D. Cussans

A measurement of σtot (γp) at √s=210 GeV

Abstract The total photoproduction cross section is determined from a measurement of electroproduction with the ZEUS detector at HERA. The Q 2 values of the virtual photons are in the range 10 −7 Q 2 −2 GeV 2 . The γp total cross section in the γp centre of mass energy range 186–233 GeV is 154 ± 16 (stat.) ± 32 (syst.) μ b.

The design, status and performance of the ZEUS central tracking detector electronics

Abstract The readout system developed for the ZEUS central trackign detector (CDT) is described. The CTD is required to provide an accurate measurement of the sagitta and energy loss of charged particles as well as provide fast trigger information. This must be carried out in the HERA environment in which beams cross every 96 ns. The first two aims are achieved by digitizing chamber pulses using a pipelined 104 MHz FADC system. The trigger uses a fast determination of the difference in the arrival times of a pulse at each end of the CTD. It processes this data and gives information to the ZEUS global first level trigger. The modules are housed in custom-built racks and crates and read out using a DAQ system based on Transputer readout controllers. These also monitor data quality and produce data for the ZEUS second level Trigger.

Development of scalable electronics for the TORCH time-of-flight detector

The TORCH detector is proposed for the low-momentum particle identification upgrade of the LHCb experiment. It combines Time-Of-Flight and Cherenkov techniques to achieve charged particle separation up to 10 GeV/c. This requires a time resolution of 70 ps for single photons. Existing electronics has already demonstrated a 26 ps intrinsic time resolution; however the channel count and density need improvements for future micro-channel plate devices. This paper will report on a scalable design using custom ASICs (NINO-32 and HPTDC). The system provides up to 8 × 64 channels for a single micro-channel plate device. It is also designed to read out micro-channel plate tubes with charge-sharing technique.

Development, characterization and beam tests of a small-scale TORCH prototype module

Within the TORCH (Time Of internally Reflected CHerenkov light) R&D project, a small-scale TORCH prototype module is currently under study. Circular-shaped micro-channel plate photon detectors with finely segmented square anodes (32 × 32 channels) have been produced for TORCH requirements in industrial partnership. A new generation of custom multi-channel electronics based on the 32-channel NINO and HPTDC ASICs has been developed. The performance of the photon detector coupled to these customized electronics has been assessed in the laboratory and is reported on. A time resolution of 80 ps and a spatial resolution of 0.03 mm have been measured. Finally, tests of the TORCH prototype module illuminated with laser light and in a charged particle beam will be highlighted.

Development of TORCH readout electronics for customised MCPs

The TORCH detector is being developed for low-momentum particle identification, combining time-of-flight and Cherenkov techniques to achieve charged particle pi/K/p separation up to 10 GeV/c over a flight distance of 10m. This requires a timing resolution of 70 ps for single photons. Based on an existing scalable design, production and testing of a TORCH readout system has been undertaken over the past year, and a novel customized Micro Channel Plate (MCP) photomultiplier device with 128-channels has been instrumented. This paper will report on the development of the readout system which is being used to measure time-of-flight in a test-beam, and its performance. We will also discuss the communication and data alignment between the TORCH system and the TimePix3 telescope in order to provide track reconstruction.

TORCH - Cherenkov and Time-of-Flight PID Detector for the LHCb Upgrade at CERN

TORCH is a large-area precision time-of-flight detector, based on Cherenkov light production and propagation in a quartz radiator plate, which is read out at its edges. TORCH is proposed for the LHCb experiment at CERN to provide positive particle identification for kaons, and is currently in the Research-and-Development phase. A brief overview of the micro-channel plate photon sensor development, the custom-made electronics, and an introduction to the current test beam activities is given. Optical readout solutions are presented for the potential use of BaBar DIRC bar boxes as part of the TORCH configuration in LHCb.

Trigger processing using reconfigurable logic in the CMS calorimeter trigger

Abstract We present the design of the Global Calorimeter Trigger processor for the CMS detector at LHC. This is a fully pipelined processor system which collects data from all the CMS calorimeters and produces summary information used in forming the Level-1 trigger decision for each event. The design in based on the use of state-of-the-art reconfigurable logic devices (FPGAs) and fast data links. We present the results of device testing using a low-latency pipelined sort algorithm, which demonstrate that an FPGA can be used to perform processing previously foreseen to require custom ASICs. Our design approach results in a powerful, flexible and compact processor system.

The performance of the FADC system for the ZEUS Central Tracking Detector

The Central Tracking Detector (CTD) of the ZEUS experiment uses a flash analogue to digital converter (FADC) readout system to measure the arrival time of ionisation at sense wires as well as the charge deposited. A digitisation frequency of 104 MHz is used and the data is written to pipelined data stores. A digital signal processor (DSP) is used to control the main functions on the card as well as perform data parameterisation and compression. Test and operational performance results from the first electron-proton interactions are presented. >

First radiation hardness results of the TeraPixel Active Calorimeter (TPAC) sensor

The TeraPixel Active Calorimeter (TPAC) sensor is a novel Monolithic Active Pixel Sensors (MAPS) device developed for use as the active layers of a large area, digital electromagnetic calorimeter (DECAL) at a future e+e− collider. Further applications, which include the tracking and vertex systems for future lepton colliders and LHC upgrades have been proposed and it is therefore essential to characterise the behaviour of the sensor for these applications. We present the first studies of radiation hardness testing of the TPAC sensor. The performance of the sensor has been evaluated after exposures up to 5 Mrad of 50 keV x-rays. Under realistic ILC operating conditions a maximum decrease in the signal to noise ratio of 8% (15%) was observed after 200 krad (5 Mrad) which is already sufficient for proposed applications in future e+e− colliders.

Tests with the CMS Binary Chip (CBC)

The CMS Binary Chip is an ASIC designed for the readout of silicon strip sensors. Tests have been performed to verify that it operates correctly over a range of temperatures from −40°C – 40°C. The results of these tests are presented.