arXiv subjects

Valerio Dao

Publications and source records attributed to Valerio Dao.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

A Data-Driven Fast Simulation Approach for MAPS-based Detectors and their Optimization

A parametric simulation tool for pixel sensors is presented. A realistic pixel response is simulated purely based on measurement input, without requiring detailed knowledge of the underlying manufacturing process. As such, it provides an efficient alternative to the use of Technology Computer-Aided Design simulations, which typically depend on proprietary process information. Due to its parametric approach, the package is fast and thus particularly useful for larger detector systems and high hit rate environments. This work presents measurements, simulation and its validation for the MALTA2 sensor. It is a small collection electrode monolithic active pixel sensor produced in the Tower 180nm Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor imaging process. Modifications to the sensor's periphery, mainly in the hit merger, are studied in order to optimize the performance for tracking and calorimetry. This optimization is of special interest as part of the MALTA3 sensor redesign in the 65nm Tower Partners Semiconductor Co. process.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2025

Charge calibration of MALTA2, a radiation hard depleted monolithic active pixel sensor

MALTA2 is a depleted monolithic active pixel sensor (DMAPS) designed for tracking at high rates and typically low detection threshold of $\sim150\,\mathrm{e^-}$. A precise knowledge of the threshold is crucial to understanding the charge collection in the pixel and specifying the environment for sensor application. A simple procedure is developed to calibrate the threshold to unit electrons making use of a dedicated charge injection circuit and an Fe-55 source with dominant charge deposition of $1600\, \mathrm{e^-}$. The injection voltage is determined which corresponds to the injection under Fe-55 exposure and is the basis for charge calibration. The charge injection circuit incorporates a capacitance with design value of $\mathrm{C_{inj}}=$ 230 aF. Experimentally, the average capacitance value for non-irradiated samples is found to be $\mathrm{C_{inj,exp}}=$ 257 aF. The 12 % divergence motivates the need for the presented precise calibration procedure, which is proposed to be performed for each MALTA2 sensor.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2024

Measuring the ATLAS ITk Pixel Detector Material via Multiple Scattering of Positrons at the CERN PS

The ITk is a new silicon tracker for the ATLAS experiment designed to increase detector resolution, readout capacity, and radiation hardness, in preparation for the larger number of simultaneous proton-proton interactions at the High Luminosity LHC. This paper presents the first direct measurement of the material budget of an ATLAS ITk pixel module, performed at a testbeam at the CERN Proton Synchrotron via the multiple scattering of low energy positrons within the module volume. Using a four plane telescope of thin monolithic pixel detectors from the MALTA collaboration, scattering datasets were recorded at a beam energy of $1.2\,\text{GeV}$. Kink angle distributions were extracted from tracks derived with and without information from the ITk pixel module, and were fit to extract the RMS scattering angle, which was converted to a fractional radiation length $x/X_0$. The average $x/X_0$ across the module was measured as $[0.89 \pm 0.01 \text{ (resolution)} \pm 0.01 \text{ (subtraction)} \pm 0.08 \text{ (beam momentum band)}]\%$, which agrees within uncertainties with an estimate of $0.88\%$ derived from material component expectations.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2024

Focus topics for the ECFA study on Higgs / Top / EW factories

In order to stimulate new engagement and trigger some concrete studies in areas where further work would be beneficial towards fully understanding the physics potential of an $e^+e^-$ Higgs / Top / Electroweak factory, we propose to define a set of focus topics. The general reasoning and the proposed topics are described in this document.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2023

Radiation Hardness of MALTA2 Monolithic CMOS Sensors on Czochralski Substrates

MALTA2 is the latest full-scale prototype of the MALTA family of Depleted Monolithic Active Pixel Sensors (DMAPS) produced in Tower Semiconductor 180 nm CMOS technology. In order to comply with the requirements of High Energy Physics (HEP) experiments, various process modifications and front-end changes have been implemented to achieve low power consumption, reduce Random Telegraph Signal (RTS) noise, and optimise the charge collection geometry. Compared to its predecessors, MALTA2 targets the use of a high-resistivity, thick Czochralski (Cz) substrates in order to demonstrate radiation hardness in terms of detection efficiency and timing resolution up to 3E15 1 MeV neq/cm2 with backside metallisation to achieve good propagation of the bias voltage. This manuscript shows the results that were obtained with non-irradiated and irradiated MALTA2 samples on Cz substrates from the CERN SPS test beam campaign from 2021-2023 using the MALTA telescope.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2023

