal with the
cutoff issue as an interval estimation problem by putting a lower bound on the black
hole mass scale matching with certain results reported in the literature. Using the
developed formalism for the proposed instability scenarios, we provide a suppression
mechanism to the remnant production rate. Furthermore, we reconsider the stability
study of the Reissner–Nordstr¨om black holes. Among others, we show that the pro
posed instabilities prohibit naked singularity behaviors.

Speaker: Dr Saad Eddine Baddis (Département de Physique, Equipe des Sciences de la matière et du rayonnement, ESMaR Faculté des Sciences, Université Mohammed V de Rabat, Rabat, Morocco)

16:50 Structure of spacetime in presence of non-gravitational interaction and quarks confinement phenomena.

In this work, we investigate the strong interaction between quarks within a hadron using the framework of the generalized equivalence principle. First, we derive a spherically symmetric solution to Einstein’s equations, describing spacetime curvature induced by a strong interaction potential dominated by both chromoelectric and chromomagnetic fields. The resulting metric enables us to analyze a key geometric property of the interaction: the Schwarzschild radius associated with the color charge, which defines the effective range of the strong force. Our results demonstrate that when both chromoelectric and chromomagnetic potentials are present, the Schwarzschild radius of a color charge inside a hadron aligns closely with the hadron’s radius. This suggests that quark confinement emerges naturally from the curved spacetime geometry governed by the strong interaction, implying that confinement may be an intrinsic property of spacetime itself. Finally, we calculate the fundamental sizes of several hadronic particles (e.g., protons, pions) and compare them with experimental data. The strong agreement between theoretical predictions and observations reinforces the validity of this geometric approach to understanding quark confinement. We then calculate the energy spectrum associated with the color interaction between quarks within a hadron and use this framework to estimate the masses of several hadronic states (e.g., protons, neutrons, and pions). The theoretical predictions show strong consistency with experimentally observed values, further validating the geometric approach to modeling quark confinement.

Speaker: Abdellah Touati (University of Bouira)

Abstract-Abdellah-Touati.pdf

16:30 → 17:00 Poster Room: 4—Earth science

16:30 Kaolin rock-based geopolymer and boron-carbide composite: A green binder for durable and high-strength nuclear radiation shielding concrete

Geopolymer has become a viable, eco-friendly, and effective alternative to Portland cement as binders in concrete meant for structural engineering and radiation shielding purposes. However, the radiation interaction cross-section of geopolymer could be lower than that of cement due to differences in chemical compositions. In this study, the influence of B4C on the strength and nuclear-radiation interaction parameters of kaolin-based geopolymer was investigated. Calcined kaolin and NaOH was used as the precursor and alkali activator in the preparation of the geopolymer, respectively. The pristine geopolymer was mixed with 15% B4C by weight. The density and compressive strength of the geopolymer paste were determined after curing for 24 hours at 80 °C. Gamma photon, thermal, and fast neutron interaction parameters were computed using standard empirical expressions and cross-section data library. The addition of B4C increased the bulk density and compressive strength of the geopolymer paste from 2.06 to 2.18 g/cm3 and 5.14 to 13.41 MPa, respectively. In addition, the flexural strength and modulus of expansivity increased when B4C was introduced into the geopolymer. The radiation interaction parameters changed differently for photons and neutrons. Although there was a decrease in the mass attenuation coefficients of gamma photons with energies within 0.015-3.00 MeV after B4C was introduced in the geopolymer matrix, the decrease was however insignificant. The macroscopic total cross-sections for fast and thermal neutrons increased from 0.0711 cm-1 to 0.0817 cm-1 and 0.2174 cm-1 to 10.9145 cm-1, respectively. Boron-carbide can be used to enhance the strength and shielding efficacy of geopolymers.

Speaker: Oyeleke Olarinoye (Department of Physics, Federal University of Technology, Minna)

16:35 Magnon Bose-Einstein Condesate Spatial Stability and Spatio -temporal dynamics in Ferromagnetic film.

Abstract:

Bose-Einstein Condensation (BEC) is a remarkable phenomenon where quantum effects manifest on a macroscopic scale. It has been observed in various systems, including ultracold atoms, and has recently been extended to non-equilibrium systems comprising photons and quasiparticles such as excitons, polaritons, and magnons. In this work, we focus on magnon Bose-Einstein Condensates (BECs) in ferromagnetic films, which serve as an intriguing platform for exploring quantum phenomena and non-equilibrium dynamics in condensed matter systems. We investigate the spatial stability and spatiotemporal dynamics of magnon BECs in thin ferromagnetic films, emphasizing the interplay between nonlinear interactions, external driving fields, and dissipation. Starting from the fundamental theory of spin waves in ferromagnets, we show that the magnon spectrum exhibits two energy minima, predicting the possibility of two distinct condensates. We further derive analytical expressions for condensate interactions and, using the Gross-Pitaevskii equation, analyze the formation and evolution of spatially localized condensates, their stability under varying external parameters, and the emergence of complex spatiotemporal patterns. Our results reveal that magnon-magnon interactions within the condensate are repulsive and strongly dependent on the orientation of the external field. Additionally, external pumping gives rise to rich dynamical behaviors, including the formation of stable condensates and periodic oscillations. Furthermore, we explore the role of film thickness in shaping the condensate’s spatial profile and observe that high-density magnon BECs emerge for small film thicknesses. These findings offer new insights into the control and manipulation of magnon BECs in ferromagnetic films, with potential applications in magnonics, spintronics, and quantum information processing.
KEYWORDS: Magnon BECs, Spatial Stability, Spatio-Temporal Dynamics, Ferromagnetic Film.

Speaker: Ms Pristina Mayiva CHIEMOU KEMAYOU (Unité de Recherche de Matière Condensée, d' Electronique et de Traitement de Signal (URMACETS) Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, Cameroon, P.O.Box: 67 Dschang-Cameroon)

Abstract_revised.docx

16:40 Performance evaluation of seasonal precipitation forecasting for June-September (JJAS) using NMME over West Africa

Socioeconomic activities such as agriculture, water resources management, electricity production, disaster risk management, and health in West Africa (WA) are greatly related to rainfall. Therefore, there is an urgent need for reliable seasonal rainfall forecasts with sufficient lead time for responsible planning and decision-making. We present a regional evaluation of precipitation forecasts from 14 North American Multi-Model Ensemble (NMME) seasonal forecast models, using Global Precipitation Climatology Centre and African Rainfall Climatology Version 2 as a reference over the June-September (JJAS) season. We first assessed the quality of the forecasts in reproducing the climatology, then the quality of each individual model as well as the ensemble model in predicting the quality of forecasts in WA at a 0-5 month lead time. The results show that NMME capture the seasonal rainfall climatology of the JJAS season over the central and south eastern parts of WA around 11 mm/day. We found that, in most cases, precipitation skill was highest during the first lead time and declined rapidly thereafter. During the JJAS season, most NMME models showed Probabilities Of Detection (POD) greater than 50% for all the different normal seasons and less than 40% for the below and above normal seasons. The performances of the NMME ensemble mean was not consistently better than that of a single individual model, underlining the need for more advanced weight-based averaging schemes. The NMME forecasting system offers a promising skill set for forecasting seasonal precipitation over WA during the JJAS season at first lead time.

Speaker: Dr Armand TCHINDA FEUDJIO (National Higher Polytechnic Institute (NAHPI), University of Bamenda)

Abstrat_Tchinda et al 2025.pdf

16:45 Title: IoT-Based Real-Time Air and Water Quality Monitoring for Smart Cities: A Case Study of Nairobi’s Industrial and Residential Zones

Abstract.
Fast development in Nairobi produces hazardous effects on environmental sustainability alongside public health issues due to rising water and air pollution rates. The proposed platform uses IoT technology to establish real-time pollution measurement for Mombasa Road and Industrial Area and Eastleigh and Westlands areas.

A combination of IoT sensors priced at affordability levels connects to an Arduino-based data acquisition system and cloud-based platforms ThingsBoard and Google Firebase which monitor PM2.5 and CO2 and pH levels and turbidity through the system. The computer model uses machine learning techniques to analyze historical data that result in predicted pollution patterns useful for authorities to develop prevention measures. Google Maps gives public health policy makers immediate access to pollution hotspots displayed on maps thus enabling urban planners to base their decisions on collected data.

The research investigates potential partnerships between the researcher and environmental agencies from Nairobi County along with their implementation organization National Environment Management Authority (NEMA). IoT-activated systems demonstrate the immediate possibility of pollution control in smart cities because they implement automatic air purifiers and water treatment equipment.

This proposed research enables affordable operation together with scalable environmental observation systems that help industrial regulation and traffic management systems and environmental awareness programs. Research development in the following phase includes implementing edge artificial intelligence technology for real-time offline testing and creating mobile applications for public access enhancement.

Keywords: IoT, smart cities, environmental monitoring, real-time data, machine learning, air pollution, water quality, Arduino, Nairobi, NEMA.
References.
"Handbook of Air Pollution Analysis" – Roy M. Harrison & R. Perry
"Air Monitoring by Spectroscopic Techniques" – M. G. Rasulov.
"Environmental Monitoring and Characterization" – Janick Artiola, Ian Pepper, Mark Brusseau.
Environmental Instrumentation and Analysis Handbook" – Randy D. Down, Jay H. Lehr.

Speaker: Carson Tormoi (N/A)

16:50 ENHANCING CLIMATE RESILIENCE THROUGH THE SOLAR ENERGY INDUSTRY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT
Excessive emission of greenhouse gases has been discovered to affect the health and economic
potentials of individuals, communities and institutions in Nigeria adversely. The use of solar
energy and a lesser reliance on fossil fuels in Nigeria which is in line with the United Nations
Paris Agreement will help to reduce the excessive emission of greenhouse gases which are the
major causes of global warming and climate change. This study identified the use of solar energy
as a veritable strategy for enhancing climate resilience in Nigeria. Climate change, global
warming and other related environmental challenges which constitute a threat to sustainable
economic growth in Nigeria have also created opportunities for youths in the solar energy
industry. This study further identified that there is a great need for individuals, institutions and
communities to adopt the use of solar energy which is eco-friendly and has the capacity to
provide green skills, green technology and green entrepreneurial opportunities for sustainable
economic growth in Nigeria. It concluded with the call for more climate resilience policies as it
relates to the solar energy industry by the legislative and executive arm of the government
towards achieving sustainable development in Nigeria.
KEYWORDS: CLIMATE RESILIENCE POLICIES, GREEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP,
NIGERIA, SOLAR ENERGY, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT.

Speaker: Benjamin Anabaraonye (UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA,NSUKKA, NIGERIA)

16:30 → 17:00 Poster Room: 5—Radiation & medical physics

16:30 Evaluation of Secondary Neutron Production in Phantom Tissue Using MCNP5 Simulations for High-Energy Linear Accelerator Beams

Background: High-energy photon beams in radiotherapy can induce photoneutron production in linear accelerators (LINACs) operating above 10 MV, leading to secondary neutron contamination (Králík et al., 2008). These neutrons contribute to unwanted dose deposition in patients, making their characterization crucial for optimizing patient safety.
Materials and Methods: Monte Carlo simulations using MCNP5 were performed to model neutron production, transport, and interactions within a simulated patient phantom. A LINAC operating at 12, 15, 18, and 25 MV was considered to evaluate secondary neutron dose equivalent and fluence. The distributions of these quantities were analyzed as functions of beam energy and depth.
Results: As photon beam energy increases, both the secondary neutron dose equivalent and fluence rise within the patient phantom. However, the thermal and fast neutron fluence decrease with depth for all photon beam energies. From 0.25 cm to 18 cm depth, the thermal neutron fluence decreases by approximately a factor of 3, while the fast neutron fluence decreases by approximately a factor of 5. The peak of fast neutron fluence becomes more pronounced as photon beam energy increases from 12 MV to 25 MV. Additionally, the neutron dose equivalent decreases with depth, reducing by factors of 60, 53, 42, and 35 for 12, 15, 18, and 25 MV, respectively, from 0.25 cm to 18 cm depth.
Conclusion: This study highlights the significant impact of increasing beam energy on neutron production. The findings underscore the importance of accounting for secondary radiation in high-energy radiotherapy to minimize unnecessary patient exposure and enhance treatment safety.
Keywords: radiotherapy, photoneutron, spectra, dose equivalent, Monte Carlo simulations, phantom tissue

Speaker: Ms Fatima azairi (EPRA, Department of physics, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia)

Fatima AZAIRI- ACP2025.docx

16:35 Assessment of Natural Radioactivity in Turkwel: Health Risks of Gold Mining in West Pokot County, Kenya

Artisanal gold mining in Turkwel, Kenya, plays a crucial role in the local economy but poses significant environmental and health risks, including dust, soil erosion, and radiation exposure from contaminants. This study aimed to assess the radioecological hazards associated with mining activities by analysing soil samples from 29 locations within the region. Using gamma spectroscopy, the activity concentrations of radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K were measured, with results indicating ranges of 39.3 to 97.3 Bq kg−1 for 226Ra, 44.4 to 110.6 Bq kg−1 for 232Th, and 998 to 1491 Bq kg−1 for 40K. The average concentrations were found to be 55.8 Bq kg−1 for 226Ra, 84.8 Bq kg−1 for 232Th, and 1212 Bq kg−1 for 40K. The study revealed that the concentration of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K were above the global averages. These elevated radioactivity levels can be attributed to the region's geological composition, emphasising the need for regulatory measures to manage the environmental and health impacts of artisanal mining. The study highlights the significant levels of radiation in mining areas, which can pose health risks to both miners and the surrounding community. It emphasizes the need for effective strategies to reduce these risks and provides essential data to guide policies and interventions aimed at ensuring miners, community safety and environmental protection. Monitoring radioactivity in mining areas is crucial to ensure compliance with safety standards and to inform the development of appropriate measures to mitigate the associated risks.

Speaker: pkemoi elijah

Assessment of Natural Radioactivity in Turkwel.docx

16:40 Kimberlite Activation, Radiological Assessment, and Diamond Damage for the MinPET Technology

The ionizing radiation produced during the activation stage of the MinPET technology can pose a radiological concern to the environment and be harmful to biological life if not carefully managed. Moreover, it can lead to the alteration of diamonds (production of defects), making the technology unsuitable for diamond discovery. This study investigates the long-term activation of kimberlite and the issue of alteration of the diamonds. The composition of different kimberlite rocks was obtained from XRF analysis to provide information about the parent isotopes that led to the activated isotopes. The MinPET technique activation stage and the subsequent evolving time differential remnant activation, including all decay pathways, were simulated. The activation experiment used the 100 MeV Aarhus microtron electron beam injector and degraded the beam energy and converted electrons to photons using a combination of stainless steel and copper plates. The samples were placed a distance away from the beam exit, and irradiated and cooled down for 10 minutes respectively.
This is to allow the shorter-lived activated isotopes time to decay. The study analysed the gamma spectrum of the activated radioisotopes and compared the specific activity results for the long-term activation with NORM. Numerical simulations were performed with both Geant4 and FISPACT benchmarked together to experiments, and the results were extrapolated to demonstrate further that the MinPET technique has no long-term radiological concerns, as the specific activity results of different radionuclides are reduce to below the recommended value by the IAEA of 1 Bq/g per isotope. Another part of the study examines the damage due to both the mixed radiation field and the secondary carbon ion cascade. The primary damage created is the single neutral vacancy (GR1 defect) and self interstitials. These interstitials can be the single dumbbell interstitial on the cubic face center (R2 defect) or the self-trapped pair of these (R1 defect).
As most of these defects are optically active, measurements were performed using UV-VIS absorption spectroscopy, IR absorption spectroscopy, and very sensitive photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy at 77K. The result shows that these special techniques possibly found some evidence of MinPET related treatment at the extreme limit of their sensitivity (resonant PL at low temperature with intense pumping). Such a low defect level (below ppb) was not deemed to lead to any effective “alteration” of the diamond, as it could not change the physical, chemical, or optical properties in a reliably detectable manner even at high sensitivities. The results therefore indicate that the radiological safety of the MinPET technology can be engineered by the appropriate. They further show the effect on diamond (defect production) is below a threshold.

Speaker: Thendo Emmanuel Nemakhavhani (University of Johannebsurg)

16:45 Comprehensive Dosimetric Analysis of Cone-Beam CT in radiotherapy: Evaluation of SSDE in Thorax and Pelvic Protocols with Optimization Recommendations

Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is widely used in image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) to improve treatment accuracy, particularly for thoracic and pelvic regions. However, the repeated use of CBCT raises concerns about cumulative radiation exposure, especially to radiosensitive organs. This study presents a comprehensive dosimetric analysis of CBCT protocols for thoracic and pelvic imaging, focusing on size-specific dose estimates (SSDE) to account for patient anatomy. Our findings reveal significant dose variability, with SSDE values ranging from 45.2 mGy to 271.46 mGy for thoracic imaging and 229.31 mGy to 909.11 mGy for pelvic imaging, representing 0.09%-0.44% and 0.76%-1.16% of the total prescribed therapeutic dose, respectively. Smaller patients had disproportionately higher SSDE values due to reduced effective tissue volume, highlighting the need for personalized dose optimization. Comparative analysis with existing studies highlights the importance of adjusting CBCT protocols based on patient size to minimize unnecessary radiation exposure. These findings support individualized imaging strategies and protocol refinements, especially for pediatric and small patients, to improve patient safety without compromising image quality.

Speaker: Soukaina Mefrah (University Mohamed V Faculty of science RABAT)

16:50 Soil-to-rice transfer factors of naturally occurring radionuclides in the Afram Plains, Ghana, and their potential radiological risks

This study investigated the transfer of soil-based natural radionuclides from soil to rice in the Afram Plains and the potential radiological health risk to consumers. Gamma spectrometry was employed to measure activity concentrations of radionuclides in soil and rice samples. Transfer factors (TFs) estimated from the concentrations of U-238, Th-232, and K-40 were above the International Atomic Energy Agency values for TFs. Annual effective dose and excess lifetime cancer risk from rice consumption were below UNSCEAR and global average permissible levels, indicating minimal radiological risk. However, the study recommended strategies to reduce activities that could increase radionuclide concentrations in the future to reduce the potential health risks associated with rice consumption in the study area

Speaker: Eric Ofosu Asare

17:00 → 17:30 Poster Room: 1—Astrophysics & cosmology

17:00 Corrected Thermodynamics of Nonlinear Magnetic-Charged Black Hole Surrounded by Perfect Fluid Dark Matter

In this presentation, we investigate the influence of perfect fluid dark matter and quantum corrections on the thermodynamics of nonlinear magnetic-charged black hole. We consider the metric of the static nonlinear magnetic-charged black hole in the background of perfect fluid dark matter. Starting with the black hole temperature and the corrected entropy, we use the event horizon propriety in order to find the temperature, and based on the surface gravity definition, we find the uncorrected entropy. However, using the definition of the corrected entropy due to thermal fluctuation, we find and plot the entropy of the black hole. We find that the entropy is affected for smaller nonlinear magnetic-charged black holes. Afterwards, we study the thermodynamic stability of the black hole by computing and plotting the evolution of heat capacity. The results show that second-order phase transition occurs, which appears more later as the dark matter parameter decreases, and leads the black hole to move from the stable phase to the unstable phase. Furthermore, we show that the heat capacity for smaller black holes are also affected, since it appears not being only an increasing function. We also find that the behavior of Gibbs energy is modified when taking into account quantum corrections.

Speaker: Dr Ragil Ndongmo (University of Yaoundé I)

17:05 Investigating The Photometric Variability of YSOs in Star Forming Region Sh2-86

This study presents an investigation of analysis of photometric variable Pre-Main Sequence stars in the star-forming region Sharpless 86 (Sh2-86). Sh2-86 is a prominent HII region located in the Vulpecula constellation, known for its active star formation, and is part of the larger Vulpecula OB1 association (Vul OB1; [1]). We identified the young stellar objects (YSOs) census using the method described by Gutermuth et al. 2009 [2], using data from the Spitzer Space Telescope (IRAC and MIPS), 2MASS, and UKIDSS near-infrared data. We utilized TESS light curves, processed with the Eleanor pipeline, to determine the periodicity and variability of these YSOs, and classified them into Classical T Tauri stars (CTTS), Weak-line T Tauri stars (WTTS), and binaries. Additionally, we analyzed Gaia data to estimate the membership of the identified YSOs in Sh2-86 and calculated the distance to the region using both parallax data and color-magnitude diagram (CMD) fitting of isochrones.

Speaker: Ms Dorothy Museo (University of Nairobi, Kenya)

Abstract_Submission.pdf

17:10 Ghana’s Contribution to Planetary Defense through Pan-African Asteroid Search Campaign

Ghana’s Contribution to Planetary Defense through Pan-African Asteroid Search Campaign
Author: GUKUU Bingunmeh Justpa (bingunmeh@gmail.com).
Affiliations: University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), Sunyani, Ghana.

ABSTRACT
Planetary defense is now a global concern due to asteroids and other space objects. Asteroid search is a global effort in planetary defense, and Ghana is silent on this course. As part of NASA’s planetary defense program, the asteroid research citizen science project is, where asteroids are monitored in our solar system, not excluding those that have a potential impact on Earth in the future. The aim of this search campaign was to conduct outreach programs to educate Ghanaian students as citizen scientists on asteroid detection for planetary defense through the Pan-African Asteroid Search Campaign. The detection is done using the Astrometrica software from IASC. The International Astronomical Search Collaboration (IASC) is a leading global educational outreach body that provides high-quality astronomical datasets for citizen scientists to discover asteroids. The Pan-African Citizen Science e-Lab (PACS e-Lab) has been the largest partner of the IASC since December 4, 2020, on the African continent, in recruiting and training citizen scientists in asteroid search campaigns. Over 50 asteroids have been discovered by 60+ African citizen scientists. About 1000 citizen scientists from over 50 countries have been engaged in this project. The PACS e-Lab is set to expand its campaigns to the rest of the continent with the aim of engaging thousands of citizen scientists.

References
The International Astronomical Search Collaboration (IASC). http://iasc.cosmosearch.org/
Pan-African Citizen Science e-Lab (PACS e-Lab) platform, Africa’s leading hub for Astronomy Research, Education, and Outreach. https://pacselab.space/
Marcel, M. C., Diaby, K. A. A., Guennoun, M., Nabifo, B. R., Elattar, M., Rajaonarivelo, A., & Pius, P. (2024). Pan-African Asteroid Search Campaign: Africa’s Contribution to Planetary Defense [Manuscript under review]
Miller, P., Weryk, R., Wainscoat, R., Perret, J., Hartung, S., Vorobjov, T., ... & Pennypacker, C. (2024). The International Astronomical Search Collaboration (IASC)—Citizen Scientist System for Asteroid Discovery. Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 136(2), 024502. https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1538-3873/ad11a0/meta
Bacu, V., Nandra, C., Sabou, A., Ștefănuț, T., & Gorgan, D. (2023). Assessment of asteroid classification using deep convolutional neural networks. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202308.0047.v1

Speaker: Mr BINGUNMEH JUSTPA GUKUU (University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), Sunyani, Ghana.)

