Dear bfys friends,
Although we are about to start our first long physics run I would like to draw your attention to our longer term future: the LHCb upgrade program. As there are several discussions and activities starting (in lhcb as well as in NL) it is usefull to formulate a "partyline statement" reflecting our plans at Nikhef. This statement is intended as a first step towards a further implementation of projects to which are group plans to contribute. Such discussions are in fact already starting up this week. If you have comments on this statement below, or would like to modify it, please contact me.
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The currently planned Nikhef investments in the LHCb upgrade involve A) Software tracking studies B) Outer Tracker and C) Velo.
A: Tracking Studies ----------------------------- To optimize the LHCb upgrade our group is interested and participates (at a modest level) in detector performance studies studies, typically aimed at robust parameters as resolution, occupancy, material, etc. Both for Velo and OT.
B: Outer Tracker ------------------------ For the OT a choice between a straw detector and a fiber detector for (part of) the OT is being considered by the collaboration. Nikhef looks at the current straw solution for the upgrade. 1) The detector: We invest heavily in understanding, controlling and curing possible aging effects of the OT straw detectors. The idea is that for occupancy and resolution purposes the current straw detectors are a suitable solution for, at least part of, an OT upgrade tracker. 2) The electronics: LHCb has established an upgrade scenario that foresees readout at significantly higher speed, up to 40 MHZ. Nikhef participates in an R&D project to study a FPGA solution in combination with an array of fast optical transmitters for such readout speed.
C: Velo ----------- For the Velo a decision between a possible pixel detector and a strip detector has not yet been made by the collaboration. Our group is interested in R&D for the pixel option. 1) We are starting an electronics-oriented effort in the design of the Velopix detector, in the context of the Medipix/Timepix R&D group. The effort includes the hybrid, chip design and readout, as well as studies towards edgeless sensor technology. 2) We expressed an interest to participate in thermal and mechanical R&D to the pixel cooling.
best regards, - Marcel