SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Time Projection Chamber”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 253 records · Page 14

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

DOE OSTI2022

GPU-based optical simulation of the DARWIN detector

Abstract Understanding propagation of scintillation light is critical for maximizing the discovery potential of next-generation liquid xenon detectors that use dual-phase time projection chamber technology. This work describes a detailed optical simulation of the DARWIN detector implemented using Chroma, a GPU-based photon tracking framework. To evaluate the framework and to explore ways of maximizing efficiency and minimizing the time of light collection, we simulate several variations of the conventional detector design. Results of these selected studies are presented. More generally, we conclude that the approach used in this work allows one to investigate alternative designs faster and in more detail than using conventional Geant4 optical simulations, making it an attractive tool to guide the development of the ultimate liquid xenon observatory.

Instruments & Instrumentation↗

DOE OSTI2025

A search for Heavy Neutral Leptons with masses up to 150 MeV and studies on scintillation light detection in SBND

Introduction Neutrino physics is one of today’s most promising fields in particle physics. The discovery of neutrino oscillations is an evidence of their mass not being null. However, the Standard Model of elementary particles (SM) does not contain a mechanism that generates them, so we have to search beyond the SM to find answers. Other unknowns remain open, such as the amount of CP symmetry violated in the lepton sector that could help explain the differences between matter and antimatter that formed the present universe. Nor is it understood why these particles are so light, more than six orders of magnitude below the next fermion, the electron. A possible explanation is the existence of heavier neutrino mass states usually referred as heavy neutral leptons (HNLs). One of the most advanced technologies for detecting neutrino interactions is the liquid argon time projection chamber (LArTPC). LArTPC detectors form a 3D image of the ionized electrons in the interaction, producing a detailed description of each neutrino event. Argon is also a prolific scintillator (40k photons/MeV) with light signals indicating the interaction time. The Short-Baseline Near Detector (SBND), a 112-active mass LArTPC at Fermilab, will measure millions of neutrino interactions from the Booster Neutrino Beam (BNB). As the near (L=110 m) detector of the Short-Baseline neutrino program, SBND will search for a fourth light neutrino (∼ eV) in the coming years. This hypothesis could explain the anomalous data observed in the LSND and MiniBooNE experiments.

Álvarez Garrote, Rodrigo [Madrid U.] (ORCID:000000↗

DOE OSTI2026

Timing reconstruction utilising multiple detection subsystems at the Short-Baseline Near Detector experiment

The Short-Baseline Near Detector (SBND) is the near detector of the Short-Baseline Neutrino Program, located only 110 m away from the Booster Neutrino Beam (BNB) target at Fermilab (Illinois, USA). SBND employs key detection technologies: a 112-ton Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber for ionisation electrons, an advanced Photon Detection System (PDS) made up of photomultiplier tubes and X-ARAPUCAs for scintillation light, and a 4π coverage of Cosmic Ray Taggers (CRTs) for cosmic muons. This setup offers an exceptional energy, spatial and timing reconstruction of neutrino interactions. In this poster, we present ongoing timing reconstruction efforts of the PDS and CRTs, as well as combining complementary information across multiple detection subsystems to improve the timing resolution. This results in nanosecond level timing information that can be leveraged as an analysis tool, including the reconstruction of the BNB substructure to accept or reject signals detected in-between neutrino bunches as well as a timing-based discrimination for cosmic rejection.

Corallo, Annalea [INFN, Ferrara]↗

DOE OSTI2020

Requirements, Status, and Plans for Track Reconstruction at the sPHENIX Experiment

sPHENIX is a new experiment that is being constructed at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider at Brookhaven National Laboratory. The primary physics goals of sPHENIX are to measure jets, their substructure, and the upsilon resonances in p+p, p+Au and Au+Au collisions. To realize these goals, a tracking system composed of a time projection chamber and several silicon detectors will be used to identify tracks that correspond to jets and upsilon decays. However, the sPHENIX experiment will collect approximately 200 PB of data utilizing a finite-sized computing center; thus, performing track reconstruction in a timely manner is a challenge due to the large occupancy of heavy-ion collisions. The sPHENIX experiment, its track reconstruction, and the need for implementing faster track-fitting algorithms, such as that provided by the A Common Tracking Software package, into the sPHENIX software stack are discussed.

