UK Liquid Argon Initiative
P.K. Lightfoot, K. Mavrokoridis, M. Robinson,
N.J.C. Spooner
(University of Sheffield)
G.J. Barker, A. Bennieston, B. Morgan, Y.
Ramachers, D.Y. Stewart
(University of Warwick)
ISRP-11, Melbourne 25/09/2009
Y. Ramachers
Large Argon Detector
Motivations
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Neutrino beam physics (upgraded JPARC
beam, beta-beam facility, ν-factory)
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Precision mixing parameters
Leptonic CP-violation
Neutrino mass hierarchy
Neutrino Astrophysics
➔ Proton Decay Search
➔ Geo-neutrinos
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ISRP-11, Melbourne 25/09/2009
Y. Ramachers
ISRP-11, Melbourne 25/09/2009
Y. Ramachers
ISRP-11, Melbourne 25/09/2009
Y. Ramachers
ISRP-11, Melbourne 25/09/2009
Y. Ramachers
ISRP-11, Melbourne 25/09/2009
Y. Ramachers
Sheffield/Warwick Strategy
Pick the best from existing concepts for each detector element
Condensed detection medium
Modular detection volumes
Robust = Amplified signal operation
Affordable read-out electronics
Concept for a homogeneous tracking calorimeter based on
Liquid (or Solid) Argon using planar, optical tracking read-out
ISRP-11, Melbourne 25/09/2009
Y. Ramachers
Research programme towards a
100 kton LAr experiment
Main cost factor:
Readout electronics
Basic LAr module
technology, affordability,
scalability → prototype
LAr-specific MCsimulation+specific
Data Analysis code
ISRP-11, Melbourne 25/09/2009
Component tests
for optical tracking
and calorimetry
Test-beam data at
CERN for LAr
proposal
Y. Ramachers
Concept
Imaging plane for tracking:
(2) Image amplification
by TGEM
Module
LAr Drift
+ Calorimetry
volume (1)
Drift length O(m),
to be optimised
ISRP-11, Melbourne 25/09/2009
1m2
(3) Sparse SiPM array
for image acquisition
Y. Ramachers
Concept
Optical read-out with gain in liquid:
New technique using known elements!
(3) SiPM operation at 77K in liquid demonstrated extensively:
P.K. Lightfoot et al., JINST 3 (2008) P10001
(2) TGEM amplification with SiPM read-out in liquid
demonstrated in detail (from gas to liquid):
P.K. Lightfoot et al., JINST 4 (2009) P04002
ISRP-11, Melbourne 25/09/2009
Y. Ramachers
Work in progress
Experimental program:
Purity control
➢ Alternative: CMOS/CCD camera and optics
➢ Measurements with SiPM arrays → spatial resolution
➢ Optical Fibre array readout
➢ Solid Argon test
➢ Cold electronics
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Computational program:
Monte-Carlo event generation
➢ Novel high-granularity tracking analysis
➢ Charge transport simulation – signal generation
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ISRP-11, Melbourne 25/09/2009
Y. Ramachers
Gallery
LAr setup at
Sheffield
ISRP-11, Melbourne 25/09/2009
Y. Ramachers
Gallery
LAr test
cell at
Sheffield
ISRP-11, Melbourne 25/09/2009
Y. Ramachers
Gallery
SenSL SiPM
example
Dark count rate with temperature
ISRP-11, Melbourne 25/09/2009
Gain as function of SiPM bias
Y. Ramachers
Gallery
TGEM: drilled holes in standard PCB – simple, reproducible, cheap
Sheffield TGEM
Warwick TGEM
Many variations possible and available in hole diam./pitch/thickness
ISRP-11, Melbourne 25/09/2009
Y. Ramachers
Charge gain from the cold gas phase of a double phase argon system
Charge gain spectrum from Fe-55
Charge gain versus drift field
Charge gain generated from a TGEM at a constant 2.5KV/cm drift fie
Electroluminescence from the cold gas phase of a double phase argon system
Secondary scintillation spectrum from Fe-55
Secondary scintillation versus drift field
Secondary scintillation generated within a TGEM
at a constant 2.5KV/cm drift field
Electroluminescence from liquid argon
Secondary scintillation spectrum from Fe-55
Secondary scintillation versus drift field
Secondary scintillation generated within a TGEM
at a constant 2.5KV/cm drift field
Conclusion LAr Initiative
New technology for large volume LAr detector
development demonstrated
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Particle tracker concept in Liquid Argon with optical
readout shown in 2 recent publications
➔ High S/N ratio and O(mm) spatial resolution expected with
optimised prototype (TGEM, SiPM array, readout, etc)
➔ Scalable, robust and affordable technology
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Work in progress: Monte-Carlo, Data Analysis
FE-readout, concept tests
Of interest for NF/T2K detector efforts but need
funding for a prototype – Work in progress!
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ISRP-11, Melbourne 25/09/2009
Y. Ramachers