In this paper we present a new modular system composed of 38 High-Speed Differential Transmitter electronic boards (HSDT-32), proposed for the CHIMERA Detector. The system improves the signal-to-noise ratio and enhances immunity to electromagnetic disturbances of the detector.
Fast timing technologies combined with nonlinear excitation microscopy enable deep imaging and super-resolution in biological samples. We review confocal and two-photon excitation microscopy and present recent advances combining single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) arrays with adaptive pixel-reassignment. Our implementation of two-photon image-scanning microscopy (2PE-ISM) achieves similar to root 2 resolution improvement deep into semi-transparent samples and, when coupled with semi-blind deconvolution, delivers up to similar to 2 enhancement in effective resolution. We demonstrate the capabilities of this system on multi-photon excitation (MPE) test samples, three-dimensional imaging of clarified brain and plant tissues, and combined two-photon excitation/second harmonic generation (SHG) image-scanning microscopy. The results highlight the potential of fast timing technologies for high-resolution optical imaging in biomedical applications.
In this article we will describe the main laser systems underlying the I-LUCE research infrastructure being developed at INFN-LNS. We explore the building blocks that constitute high-power lasers and their interplay enabling the production of very intense (10(20) W/cm(2)) and ultrashort laser beams from 35 fs to few-cycle pulses (<10 fs) using novel post-compression schemes. We also describe the specialized technologies necessary to perform the optical transport and focalization on their targets. I-LUCE will exploit laser beams with these characteristics to produce novel plasma-based accelerators and advanced fusion research.
The key results and future directions in the development of both LGADs) are outlined. The demanding requirements of next-generation experiments have driven dedicated R&D efforts aimed at achieving even better performance. For the proposed ALICE 3 experiment at the CERN-LHC (to be installed during LS4 in 2034-35), an intensive research program is focused on developing a sensor technology capable of providing a 20-picosecond time resolution for the Time-Of-Flight (TOF) detector. The R&D campaign, which demonstrated excellent performance across different LGAD layouts and led to sensors meeting the ALICE 3 requirement of 20 ps, is described. Detailed studies were performed on progressively thinner LGAD sensors, including the first 15 & micro;m LGADs ever produced by FBK (Fondazione Bruno Kessler, Trento, Italy). In addition, tests of the novel double-LGAD concept were carried out, along with investigations of the impact of particle incidence angle on performance. In parallel, substantial progress has been made in extending the LGAD concept to CMOS technology. CMOS-LGAD design offers a potentially transformative path forward, enabling the combination of precise timing and fullarea coverage in a monolithic approach, resulting in simpler and more cost-effective assembly. The first CMOS-LGAD prototypes were tested for the first time, which achieved an intrinsic sensor time resolution of 75 ps, matching the expectations and indicating that future thinner, higher-gain productions could be able to achieve the target 20 ps resolution.
This work presents the development of gas-filled plasma discharge capillaries for the I-LUCE (INFN-Laser indUCEd Radiation Production) facility at INFN-LNS (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare-Laboratori Nazionali del Sud). A primary challenge in laser wakefield acceleration (LWFA) is the generation of stable, reproducible plasma targets with customizable density profiles. We describe an integrated framework that combines a custom high-voltage pulse-forming network with real-time spectroscopic diagnostics to characterize plasma formation. Beyond the technical implementation, this study explores the suitability of these plasma sources for producing very high energy electron (VHEE) beams. By utilizing numerical modeling and dosimetric evaluations, we demonstrate that the ultra-short, highenergy bunches generated by this system are uniquely suited for emerging medical modalities such as VHEE therapy (VHEET) and FLASH radiotherapy(FLASH-RT).
Simultaneous detection of neutrons and charged particles is essential in nuclear physics experiments involving stable and radioactive ion beams, particularly in studies of neutron-rich systems. The NArCoS (Neutron Array for Correlation Studies) apparatus, currently under development at INFN (LNS, CT, MI) within the framework of PRIN 2020 ANCHISE project, is designed to meet this experimental challenge. The system consists of an array of EJ-276G plastic scintillator cells (3 & times; 3 & times; 3 cm3), each one optically coupled to a cluster of silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs). The NArCoS detection modules operate as proton-recoil plastic scintillators. For a given neutron energy, the recoil proton energy spectrum ranges from experimental threshold to the incident neutron energy, as a function of the scattering angle. Consequently, an accurate neutron energy determination could be performed by using the time-of-flight measurements, making high-timing resolution a key requirement. This contribution reports on a detailed characterization of timing performances, carried out using cosmic rays and radioactive sources.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a leading functional imaging modality, yet its global accessibility remains limited due to high cost and infrastructure demands. Recent advances in time-of-flight (TOF) technology enable coincidence time resolutions (CTR) below 100 ps, opening the possibility for radically simplified scanner geometries. We present the concept and development status of a modular, limited-angle TOF-PET imager based on ultrafast flat-panel detectors. The approach leverages sub-100 ps timing performance, improved silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs), and next-generation ASIC readout to compensate for sparseangular coverage while maintaining image quality. Monte Carlo simulations and reconstruction studies demonstrate that a two-panel system can achieve image quality comparable to state-of-the-art clinical scanners with significantly reduced material and cost.
