Optimization Of Cmos Pixel Sensors For High Performance Vertexing And Tracking

CMOS Pixel Sensors Lend to become relevant for a growing spectrum of charged particle detection instruments. This comes mainly from their high granularity and low material budget. However, several potential applications require a higher read-out speed and radiation tolerance than those achieved with the available devices based on a 0.35 mu M feature size technology. This paper shows preliminary test results of new prototype sensors manufactured in a 0.18 mu n process based on a high resistivity epitaxial layer of sizeable thickness. Grounded On these observed performances, we discuss a development strategy over the coming years to reach a full scale sensor matching the specifications of the upgraded version of the Inner Tracking System (ITS) of the ALICE experiment at CERN, for which a sensitive area of up to similar to 10 m(2) may be equipped with pixel sensors. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.