Simulation-based inference in the search for CP violation in leptonic WH production

Sources of CP violation beyond the Standard Model (BSM) are required to explain the baryonic asymmetry of the Universe. In this work, we study BSM CP-violating components in the HWW interaction in WH production, parametrized by an effective dimension-6 CP-odd operator. We explore a machine learning simulation-based inference method that estimates a detector-level optimal observable - SALLY - comparing it with energy-dependent and angular observables, exploring different binnings for their distributions. We show that in regions of phase space where the interference between SM and the effective operator dominates, a SALLY observable leads to optimal limits. In regions where effects of the quadratic term of the effective operator start becoming dominant, such an observable still leads to optimal limits. This work aims to test current multivariate techniques and inform analysis strategies for LHC Run 3 and beyond.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2023

Performance of the MALTA Telescope

MALTA is part of the Depleted Monolithic Active Pixel sensors designed in Tower 180nm CMOS imaging technology. A custom telescope with six MALTA planes has been developed for test beam campaigns at SPS, CERN, with the ability to host several devices under test. The telescope system has a dedicated custom readout, online monitoring integrated into DAQ with realtime hit map, time distribution and event hit multiplicity. It hosts a dedicated fully configurable trigger system enabling to trigger on coincidence between telescope planes and timing reference from a scintillator. The excellent time resolution performance allows for fast track reconstruction, due to the possibility to retain a low hit multiplicity per event which reduces the combinatorics. This paper reviews the architecture of the system and its performance during the 2021 and 2022 test beam campaign at the SPS North Area.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2022

Recent results with radiation-tolerant TowerJazz 180 nm MALTA Sensors

To achieve the physics goals of future colliders, it is necessary to develop novel, radiation-hard silicon sensors for their tracking detectors. We target the replacement of hybrid pixel detectors with Depleted Monolithic Active Pixel Sensors (DMAPS) that are radiation-hard, monolithic CMOS sensors. We have designed, manufactured and tested the MALTA series of sensors, which are DMAPS in the 180 nm TowerJazz CMOS imaging technology. MALTA have a pixel pitch well below current hybrid pixel detectors, high time resolution (< 2 ns) and excellent charge collection efficiency across pixel geometries. These sensors have a total silicon thickness of between 50-300 $μ$m, implying reduced material budgets and multiple scattering rates for future detectors which utilize such technology. Furthermore, their monolithic design bypasses the costly stage of bump-bonding in hybrid sensors and can substantially reduce detector costs. This contribution presents the latest results from characterization studies of the MALTA2 sensors, including results demonstrating the radiation tolerance of these sensors.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2019

Measurement of the relative response of TowerJazz Mini-MALTA CMOS prototypes at Diamond Light Source

This paper outlines the results of investigations into the effects of radiation damage in the mini-MALTA prototype. Measurements were carried out at Diamond Light Source using a micro-focus X-ray beam, which scanned across the surface of the device in 2 $\mathrm{μm}$ steps. This allowed the in-pixel photon response to be measured directly with high statistics. Three pixel design variations were considered: one with the standard continuous $\mathrm{n^-}$ layer layout and front-end, and extra deep p-well and $\mathrm{n^-}$ gap designs with a modified front-end. Five chips were measured: one unirradiated, one neutron irradiated, and three proton irradiated.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2019

Simplified Template Cross Sections -- Stage 1.1 and 1.2

Simplified Template Cross Sections (STXS) have been adopted by the LHC experiments as a common framework for Higgs measurements. Their purpose is to reduce the theoretical uncertainties that are directly folded into the measurements as much as possible, while at the same time allowing for the combination of the measurements between different decay channels as well as between experiments. We report the complete, revised definition of the STXS kinematic bins (stage 1.1 and stage 1.2), which have been used for the measurements by the ATLAS and CMS experiments using the full LHC Run 2 datasets. The main focus is on the four dominant Higgs production processes, namely gluon-fusion, vector-boson fusion, production in association with a vector boson and in association with a $t\bar t$ pair. We also comment briefly on the treatment of other production modes.

hep-ph↗