. - The advent of Ultra-High Dose Rate (UHDR) radiotherapy, associated with the so-called FLASH effect, requires the development of novel dosimetric systems. Silicon carbide (SiC) detectors are promising candidates for dosimetry in UHDR radiotherapy due to their wide bandgap, radiation hardness, fast response and low leakage current. In this work, we report on the electrical and dosimetric characterisation of a resin-encapsulated 4H-SiC p+n detector. Electrical characterisation, performed through I-V and C-V measurements, allowed the extraction of the main device parameters, confirming the high quality of the junction and the robustness of the epoxy encapsulation against water infiltration. Dosimetric performance was evaluated under conventional 320 kV X-ray irradiation in water. The detector exhibits excellent linearity in the 0.5-11 Gy dose range (R2 approximate to 1), high signal reproducibility (within +/- 0.5% over one week), and accurate reconstruction of Percentage Depth-Dose (PDD) distributions, in good agreement with a reference Advanced Markus ionization chamber. The detector sensitivity reaches a stable plateau of approximately 167 nC/Gy under full depletion conditions. Although the measurements were performed at conventional dose rates, the results establish a solid electrical and dosimetric baseline and support the potential application of the encapsulated SiC detector for future investigations under UHDR and FLASH irradiation conditions.
The main aim of the CHIFAR experiment, carried out at INFN-LNS, was the investigation of the emission probability of Intermediate Mass Fragments (IMFs) in non-central Heavy Ion Collisions. This phenomenon is linked to the features of the Equation of State of nuclear matter, focusing also on the role of the isospin degree of freedom of the colliding nuclei. The CHIMERA Collaboration has investigated six nuclear reactions at 20 AMeV beam energy, achieved by combining three beams Sn-124, Sn-112, Xe-124 and three targets Ni-64, Ni-58, Zn-64. The experimental setup consisted of the CHIMERA multi-detector coupled to 10 telescopes of the FARCOS (Femtoscope ARray for COrrelations and Spectroscopy) correlator. The triple array configuration of FARCOS is based on 2 DSSSDs (Double Sided Silicon Strip Detectors, 300 mu m and 1500 mu m thick, respectively) and 4 CsI crystals (6 cm thick). The high energy and angular resolution of FARCOS make it an appropriate tool for intended research: the IMFs can be identified up to Z approximate to 16, and furthermore the coupling with CHIMERA allows to study correlations among IMFs and light charged particles produced in the nuclear reactions. The results obtained by the "pixelation" technique will be explained. According to a timing analysis applied to the data collected by the two DSSSDs, the position of each detected particle can be assigned unambiguously, from the crossing of a strip of the front side to another of the back side, considering its angles in the laboratory frame (polar angle theta and azimuthal angle phi).
The R3B (Reactions with Relativistic Radioactive Beams) setup for kinematically complete measurements of reactions with very short-lived beams has been developed at GSI/FAIR. High versatility is obtained by different detectors for particles from photons, protons and neutrons to heavy nuclei. One of the key detectors is the neutron detector NeuLAND (New Large Area Neutron Detector) capable of multi-neutron detection with high precision and efficiency. Its modular design allows measurements with partial versions of the detector during the long construction phase. The NeuLAND Demonstrator (with 13% of the complete detector) has been successfully used in experiments at RIKEN. Since then, it has been constantly upgraded in volume and used in the experiments at GSI/FAIR within the Phase-0 physics program. The performance of the current NeuLAND detector (43% of the complete detector) will be outlined in the results of the analysis of NeuLAND commissioning and measurements studying the symmetry energy at saturation and suprasaturation nuclear density with an emphasis on the timing and the recognition of multineutron events.
. - Precision timing is a critical requirement in nuclear physics and medical imaging applications, including Time-of-Flight Positron Emission Tomography (TOF-PET). The CAEN A5203B module, part of the FERS (Front-End Readout System) platform, integrates two CERN picoTDC ASICs in a compact and scalable solution, providing high-resolution Time of Arrival (ToA) and Time over Threshold (ToT) measurements over 128 channels. This work presents the implementation and performance of the A5203B within the ProVision PET scanner, a compact imaging system developed under the Eureka Eurostars program for early detection of aggressive prostate cancer. The scanner comprises two planar detector heads, each hosting 768 SiPM channels read out by six A5203B modules and synchronized via a DT5215 Concentrator Board. Experimental validation includes laboratory tests using signal generators and the CAEN A5256 adapter, as well as system-level measurements on the ProVision PET prototype. Results demonstrate sub-100 ps coincidence time resolution, accurate ToT-based amplitude reconstruction, effective noise suppression, and high-throughput readout with minimal dead time, confirming the A5203B as a high-performance solution for time-critical TOF-PET and nuclear and particle physics applications.