ABSTRACT.pdf

17:15 Promoting Citizen Science in Egypt through the Paradox Team and PACS e-Lab Partnership

Citizen Science provides the public with an opportunity to contribute to scientific research. The Pan-African Citizen Science e-Lab (PACS e-Lab) is a nonprofit educational platform dedicated to promoting astronomy and space science in Africa through hands-on projects. It serves as a means of advancing space exploration while enhancing space education and outreach. The Paradox Team is a student-founded group with a passion for space, focused on promoting hands-on projects in astronomy and space science across Egypt and Africa.
Our collaboration with PACS e-Lab began in 2023 following our first joint meeting in September of that year. Since then, we have participated in several projects, including asteroid searches. This project involves identifying and cataloging previously unknown moving objects in astronomical datasets provided by the International Astronomical Search Collaboration (IASC). Using Astrometrica software, we conduct analyses and prepare Minor Planet reports, which are then submitted to IASC for confirmation. The Paradox Team actively engages in this project on a monthly basis, involving over 1,000 students in Egypt. Our efforts have led to numerous preliminary asteroid discoveries.
Additionally, our team members have contributed to PACS e-Lab’s double star research project, utilizing the 0.4m Las Cumbres Observatory telescopes to update the position angles and separations of double stars. Our findings have been published in the Journal of Double Star Observations.
We have also contributed to PACS e-Lab’s astrophotography visual development project, working on several astronomical images. Currently, we are developing an astrophotography program to teach students in Egypt how to process astronomical images. This initiative is being carried out in collaboration with the 0.4m Las Cumbres Observatory telescopes, which are used to capture the images.
Looking ahead, we are excited to participate in additional PACS e-Lab projects, including exoplanet observation and photometry, as well as the ARISS Event. The fourth African Conference on fundamental and applied physics will provide an excellent platform for us to present our work and showcase the incredible projects the Paradox Team is undertaking in Egypt.

Speakers: Kareem Waleed (Paradox Team), Mohamed Elattar, Aya Sabry (Paradox Team / Assiut University)

17:20 Exoplanet Observation & Photometry: Contributing to the Orbital Refinement of Exoplanets Using EXOTIC program

This research focuses on exoplanets by conducting observations on several of them using the MicroObservatory and the EXOTIC program to perform photometry on the data. The purpose of this research is to contribute to the periodic refinement of already discovered exoplanets, preparing them for missions like the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. By analyzing the transit light curve with the EXOplanet Transit Interpretation Code (EXOTIC), this study refined the orbital parameter of exoplanets, notably TrES-3 b. Through my observations, I have contributed to the orbital refinements of 20 exoplanets.

Speaker: Ms Nhi Dinh (Waterford Kamhlaba United World College of Southern Africa)

Exoplanet research.pdf

17:00 → 17:30 Poster Room: 2—Renewable energies

17:00 Developing a Circular Economy Model for End-of-Life Management of Solar PV Systems in Developing Countries

The rapid adoption of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in developing countries is a critical driver of the global transition to renewable energy. However, the growing volume of end-of-life PV waste presents significant environmental and resource challenges, especially in regions with inadequate waste management infrastructure. This study focuses on developing a cost-effective circular economy model tailored to the management of PV waste in developing nations, with Kenya as a case study.

Key components of the proposed model include an assessment of existing waste management practices, an evaluation of current recycling technologies for crystalline silicon PV modules, and recommendations for policy and regulatory frameworks to enhance sustainability. Emphasis is placed on resource recovery and recycling to reclaim critical materials such as silicon and silver, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 7, 12, and 13.

The findings suggest that a circular economy approach can mitigate environmental hazards, promote economic growth through recycling industries, and improve resource efficiency. This model provides actionable insights into integrating end-of-life management with renewable energy expansion, offering a scalable solution for other developing regions.

Authors: Kitheka Kalamazoo Ndomboi.(supervisor, Dr.Solomon Namaswa)

1. Llera, E., Scarpellini, S., Aranda, A., & Zabalza, I. (2013). Forecasting job creation from renewable energy deployment through a value-chain approach. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 21, 262–271.
2. Nooij, M. (2011). Social cost-benefit analysis of electricity interconnector investment: A critical appraisal. Energy Policy, 39, 3096–3105.
3. Richardson, J. (2018). Renewable energy has more economic benefits than you know. Clean Technica. Retrieved from https://cleantechnica.com/2018/03/10/renewable-energy-economic-benefits-know.
4. Sanaha, D., Irzaman, & Mulatsih, S. (2020). Analisis Teknis dan Ekonomis Penerapan Lampu Penerangan Jalan Umum Panel Surya di Kota Sukabumi. Journal of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, 10, 77–88.
5. Wolfe, P. R. (2013). Defining ‘utility-scale’ solar: how we arrived at the threshold of 4MWAC. Wiki Solar. Retrieved from http://wiki-solar.org/data/glossary/utility-scale.html.
6. International Energy Agency (IEA). (2022). Trends in photovoltaic installations. Retrieved from https://www.iea.org.
7. Korhonen, J., Honkasalo, A., & Seppälä, J. (2018). Circular economy: The concept and its limitations. Ecological Economics, 143, 37-46.
8. Tao, M., Wang, Y., & Chen, J. (2022). Advances in PV panel recycling: Challenges and innovations. Renewable Energy, 189, 1220-1235.
9. Huang, L., Zhang, Y., & Liu, J. (2020). Regulatory frameworks for PV waste management: Lessons from the EU. Waste Management, 102, 315-322.
10. World Bank. (2023). Public-private partnerships in waste management: A case study of Kenya. Retrieved from https://www.worldbank.org.
11. Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (Fraunhofer ISE). (2021). Photovoltaics Report. Freiburg, Germany: Fraunhofer ISE. Retrieved from https://www.ise.fraunhofer.de/en/publications/studies/photovoltaics-report.html
12. Chowdhury, M. S., Rahman, K. S., Chowdhury, T., Nuthammachot, N., Techato, K., Akhtaruzzaman, M., Tiong, S. K., Sopian, K., & Amin, N. (2020). An overview of solar photovoltaic panels' end-of-life material recycling. Energy Strategy Reviews, 27, 100431. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esr.2019.100431

Speaker: Kalamazoo Kitheka (ASP Member)

Kitheka Kalamazoo. Proposal..docx

17:05 First Principles Study of K2SbAu Zintl Phase Ternary Compound for Optoelectronic and Thermoelectric Applications

The Zintl phased K2SbAu ternary compound, previously investigated by experimental method and hitherto unexplored by theoretical techniques, has been studied by first-principles methods.The lattice parameters of the K2SbAu ternary compound agree with the experimentally observed ones. We observe the structural stability of the K2SbAu ternary compound using the enthalpy of formation, which is found negative, confirming the thermodynamic stability and possibility of experimental synthesis. The electronic properties suggest narrow indirect band gaps of 0.78 to 1.84 eV using various approximations. Our investigation establishes that the valence bands within K2SbAu are majorly formed through hybridising Au3d and Sb2p states, whereas the hybridisation of Au2p states mainly forms the conduction band. The K2SbAu compound is mechanically stable based on the elastic investigation. Furthermore, we discovered that the compound is ductile, ionic and anisotropic. It is observed that the K2SbAu ternary compound exhibits high optical absorption in the ultraviolet-visible range. The K2SbAu compound has a computed thermoelectric figure of merit of 0.71. Therefore, based on the electronic, optical and thermoelectric properties, the K2SbAu compound is a potential candidate for optoelectronic and thermoelectric devices. Our findings thus provide insights, invoking further experimental investigations.

Speaker: Dr Mwende Mbilo (Monolith Research Group, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197 – 00100, Nairobi, Kenya)

17:10 First-Principles study of superconductivity in LiFeAs: FM, AFM, and NM states via DFT and DFT+U techniques

The interplay between magnetism and superconductivity in Fe-based superconductors remains a topic of significant interest. This study investigates the electronic structure and superconducting properties of LiFeAs in ferromagnetic (FM), antiferromagnetic (AFM), and non-magnetic (NM) states using Density Functional Theory (DFT) and DFT+U
approximations. Notably, the DFT approximation favors AFM coupling, but DFT+U stabilizes an FM configuration in spin-polarized simulations. The DFT approximation predicts a lattice parameter of 3.651 ˚A, a mean-field superconducting transition temperature (Tc(MFA)) of 66K, and a magnetic moment of 1.47μβ per Fe atom. In contrast, DFT+U yields a lattice parameter of 3.768 ˚A, closely matching the experimental value 3.771 ˚A. It also predicts a significantly enhanced Tc(MFA) 791K and a magnetic moment of 3.13μβ per Fe atom. The significance of these findings lies in
the ability of DFT+U to capture electron correlation effects better, leading to structural and magnetic properties that align more closely with experimental observations 3.42μβ . Finally, the DFT+U approximation structure increases bond length and angle by 0.1995 ˚A and 1.4240, respectively, compared to the DFT approximation. The non-magnetic state
appears most favorable for superconductivity, whereas FM and AFM states suppress superconducting behavior because of spin polarization effects. This analysis provides valuable insights into the delicate balance between magnetism and superconductivity in Fe-based materials, contributing to the theoretical understanding of their electronic properties.

Speaker: Manza Kasiab (Adama Science and Technology University)

manuscript.pdf

17:15 Density functional theory study of cobalt sulfide as a counter electrode material for dye-sensitized solar cells

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are viewed as potential substitutes for traditional silicon-based solar cells due to their affordability, impressive performance in low-light conditions, eco-friendly energy production, and adaptability in solar product integration. The use of noble metals such as platinum as counter electrodes in DSSCs was initially limited by their high cost; however, cobalt sulfide (CoS) has been recognized as a viable alternative due to its abundance, non-toxic properties, and cost-effectiveness. In this work, the crystal structure, electronic, optical characteristics, and electrocatalytic activity of the tetragonal phases of cobalt sulfide are investigated through density functional theory with a quantum espresso (QE) package. The results obtained for the lattice parameter are a = b = 3.53 Å and c = 4.80 Å. The generalized gradient approximation and hybrid exchange-correlation function yield bandgaps of 1.63 and 1.69 eV, respectively, which are consistent with the reported experimental values. An analysis of the density of states and the projected density was carried out to validate the accuracy of the calculated band gaps. Additionally, significant information was obtained from the optical properties through the calculation of the dielectric function. The findings reveal real and imaginary static dielectric constants of 11.85 and 0.13, respectively. Furthermore, the measured absorption and conductivity spectra exhibit promising attributes in the UV‒visible range and good electrical conductivity. Moreover, the electrolytic activity was studied to analyze the adsorption energy of CoS and the electrolyte. Generally, the calculated electronic and optical properties of CoS crystals indicate their potential application as CEs in DSSCs.

Speaker: Dereje Gelanu Dadi

manuscript.pdf

17:20 Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) study of the interfacial parameters of [the ITO-Pt electrode] // [electrolytes (KI:EG:I2)], prepared with different KI:EG molar ratios and variable diiodine concentration.

〖 〖Akotchayé Amenou〗^(1,2),Komi Apélété Amou〗^(1,2 ),〖Komlan Segbéya Gadedjisso〗^(2,3) 〖 Essowè Mouzou〗^(1,2) 〖,Mazabalo Baneto〗^(1,2),〖Ayayi Claude Ahyi〗^(4,5)
1_(Solar Energy Laboratory,Department of Physics,Faculty of Science,University of Lomé,01BP 1515,Lomé,Togo) ) 2_(Regional Center of Excellence for the Mastery of Electricity (CERME),University of Lome,01BP1515,Lome,Togo) ) 3_(Laboratory of Physics of Materials and Semiconductor Components,Department of Physics) 4_(Department of Physics,Auburn University,Auburn,AL 36849,United States ) 5_(National Coalition of Independent Researchers,United States )
Abstract: In dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), charge transport performance strongly depends on the properties of the interfaces between the electrolytes and the electrodes. The resistances and capacitances associated with these interfaces play a key role in the dynamics of charge transfer and ion diffusion. This study analyzes by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), the parameters related to the interface [ITO-Pt electrode]//[electrolyte (KI:EG:I2)], in order to evaluate the combined influence of the KI:EG molar ratio (1:5; 1:7; 1:9; 1:11) and the iodine concentration (0.001M; 0.005M; 0.01M) on the electrolyte performance [KI:EG:I2]. Twelve electrolyte formulations (KI:EG:I2), were prepared and characterized by EIS.The results reveal significant correlations between electrolyte composition and its electrochemical properties. The 1:7 molar ratio at 0.001M of I2, exhibits lower average charge transfer resistances (Rct1= 5.204 ; Rct2 = 45.99) and diffusion resistance (Rd=242.6 ), indicating optimal ionic conductivity due to the efficient KI:EG:I2 coordination network. However, its pseudo-capacitive capacitances: (CPE1=9.72F; CPE2= 304F) are lower than those of the ratios: 1:9 at 0.001M: (CPE1= 20.85F ; CPE2= 639F) 1:11 at 0.001M: ( CPE1 = 23.36F ; CPE2 = 128F); 1:7 at 0.005M: ( CPE1 = 17.77F ; CPE2 =176F) and 1:11 at 0.005M: ( CPE1=23.14F ; CPE2 =616F ), suggesting low interfacial stability. The results also show that at low concentration (0.001M); The constant phase element (CPE) increases linearly in the order: CPE (1:5) < CPE (1:7) < CPE (1:9) < CPE (1:11), indicating better ionic interaction in the electrolyte. However, at higher concentrations (0.005M and 0.01M), the CPE no longer follows this linear trend. This suggests saturation of the active sites and non-swimmable diffusion resistances.
Keywords: Electrolytes; Potassium iodide; Ethylene glycol; Diiodine, Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS); Deep eutectic solvents, Resistance, constant phase capacity

Speaker: Mr David Amenou (Université de Lomé)

RESUME.pdf

17:00 → 17:30 Poster Room: 3—Acelerator physics

17:00 Near Infrared Thermal Emitter Based On Nano Scale Grating Metamaterial For Thermo Photovoltaic Power Generation

Today, high energy consumption and thermal energy management are becoming crucial for sustainable energy and a stable environment, since nonrenewable fossil fuels are the main energy source for energy consumption worldwide. Therefore, new technologies are needed to capture energy from alternate sources before fossil fuel runs out. In this work, we designed a nanostructured grating for selective emitters made of tungsten/molybdenum ground film with a hafnium dioxide spacer that is used for thermophotovoltaic energy conversion. To achieve high spectral efficiency, several geometric parameters, including the grating height, dielectric thickness, and incident angle, were optimized, while all the remaining parameters remained fixed. The numerical simulation demonstrated that the mean emittance of the emitter reached 94% for the W-AlN-W structure in the wavelength range of 0.3 − 2.2 μm at normal incidence and 93% for the Mo-AlN-Mo structure in the wavelength range of 0.3 − 2.0 μm at normal incidence. Moreover, the nanostructured grating emitters with InGaAs band gaps of 0.55 eV and 0.62 eV at 1600 K attained 87% and 87.5% spectral efficiency, respectively. Furthermore, the designed metamaterial emitter was polarization independent and exhibited good emissivity over a wide range of incidence angles, from 0° to 75°. The COMSOL software, Quantum ESPRESSO, and Materials Studio computations were used to determine the materials' optical characteristics. Surface plasmon polaritons, magnetic polaritons, and intrinsic metals show significant absorption at the cutoff wavelength. High mean emittance, polarization independence, easy fabrication, cost-effectiveness, high spectral efficiency, and thermal stability are considered the most desirable elements of this work.

Keywords: Energy, Thermo photovoltaic, Emitter, Metamaterial

Speaker: Tesfaye Feyisa (Adama science and technology university)

sendAbstr.pdf

17:05 Measurement and Key Performance Indicators’ Real-Time Assessment of Radio Frequency Interference for Mobile Telecommunications in, Ogbomoso, Nigeria

This study explores the concurrent assessment of RF interference exhausting key performance indicators (KPIs) and measurement techniques personalized for mobile telecommunications in Nigeria. The militating challenges responsible for the low quality of services in telecom sector are identified while possible resolutions are proffered for effective communications. The proliferation of mobile telecommunications in Nigeria has headed to escalation in radio frequency (RF) interference, heartrending network enactment and subscriber experience. The collected statistics were typeset to accomplish numerical examination into Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) processor software. By leveraging real-time data obtained, the signal variability is validated via one way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The upshot reveals that MTN, Globacom and Airtel observed were not statistically significant in terms of variability in signal quality as p > 0.05. Contrariwise, the disparity in signal quality of 9Mobile link depicts statistically significant values as p < 0.05. The investigation ascertains interference bases, enumerates their impression on network performance, and actionable discernments is provided for boosting network quality. The valuation outline incorporates innovative signal observing apparatuses and KPI exploration to augment policymaking for mobile telecommunication management. The discoveries highpoint the significance of instantaneous monitoring in justifying interference, refining service distribution, and subsidiary the unremitting development of Nigeria’s mobile telecommunications subdivision. The research also obliges as a basis for upcoming study in RF interference administration and communications enactment optimization. Installations of Base Transceiver stations (BTS) are hereby suggested in the study area to enhance the signal strength and quality of the mobile network.

Speaker: Dr SHEU AKEEM LAWAL (EMMANUEL ALAYANDE UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, OYO, OYO STATE, NIGERIA)

TOGO CONFEREMCE.doc

17:10 Transparency and tunable slow-fast light in a hybrid cavity optomechanical system

n this paper, we investigate the phenomenon of optomechanically induced transparency (OMIT) in a cavity that has a moving end mirror and is subjected to an external force. Furthermore, we place an optical parametric amplifier (OPA) inside the cavity. We show that the transmission intensity of the probe field and the group delay is enhanced by the parametric gain and phase of the OPA. We also show that this enhancement is influenced by external forces. We believe that these findings could be valuable in the area of quantum information processing.

Speaker: Mr M'bark Amghar (Faculty of science Agadir, Ibnou Zohr University, Morocco.)

Transparency and tunable slow.docx

17:15 Development of a Key Fibre Optic Component for the Affordable Multiple Aperture Spectroscopy Explorer Prototype (AMASE-P)

The Affordable Multiple-Aperture Spectroscopy Explorer Prototype (AMASE-P) is a ground-breaking initiative focused on enhancing high-resolution integral field spectroscopy to probe ionised gas in the Milky Way and other nearby galaxies. A pivotal aspect of AMASE-P is the fibre instrument cable (FIC), which is engineered to effectively channel light from the telescope to the spectrographs. Compact fibre bundles are crucial for observing distributed sky sources, necessitating individual fibre positioning precision within a few microns. AMASE-P marks the debut of 80 micron octagonal core multimode fibres, the smallest utilized in astronomy. This research emphasizes the meticulous placement and alignment of optical fibres within a hexagonal aperture, along with the creation of a computational imaging algorithm to assess fibre positioning precision. During manufacturing, 547 fibres are arranged within a 1.858 mm hexagonal hole, achieving a fibre fill factor exceeding 90% to optimize photon capture. The fibres terminate with 0.3 microns of surface roughness, aligning with the optical wavelength. Deviations beyond $\pm3\mu$m can result in a loss exceeding 10% in observation efficiency. Additionally, stress-free fibre mounting is vital to prevent focal ratio degradation at the output. To overcome these challenges, we have devised a fibre assembly technology combining precise fibre positioning with a metrology system, delivering a positioning accuracy of $\pm3\mu$m. The high-precision algorithm captures images of the fibre bundles and converts pixel data into micron-scale measurements, considering detector resolution, pixel size, and magnification.

This method automates fibre alignment checks, decreases manual labour, and increases assembly productivity. Our technique for developing and characterizing fibre bundles for AMASE-P ensures minimal light loss, even signal distribution, a compact form, and a high fill fraction, setting a new standard for precision assembly in fibre-fed spectrographs utilized in large-scale astrophysical research.

Speaker: Ms Goratamang Ann Gaedie (North-West University/South African Astronomical Observatory)

17:20 A Study Of The Isotope Effect In Superconductors With Emphasis On The Alpha Index

A Study of the Isotope Effect in Superconductors with Emphasis On the Alpha Index

〖R.T.CHAPOLOZA〗^,G.G.NYAMBUYA
National University of Science and Technology,
Faculty of Applied Sciences,
Department of Applied Physics
P.O. Box 939,
Ascot,
Bulawayo
Republic of Zimbabwe
〖Email:ronaldtafarachapoloza@gmail.com〗^
Abstract
This study investigates the isotope effect in superconductors, focusing on the alpha index (α), which quantifies the dependence of the critical temperature (Tc) on isotopic mass (M). While the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) theory predicts α = 0.5 for phonon-mediated Cooper pairing, significant deviations in materials such as Uranium (α ≈ -2.00) and other superconductors such as Os and Ru (α ≈ 0.00) challenge conventional frameworks. This work addresses these discrepancies by developing a novel analytical model that integrates lattice dynamics, Coulomb interactions, and energy-state symmetry to relate α, Tc, M, and bulk modulus (B). The model, derived from classical mechanics and quantum principles, posits that thermal energy equivalence between lattice phonons and electron kinetic energy at Tc yields the relationship; M^(-α) Tc ∝ K.B, bridging gaps between BCS theory and anomalous superconductors.
Experimental validation using data from nine elemental superconductors (Zr, Sn, Hg, Cd, Mo, TI, Os, Ru, U) confirms the model’s predictive power. Key findings reveal that deviations in α correlate with lattice stiffness (B) and anharmonic phonon effects, offering insights into unconventional superconductivity mechanisms. For instance, uranium’s negative α (α = -2.0) and high B (~100 GPa) suggest non-phononic pairing dominated by electronic correlations. Conversely, conventional superconductors like Pb (α = 0.49) align closely with the model’s predictions.
This study advances the understanding of the isotope effect by unifying nuclear mass, lattice rigidity, and electron-phonon coupling into a single framework. It provides a predictive tool for tailoring High-Tc materials, such as hydrogen-rich superconductors, and highlights the role of lattice anharmonicity in next-generation quantum materials. The results hold implications for applications in energy transmission, medical imaging, and quantum computing, while offering a pathway to reconcile classical and quantum descriptions of superconductivity.

Keywords: Isotope effect, Alpha index, Critical temperature, Bulk modulus, BCS theory, Phonon-mediated pairing.

References:
Bardeen, J., Cooper, L. N., & Schrieffer, J. R. (1957). Theory of Superconductivity. Physical Review, 108(5), 1175–1204.
Tinkham, M. (2004). Introduction to Superconductivity (2nd ed.). Dover Publications.
Geballe, T. H., Matthias, B. T., & Compton, V. B. (1966). Superconductivity. Reviews of Modern Physics, 38(1), 1–35.
Boeri, L., & Bachelet, G. B. (2019). Anharmonicity and the isotope effect in High-Tc superconductors. NPJ Quantum Materials, 4(1), 1–8.
Maxwell, E. (1950). Isotope Effect in the Superconductivity of Mercury. Physical Review, 78(4), 477.
Kittel, C. (2005). Introduction to Solid State Physics (8th ed.). Wiley

Speaker: Mr Ronald Tafara Chapoloza (National University of Science and Technology-(NUST))

Abstract for 4th African Conference on Fundamental and Applied Physics (ACP2025).pdf

17:00 → 17:30 Poster Room: 4-Fluid & plasma physics

17:00 Simulation and analysis of high-performance HTL- SrZrS3 based perovskite solar cells: Comparative study

To address the stability and toxicity issues of halide perovskites, we proposed chalcogenide perovskites as an alternative family of materials with the intention to replace halide perovskites for photovoltaic and other optoelectronic applications. Zr-based chalcogenides AZrS3 (A=Ba, Ca, or Sr) are the most studied family of chalcogenide perovskites for optoelectronic properties, due to their low cost, high absorption coefficients, and high Power Conversion Efficiency (PCE) compared to that of organo-metal halide perovskite solar cells. A device simulation of SrZrS3 as an absorbing material solar cells, as well as a proposal of low-cost Hole Transport Materials HTMs (Cu2O, CuSCN, and NiOx), were performed by using SCAPS-1D software. Parameters such as (thickness, doping concentration, and temperature) for each configuration are varied in order to inspect their impact on the device performance. As a result, we have found that for SrZrS3, the optimized configuration is: Au (metal back contact)/NiOx (HTM)/SrZrS3 (Absorber)/ZnO (ETM)/FTO (Fluorine doped Tin Oxide), which delivered at 300 K: PCE of 14.64 %, V_OC (Open Circuit Voltage) of 1.20 V, 〖 J〗_SC (Short Circuit current density) of 22.10 mA/cm2, and FF (Fill Factor) of 55.31 %.

