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DOE OSTI2022

The Design and Integrated Performance of SPT-3G

Abstract SPT-3G is the third survey receiver operating on the South Pole Telescope dedicated to high-resolution observations of the cosmic microwave background (CMB). Sensitive measurements of the temperature and polarization anisotropies of the CMB provide a powerful data set for constraining cosmology. Additionally, CMB surveys with arcminute-scale resolution are capable of detecting galaxy clusters, millimeter-wave bright galaxies, and a variety of transient phenomena. The SPT-3G instrument provides a significant improvement in mapping speed over its predecessors, SPT-SZ and SPTpol. The broadband optics design of the instrument achieves a 430 mm diameter image plane across observing bands of 95, 150, and 220 GHz, with 1.2′ FWHM beam response at 150 GHz. In the receiver, this image plane is populated with 2690 dual-polarization, trichroic pixels (∼16,000 detectors) read out using a 68× digital frequency-domain multiplexing readout system. In 2018, SPT-3G began a multiyear survey of 1500 deg 2 of the southern sky. We summarize the unique optical, cryogenic, detector, and readout technologies employed in SPT-3G, and we report on the integrated performance of the instrument.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2022

The ultrafast pixel array camera system and its applications in high energy density physics

Diagnostics in high energy density physics, shock physics, and related fields are primarily driven by a need to record rapidly time-evolving signals in single-shot events. These measurements are often limited by channel count and signal degradation issues on cable links between the detector and digitizer. Here we present the Ultrafast Pixel Array Camera (UPAC), a compact and flexible detector readout system with 32 waveform-recording channels at up to 10 Gsample/s and 1.8 GHz analog bandwidth. The compact footprint allows the UPAC to be directly embedded in the detector environment. A key enabling technology is the PSEC4A chip, an eight-channel switch-capacitor array sampling device with up to 1056 samples/channel. The UPAC system includes a high-density input connector that can plug directly into an application-specific detector board, programmable control, and serial readout, with less than 5 W of power consumption in full operation. We present the UPAC design and characterization, including a measured timing resolution of ~20 ps or better on acquisitions of sub-nanosecond pulses with minimal system calibrations. Example applications of the UPAC are also shown to demonstrate operation of a solid-state streak camera, an ultrafast imaging array, and a neutron time-of-flight spectrometer.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

NASA NTRS1978

Ultra-low magnetic field apparatus for a cryogenic gyroscope

An ultralow magnetic field apparatus for earth-based testing of a cryogenic gyroscope system designed for a satellite test of general relativity is described. The magnetic field apparatus makes use of a superconducting lead shield while also maintaining sufficient mechanical stability to obtain a gyroscope readout sensitivity of one arcsec over a limited range. A gyroscope environment of 2.3 times 10 to the minus seventh power gauss has been attained with the magnetic field shielding technique. The magnetic field apparatus is to be used with a three-axis London moment readout system.

Cabrera, B.↗

DOE OSTI2022

Evaluation of a positron-emission-tomography-based SiPM readout for compact segmented neutron imagers

Gamma-ray emission from special nuclear material (SNM) is relatively easy to shield from detection using modest amounts of high-Z material. In contrast, fast-neutrons are much more penetrating and can escape relatively thick high-Z shielding without losing significant energy. Furthermore, fast neutrons provide a clear and unambiguous signature of the presence of SNM with few competing natural background sources. The challenge of detecting fast neutrons is twofold. First, the neutron flux from SNM are only a fraction of the corresponding gamma-ray flux. Second, fast neutrons can be difficult to differentiate from gamma rays. The ability to discriminate gamma rays from neutrons, combined with a neutron imaging capability, can in some situations enable the localization of SNM neutron sources distinct from background. With the developments of pulse-shape-sensitive plastic scintillators that offer excellent gamma-ray/neutron discrimination, and arrays of silicon photomultipliers combined with highly scalable and fast positron-emission-tomography (PET) multi-channel readout systems, field-deployable neutron imagers suitable for SNM detection might now be within reach. In this paper, we present a characterization of the performance of a recently available commercial PET-scanner readout, including its sensitivity to pulse-shape differences between fast neutrons and gamma rays, energy and timing resolution. Here, we find that, while the pulse-shape discrimination is achievable with stilbene, further improvement of the readout is required to achieve it with the PSD-capable available plastic scintillators.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2024

