Abstract High-speed multichannel ADCs are costly and require complex FPGA or MCU firmware to communicate with them. The Multi-Voltage Thresholding (MVT) approach can replace to some extent an ...external ADC by harnessing the internal FPGA resources, thus reducing costs and complexity. The MVT approach needs only a few low-cost external components. The focus of the contribution is presenting an open-source IP-Core that implements the MVT approach and simplifies its implementation on a standard FPGA. The contribution also provides an overview of characterization measurements and specific calibration method. Our example application demonstrates the viability of the developed IP-Core for signal acquisition from multiple SiPMs.
Abstract
To achieve the expected level of sensitivity of third-generation gravitational-wave (GW) observatories, more accurate and sensitive instruments than those of the second generation must be ...used to reduce all sources of noises. Amongst them, one of the most relevant is seismic noise, which will require the development of a better isolation system, especially at low frequencies (below 10 Hz), the operation of large cryogenic silicon mirrors, and the improvement of optical wavelength readouts. In this framework, this article presents the activities of the E-TEST (Einstein Telescope Euregio Meuse-Rhine Site & Technology) to develop and test new key technologies for the next generation of GW observatories. A compact isolator system for a large silicon mirror (100 kg) at low frequency (
<
10 Hz) is proposed. The design of the isolator allows the overall height of the isolation system to be significantly compact and also suppresses seismic noise at low frequencies. To minimize the effect of thermal noise, the isolation system is provided with a 100 kg silicon mirror which is suspended in a vacuum chamber at cryogenic temperature (25–40 K). To achieve this temperature without inducing vibrations to the mirror, a radiation-based cooling strategy is employed. In addition, cryogenic sensors and electronics are being developed as part of the E-TEST to detect vibrational motion in the penultimate cryogenic stage. Since the commonly used silicon material is not transparent below the wavelengths typically used in the 1
µ
m range for GW detectors, new optical components and lasers must be developed in the range above 1500 nm to reduce absorption and scattering losses. Therefore, solid-state and fiber lasers with a wavelength of 2090 nm, matching high-efficiency photodiodes, and low-noise crystalline coatings are being developed. Accordingly, the key technologies provided by E-TEST serve crucially to reduce the limitations of the current generation of GW observatories and to determine the technical design for the next generation.
Gas electron multipliers (GEMs) belong to the most modern and advanced technologies in the field of gaseous detectors. Detectors, based on the GEM technology, enjoy great popularity in various fields ...of physics. Especially in the field of high-energy physics, GEMs are well-appreciated thanks to their flexibility in geometry, resistance to aging and excellent performance in high-rate environments. The core of the detector consists of thin foils with an etched pattern of holes. The detection principle relies on electron multiplication inside the holes, where a high electric field is present. New etching techniques have been used for the production of large-size (0.3 m2 - 0.4 m2) GEM foils needed for high-energy physics experiments. The new techniques result in different hole geometries. To better understand the gas gain dependence on the hole geometry, several measurements have been performed with a triple-GEM detector, and have been complemented by GARFIELD++ simulations. The results are compared with other recent studies.
A general purpose instrument for imaging of Cherenkov light or fluorescence light emitted by extensive air showers is presented. Its refractive optics allows for a compact and light-weight design ...with a wide field-of-view of 12°. The optical system features a 0.5 m diameter Fresnel lens and a camera with 61 pixels composed of Winston cones and large-sized 6x6 mm2 photo sensors. As photo sensors, semi conductor light sensors (SiPMs) are utilized. The camera provides a high photon detection efficiency together with robust operation. The enclosed optics permit operation in regions of harsh environmental conditions. The low price of the telescope allows the production of a large number of telescopes and the application of the instrument in various projects, such as FAMOUS for the Pierre Auger Observatory, HAWC's Eye for HAWC or IceAct for IceCube. In this paper the novel design of this telescope and first measurements are presented.
Ultra-high energy cosmic rays generate extensive air showers in Earth’s atmosphere. A standard approach to reconstruct the energy of an ultra-high energy cosmic rays is to sample the lateral profile ...of the particle density on the ground of the air shower with an array of surface detectors.
For cosmic rays with large inclinations, this reconstruction is based on a model of the lateral profile of the muon density observed on the ground, which is fitted to the observed muon densities in individual surface detectors. The best models for this task are derived from detailed Monte-Carlo simulations of the air shower development. We present a phenomenological parametrization scheme which allows to derive a model of the average lateral profile of the muon density directly from a fit to a set of individual Monte-Carlo simulated air showers. The model reproduces the detailed simulations with a high precision. As an example, we generate a muon density model which is valid in the energy range 10
18
eV
<
E
<
10
20
eV and the zenith angle range
60
°
<
θ
<
90
°
.
