Detector Challenges of the strong-field QED experiment LUXE at the European XFEL

TL;DR

The LUXE experiment at European XFEL aims to explore high-field QED phenomena using advanced detectors to measure particles amidst high radiation backgrounds, with recent tests and upcoming deployment planned for 2025/6.

Contribution

This paper details the detector challenges and solutions for the high-rate, high-radiation environment of the LUXE experiment, including recent test results and detector layout.

Findings

Successful beam tests of Cherenkov and calorimeter detectors at DESY.

Detector layout designed for high radiation and particle flux.

Preparation for technical design report and upcoming experiment start in 2025/6.

Abstract

The LUXE experiment aims at studying high-field QED in electron-laser and photon-laser interactions, with the 16.5 GeV electron beam of the European XFEL and a laser beam with power of up to 350 TW. The experiment will measure the spectra of electrons, positrons and photons in expected ranges of 10$^{-3}$ to 10$^9$ per 1 Hz bunch crossing, depending on the laser power and focus. These measurements have to be performed in the presence of low-energy high radiation-background. To meet these challenges, for high-rate electron and photon fluxes, the experiment will use Cherenkov radiation detectors, scintillator screens, sapphire sensors as well as lead-glass monitors for backscattering off the beam-dump. A fourlayer silicon-pixel tracker and a compact electromagnetic tungsten calorimeter with GaAs sensors will be used to measure the positron spectra. The layout of the experiment and the expected performance under the harsh radiation conditions will be presented. Beam tests for the Cherenkov detector and the electromagnetic calorimeter were performed at DESY recently and results will be presented. The experiment received a stage 0 critical approvement (CD0) from the DESY management and is in the process of preparing its technical design report (TDR). It is expected to start running in 2025/6.