Precise timing capability will be a key aspect of particle detectors at future high energy colliders, as the time information can help in the reconstruction of physics events at the high collision ...rate expected there. Other than being used in detectors for PET, fast scintillating crystals coupled to compact Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs) constitute a versatile system that can be exploited to realize an ad-hoc timing device to be hosted in a larger high energy physics detector. In this paper, we present the timing performance of LYSO:Ce and LSO:Ce codoped 0.4% Ca crystals coupled to SiPMs, as measured with 150GeV muons at the CERN SPS H2 extraction line. Small crystals, with lengths ranging from 5mm up to 30mm and transverse size of 2×2mm2 or 3×3mm2, were exposed to a 150GeV muon beam. SiPMs from two different companies (Hamamatsu and FBK) were used to detect the light produced in the crystals. The best coincidence time resolution value of (14.5±0.5)ps, corresponding to a single-detector time resolution of about 10ps, is demonstrated for 5mm long LSO:Ce,Ca crystals coupled to FBK SiPMs, when time walk corrections are applied.
The CMS Detector will be upgraded for the High-Luminosity LHC to include a MIP Timing Detector (MTD). The MTD will consist of barrel and endcap timing layers, BTL and ETL, respectively, providing ...precision timing of charged particles. The BTL sensors are based on LYSO:Ce scintillating crystals coupled to SiPMs that are read out by TOFHIR2 ASICs in the front-end system. A resolution of 30 ps for MIP signals is expected at the beginning of HL-LHC operation degrading to 60 ps at the end of operation due to the SiPMs radiation damage. Relative to the first version of the front-end ASIC, TOFHIR2X implements improved circuitry for mitigation of the SiPM dark current noise as well as a new current mode discriminator. We present an overview of the TOFHIR2 requirements and design, simulation results and the first measurements with TOFHIR2X silicon samples coupled to LYSO/SiPM prototype sensors.
One of the main challenges for detectors at future high-energy collider experiments is the high precision measurement of hadron and jet energy and momentum. One possibility to achieve this is the ...dual-readout technique, which allows recording simultaneously scintillation and Cherenkov light in an active medium in order to extract the electromagnetic fraction of the total shower energy on an event-by-event basis. Making use of this approach in the high luminosity LHC, however, puts stringent requirements on the active materials in terms of radiation hardness. Therefore, this material is considered as an alternative and complementary solution to crystal fibers in view of a production at industrial scale, as required for a large dual readout calorimeter. In this paper, the first results on optical, scintillation properties as well as the radiation damage behaviour obtained on different samples made with different raw materials and various cerium concentrations will be presented.
Test beam results of a calorimetric module based on 3×3×22 cm3 PbWO4 crystals, identical to those used in the CMS ECAL Endcaps, read out by a pair of photodetectors coupled to the two opposite sides ...(front and rear) of each crystal are presented. Nine crystals with different level of induced absorption, from 0 to 20 m-1, have been tested using electrons in the 50–200 GeV energy range. Photomultiplier tubes have been chosen as photodetectors to allow for a precise measurement of highly damaged crystals. The information provided by this double side read-out configuration allows to correct for event-by-event fluctuations of the longitudinal development of electromagnetic showers. By strongly mitigating the effect of non-uniform light collection efficiency induced by radiation damage, the double side read-out technique significantly improves the energy resolution with respect to a single side read-out configuration. The non-linearity of the response arising in damaged crystals is also corrected by a double side read-out configuration and the response linearity of irradiated crystals is restored. In high radiation environments at future colliders, as it will be the case for detectors operating during the High Luminosity phase of the Large Hadron Collider, defects can be created inside the scintillator volume leading to a non-uniform response of the calorimetric cell. As a result, the double side read-out technique presented in this study provides a valuable way to improve the performance of calorimeters based on scintillators whose active volumes are characterized by high aspect ratio cells similar to those used in this study.
Test beam results of a calorimetric module based on 3x3x22 cm super(3) PbWO sub(4) crystals, identical to those used in the CMS ECAL Endcaps, read out by a pair of photodetectors coupled to the two ...opposite sides (front and rear) of each crystal are presented. Nine crystals with different level of induced absorption, from 0 to 20 m super(-1), have been tested using electrons in the 50-200 GeV energy range. Photomultiplier tubes have been chosen as photodetectors to allow for a precise measurement of highly damaged crystals. The information provided by this double side read-out configuration allows to correct for event-by-event fluctuations of the longitudinal development of electromagnetic showers. By strongly mitigating the effect of non-uniform light collection efficiency induced by radiation damage, the double side read-out technique significantly improves the energy resolution with respect to a single side read-out configuration. The non-linearity of the response arising in damaged crystals is also corrected by a double side read-out configuration and the response linearity of irradiated crystals is restored. In high radiation environments at future colliders, as it will be the case for detectors operating during the High Luminosity phase of the Large Hadron Collider, defects can be created inside the scintillator volume leading to a non-uniform response of the calorimetric cell. The double side read-out technique presented in this study provides a valuable way to improve the performance of calorimeters based on scintillators whose active volumes are characterized by high aspect ratio cells similar to those used in this study.
Neoplastic recurrence is the most common cause of death after surgery for esophageal cancer. The Authors review the therapeutic options evaluating in terms of palliation of dysphagia and complication ...and mortality rates. Prognostic factors and mechanisms determining the recurrence are also reviewed. A strategy for a rational approach in the management of recurrent esophageal cancer emerges from both the literature and their own experience. Notwithstanding the small life span of these patients, the treatment of esophageal obstruction is mandatory. The therapeutic options that be considered are: palliative resection, surgical bypass, laser therapy, intubation, radiotherapy. The site of obstruction, the presence of metastasis, the general status can lead to the optimal choice. In terms of palliation of dysphagia the surgical approach seems to obtain the best results, even if high complication and mortality rates have been reported. Bypass is the second surgical choice when applicable. The other non-surgical modalities have been administered in large series of patients with good results. Combination therapies can obtain better results.
The CMS detector will be upgraded for the HL-LHC to include a MIP Timing Detector (MTD). The MTD will consist of barrel and endcap timing layers, BTL and ETL respectively, providing precision timing ...of charged particles. The BTL sensors are based on LYSO:Ce scintillation crystals coupled to SiPMs with TOFHIR2 ASICs for the front-end readout. A resolution of 30-60 ps for MIP signals at a rate of 2.5 Mhit/s per channel is expected along the HL-LHC lifetime. We present an overview of the TOFHIR2 requirements and design, simulation results and measurements with TOFHIR2 ASICs. The measurements of TOFHIR2 associated to sensor modules were performed in different test setups using internal test pulses or blue and UV laser pulses emulating the signals expected in the experiment. The measurements show a time resolution of 24 ps initially during Beginning of Operation (BoO) and 58 ps at End of Operation (EoO) conditions, matching well the BTL requirements. We also showed that the time resolution is stable up to the highest expected MIP rate. Extensive radiation tests were performed, both with x-rays and heavy ions, showing that TOFHIR2 is not affected by the radiation environment during the experiment lifetime.