Works presented

Summary
The objective of this work will be the study of matter at high density and temperature through mesons formed by heavy quarks and antiquarks, known as quarkonium. To reach this objective we will begin with an introduction of quantum chromodynamics (QCD) from its origins to the formation of the quark-gluon plasma in current experiments. Among the signals proposed for the study of plasma, particles formed by quark antiquark c occupy a very relevant place based on the modification of their properties depending on the density and temperature of the medium, as we will show in this work.

Direction
GONZALEZ FERREIRO, ELENA (Tutorships)

Court
ARES PENA, FRANCISCO JOSE (Chairman)
FERNANDEZ DOMINGUEZ, BEATRIZ (Secretary)
GONZALEZ ALEMANY, MANUEL MARIA (Member)

Summary
We present the concept of optical TPC and its usefulness for the identification of high-energy particles. We review the existing literature on nuclear fission, with a particular focus on spontaneous fission, and show the need to develop a simple method for the identification of fission fragments in nuclei that would contribute to improving fission theory. In particular, we design an experiment for the reconstruction of the trajectories of Cf-252 fission fragments, taking into account the fact that each type of fragment will theoretically have a di!erent path within the TPC. We use several estimates and simulations to set the conditions of the experiment and carry it out with two di!erent detection technologies. We then successfully visualize the results and argue that the trajectories we obtain belong to fission fragments and not to alpha particles. Finally, we try, without success, to draw any conclusions about which specific nuclei we are detecting.

Direction
CAAMAÑO FRESCO, MANUEL (Tutorships)
CABO LANDEIRA, CRISTINA (Co-tutorships)

Court
ARES PENA, FRANCISCO JOSE (Chairman)
FERNANDEZ DOMINGUEZ, BEATRIZ (Secretary)
GONZALEZ ALEMANY, MANUEL MARIA (Member)

Summary
This work will cover the basic concepts regarding dark matter. Its structure is divided into three well-defined parts. The first part will discuss the current evidence that positions dark matter as one of the great frontiers of modern physics. Different phenomena are analyzed, such as galaxy rotation curves, the velocity of galaxies within clusters, gravitational lensing effects, the Lyman-alpha forest, and the bullet cluster. The second part aims to understand its nature. Here, the possible types of dark matter are introduced, along with its potential origin, how it may have evolved, and its implications for the history of the universe. Additionally, neutrinos and WIMPs are presented as candidates for dark matter. Finally, the two main approaches for detecting dark matter are discussed: direct and indirect detection, along with some of the major experiments in this field.

Direction
ALVAREZ MUÑIZ, JAIME (Tutorships)

Court
ARES PENA, FRANCISCO JOSE (Chairman)
FERNANDEZ DOMINGUEZ, BEATRIZ (Secretary)
GONZALEZ ALEMANY, MANUEL MARIA (Member)

Summary
In recent years, gold nanoparticles have been subject to extensive research due to their phototermic properties, as well as their high biocompatibility and low toxicity. These characteristics make them useful both in medical and non medical applications. In this work we describe a detailed synthesis method of a specific nanoparticle morphology: nanoshells. Furthermore, we conduct a study on their phototermic properties, as well as a morphology study based on images obtained through TEM microscopy.

Direction
TOPETE CAMACHO, ANTONIO (Tutorships)

Court
ARES PENA, FRANCISCO JOSE (Chairman)
FERNANDEZ DOMINGUEZ, BEATRIZ (Secretary)
GONZALEZ ALEMANY, MANUEL MARIA (Member)

Summary
The objective of this bachelor’s thesis is to explore different simulation tools for artificial intelligence (AI) models using electronic devices, specifically studying phase-change memory (PCM). The motivation behind this work is the development of physical accelerators for AI models, aimed at reducing energy consumption and increasing computing speed. To achieve this, the implementation of computing-in-memory (CIM) architectures is analyzed, as they help reduce the burden associated with the classic Von Neumann architecture, which is no longer the most optimal for modern AI models. Both training and inference will be addressed using the AIHWKit tool, developed by IBM, which allows the simulation of neural networks while accounting for the non-idealities of emerging memory devices. Additionally, different model customization options will be explored to improve their accuracy and stability. The first part of this work focuses on introducing the limitations of current hardware and how analog computing can address these issues. Then, the physical properties of PCM will be explained, followed by an introduction to neural networks and a detailed discussion of AIHWKit. Finally, the performance of neural networks in different configurations will be compared.

Direction
BREA SANCHEZ, VICTOR MANUEL (Tutorships)

Court
ARES PENA, FRANCISCO JOSE (Chairman)
FERNANDEZ DOMINGUEZ, BEATRIZ (Secretary)
GONZALEZ ALEMANY, MANUEL MARIA (Member)