This contribution discusses the fast timing capabilities of Silicon Carbide (SiC) detectors, specifically conceived for the event-by-event identification of Radioactive Ion Beams (RIBs), also in a high-intensity regime. SiC detectors have proven to be highly suitable for this purpose, offering good timing and energy resolution together with excellent radiation hardness. In recent years, dedicated SiC arrays have been developed for operation at multiple international facilities, including FraISe (Fragment In-flight Separator), currently under construction at INFN-LNS. Coupled with fast front-end electronics, the SiC arrays will enable measurements of RIBs composition, energy and beam profile, while maintaining stable performance in demanding radiation environments. A key requirement of the detector arrays is achieving timing resolutions below 200 ps, allowing ToF-based energy determination with a precision of approximate to 0.5%. This contribution presents a comprehensive study of the timing performance of SiC detectors composed of 2 x 2 pixels, with a total area of 1 cm(2) and a thickness of 100 mu m. The results are the outcome of several years of R&D and include measurements with radioactive alpha sources, as well as accelerated proton and alpha beams. A novel method, based on crossing-time determination and signal-sharing analysis, has been employed to extract the time resolution of individual SiC pixels. A comparative study with a microchannel plate detector, operated in coincidence with the SiC detector, will also be discussed. Furthermore, the preliminary results obtained from a recent experiment carried out at the Heavy Ion Laboratory, University of Warsaw, employing the C-12+C-12 reaction at 73 MeV incident energy, are discussed. The main goal of the experiment was to extract the timing response of SiC detectors coupled with a fast front-end electronics, employing a kinematic coincidence measurement.
The innovative radiotherapy technique named FLASH radiotherapy (FLASH-RT), faces several challenges in particle detection, dosimetry and beam monitoring due to the observed saturation effects occurring in most of the traditional dosimeters at these high dose rates. Silicon carbide (SiC) detectors recently developed at the INFN Catania division in collaboration with the STLab startup, have been demonstrated to be dose-rate independent up to an instantaneous dose rate of 5.5 MGy/s (corresponding to about 1014 particles/s mm2), emerging as a reliable alternative technology for dosimetry in FLASH-RT. In recent studies we also explored the suitability of using different models (4.5 mm2-100 mm2 area) of SiC detectors (p-i-n and Schottky junctions) for monitoring the intra-pulse instantaneous beam current and measure the temporal structure of electron pulsed beams. Experiments were conducted using the UHDR electron beams accelerated at 9 MeV by an ElectronFlash linac at the Centro Pisano for Flash Radiotherapy and varying different beam parameters, such as the beam current (i.e., different charge per single pulse), pulse width settings (0.5-4 & micro;s) and beam field size. These results highlighted the potential of the SiC detectors to be used for temporal measurement at high time resolution of the instantaneous dose-rate, a crucial clinical parameter for such emerging FLASH-RT technique.
Time-of-Flight Positron Emission Tomography (TOF-PET) is an advanced imaging technique that improves spatial resolution and diagnostic accuracy by incorporating precise timing information of coincident gamma photons. In this work, we present the design, development, and experimental validation of a Cherenkov-based TOF-PET detection module employing lead fluoride (PbF2) crystals and Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs). PbF2 was selected as a pure Cherenkov radiator due to prompt photon emission, high refractive index, and excellent transparency in the UV-visible range. SiPMs were chosen for their fast response, single-photon sensitivity, and compatibility with magnetic fields, making them suitable even for hybrid PET/MRI systems. The detection module was built around an 8 & times; 8 PbF2 crystal matrix, each crystal optically coupled to a dedicated SiPM using RTV615 A/B resin to ensure efficient photon transmission and mechanical stability. A comprehensive characterization campaign was conducted using a pulsed laser source and gamma irradiation from a Co-60 source. The SiPMs demonstrated stable gain in the 28-32 V bias range, low noise levels, and reproducible timing profiles. Preliminary activity measurements showed a clear increase in detection rate under gamma irradiation, validating the system's sensitivity and operational readiness. Coincidence measurements are currently under development to extract Coincidence Time Resolution (CTR) and benchmark the system against standard PET configurations. In particular, the test with a Na-22 source is in progress and will be employed for the full characterization of CTR. The goal is to achieve sub-100 ps timing precision, enabling improved image contrast and reduced patient dose. These results support the feasibility of Cherenkov-based TOF-PET modules and lay the groundwork for future integration into clinical imaging systems.
