ARIADNE -- A Novel Optical LArTPC: Technical Design Report and Initial Characterisation using a Secondary Beam from the CERN PS and Cosmic Muons

TL;DR

ARIADNE introduces a new optical readout system for dual-phase liquid argon TPCs, demonstrating track reconstruction and initial detection results with potential cost advantages over traditional charge readout methods.

Contribution

The paper presents the technical design and initial characterization of ARIADNE, a novel optical LArTPC with external EMCCD cameras for the first time in a beamline environment.

Findings

Successful track reconstruction with optical readout

First optical images of argon interactions at a beamline

Detection of cosmic muons in a dual-phase LArTPC

Abstract

ARIADNE is a 1-ton (330 kg fiducial mass) dual-phase liquid argon (LAr) time projection chamber (TPC) featuring a novel optical readout. Four electron-multiplying charge-coupled device (EMCCD) cameras are mounted externally, and these capture the secondary scintillation light produced in the holes of a thick electron gas multiplier (THGEM). Track reconstruction using this novel readout approach is demonstrated. Optical readout has the potential to be a cost effective alternative to charge readout in future LArTPCs. In this paper, the technical design of the detector is detailed. Results of mixed particle detection using a secondary beam from the CERN PS (representing the first ever optical images of argon interactions in a dual-phase LArTPC at a beamline) and cosmic muon detection at the University of Liverpool are also presented.