Speaker: Najwa Chawki (Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V University in Rabat,)

17:05 Spiral magnetism and chiral superconductivity in a Kondo-Hubbard triangular lattice model

Building on the results of [Faye et al., Phys. Rev. B 97, 235151 (2018)], which identified an antiferromagnetic (AFM) and Kondo singlet phases on the Kondo-Hubbard square lattice, we use the variational cluster approximation to investigate the competition between these phases on a two-dimensional triangular lattice with 120 degree spin orientation. In addition to the AFM exchange interaction J⊥ between the localized (impurity) and conduction (itinerant) electrons, our model includes the local repulsion U of the conduction electrons and the Heisenberg interaction J H between the impurities. At half filling, we obtain the quantum phase diagrams in both planes (J⊥, UJ⊥) and (J⊥,JH). We identify a long-range, three-sublattice, spiral magnetic order which
dominates the phase diagrams for small J⊥ and moderate U, while a Kondo singlet phase becomes more stable at large J⊥. The transition from the spiral magnetic order to the Kondo singlet phase is a second-order phase
transition. In the (J⊥, JH) plane, we observe that the effect of JH is to reduce the Kondo singlet phase, giving more room to the spiral magnetic order phase. It also introduces some small magnetic oscillations of the spiral magnetic order parameter. At finite doping and when spiral magnetism is ignored, we find superconductivity with
symmetry order-parameter d + id, which breaks time-reversal symmetry. The superconducting order parameter has a dome centered at around 5% hole doping, and its amplitude decreases with increasing J⊥. We show that spiral magnetism can coexist with d + id state and that superconductivity is suppressed, indicating that these two phases are in competition.

Speaker: oumar ndiaye (Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar Sénégal - Département de Physique- Institut de Technologie Nucléaire Appliquée)

17:10 Electronic collisions with molecular cations: species relevant in the edge of the fusion plasma and plasma facing material in the fusion devices.

The content is given in the attachment section.

Speaker: Raju Ghosh (Sukumar Sengupta Mahavidyalaya)

Ghosh_R.pdf

17:15 Quantum capacitance of molybdenum modified graphene for spintronic application: First principles calculations

We perform spin-polarized calculation base on density functional theory in the frame of generalized gradient approximation to examine the quantum capacitance (CQ) and surface charge storage of graphene(G)-based supercapacitor electrodes modified with molybdenum, sulfur, nitrogen, and monovacancy. Several electrode models, including graphitic doping, monovacancy doping, and Mo adsorption on pristine and single-vacancy graphene structures were examined. The results demonstrate that vacancy defects and N/S/Mo doping enhances the CQ of graphene. Among all configurations, pyrrolic-S (d1S) showed the lowest CQ performance due to few states at the Fermi level. Electrodes with Mo adsorption exhibit the highest CQ, particularly when Mo is adsorbed at the top site of graphene. However, formation and adsorption energy calculations suggest Mo is more likely to adsorb at hollow sites. Optimally, Mo can be most effectively utilized by loading it onto vacancy or N/S-decorated vacancy sites. The significant contribution of Mo’s 4dz2 and 4s states to CQ, along with the charge-redistribution around the Mo complexes, may facilitate proton-coupled electron transfer to enhance pseudocapacitance

Speaker: Eric K. K. Abavare

ABSTRACT TOGO.docx

17:20 Enhancing phase sensitivity of SU(1,1) interferometer with superposition of even and odd coherent states

The SU(1,1) interferometer, a nonlinear analog of the traditional Mach-Zehnder interferometer, has emerged as a powerful tool for achieving phase sensitivity beyond the standard quantum limit (SQL). In this work, we propose the using of a superposition of even and odd coherent states as input states to enhance the phase sensitivity of an SU(1,1) interferometer. These non-classical states exhibit unique properties such as squeezing, entanglement, and quantum interference, which can be harnessed to improve metrological precision. We analyze the phase sensitivity using single-intensity detection and homodyne detection schemes, demonstrating significant improvements over classical and even squeezed-vacuum inputs. Furthermore, we calculate the quantum Cramér-Rao bound (QCRB) using the quantum Fisher information technique for the superposition state, showing that it surpasses the SQL and approaches the Heisenberg limit under optimal conditions. Our results highlight the potential of superposition states in quantum metrology and provide a pathway for achieving ultra-precise phase measurements in SU(1,1) interferometers for applications in gravitational wave detection, optical sensing, and quantum information processing.

Speaker: Abdelmajid El Maaroufi (Laboratoire: Physique des Matériaux et Subatomique (LPMS), Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences, University Ibn Tofail, Kenitra, Morocco.)

17:00 → 17:30 Poster Room: 5-Biophysics

17:00 Optical detection and Classification of Bacteria Images Obtained Optically Using RESNET Variants

The rapid and accurate detection of bacteria is crucial for ensuring public health and preventing the spread of infections. Traditional bacterial identification methods often require expensive equipment, specialized personnel, and extensive processing time, making them impractical for real-time applications. This study proposes an optical detection and classification framework that leverages ResNet variants, a class of deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs), to classify bacterial images obtained optically. The system captures bacterial images using optical microscopy techniques and processes them through ResNet architectures, enabling automated and precise classification. Experimental results demonstrate that our model achieves a high classification accuracy while maintaining low computational complexity. The findings of this research contribute to the development of a real-time, cost-effective, and scalable bacterial detection system, paving the way for advancements in automated microbiological diagnostics.

Speaker: Lizette Nange CHIA (University of Dschang, Cameroon)

17:05 Utilizing Artificial Intelligence Techniques for Facial Detection

Facial detection is a rapidly evolving field, driven by recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. This presentation explores the current techniques employed in facial detection, with a focus on computer vision algorithms, such as convolutional neural networks (CNNs), which have revolutionized this discipline.
We will begin with an introduction to the fundamental concepts of facial detection, explaining the various stages of the process, from face localization to feature extraction. We will then discuss traditional methods, such as Haar cascade classifiers, before delving into AI-based approaches. Modern models, including CNN architectures and transfer learning techniques, significantly enhance the accuracy and robustness of facial detection, even under challenging lighting conditions or with partially obscured faces. We will also address the datasets used to train these models and the associated challenges, such as data diversity and algorithmic biases. Finally, we will examine practical applications of facial detection across various domains, including security, marketing, and healthcare. We will conclude by discussing the ethical implications and regulatory considerations surrounding the use of these technologies, emphasizing the importance of responsible and transparent development.
This presentation aims to provide a comprehensive overview of AI techniques applied to facial detection while encouraging reflection on their societal implications.

Speaker: Mrs Guillène Martiale WANDJA (University of Yaoundé 1)

Abstracts WANDJA.pdf

17:10 Machine Learning-Driven Spectroscopic Analysis for Early Detection of Autoimmune Diseases

This study focuses on the development of innovative screening techniques for autoimmune diseases, particularly Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), aiming to overcome the limitations of invasive and costly analyses. By leveraging non-invasive spectroscopic methods, along with the analysis of easily acquired biological tissues like nails, hair, and skin, the research aims to enable rapid, real-time, and cost-effective disease detection on-site. The investigation involves comparing the results of tissue analyses with traditional blood analyses, encompassing patients at different disease stages. The objective is to establish criteria for disease prevention and progression through cluster analysis, drawing from extensive expertise in spectroscopic techniques and previous studies in related pathologies. Additionally, the study explores the potential of machine learning to automate screening processes, anticipating significant contributions to diagnosis prediction and classification of autoimmune diseases.

Speaker: Sarra Ben Brik (Laboratory of Atomic and Molecular Spectroscopy & Applications, Faculty of Sciences, University of Tunis El Manar)

17:15 Creating an AI for Tracking and Addressing Environmental Hazards on African- American communities

In the United States, several environmental issues such as air pollution, bad water levels, wildfires, climate change, etc have easily targeted and affected underrepresented communities. Specifically throughout New York City, there are predominately Black neighborhoods that have suffered far worse environmental hazards in comparison to other communities. This in response to a lack of public knowledge and resources available to identify these 'high risks' communities to inform minorities. To address this current problem this research involves creating an AI model that identifies communities at greater risk of specific environmental issues. Preprocessed data gets fed into the machine learning model as input, with the expectation that the model detects high to low level risk communities. Moreover, the data itself comes from public reports of different areas within New York City and that underlying environmental statistics. Under different machine learning algorithms, it is the expectation that the model gets trained and tested in a way to be able to identify these communities at high risks. By creating this AI model we can start to promote environmental justice in underrepresented communities along with public policy initiatives.

Speaker: Shereena Thames

17:20 EASy Exam: Artificial Intelligence for Pattern Recognition of Ultrasound Images

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S, with fatalities increasing from 928,741 in 2023 to 931,578 in 2024. Moreover, there has been immense pressures on the healthcare system due to delayed or inaccurate diagnosis for heart-related issues and deaths. To bridge this gap between high heart-related deaths and low treatment plans, EASyExam is an Al-driven diagnostic tool designed to provide faster and more accurate assessments for patients. Prior teams developed the model to convert heart ultrasound videos into images under a merged framed approach, to achieve an 89.7% validation accuracy. But the model faces other challenges outside of that as well such as data limitations, spatial and temporal issues that need revision to improve overall Al accuracy and interpretability. Part of this year's research goal was to increase the model's accuracy and address the model's constraints to further aid doctor's decisions and treatment plans related to heart issues. These methodologies included creating a sliding window implementation for better data processing, a CNN-LSTM architecture for both spatial and temporal feature analysis and the GRAD-CAM overlay which displays a heatmap. Implementing different architectures and methodologies allowed us to analyze precision, accuracy and loss results from the dataset. Overall, we were able to optimize the Al-driven diagnostic tool to offer more precise and reliable heart ultrasound assessments, reducing the chances of misdiagnosis and aiding in faster clinical decision-making. These advancements pave the way for improved patient outcomes and demonstrate the potential of Al in transforming cardiovascular disease diagnostics.

Speaker: Shereena Thames

17:30 → 18:00 Poster Room: 1—High Energy Physics

17:30 Nonextensive Black Hole Thermodynamics from Generalized Euclidean Path Integral and Wick’s Rotation

This paper extends the Euclidean path integral formalism to account for nonextensive thermodynamics. Concretely, we introduce a generalized Wick's rotation from real time $t$ to imaginary time $\tau$ such that, $t\rightarrow-i f_\alpha(\tau)$, where $f_\alpha$ a differentiable function and $\alpha$ is a parameter related to nonextensivity. The standard extensive formalism is recovered in the limit $\alpha\rightarrow0$ and $f_0(\tau)=\tau$. Furthermore, we apply this generalized Euclidean path integral to black hole thermodynamics and derive the generalized Wick's rotations given the nonextensive statistics. The proposed formulation enables the treatment of nonextensive statistics on the same footing as extensive Boltzmann-Gibbs statistics. Moreover, we define a universal measure, $\eta$, for the nonextensivity character of statistics. Lastly, based on the present formalism, we strengthen the equivalence between the AdS-Schwarzschild black hole in Boltzmann-Gibbs statistics and the flat-Schwarzschild black hole within R\'enyi statistics and suggest a potential reformulation of the $AdS_5$/$CFT_4$ duality.

Speaker: Prof. FAICAL BARZI (IBN ZOHR UNIVERSITY)

17:35 Probing the Dead Cone using the Lund Jet Plane

In high-energy particle collisions, protons emit quarks and gluons, which are modelled to interact with the surrounding vacuum to produce more quarks and gluons in a cascading process known as a parton shower. Eventually, these particles combine to form hadrons, collectively moving in the same direction to create what we observe as a jet. The Lund Jet Plane (LJP), mapping the momentum and angular orientation of emitted gluons from a quark, aids in studying jet substructure. Here, we use this representation to investigate the Dead Cone phenomenon, where gluon radiation around a massive quark is suppressed in heavy-flavour jets. The challenge in experimental observation of the Dead Cone arises from its small angle parameterized by the ratio of the quark mass $m_Q$ to its energy $E_Q$, $\theta_{DC}= m_Q/E_Q$. Our theoretical analysis aims to develop a new method of observation using PYTHIA8 and RIVET computational tools. Presenting findings from analyzing the emission density within the LJP using simulated samples, we aim to identify the Dead Cone signature from the shower pattern on this triangular phase-space region. Our study seeks to validate the Dead Cone's presence, its impact on jet behaviour, and the efficiency of our simulation in capturing underlying mechanisms governing jet formation and evolution, thereby affirming the theoretical predictions in quantum chromodynamics.

Speaker: Ofentse Octovia Matlhakola (University of the Witwatersrand (ZA))

OMatlhakola_Abstract.pdf

17:40 Muon vs electron Colliders for Charged Higgs Production in the 2HDM.

We study the phenomenology of the charged Higgs boson at future muon colliders. We investigate both the pair production µ+µ− → H+H−, the single production µ+µ− → W±H∓, as well as the Vector Boson Fusion (VBF) {e+e−, µ+µ−} → ννH¯+H−. We show that the neutral Higgs exchange diagrams in the muon collider case can lead to a significant boost in the cross sections through their Yukawa couplings. Our results for the muon collider are systematically compared to the corresponding ones at e+e− machines. It is demonstrated that the vector boson fusion (VBF) e+e− → ννH¯+H− can compete with the mentioned 2 → 2 processes. We select benchmark points and perform signal-background analyses, considering detector simulations. We demonstrate the discovery region at 5σ and the excluded region at 2σ levels at a 3 TeV muon collider.

Speaker: Mr Brahim Ait Ouazghour (LPHEA, Faculty of Science Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University.)

17:45 Optical Aspect of Cosmological Black Holes in Einstein-Maxwell-Dilaton Theory

\documentclass[12pt,a4paper]{article}
\usepackage{times}
\textwidth160mm
\textheight247mm
\oddsidemargin0cm
\topmargin-0.5in
\pagestyle{empty}
\renewcommand{\baselinestretch}{1}
\begin{document}
\begin{center}
% TITLE
{\large{\bf Optical Aspect of Cosmological Black Holes in Einstein-Maxwell-Dilaton Theory} }
% AUTHORS
\vskip0.5\baselineskip{\bf \underline{Mohamed Amin Rbah}$^{1}$, Hajar Belmahi$^{2}$}
% AFFILIATION
\vskip0.5\baselineskip{\em$^{1}$Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V University of Rabat, Rabat, Morocco \$^{2}$Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V University of Rabat, Rabat, Morocco }\
\end{center}

\noindent
% ABSTRACT BODY
Motivated by string theory scenarios, we study the optical aspect of AdS black holes in Einstein-Maxwell-dilaton theory. We investigate the shadows and the deflection angle of light rays by such cosmological black holes. For non-rotating solutions, we observe perfect circular shadows whose sizes depend on parameters such as the charge and cosmological constant. Using the Newman-Janis formalism and the Hamilton-Jacobi algorithm, we examine rotating black hole shadows and reveal that their size and shape are influenced by the rotation parameter. By comparing with Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) data, we impose constraints on these parameters. Additionally, we compute the deflection angle of light rays near these cosmological black holes. Our analysis shows that the cosmological constant's effect on the deflection angle depends on the coupling between the black hole parameters. When rotation is introduced, this effect becomes analogous to that seen in ordinary AdS black holes. These findings offer insights into the optical properties of AdS black holes in Einstein-Maxwell-dilaton theory and their potential connection to empirical data.

Currently, I am also developing works related to the Swampland Programme, aiming to explore the implications of quantum gravity constraints on effective field theories. This ongoing research bridges the optical properties of black holes with fundamental aspects of high-energy physics, offering a deeper understanding of the connections between string theory, quantum gravity, and cosmology.

\begingroup
\renewcommand{\section}[2]{}
\begin{thebibliography}{0}
\setlength{\parskip}{0mm}
\setlength{\itemsep}{-0.3mm}
\small
\bibitem{ref1} H. Belmahi and M. A. Rbah, Optical Aspect of Cosmological Black Holes in Einstein-Maxwell-Dilaton Theory, arXiv:2409.08903.
\end{thebibliography}
\endgroup

\end{document}

Speaker: Mohamed Amin RBAH (Mohammed V University)

EMD.pdf

17:50 Non-collision background studies

Non-collision activities prior to LHC beam collisions observed in ATLAS can be beam-induced when beam protons interact with upstream collimators, residual gas within the beam pipe, the beam pipe itself or caused by the exposure to high-energy particles from cosmic rays showers produced in the atmosphere, then cosmic muons can penetrate until the ATLAS cavern mainly via the two large access shafts.

Both beam-induced and cosmic-ray backgrounds can cause a trigger by themselves or they can overlap with a collision event and together form a signature leading to a trigger. Beam halo and beam gas protons results in energetic muons that reach the calorimeter and are reconstructed as fake jets. Cosmic ray high-energy muons induce hits in muon spectrometer, leave energy deposits in the calorimeters and induce jet candidates that are usually not in-time with the collision products.
Unconventional new-physics signals involving e.g neutral long-lived particles LLP decaying hadronically in the calorimeter and coming at rest within the detector volume that gives displaced jets very similar to fake jets from beam induced background or cosmic background, also decay candidate events only detected for LLP are triggered in the empty bunch crossings, thereby NCB group provides important studies on unusual backgrounds without pointing or timing requirement featuring special triggers, streams and datasets to support identification methods and background rate estimates.
This talk will cover online monitoring of beam conditions, offline analysis of BIB with tracking system and calorimeters used by exotics search to implement new flag methods for Run3 based on Run2 results, cosmic induced background studies with calorimeter system exploiting geometrical relation between muon segments and jet for tag featuring cosmic reconstruction, that is employed by SUSY searches and studies with RPC muon system by exploiting timing information to distinguish respectively collision and cosmic muons.

Speaker: Fatima Zahra Lahbabi (Universite Hassan II, Ain Chock (MA))

17:30 → 18:00 Poster Room: 2-Materials Physics

17:30 OPTIMIZING GLOBAL ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND PROMOTING SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH DATA DRIVEN INSIGHT

OPTIMIZING GLOBAL ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND PROMOTING SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH DATA DRIVEN INSIGHT
Thomas O. Daniel
*Corresponding e-mail: daniel.thomas@funai.edu.ng ; danielojonugwathomas@gmail.com

Abstract
Global energy consumption has grown significantly over the past decades due to rapid industrialization, technological advancements, and population growth. While fossil fuels remain the dominant energy source, their extensive use has resulted in environmental degradation and heightened concerns over climate change. This study analyses global energy consumption patterns from 1980 to 2021 using the Kaggle Global Energy Statistics dataset. By examining trends in petroleum, natural gas, coal, nuclear, and renewable energy consumption across continents, it identifies regional disparities and their underlying causes. The results emphasize the need for immediate, medium and long term strategies to transition toward cleaner energy sources. Recommendations are provided to policymakers, industries, and stakeholders to improve energy efficiency and equity while promoting global sustainability.

Keywords: Global energy consumption, fossil fuels, nuclear energy, renewable energy, sustainability

Speaker: THOMAS OJONUGWA DANIEL (DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS, FACULTY OF PHYSICAL SCIENCES, ALEX EKWUEME FEDERAL UNIVERSITY NDUFU ALIKE)

ACP ABSTRACT-OPTIMIZING GLOBAL ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND PROMOTING SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH DATA DRIVEN INSIGHT.docx

17:35 Nonlinear Polarization Waves in Thin-film Ferroelectric Materials: The Case of Barium Titanate (BaTiO3)

Thin-film ferroelectrics belong to an important class of materials showing very interesting nonlinear optical properties that have a variety of applications in photonic devices. Using a model that employs the Landau-Ginzburg-Devonshire Mean Field Theory, where the order parameter follows the same transformation characteristics as the polarization, we obtain a continuous Hamiltonian considering the space and time dependence of polarization with an interaction term between two polarization domains. This gives rise to the thin-film polarization equation for ferroelectric materials which is a form of nonlinear Klein-Gordon equation. We therefore study the propagation of nonlinear waves including solitons in barium titanate as a thin-film ferroelectric material by taking into consideration the damping effect. We apply different analytical methods to solve this equation in order to obtain the analytical solutions. As a result, we obtain singular waves, bright solitons, dark solitons, envelop solitons, kink and antikink solitons for polarization in barium titanate. We also show the effect of the damping on the solutions obtained. The numerical solution of the thin-film polarization equation is found by using the fourth order Runge-Kutta algorithm.
This numerical solution is in accordance with some analytical solutions obtained. The result of this study gives evidence of the propagation of kink solitons and the presence of modulated waves in thin film ferroelectric barium titanate. Through modulational instability analysis we arrive at the conclusion that damping in the system increases modulational instability in ferroelectric barium titanate. This study therefore gives more information on the dynamics of polarization in ferroelectric materials which is an important contribution to Material Science Physics.

Speaker: Jaurel Kagho Zanguim (University of Padova)

Abstract Submitted.pdf

17:40 Simulation and analysis of high-performance HTL- SrZrS3 based perovskite solar cells: Comparative study

To address the stability and toxicity issues of halide perovskites, we proposed chalcogenide perovskites as an alternative family of materials with the intention to replace halide perovskites for photovoltaic and other optoelectronic applications. Zr-based chalcogenides AZrS3 (A=Ba, Ca, or Sr) are the most studied family of chalcogenide perovskites for optoelectronic properties, due to their low cost, high absorption coefficients, and high Power Conversion Efficiency (PCE) compared to that of organo-metal halide perovskite solar cells. A device simulation of SrZrS3 as an absorbing material solar cells, as well as a proposal of low-cost Hole Transport Materials HTMs (Cu2O, CuSCN, and NiOx), were performed by using SCAPS-1D software. Parameters such as (thickness, doping concentration, and temperature) for each configuration are varied in order to inspect their impact on the device performance. As a result, we have found that for SrZrS3, the optimized configuration is: Au (metal back contact)/NiOx (HTM)/SrZrS3 (Absorber)/ZnO (ETM)/FTO (Fluorine doped Tin Oxide), which delivered at 300 K: PCE of 14.64 %, V_OC (Open Circuit Voltage) of 1.20 V, 〖 J〗_SC (Short Circuit current density) of 22.10 mA/cm2, and FF (Fill Factor) of 55.31 %.

