arXiv subjects

Valerio Bocci

Publications and source records attributed to Valerio Bocci.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

The Darkside-20k Data Acquisition System

DarkSide-20k is a WIMP search experiment using liquid argon as a target, designed to perform a background-free search for dark matter with unprecedented sensitivity, and is currently under construction at INFN Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso, Italy. The detector comprises a dual-phase Time Projection Chamber complemented with external veto systems and is equipped with a total of 2720 SiPM-based readout channels. This work presents the DAQ system designed for DarkSide-20k. The system is capable of continuous, triggerless digitisation of the waveforms with high single-photoelectron detection efficiency and online processing, ensuring data reduction for long-term storage. The DarkSide-20k DAQ system employs commercial CAEN VX2745 digitisers with custom FPGA firmware implementation. Timing and synchronisation across all 48 digitisers are provided by custom Global and Crate Data Manager boards distributing a phase-aligned clock derived from a disciplined rubidium standard. Waveform segments are processed in real time by Front End Processor machines. Data are organised into collections containing whole detector information and distributed across a farm of Time Slice Processors for event reconstruction, classification, and further reduction before storage and offline analysis. A full "Quadrant" of the system, corresponding to one quarter of the final DAQ, has been assembled and validated at TRIUMF laboratory in Canada. The Quadrant has been stress-tested with simultaneous pulses and demonstrated sustained digitizer readout exceeding expected physics rates and stable long-term performance.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2024

A Proposal for a Fast Infrared Bursts Detector

The gravitational wave GW170817 from a binary neutron star merger and the simultaneous electromagnetic detection of the GRB170817A by Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope, opened a new era in the multi-messenger astronomy. Furthermore, the GRBs (Gamma-Ray Bursts) and the mysterious FRBs (Fast Radio Bursts) have sparked interest in the development of new detectors and telescopes dedicated to the time-domain astronomy across the electromagnetic spectrum. Time-domain astronomy aims to acquire fast astronomical bursts in temporal range between a few seconds down to 1 ns. Fast InfraRed Bursts (FIRBs) have been relatively understudied, often due to the lack of appropriate tools for observation and analysis. In this scientific scenario, the present contribution proposes a new detection system for ground-based reflecting telescopes working in the mid-infrared (mid-IR) range to search for astronomical FIRBs. Experience developed in the diagnostics for lepton circular accelerators can be used to design temporal devices for astronomy. Longitudinal diagnostic instruments acquire bunch-by-bunch particle shifts in the direction of flight, that is equivalent to temporal. Transverse device integrates the beam signal in the horizontal and vertical coordinates, as standard telescopes. The proposed instrument aims to work in temporal mode. Feasibility study tests have been carried out at SINBAD, infrared beam line of DAFNE, the $e^+e^-$ collider of INFN. SINBAD releases pulsed infrared synchrotron light with 2.7 ns separation. The frontend detector system has been evaluated to detect temporal fast infrared signals with 2-12 micron wavelengths and 1 ns rise times. The present contribute aims to be a step toward a feasibility study report.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2024

A simple model for multiple coincidence SiPM dark noise

Silicon photomultipliers are photon sensors based on an array of pixels, each consisting of a single photon avalanche photodiode (SPAD). Reading of the array is not done on a single-pixel basis, but all pixels are read simultaneously. Because of thermal agitation and other phenomena, each pixel can fire even in the dark with a small but not zero probability of adding to the output signal a fixed current. Each pixel has an average random event rate, and the dark noise rate is due to the sum of any pixel contribution. Statistically, two or more pixels may fire simultaneously, giving a current signal equal to the sum of the pixels involved. This eventuality has a lower probability of a more significant number of fired pixels. This paper aims to find simple formulas that relate dark noise and the rate of having multiple multiplicity events.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2016

Feasibility of the $β^-$ Radio-Guided Surgery with a Variety of Radio-Nuclides of Interest to Nuclear Medicine

The $β^-$ based radio-guided surgery overcomes the corresponding $γ$ technique in case the background from healthy tissues is relevant. It can be used only in case a radio-tracer marked with $^{90}$Y is available since the current probe prototype was optimized for the emission spectrum of this radio-nuclide. Here we study, with a set of laboratory tests and simulations, the prototype capability in case a different radio-nuclide is chosen among those used in nuclear medicine. As a result we estimate the probe efficiency on electrons and photons as a function of energy and we evaluate the feasibility of a radio-guided surgery exploiting the selected radio-nuclides. We conclude that requiring a 0.1~ml residue to be detected within 1~s by administering 3~MBq/Kg of radio-isotope, the current probe prototype would yield a significant signal in a vast range of values of SUV and TNR in case $^{31}$Si,$^{32}$P, $^{97}$Zr, and $^{188}$Re are used. Conversely, a tuning of the detector would be needed to efficiency use $^{83}$Br, $^{133}$I, and $^{153}$Sm, although they could already be used in case of high SUV or TNR values. Finally, $^{18}$F,$^{67}$Cu, $^{131}$I, and $^{177}$Lu are not useable for radio-guided surgery with the current probe design.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2015

