arXiv subjects

Daniel Siegmann

Publications and source records attributed to Daniel Siegmann.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2024

Investigations of Charge Collection and Signal Timing in a multi-pixel Silicon Drift Detector

Sterile neutrinos are a minimal extension of the Standard Model of particle physics and a promising candidate for dark matter if their mass is in the keV-range. The Karlsruhe Tritium Neutrino experiment (KATRIN), equipped with a novel multi-pixel silicon drift detector array, the TRISTAN detector, will be capable of searching for these keV-scale sterile neutrinos by investigating the kinematics of the tritium $\beta$-decay. This measurement will be performed after the completion of the neutrino mass measurement campaign. To detect a sterile neutrino signal with a high sensitivity, a profound understanding of the detector response is required. In this work, we report on the characterization of a 7-pixel TRISTAN prototype detector with a laser system. We present the experimental results obtained in high-resolution scans of the detector surface with a focused laser beam and demonstrate how the charge collection and the timing of the signals generated in the detector is related to the detector geometry. A comparison of the experimental data with simulations shows a good agreement.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2024

Investigation of Electron Backscattering on Silicon Drift Detectors for the Sterile Neutrino Search with TRISTAN

Sterile neutrinos are hypothetical particles in the minimal extension of the Standard Model of Particle Physics. They could be viable dark matter candidates if they have a mass in the keV range. The Karlsruhe tritium neutrino (KATRIN) experiment, extended with a silicon drift detector focal plane array (TRISTAN), has the potential to search for keV-scale sterile neutrinos by measuring the kinematics of the tritium $\beta$-decay. The collaboration targets a sensitivity of $10^{-6}$ on the mixing amplitude $\sin^2{\Theta}$. For this challenging target, a precise understanding of the detector response is necessary. In this work, we report on the characterization of electron backscattering from the detector surface, which is one of the main effects that influence the shape of the observed energy spectrum. Measurements were performed with a tandem silicon drift detector system and a custom-designed electron source. The measured detector response and backscattering probability are in good agreement with dedicated backscattering simulations using the Geant4 simulation toolkit.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2024

A thermionic electron gun to characterize silicon drift detectors with electrons

The TRISTAN detector is a new detector for electron spectroscopy at the Karlsruhe Tritium Neutrino (KATRIN) experiment. The semiconductor detector utilizes the silicon drift detector technology and will enable the precise measurement of the entire tritium beta decay electron spectrum. Thus, a significant fraction of the parameter space of potential neutrino mass eigenstates in the keV-mass regime can be probed. We developed a custom electron gun based on the effect of thermionic emission to characterize the TRISTAN detector modules with mono-energetic electrons before installation into the KATRIN beamline. The electron gun provides an electron beam with up to 25 keV kinetic energy and an electron rate in the order of 1E5 electrons per second. This manuscript gives an overview of the design and commissioning of the electron gun. In addition, we will shortly discuss a first measurement with the electron gun to characterize the electron response of the TRISTAN detector.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2024

Development of a Silicon Drift Detector Array to Search for keV-scale Sterile Neutrinos with the KATRIN Experiment

Sterile neutrinos in the keV mass range present a viable candidate for dark matter. They can be detected through single $\beta$ decay, where they cause small spectral distortions. The Karlsruhe Tritium Neutrino (KATRIN) experiment aims to search for keV-scale sterile neutrinos with high sensitivity. To achieve this, the KATRIN beamline will be equipped with a novel multi-pixel silicon drift detector focal plane array named TRISTAN. In this study, we present the performance of a TRISTAN detector module, a component of the eventual 9-module system. Our investigation encompasses spectroscopic aspects such as noise performance, energy resolution, linearity, and stability.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2021

Characterization measurements of the TRISTAN multi-pixel silicon drift detector

Sterile neutrinos are a minimal extension of the Standard Model of Particle Physics. A laboratory-based approach to search for this particle is via tritium beta-decay, where a sterile neutrino would cause a kink-like spectral distortion. The Karlsruhe Tritium Neutrino (KATRIN) experiment extended by a multi-pixel Silicon Drift Detector system has the potential to reach an unprecedented sensitivity to the keV-scale sterile neutrino in a lab-based experiment. The new detector system combines good spectroscopic performance with a high rate capability. In this work, we report about the characterization of charge-sharing between pixels and the commissioning of a 47-pixel prototype detector in a MAC-E filter.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2020