Speaker: Ms Najwa Chawki (Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V University in Rabat,)

17:45 Study of the electronic and optical properties of Ba3PCl3 antiperovskite using the DFT/GW-BSE approach

Study of the electronic and optical properties of Ba3PCl3 antiperovskite using the DFT/GW-BSE approach
Solar power is the most abundant, free, and sustainable energy source. There is a pressing need to develop next-generation photovoltaics (PVs) that are cheap and highly efficient to harvest the solar energy. A well-studied potential material for such purpose is perovskite with over 24% efficiency reached (Kim et al, 2020). An emerging variant of perovskite is the antiperovskite.  It is the inverse of perovskite with a general formula X3BA3 (Tang et al, 2024), where X is an alkaline earth element, B is group 5A pnictogen and A is halogen. Other forms of antiperovskites are double antiperovskites (X6 AA’B2 and X6 BB’A2) (Han et al, 2021). In this work, the newly designed Ba3PCl3 antiperovskite (Tang et al, 2024) was studied for possible application in solar cells. Electronic properties and optical properties of the antiperovskite were computed using density functional theory (DFT-PBE) and GW/Bethe Salpeter (BSE) level of theories as implemented in Quantum Espresso and YAMBO, respectively. DFT-PBE was used to obtain ground state properties such as electron and hole effective masses, and bulk modulus. GW was employed to obtain excitation energies like accurate band gap while BSE was used to compute optical properties and exciton binding energy. 
The antiperovskite was found to have a direct band gap with calculated DFT-PBE and GW band gaps as 0.96 and 1.56 eV, respectively. Both real and imaginary dielectric functions of the antiperovskite were computed using Bethe-Salpeter Equation (BSE) level of theory. The dielectric functions were used to obtain different optical properties including absorption spectra, reflectivity, refractive index, etc.
The results obtained show that Ba3PCl3 could be useful for solar cell applications since it has a direct band gap and matches the gap (1-1.8 eV) required for efficient photovoltaic devices. Further investigation of antiperovskites Ba3PCl3 was carried out to know its suitability for photocatalytic water splitting, which is another way of storing solar energy as Hydrogen fuel. One of the conditions for a material to be suitable as photocatalyst for water spiltting is possessing a suitable band gap (1.5-2.4 eV) (Li et al, 2013) - A condition which Ba3PCl3 fulfilled. Other conditions for material suitability for photocatalysis were verified.

References
Tang, G., Liu, X., Wang, S., Hu, T., Feng, C., Zhu, C., ... & Hong, J. (2024). Designing antiperovskite derivatives via atomic-position splitting for photovoltaic applications. Materials Horizons, 11(21), 5320-5330.
Han, D., Feng, C., Du, M. H., Zhang, T., Wang, S., Tang, G., ... & Ebert, H. (2021). Design of high-performance lead-free quaternary antiperovskites for photovoltaics via ion type inversion and anion ordering. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 143(31), 12369-12379.
Kim, J. Y., Lee, J. W., Jung, H. S., Shin, H., & Park, N. G. (2020). High-efficiency perovskite solar cells. Chemical reviews, 120(15), 7867-7918.
Li, Z.; Luo, W.; Zhang, M.; Feng, J.; Zou, Z. Photoelectrochemical cells for solar hydrogen production: Current state of promising photoelectrodes, methods to improve their properties, and outlook. Energy Environ. Sci. 2013, 6, 347–370

Speaker: Ms Blessing Bamigbade (University of Ibadan)

anti_plot.pdf

Study of the electronic and optical properties of Ba3PCl3 antiperovskite.pdf

17:50 Mechanoluminescence Properties of Mn²⁺ Doped CaZnOS Phosphors

ABSTRACT
The purpose of this project was to investigate the mechanoluminescence properties of Mn²⁺ doped CaZnOS phosphors and analyze their potential applications in stress sensing and radiation dosimetry. Mechanoluminescence (ML) is a phenomenon where materials emit light under mechanical stress, making them valuable for impact detection and structural monitoring.

In this study, Mn²⁺ doped CaZnOS phosphors were synthesized using the solid-state reaction method and subjected to structural, morphological, and optical characterization. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed phase formation, while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) provided insights into surface morphology and particle distribution. UV-visible spectroscopy was employed to analyze optical properties and bandgap variations. The ML response was systematically examined under controlled mechanical stress to evaluate luminescence efficiency and emission behavior.

The results indicated that Mn²⁺ doping significantly enhances the ML intensity by modifying the trap depth and charge recombination mechanisms. A direct correlation was observed between applied mechanical force and emitted light intensity, demonstrating the material’s potential for self-powered sensing applications. These findings highlight the suitability of Mn²⁺ doped CaZnOS phosphors for stress sensing, impact detection, and radiation dosimetry. The study contributes to the development of advanced luminescent materials, offering new possibilities for real-world sensor applications and further advancements in mechanoluminescence-based technologies.

Speaker: Manjot Grewal (UNIVERSITY OF DELHI)

17:30 → 18:00 Poster Room: 3-Light Sources

17:30 THREE PHOTON THEORETICAL ANALYSIS OF THE NARROW LINE PROFILE FOR ENHANCED ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY OF 85Rb

In this work, a theoretical framework for the spectroscopy of the $6\text{P}_{3/2}$ state in $^{85}Rb$ is demonstrated using a triple resonance spectroscopy technique implemented in the V-type plus a two-level system addressed by 780 nm, 420 nm and 421 nm lasers. This has been achieved using the density matrix formalism under electric dipole and rotating wave approximations and simulated using the MATLAB software. Under the weak probe regime, dark state condition on the upper ground level $(5\text{S}_{1/2}, F=3)$ is studied in an optical pumping four level system. The dark state broadens the absorption line profile to 34.4 MHz at full width at half maximum thus limiting the resolution of closely spaced hyperfine levels of $6\text{P}_{3/2}$ state with natural linewidths of about 1.42 MHz. To eliminate the dark state formation under weak probe regime, triple resonance technique has been utilized for population transfer of zero-velocity group atoms over a weak transition. In this analysis, a narrow dip with a linewidth of 12.5 MHz is formed at the line center of the absorption spectrum. The dip is as a result of coherence effects causing electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) and population transfer. Coherence effects causing EIT is also investigated in the system by locking the IR pump laser on a cyclic transition. The decay rates for the excited states energy levels are observed to contribute to coherence effects in the triple resonance system. Besides dark state line broadening mechanism, the effect of wavelength mismatch is also investigated. This mismatch in wavelength results from partial cancellation of wave vector thus leading to partial Doppler broadening of the absorption line profile by 3.15 MHz. velocity induced population oscillations (VIPO) and velocity selective saturation (VSS) effects has therefore been utilized to study this phenomenon. A narrow linewidth of about 10.8 MHz is achieved. It is therefore noted that, population transfer is a necessary but not sufficient method for resolving closely spaced lines to near natural linewidths. Further work can be done to mitigate power broadening effects caused by the coupling laser fields and the effects of mixing rates for ground states populations.

Speaker: Mr Enock Santeto (Multimedia university of Kenya)

17:35 Systematics study of ground-state bands in rotating even-even nuclei to reveal triaxial deformation at ground state

The question of whether atomic nuclei can have triaxial shapes at their ground states is still an ongoing subject of debate. In this study, we systematically analyze the ground-state bands of rotating even-even nuclei to identify the presence of triaxiality across the nuclear chart using experimental data. We apply the newly proposed Coriolis analysis method, which involves plotting $E_{\gamma} = E(I) - E(I-2)$ as a function of spin $I$. Of particular interest is the value $I_c$ at which the curve crosses the x-axis. Using this method, we analyzed over 600 deformed even-even rotating nuclei and obtained results for 268 of them. The results show that these nuclei exhibit three distinct shapes: axially symmetric, stable triaxial, and $\gamma$-unstable shapes. A comparison of these theoretical and our experimental results, predicted by different models like the FRLDM calculations, shows that several hundred nuclei are affected by triaxiality [1]. A good agreement was found between the theoretical and experimental results, providing further evidence that the proposed approach is reliable. The analysis provides detailed information about the nuclear shapes associated with the nuclear ground-state band, helping determine whether the shape is axially symmetric or triaxial. The results of this work will be discussed at the South African Institute of Physics conference.

[1] P. M¨oller, R. Bengtsson, B.G. Carlsson, P. Olivius, and T. Ichikawa. Global calculations of ground-state axial shape asymmetry of nuclei. Phys. Rev. Lett., vol. 97, p. 162502, Oct 2006.
URL https://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevLett.97.162502.

Speaker: NKONZO XULU

17:40 Thermodynamic and physical properties of heavy fermion superconductors using optical and x- ray spectroscopy

Superconductivity being a gray area of research for the past four decades now is still a hot topic for discussion. It was discovered in 1911 by kammerling Onne’s where a mercury wire upon immersed in liquid helium realized an abrupt change of resistance to zero. Further research has been conducted until today to unravel a superconductor that can operate at room temperature and ambient pressure possibly so that technological advancement can take off worldwide. Superconducting power lines need a single crystal for example in order to reduce resistance to carry enormous amount of power without losses on transmission, MRI machines need to be built without a lead joint material since lead is poisonous and so very harmful to human health yet it’s still in use till today on these machines yet the same are operated by people. The many superconductors that have been unravelled by researcher in superconductivity just to mention: the hydrides, cuprites polyhydrides and heavy fermion materials, none has depicted that possibility to operate within the room temperature. The latest superconductor , the polyhydrides showed conformity within which we can conclude that they are superconductors however, experimental results shows that they could not exclude the magnetic field from their internal structure , which is the Meissner effect that defines superconductivity. A quick check will be sintering and fabricating the binary cerium based and uranium based superconductors, which are heavy fermions to test their physical and thermal properties including but not limited to exclusion of magnetic fields and results analysed optically and by x –ray spectroscopy before a material is tested on an MRI joint then conclusion will be drawn.
3. References
1. Shah, A., & Aran, S. (2023). Shah, A Review of Magnetic Resonance (MR) Safety: The Essentials to Patient Safety. Cureus, 15(10). cureus, 15(10).

1. Sharma, R. G., & Sharma, R. G. (2021). Superconducting Magnets in Fusion Reactors. Superconductivity: Basics and Applications to Magnets, 483-547. 483-547.

2. Shrivastava, S. K. (2017). Search for higher critical temperature (Tc) in superconducting materials., 5(8).

3. Troyan, I. A., Semenok, D. V., Sadakov, A. V., Lyubutin, I. S., & Pudalov, V. M. (2024). Progress, problems and prospects of room-temperature superconductivity. arXiv preprint arXiv:2406.11344.

4. Wabuyi, M. G. P., Kibe, D. H., & Waswa, D. M. N. (2022). Electron-Hole Pairing Of Excitonic-Type In Heavy Fermion System. journal of multidisciplinary engineering science and technology, 9(1), 15073-15077. Retrieved from www.jmest.org

5. Khallouq, K. ". (2024). Khallouq, Keltoum. "High Critical Temperature Superconducting Oxides of the YBCO System." In Exploring High-Temperature Superconductivity in the YBCO System: From Theory to Experiments. Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland, 31-57.

Speakers: Mr Godwin Posta Wabuyi (multimedia university of kenya), Dr Horace Kibe (Bomet university college)

WABUYI -PHD CONCEPT NOTE.pdf

17:45 Shell model Investigation of the Energy Spectrum of 28Al

Nowadays, in nuclear physics, as in many other scientific fields, experiment and theory are strongly linked. The combination of the two studies has led to significant advances in our understanding of the structure and behavior of atomic nuclei, in particular, the energy spectra and various other spectroscopic properties of nuclei throughout the sd shell region. These nuclei are mainly characterized, at low excitation energy, by the coexistence of normal positive parity states, called also 0ħω states, and intruder negative parity states, called also 1ħω states.
We are interested in our work to the study of the 28Al spectroscopic properties within the shell model framework. We performed a shell model calculation using the (0+1)ħω PSDPF interaction [1] and code Nathan [2] to describe the complete energy spectrum of both positive and negative parity states of the 28Al, up to ∼ 6.6 MeV. The different electromagnetic properties were also calculated. The obtained results were compared, then, to available experimental data [3].
This study shows a good agreement theory versus experiment; therefore, many predictions were proposed. A detailed discussion of our work will be presented in this contribution.

Keywords: Nuclear energy spectra, Shell model, Spectroscopic properties, PSDPF interaction, code Nathan.
References:
[1] M. Bouhelal, F. Haas, E. Caurier, F. Nowacki, A. Bouldjedri, Nucl. Phys. A 864 (2011) 113.
[2] E. Caurier, F. Nowacki, Acta Phys. Pol. B 30, 705 (1999) & E. Caurier et al., Phys. Rev. C 59, 2033 (1999).
[3] https://www.nndc.bnl.gov/nudat3/indx_adopted.jsp & M. Shamsuzzoha Basunia, Nucl. Data Sheets 114, 1189 (2013).

Speaker: ABIR SELIM

Abstract_Selim.docx

17:50 Theoretical Study of the Spectroscopic Properties of 25Mg

The 25Mg nucleus plays a critical role in nucleosynthesis processes, particularly in slow neutron capture process (s-process). The (α,n) reaction on 22Ne producing 25Mg is the main neutron source in massive stars. In addition, 25Mg is the origin of the formation of two other nuclei in stellar environments, the proton capture on 25Mg, forms 26Al and the neutron capture on 25Mg, forms 26Mg. The Jπ assignments of 25Mg has a significant importance in determining the previous astrophysical reactions rates.
Theoretical results employing our PSDPF effective interaction, including excitation energies, spin-parity assignments, and transition probabilities, are systematically compared with experimental data. Our interaction describes quite well these observables that are crucial in calculating the above astrophysical reaction rates. We will present in our contribution a detailed discussion of our work.

Speaker: Prof. Mouna Bouhelal (LPAT, Echahid Cheikh Larbi Tebessi University)

Bouhelal.pdf

17:30 → 18:00 Poster Room: 4—Nanoscience

17:30 Riemannian manifolds of two-mode Gaussian states evolving under parametric conversion and amplification processes

In this paper, we have studied two-mode Gaussian states. First, we computed the distance between two mode
separable states using the well-known Hilbert-Schmidt measure. We also calculated the scalar curvature of
the manifold associated with the two-mode separable states, which we showed to be zero. Additionally, we
considered two different operations on the two-mode bosonic system: squeezing and beam splitting. We cal-
culated the Hilbert-Schmidt distance between neighboring squeezed and mixed states and computed the scalar
curvature, as shown in Figure 1. Interestingly, in both cases, the results were identical and independent of the
squeezing parameters (2r, ) and mixing parameters (, ). Instead, the scalar curvature depended only on the in-
trinsic parameters of the system (1, 2). Furthermore, we demonstrated that the geometry becomes warped only
in the presence of entangled two-mode squeezed or mixed states. We also showed that the so-called ”warping
function” encodes the entanglement between the squeezed or mixed states under consideration.

Speaker: MOUAD AIT MASKOUR (LPMS, Faculté des Sciences, Université ibn Tofaı̈l, Kénitra, Morocco)

17:35 Impact of Aspect Ratio on Nanofluid Flow and Heat Transfer in a Porous Cylindrical Annulus with Hot Zones

Natural convection within a partially porous medium constitutes a complex coupling phenomenon, where boundary conditions at the interface between porous and free zones play a key role. These mechanisms are of great interest for many industrial applications. As part of this research, we have numerically modeled the double-diffusive convection of a nanofluid (Cu-$H_{ 2}O$) circulating in a partially porous annular space. This system is delimited by two coaxial cylinders equipped with a permeable interface, reproducing realistic configurations, in which we looked into the contribution of putting three hot cells in the inner cylinder in order to control all the cavity and minimize the size of the hot source. In addition, we tried to use recent and experimental models of Corcione to better understand the heat and mass transfer processes. The external cylinder is maintained at a uniform cold temperature. However, the base walls are designed to be impermeable and adiabatic. Then, to solve the system of nonlinear and coupled conservation equations, we used a method based on the vorticity-stream function, combined with a finite-difference scheme. The numerical results represented by the streamlines, isotherms, and the heat transfer rate expressed by the Nusselt number highlight the critical influence on some control parameters like the Rayleigh number, Darcy number, the aspect ratio number, and nanoparticle concentration.

Speaker: Youness Foukhari (Research laboratory in physics and sciences for engineering)

Foukhari- Abstract.pdf

17:40 Impact of Aspect Ratio on Nanofluid Flow and Heat Transfer in a Porous Cylindrical Annulus with Hot Zones

Natural convection within a partially porous medium constitutes a complex coupling
phenomenon, where boundary conditions at the interface between porous and free zones play a key
role. These mechanisms are of great interest for many industrial applications. As part of this research,
we have numerically modeled the double-diffusive convection of a nanofluid (Cu-H20) circulating in a
partially porous annular space. This system is delimited by two coaxial cylinders equipped with a
permeable interface, reproducing realistic configurations, in which we looked into the contribution of
putting three hot cells in the inner cylinder in order to control all the cavity and minimize the size of
the hot source. In addition, we tried to use recent and experimental models of Corcione to better
understand the heat and mass transfer processes. The external cylinder is maintained at a uniform cold
temperature. However, the base walls are designed to be impermeable and adiabatic. Then, to solve the
system of nonlinear and coupled conservation equations, we used a method based on the vorticitystream function, combined with a finite-difference scheme. The numerical results represented by the
streamlines, isotherms, and the heat transfer rate expressed by the Nusselt number highlight the critical
influence on some control parameters like the Rayleigh number, Darcy number, the aspect ratio
number, and nanoparticle concentration.

Speaker: Youness Foukhari (Research laboratory in physics and sciences for engineering)

Foukhari- Abstract.pdf

17:45 Quantum teleportation

Quantum teleportation is regarded as a fundamental and essential protocol in quantum information science. Not only is it a method for long-distance transmission of quantum states, but it is also a building block for quantum networks, decentralized computation, and secure communication. In this presentation, I will review the theoretical background of quantum teleportation, its immunity to decoherence, and its realizations in contemporary experimental contexts. Additionally, I will point out the key role teleportation has in facilitating sophisticated cryptographic protocols and enhancing cybersecurity through quantum means. As quantum technologies further develop, it will be essential to comprehend and enhance teleportation processes in order to achieve the full potential of quantum computation and communication.

Speaker: SEIDA CHAIBATA

17:50 Theoretical investigation on the improvement of nanowire solar cells efficiency

Nanowires are an important part of making next-generation solar cells due to their high surface area-to-volume ratio and they have better electronic qualities. This paper highlights the advantages of nanowire architectures, including enhanced light absorption, reduced recombination losses, and improved charge collection for nanowire solar cells. Tailoring nanowire dimensions and arrangements can substantially increase absorption efficiency, making nanowire-based designs highly competitive with conventional planar solar cells. This research uses Shockley-Queisser limit theory to examine nanowire-based solar cell efficiency advances. Incorporating advanced materials, such as perovskites and tandem structures, further enhances the efficiency of nanowire solar cells. The simulation study suggest that nanowire solar cells can achieve theoretical efficiencies exceeding 30%, positioning them as a transformative solution for next-generation photovoltaics. This designed nanowire solar cell improves photovoltaic efficiency and reduce cost. The research promotes design and development of new nanowire-enhanced solar cell with improved efficiency.

Speaker: Mr Uarongororua Vejorerako (Namibia University of Science and Technology)

ACP 2025_ Nanowire soalr cel_VJ.docx

17:55 Enhancement of Convective Heat Transfer in a Triangular Enclosure Filled with Nanofluid: A Mesoscopic Lattice Boltzmann Simulation

This work presents a detailed numerical investigation of natural convection within a triangular enclosure containing a nanofluid, using the single relaxa-tion time lattice Boltzmann method (SRT-LBM). The study aims to evaluate the impact of dispersing copper nanoparticles in pure water under various thermal conditions. The focus is placed on the analysis of isotherm distribu-tions, flow structures through streamlines, and the evolution of the average Nusselt number to identify regions of thermal enhancement or degradation. The enclosure is heated along its inclined wall, and the nanoparticle volume fraction is varied from 0% to 7%, with Rayleigh numbers spanning from 103 to 106. Nanofluid thermophysical properties are computed using Corcione’s empirical correlations to ensure accurate modeling. Results indicate a signifi-cant influence of nanoparticle concentration on the overall heat transfer be-havior. At low Rayleigh numbers, where conduction is predominant, the thermal performance improves steadily with increased nanoparticle loading. In contrast, for higher Rayleigh numbers, an optimal concentration appears, beyond which the adverse effects of increased viscosity begin to counterbal-ance the benefits of higher thermal conductivity. The numerical results show excellent agreement with published benchmarks, confirming the effective-ness and reliability of the SRT-LBM approach for simulating natural convec-tion with nanofluids

Speaker: Youness Ighris (Research Laboratory in Physics and Sciences for Engineers (LRPSI), Polydisciplinary Faculty, University of Sultan Moulay Slimane, Beni Mellal, Morocco)

ABSTRACT.pdf

17:30 → 18:00 Poster Room: 5-Physics Education & Communication

17:30 Medical Physics Education Development in Nigeria: A SWOT Analysis

Medical Physics is a critical component of modern healthcare, involving the application of physics principles to medicine, particularly in diagnostics and treatment. Despite global advancements in medical imaging and radiation therapy, Nigeria faces a significant gap between the availability of advanced equipment and the level of specialized training required. Currently, medical physics education in Nigeria is primarily offered at the postgraduate level in eight universities. While these programs aim to meet international standards, limited resources, funding, and a shortage of qualified faculty hinder the quality of education and professional development. This research paper examines the current state of Medical Physics in Nigeria, highlighting the advancements and persistent challenges within the field. A comprehensive SWOT analysis identifies the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats associated with Medical Physics education and professional development in Nigeria.
The SWOT analysis reveals strengths in aligning curricula with international standards and opportunities through advancements in medical technology and online education. However, weaknesses include resource limitations and a lack of faculty, while threats involve economic instability affecting budgets for educational and healthcare institutions. Despite these challenges, the potential for improvement is vast. Addressing these challenges through increased awareness, expanded educational opportunities, enhanced faculty training, and leveraging online education, a field where the audience's expertise is crucial, is paramount. By bridging the gap between technological advancements and specialized training, Nigeria can develop a skilled workforce capable of leveraging modern medical technologies for improved healthcare outcomes in Nigeria

Speaker: Basit Balogun (University of Ilorin)

MEDICAL PHYSICS UPDATED (2).docx

17:35 Nuclear Physics: Challenges and Opportunities in Education and Outreach

Nuclear physics is one of the most fundamental and powerful areas of physics, playing a key role in solving significant global problems such as energy production and medicine. However, the study of nuclear physics in educational institutions faces many obstacles, such as the complexity of the concepts and the lack of sufficient educational materials. It is important not only to enhance knowledge in nuclear physics among students but also to actively work on its popularization among the general public. This requires not only the introduction of new teaching methods but also the use of innovative technologies and interdisciplinary approaches.
To analyze methods of popularizing nuclear physics, various educational and outreach practices were studied, including:
• School and university programs focused on the study of nuclear physics.
• The use of modern technologies such as virtual laboratories and online courses.
• The role of science festivals, exhibitions, and public lectures in raising interest in nuclear physics.
• The study of media platforms and science bloggers as tools for science communication.
Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to collect data, including analyzing existing educational materials, researching successful examples of scientific events, and analyzing feedback from participants in educational programs.
In most educational systems, nuclear physics is taught at higher university levels, which limits access to knowledge for a broader range of students. The complexity of theoretical concepts such as nuclear reactions, radiation, and interactions requires specialized knowledge, which makes it difficult to learn the material at early stages of education.
Virtual laboratories and simulations of nuclear processes have proven highly effective in enhancing the understanding of theoretical knowledge. Programs like "Nuclear Physics for All," available through online courses, allow students and the general public to visually explore complex processes using interactive tools.
Science festivals such as "Science for All" and specialized exhibitions on nuclear energy and radiation contribute to raising public awareness and interest. Participants in such events report better understanding of nuclear physics due to hands-on demonstrations and accessible explanations.
Science bloggers and television programs play an important role in dispelling myths about nuclear physics and spreading information on nuclear energy and its applications. BBC programs and science podcasts actively draw attention to advancements in nuclear physics and its practical applications.
The complexity of nuclear physics concepts, fusion, and radiation processes, requires more accessible teaching methods. Educational programs should be adapted to different levels of preparedness, considering the age and knowledge of students. The introduction of virtual laboratories and simulations significantly simplifies the learning of complex ideas, while multimedia materials help make education more engaging and accessible.
Nuclear physics plays a vital role in scientific and technological progress, and its popularization in education is of great significance. The use of modern technologies, the development of interactive courses, and active participation in scientific events can greatly improve the understanding of this field both among students and the general public. Effective popularization of nuclear physics helps break down myths about radiation and nuclear energy, fostering a more informed and responsible society.