Osborn, Joe↗

DOE OSTI2025

Antihelium-3 sensitivity for the GRAMS experiment

The Gamma-Ray and AntiMatter Survey (GRAMS) is a next-generation balloon/satellite mission utilizing a Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber (LArTPC) detector to measure both MeV gamma rays and antinuclei produced by dark matter annihilation or decay. The GRAMS can identify antihelium-3 events based on the measurements of X-rays and charged pions from the decay of the exotic atoms, Time of Flight (TOF), energy deposition, and stopping range. This paper shows the antihelium-3 sensitivity estimation using a GEANT4 Monte Carlo simulation. For the proposed long-duration balloon (LDB) flight program (35 days x 3 flights) and future satellite mission (2-year observation/10-year observation), the sensitivities become 1.47 × 10 −7 [m 2 s sr GeV/n] −1 and 1.55 × 10 −9 [m 2 s sr GeV/n] −1 /3.10 x 10 -10 [m 2 s sr GeV/n] −1 , respectively. The results indicate that GRAMS can extensively investigate various dark matter models through the antihelium-3 measurements.

Antihelium-3↗

DOE OSTI2026

Optimization of the light detection system of the ICARUS detector

The ICARUS detector, a key component of the Short Baseline Neutrino (SBN) Program at Fermi National Acelerator Laboratory (FNAL), is a 600-ton Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber (LArTPC) equipped with a Light Detection System (LDS) that uses 360 Hamamatsu R5912-MOD 8-inch photomultiplier tubes (PMTs), specifically designed to operate under cryogenic conditions ($\sim 87 \ K$). These PMTs feed the trigger signal to the readout, improve the spatial and timing resolution of the events, and contribute to cosmic rays mitigation. During operation at FNAL, a progressive degradation in the PMT gain was observed. We developed an experimental setup to investigate the temperature dependence of PMT performance. Gain measurements were carried out from room temperature to $-70 ^\circ C$ using an environmental chamber. The results show that, while the PMTs exhibit stable performance at room temperature, a significant and irreversible reduction in gain emerges at lower temperatures. Al though $-70 ^\circ C$ remains above the liquid argon temperatures, the trend clearly reveals a gain-sensitive degradation mechanism. A simplified physical model was developed to reproduce and interpret the observed behavior. Based on these findings, a series of mitigation strategies were implemented in the ICARUS detector to preserve PMT performance and ensure reliable operation under cryogenic conditions.

Saia, C. [Catania Astrophys. Observ.]↗

DOE OSTI2024

Power over fiber development for HEP detectors

Power-over-Fiber (PoF) technology has been used extensively in settings where high voltages require isolation from ground and electromagnetic isolation is critical. In cryogenic environments, PoF offers a reliable power transmission technology, leveraging optical fibers to transfer power with minimal system degradation. PoF technology excels in maintaining low noise levels and isolation when delivering power to sensitive electronic systems operating in extreme temperature ranges and high voltage environments. Here, in a novel application of PoF for a HEP detector, power is provided to photon detector modules located on a surface at ~300 kV with respect to ground in the planned DUNE experiment. This summary paper of the PoF talk at the 16th PISA Meeting on Advanced Detectors highlights the R&D effort of PoF in extreme conditions and underscores its capacity to revolutionize power delivery and management in critical applications offering a dependable solution with low noise, optimal efficiency, and superior isolation. The DUNE (Abi et al., 2020) experiment will soon deploy large liquid argon (LAr) time projection chambers (TPC) to detect neutrino interactions and other particle physics phenomena. In addition to the particle tracking provided by the TPC, photon detectors, powered by a first ever PoF system, in the cryostat will leverage the high scintillation light yield of LAr to provide crucial timing and additional calorimetric information.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2025

