Analysis of Mixed Radiation Fields in ATLAS with Timepix Hodoscopes

AbstraktAbstract

The ATLAS experiment at the LHC is prone to a unique and complex radiation environment, affecting its operation and performance: neutrons, minimum ionizing particles (MIPs), gammas, electrons. These mixed radiation fields and their detrimental effects are predicted using Monte Carlo simulations during the design phase of the experiment and its upgrades. Once the experiment has started, it is important to benchmark simulations with measurements. In addition to standard types of radiation monitors, a network of Timepix hodoscopes was installed in ATLAS to characterize the radiation field between 2015 and 2018. Each detector allows the discrimination of different particle types and their contribution to the measured total ionizing dose (TID). This is done by analysis of the pixel clusters left by interactions in silicon sensors. In addition, it is possible to measure the incident angles and stopping power of MIPs.

The ATLAS experiment at the LHC is prone to a unique and complex radiation environment, affecting its operation and performance: neutrons, minimum ionizing particles (MIPs), gammas, electrons. These mixed radiation fields and their detrimental effects are predicted using Monte Carlo simulations during the design phase of the experiment and its upgrades. Once the experiment has started, it is important to benchmark simulations with measurements. In addition to standard types of radiation monitors, a network of Timepix hodoscopes was installed in ATLAS to characterize the radiation field between 2015 and 2018. Each detector allows the discrimination of different particle types and their contribution to the measured total ionizing dose (TID). This is done by analysis of the pixel clusters left by interactions in silicon sensors. In addition, it is possible to measure the incident angles and stopping power of MIPs.