Monolithic current-sensitive preamplifier for the Accordion LAr calorimeter

Abstract Monolithic current-sensitive preamplifiers matching large detector capacitances, suitable for the Accordion LAr calorimeter prototype, have been designed and fabricated in an ion-implanted GaAs MESFET process. After pulse shaping with an CR-RC 2 filter, the equivalent noise charge is at least a factor of 2 lower than the value reached so far with existing hybrids circuits, without increasing the power dissipation. This preamplifier has a fast response and large dynamic range. Results show that it is still possible to further reduce the noise and extend the dynamic range; this is likely to be obtained in a new version presently being developed

Monitoring DC anode current of a grounded-cathode photomultiplier tube

Abstract The Pierre Auger Observatories (PAO) for the highest energy cosmic rays will make use of both the Cherenkov and Air Fluorescence techniques. Surface Detectors (SD) and Fluorescence Detectors (FD) will have to operate in a desert-type environment during at least 15 years. In order to avoid dust deposition, due to electrostatics, and other practical inconveniences derived from biasing the cathode with a negative potential, the 15 000 PMTs of the FD will operate in the grounded cathode configuration. Despite the fact that the anodes will remain at high voltage with respect to ground, the DC anode current, which varies with background light, will have to be recorded. We have developed a current monitoring system based on a novel optocoupled feedback circuit that allows sensitive, linear, and temperature-independent measurements of the DC anode current. A distinctive feature of this circuit is that it uses optical coupling between passive components at high voltage and active components near the ground potential. This represents a substantial improvement over classical solutions which require the supply of power to an active circuit at high voltage. We report on the first tests performed with both active and passive biasing networks which demonstrate the validity of this new method

Monolithic GaAs current-sensitive cryogenic preamplifier for calorimetry applications

We have realized low-noise monolithic GaAs preamplifiers using ion- implanted technology , to operate under low temperature and high radiation field conditions. The evaluation of noise, amplitude and timing distributions of a batch taken after first mass-production run is presented. The current-sensitive preamplifier is linear up to 8 mA of input current and able to cope a 2.2 nF detector capacitance, showing fast response ( GBW product ∼ 1.7GHz) and very low series noise. Very good noise performance at LAr temperature is obtained by using large area MESFET ( l · w = 3. 24000μm 2 ) as a head transistor, which exhibits at 8mA standing current and only 10mW power dissipation, intrinsic gain μ = g m · r ds = 15 and noise referred to the input 0.30 ÷ 0.35 H z n ¯ V According to our estimation, second stage noise contribution is negligible. Radiation damage from neutrons and γ-irradiations as well as protection network against HV discharges are discussed

Cryogenic thermal detectors as a powerful way to analyse internal activities

Abstract The Milano group is using an array of four crystals of TeO 2 , 334 g each, to search for neutrinoless double beta decay of 130 Te [A. Alessandrello et al., Phys. Lett. B 335 (1994) 519; Proc. 4th Int. Workshop on Theoretical and Phenomenological Aspects of Underground Physics — TAUP 95, to be published in Nucl. Phys. B (Proc. Suppl)]. The detectors are operating in a dilution refrigerator installed in the Underground National Laboratory of Gran Sasso specially built with low activity materials. Due to the low external background and the good energy resolution it is possible to obtain precise measurements of some internal contaminations of the detector itself. An analysis of a contamination of 210 Po and of the decay of 123 Te is presented

Preliminary results on double beta decay of 130Te with an array of twenty cryogenic detectors

Preliminary results on double beta decay of 130 Te obtained in the first run of an array of twenty cryogenic detectors are presented. The set-up is made with crystals of TeO of 340 grams each corresponding to the largest presently operating 2 cryogenic mass. It was run under a heavy shield in the Gran Sasso Underground Laboratory at a depth of about 3500 m.w.e. By recording the pulses of each detector in anticoincidence with the others a 90% c.l. lower limit of 5.6 = 10 22 years has been obtained on the lifetime for neutrinoless double beta decay of 130 Te in a preliminary test run, corresponding to about one week of effective running time. No evidence is also found for double beta decay to the first excited 2 q state of 130 Xe with a 90% c.l. lower limit of 1.7 = 10 22 years on that lifetime. Some consequences of the present results in th

Preliminary results on the performance of a TeO2 thermal detector in a search for direct interactions of WIMPS

Abstract During a Double Beta Decay experiment performed at Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso, a 1548 hours background spectrum was collected with a 340 g TeO2 thermal detector. An analysis of this spectrum has been carried out to search for possible WIMP signals. The values for parameters which are essential in the search for WIMPs, like energy resolution (2 keV), energy threshold (13 keV) and nuclear recoil quenching factor (≥ 0.93) have been experimentally determined and are discussed in detail. The spectrum of recoils induced by α decays has been directly observed for the first time in coincidence with the α particle pulse. Preliminary limits on the spin-independent cross sections of WIMPs on Te and O nuclei have been obtained