Speaker: Bakhtiyar Iskakov (al-Farabi Kazakh National University)

Iskakov_ACFAP2.docx

17:40 Rare Earth Elements as Fingerprints for Identifying Uranium Ore Concentrate (UOC): Implications for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Safeguards

The Rare Earth Elements (REEs) have emerged as crucial tracers in the field of nuclear forensics, offering unique fingerprints for identifying uranium ore concentrates (UOC). These elements, due to their distinct geochemical behavior, provide a reliable means of differentiating various uranium sources and detecting illicit trafficking of nuclear materials. The ability to analyze the specific concentration and distribution patterns of REEs within uranium samples allows for the establishment of geographic and geological origins, which is pivotal for nuclear non-proliferation efforts and safeguards. This study investigated four UOC samples from different mines in South Africa and Namibia, using the Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results demonstrate significant variations in REE signatures from different uranium ore concentrates, which highlights the role of these lanthanides in characterizing uranium sources, focusing on their application in tracking the movement and processing of UOCs. As the global community seeks to strengthen nuclear security and prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons, the study recommends the use of REEs as a forensic tool representing a significant advancement in the detection and prevention of nuclear proliferation.

Keywords: Uranium Ore Concentrates, Rare Earth Elements, Nuclear Forensics, Fingerprint, Non-proliferation, Safeguard.
Reference

1. Madzunya D, Uushona V, Mathuthu M, Heike W. 2021. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity 237:106668 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2021.106668
2. Spano TL, Simonetti A, Balboni E, Dorais C, Burns PC. 2017. Applied Geochemistry 84:277-85 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2017.07.003
3. John S, Usman I, Akpa T, Ibrahim U. Rare earth elements in Uranium ore for nuclear forensic application. Proc. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 2021, 655:012075: IOP Publishing https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/655/1/012075

Speaker: Dr Samuel Odumu Ogana John (Center for Applied Radiation Science and Technology (CARST), North-West University (NWU), Mafikeng Campus, South Africa.)

17:45 YOUTH ENGAGEMENT IN THE SOLAR ENERGY INDUSTRY FOR SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH IN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT
Nigeria is one of the developing countries in Sub-Saharan Africa whose youths make
up a larger percentage of the population. Youths form the active sector with agility,
liveliness, innovation, and potential to mobilize the other community members into
taking due and effective climate action. They can take up tasks and projects
effectively with a high level of energy and zeal towards enhancing climate resilience
in Nigeria. Through literature review and participant observation, this study identifies
the role of youth engagement in the solar energy industry in enhancing climate
resilience thereby achieving sustainable economic growth in Nigeria The need for
climate action cannot be overemphasized, given that global warming leads to climatic
changes that are detrimental to millions of lives and properties.Youth engagement in
the solar energy industry would help in a profound way to create employment,
eradicate poverty and hunger among the youths thereby achieving sustainable
economic growth in Nigeria.This study recommends more green financing from
multilateral organizations such as the World Bank Group for enhancing youth
engagement in the solar energy industry in Nigeria. It concludes with a clarion call to
the Nigerian government to give the youths the maximum support needed to unleash
their potentials towards advancing the solar energy industry for sustainable economic
growth in Nigeria.
KEYWORDS: Climate Change, Economic Growth, Education, Resilience,
Solar Energy, Youths.

Speakers: Benjamin Anabaraonye (UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA,NSUKKA, NIGERIA), Dr Evelyn Orji (University of Calabar,Nigeria)

YOUTH ENGAGEMENT IN THE SOLAR ENERGY INDUSTRY FOR SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH IN NIGERIA(ABSTRACT) (2).docx

17:50 The Impact of Foundational Mathematics on Students’ Understanding of Physics: A Case Study of Monatan High School, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Purpose: The understanding of physics among high school students can be enhanced by their ability to solve mathematical questions. This study investigates the impact of a Foundational Mathematics Intervention on students' understanding of Physics by comparing the outcomes of students at two different schools with and without the intervention. The hypothesis is that equipping students with essential mathematical skills improves their ability to understand and interpret physics concepts effectively.
Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in a public secondary school in Ibadan, Nigeria, Monatan High School. Students were administered a pre-test in Mathematics to assess their foundational understanding before the intervention. Following this, a series of teaching sessions on Foundationalstrong text Mathematics was introduced, covering core areas such as arithmetic operations, algebra, unit conversions, ratios, and proportions. A post-test in Physics was then conducted to evaluate students' ability to apply mathematical skills in solving Physics questions.
Results: Students at Monatan High School demonstrated marked improvement after the intervention. 4% of the 99 students scored above 70% in the pre-mathematics test, while after two months of teaching foundation mathematics, 15.2% scored above 70% in a post-physics test. This indicates a significant increase in their ability to solve Physics questions using foundational mathematical skills. Additionally, 75.8% of the students who scored less than 20% on the pre-math test were reduced to 29.3% on the post-physics test (See Supplementary Figures 1 and 2). These results suggest that the Foundational Mathematics classes may have contributed significantly to the understanding of Physics among students.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that a weak foundation in Mathematics may be a major factor limiting students' understanding of Physics. The Foundational Mathematics program appears to have helped bridge this gap, leading to measurable gains. It is recommended that similar interventions be considered in other schools, particularly at the senior secondary level. Future work will explore how the integration of practical sessions alongside Foundational Mathematics may further enhance students' understanding of Physics.

Speaker: Mr Samuel Ugbor (University of Ibadan)

Abstract.docx

17:55 Introducing hands-on Physics and Astronomy Projects for Space Lovers in Africa

The Pan-African Citizen Science e-Lab (PACS e-Lab) is an online platform that engages the African public in hands-on activities in space science and astronomy, including those in North and Sub-Saharan Africa. We run five main projects, including exoplanet observations, asteroid searches, deep space image processing, double star research, and ARISS—amateur Radio on the International Space Station.
Since its founding in December 2020, we have engaged over 1,000 individuals across 50 African countries and made numerous contributions to astronomy, including the discovery of over 50 asteroids, the publication of over 12 scientific papers, and the generation of several photometric light curves of exoplanets. Our platform is the fastest-growing of its kind in Africa.
During my presentation at the 4th African /conference, I will elaborate on these efforts and our achievements.

Speaker: Miracle Chibuzor Marcel (Pan-African citizen Science e-Lab)

Wednesday 17 September

09:00 → 10:30 Medical Physics

10:30 → 11:00 Break

11:00 → 12:30 Energies

12:30 → 14:00 Break

14:00 → 14:30 Cross-cutting fields

14:00 Status project of STAR: a Compton scattering X-ray source

The STAR project (Southern Europe Thomson Backscattering Source for Applied Research), hosted at the University of Calabria (Italy), is a compact accelerator facility producing tunable, polarized, ps-duration X-rays (40–350 keV) via Thomson scattering. Its Phase II development, nearing completion, integrates an S-band RF gun operating at a cutting-edge 100 Hz repetition rate, one S-band SLAC-type acceleration module and dual C-band accelerating cavities, enabling advanced beam dynamics schemes to minimize energy spread. The electron beam currently achieves 140–150 MeV with 500 pC bunch charge, with ongoing studies to maximize flux at higher charges.

The EPICS-based control system now incorporates GIOTTO, a genetic algorithm for AI-driven optimization. The source’s tunability and high flux make it ideal for phase-contrast imaging and non-invasive analysis of materials, including archaeological artifacts. First diagnostic results on electron and X-ray beams are expected by late 2025, showcasing STAR’s role in advancing compact accelerator technology for multidisciplinary applications.

Speaker: Alberto Luigi Bacci (infn)

14:30 → 15:30 Light source applications

14:30 nanoscience

15:00 Muon beams for seismology: predicting earthquakes via active sensing of tectonic faults

We present a new technique aimed at forecasting earthquakes via active sensing of the tectonic induced pressure across faults. The method is based on propagating high energy (TeV-class) muon beams through km-long rock sections underground, actively measuring the pressure induced by tectonic movements, a precursor of ruptures in the earth crust due to exceeding the rock elasto-plastic deformation limit, which in turns drives the earthquake seismic event. Tectonic pressure is monitored through the emittance increase of the muon beam traversing the fault section. We carried out extensive simulations with Fluka and an ad-hoc developed code, performing beam transport of muons in thick layers of crystalline rocks. Our results show the challenges and the great opportunity of a technique potentially capable to use particle accelerators and related technologies (control, diagnostics, detection) to predict the occurring of seismic events, therefore helping to save human lives.

Speaker: Dr Luca Serafini (INFN-Milano)

15:30 → 16:00 Break

16:00 → 16:30 Fluid & plasma physics

16:30 → 18:07 Contributed talks: High Energy Physics (LHC & Beyond)

16:30 The ATLAS Inner Tracker Upgrade (ITk)

At the end of Run 3 of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), the accelerator complex will be upgraded to the High-Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC) which will achieve a peak instantaneous luminosity of 7.5 × 1034 cm⁻²s⁻¹. This corresponds to approximately 200 proton-proton collisions per bunch crossing—more than three times the current pileup levels. Over its operational lifetime, the HL-LHC is expected to deliver an integrated luminosity of about 3000 fb⁻¹, roughly ten times the total data collected during the initial LHC runs. To accommodate the resulting increases in radiation, data rates, and event complexity, the ATLAS experiment will undergo a comprehensive upgrade. A central part of this upgrade is the replacement of the current inner tracking system (Inner Detector) with a future Inner Tracker (ITk), composed of both pixel and strip silicon detectors, with its strip components further from the interaction region where lower occupancy is expected. This talk will present an overview of the ITk strip detector design and highlight its rigorous Quality Control (QC) procedures, which are essential to ensure reliable performance throughout the HL-LHC’s operation.

Speaker: Mounia Laassiri (Brookhaven National Laboratory)

16:55 Performance of the missing transverse momentum triggers for the ATLAS detector.

The ATLAS detector is one of the two general-purpose detectors at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC)at CERN, designed to explore a wide range of physics, including the discovery of new particles, precision measurements of known particles, and searches for signs of new physics beyond the Standard Model. One of the essential parts of the ATLAS experiment is the trigger system, which manages large amounts of data generated by particle collisions and subsequently identifies the most interesting events, such as the presence of energetic leptons, photons, hadronic jets, τ lep, or large amounts of missing energy for further analysis. Only a small fraction of the events can be kept due to limitations in storage and processing. This means that a large number of events are discarded and are not available for future analysis. Where the ATLAS physics program uses trigger selection for events containing invisible particles. However, selecting these events is challenging as they don’t register in the detector. The strategy used is to deduce the presence of these invisible particles from the apparent imbalance of the momentum calculated from the visible particles. In practice, the imbalance in the direction parallel to the proton beams is not sensitive since the fraction of each proton’s momentum that participates in the collision is unknown, and much of the outgoing momentum in the beam direction is not observed. Rather, the quantity of most significance is the imbalance in momentum in the plane perpendicular to the proton beams; this is referred to as the missing transverse momentum, and its value is commonly represented by $E^{miss}_T$ (MET).
The $E^{miss}_T$ used in the wide range of physics processes, like searches for decays of the Higgs boson into invisible final states, searches for dark matter , searches for supersymmetry, searches for final states with stable long-lived particles.

The MET trigger relies on data from calorimeters, which measure the energy deposited by particles in the transverse plane. The ATLAS trigger system has been significantly upgraded during LS2 (2019–2022). The performance of Missing Transverse Energy (MET) triggers is a crucial aspect of ensuring the efficiency and accuracy of data collection. For that, we will study the performance of the MET trigger by using data collected during 2023 and 2024. Performance in terms of efficiency, trigger stability, background rejection, etc. studied as a function of several quantities, including run conditions and pile-up. One of the major challenges is pile-up. This can complicate the accurate measurement of MET. The particles from pile-up collisions can contribute to the overall energy detected in the event, artificially inflating the measured MET. This makes it difficult to distinguish the true missing energy associated with the particles of interest from spurious contributions.

Speaker: Imane Zahir (Universite Hassan II, Ain Chock (MA))

17:10 The dark side of the photon, ongoing ATLAS search for a dark photon

A collider search for dark matter through dark photons based on a phenomenological study is presented. Where simulated samples with the ATLAS detector at the CERN LHC with a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV are used. A dark photon is a hypothetical dark matter particle which may be detected through its kinetic mixing with the general photon. In which it couples weakly to electrically charged particles and allows a non-gravitational window into the detection of dark matter. We will be considering a hypothetical heavy top like quark decaying to a top quark and dark photon. The dark photon will decay to a lepton pair, while we typically look at jets from hadrons, two energetic and collimated photons or leptons can give to jet-like signatures in calorimeters. These lepton jet final states are an unusual topology and have scarcely been studied. We have focused on the hadronic decay of the top quark which gives a final state consisting of a heavy top quark jet. The search is for a large radius jet in the mass range of the top quark and a small radius jet close to the produced lepton both with high transverse momenta. The mass of the small radius jet is that of the dark photon. The main backgrounds are multijet, hadronic and semileptonic top quark pair production, and vector boson production with jets, which will be estimated using simulation. The aim of this talk is to discuss the search strategy of this dark photon with the ATLAS detector.

Speaker: Hannah Van Der Schyf (University of the Witwatersrand (ZA))

17:25 The Future of Neutrino Astronomy: Prospects with Hyper-Kamiokande

Neutrinos, elusive and abundant particles, play a pivotal role in understanding some of the most extreme astrophysical events, including supernovae. This presentation explores the role of neutrinos in stellar evolution, with a particular focus on their importance in the mechanisms of supernova explosions. We will introduce the Hyper-Kamiokande experiment, a next-generation water Cherenkov detector, which is poised to revolutionize neutrino astronomy through its unprecedented sensitivity and technological advancements over its predecessor, Super-Kamiokande.

The discussion will cover the detection of supernova neutrinos, highlighting the expected signals from supernovae and how Hyper-Kamiokande’s capabilities will improve upon past observations, such as the iconic detection of SN 1987A. We will also explore the exciting prospects for detecting pre-supernova neutrinos, which may offer early warning signals of impending supernovae, and how simulations like WCSim and GHOST are being adapted to model these early neutrino signals.

Furthermore, the presentation will look beyond supernovae, examining other potential applications of Hyper-Kamiokande in neutrino physics, including solar neutrinos and neutrino oscillations. The future of neutrino research is vast, and Hyper-Kamiokande’s advancements promise to answer critical questions, pushing the boundaries of our understanding of the universe’s most energetic phenomena.

Speaker: Assia El Kaftaoui (The Scientific Program of ASP2021)

17:40 Recent Progress of DarkSHINE R&D

Sci. China-Phys. Mech. Astron., 66(1): 211062 (2023)
arXiv:2411.09345 [Conceptual Design Report]
Nucl. Sci. Tech.35,148(2024)
Nucl. Sci. Tech.35,201(2024)
Nucl. Sci. Tech. 36,41(2025)
arXiv:2407.20723 [submitted to JINST]
arXiv:2401.15477 [10.1007/978-981-97-0065-3_19]
PoS ICHEP2024 (2025) 728 [DOI:10.22323/1.476.0728]
DOI:10.5281/zenodo.8373963 [LeptonPhoton2023 proceeding]
DOI:10.1016/j.nuclphysbps.2024.06.019 [CLHCP2023 proceeding]
DOI:10.1016/j.nuclphysbps.2024.07.008 [CLHCP2023 proceeding]
DOI:10.1016/j.nuclphysbps.2024.06.014 [CLHCP2023 proceeding]
DOI:10.1016/j.nuclphysbps.2024.07.003 [CLHCP2023 proceeding]

DarkSHINE is a fixed-target experiment initiative to search for light Dark Matter and mediators at SHINE (Shanghai high repetition rate XFEL and extreme light facility, being the 1st hard X-ray FEL in China) under construction targeting completion in 2025/2026. DarkSHINE aims to search for the new mediator, Dark Photon, bridging the Dark sector and the ordinary matter. In this work and presentation, we present the idea of this new project and 1st prospective study in search for Dark Photon decaying into light dark matter as well as the very recent technical R&D progresses. It also provides the opportunity to incorporate broader scope of BSM search ideas such as ALP / Anomalous Muonium / LLP / etc. and electron/photon/neutrino-nuclear interaction product measurements, utilizing the fixed-target experiment of this type. Also in the future, DarkSHINE experiment has the great potential to be upgraded into positron beam mode and search for Dark Photon via more production channels through s/t-channel annihilations. Last but not least, DarkSHINE will likely provide cross-reference experimental DATA together with future LDMX experiment, the continued NA64 experiment, etc. to become part of the global efforts for accelerator based Dark Matter searches.

Speaker: Haidar Masud Alfanda (Tsung-Dao Lee Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University (CN))

17:55 pQCD energy loss calculations in small systems.

Shortly after the Big Bang, the universe was in an incredibly hot and dense state, with particles moving at nearly the speed of light. During this brief period, lasting only a few microseconds, quarks and gluons were the dominant components. Due to the extremely high temperatures, these quarks and gluons—collectively known as partons—were only loosely bound and could move freely, forming a state called the quark-gluon plasma (QGP).

The QGP can be recreated in high-energy collisions at large particle colliders such as the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN. This is achieved by accelerating heavy ions, such as lead (Pb) and gold (Au), to trillions of electron volts (eV) before colliding them, resulting in an extremely hot state where matter dissolves into a QGP. This state cools rapidly, hadronizing within approximately 10 fm/c as quarks and gluons recombine into particles such as pions, kaons, protons, and neutrons. Physicists study the QGP to gain valuable insights into the conditions of the early universe and to better understand the fundamental building blocks of matter.

Jet quenching—the energy loss of high-energy partons traversing the QGP—is well-studied in large systems such as heavy-ion (AA) collisions. However, the observation of QGP-like signatures in small systems, such as proton-nucleus (pA) collisions, poses intriguing challenges. Current jet quenching models, such as the Gyulassy-Levai-Vitev (GLV) formalism, rely on several approximations valid for large systems, including the assumption of large separation distances between scattering centers. Extending these models to small systems requires re-evaluating these approximations in the context of energy loss formalisms.

This project aims to address these challenges by systematically relaxing key assumptions in the GLV framework to develop a more precise understanding of quenching in small systems. Specifically, we investigate transverse momentum broadening in the QGP using the GLV formalism. The primary goal is to determine the momentum distribution of a parton (quark or gluon) traveling through the QGP, focusing solely on broadening effects while excluding radiation.

The GLV formalism is a perturbative expansion in the number of scatterings, allowing for the systematic calculation of any finite number of scatterings. The standard GLV approach employs the eikonal approximation and the large separation distance approximation to simplify calculations. In this work, we relax the large system size approximation by incorporating all path length corrections into the GLV formalism, accounting for energy loss across all system sizes. Additionally, we relax the eikonal approximation by calculating next-to-leading order (NLO) corrections, which involve relaxing the assumption that $E^+$ is the dominant energy scale in the interaction and computing the corresponding correction terms.

We proceed by computing both the single scattering matrix element ($\mathcal{M}_1$) and the double scattering matrix element ($\mathcal{M}_2$). These results are then used to evaluate the color trace, which in turn allows us to compute the full momentum broadening distribution. Finally, we run numerical simulations to compare our theoretical predictions with experimental data, providing a deeper understanding of transverse momentum broadening in different system sizes.

Speaker: Dario Van den Berg (University of the Witwatersrand)

16:30 → 18:00 Contributed talks: Medical Physics & Radiotherapy

16:30 Deep Learning-Based Synthetic-CT Generation from MRI for Enhanced Precision in MRI-Only Radiotherapy Dose Planning

Abstract
Introduction: Radiotherapy aims to precisely target tumors while sparing healthy tissue, traditionally relying on CT imaging for accurate dose planning. However, CT has limitations in soft tissue contrast and exposes patients to ionizing radiation. MRI offers superior soft tissue contrast without radiation but lacks electron density information, restricting its use in dose planning. This study addresses this gap by developing deep learning models to generate pseudo-CT images from MRI, enabling MRI-only workflows in radiotherapy.
Methodology: Paired MRI and CT scans from 12 subjects were processed using normalization, alignment, and masking. Four deep learning architectures (U-Net, Pix2Pix, CycleGAN, and conditional GAN (cGAN)) were trained to generate synthetic CT images from MRI data. Model performance was evaluated using metrics including mean absolute error (MAE), mean squared error (MSE), peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), structural similarity index (SSIM), and Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC).
Results: Pix2Pix achieved the highest SSIM and PSNR, indicating strong structural preservation and reduced noise. It also had the lowest MAE and MSE, showing high accuracy in synthetic-CT generation. The cGAN model scored highest in PCC, highlighting its effective intensity alignment with real CT data. Statistical tests confirmed Pix2Pix’s superior performance, though CycleGAN and cGAN also showed notable results in alignment accuracy.
Conclusion: Deep learning models, particularly Pix2Pix, can generate reliable pseudo-CT images from MRI, supporting MRI-only radiotherapy planning. This approach reduces radiation exposure and may streamline radiotherapy workflows, offering a promising advance for patient-centered cancer

Speaker: isaac kwesi acquah (Department of Medical Physics, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana)

ABSTRACT.docx

16:45 Evaluation of secondary cancer risk after radiotherapy in high- and intermediate-risk prostate cancer patients

Evaluation of secondary cancer risk after radiotherapy in high- and intermediate-risk
prostate cancer patients

Background and Purpose:
External beam radiotherapy is the primary approach for cancer treatment. This method can result in radiation-induced second cancers that mainly affect healthy tissues and organs at risk due to out-of-field doses. This study aimed to evaluate the risk of secondary cancer using the excess absolute risk (EAR) assessment method for OARs which includes thirty prostate cancer patients with high and intermediate risks who received either 6 MV three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D CRT) or modulated volumetric arc therapy (VMAT).

