Particle Detectors Laboratory Instrumentation
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The learning objective of this course is to teach the student the most common experimental techniques through the analysis of tipical signal processing chains used in particle physics experiments. By the analysis of the signal transmission from the detector, to the "off-detector" readout electronics, the students will develop competences on the communication protocols and of the techniques for data transmission and processing.
Expected learning outcomes
After completing the course:
1) the student will be familiar with the signal processing chains starting from a particle detector.
2) he/she will be able to perform measurement of linearity and noise of the electronics chains and to optimize the signal shaping according to the experimental conditions
3) he/she will be ablw to perform and understand impedence and transfer function measurements.
4) he/she will develop competences in the offline analysis of the acquired signal
1) the student will be familiar with the signal processing chains starting from a particle detector.
2) he/she will be able to perform measurement of linearity and noise of the electronics chains and to optimize the signal shaping according to the experimental conditions
3) he/she will be ablw to perform and understand impedence and transfer function measurements.
4) he/she will develop competences in the offline analysis of the acquired signal
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Frontal lessons:
- Silicon detectors and calorimeters
- Brief introduction to nuclear electronics
- Brief notes on noise
- Notes on signal transmission
Experimental activities:
Charge and current pre-amplification
- Measurement of the impulse response
- Adaptation of the impedances of the connection lines
- Power distribution and filtering
Signal formation
- Use of a unipolar/bipolar amplifer/shaper
- Measurement of linearity
- Gain measurement
- Measurement of noise curves and signal / noise ratio on a "ideal detector"
- Use of digital oscilloscope and RMS voltmeter for noise measurement
Characterization of the elements of the chain
- Impedance measurements
- Measurements of transfer functions of the elements of the acquisition chain
- Comparison between frequency measurements and time domain measurements
Automated data acquisition
- Learning of software for control systems
- Use of the software for the management of an experiment
- Preparation of the trigger
- Acquisition of digitized data
- Processing of the acquired data (extraction of parameters, data analysis)
- Silicon detectors and calorimeters
- Brief introduction to nuclear electronics
- Brief notes on noise
- Notes on signal transmission
Experimental activities:
Charge and current pre-amplification
- Measurement of the impulse response
- Adaptation of the impedances of the connection lines
- Power distribution and filtering
Signal formation
- Use of a unipolar/bipolar amplifer/shaper
- Measurement of linearity
- Gain measurement
- Measurement of noise curves and signal / noise ratio on a "ideal detector"
- Use of digital oscilloscope and RMS voltmeter for noise measurement
Characterization of the elements of the chain
- Impedance measurements
- Measurements of transfer functions of the elements of the acquisition chain
- Comparison between frequency measurements and time domain measurements
Automated data acquisition
- Learning of software for control systems
- Use of the software for the management of an experiment
- Preparation of the trigger
- Acquisition of digitized data
- Processing of the acquired data (extraction of parameters, data analysis)
Prerequisites for admission
Students should have acquired basic skills in electronics and circuits that are part of the electromagnetics and electronics laboratory program of the Bachelor of Science in Physics. The fundamentals of the interaction between radiation and matter, as taught in courses such as Fundamental of Nuclear and Subnuclear Physics of the Bachelor of Science in Physics, are also useful.
Teaching methods
The subject consists of a series of introductory lectures, followed by practical activities of data collection and analysis in the Laboratory. For data acquisition and analysis, students will develop applications using the LabView software and/or firmware running on FPGA.
Teaching Resources
The reference material will be distributed during the lessons and can still be found on the Ariel teaching website at:
https://aandreazzalsrp.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/Home/
For the programming part of LabView it is recommended to follow the online course distributed by National Instrument at:
https://www.ni.com/getting-started/labview-basics/i/
https://aandreazzalsrp.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/Home/
For the programming part of LabView it is recommended to follow the online course distributed by National Instrument at:
https://www.ni.com/getting-started/labview-basics/i/
Assessment methods and Criteria
The evaluation takes place by means of a mark out of thirty, decided through a written report on the Laboratory activity and an interview
FIS/01 - EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS - University credits: 6
Laboratories: 48 hours
Lessons: 14 hours
Lessons: 14 hours
Professors:
Andreazza Attilio, Stabile Alberto
Professor(s)