The Extreme Energy Events (EEE) Project has built since 2004 a GPS-synchronized network of cosmic ray telescopes based on Multigap Resistive Plate Chambers (MRPC), which are distributed over the Italian territory. Most of them are installed within high school institutes and operated by local teams of students and teachers. Various upgrades, also concerned with the use of new ecofriendly gas mixtures have been undertaken, to reduce the impact of the traditional gases with high Global Warming Power. Good tracking, efficiency and timing capabilities of the MRPCs have allowed a variety of physics investigations, accompanied by an intense outreach programme over the last years. After the early cosmic ray and in-beam measurements carried out at CERN at the PS T10 East Hall beam line, the timing performance of the various telescopes has been long investigated by a combined analysis of the results obtained from a large number of individual detectors operated for year-long data taking periods. The overall organization of the EEE project, with special emphasis on the timing aspects of the involved MRPC detectors, will be discussed in this contribution.
This article provides a concise overview on the basic applications of Time-of-Flight (ToF) detectors as online diagnostic tools in laser-matter interaction experiments leading to the acceleration of protons and heavier ions. The focus is placed on the use of ToF diagnostics for real-time characterization of ion emission, including energy spectra, cut-offenergies, fluence and angular distributions. Through representative experimental examples, the article highlights the role of ToF measurements in probing the spatial structure of the accelerating fields and in supporting the optimization of laser-driven ion acceleration experiments.
The Extreme Energy Events (EEE) Project is a large network of muon detectors devoted to measure the cosmic ray (CR) flux. The EEE network observed the significant variation of the CR flux during the G5 storm of May 2024. The Forbush decrease was detected by both MRPC gas-based muon telescopes and by a set of scintillator-based telescopes, covering a large range in latitude and longitude. This paper will shortly describe the main results obtained from the data collected by various telescopes during the Forbush decrease.
Mu2e is an upcoming experiment at Fermilab and its main goal is to search for the Charged Lepton Flavor Violation (CLFV) in the coherent transition of a muon into an electron on an Al target. In Mu2e, multi-particle events can occur simultaneously within the same time region and it is crucial to accurately identify each particle track, including signals, to improve the robustness of track-finding methods and enhance reconstruction efficiency. p annihilation is one of the background events and produces multiple particles that can mimic signal events. Additionally, photons from radiative pion captures can produce a gamma -> e(+)e(-)pair, which can be used to calibrate the Mu2e momentum scale and the resolution. The Mu2e track reconstruction sequence begins by grouping hits produced in the tracker based on time and z coordinate information, called TimeCluster, and selected hits are processed to reconstruct helices and determine their momentum. The current pattern recognition algorithms identify a single helix per TimeCluster for singletrack events. A new pattern recognition algorithm is being developed to reconstruct multi-particle events and its features for finding multiple tracks and the current evaluation results are reported.
The identification of b-flavor quarks that hadronize into jets, known as b-jet tagging, is essential for experiments at the LHC. The ATLAS Collaboration (JINST, 3 (2008) S08003) employs advanced machine learning algorithms based on the transformer architecture. The studies presented in this work aim to extend current algorithms, which already demonstrate excellent performance in terms of signal efficiency and background rejection, by incorporating the ability to distinguish between b and anti-b states, i.e., b-jet charge discrimination. Preliminary results, obtained by extending existing transformer-based taggers, show a b/anti-b charge discrimination accuracy exceeding 70%, a significant improvement over previous implementation in ATLAS. The development of such a powerful jet charge identification could provide an useful tool for a wide range of analysis. This is particularly true in the measurement of the b-quarks forward-backward asymmetry (A(FB)(b)) in final states with a Z boson produced in association with a b or anti-b quark, a process sensitive to the electroweak mixing angle of b quarks, first measured at LEP and still in tension with the Standard Model prediction.
This contribution reports on the scintillating-fibre hodoscope developed by INFN for the FAMU experiment at RIKEN-RAL (ISIS, UK). The detector, composed of two crossed 32-fiber planes (squared section, 1 mm pitch, 1 mm spacing) read out by SiPMs, measures muon intensity for normalization of muonic hydrogen hyperfine splitting studies aimed at determining the proton Zemach radius. A calibration strategy combining low-rate single-muon data and Geant4/FLUKA simulations established the detector response, yielding a calibration constant to convert total deposited charge into muon rate. Full-rate operations (55 MeV/c muons, 40 Hz spills) produced muon intensity measurements of the order of O(104) mu /s, consistent with expectations. The protocol is proposed as a general method for scintillatingfibre beam monitors.