Materials and Methods:
Two types of planning target volumes including PTV1 and PTV2 were defined for each modality. VMAT plans were generated for prostate cancer with simultaneous integrated boost, in which PTV1 received 76 Gy, and 56 Gy for PTV2. The PTV2 in this case was the sum of the pelvic lymph nodes and seminal vesicles. In the case of 3D CRT, PTV1 received 46 Gy including the prostate, seminal vesicles, and pelvic lymph nodes and PTV2 received 28 Gy only for prostate cancer, The EAR was evaluated using the Schneider concept based on the organ equivalent dose (OED). Thus, the EAR of the rectum, bladder, pelvic bone, and healthy pelvic tissues were calculated and compared using three models such as the Mechanistic model, the Exponential Linear model, and specific mechanistic models of sarcoma.

Results:
The analysis results based on mean EAR values for the rectum, bladder, pelvic bones, and healthy pelvic tissues using three different dose-response models were presented in Table 1. Statistically significant differences in the mean EAR values were observed between the 3D CRT and VMAT for the rectum and bladder respectively. Furthermore, the mean EAR values in the rectum for the 3D CRT were higher than those evaluated using VMAT. In the case of the bladder, a similar trend was observed only in one case (3.76±0.62 >3.74±0.62). No statistically significant differences in the mean EAR values were observed between the 3D CRT and VMAT for pelvic bone and healthy pelvic tissue.

Conclusion:
The overall EARs analysis for both radiation modalities indicated that 3DCRT's risk of inducing carcinoma in the rectum was higher than that of VMAT. However, prospective clinical trials with a larger patient cohort would be necessary to validate predicted models.

Speaker: N'GUESSAN Kodjo Joel Fabrice (Centre International de Cancérologie de Lomé)

ABSTRACT.pdf

17:00 Evaluation of Treatment Planning System (TPS) Accuracy in Brachytherapy Using Analytical Dose Calculation Methods

Background
Ensuring precise dose distribution calculations by treatment planning systems (TPS) is crucial in brachytherapy. Accurate dose computation is essential for effective treatment planning and patient safety. This study aims to evaluate the accuracy of TPS calculations by comparing them with various analytical methods used for dose verification.
Materials and Methods
This study used the HDR Co-60 A86 radioactive source from Eckert and Ziegler BEBIG. Several analytical methods were applied, including the Dose Kernel method of Bechchar et al.1a modified Sievert integral, and the TG-43 formalism to evaluate dose distributions. TPS-calculated doses (Treatment Planning System) were analyzed and compared with reference values from these models. The comparison assessed the TPS’s consistency and precision in predicting dose distributions. Results were validated against measured data from the literature to evaluate accuracy and reliability.
Results
The comparative analysis provided insight into the accuracy of the TPS in modeling dose distributions. The agreement between the TPS calculations and the analytical methods was examined to determine the precision of dose predictions. The validation with literature-based measurements further assessed the effectiveness of the Dose Kernel approach in improving TPS accuracy.
Conclusion
The comparison of TPS calculations with multiple analytical methods highlights the system’s accuracy and potential limitations. This study contributes to improving dose calculation verification in brachytherapy and supports the refinement of TPS algorithms for enhanced treatment planning.
Keywords
Brachytherapy, Treatment Planning System, Dose Kernel Method, Sievert Integral, TG-43, HDR Co-60 A86, Cobalt-60, Dose Distribution.
References
1. Bechchar R, Senhou N, Ghassoun J. A fast and accurate analytical method for 2D dose distribution calculation around brachytherapy sources in various tissue equivalent phantoms. Int J Radiat Res. 2019;17(4):531-540. doi:10.18869/acadpub.ijrr.17.3.531

Speaker: Ms Fatima AZAIRI (EPRA, Department of physics, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia)

azairi fatima sd-ACP2025.docx

17:15 Machine Learning based-patient-specific quality assurance for VMAT treatment plans

Given the continuous increase in modulated radiation therapy plans, patient-specific quality assurance became mondatory. Measurement-based patient-specific quality assurance is time-consuming and burdensome for medical physicists, particularly in busy radiotherapy centers. This study predicts and classifies gamma passing rate outcomes at the planning stage for head-and-neck volumetric modulated arc therapy treatment plans using texture features calculated from 2D dose distributions on cylindrical phantom. Four machine learning models namely, Random Forest, Decision Tree, XGBoost, and Support Vector Machine, were developed and trained on 2,428 planar dose distributions from 97 H&N cancer VMAT plans, using 100 texture features derived from the Gray Level Co-occurrence Matrix. γ3%/3mm, γ3%/2mm, and γ2%/2mm gamma passing rates, to would be predicted, were measured using the PTW OCTAVIUS-4D phantom. Results showed that the Random Forest model outperformed the others, demonstrating higher accuracy, precision, and Area Under the Curve, with lower errors and higher correlation cœfficient. Support Vector Machine had the highest prediction errors and lower rs compared to all others. Re-training the Random Forest model with the top 30 features further improved its performance in terms of prediction and classification. An AI-based desktop application was devloped and installed on TPS workstation to significantly facilitate the clinical workflow. Texture features, particularly contrast, were identified as key predictors of PSQA outcomes, highlighting the potential of combining contrast with random forest model for efficient PSQA in clinical practice.

Speaker: Mr YOUSSEF ADIB (Mohammed V university)

17:30 Predictive Modeling of Radiotherapy Complications in Breast Cancer: A Comparative Evaluation of Advanced Machine Learning Techniques

Introduction: Accurate prediction of radiotherapy complications is crucial for optimizing treatment planning and improving outcomes in breast cancer patients. However, modeling the risk is challenging due to intricate interactions between clinical, demographic, and dosimetric parameters. This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive comparative analysis of advanced machine learning techniques for predicting the risk of complications following breast cancer radiotherapy.
Methods: Specifically, we evaluated logistic regression (LG), linear discriminant analysis (LDA), elastic net regularized generalized linear models (GLMNET), k-nearest neighbors (KNN), support vector machines (SVM), and classification and regression trees (CART) using a large clinical dataset of One Thousand Four Hundred and Twenty-Two (1422) breast cancer patients who underwent radiotherapy from the NSIA-LUTH Cancer center in Lagos, Nigeria. Model performance was rigorously assessed using various metrics, including accuracy, kappa statistic, sensitivity, specificity, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and area under the curve (AUC).
Results:
The results showed accuracy rates ranging from 0.81 to 0.89 across models. CART exhibited the highest median kappa of 0.18 (Box-Cox transformed) and 0.14 (untransformed), indicating fair to good agreement beyond chance. LG, LDA, and CART demonstrated an AUC ≈ 0.80 on the validation set, suggesting good discriminatory power. In contrast, KNN and SVM had AUC ≈ 0.50, indicating poor discrimination. Despite high accuracy, models showed low sensitivity (≤ 0.06) in detecting positive complication cases.
Conclusion: The CART model emerged as the most promising technique for predicting radiotherapy complications in breast cancer, exhibiting good discriminatory ability and fair to good agreement beyond chance. However, further improvements in sensitivity are needed to enhance the detection of positive complication cases accurately.

Speaker: Enosakhare Okungbowa (University of Benin, Nigeria)

Abstract Presentation Togo School.docx

16:30 → 18:00 Contributed talks: Solar & Renewable Energy Technologies

16:30 Advancements in CuO-Based Photoelectrodes for Efficient Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

Over the past decade, researchers have focused on developing affordable, durable, and efficient electrocatalysts for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting as a potential remedy for the energy crisis. Among these, CuO has emerged as a promising photocathode material due to its unique physicochemical characteristics and narrow bandgap, making it one of the few photocatalysts capable of driving a highly active PEC hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) under simulated sunlight. This review thoroughly examines the latest progress in CuO-based photoelectrodes encompassing undoped, doped, and composite forms in the context of PEC water splitting. It also provides an in-depth discussion of the synthesis techniques, characterization methods, and key factors influencing each type. Additionally, separate sections address the PEC performance of CuO combined with two-dimensional materials, which represent a burgeoning class of nanocomposites in photocurrent generation. Special attention is given to CuO heterostructure photocathodes, with a critical analysis of their PEC water splitting applications, focusing on aspects such as electronic structure, defect states, bandgap, and hierarchical organization.

Speaker: Ms Salima BOUDRAHAM (Laboratory of Spectroscopy, Molecular Modeling, Materials, Nanomaterials, Water and Environment, CERNE2D, Mohammed V University, Faculty of Sciences, Rabat, Morocco)

16:45 Design and Performance Evaluation of a Renewable Energy Microgrid for Rural Electrification: A Case Study of the Masia Development Center in Limpopo.

South Africa's ongoing energy crisis, marked by regular load shedding, presents formidable obstacles to economic growth and sustainable development, particularly in rural regions with restricted access to the national grid. Renewable energy microgrids present a practical solution for rural electrification, providing cleaner, decentralized, and more resilient power options. However, the effectiveness of these systems depends on precise load assessments, optimal system configurations, and performance evaluations under realistic conditions. This study concentrates on the design and simulation-based performance analysis of a renewable energy microgrid specifically for the Masia Development Center in Limpopo. Rather than analyzing an existing system, it proposes a technically feasible hybrid microgrid solution utilizing locally available resources and load characteristics. Load demand profiles were constructed using actual energy consumption data collected from the site.. Solar resource data was analyzed with load inputs to optimize the system and conduct simulations using HOMER software. Various system configurations, dispatch strategies, and performance metrics were evaluated, including energy reliability, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability. The findings offer valuable insights into the potential of renewable microgrids for rural settings and guide the planning and implementation of similar systems in off-grid or weak-grid areas.

Speaker: Mr Muronga Shandukani (UNIVEN)

17:00 An Improved Solar Declination Angle Formula for Accurate Determination of the Sun’s Position for Optimum Orientation of Solar Photovoltaic Modules.

Accurate determination of the solar declination angle is essential for the calculation of other solar angles that give the Sun’s position in the sky and relative to a solar photovoltaic (PV) module surface. These angles give insight into the optimal orientation of the PV for maximised energy output throughout the year. This study analyses existing approaches for calculating the solar declination angle with varying levels of complexity and accuracy, ranging from trigonometric to Fourier series approximations. In addition, a simplified approach for calculating the solar declination angle that divides the earth's ecliptic orbit into two sections for better approximations is developed. The proposed approach demonstrates a maximum error of 0.230 around the equinoxes, outperforming conventional approaches that assumes the earth’s orbit to be a perfect circle yielding a maximum error of 1.130. The solar irradiance levels on a solar photovoltaic module with a fixed tilt of 150 facing due north and on a surface whose tilt is adjusted daily in line with changes in the solar declination angle was simulated. The simulations were done for a normal and a leap year to ascertain the suitability of the existing solar declination angle approximations for use in a Sun Position Algorithm (SPA) to be applied in a sun tracker. The solar irradiance levels on the surface with a changing tilt were higher in both years with a minimum of 750.35 W/m2 compared to the fixed tilt whose minimum irradiance level was 533.77 W/m2.

Speaker: Mavyline Motari

AbstractEnergy_Mavyline.docx

17:15 SIMULATION QUANTIQUE DE CELLULES SOLAIRES À COLORANT

Face à l'épuisement mondial des ressources naturelles en énergie fossiles, et d’origine
thermonucléaire; face aux multiples crises pétrolières, économiques, et les problèmes de
changements climatiques dus à l’effet de serre, la science s’intéresse aux ressources en
énergie renouvelables plutôt éco-responsable et durable.
la plupart des travaux de
recherche dans le domaine des énergies renouvelables se tourne vers l’énergie solaire,
laquelle est convertible directement en énergie électrique grâce aux cellules solaires
photovoltaïques. Le véritable enjeu du photovoltaïque aujourd’hui est non seulement la
réduction significative du coût du kilowattheure mais aussi la préservation de
l’environnement. A cet effet, durant des décennies, des chercheurs travaillent à
l’élaboration de nouveaux matériaux pour la conversion photovoltaïque. Plusieurs
travaux ont montré que les oxydes transparents conducteurs (OTC) couplés aux
matériaux organiques semi-conducteurs constituent une piste prometteuse. Ce qui fait
des cellules solaires à colorant un candidat potentiel pour remplacer les cellules
photovoltaïques au silicium cristallin. L’objectif principal de ces travaux de recherche
est de prédire les propriétés physiques et chimiques des colorants à utiliser pour la
fabrication de cellules solaires à colorants à base du ZnO et la caractérisation
électronique et thermique de ces cellules par des méthodes de transport quantiques. La
méthode à utiliser pour la caractérisation des colorants sera la théorie fonctionnelle de
la densité (DFT). La partie théorique du transport de charge et de chaleur à travers la cellule se fera via la méthode de transport quantique de Boltzmann en se basant sur
des paramètres extraits de la DFT. Le transport de Boltzmann sera basé sur des codes
développés par le doctorant. Les outils développés pourront servir à la simulation
d’autres matériaux photovoltaïques et des molécules pour applications biomédicales ou
chimiques.
Mots clés: ZnO, Cellule solaire à colorant, Colorant, Théorie Fonctionnelle de la Densité,
Transport quantique.

Speaker: Hennoc ADAWOSSO (CERME (Université de Lomé))

17:30 STATISTICAL EVALUATION OF SOLAR INDICES USING PRINCIPAL COMPONENT ANALYSIS

Space weather, defined as the variable conditions in space driven by the sun, significantly impacts
the performance of both terrestrial and space-based technologies. To mitigate these adverse effects,
it is essential to develop accurate storm-time space weather models. Since the sun is the primary
driver of these models, solar indices like SSN and F10.7 are crucial for creating these models.
However, different solar indices can lead to varying predictions. This study conducted a statistical
evaluation using three metrics to determine which solar index among F10.7, F10.781, F10.7p, SSN
and R12, best represents solar activity. The evaluation’s core principle was to correlate these
indices with the ionospheric TEC and then compare the model predictions with actual
observations. PCA was utilized to perform this task and the results of the study has revealed that
the F10.7p index is a superior indicator of ionospheric conditions compared to other indices. This
finding is crucial for enhancing the accuracy of the space weather predictions, thereby helping to
protect and optimize the functionality of technological systems affected by solar activities.

Speaker: Mr Obed Maniraguha (University Of Rwanda, College of Science and Technology)

Final Year Project Report For Obed.pdf

17:45 The vacancy-ordered halide double perovskite Cs2B1−xTixI6 (B = Zr, Hf) for photovoltaic and photocatalytic hydrogen production by splitting water applications: First-principal calculations

The structural, electronic, optical, and photocatalytic properties of pure and Ti-doped on the B-site of Cs2BI6 (B= Hf and Zr) are explored using the first principal calculation based on the Density Functional Theory (DFT). Our finding band gap values are 3.175 eV for Cs2ZrI6 and 4.153 eV for Cs2HfI6 by PBE-GGA + mBJ approximation, is closer to the experimental data. Besides, Cs2B1−xTixI6 (B = Zr, Hf and x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75) compounds studied are p-type semiconductors with direct band gap. However, Cs2TiI6 has an indirect band gap when the compounds are completely doped with Ti atom (x = 1) at the B-site. In addition, the band gap reduced after the Titanium impurities were substituted on the Zr or Hf sites, from 2.983 eV for Cs2ZrI6 (x = 0) to 1.802 eV for Cs2Zr0.25Ti0.75I6 (x = 0.75) and from 3.865 eV for Cs2HfI6 (x = 0) to 1.871 eV for Cs2Hf0.25Ti0.75I6 (x = 0.75) taking into consideration spin–orbit coupling (SOC). The band gap reduction enables the absorption to reach more than 105cm-1 in the visible region, especially for Cs2B0.25Ti0.75I6 (B = Hf and Zr) doped. Furthermore, from the enthalpy of formation, all structures studies are thermodynamically stable, as well as can produce hydrogen by splitting water. With all of these results, we are expecting Cs2B1− xTixI6 (B = Zr, Hf) doped compounds to be employed as semiconductors in photovoltaic and photocatalytic devices.

Speaker: Boutaina AKENOUN

19:30 → 22:30 Conference Dinner

Thursday 18 September

09:00 → 10:30 Asrtrophysics & Cosmology

09:00 General astrophysics & cosmology

09:30 Astrophysics

10:00 Cosmology

10:30 → 11:00 Break

11:00 → 11:30 Asrtrophysics & Cosmology

11:00 Astrophysics & cosmology

11:30 → 12:30 Quantum Computing

11:30 Quantum computing 1

11:55 Quantum computing 2

12:30 → 13:50 Lunch

13:50 → 15:35 Contributed talks: Astrophysics & Cosmology

13:50 The Linear Point cosmological standard ruler: tests and applications to the Euclid mission

The large-scale distribution of galaxies contains crucial information about the acoustic waves that propagated in the primordial baryon-photon plasma. These waves imprint a characteristic scale into the galaxy two-point correlation function. This scale, called the "Linear Point" (LP), is defined as the mid-point between the peak and dip of the correlation function at scales of about 150 Mpc.

In this talk, I will explain that the Linear Point is a cosmological standard ruler that enables us to measure cosmic distances without the need to model the impact of non-linearities on the clustering correlation function. In turn, these measurements will allow us to investigate the cosmological expansion history.

Finally, we will focus on our current research in the context of the Euclid mission. We are investigating the accuracy and the expected precision of the Linear Point measurements on mock catalogs (dark matter particles, halos and galaxies), based on the mission's characteristics. This preparatory work is a necessary step to estimate cosmic distances exploiting the Linear Point with Euclid data.

Speaker: Mx Alessandro Renzi (University of Padova and INFN)

14:05 Shock Wave Formation and Propagation in High Energy Physics and Astrophysics: A Comparative Study of Heavy-Ion Collisions and Core-Collapse Supernovae

Understanding the behaviour of matter under extreme conditions remains a central challenge in high-energy nuclear physics and astrophysics. This study presents a comparative analysis of relativistic shock wave propagation in the plasma environments of heavy-ion collisions (HIC) and core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe). Using both analytical and numerical techniques, we model shock generation in magnetised and non-magnetised fluids under conditions mimicking those of the early-time quark-gluon plasma in HIC and the bounce phase of CCSNe. Numerical simulations are performed by incorporating realistic equations of state and varying magnetisation levels. We examine the role of initial hydrodynamics conditions and magnetic field configurations on shock structure and strength. In HIC, we explore magnetic field evolution in the quark-gluon plasma, while in CCSNe, we assess shock formation and propagation post-core bounce. Our results reveal physical parallels between these systems and contribute to developing unified models of relativistic plasma dynamics across high-energy and astrophysical scales.

Speaker: Ms Magdeline Mohlao Seabi (Nelson Mandela University)

SEABI_MM_ACP2025.pdf

14:20 Sun-related energy, induced ring, auroral electrojet and magnetopause currents variability during solar cycles 23 and 24

In this study, we examined variability of sun-related energies, auroral electrojet current, ring current, and magnetopause current during solar cycles 23 and 24. The study revealed a dependence of sun-related energies on the Sun and Earth current systems with solar activity from 1996 to 2019. A decrease in the correlation between sun-related energies and sunspot number was observed over solar cycles 23 and 24 (0.88 for the solar cycle 23 and 0.66 for the solar cycle 24), with a drop in the speed of magnetic disturbances in the solar wind. These results could be attributed to the decrease in the Sun's magnetic field toroidal component magnitude induced by a weakness in the sunspot number and solar flares during the solar cycle 24. A weakness in the Earth's current systems (auroral electrojet current, ring current, and magnetopause current) is also observed. During the decrease in the Earth currents, several peaks are observed, indicating a nonlinear dependence in the Earth currents variation (ring current, auroral electrojet current, and magnetopause current) from solar cycle 23 to solar cycle 24. This could be attributed to the Corotating Interaction Regions (CIRs) observed during the declining phase of solar cycle 23 and the deep minimum preceding solar cycle 24.
Keywords
Solar activity, sun-related energy, corotating interaction region, currents systems

Speaker: Issamaïl Ki (Nazi Boni University)

14:35 Constraints on power law and exponential models in f(Q) gravity

In this paper, we observationally test the f(Q) gravity model at both background and perturbation levels using Pantheon+, Hubble measurements, and Redshift Space Distortion Data. We obtain the best-fit parameters by solving numerically the modified Friedmann equations for two distinct cosmological models of f(Q) gravity namely the Power law and Exponential models. This involves performing a Markov Chain Monte Carlo analysis for these specific forms of f(Q). To evaluate the statistical significance of the f(Q) gravity models, we use the Bayesian and corrected Akaike Information Criteria. Our results indicate that the Exponential model in f(Q) gravity is statistically favored over both the Power-law model and the ΛCDM model.

Speaker: DALALE MHAMDI (Laboratory of Physics of Matter and Radiations, Mohammed I University, BP 717, Oujda, Morocco.)

14:50 Higher spin swampland conjecture for massive AdS3 gravity

In this paper, we propose a version of the Swampland Weak Gravity Conjecture (WGC) for higher-spin (HS) massive topological AdS₃ gravity. We demonstrate that the conjecture can be formulated in terms of mass Mhs, charge Qhs and coupling constant ghs of 3D gravity coupled to higher spin fields as Mhs≤√2 Qhs ghs MPl.
To the best of our knowledge, this question has not been explored in the literature. While the WGC has been studied in a distinct setup—where the gravitational and gauge sectors remain decoupled by considering 3D gravity in addition to a U(1) gauge field—it has not yet been established for massive AdS₃ gravity in the Chern-Simons formulation coupled to higher-spin fields.
In this work, we aim to bridge this gap by formulating a super-extremality bound for the higher-spin BTZ black hole, extending the WGC framework to this context to regulate the discharge of unstable higher spin BTZ black holes.

Speaker: Rajae Sammani

15:05 Determination of stellar rotational velocities: Adopted methodology within the AMBRE Project

There are currently rather few catalogues of rotational velocity of FGK type stars, based on high-resolution spectra. This paper aims to present a method for determining the rotational velocities of cool stars, for the AMBRE Project. The AMBRE main goal is to parametrize European Southern Observatory (ESO) archived high-resolution spectra, make their parameters publicly available and help in the development of the analysis pipeline of the Gaia spectra. Our analysis focuses on establishing the coupling constant between the width of the spectral lines and the stellar rotation, which is essential for accurate velocity determinations. For that purpose,we developed a specific calibration method based on the cross correlation function between stellar spectra and specific masks. It is first applied to data collected with the ESO Fiber-fed Extended Range Optical Spectrograph (FEROS).

Speaker: Fabrice Bado (University Joseph KI-ZERBO, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso)

15:20 Searching for Radio Transients and Variable Sources in the NGC 1566 Field Using Data from the MHONGOOSE Large Survey Project.

The MeerKAT radio telescope in South Africa, a pathfinder for the Square Kilometre Array (SKA1-Mid), is highly sensitive and has a wide field of view, making it ideal for studying changes in the radio sky over time. This study uses MeerKAT images from three fields of the MHONGOOSE Large Survey Project (LSP) to search for new transient and variable radio sources. Each field includes 10 observations taken over periods ranging from a month to more than a year. The analysis was based on South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) Science Data Processing (SDP) images, with source detection and variability studies carried out using the Transient Pipeline (TraP) on the Inter-University Institute for Data Intensive Astronomy (IDIA) cloud. Light curves from TraP were used to calculate variability parameters η and V. In the NGC 1566 field, the analysis of 10 epochs revealed multiple variable sources, most likely active galactic nuclei (AGNs). Additionally, a radio transient, SRC76717, was identified and linked to a nearby flaring M dwarf 48 parsecs away.

