Study of MicroPattern Gaseous detectors with novel nanodiamond based photocathodes for single photon detection in EIC RICH

Identification of high momentum hadrons at the future EIC is crucial, gaseous RICH detectors are therefore viable option. Compact collider setups impose to construct RICHes with small radiator length, hence significantly limiting the number of detected photons. More photons can be detected in the far UV region, using a windowless RICH approach. QE of CsI degrades under strong irradiation and air contamination. Nanodiamond based photocathodes (PCs) are being developed as an alternative to CsI. Recent development of layers of hydrogenated nanodiamond powders as an alternative photosensitive material and their performance, when coupled to the THick Gaseous Electron Multipliers (THGEM)-based detectors, are the objects of an ongoing R\&D. We report about the initial phase of our studies.Comment: 3 pages, 5 figures, RICH2018 conference proceedin

Development and tests of a new prototype detector for the XAFS beamline at Elettra Synchrotron in Trieste

The XAFS beamline at Elettra Synchrotron in Trieste combines X-ray absorption spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction to provide chemically specific structural information of materials. It operates in the energy range 2.4-27 keV by using a silicon double reflection Bragg monochromator. The fluorescence measurement is performed in place of the absorption spectroscopy when the sample transparency is too low for transmission measurements or the element to study is too diluted in the sample. We report on the development and on the preliminary tests of a new prototype detector based on Silicon Drift Detectors technology and the SIRIO ultra low noise front-end ASIC. The new system will be able to reduce drastically the time needed to perform fluorescence measurements, while keeping a short dead time and maintaining an adequate energy resolution to perform spectroscopy. The custom-made silicon sensor and the electronics are designed specifically for the beamline requirements.Comment: Proceeding of the 6YRM 12th-14th Oct 2015 - L'Aquila (Italy). Accepted for publication on Journal of Physics: Conference Serie

Ticks in periurban areas from the municipalities of La Costa and General Lavalle : A preliminary study

In Argentina, spotted fever rickettsiosis caused by Rickettsia parkeri is a zoonotic disease with tick Amblyomma triste as its principal vector. The presence of this tick species restricts to areas of La Plata hydrographic basin in the province of Buenos Aires. The adult stages of A. triste can parasitize dogs and cats. The aim of this study is to detect the presence of A. triste in dogs and humans from municipalities of General Lavalle and La Costa (Buenos Aires).Para acceder a la videoconferencia completa, hacer clic en "Enlace externo".Sociedad Latinoamericana de Ecología de Vectore

Nanodiamond photocathodes for MPGD-based single photon detectors at future EIC

The design of a Ring Imaging CHerenkov (RICH) detector for the identification of high momentum particles at the future Electron Ion Collider (EIC) is extremely challenging by using current technology. Compact collider setups impose to construct RICH with short radiator length, hence limiting the number of generated photons. The number of detected photons can be increased by selecting the far UV region. As standard fused-silica windows is opaque below 165 nm, a windowless RICH can be a possible approach. CsI is widely used photocathode (PC) for photon detection in the far UV range. Due to its hygroscopic nature it is very delicate to handle. In addition, its Quantum Efficiency (QE) degrades in high intensity ion fluxes. These are the key reasons to quest for novel PC with sensitivity in the far UV region. Recent development of layers of hydrogenated nanodiamond powders as an alternative PC material and their performance, when coupled to the THick Gaseous Electron Multipliers (THGEM)-based detectors, are the objects of an ongoing R\&D. We report here some preliminary results on the initial phase of these studies.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures, MPGD-2019 La Rochelle, Proceedin

High Performance 128-Channel Acquisition System for Electrophysiological Signals

The increased popularity of investigations and exploits in the fields of neurological rehabilitation, human emotion recognition, and other relevant brain-computer interfaces demand the need for flexible electrophysiology data acquisition systems. Such systems often require to be multi-modal and multi-channel capable of acquiring and processing several different types of physiological signals simultaneously in realtime. Developments of modular and scalable electrophysiological data acquisition systems for experimental research enhance understanding and progress in the field. To contribute to such an endeavor, we present an open-source hardware project called High-Channel Count Electrophysiology or HiCCE, targeting to produce an easily-adaptable, cost-effective, and affordable electrophysiological acquisition system as an alternative solution for mostly available commercial tools and the current state of the art in the field. In this paper, we describe the design and validation of the entire chain of the HiCCE-128 electrophysiological data acquisition system. The system comprises of 128 independent channels capable of acquiring signal at 31.25 kHz, with 16 effective bits per channel with a measured noise level of about 3 μV. The reliability and feasibility of the implemented system have been confirmed through a series of tests and real-world applications. The modular design methodology based on the FPGA Mezzanine Card (FMC) standard allows the connection of the HiCCE-128 board to programmable system-on-chip carrier devices through the high-speed FMC link. The implemented architecture enables end users to add various high-response electrophysiological signal processing techniques in the field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) part of the system on chip (SoC) device on each channel in parallel according to application specification

