New detector concepts for heavy-ion physics*

Progress in accelerator-based experimental physics has always been linked to detector technology improvement. The unprecedented potential discovery of a modern rare isotope beam facility, such as FRIB, can only be realized by implementing state-of-the-art experimental equipment capable of studying these isotopes at a high beam rate and excellent performance.

I report the development of innovative detector concepts for tracking and particle identification (PID) of heavy ions. In particular, I will describe the development of novel micro-pattern gaseous detector (MPGD) structures capable of stable, high-gain operation at low-pressure, applied as either position-sensitive readout for Time-Projection-Chamber in active-target mode (AT-TPC), or for drift chambers at the focal-plane of large-acceptance spectrographs.

In addition, I will present progress on the design and construction of advanced, innovative instrumentation for highly accurate and efficient identification of the atomic number (Z) of nuclei transmitted to the focal plane of high-resolution spectrographs. The detector concept is based on event-by-event Energy-Loss measurement in a multi-segmented Optical Scintillator System (ELOSS), by recording the scintillation light released by a charged particle along its track. We discuss the optimization of the optical readout configuration based on DUV-sensitive PhotoMultiplier Tubes (PMTs), the expected performance of the novel detector concept, and the overall impact on radiation-detection physics and technology applied to experimental nuclear physics with rare-isotope beams.