Session MK: Mini-Symposium: Novel detector Technologies, from detectors to data analysis II

The dual radiator RICH detector for particle identification in the forward region of the future Electron Ion Collider spectrometer

Excellent particle identification (PID), especially of hadrons over a large kinematic phase space, is a critical requirement to realize the rich experimental physics program at the future Electron-Ion Collider (EIC). We present the status of the development of a dual-radiator ring-imaging Cherenkov (dRICH) detector designed for PID in the forward hadronic endcap of the EIC spectrometer over an extended momentum range. The current dRICH design consists of 6 identical azimuthal sectors covering the full solid angle for pseudorapidities 1.5 \textless ?${\rm g}$\textless 3.4 (polar angles: 5 \textless ?${\rm g}$\textless 25 deg). Each sector includes a 4-cm-thick aerogel radiator (n\textasciitilde 1.02) followed by 1--1.5-m-long CFgas filled volume (n\textasciitilde 1.0008). Cherenkov photons from both radiators are focused by a spherical mirror onto the photo-detector surface which sits outside the detector acceptance. Studies based on detailed Monte Carlo simulations, Bayesian-driven detector optimization strategies and event-based PID reconstruction algorithm, show that the dRICH can provide continuous K/?separation from \textasciitilde 3 to \textasciitilde 50 GeV/c, and electron identification from few hundred MeV/c to \textasciitilde 15 GeV/c. A small-scale, full features, prototype is being designed to validate the predicted performance and to study critical features of the proposed detector.   

Study of SiPM potential for Cherenkov imaging applications

SiPM base on a robust and cost-effective technology with single-photon counting capability. Their use in ring-imaging Cherenkov (RICH) detectors for Nuclear Physics has so far been disregard due to the high dark count rate and the limited radiation tolerance. However, their fast-evolving development and insensitivity to magnetic fields anticipate possible applications in the near future, in conjunction with a dedicated readout and temperature treatment. This work reports on the study of the SiPM photon detection options for innovative RICH detectors, the hybrid-optic RICH at CLAS12 and the dual-radiatior RICH at EIC.   

A Compact, Projective and Modular Ring Imaging Cherenkov Detector for Particle Identification in EIC Experiments

Particle identification (PID) of the final state hadrons is a key requirement for the Electron Ion Collider (EIC). In order to meet the challenge of the confined volume of the electron endcap in EIC experiments, a compact, projective, and modular ring imaging Cherenkov (mRICH) detector is proposed for $K/\pi$ separation from $3$ to $10$~GeV/c. The mRICH design has a significant potential for $e/\pi$ identification providing an important capability supplementing the electromagnetic calorimeters and other possible $e/\pi$ PID systems. The mRICH detector consists of an aerogel radiator block, a Fresnel lens, a mirror-wall and a photosensor plane. A successful prototype test that demonstrated the proof-of-principle was carried out at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in April 2016. A second beam test with a few design modifications to enhance PID performance was carried out in June 2018. This presentation will show the results from the second beam test, along with the progress on R\&D efforts for the next planned beam test that will have tracking capabilities. We will also discuss the current simulation incorporating an mRICH array into the sPHENIX experiment set-up.   

Simulation for the CLAS12 Ring Imaging Cherenkov Detector

The CLAS12 RICH detector presents a complex gematrical design to overcome several engineering challenges. The innovative hybrid-optics design reflects in a variety of photon paths, ranging from direct detection to multiple reflections with a double passage through the radiator. In this talk, we will focus on how such complex geometry has been implemented in the simulation and event reconstruction suite of the CLAS12 spectrometer, together with the other technical aspects developed in order to correctly reproduce the Cherenkov photon pattern.   

Calibration of the Jefferson Lab CLAS12 RICH detector

A first Ring Imaging Cherenkov Detector (RICH) has been installed in Jefferson Lab's CLAS12 magnetic spectrometer. The RICH detector utilizes Cherenkov radiation to identify charged particles produced via Semi-inclusive Deep Inelastic Scattering (SIDIS), with the objective of distinguishing between protons, pions, and kaons in the 3-8 GeV/c momentum range. Particles enter the detector through a wall of aerogel tiles acting as a radiator (n $=$ 1.05), producing Cherenkov radiation. Photons produced by particles entering at a large angle are reflected twice to reduce the size of the electronics panel. Single photon detection with nanosecond time resolution is achieved using a panel of Multi-Anode Photomultiplier Tubes (MAPMTs). This talk will present performance studies of the RICH which provided a deeper understanding of the aerogel tiles, the mirror system and the readout electronics.~~   

Design of a keV-scale Neutron source for calibration of low threshold Dark Matter detectors.

Direct detection dark matter searches are extending their reach to lower (sub-GeV) dark matter masses, requiring new detector technologies with low thresholds and new low-energy calibration methods. For many detectors (when the signal is a recoiling nucleus or atom), the ideal calibration source is a neutron beam of order-keV energy. We will discuss recent progress in making such neutron-based calibrations practical in a university lab environment. First, we will describe a SbBe (gamma,n) neutron source in which a novel shielding method suppresses the outgoing gamma flux while allowing the unmoderated escape of the neutron flux. Second, we will describe a method to moderate and then filter a pulsed Deuterium-Tritium (DT) generator, turning it into a pulsed keV-scale neutron source. And lastly, we will describe work towards large area neutron capture based backing detectors required for a neutron scattering calibration of dark matter experiment targets.   

HCAL-J: A Segmented Hadron Calorimeter with High Time Resolution

The design and cosmic ray commissioning results for a new segmented hadron calorimeter (HCAL-J), constructed to measure the energy of several GeV protons and neutrons, will be presented. This calorimeter will initially be used in the upcoming Super-BigBite Spectrometer (SBS) experiments measuring the nucleon form factors at Jefferson Lab, beginning with the neutron magnetic form factor, $G_M^n$. HCAL-J is composed of 288 individual calorimeter modules measuring 15cm$\times$15cm$\times$1m. These modules consist of 40 layers of iron, which cause the hadrons to shower, alternating with 40 layers of scintillator, which sample the energy. HCAL-J was designed to have a time resolution of 0.5 ns and has demonstrated sub-nanosecond time resolutions approaching this goal. Investigations into implementing HCAL-J's trigger using neural networks loaded onto FPGAs will also be discussed.   

Integrating Quartz Cerenkov Detectors for PREX-II/CREX

PREX-II and CREX are recently completed high precision, statistics-limited measurements of the parity-violating asymmetry ($A_{pv}$) in elastic electron scattering in Hall A at JLab. The ppm-level, measured asymmetries access neutron distributions of complex nuclei, $^{208}$Pb and $^{48}$Ca, using an electro-weak interaction probe. In order to achieve high precision in a relatively short time, the experiment's main integrating detectors counted scattered electron flux at very high rates. For this reason, the integrating detectors utilized radiation-hard, high-purity Spectrosil-2000 fused-silica as the active Cerenkov-radiator medium. Each detector consisted of a 5 mm thick, highly-polished quartz tile dry-butted directly against a pmt window. The integrating quartz detector package also included two auxiliary detectors in each spectrometer, which monitored potential false asymmetry backgrounds from any residual transverse beam polarization or other sources. Additionally, PREX-II and CREX used two generations of Small Angle Monitors (SAMs), previously known as Hall A LUMIs. This talk will highlight the key features of the PREX-II/CREX integrating quartz detectors and their performance during the experiments.