Nanodiamond photocathodes for MPGD-based single photon detectors at future EIC

We are developing gaseous photon detectors for Cherenkov imaging applications in the experiments at the future Electron Ion Collider. CsI, converting photons in the far ultraviolet range, is, so far, the only photoconverter compatible with the operation of gaseous detectors. It is very delicate to handle due to its hygroscopic nature: the absorbed water vapour decomposes the CsI molecule. In addition, its quantum efficiency degrades under ion bombardment. These are the key reasons to quest for novel, less delicate materials for photocathodes adequate for gaseous photon detectors. Layers of hydrogenated nanodiamond particles have recently been proposed as an alternative material and have shown promising characteristics. The performance of nanodiamond photocathodes coupled to thick GEM-based detectors is the object of our ongoing R\&D. The first phase of these studies includes the characterization of thick GEM coated with nanodiamond layers and the robustness of its photoconverting properties with respect to the bombardment by ions from the multiplication process in the gaseous detector. The approach is described in detail as well as all the results obtained so far within these exploratory studies

The high voltage system the novel MPGD-based photon detectors of COMPASS RICH-1 and its development towards a scalable HVPSS for MPGDs

The COMPASS RICH-1 detector underwent major upgrade in 2016 with the installation of fournovel MPGD-based photon detectors. They consist of large-size hybrid MPGDs with multi-layerarchitecture composed of two layers of Thick-GEMs and bulk resistive Micromegas. A dedicated highvoltage power supply system, realized with commercial devices, has been put in operation toprotect the detectors against errors by the operator, monitor and log voltages and currents at a 1 Hz rate, and automatically react to detector misbehavior; it includes also the HV compensation forthe detector gas pressure and temperature variations.The needs posed to the high voltagepower supply systems by the operation of Micro Pattern Gaseous Detectors pushed the development ofa novel single channel HV system able to overcome the performance of the commercial devices interms of high-resolution diagnostic features and intelligent dynamic voltage control. In this talkthe COMPASS HV system and its performance are illustrated, as well as the stability of the novelMPGD-based photon detectors during the physics data taking at COMPASS. The performance of thenovel single channel power supply system when connected to a single photon Micro Pattern GaseousDetector is presented in realistic working condition during a test beam with the preliminaryresults of multiple channels operation

Long term experience with perfluorobutane in COMPASS RICH

COMPASS RICH-1 has used high-purity perfluorobutane as radiator gas since 2001. The operation and control of the radiator gas has evolved over years with continuous improvements. We report on the experience gained in the 20 year-long operation of perfluorobutane as COMPASS RICH radiator. Very accurate values for the radiator gas refractive index are needed for high-performance particle identification. The procedure has evolved over years and the one presently in use, which provides refractive index estimate at the 1 ppm level, is discussed. Perfluorobutane procurement is becoming challenging, and the minimization of material waste is now a priority for the protection of the environment. Commercially available perfluorobutane needs dedicated filtering before usage and typical material losses in the filtering procedure were around 30%. Recent efforts allowed us to reduce them to about 5%. A potential alternative to fluorocarbon radiators in gaseous RICHes is also presented.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures 2 table

A scalable High Voltage Power Supply System with system on chip control for Micro Pattern Gaseous Detectors

The requirements posed to high voltage power supply systems by the operation of Micro Pattern Gaseous Detectors are specific in terms of high resolution diagnostic features and intelligent dynamic voltage control. These requirements are needed both when technology development is performed and when extended detector systems are supplied and monitored. Systems satisfying all the needed features are not commercially available. A single channel high voltage system matching the Micro Pattern Gaseous Detector needs has been designed and realized, including its hardware and software components. The system employs a commercial DCDC converter and is coupled to a custom high resolution ammeter. Local intelligence, flexibility and high speed inter-connectivity are provided by a System on Chip Board and the use of a powerful FPGA. The single channel system has been developed, as critical milestone towards the realization of a multi-channel system. The design, implementation and performance of the system are reported in detail in this article, as well as the performance of the single channel power supply when connected to a Micro Pattern Gaseous Detector in realistic working condition during a test beam exercise