Architecture of the LHCb muon Frontend control system upgrade

The LHCb experiment(Fig. 1), that is presently taking data at CERN (European Center for Nuclear Research) Large Hadron Collider (LHC), aims at the study of CP violation in the B meson sector. Its key elements is the Muon detector [1], which allows triggering, and muon identification from inclusive b decays. The electronic system (Fig. 2) of the whole detector is very complex and its Muon detector Experiment Control System (ECS) allows monitoring and control of a number of Front-End boards in excess of 7000. The present system in charge of controlling Muon detector Front-End (FE) Electronics consists of 10 Crates of equipment; each crate contains two kinds of modules: a Pulse Distribution Module (PDM) and up to 20 Service Boards (SB) connected via a custom Backplane for a total amount of about 800 microcontrollers[2]. LHCb upgrade is planned for 2018/19, which will allow the detector to exploit higher luminosity running. This upgrade will allow the experiment to accumulate more luminosity to allow measurements that are more precise. The main idea of the new architecture take advantage of the new CERN fast communication protocol GBT[3] developed for radiation environment leaving unchanged the huge connectivity to the detector and the modularity of the system. The new chipset GBTx and GBT-SCA[4] developed at CERN and the availability of more powerful computers allow designing a new system with fast link to the detector. In the new system, the control unit are moved from the apparatus to the computers in control room instead of the actual system where the low speed bus send high level commands to intelligent unit in the detector.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2015

Polycrystalline para-terphenyl scintillator adopted in a $β^-$ detecting probe for radio-guided surgery

A radio-guided surgery technique exploiting $β^-$ emitters is under development. It aims at a higher target-to-background activity ratio implying both a smaller radiopharmaceutical activity and the possibility of extending the technique to cases with a large uptake of surrounding healthy organs. Such technique requires a dedicated intraoperative probe detecting $β^-$ radiation. A first prototype has been developed relying on the low density and high light yield of the diphenylbutadiene doped para-therphenyl organic scintillator. The scintillation light produced in a cylindrical crystal, 5 mm in diameter and 3 mm in height, is guided to a photo-multiplier tube by optical fibres. The custom readout electronics is designed to optimize its usage in terms of feedback to the surgeon, portability and remote monitoring of the signal. Tests show that with a radiotracer activity comparable to those administered for diagnostic purposes the developed probe can detect a 0.1 ml cancerous residual of meningioma in a few seconds.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2015

An Intraoperative $β^-$ Detecting Probe For Radio-Guided Surgery in Tumour Resection

The development of the $β^-$ based radio-guided surgery aims to extend the technique to those tumours where surgery is the only possible treatment and the assessment of the resection would most profit from the low background around the lesion, as for brain tumours. Feasibility studies on meningioma, glioma, and neuroendocrine tumors already estimated the potentiality of this new treatment. To validate the technique, prototypes of the intraoperative probe required by the technique to detect $β^-$ radiation have been developed. This paper discusses the design details of the device and the tests performed in laboratory. In such tests particular care has to be taken to reproduce the surgical field conditions. The innovative technique to produce specific phantoms and the dedicated testing protocols is described in detail.

physics.med-ph↗

arXiv2015

A low cost network of spectrometer radiation detectors based on the ArduSiPM a compact transportable Software/Hardware Data Acquisition system with Arduino DUE

The necessity to use Photo Multipliers (PM) as light detector limited in the past the use of crystals in radiation handled device preferring the Geiger approach. The Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs) are very small and cheap, solid photon detectors with good dynamic range and single photon detection capability, they are usable to supersede in some application cumbersome and difficult to use Photo Multipliers (PM). A SiPM can be coupled with a scintillator crystal to build efficient, small and solid radiation detector. A cost effective and easily replicable Hardware software module for SiPM detector readout is made using the ArduSiPM solution [1]. The ArduSiPM is an easily battery operable handled device using an Arduino DUE (an open Software/Hardware board) as processor board and a piggy-back custom designed board (ArduSiPM Shield), the Shield contains all the blocks features to monitor, set and acquire the SiPM using internet network.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2014

Towards a Radio-guided Surgery with $β^{-}$ Decays: Uptake of a somatostatin analogue (DOTATOC) in Meningioma and High Grade Glioma

A novel radio guided surgery (RGS) technique for cerebral tumors using $β^{-}$ radiation is being developed. Checking the availability of a radio-tracer that can deliver a $β^{-}$ emitter to the tumor is a fundamental step in the deployment of such technique. This paper reports a study of the uptake of 90Y labeled (DOTATOC) in the meningioma and the high grade glioma (HGG) and a feasibility study of the RGS technique in these cases.

physics.med-ph↗

arXiv2014

The ArduSiPM a compact trasportable Software/Hardware Data Acquisition system for SiPM detector

The acquisition of a single Silicon Photomultiplier require multiple and expensive electronics modules as : preamplifier, discriminator, bias voltage power supply, temperature monitor, Scalers, Analog to Digital Converter and Time to Digital Converter . The developed ArduSiPM is a compact cost effective and easily replicable Hardware software module for SiPM detector readout. The ArduSiPM uses an Arduino DUE (an open Software/Hardware board based on an ARM Cortex-M3 microcontroller) as processor board and a piggyback custom designed board (Shield), these are controlled by custom developed software and interface. The Shield contains different electronics features both to monitor, to set and to acquire the SiPM signals using the microcontroller board. The shield embed a controlled bias voltage power supply, a fast voltage preamplifier, a programmable fast discriminator to generate over threshold digital pulse , a peak hold to measure the pulse height, a temperature monitor system, a scaler to monitor over threshold rate and arrival time of the pulses. A TCP/IP Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection is used both to control and to acquire the ArduSiPM remotely with either a PC software or a Tablet APP (depending on the application).

physics.ins-det↗