The FE-I4 Telescope for particle tracking in testbeam experiments

TL;DR

The paper presents a silicon pixel-based testbeam telescope using ATLAS FE-I4 modules, achieving high resolution and trigger rates for particle tracking in testbeam experiments.

Contribution

It introduces a new testbeam telescope setup based on ATLAS FE-I4 modules with high resolution, flexible trigger schemes, and compatibility with various DAQ systems.

Findings

Achieved better than 8 x 12 um^2 resolution at the device under test.

Reached a trigger rate of 6kHz with two devices.

Successfully operated with different DAQ systems.

Abstract

A testbeam telescope, based on ATLAS IBL silicon pixel modules, has been built. It comprises six planes of planar silicon sensors with 250 x 50 um^2 pitch, read out by ATLAS FE-I4 chips. In the CERN SPS H8 beamline (180 GeV pi+) a resolution of better than 8 x 12 um^2 at the position of the device under test was achieved. The telescope reached a trigger rate of 6kHz with two measured devices. It is mainly designed for studies using FE-I4 based prototypes, but has also been successfully run with independent DAQ systems. Specialised trigger schemes ensure data synchronisation between these external devices and the telescope. A region-of-interest trigger can be formed by setting masks on the first and the last pixel sensor planes. The setup infrastructure provides centrally controlled and monitored high and low voltage power supplies, silicon oil cooling, temperature and humidity sensors and movable stages.