Expanding the timing frontier: precision timing for particle tracking and identification

在HL-LHC中大量增加的堆积（重叠的质子-质子相互作用）是其物理项目的主要实验挑战之一。可以通过一种新颖而强大的方法来减轻堆积的影响：使用高精度的定时信息来解决在空间上非常接近但在时间上分离良好的碰撞，即启用4D而不是目前所做的3D跟踪。为了实现这一点，新型探测器的发展，达到一流的位置分辨率和几十皮秒的时间是至关重要的。低增益雪崩二极管传感器（LGADs）已经显示出合适的时间响应，但它们不允许形成小的，也没有足够的辐射强度，无法在ATLAS ITk像素探测器的最内层中运行，也无法包括在LHCb实验的升级中。实现超快计时的有前途的选择是3D传感器，其中电极穿透体，以及单片有源传感器。为了推进这些新型传感器的发展，为LHC实验的升级和未来对撞机的实验做准备，提供快速定时能力的改进仪器是至关重要的。这些设备也将为STFC的所有区域和设施带来前所未有的机会。这笔拨款将允许采购一个12 GHz信号发生器，一个快速示波器（每个样本<8ps）和一个逻辑分析仪。这些将能够在实际操作条件下正确表征超快硅探测器和相关读出，特别是能够精确测量其（超快）响应信号。该设备还将使快速硅光传感器（sipm）的特性成为可能，使其成为用于探测暗物质的大规模阵列。探测器的发展是粒子物理学发现的引擎。本提案旨在采购必要的设备来开发新技术，以确保我们在英国的领域的活力，并通过积极的研发来进行面向未来的STFC研究，未来具有突出的发现潜力。

The large increase in pileup (overlapping proton-proton interactions) at the HL-LHC is one of the leading experimental challenges for its physics programme. The effects of pileup can be mitigated with a novel and powerful approach: using high-precision timing information to resolve collisions occurring very close in space but well-separated in time, i.e., enabling tracking in 4D rather than in 3D as currently done.To achieve this, the development of novel detectors achieving first-rate position resolution together with a timing of a few tens of picoseconds is crucial. Low-Gain Avalange Diode sensors (LGADs) have shown a suitable time response but they do not allow for the formation of small nor are yet radiation hard enough to operate in the innermost layers of the ATLAS ITk pixel detector or to be included in the upgrades of the LHCb experiment. Promising options under development to reach ultra-fast timing are 3D sensors, where the electrodes penetrate the bulk, and monolithic active sensors.To advance the development of these novel sensors for the upgrades of LHC experiments and prepare for experiments at future colliders, improved instrumentation providing fast timing capability is crucial. Such devices will also bring unprecedented opportunities across all of the STFC's areas and facilities.This grant will permit the procurement of a 12 GHz signal generator, a fast oscilloscope (<8ps per sample), and a logic analyser. These will enable the proper characterisation of ultra-fast silicon detectors and associated readout at realistic operating conditions, in particular enabling precise measurements of their (ultra-fast) response signals.The equipment will also enable the characterisation of fast silicon light sensors (SiPMs) towards their use is large-scale arrays for the detection of dark matter.Detector development is the engine of discovery in particle physics. This proposal aims to procure the necessary equipment to develop new technologies to ensure vitality of our field in the UK, and to future-proof STFC research through active R&D, with outstanding discovery potential for the future.