Calibration and Performance of the ICARUS Detector at Fermilab

ICARUS is the largest Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber (LArTPC) in operation and serves as the Far Detector of the Short Baseline Neutrino (SBN) program at Fermilab. Precise detector calibration is essential for reliable energy reconstruction and for maximizing the physics reach of the experiment. In this talk, I will describe the energy and timing calibration procedures developed at ICARUS. Thanks to the abundant flux of cosmic ray muons at the surface, the TPC response to ionization charge has been equalized across the detector, removing non-uniformities and in-transparency effects. A novel data-driven procedure has been used to tune the simulation of ionization signals and electronics noise yielding close agreement between Monte Carlo and data with minimal residual bias in reconstructed charge. In addition, the light detection system has been calibrated to sub-nanosecond timing resolution. This precision enables efficient cosmic background rejection and accurate synchronization of neutrino interactions with the time structure of both the Booster Neutrino Beam (BNB) and Neutrinos at the Main Injector (NuMI) beam. Together, these efforts demonstrate the robust performance of the detector and provide critical experience for future large LArTPCs, such as DUNE.

Vicenzi, Matteo [Brookhaven]↗

DOE OSTI2026

Electron emissions and hot spots in dual-phase LXe TPCs

Persistent photon and single-electron emissions - in the form of “electron trains” and localized “hot spots” - have been observed in multiple dual-phase liquid xenon (LXe) time projection chambers (TPCs), often persisting long after ionizing events. Here, we show that these phenomena are naturally explained by photon-triggered single-electron emission from resistive mixed-oxide films on stainless-steel (SS304 or s.s.) wires, which behave as leaky capacitors with long RC time constants at LXe temperature. Positive ions landing on these oxides can further enhance local fields and drive Malter-like electron emission. We outline the materials physics (Cr 2 O 3 /Cr 2 O 3-x /Cr(OH) 3 mosaics), quantify expected time scales (∼1 s under illumination), and demonstrate how small damaged regions with enhanced QE can produce persistent hot spots.

Va'vra, J. [SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (↗

DOE OSTI2025

Analysis and Validation of PMT s Waveforms in ICARUS LArTPC Using Monte Carlo Simulations

ICARUS (Imaging Cosmic and Rare Underground Signals) serves as the Far Detector in the Short Baseline Neutrino (SBN) program at Fermilab, playing a central role in investigating the potential existence of sterile neutrinos in the eV squared mass range. The detector consists of two large Liquid Argon Time Projection Chambers (LArTPCs) with a total capacity of 760 tons of liquid Argon. A key component of the system is its array of 360 Photo-Multiplier Tubes (PMTs), which detect the scintillation light produced by charged particles in liquid Argon; the fast scintillation signal enables accurate event timing, triggering, and reconstruction. Together with the TPC and CRT systems, the PMTs ensure precise interaction time measurements, which are crucial for distinguishing neutrino interactions from cosmic-ray backgrounds. ICARUS uses Hamamatsu R5912-MOD PMTs, optimized for cryogenic temperatures, with high quantum efficiency, excellent timing resolution, low dark current (around 10 nA at 1500 V), and broad spectral sensitivity (300–650 nm). These characteristics are crucial for the efficient detection of scintillation light. Analyzing the waveforms of PMT signals allows for a detailed comparison between experimental data and Monte Carlo simulations. This analysis is fundamental for improving the accuracy of neutrino event reconstruction, enhancing detector calibration, and optimizing the detector's performance for current and future operations.