TinyTPC: A TEST STAND FOR LAr DOPING

TinyTPC is a small scale liquid-argon time projection chamber (LArTPC) that studies how photosensitive dopants can improve the energy resolution of low energy events in LArTPCs. Bench tests to resolve high voltage breakdown issues and to improve the low voltage system readout are described. Experimental data with a radioactive source of Th-228 for the calibration of the pixelated readout and the characterization of TinyTPC's energy resolution is explained. Provisional results from the addition of isobutylene (photosensitive dopant) and xenon (wavelength shifter) to liquid-argon (LAr) are also presented. Further steps to improve voltage system and enhance the data collection are discussed.

Rodriguez Thorne, Paloma↗

DOE OSTI2026

Long-term stability-degradation analysis of DUNE SiPMs in Liquid Nitrogen

We developed a cryogenic photon readout system to monitor arrays of DUNE SiPMs operating at various over-voltages in liquid nitrogen (LN2) for over three months. Photoelectron signals were read out simultaneously via weak capacitive coupling to the micro-FEMB, a 32-channel charge sensitive readout board designed for 77 K to 300 K operation in liquid argon time projection chambers (LAr-TPCs). A waveform snippet acquisition scheme was implemented to capture waveform signals whenever they exceeded a predetermined trigger level; consequently, empty waveforms were discarded. Selected SiPM parameters were monitored to detect any deviations beyond statistical fluctuations. While some parameters exhibited ~1σ variations over the 3-month test period, there was no evidence of drift being enhanced when operating at 4 V or 5 V compared to a 3 V over-voltage. However, a discernible PDE drop was observed across all channels, which warrants further investigation. In addition, we demonstrated that our system can simultaneously read out single photons from a selected group of SiPMs at room temperature.

Tsang, Thomas [Brookhaven]↗

NASA NTRS1968

Digital readout and control system for a 64-inch /1.63-m/ scattering chamber

64 inch scattering chamber digital readout and control system for automatic processing of angle and experimental data

Madson, L. P.↗

NASA NTRS1989

A position sensitive detector for EUV remote sensing

The authors describe a photon-counting extreme ultraviolet (EUV) detector system used in a rocket-borne spectroscopic instrument for remote sensing of upper atmospheric composition and temperature. The detector uses a KBr coated microchannel plate (MCP) Z stack in combination with a wedge-and-strip image readout system. Three separate detector fields of view are used to sense the Earth dayglow spectrum (980 A to 1040 A, and 1300 A to 1360 A) and the solar EUV spectrum (250 A to 1400 A). The authors demonstrate high gain (2 x 107), tight pulse-height distribution (35 percent FWHM), and a spatial resolution of about 35 microns FWHM (full width at half maximum), which is the highest resolution for a wedge-and-strip anode MCP detector flown to date. The background, image linearity, and flat-field performance are discussed. Raw spectra from the rocket flight are also presented.

Siegmund, O. H. W.↗

DOE OSTI2026

Graphical User Interface for a Biasing Board for the PSEC6

The PSEC6 is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) designed for a readout system for a large area picosecond photodetector (LAPPD). The PSEC6 is currently in fabrication and pending testing. The testing system for the PSEC5, the previous iteration of the ASIC, required expensive and non-portable equipment, because the ASIC needs twelve adjustable reference voltages. The new testing system consists of an low-cost, open-source, cross-platform graphical user interface (GUI), a digital system, and a biasing board. The digital system is the interface between the GUI and biasing board, and can be implemented on a microcontroller or field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The biasing board contains twelve digital-to-analog converters (DACs) that are configurable via the GUI, which gives users the ability to write voltage values to all or specific DACs. The GUI was developed in C on Linux using the widget library GTK4 and cross-compiled for Windows compatibility. I2C and SPI protocols were implemented on an Adafruit Feather ESP32-S3 microcontroller to write commands to the DACs and PSEC6. A hardware implementation of the I2C protocol is in development on an FPGA. Since LAPPDs will be used by the Accelerator Neutrino Neutron Interaction Experiment (ANNIE) at Fermilab, the PSEC6 testing system in this internship project can potentially benefit future neutrino research. The project is relevant to the Department of Energy’s microelectronics mission, because the PSEC6 is an ASIC that will handle fast time signals arriving from the detector for readout. It also provided experience with building a cross-platform user interface, practicing digital design and implementation in hardware description language (HDL), and using simulations to inform new design iterations.