We will further demonstrate a way to speed up the simulation of such muon profiles by three orders of magnitude, if only the muons in the shower are of interest.
Scintillator- and fibre-based particle detectors with SiPM readout are an indispensable tool in high-energy particle physics, medical physics and other fields of application. For designing and ...understanding these detectors, very detailed simulations are necessary, which require an accurate modelling of the optical physics (optics, scintillation, wavelength-shifting effects, ... ), of the optical material properties, and of the geometry. To allow for a reliable usage also by less experienced users, the necessary complexity and flexibility of a suitable simulation framework must not lead to an increasing danger of user mistakes. Additionally, the required effort for creating or modifying a detailed simulation has to be minimised in order to allow for the fast creation of flexible simulation setups. These challenges have been addressed by developing GODDeSS (Geant4 Objects for Detailed Detectors with Scintillators and SiPMs). It is an extension of the particle-physics simulation tool Geant4 and allows for the easy simulation of optical detector components, especially combinations of scintillators, optical fibres, and photodetectors. GODDeSS enables the user to create extensive setups for Geant4 simulations with a few lines of source code. At the same time, GODDeSS helps to avoid typical user mistakes. This paper introduces the basic concepts of the GODDeSS framework, its object classes, and its functionality. Furthermore, test measurements with prototype modules will be presented, which were performed to validate simulation results of the GODDeSS framework.
Silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) are semiconductor-based light-sensors offering a high gain, a mechanically and optically robust design and high photon detection efficiency. Due to these ...characteristics, they started to replace conventional photomultiplier tubes in many applications in recent years. This paper presents an optical module based on SiPMs designed for the application in scintillators as well as lab measurements. The module hosts the SiPM bias voltage supply and three pre-amplifiers with different gain levels to exploit the full dynamic range of the SiPMs. Two SiPMs, read-out in parallel, are equipped with light guides to increase the sensitive area. The light guides are optimized for the read-out of wavelength shifting fibers as used in many plastic scintillator detectors. The optical and electrical performance of the module is characterized in detail in laboratory measurements. Prototypes have been installed and tested in a modified version of the Scintillator Surface Detector developed for AugerPrime, the upgrade of the Pierre Auger Observatory. The SiPM module is operated in the Argentinian Pampas and first data proves its usability in such harsh environments.
Photosensors have played and will continue to play an important role in high-energy and Astroparticle cutting-edge experiments. As of today, the most common photon detection device in use is the ...photomultiplier tube (PMT). However, we are witnessing rapid progress in the field and new devices now show very competitive features when compared to PMTs. Among those state-of-the-art photo detectors, silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) are a relatively new kind of semiconductor whose potential is presently studied by many laboratories. Their characteristics make them a very attractive candidate for future Astroparticle physics experiments recording fluorescence and Cherenkov light, both in the atmosphere and on the ground. Such applications may require the measurement of the light flux on the sensor for the purpose of energy reconstruction. This is a complex task due to the limited dynamic range of SiPMs and the presence of thermal and correlated noise. In this work we study the response of three SiPM types in terms of delivered charge when exposed to light pulses in a broad range of intensities: from single photon to saturation. The influence of the pulse time duration and the SiPM over-voltage on the response are also quantified. Based on the observed behaviour, a method is presented to reconstruct the real number of photons impinging on the SiPM surface directly from the measured SiPM charge. A special emphasis is placed on the description of the methodology and experimental design used to perform the measurements.
The reconstruction of cosmic muons is important for testing and aligning the Compact Muon Solenoid experiment (CMS). In this context the Magnet Test and Cosmic Challenge (MTCC) with its comprehensive ...cosmic data taking periods including the presence of the 4 Tesla magnetic field has been like a dress rehearsal of detector hardware and software for the upcoming startup of the CMS detector. In addition to data taking also the comparison with simulated events is a crucial part of physics analyses. With respect to these tasks a dedicated cosmic muon generator, CMSCGEN, has been developed and compared with data from MTCC. As an example results from a reconstruction study using the barrel muon system are shown, comparing data and Monte Carlo prediction at the level of single chambers up to reconstructed tracks including momentum measurements.
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