Brio, V. [Catania U.] (ORCID:0009000088807391)↗

DOE OSTI2025

Towards Online Machine Learning in DUNE Data Acquisition

Processing the large volumes of data produced by liquid argon time projection chamber (LArTPC) experiments presents a significant challenge, especially those at the scale of DUNE. This is a particular challenge when aiming to trigger on low-energy neutrinos from core-collapse supernovae, which are typically buried in a high-rate radiological background. To enable real-time event selection suitable for such rare signals, we are developing machine learning based data filtering methods. In order to demonstrate the feasibility of this approach, we implemented such pipeline using the ICEBERG detector at Fermilab as a small-scale LArTPC, with a focus on identifying Michel electrons as a proxy for low-energy neutrino interactions. This poster will present the current status of integrating these machine learning models into the data acquisition (DAQ) system of this detector.

Dalager, Olivia [Fermilab]↗

DOE OSTI2024

Real-Time Anomaly Detection for Charge-Based Triggering in LArTPCs

Modern particle detectors, including liquid argon time projection chambers (LArTPCs), collect a vast amount of data, making it impractical to save everything for offline analysis. As a result, these experiments need to employ different down-selection techniques during data acquisition, referred to as triggering. In this talk, I will present a framework that would enable real-time, data-driven triggering for LArTPCs, using anomaly detection algorithms implemented on Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). Drawing on a study that makes use of collected charge data from the MicroBooNE LArTPC Public Dataset, I will discuss the overall performance of such algorithms and potential applications for future neutrino experiments.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

DOE OSTI2022

Scintillation light detection in the long-drift ProtoDUNE-DP liquid argon TPC

ProtoDUNE-DP is a 6 × 6 × 6m$^{3}$ liquid argon time-projection-chamber (LArTPC) operated at the Neutrino Platform at CERN in 2019-2020 as a prototype of the DUNE Far Detector. DUNE is a dual-site experiment for long-baseline neutrino oscillation studies, neutrino astrophysics and nucleon decay searches. The light signal in these detectors is crucial to provide precise timing capabilities. In ProtoDUNE-DP, scintillation light produced by cosmic muons in the LArTPC is collected by the photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) placed up to 7 m away from the point of interaction. The scintillation light production and propagation processes are analyzed and compared to simulations, improving the understanding of some liquid argon properties.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2026

Studying the SBND Cathode Structure

The Short-Baseline Near Detector (SBND) is a Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber (LArTPC) located at Fermilab. It utilizes electrons ionized by passing particles inside the detector to create 3D reconstructions of interactions. This is achieved by drifting ionized electrons towards the instrumented wire planes. Structurally, the cathode can be mapped using cosmic ray muons by using information of their trajectories and their timing. This study shows that the cathode has rich structure. Though preliminary, this work shows evidence of non-negligible effects and warrants further investigation of these structures which could lead to improved detector simulations and more reliable event reconstructions.

Cataldo, Aedan [Notre Dame U.]↗

DOE OSTI2023

The MIGDAL experiment: Measuring a rare atomic process to aid the search for dark matter

We present the Migdal In Galactic Dark mAtter expLoration (MIGDAL) experiment aiming at the unambiguous observation and study of the so-called Migdal effect induced by fast-neutron scattering. It is hoped that this elusive atomic process can be exploited to enhance the reach of direct dark matter search experiments to lower masses, but it is still lacking experimental confirmation. Our goal is to detect the predicted atomic electron emission which is thought to accompany nuclear scattering with low, but calculable, probability, by deploying an Optical Time Projection Chamber filled with a low-pressure gas based on CF 4 . Initially, pure CF 4 will be used, and then in mixtures containing other elements employed by leading dark matter search technologies — including noble species, plus Si and Ge. High resolution track images generated by a Gas Electron Multiplier stack, together with timing information from scintillation and ionisation readout, will be used for 3D reconstruction of the characteristic event topology expected for this process — an arrangement of two tracks sharing a common vertex, with one belonging to a Migdal electron and the other to a nuclear recoil. Different energy-loss rate distributions along both tracks will be used as a powerful discrimination tool against background events. In this article we present the design of the experiment, informed by extensive particle and track simulations and detailed estimations of signal and background rates. In pure CF 4 we expect to observe 8.9 (29.3) Migdal events per calendar day of exposure to an intense D–D (D–T) neutron generator beam at the NILE facility located at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (UK). With our nominal assumptions, 5σ median discovery significance can be achieved in under one day with either generator.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2025

