arXiv subjects

N. Nicassio

Publications and source records attributed to N. Nicassio.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Efficient and precise Cherenkov-based charged particle timing using SiPMs

Dedicated R&D efforts are currently underway to couple a thin Cherenkov radiator to Silicon Photomultiplier (SiPM) arrays for precise charged particle Time-of-Flight (ToF) measurements. The prompt nature of Cherenkov radiation makes it an ideal candidate for achieving ultimate timing performance in a ToF detector. Using a thin radiator with a high refractive index, such as fused silica, enables the generation of a fast signal from charged particles that exceed the Cherenkov threshold. A crucial requirement for approaching the target time resolution is the optimization of both the radiator material and thickness, as well as the optical coupling to the SiPM arrays. In this work, we present the main factors that affect the time resolution and the expected performance achieved through a detailed Monte Carlo simulation and the comparison with beam test results.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2026

A SiPM-Based RICH Detector with Timing Capabilities for Isotope Identification

In this work, we present a novel compact particle identification (PID) detector concept based on Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs) optimized to perform combined Ring-Imaging Cherenkov (RICH) and Time-of-Flight (TOF) measurements using a common photodetector layer. The system consists of a Cherenkov radiator layer separated from a photosensitive surface equipped with SiPMs by an expansion gap. A thin glass slab, acting as a second Cherenkov radiator, is coupled to the SiPMs to perform Cherenkov-based charged particle timing measurements. We assembled a small-scale prototype instrumented with various Hamamatsu SiPM array sensors with pixel pitches ranging from 2 to 3 mm and coupled with 1 mm thick fused silica window. The RICH radiator consisted of a 2 cm thick aerogel tile with a refractive index of 1.03 at 400 nm. The prototype was successfully tested in beam test campaigns at the CERN PS T10 beam line with pions and protons. We measured a single-hit angular resolution of about 4 mrad at the Cherenkov angle saturation value and a time resolution better than 50 ps RMS for charged particles with Z = 1. The present technology makes the proposed SiPM-based PID system particularly attractive for space applications due to the limited detector volumes available. In this work, we present beam test results obtained with the detector prototype and we discuss possible configurations optimized for the identification of ions in space applications.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2026

Development of a novel compact and fast SiPM-based RICH detector for the future ALICE 3 PID system at LHC

A dedicated R\&D is ongoing for the charged particle identification system of the \mbox{ALICE 3} experiment proposed for the LHC Run 5 and beyond. One of the subsystems for the high-energy charged particle identification will be a Ring-Imaging Cherenkov (RICH) detector. The possibility of integrating Cherenkov-based charged particle timing measurements is currently under study. The proposed system is based on a proximity-focusing RICH configuration including an aerogel radiator separated from a SiPM array layer by an expansion gap. A thin high-refractive index window of transparent material, acting as a second Cherenkov radiator, is glued on the SiPM array to enable time-of-flight measurements of charged particles by exploiting the yield of Cherenkov photons in the thin window. We assembled a small-scale prototype instrumented with different Hamamatsu SiPM array sensors with pitches ranging from 1 to 3 mm, readout by custom boards equipped with the front-end Petiroc 2A ASICs to measure charges and times. The primary Cherenkov radiator consisted of a 2 cm thick aerogel tile, while various window materials, including SiO$_2$ and MgF$_2$, were used as secondary Cherenkov radiators. The prototype was successfully tested in a campaign at the CERN PS T10 beam line with pions and protons. This paper summarizes the results achieved in the 2023 test beam campaign.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2026

Test beam performance of a novel RICH detector with timing capabilities for the future ALICE~3 PID system at LHC

The ALICE Collaboration is proposing a completely new apparatus, ALICE 3, for the LHC Run 5 and beyond. A key subsystem for charged particle identification will be a Ring-Imaging Cherenkov (RICH) detector consisting of an aerogel radiator and a photosensitive surface based on Silicon Photomultiplier (SiPM) arrays in a proximity-focusing configuration. A thin high-refractive index slab of transparent material (window), acting as a second Cherenkov radiator, is glued on the entrance face of the SiPM arrays to achieve precise charged particle timing. Requiring time matching between aerogel Cherenkov photon and track hits leads to an improvement of pattern recognition by discarding the uncorrelated SiPM dark count hits. In this work we present the current status of the R\&D performed for the ALICE 3 RICH detector prototype and the expected full scale system performance. A special focus will be given to the beam test results obtained with a small-scale prototype instrumented with various array of Hamamatsu SiPMs with pitches ranging from 1 to 3 mm. The Cherenkov radiator consisted of a 2 cm thick aerogel tile with a refractive index of 1.03 at 400 nm wavelength. For timing measurements SiPM arrays coupled with two different window materials (SiO$_2$ and MgF$_2$) were used. The prototype was successfully tested in beam test campaigns at the CERN PS T10 beam line. The data were collected with a complete chain of front-end and readout electronics based on the Petiroc 2A and Radioroc 2 together with a picoTDC to measure charges and times. We measured a charged particle detection efficiency above 99\% and a single photon angular resolution better than 4.2 mrad at the Cherenkov angle saturation with a time resolution better than 70 ps for charged particles.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2026

Beam test studies for a SiPM-based RICH detector prototype for the future ALICE~3 experiment

The ALICE Collaboration is proposing a completely new apparatus, ALICE~3, for the LHC Runs~5 and beyond. In this context, a key subsystem for high-energy charged particle identification will be a proximity-focusing ring-imaging Cherenkov detector using aerogel as radiator and silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) as photon sensors. We assembled a small-scale prototype instrumented with Hamamatsu S13352 and S13361-3075AE-08 SiPM arrays, readout by custom boards equipped with front-end Petiroc 2A ASICs. The Cherenkov radiator consisted of a 2 cm thick hydrophobic aerogel tile with a refractive index of 1.03 separated from the SiPM plane by a 23 cm expansion gap. The prototype was successfully tested in a campaign at the CERN PS T10 beam line with the goal of validating the design bRICH specifications in terms to achieve the target separation power. We measured a single photon angular resolution of 3.8~mrad at the Cherenkov angle saturation value of 242~mrad, as well as the expected scaling of the angular resolution with the increasing number of detected photons. We also studied the contribution of uncorrelated and correlated background sources with respect to the signal and proved the effectiveness of time matching between charged tracks and photon hits to achieve efficient suppression of the SiPM dark count rate background. In this paper, the detector concept, the description of the tested prototype layout and the main beam test results are reported.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2022

Measurement of the angular correlation between the two gamma rays emitted in the radioactive decays of a $^{60}$Co source with two NaI(Tl) scintillator

We implemented a didactic experiment to study the angular correlation between the two gamma rays emitted in typical $^{60}$Co radioactive decays. We used two NaI(Tl) scintillators, already available in our laboratory, and a low-activity $^{60}$Co source. The detectors were mounted on two rails, with the source at their center. The first rail was fixed, while the second could be rotated around the source. We performed several measurements by changing the angle between the two scintillators in the range from $90^\circ$ to $180^\circ$. Dedicated background runs were also performed, removing the source from the experimental setup. We found that the signal rate increases with the angular separation between the two scintillators, with small discrepancies from the theoretical expectations.

physics.ed-ph↗