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The cross-cutting Physics Division Detector R&D Group at Berkeley Lab is focused on novel and transformative instrumentation solutions for particle physics. It includes dozens of scientists whose work spans the Cosmic, Energy, and Intensity frontiers of High Energy Physics. Much of our work aligns with National Initiatives including those on microelectronics, quantum information science and artificial intelligence. We routinely host interns and visitors via SULI, CCI, SCGSR and other programs. We collaborate internally with scientists across Berkeley Lab, as well as externally with research groups at a wide array of universities and labs. Some of our key internal resources include the IC Design Group, the Molecular Foundry the Composites Shop and the Microsystems Lab. Please scroll down to read about some of our current projects.
Pixel Sensors
Pixel Sensors
We are designing and testing several novel pixel sensors, including a low-power, <50 ps TDC for a 4D tracking pixel front end called Pebbles [1] (pictured). We continue development of LArPix [2], an R&D100-award-winning design. LightPix [2], a LArPix spin-off, is aimed at efficient photon detection with the same robust backend. G3Pix [3] aims to replace electro-luminesence gain in dark matter detectors with a pixel plane at 3 electrons ENC. Other efforts include RD53 chips [4], and a new RD53-based tracking telescope development [4]. Applications include future colliders, neutrino experiments and dark matter searches.
Contact: Timon Heim [1], Dan Dwyer [2], Peter Sorensen [3], Maurice Garcia-Sciveres [4]
Superconducting Sensors
Superconducting Sensors
We are designing, building and testing novel Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors (MKID) and Transition Edge Sensors (TES). Recent work is focused on novel devices fabricated from hafnium, which have a lower (and tunable) Tc and may have a very high sensitivity. Applications include Cosmic Microwave Background detection, dark matter searches and searches for zero-neutrino double beta decay.
Contact: Aritoki Suzuki
Charge-Coupled Devices
Charge-Coupled Devices
We are designing [1], fabricating [1] and testing [2] Silicon CCDs with Multiple Amplifier Sensing (MAS) to enable single electron sensitivity. We are also pursuing R&D towards Germanium CCDs [1], with a current focus on exploring process-dependent properties of GeO2 via simpler Ge diodes and transistors. We continue work on silicon CCD technology transfer to commercial foundries. Applications include dark matter searches and future sky surveys.
Contact: Steve Holland [1], Julien Guy [2]
Novel CMOS sensors
Novel CMOS sensors
The NanoCMOS [1] sensor (pictured) is pursuing integration of nanomaterials and CMOS to achieve wavelength discriminating photon detection. This includes collaboration with NIST-Skywater-Google on nanotechnology accelerator 130nm wafer fab. We are also developing new approaches to particle tracking such as Film On Readout Chip (FORC) [2], leveraging the heterogeneous integration of sensor films on CMOS sensors.
Contact: Maurice Garcia Sciveres [1], Timon Heim [2]
Low Gain Avalanche Diodes
Low Gain Avalanche Diodes
We are designing and fabricating novel silicon carbide Low Gain Avalanche Diodes (SiC LGADs) for higher-temperature operation, faster response, and higher radiation tolerance at future colliders. Collaboration with NCSU.
Contact: Carl Haber
Data Transfer & Readout
Data Transfer & Readout
We are designing, building and testing a variety of frequency multiplexed readout [1,2] schemes for Transition-Edge Sensors. Pictured on the left is one such demonstrator using LC resonators fabricated at the Microsystems Laboratory. Separately, we are designing and testing radiation-hard silicon photonics [3], utilizing a photonic ring-resonator linkage for radiation-hard data transfer at future colliders. Collaboration with UCSC. Applications include CMB, DM and 0vDBD experiments.
Contact: Aritoki Suzuki [1], John Groh [2], Maurice Garcia-Sciveres [3]
Microstructures on CMOS
Microstructures on CMOS
We are designing and building microstructures patterned and grown directly on silicon, which will eventually be integrated with CMOS pixel sensors, for the purpose of electrostatic focusing (as opposed to electronic gas gain). This development is of interest to low-energy directional recoil detectors for dark matter searches, as well as high-energy collider tracking detectors such as a proposed Belle-II TPC tracker upgrade. Collaboration with UHM.
Contact: Peter Sorensen
On-Chip AI
On-Chip AI
We are designing an ASIC with AI algorithms implemented on an eFPGA [1] (pictured) for reconfigurable front-end discrimination and processing. Also pursuing R&D on embedded FPGAs [2] for implementing a reconfigurable logic block on a front-end ASIC. Under the HEPIC apprenticeship program we are also investigating low power ADC architectures.
Contact: Peter Sorensen [1], Carl Grace [2]
Xenon-Based Detectors
Xenon-Based Detectors
We are developing novel detector systems with xenon as the target isotope. Our two primary foci are crystalline xenon [1] and hydrogen-doped xenon [2]. We are also pursuing R&D on fundamental properties of xenon as a detection medium, including studies of high voltage breakdown [3] and fluorescence [1].
Contact: Peter Sorensen [1], Aaron Manalaysay [2], Dan McKinsey [3]
Argon-Based Detectors
Argon-Based Detectors
We are developing novel detector systems with argon as the target isotope. Our primary focus is theArgonCube 2x2 demonstrator, integrating LArPix and LightPix systems for efficient readout of photon and electron signals.
Contact: Dan Dwyer
Superfluid Helium Detectors
Superfluid Helium Detectors
We are designing and building a novel detector system with superfluid helium as the target isotope. Signals from the helium will be readout via novel silicon calorimeters with instrumented with TES. The picture shows four silicon phonon sensors each with 4% TES coverage, wire-bond-suspended in a frame.
Contact: Dan McKinsey, Matt Pyle, Maurice Garcia-Sciveres, Aritoki Suzuki, Peter Sorensen
SQUATs
SQUATs
SQUATs (superconducting quasiparticle-amplifying transmons) detect tiny energy depositions that create quasiparticles in the superconductor. The excess of quasiparticles repeatedly tunnel across the qubit’s Josephson junction, changing its parity state. These sensors are being designed to detect single THz photons and meV-scale phonons, with applications such as searches for axion and low-mass particle dark matter.
Contact: Chiara Salemi
Modular Systems
Modular Systems
Our prior work on composites and thermally conductive carbon foam has been incorporated in the design of next generation silicon tracking detector supports, and the LBNL stave design has been adopted by ATLAS for its Phase-2 upgrade. ATLAS production is near completion. A new R&D cycle aimed at future colliders (e+/e- or Higgs Factory) is set to begin.
Contact: Carl Haber
Fiber Robots
Fiber Robots
The next generation of dark energy spectroscopic experiments (e.g. Spec-S5) will require a factor x5 more (25k) fiber positioner robots. These will need to be smaller and more precise than the state of the art as deployed by DESI. We are designing and testing several parallel systems.
Contact: David Schlegel
Straw Trackers
Straw Trackers
Motivated by mu2e-II needs, we are pursuing R&D on improving the form factor and mechanical support for straw tracker systems, as well as minimizing their mass and improving their efficiency.
Contact: David Brown
A U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratory Operated by the University of California
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