Guerrero, Sasha Camila [North Central Coll.]↗

DOE OSTI2026

Graphical User Interface for a Biasing Board for the PSEC6

Guerrero, Sasha Camila [North Central Coll.]↗

NASA NTRS1987

Electronic heterodyne moire deflectometry: A method for transient and three dimensional density fields measurements

Effects of diffraction and nonlinear photographic emulsion characteristics on the performance of deferred electronic heterodyne moire deflectometry are investigated. The deferred deflectometry is used for measurements of nonsteady phase objects where it is difficult to complete the analysis of the field in real time. The sensitivity, accuracy and resolution of the system are calculated and it is shown that they are weakly affected by diffraction and by nonlinear recording. The feactures of the system are significantly improved compared with the conventional deferred intensity moire technique, and are comparable with the online heterodyne moire. The system was evaluated experimentally by deferred measurements of the refractive index gradients of a weak phase object consisting of a large KD*P crystal. This was done by photographing the phase object through a Ronchi grating and analyzing the tranparency with the electronic heterodyne readout system. The results are compared with the measurements performed on the same phase object with online heterodyne moire deflectometry and with heterodyne holographic interferometry methods. Some practical considerations for system improvement are discussed.

Stricker, Josef↗

DOE OSTI2025

Commissioning of the trigger system for the ICARUS T600 LAr-TPC detector in SBN Program

The ICARUS experiment at Fermilab is the far detector of the Short Baseline Neutrino Program (SBN), aimed at studing the neutrino oscillation to find a fourth type of neutrino, called sterile neutrino. A key component for this detector is the trigger system, which aims to identify and isolate the physical interactions from the background events. In this framework my internship program was dedicated to the development of trigger logic and trigger inhibit mechanism in order to select the genuine neutrino interaction and to guarantee a correct functioning of the readout system. These two steps, that represent a part of the commissioning of the trigger system, were implemented with LabVIEW Software. The obtained results are a fundamental step towards a succesful activation of the detector in the next few months.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

NASA NTRS1966

Four parameter pulse height analyzer

Circuit design modification of converter and readout system by addition of charge amplifiers at inputs and by addition of fourth D channel- four-parameter pulse height analyzer

PARAMETRIC AMPLIFIER↗

NASA NTRS2020

Progress in the Development of Frequency-Domain Multiplexing for the X-ray Integral Field Unit on Board the Athena Mission

Frequency-domain multiplexing (FDM) is the baseline readout system for the X-ray Integral Field Unit on board the Athena mission. Under the FDM scheme, TESs are coupled to a passive LC filter and biased with alternating current (AC bias) at MHz frequencies. Using high-quality-factor LC filters and room-temperature electronics developed at SRON and low-noise two-stage SQUID amplifiers provided by VTT, we have recently demonstrated good performance with the FDM readout of Mo/Au TES calorimeters with Au/Bi absorbers. We have achieved a performance requested for the demonstration model with the single-pixel AC bias ( ΔE = 1.8 eV ) and nine-pixel multiplexing ( ΔE = 2.6 eV ) modes. We have also demonstrated 14-pixel multiplexing with an average energy resolution of 3.3 eV, which is limited by nonfundamental issues related to FDM readout in our laboratory setup.

H. Akamatsu↗

NASA NTRS1984

Effect of low-frequency ambient magnetic fields on the control unit and RF head of a commercial SQUID magnetometer

The control unit and RF head of the SHE model 330XRFSQUID system are shown to be sensitive to ambient ac magnetic fields below 1 HZ, which cause the appearance of false signals corresponding to a magnetometer signal of 0.000001 phi(0) per gauss of field applied. The control unit shows a sensitivity that is linear with frequency, suggesting that the signal is generated by Faraday induction. In contrast, the RF head response is independent of frequency and shows a strong second-harmonic coversion. This response may be due to the magnetic field sensitivity of the ferrite core inductor in the tuned amplifier of the RF head. These signals induced by ambient fields are a potential source of error in Stanford's Relativity Gyroscope experiment, which uses SQUID's on board a rolling satellite as part of the gyroscope readout system. The extent of the magnetic field sensitivity in these components necessitates the use of additional magnetic shielding aboard the satellite.