Speaker: tshilengo vhuthu (University of Venda)

13:50 → 15:20 Contributed talks: Computational Physics & Machine Learning

13:50 Modified 1D Quantum Walks for Improved Transport

Abstract:
Quantum walks (QWs) play a fundamental role in the development of quantum algorithms, making their dynamics essential for enhancing quantum computing and quantum information transport applications. In this study, we investigate the scattering properties of quantum walks on a one-dimensional line through numerical simulations in both continuous- and discrete-time frameworks. Specifically, we examine the impact of adding an edge to each node while maintaining the structural regularity of the line. Our analysis employs well-known three-dimensional coin operators, taking into account the different propagation directions along the three links connected to each site. The results indicate that this structural modification enhances the propagation dynamics compared to a simple linear configuration, leading to improved efficiency in quantum state transfer.

Speaker: Samar Ghemari

Samar_ghemari.pdf

14:05 Study of rigidity or jamming transition in the basal layer of stratified epithelia (skin epidermis) using 3D vertex models

Stratified epithelial tissues, such as the skin epidermis, cover the body and serve as primary barrier against external assaults and pathogens. These tissues are composed of multiple layers, with a basal stem cell layer attached to the basement membrane and suprabasal layers of differentiated cells. The fluidity of the basal layer plays a key role in maintaining the mechanical barrier between the basal and suprabasal layers—an essential mechanism for regulating tissue renewal and maintaining homeostasis. Disruption of this barrier can lead to pathological conditions such as cancer. In this project, we investigate whether the fluidity of the one-cell-thick basal layer can be characterized by the two-dimensional cell shape index P0=(P/√A) =3.81, or by the three-dimensional shape index s0=(A/V^(2/3))=5.4. We use a computer-based 3D vertex model to simulate stratified epithelia and compute the rearrangement rate of basal cells as a function of model parameters to predict the rigidity transition. The critical target shape index at which the rearrangement rate approaches zero marks the rigid-to-fluid transition in the basal layer. Our predictions provide a framework for guiding experimental measurements of cell shape and tissue mechanics and enable the investigation of how basal layer fluidity regulates cell delamination, a process critical for maintaining stratified tissue homeostasis.

Speaker: Somiealo AZOTE epse HASSIKPEZI

Draft_Abstract_ACP_conference_Togo (1).pdf

14:20 Unveiling Quantum Correlations and Coherence in Graphene for Scalable Qubit Architectures

Solid-state systems have emerged as highly promising candidates for realizing qubits in quantum technologies. Among these systems, graphene stands out as an exceptional platform due to its remarkable electronic properties and long coherence times. This presentation focuses on investigating the quantum properties of graphene that make it particularly suitable for advancing solid-state quantum technologies. We will explore how various system parameters influence the quantum resources in graphene, with special attention given to intra-particle entanglement, quantum correlations beyond entanglement, and quantum coherence. We will present our research findings regarding the utilization of these resources. To quantitatively assess these properties, we will employ several quantum measures, including concurrence, local quantum uncertainty, and the relative entropy of coherence. Through our comprehensive analysis, our objective is to identify adjustable control system parameters that can effectively preserve quantum correlations and enhance coherence even in the presence of noise, particularly thermal noise. By showcasing the controllability of quantum correlations and coherence in graphene-based systems, our work contributes to paving the way toward the realization of practical quantum technologies.

Speaker: Zakaria Bouafia (Hassan II University of Casablanca)

Zakaria_Bouafia_Graphene_Qubits.pdf

14:35 Nouvelle densité d’énergie pour les élastomères : application à l’essai de traction-torsion de Rivlin-Saunders

Ce projet s’inscrit dans le cadre de l’étude du comportement hyperélastique des élastomères, avec pour objectif la caractérisation avancée de leur réponse sous des conditions de chargement multiaxial. L’approche expérimentale adoptée repose sur l’essai historique de traction-torsion développé par Rivlin et Saunders en 1951 [1], reconnu pour sa capacité à révéler les non-linéarités du comportement mécanique des matériaux élastomères sous grandes déformations couplées.

Des essais de traction-torsion ont été reproduits expérimentalement, permettant d’obtenir des courbes précises de réponse couple-angle de torsion pour des échantillons d’élastomère. Ces résultats expérimentaux mettent en évidence les limites de quelques modèles hyperélastiques (Mooney-Rivlin [2], Gent-Thomas [3], Yeoh [4], Isihara [5], Arruda-Boyce [6], Fung [7], Haupt-Sedlan [8], Veronda-Westmann [9], Bidermann [10]), qui ne parviennent pas à capturer de manière satisfaisante les interactions complexes entre traction axiale et torsion.

Afin de surmonter ces insuffisances, nous avons développé une nouvelle fonction de densité d’énergie hyperélastique W, issue d’une étude comparative approfondie des modèles énumérés. Cette formulation intègre des termes de couplage supplémentaires entre les invariants de déformation, permettant une représentation plus fidèle de la réponse expérimentale observée lors de l’essai de Rivlin et Saunders.

L’identification des paramètres du modèle proposé a été réalisée à l’aide de l’algorithme des essaims de particules (Particle Swarm Optimization – PSO) [11],[12], une méthode métaheuristique performante pour la résolution de problèmes d’optimisation non linéaire. L’algorithme a permis de minimiser efficacement l’écart entre les prédictions du modèle et les données expérimentales.

Nos résultats montrent que le nouveau modèle offre une excellente concordance avec les données expérimentales, notamment dans les régimes de fortes déformations. L’introduction d’un terme non-linéaire dépendant du second invariant (I2) s’avère crucial pour décrire les déformations à l'origine des courbures. Cette approche valide la pertinence du modèle proposé pour la modélisation avancée des élastomères soumis à des sollicitations multiaxiales. Ce travail contribue ainsi à une meilleure compréhension du comportement des matériaux hyperélastiques, ouvrant des perspectives d'application prometteuses dans des domaines tels que la robotique molle, les dispositifs biomédicaux ou encore les systèmes flexibles.

Mots clés : matériaux hyperélastiques, élastomères, non-linéarité, modèle phénoménologique, essai de traction-torsion, algorithme d’optimisation par essaim de particule

Speaker: Dr TALAKA Dya (CES de Kodek /Université de Maroua)

projet_elasto_tractors.pdf

13:50 → 15:30 Contributed talks: Nuclear & Particle Physics Applications

13:50 Cross Section Measurements of Various Target Materials for High Energy Neutron Induced Reactions

iThemba Laboratories for Accelerator Based Sciences (LABS) is a national research facility in South Africa with its various activities centred around a number of sub-atomic particle accelerators. The largest accelerator at the facility, a K=200 separated sector cyclotron (SSC), accelerates protons of energies up to 200MeV, and heavier particles to much higher energies. With the protons beams available from the SSC, quasi-monoenergetic neutron beams of energies ranging between 25 MeV and 200 MeV can be covered almost continuously, using 7Li and 9Be targets of varying thickness. The spectral distribution of these beams exhibits a high-energy peak resulting from transition to the ground state and the 1st excited states of the product nucleus and an adjacent continuum resulting from break-up reactions [1]. Researchers at iThemba LABS are currently involved in a joint research project focused on measuring high-energy neutron induced cross-sections for the (n,xn) reactions using various target materials important for reactor dosimetry, fusion and fission studies. For these target materials, experimental data for high-energy neutron cross-section libraries of (n,xn) reactions is currently missing. Moreover, there are disagreements between the existing limited experimental data and theoretical models. At neutron energies below 20 MeV, cross sections for these nuclear reactions are considered to be well-known [2, 3]. Test experiments commenced at the iThemba LABS fast neutron beam facility with irradiations of various target materials using quasi-monoenergetic neutron beams at high energies.

For this contribution, we report on the neutron activation analysis of Au, Bi, Co and Tm using quasi-monoenergetic neutron beams of about 90 MeV and 140 MeV. The discussions will focus on whether the resulting gamma-ray spectra can be clearly distinguished from the background levels of the counting system. This will include calibration of the system using certified reference sources and analyses of the gamma-ray spectra to identify the (n,2-6n) reactions for each activated material. Further analysis of the gamma-ray spectra will include the estimation of the activity uncertainties. For cross-section determinations, the following parameters; neutron peak fluence, peak to continuum ratio in the neutron spectrum, neutron fluence monitor and the activities from the gamma-ray spectrum will contribute to the uncertainty budget.

Keywords: quasi-monoenergetic neutrons, induced reactions, gamma-ray spectra, background spectrum

Speaker: Dr Zina Ndabeni (NRF-iThemba LABS)

ACP2025_Abstract_NdabeniNB.pdf

14:05 Modeling and calculation of reactivity feedback coefficients and neutron flux using Monte Carlo code OpenMC for SLOWPOKE-2 reactor

SLOWPOKE-2 is a pool-type research reactor whose accurate modeling is challenging due to its compact core and significant neutron leakage. In this study, a detailed three-dimensional continuous-energy model of the SLOWPOKE-2 reactor was developed using the Monte Carlo code OpenMC. The model was validated through criticality calculations, showing good agreement with measured excess reactivity values. Once validated, the model was used to compute key neutronic parameters, including the reactivity feedback coefficients associated with fuel temperature, moderator temperature, and void fraction. Each parameter was varied independently, with all others held constant. Temperature-dependent cross-section libraries were generated using the ENDF/B-VIII.0 nuclear data, processed with the NJOY2016 code at 313, 333, 353, and 373 K. The results show that all reactivity feedback coefficients are negative, in accordance with reactor safety requirements. Additionally, neutron flux distributions in both inner and outer irradiation sites are presented and analyzed. These findings demonstrate the capability of OpenMC to accurately simulate the neutronic behavior of the SLOWPOKE-2 reactor and to support safety evaluations.

Speaker: Mrs Afaf EL MTILI (Radiations and Nuclear Systems Group, FS, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tetouan, Morocco.)

14:20 Study of CaMoO4(Er) detector’s model simulated by using MCNP-X code

Abstract
Inorganic scintillator materials find widespread use in ionizing radiation detectors across various fields such as nuclear physics and medical physics. Recently, there have been advancements in enhancing their optical properties through the addition of small quantities (doping) of metals, typically from the rare-earth family. The primary objective of this research is to conduct calculations using the MCNP-X simulation code, based on the Monte Carlo method, to investigate the response of the CaMoO4 crystal to gamma rays within the energy range of 59 keV to 1408 keV. Key parameters in this study include energy resolution and detection efficiency, crucial for assessing the detector's performance. Erbium has been selected as the dopant element for this investigation.

KEYWORDS: MCNP-X simulation code, Inorganic scintillator, CaMoO4 detector, Scintillation, Doping.

Speaker: Imane Mhiliss (Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Morocco)

Imane-Mhiliss_Abstract.pdf

14:35 Study of Energy Deposition Using a Multi-Cell Model and Lithium Ions in BORON NEUTRON CAPTURE THERAPY

This study aims to analyze the energy deposition distribution of lithium-7 (⁷Li) ions in a multi-cell model applied to Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT). Using Monte Carlo simulations with Geant4, we evaluate the influence of charged particle interactions at the cellular scale and their impact on BNCT dosimetry. Results show that ⁷Li ions deposit their energy primarily in the cytoplasm and cell membrane, with notable differences compared to alpha particles. The multi-cell model also reveals an increase in average deposited energy and a reduction in energy loss outside the cellular system. Comparison of different Geant4 physical models indicates that G4QGSP_BIC_HP predicts higher energy deposition in cellular compartments. These results improve the accuracy of dosimetric models and contribute to the optimization of BNCT treatment strategies.

Speaker: Khadija CHAREF (HASSAN II University)

14:50 Bremsstrahlung photons and neutrons produced by Ag, Gd,Nb and W targets bombarded by a 20 MeV electron beam using FLUKA Monte Carlo simulation.

External radiotherapy is one of the main cancer treatment strategies, it is based on accurately administering high doses of ionizing radiation to the tumor volume while ensuring the protection of the surrounding healthy organs. Treatment in radiotherapy is administered using linear accelerators; In these medical facilities, bremsstrahlung photons are created by the deceleration of high-energy electrons in a target material by the action of the Coulomb field of nuclei’s target. The intensity of these generated bremsstrahlung photons is mainly related to the incident electron beam energy, the atomic number Z of the target material, and its thickness.

The use of high Z material is essential to ensure high production of bremsstrahlung photons, however, the cross sections of photo-nuclear reactions are high for these materials, therefore photoneutrons will exit in and out of X-ray beams. These photoneutrons are causing many radiation protection concerns.
Recent advances in simulation studies on the production of bremsstrahlung photons by electron beams de-accelerating in target material have the potential to make a significant impact on radiotherapy linacs.
In this study, we are interested to investigate the Bremsstrahlung energy spectrums produced by various thin optimal target materials (Niobium (41), Silver (47), Gadolinium (64), Tungsten (74)), and we evaluate the neutron generated by those optimal targets using FLUKA Monte Carlo code, to give a clear indication for the selection of the optimal material to be used as the accelerator's target.

Speaker: Ms SOUKAINA KABRANE (Université Cadi Ayyad)

Bremsstrahlung photons and neutrons produced by Ag.pdf

15:35 → 16:00 Break

16:00 → 17:50 Contributed talks: Applied & Fluid Physics

16:00 Optimization of High Order Mode Effects in Accelerators based on Superconducting Cavities for Energy Recovery.

Achieving optimal beam quality and stability in linear accelerators (Linacs) is essential for advancing accelerator physics. However, High Order Modes (HOMs) in superconducting cavities, particularly in Energy Recovery Linacs (ERLs), pose significant challenges to beam dynamics. To address these challenges, we introduce the Compact HOMEN (High Order Mode Evolution based on Energy budget) model, which provides a precise framework for predicting and analyzing HOM effects on beam stability. This model enables optimized mitigation strategies, crucial for improving the performance of high-brightness electron beams.

In this study, we explore the constraints imposed by high currents and high repetition rates on energy recovery efficiency. Our results not only enhance the understanding of ERL operation but also highlight their potential to drive future advancements in accelerator technology.

Speaker: Dr Sanae SAMSAM (INFN Milano)

16:25 Preliminary Investigation of the Mechanical Properties of Tissues Biopsies

emphasized text

Speaker: Dr Kayode DADA (University of Johannesburg)

ACP2025.pdf

16:50 Preliminary Findings on Monte Carlo-Based Optimization of Radiation Safety in X-ray Room at Kitui County Referral Hospital, Kenya

Abstract
For diagnostic X-ray rooms to remain compliant with regulations and radiation safety guidelines, an accurate radiation dose estimation is requisite to guide the optimization of radiation safety. The spatial and energy-dependence distribution of ionizing radiation in the radiation room were characterized using Geant4 Monte Carlo-based simulations. An X-ray machine was modeled accurately to monitor the interactions of the primary and the emanating scattered radiations. Beyond doses of artificial origin, the contributions from naturally occurring radio nuclides (²³²Th, ²³⁸U, ⁴⁰K) and airborne radon (²²²Rn) progeny were incorporated in the model by factoring doses from floor, walls, ceiling, and room air to ensure a comprehensive study of the cumulative exposure. The dominant dose deposition from the radiation machine was due to scattering interactions, with the trend obeying the inverse square law except near the walls which is a consistent observation in many studies and is associated with back-scattering of radiation by the walls. Further, a significant positive correlation was noted between dose deposition and the other simulated parameters; room size, ventilation status, and occupancy timeline. Dose maps reveal higher deposition profiles near the walls than at the room center which is a usual trend for doses from natural sources. Though these are preliminary findings awaiting experimental validation, the dose trends and levels are below the recommended range for diagnostic radiologists. However, improving ventilation, reducing occupancy time, expanding room size, and refining the operator’s positioning were recommended to further minimize scatter doses. The model offers an accurate approach to enhancing radiation safety in diagnostics.
Keywords: Occupational dose, Monte Carlo simulation, X-ray dosimetry, Natural doses, radiation safety.

Speaker: Muthama Matsitsi (South Eastern Kenya University)

Preliminary Findings.pdf

17:05 Action de la dérivée d'ordre fractionnaire sur les résonances non-linéaires et sur la dynamique chaotique d'un gyroscope.

Pour les machines industrielles dont la complexité n'a cessé d'augmenter, la compréhension et le diagnostic des phénomènes vibratoires mis en jeu nécessitent des simulations de plus en plus fines de leur comportement. L’étude de la dynamique des machines tournantes est donc plus que jamais d’actualité. Les gyroscopes présentent une dynamique très riche et sont présents dans une large gamme de systèmes d'ingénierie tels que les véhicules aériens, le génie civil, les industries, les automobiles et les satellites pour suivre leur orientation et contrôler leur trajectoire. Ces structures mécaniques sont régulièrement soumises aux charges dynamiques : moteurs, voitures à grande vitesse et bien d'autres perturbations naturelles. Dans tous ces cas, le système peut présenter des vibrations de grande amplitude ou vibrations chaotiques qui n'intéressent pas toujours le monde de l'ingénierie. Par ailleurs, les recherches antérieures sur le gyroscope montrent qu'il passe dans certaines conditions par la multi-stabilité donc il se comporte à des moments donnés comme un système à mémoire. Motivé par ces enquêtes et résultats précédents et le vaste domaine d'application du gyroscope, nous avons dérivé le modèle de la dynamique non-linéaire du gyroscope rotatif excité avec le modèle de la dérivée d'ordre fractionnaire au sens de Grünwald-Letnikov afin de comprendre et de contrôler les comportements parfois inattendus. Après modélisation mathématique du système, nous avons déterminé les résonances possibles par la méthode des échelles multiples. Les conditions de stabilité pour chaque résonance ont été obtenues grâce au critère de Routh-Hurwitz. Les différents paramètres du système ont été étudiés et il est conclu que les différents états de résonance peuvent être contrôlés par chacun d'eux. De plus, à l'aide de diagrammes de bifurcation, d'exposants de Lyapunov, de portraits de phase et de séries temporelles, il a été démontré que, pour certaines valeurs des paramètres, le gyroscope considéré présente une dynamique riche. Le chaos a été réduit, voire éliminé, avec l'augmentation progressive des autres paramètres, en particulier de l'ordre de la dérivée fractionnaire jusqu'à une certaine valeur. Ainsi, à partir de l’ordre de la dérivée fractionnaire, nous avons pu contrôler les comportements inattendus observés et son intérêt est prouvé. Nous avons alors conclu que le contrôleur utilisé est efficace et que les résultats obtenus peuvent être utilisés dans les domaines d’application de la dynamique non-linéaire considéré.

Speaker: Sèmédéton Olivier HOUNNAN

17:20 Analysis of Flow Characteristics and Optimization of Fluid Flow Distribution in a Molten Salt Reactor Using CFD Simulation

The Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) is one of the Generation IV reactors, utilizing liquid fuel that flows through the core and other supporting components. Due to its liquid nature, an optimal flow will distribute the reactor power evenly across all pin channels, ensuring efficient heat transfer throughout the system [2]. Therefore, an optimal design is required to ensure flow uniformity throughout the reactor core, from the upper plenum to the lower plenum, supporting both safety and efficiency aspects of the reactor. This study addresses two key research questions: (1) How uniform is the fluid flow distribution, and how can the MSR model design be optimized? and (2) How does fuel variation affect the thermal-hydraulic parameters of the MSR, which remain unknown? These questions are tackled using a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) numerical approach, where licensed Ansys software is used to analyze velocity-based variables, while open-source OpenFOAM software is employed to examine temperature-based variables.

The reactor modeling is conducted using Autodesk Inventor 2024. Each fuel pin has a polygon width of 20 cm, with a central cylinder diameter of 10 cm (small pin) and 16 cm (large pin), and a height of 50 cm. The pins are arranged in seven stacks without gaps to simplify meshing, resulting in a total height of 3.5 meters. For addressing problem one, the solid domain is filled with pure graphite, while the fluid domain contains liquid water. Flow uniformity is evaluated using the Uniformity Index – Area Weighted Average (γₐ) available in Ansys Fluent 2024 R2, where γₐ represents how a field variable varies over a surface, and if γₐ is closer to one, it indicates that the fluid distribution is more uniform throughout the design.

The design optimization was conducted by comparing two inlet and outlet configurations, namely design A (6 inlets and 6 outlets) and design B (12 inlets and 6 outlets. The simulation results that the best uniformity index (γₐ) is achieved in variation-6, at 0.492. The design is then used as the basis for solving problem two using OpenFOAM. The solid domain is configured based on the graphite properties from the IAEA tabulation [4], meanwhile, the fluid domain uses LiF-NaF-KF (mol percentage: 46.5-11.5-52, known as FLiNaK) based on the data tabulation from Sohal et al [5]. The solver used is chtMultiRegionSimpleFoam, a Conjugate Heat Transfer (CHT) steady-state solver that accounts for buoyancy effects, turbulent flow, and compressibility. The simulations result show that models begin converge at iteration 100.000, with the achieved temperature approaching 870 K. This indicates that the turbulence model, whether for one stack, seven stacks, or a full reactor, requires an increasing number of iterations to achieve better convergence. Neverthless, this research requires an in-depth analysis about the impact of different fuel variations, such as 2LiF-BeF₂ (molar percentage 67-33; FLiBe), KCl-MgCl₂ (molar percentage 67-33), and NaNO₃-NaNO₂-KNO₃ (molar percentage 7-40-53).

Speaker: Jalalludin Mukhtafi (Universitas Gadjah Mada)

Jalalludin Mukhtafi_abstract- english.pdf

17:35 Numerical analysis of non-Newtonian EMHD blood flow through overlapping time-variant stenosis artery: Effect of hematocrit viscosity

The objective of this work is to use the Casson fluid model to analyze the hemorheological characteristics in the arterial region using computer simulations of two-dimensional (2D) hemodynamics of unsteady blood flow via an inclined overlapping time-variant stenosed artery in the presence of nanoparticles. A uniform electric and magnetic field is applied to the blood flow in an axial and radial direction, respectively, in order to account for the electro-magneto-hemodynamic effect. The changing viscosity of blood is considered to be hematocrit dependent. To examine entropy generation, the second law of thermodynamics is applied. Using the finite difference technique, the governing equations and boundary conditions regulating the flow are solved. To construct and validate the model, the current results were compared to previously published articles that are particular to this study. The primary hemodynamic parameters are computed at a certain critical height of the stenosis and include velocity, temperature, wall shear stress (WSS), flow rate, and resistance to flow. In addition to the fields of medication delivery, tissue regeneration, wound healing, nano-hemodynamics, nano-pharmacology, and blood purification systems, the findings of this study may prove helpful in the detection of hemodynamic abnormalities.

Speaker: Dr Issa El Glili (Laboratory of Research in Physics and Engineering Sciences (LRPSI), Polydisciplinary faculty, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Beni Mellal, Morocco)

Abstract.docx

16:00 → 17:35 Contributed talks: Materials Physics & Nanoscience

16:00 Phase Evolution of ZnFe2O4 in ZnFe2O4-ZnO Nanocomposite Thin Films: Thickness-Dependent Structural and Antibacterial Applications

Abstract:

This study investigates the synthesis and characterization of ZnFe₂O₄-ZnO nanocomposite thin films, focusing on the effect of film thickness on the appearance of ZnFe₂O₄ in the composite. The films were prepared using the spray pyrolysis technique. Structural, optical, morphological, electrical, and magnetic properties of the thin films were systematically analyzed. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed the cubic morphology and crystalline nature of the films. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was employed to further examine the surface topography, revealing the influence of thickness on the film's roughness and uniformity. The optical properties were studied through UV-Vis spectroscopy, revealing enhanced light absorption with varying film thickness. Impedance spectroscopy was used to assess electrical conductivity, showing a significant improvement with increased thickness, indicating enhanced electrical performance. The magnetic properties were investigated using vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), demonstrating a notable increase in magnetic susceptibility. Additionally, the antibacterial activity of the nanocomposite films was evaluated, showing promising potential for application in antibacterial coatings. The results highlight the influence of film thickness on the properties and performance of the ZnFe₂O₄-ZnO nanocomposites, particularly in terms of conductivity and magnetism, while underscoring their potential for practical applications in antibacterial technologies.

