The Belle II detector is designed to collect data from the high luminosity electron-positron (e$^+$e$^-$) collisions of the SuperKEKB collider. It will explore the flavour sector of particle physics through precision measurements. The backgrounds of particles induced by the electron and positron beams will be much higher than in any previous \epem collider. It is important that these backgrounds be well understood in order to ensure appropriate measures are taken to protect the Belle II detector and minimize the impact of the backgrounds. In February 2016 electron and positron beams were circulated through the two 3 km vacuum pipe rings without being brought into collision during `Phase I' of SuperKEKB commissioning. Beam backgrounds were measured using Belle II's commissioning detector, BEAST II. BEAST II is composed of several small subdetectors, including helium-3 thermal neutron detectors. The BEAST II thermal neutron detector system and results from its Phase I running are presented in this dissertation. The Phase I experiment studies beam-gas interactions, where beam particles collide with residual gas atoms in the beampipes, and beam-beam interactions, where beam particles interact with each other. Simulations of these two types of backgrounds were performed using the Strategic Accelerator Design (SAD) and GEometry And Tracking (GEANT4) software packages. A method to account for the composition of the gas in the beampipes was developed in order to correctly analyse the beam-gas component of the background. It was also determined that the thermal neutron rates in the data on the positron beam were 2.18$^{+0.44}_{-0.42}$ times higher than the simulation of beam-gas interactions and 2.15$^{+0.34}_{-0.33}$ times higher for beam-beam interactions. The data on the electron beam were 1.32$^{+0.56}_{-0.36}$ times higher for beam-gas interactions and 1.91$^{+0.54}_{-0.48}$ time higher for beam-beam interactions. The impact of these studies on Belle II is discussed. / Graduate / samdejong86@gmail.com

This project contributes to the research and development studies towards successful commissioning of the SuperKEKB electron-positron collider. This accelerator and storage rings complex aims at delivering the high-luminosity collisions of beams of electrons and positrons needed for the Belle II experiment. Such beams produce parasitic radiation—called “machine-induced backgrounds”, or simply “beam backgrounds” — that have detrimental effects on the experimental apparatus performance and durability. The Beast II effort is dedicated to measuring the beam backgrounds, and aims at testing the predictive power of the background models that were used in various phases of the Belle II design. A second objective is to ensure that the environment is safe for the detector prior to installing it around the beam lines. A major component of beam backgrounds consists of electromagnetic radiation. This study focusses on measuring this radiation at the location of the Belle II electromagnetic calorimeter. The measurements were achieved by placing scintillator crystals at positions representative of the Belle II calorimeter crystals that are the closest to the beam lines, and comparing the data with predictions for different operating parameters of the accelerator. Different phenomena related to machine backgrounds were observed: vacuum scrubbing, the electron-cloud effect, injection-related noise, beam-gas scattering and Touschek losses. Studies on the positron ring showed average background levels 13.5 +/- 3.5 times larger than simulation, whereas that ratio reached O(100-1000) for the electron ring. In the latter, the large uncertainty on the pressure measurements and the gas constituents limit the predictive power of the measurements. Radiation shields were also designed, fabricated, delivered and installed in the detector to protect the electromagnetic calorimeter from radiation coming from the beam lines. / Graduate