Hunting keV sterile neutrinos with KATRIN: building the first TRISTAN module

The KATRIN (Karlsruhe Tritium Neutrino) experiment investigates the energetic endpoint of the tritium beta-decay spectrum to determine the effective mass of the electron anti-neutrino. The collaboration has reported a first mass measurement result at this TAUP-2019 conference. The TRISTAN project aims at detecting a keV-sterile neutrino signature by measuring the entire tritium beta-decay spectrum with an upgraded KATRIN system. One of the greatest challenges is to handle the high signal rates generated by the strong activity of the KATRIN tritium source while maintaining a good energy resolution. Therefore, a novel multi-pixel silicon drift detector and read-out system are being designed to handle rates of about 100 Mcps with an energy resolution better than 300 eV (FWHM). This report presents succinctly the KATRIN experiment, the TRISTAN project, then the results of the first 7-pixels prototype measurement campaign and finally describes the construction of the first TRISTAN module composed of 166 SDD-pixels as well as its implementation in KATRIN experiment.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2020

Characterization of the Detector Response to Electrons of Silicon Drift Detectors for the TRISTAN Project

Right-handed neutrinos are a natural extension of the Standard Model of particle physics. Such particles would only interact through the mixing with the left-handed neutrinos, hence they are called sterile neutrinos. If their mass were in the keV-range they would be Dark Matter candidates. By investigating the electron spectrum of the tritium beta-decay the parameter space with masses up to the endpoint of 18.6 keV can be probed. A sterile neutrino manifests as a kink-like structure in the spectrum. To achieve this goal the TRISTAN project develops a new detector system for the KATRIN experiment that can search for these new particles using the silicon drift detector technology. One major effect on the performance of the detectors is the so called dead layer. Here, a new characterization method for the prototype detectors is presented using the Kr-83m decay conversion electrons. By tilting the detector its effective dead layer increases, which leads to different peak positions. The difference of peak positions between two tilting angles is independent of source effects and is thus suitable for characterization.A dead layer is then extracted by comparing the measurements to Monte-Carlo simulations. A dead layer in the order of 50 nm was found.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2019

Measurements with a TRISTAN prototype detector system at the "Troitsk nu-mass" experiment in integral and differential mode

Sterile neutrinos emerge in minimal extensions of the Standard Model which can solve a number of open questions in astroparticle physics. For example, sterile neutrinos in the keV-mass range are viable dark matter candidates. Their existence would lead to a kink-like distortion in the tritium $\beta$-decay spectrum. In this work we report about the instrumentation of the Troitsk nu-mass experiment with a 7-pixel TRISTAN prototype detector and measurements in both differential and integral mode. The combination of the two modes is a key requirement for a precise sterile neutrino search, as both methods are prone to largely different systematic uncertainties. Thanks to the excellent performance of the TRISTAN detector at high rates, a sterile neutrino search up to masses of about 6 keV could be performed, which enlarges the previous accessible mass range by a factor of 3. Upper limits on the neutrino mixing amplitude in the mass range < 5.6 keV (differential) and < 6.6 keV (integral) are presented. These results demonstrate the feasibility of a sterile neutrino search as planned in the upgrade of the KATRIN experiment with the final TRISTAN detector and read-out system.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2018

A novel detector system for KATRIN to search for keV-scale sterile neutrinos

Sterile neutrinos are a minimal extension of the Standard Model of Particle Physics. If their mass is in the kilo-electron-volt regime, they are viable dark matter candidates. One way to search for sterile neutrinos in a laboratory-based experiment is via tritium-beta decay, where the new neutrino mass eigenstate would manifest itself as a kink-like distortion of the $\beta$-decay spectrum. The objective of the TRISTAN project is to extend the KATRIN setup with a new multi-pixel silicon drift detector system to search for a keV-scale sterile neutrino signal. In this paper we describe the requirements of such a new detector, and present first characterization measurement results obtained with a 7-pixel prototype system.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2018

Detector Development for a Sterile Neutrino Search with the KATRIN Experiment

The KATRIN (Karlsruhe Tritium Neutrino) experiment investigates the energetic endpoint of the tritium $\beta$-decay spectrum to determine the effective mass of the electron anti-neutrino with a precision of $200\,\mathrm{meV}$ ($90\,\%$ C.L.) after an effective data taking time of three years. The TRISTAN (tritium $\beta$-decay to search for sterile neutrinos) group aims to detect a sterile neutrino signature by measuring the entire tritium $\beta$-decay spectrum with an upgraded KATRIN system. One of the greatest challenges is to handle the high signal rates generated by the strong activity of the KATRIN tritium source. Therefore, a novel multi-pixel silicon drift detector is being designed, which is able to handle rates up to $10^{8}\,\mathrm{cps}$ with an excellent energy resolution of $<200\,\mathrm{eV}$ (FWHM) at $10\,\mathrm{keV}$. This work gives an overview of the ongoing detector development and test results of the first seven pixel prototype detectors.

physics.ins-det↗