Picosecond Timing Resolution Measurements of Low Gain Avalanche Detectors with a 120 GeV Proton Beam for the TOPSiDE Detector Concept

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that low gain avalanche detectors can achieve approximately 14.3 ps timing resolution in a proton beam, supporting their use for precise particle identification in future collider detectors.

Contribution

It provides the first measurement of sub-15 ps timing resolution for LGADs in a test beam, validating their potential for the TOPSiDE detector concept.

Findings

Achieved 14.3 ps timing resolution with LGADs at -30°C

Performance depends on bias voltage and temperature

First sub-15 ps timing measurement in a test beam

Abstract

This paper presents results that take a critical step toward proving 10 ps timing resolution's feasibility for particle identification in the TOPSiDE detector concept for the Electron-Ion Collider. Measurements of LGADs with a thickness of 35 micro-m and 50 micro-m are evaluated with a 120 GeV proton beam. The performance of the gain and timing response is assessed, including the dependence on the reverse bias voltage and operating temperature. The best timing resolution of UFSDs in a test beam to date is achieved using three combined planes of 35 micro-m thick LGADs at -30 degree celsius with a precision of 14.3 ps (uncertainty 1.5 ps).