Alfons Khoukaz

Alfons Khoukaz is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Münster, within the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. He leads a research group focused on experimental hadron and nuclear physics, with active involvement in major international collaborations including BESIII (Beijing), PANDA (FAIR, Darmstadt), MAGIX (MESA, Mainz), and past experiments at COSY-11, ANKE, and WASA-at-COSY in Jülich.

His research interests span a wide range of topics in particle and nuclear physics, with a strong emphasis on hadron spectroscopy, the search for exotic particles such as tetraquarks and glueballs, and the study of charmonium states like the Y(4260) and X(1835). A significant part of his work involves the development and optimization of advanced internal targets, including cluster-jet, gas-jet, and droplet targets, which are critical for high-luminosity fixed-target experiments. His group has designed and built the cluster-jet target used at COSY and the gas-jet target for the MAGIX experiment. He also collaborates on laser-cluster interaction studies via the CryoFlash project with Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, using the ARCTURUS laser system.

The 15 most recent articles reflect a consistent focus on exotic hadrons, precision measurements (e.g., proton radius, rare decays), and target technology innovation. These works are primarily based on data from BESIII, ANKE, WASA, and MAGIX, and explore fundamental questions in quantum chromodynamics and potential physics beyond the Standard Model.

Scientific contributions include:

• Leading role in cluster-jet and gas-jet target development for PANDA and MAGIX
• Key analyses in η and η' meson physics, including rare decays and final-state interactions
• Search for dibaryons and exotic multiquark states
• Probing dark photons and fundamental constants via precision electron scattering

Prof. Khoukaz advises a team of researchers and students working on data analysis, target instrumentation, and detector development. His group participates in large-scale projects funded by national and international agencies, contributing to both experimental infrastructure and theoretical understanding in hadron physics. The group maintains strong collaborations with institutions in Germany, China, Sweden, and the Netherlands. While no formal PhD students are listed in the provided text, the team includes multiple early-career researchers engaged in thesis work. The group also operates advanced laboratory setups for target testing and characterization at the University of Münster.