Speaker: Fatma Ezzahra Dhif (Faculté des Sciences de Tunis)

16:15 Metal-Assisted Microwave Treatment and Density Gradient centrifuge Separation for converting Coal Materials into Graphite

The global decline in coal demand, driven by environmental concerns, has prompted research into alternative uses for coal. Graphite, as a high value carbon materials and similar structure to coal molecules, provide a promising route to repurpose coal. This study investigates the conversion of coal into high-purity graphite using an innovative, low-cost, metal-assisted microwave treatment method along with the density gradient centrifuge (DGC) for purification sorting. The successful conversion method requires metal foils serve as catalyst to convert coal to graphite and serve as a sparking center for creating high temperature under microwave illumination, reducing environment (Ar/H2), and coal materials. The performance of four catalytic metal foils (Nickel, Copper, Iron, and Cobalt) are tested. The impacts of the moisture and particle sizes of the coal materials on the conversion rate are discussed. DGC methods for purification after the conversion will be discussed. The perfection of this recipe is considered to have great impact on the global economy related to the coal communities.

Speaker: Adekunle Hammed Ojelabi (University of Wyoming)

ASP Abstract_Adekunle.pdf

16:30 Uncovering the potential of BaHfS3 charge carriers in solar cell, thermoelectric and photocatalytic water splitting applications.

Chalcogen perovskites have become one of the most competitive materials in the field of environmentally friendly energy production due to their stability and non-toxicity. In this context, both stability and structural, optoelectronic, and thermoelectric properties were studied using the DFT method. We also addressed the calculation of photovoltaic parameters via the Scaps-1D simulation code. The orthorhombic structure 'most stable phase' of the BaHfS_3 semiconductor has been studied. Our results, demonstrated the energetic and mechanical stability of this material. BaHfS_3 has a direct band gap, it was evaluated using GGA, GGA+SOC, and HSE, the values found are 1.28eV, 0.97eV, and 2.08eV, respectively. High absorption (≈2×10^5), low reflectivity (<40%), remarkable carrier mobility (634.125(〖cm〗^2/(V.s)) at 300K along the x-axis), low exciton binding energy (37.4 meV), and long carrier lifetime. All these intrinsic properties motivate us to calculate the performance of this compound. By varying the absorber layer thickness in the solar cell architect (Pt/HTM/ BaHfS_3/ETM/FTO) after carefully selecting the other layer materials, we find significant values for the main characteristics: 35.02 (mA. 〖cm〗^(-2) ) of J_sc , 1.08 mV of V_oc, 80.24% of FF and 30.56% for PCE. In addition, BaHfS_3 has a strong thermoelectric performance, as reflected by the ZT values of 2.1092, 2.472, and 2.7608 along x, y, and z at 300 K, respectively. Our results shed light on applying BaHfS_3in photocatalytic water splitting, solar cells and thermoelectric generators via converting solar and thermal energy into clean electricity and hydrogen sustainably.

Speaker: NOUHAILA EL HIDAOUI (LPHE- Modeling & Simulation, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V University)

16:45 Experimental investigation on the pozzolanic activity of some calcinated clays from Togo

The cement industry is facing major challenges due to dwindling clinker reserves, high CO2 emissions, and high electrical energy consumption. Partially or completely replacing clinker in cement production represents a possible solution, and the use of clays is one of the most promising options to achieve this. In the field of research, the partial replacement of clinker with calcined kaolinitic clays has been the subject of numerous studies. In this regard, many research projects have been undertaken by the research community by partially replacing clinker with calcined kaolinite clays. Togo, a cement producer (over 2,000,000 tons) and a major energy consumer (over 4,2.109 kWh), is affected by these issues. A study therefore assessed the feasibility of a Togolese low-carbon cement, obtained by partially replacing clinker with three types of local clays. Activation of these raw clays, whose reactivity is negligible, is essential for their use in the production of this low-carbon cement. This work therefore investigated the pozzolanicity of Togolese clays for their use in the production of low-carbon cement. The objective is to partially replace clinker with these clays, thermally activated at 700°C for 2 hours in a Nabertherm kiln. The study focused on three clays: Afagnan (KA), Bandjeli (KB), and Asuto (AS). Before and after calcination, a microscopic analysis (TGA/DTG) was performed to determine the kaolinite content and the optimal activation temperature. The mineralogical composition was determined by X-ray fluorescence, and the transformation of kaolinite into metakaolin upon thermal activation was confirmed by XRD. Macroscopic tests on mortars and cement pastes included evaluation of the pozzolanic activity index, measurement of compressive strength, determination of chemically bound water, and isothermal calorimetry. In application, binary LC2 and ternary LC3 cements were formulated. Analyses revealed varying kaolinite contents depending on the clay: 60.17% (KA), 57.31% (KB), and 28.65% (AS). An activation temperature of 700°C for 2 hours was optimal for all three clays, confirmed by TGA/DTG and XRD. According to ASTM C618, these clays are suitable as pozzolans, their oxide content (%SiO2 + %Al2O3 + %Fe2O3) exceeding 70% (KA: 90.49%, KB: 80.16%, AS: 90.1%). Compression tests confirm this: the strengths at 7 days are 41.1 MPa (KA), 43.45 MPa (KB) and 36.6 MPa (AS) compared to 43.15 MPa for the control, and at 28 days, 57 MPa (KA), 59.1 MPa (KB) and 55.25 MPa (AS) compared to 59.8 MPa for the control. The pozzolanic activity index exceeds 70% for all substitution rates, with a maximum for PC-90-KB-10 (100.7%). These results confirm the potential of these calcined clay-based composite cements for construction. The heat of hydration of the composite cements varies according to the substitution rate. At 10%, the trend remains similar to the control, with a slight increase. At 20%, the total heat released decreases for all samples, except KB, which maintains the same trend as the control.

Speaker: Gatien Konde

Experimental investigation on the pozzolanic activity of some article.pdf

17:00 Experimental investigation of thermoelectric cooler box using a passive temperature harmonization device

The Peltier modules are used for small scale cooling and refrigeration purposes at both domestic and industrial sectors. Portable refrigerators operated by Peltier element have been constructed, and experiments are conducted on air or/and water as coolants on module efficiency using water pump or fans. In this study, experimental approach is used to evaluate the possibility to homogenize temperature in a box using a passive component such as an aluminum tube to evaluate a thermoelectric cooler efficiency. It was revealed that, in the laboratory conditions, the aluminum tube mode is more efficient than module only mode. The introduction of aluminum tube has created two zones (a colder zone inside and a less cold zone outside the tube). The COP value of aluminum tube mode is approximately 35% - 250% higher than that of module only mode

Speaker: Lumiere ALLES (Université de Lomé)

17:15 Équipements Énergivores, Inégalités d’Accès et Faible Intégration des Renouvelables : Radiographie des Usages Domestiques de l’Électricité à Lomé

Dans un contexte de précarité énergétique persistante au Togo — où seulement 55,4 % de la population avait accès à l’électricité en 2020 [1] —, cette étude analyse les déterminants socio-économiques, comportementaux et spatiaux de la consommation électrique résidentielle à Lomé. S’appuyant sur une enquête menée en 2025 auprès de 1 094 ménages, elle mobilise une approche méthodologique mixte articulant données quantitatives issues de compteurs intelligents, entretiens semi-directifs, et analyse des factures d’électricité.

Les résultats révèlent une hétérogénéité marquée des profils de consommation. Une majorité de ménages dépend d’appareils énergivores (85 % utilisent des climatiseurs et 62 % des réfrigérateurs), avec des pics de consommation concentrés entre 18h et 22h pour 72 % des foyers. L’instabilité de la fourniture électrique pousse 62 % des ménages à recourir à des sources alternatives (gaz, groupes électrogènes), exacerbant la vulnérabilité énergétique des populations [2]. Les pratiques d’efficacité énergétique restent limitées : seulement 27 % des répondants utilisent des équipements certifiés performants, et 65 % adoptent des gestes élémentaires comme le débranchement d’appareils en veille [3].

L’étude met en évidence une corrélation significative entre le capital culturel — mesuré par le niveau d’instruction du chef de ménage — et les comportements écoresponsables (r = 0,68 ; p < 0,05), confirmant les travaux de Stern sur l’influence des variables cognitives sur les comportements environnementaux [4]. Les inégalités socio-spatiales sont notables : les zones périurbaines consomment 34 % d’électricité en moins que les quartiers centraux, mais recourent davantage à des sources non électriques. En outre, les ménages modestes (65 % de l’échantillon) consacrent jusqu’à 15 % de leur budget mensuel à l’énergie, contre 8 % pour les foyers aisés, illustrant une forme d’injustice énergétique [5].

Malgré un fort intérêt pour les énergies renouvelables (85 % se déclarent favorables), leur adoption demeure marginale en raison de barrières financières (coûts initiaux jugés prohibitifs par 85 %) et informationnelles (seuls 40 % ont consulté un professionnel) [6]. Ces constats rejoignent les analyses de l’IRENA sur les freins à la transition énergétique en Afrique subsaharienne [6].

L’étude recommande la mise en œuvre de politiques intégrées : subventions progressives pour les ménages à faible revenu, sensibilisation ciblée à l’efficacité énergétique, et déploiement de micro-réseaux hybrides à base solaire, en cohérence avec les recommandations de l’ASHRAE pour les climats tropicaux [7]. Elle contribue ainsi au débat sur la ville durable et bas-carbone en Afrique de l’Ouest [8], en soulignant l’urgence d’articuler équité énergétique, résilience urbaine et justice sociale.

Références

[1] Banque Mondiale, Togo: Profil énergétique 2020.
[2] African Development Bank, West Africa Energy Outlook, 2022.
[3] International Energy Agency, Africa Energy Outlook 2022, 2023.
[4] P. C. Stern, "Toward a coherent theory of environmentally significant behavior," J. Social Issues, vol. 56, 2000.
[5] S. Bouzarovski and S. Petrova, "A global perspective on domestic energy deprivation," Energy Res, vol. 10, pp. 31–40, 2015.
[6] IRENA, Renewable Energy Market Analysis: Africa and Its Regions, 2020.
[7] ASHRAE, Handbook—HVAC Applications, 2019.
[8] S. Parnell, "Defining a Global Urban Development Agenda," World Development, vol. 78, 2016.

Speaker: Abdoul-Razak ALI-TAGBA (University of Lomé)

16:00 → 18:00 Contributed talks: Physics Education, Policy & Social Impact

16:00 First year physics: The most important course in your department.

First year physics courses serve an important function in many physics departments. In this presentation, I will discuss my experience teaching an introductory course at Queen's University in Canada and how I have integrated many elements from Physics Education Research and beyond. At the most basic level, students take the course to decide if they will major into physics. I have found that how we teach the course has a large impact on the diversity of students that join our program, and subsequently our field. It is thus of critical importance that we get it right.

I will discuss how, through teaching such a course, we have an opportunity to shape how students view themselves and develop their identity as physicists. I will try to provide some recommendations based on my experience such as creating a sense of community among students so that students feel part of the physics community as they confront challenging open-ended physics problems. I will also present some of the open access resources that we have created, such as a textbook that we have developed with students, and discuss how we integrate those resources. Finally, I will discuss how we have integrated a series of laboratory experiments that use very little equipment so that students can focus on developing strong skills as experimentalists.

Speaker: Prof. Ryan Martin (Queen's University)

16:25 Physics Masterclasses in Africa: Why they Matter

Each year, various forms of particle physics masterclasses are offered to the world by the International Particle Physics Outreach Group. These masterclasses use authentic physics research data to enable students and their teachers to experience how physics works. African participation is rising and can go further to benefit science education and workforce development. We will provide an update on masterclasses in Africa today and explore the future, including some challenges and opportunities for African physics education.

Speaker: Kenneth William Cecire (University of Notre Dame (US))

16:50 History and Evolution of High Througput / High Performance Computing Tutorials at the African School of Physics

I will give a history of the High Througput / High Performance Computing tutorials at the African School of Physics from 2012 until today, and plans for future schools.

Speaker: Horst Severini (University of Oklahoma (US))

17:15 Empowering physics education and research through open data from the CMS Experiment at the LHC

The CMS Experiment at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN conducts a broad particle physics research and discovery program analysing data from high-energy proton-proton and heavy-ion collisions. As part of its commitment to open science and public engagement CMS has released substantial fractions of these data to the public. This talk will describe the content of CMS Open Data and how it has been used for education and research so far. It will also explore the potential for the general public and scientific community in the wider world to harness the opportunities offered by open, research-level data from the LHC.

Speaker: Thomas McCauley (University of Notre Dame (US))

17:40 ATLAS Physics Highlights and Open Data

Speaker: Dr Kate Shaw (University of Sussex (GB))

Friday 19 September

09:00 → 10:30 Cross-cutting fields

09:00 Compact, cost effective, advanced electron accelerators

There is a strong demand for innovative RF structures to qualify within the global scientific collaboration—including SLAC, CERN, INFN-LNF, KEK, and Tsinghua University—dedicated to R&D in accelerator development and high-power RF testing of advanced cavities with increasingly higher gradients. This research explores various geometries, materials, surface processing techniques, and technological advancements in X-band (11–12 GHz) accelerating structures, aimed at next-generation linear particle accelerators for scientific research as well as industrial and medical applications.
We present the current status of our activities at INFN-LNF, focusing on X-band research through the ASTERIX project and Ka-band (35–36 GHz) investigations under the MICRON project, both funded by INFN Committee CSN5. The recently approved ASTERIX project is dedicated to designing, fabricating, and high-power RF testing of the first practical, meter-long, braze-free X-band RF linac for real linear accelerators. This structure consists of four-quadrant ("open-type") hard copper components, engineered to achieve accelerating gradients exceeding 100 MV/m. Meanwhile, within the MICRON project, we introduce the RF design, fabrication, and preliminary measurements of ultra-compact, braze-free RF cavities assembled from multiple parts and powered via a mode launcher. These structures are designed to achieve even higher accelerating gradients and function as RF linearizers.

Speaker: Luigi Faillace

09:30 Accelerating the African Renaissance with Particle Accelerators

Nuclear Science and Technology (NST) hold the potential to meet the objectives of the Botswana Vision 2036, which seeks to transform Botswana from a middle-income to a high-income nation. Botswana intends to capitalize on the deployment of high-tech nuclear technologies for meeting its national development goals through the establishment of BINST - the Botswana Institute for Nuclear Science and Technology (BINST). BIUST is leading the project to establish BINST which will consist of state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and infrastructure that will include a suite of accelerators, namely:

• A 4 MeV tandem accelerator (for Research and Development),
• An 18 MeV compact proton accelerator (for PET isotopes for medical imaging),
• A 70 – 230 MeV proton cyclotron (for isotope production, cancer therapy).
  BIUST engaged with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) under EVT2306846, and a costed business plan has been submitted to the Government of Botswana for the establishment of BINST. The BINST accelerators would request membership of the African Particle Accelerators Collaboration Committee (APACC), which resolved at its first meeting on 8th February 2022 to establish a technical forum between all facilities for seeking advice and help in a prompt and swift manner. BIUST already has an MoU with iThemba LABS in South Africa which will enable the expertise at the latter facility to be called upon from Africa’s largest and most technically developed accelerator complex. The MoU encompasses the both the vision and the mission of iThemba LABS, namely:
  Vision: To be the leading African organisation for research, training and expertise in accelerator-based sciences and technologies.
  Mission: To provide state of the art facilities and programmes for high quality research, training and services in nuclear sciences and applications for the benefit of the people of South Africa and the continent in general.
  This promises well for the development of accelerator-based sciences in Botswana, the SADC region and the African continent as a whole.

Speaker: Dr SIMON MULLINS (Botswana International University of Science and Technology)

ACP2025-SMMullins-Abstract.docx

10:00 Tests of CPT and gravity on antihydrogen - The ALPHA experiment at CERN

Although antimatter is known since almost a century, the matter-antimatter asymmetry in the Universe is one of the biggest mystery of our time. At the Antimatter Factory at CERN, among other experiments, the ALPHA collaboration is studying the properties of antihydrogen to shed light on such asymmetry. In particular, although the gravitational interaction between matter and antimatter has been the subject of theoretical speculation since the discovery of the latter in 1928, only recently the ALPHA experiment at CERN was able to observe, for the first time, the effects of gravity on antimatter atoms. After a description of the experimental apparatus, details about how antihydrogen is produced will be given. Finally, the measurement of the acceleration of gravity of antihydrogen atoms falling in the Earth gravitational field [1] will be presented.
[1] E. Anderson et al., "Observation of the effect of gravity on the motion of antimatter", Nature 2023, 621, 716–722

Speaker: Germano Bonomi (Universita di Brescia (IT))

10:30 → 11:00 Break

11:00 → 12:00 Cross-cutting fields

11:00 The HPC Ecosystems Project: Expanding High-Performance Computing Access, Fostering Collaboration, and Cultivating a Pan-African Scientific Computing Community

This session introduces the HPC Ecosystems Project as a catalyst for Africa’s digital transformation, having expanded access to advanced research computing, enabling talent development, and fostering cross-border collaboration for more than ten years.

Initially launched to address disparities in scientific computing infrastructure, the project has evolved into a continent-spanning movement that empowers research across disciplines, including physics.

Over the past decade, more than 35 HPC systems have been deployed in 11 African countries, supporting research in genomics, climate science, artificial intelligence, and more.

The talk will highlight efforts to build sustainable capacity via workforce development, including virtual training initiatives that have equipped hundreds of researchers, students, and system administrators with essential skills.

Drawing from the 2024 HPC Discovery Survey, the presentation will spotlight Africa’s growing virtual community of scientific computing practice.

It will also reflect candidly on lessons learned - from hardware repurposing and decentralized training to persistent challenges around retention and infrastructure equity.

The session will explore how the project has shifted from hardware distribution toward long-term sustainability - through e-waste reform, virtual labs, and mentorship.

Finally, the session will touch on the project initiatives towards building a regional computing grid to support high energy physics research.

Speaker: Bryan John Johnston (National Integrated Cyber Infrastructure System (ZA))

11:30 Super-resolution imaging of transcription in living cells

We will discuss the latest efforts in our laboratory to develop highly sensitive methods of
microscopy, to go directly inside living cells and uncover the behavior of single biomolecules
as they effect their function in transcription. Transcription is the first step in gene expression
regulation, during which genetic information on DNA is decoded into RNA transcripts.
Methodologically, the so-called live cell single molecule and super-resolution techniques –
that break the optical diffraction limit– are revealing with unprecedented spatial and
temporal resolutions, novel emergent phenomena inside the living cells. We will discuss our
recent discoveries on highly dynamic biomolecular clustering, and phase transitions in vivo.
These discoveries are challenging the ‘textbook view’ on how our genome (DNA) is decoded
in living cells.

Speaker: Prof. Ibrahim Cissé (Department of Biological Physics, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics)

12:00 → 12:30 Particle Physics: heavy ion

12:00 ALICE 3: a next-generation heavy-ion experiment at the LHC

ALICE is the heavy-ion experiment at the CERN LHC designed to study the properties of strongly interacting matter under extreme energy densities and temperatures. Despite the vast number of measurements that have led to crucial advances in our understanding of the QCD phase diagram and the Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP), several fundamental questions will remain unanswered even after the completion of the current decade’s LHC program.

To address these open questions and fully exploit the LHC’s potential as a heavy-ion collider beyond Long Shutdown 4, the ALICE Collaboration has proposed a next-generation, fully silicon-based detector featuring an unprecedentedly low material budget, exceptional tracking, vertexing, and particle identification capabilities over a wide momentum range down to a few tens of MeV/c. Cutting-edge technologies are being developed to achieve a track-point resolution better than 10 microns for particles with transverse momentum above 200 MeV/c. Additionally, the compact design of the experiment imposes stringent requirements on the TOF system, including a global time resolution of approximately 20 ps which is beyond the state-of-the-art of current silicon-based sensor technologies. The ambitious R&D effort required to meet these stringent technological demands is not only crucial for ALICE 3 but will also pave the way for future applications and experiments in High-Energy Physics and beyond.

The ALICE 3 experiment will enable novel measurements of low pT heavy-flavor particles to explore the approach to thermal equilibrium, as well as high-precision dielectron emission studies to investigate the time evolution of the QGP temperature and the mechanism of chiral symmetry restoration. Furthermore, ALICE 3 will explore multi-charm baryon production, charm-charm correlations, and contribute to hadronic physics through femtoscopic studies and searches for supernuclei. It will also provide valuable insights into fundamental physics by testing the Low theorem for ultra-soft photon emission.

This contribution presents a comprehensive overview of the future ALICE 3 experiment, outlining its physics motivations and focusing on the status of R&D for the selected detector technologies.

Speaker: Andrea Alici (Universita e INFN, Bologna (IT))

abstractAA.pdf

12:30 → 14:00 Lunch

14:00 → 15:30 Early Careers Advancement

14:00 Earlier career advancement in physics

Speaker: Laza Rakotondravohitra (Duke/University of Antananarivo)

14:30 Panel discussion on early careers advancement

Speakers: Esmeralda Yitamben, Ibrahima Bah (Johns Hopkins University), Laza Rakotondravohitra (Duke/University of Antananarivo), Stacyann Nelson (sPHENIX)

15:30 → 16:00 Break

16:00 → 17:30 Closing Ceremony

Saturday 20 September

09:00 → 12:30 Training workshop for high school teachers

12:30 → 14:00 Lunch

14:00 → 17:30 Training Session on LHC Open Data

This would give the participants the skills needed to access ATLAS datasets, download them, they would be trained on various tools to access the datasets and exploit them, and how to develop classroom educational resources through Jupyter Notebooks. They participants would be introduced to various useful training in programming, tools and machine learning. Participants would leave being able to exploit the data themselves, and use resources to train students.
Participants would need a laptop/acces to computer

Convener: Dr Kate Shaw (University of Sussex (GB))

14:00 Latest releases of ATLAS Open Data for Education and Research

The ATLAS Collaboration has recently, for the first time, released a large volume of data for use in research publications, with its use being now extended via a new education-focused release. The 2015 and 2016 proton collision datasets, along with a large quantity of matching simulated data, in a light format, PHYSLITE, for research purposes, and in a simplified version for educational purposes, are now available, allowing for a wide coverage of use cases. In order to allow this, all the corresponding software has been made public, along with extensive documentation targeting several different levels of users, from those who are new to particle physics to experienced researchers that need only an introduction to the ATLAS-specific details of the data. This contribution describes the data, the corresponding metadata and software, and the documentation of the open data, along with the first interactions with non-ATLAS researchers and highlights of the new educational release.

Speaker: Prof. Farid Ould-Saada (University of Oslo (NO))