Optimization of the light detection system of the ICARUS detector

The Short Baseline Neutrino (SBN) Program at Fermilab is designed to investigate short-baseline neutrino oscillations and test the hypothesis of sterile neutrinos, motivated by several experimental anomalies observed over the past decades. Within this program, the ICARUS experiment plays a key role. It employs the world’s largest Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber (LArTPC) and serves as the farthest and most sensitive SBN detector for studying muon and electron neutrino oscillations. A crucial subsystem of the ICARUS detector is the Light Detection System (LDS), which captures the prompt scintillation light produced by neutrino interactions in the 600-ton active liquid Argon volume. This system provides precise timing information that is essential for event reconstruction, the trigger system, and cosmic background rejection. The LDS is composed of 360 Hamamatsu R5912-MOD 8-inch photomultiplier tubes (PMTs), operating under cryogenic conditions ($\sim 87 \ K$) inside the detector’s cryostats. During the detector’s operation at FNAL, a degradation in PMT gain has been observed, attributed to aging under low-temperature conditions. In collaboration with ICARUS teams from INFN Pavia and Catania, I developed an experimental setup to study the temperature-dependent behavior of the PMTs, performing gain measurements both at room temperature and down to $-70°C$ using a climatic chamber at INFN Catania. The results indicate that while the PMTs maintain stable gain at room temperature, a significant and permanent gain reduction occurs at low temperatures. Although $-70°C$ is still warmer than liquid Argon temperatures, the findings clearly demonstrate a gain-dependent performance degradation. The thesis also discusses mitigation strategies implemented in the ICARUS detector to address this issue and presents a simplified model to describe and simulate the observed behavior.

Saia, Clara [Catania U.] (ORCID:0009000464102417)↗

DOE OSTI2024

Measuring Light Yield with Isolated Protons in MicroBooNE

Liquid Argon Time Projection Chambers (LArTPCs) are precision detectors used extensively in neutrino physics. The MicroBooNE experiment at Fermilab is one of the experiments employing this technique and has collected 5 years of data from 2015-2021. The primary signal in LArTPCs is ionisation, but argon also emits large quantities of scintillation light, which can be used for calorimetry, timing and background rejection. Prompt scintillation light in MicroBooNE is recorded with an array of 32 PhotoMultiplier Tubes (PMTs). To enable the full use of scintillation light in the experiment, it is important to characterize the efficiency of light collection in the detector, i.e. the light yield. We present a new method of measuring the light yield using isolated proton interactions, which enables a position-dependent light yield measurement to map the response of the detector across its volume. This method can be used to calibrate the light response in large-scale LArTPC detectors as well as to test assumptions used in simulating scintillation light.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2024

DarkSide-20k sensitivity to light dark matter particles

The dual-phase liquid argon time projection chamber is presently one of the leading technologies to search for dark matter particles with masses below 10 GeV c$^{−2}$. This was demonstrated by the DarkSide-50 experiment with approximately 50 kg of low-radioactivity liquid argon as target material. The next generation experiment DarkSide-20k, currently under construction, will use 1,000 times more argon and is expected to start operation in 2027. Based on the DarkSide-50 experience, here we assess the DarkSide-20k sensitivity to models predicting light dark matter particles, including Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs) and sub-GeV c$^{−2}$ particles interacting with electrons in argon atoms. With one year of data, a sensitivity improvement to dark matter interaction cross-sections by at least one order of magnitude with respect to DarkSide-50 is expected for all these models. A sensitivity to WIMP–nucleon interaction cross-sections below 1 × 10$^{−42}$ cm$^{2}$ is achievable for WIMP masses above 800 MeV c$^{−2}$. With 10 years exposure, the neutrino fog can be reached for WIMP masses around 5 GeV c$^{−2}$.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