Marcus, C. M.↗

NASA NTRS2020

Assembly and Integration Process of the High-Density Detector Array Readout Modules for the Simons Observatory

The Simons Observatory will measure the cosmic microwave background tempera-ture and polarization using a suite of new telescopes in the Atacama Desert in Chile. The Simons Observatory will use dichroic transition edge sensor (TES) bolometer arrays spanning six frequency bands from 27 to 280 GHz. The Simons Observa-tory will pioneer the use of a densely packed multiplexing architecture based on the microwave SQUID multiplexer ( 𝜇mux), housing ∼2000 microwave resonators, each coupled to a TES. The Simons Observatory aims to multiplex each array of ∼2000 detectors with a single pair of coaxial cables and requires a multiplexing factor of ∼1000 . The Simons Observatory cryogenic readout system is called the universal microwave multiplexing module (UMM). The UMM couples to both horn and lenslet-coupled detector arrays and is integrated into the universal focal-plane module (UFM) after being independently characterized. We present processes we have developed for highly repeatable and automated integration methods of UMMs, which will be needed for the production of the 49 UFMs required for the first stage of the Simons Observatory.

CMB↗

DOE OSTI2022

Waveform processing using neural network algorithms on the front-end electronics

In a multi-channel radiation detector readout system, waveform sampling, digitization, and raw data transmission to the data acquisition system constitute a conventional processing chain. The deposited energy on the sensor is estimated by extracting peak amplitudes, area under pulse envelopes from the raw data, and starting times of signals or time of arrivals. However, such quantities can be estimated using machine learning algorithms on the front-end Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), often termed as “edge computing”. Edge computation offers enormous benefits, especially when the analytical forms are not fully known or the registered waveform suffers from noise and imperfections of practical implementations. In this work, we aim to predict peak amplitude from a single waveform snippet whose rising and falling edges containing only 3 to 4 samples. We thoroughly studied two well-accepted neural network algorithms, Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) and Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) by varying their model sizes. Further, to better fit front-end electronics, neural network model reduction techniques, such as network pruning methods and variable-bit quantization approaches, were also studied. By combining pruning and quantization, our best performing model has the size of 1.5 KB, reduced from 16.6 KB of its full model counterpart. It can reach mean absolute error of 0.034 comparing to that of a naive baseline of 0.135. Such parameter-efficient and predictive neural network models established feasibility and practicality of their deployment on front-end ASICs.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

DOE OSTI2024

Using pile-up collisions as an abundant source of low-energy hadronic physics processes in ATLAS and an extraction of the jet energy resolution

During the 2015–2018 data-taking period, the Large Hadron Collider delivered proton-proton bunch crossings at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV to the ATLAS experiment at a rate of roughly 30 MHz, where each bunch crossing contained an average of 34 independent inelastic proton-proton collisions. The ATLAS trigger system selected roughly 1 kHz of these bunch crossings to be recorded to disk. Offline algorithms then identify one of the recorded collisions as the collision of interest for subsequent data analysis, and the remaining collisions are referred to as pile-up. Pile-up collisions represent a trigger-unbiased dataset, which is evaluated to have an integrated luminosity of 1.33 pb -1 in 2015–2018. This is small compared with the normal trigger-based ATLAS dataset, but when combined with vertex-by-vertex jet reconstruction it provides up to 50 times more dijet events than the conventional single-jet-trigger-based approach, and does so without adding any additional cost or requirements on the trigger system, readout, or storage. The pile-up dataset is validated through comparisons with a special trigger-unbiased dataset recorded by ATLAS, and its utility is demonstrated by means of a measurement of the jet energy resolution in dijet events, where the statistical uncertainty is significantly reduced for jet transverse momenta below 65 GeV.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