Beam Test of the First Prototype of SiPM-on-Tile Calorimeter Insert for the Electron-Ion Collider Using 4 GeV Positrons at Jefferson Laboratory

TL;DR

This paper reports on the testing of a novel SiPM-on-tile calorimeter prototype for the Electron-Ion Collider, demonstrating its effective design, construction, and calibration through beam tests with 4 GeV positrons.

Contribution

First implementation and testing of SiPM-on-tile calorimeter technology for EIC detectors using innovative design features.

Findings

Energy spectra match simulations

3D shower shapes are accurately described

Design reduces cooling and space requirements

Abstract

We recently proposed a high-granularity calorimeter insert for the Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) that uses plastic scintillator tiles read out by SiPMs. Among its innovative features are an ASIC-away-of-SiPM strategy for reducing cooling requirements and minimizing space use, along with employing 3D-printed frames to reduce optical crosstalk and dead areas. To evaluate these features, we built a 40-channel prototype and tested it using a 4 GeV positron beam at Jefferson Laboratory. The measured energy spectra and 3D shower shapes are well described by simulations, confirming the effectiveness of the design, construction techniques, and calibration strategy. This constitutes the first use of SiPM-on-tile technology in EIC detector designs.