Exploring advanced techniques of additive manufacturing for gas electron multiplier optimization and adaptability

• Grant number: 24/08646-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Effective date (Start): September 01, 2024
• Effective date (End): December 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Nuclear Physics
• Principal Investigator: Tiago Fiorini da Silva
• Grantee: Daniel Magpali Moura Estevão
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física (IF). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 22/03043-1 - Micro-patterned gaseous detectors of radiation and its applications, AP.PNGP.PI

Abstract

Gaseous radiation detectors have always played an important role in nuclear physics, with recent highlights being the Time-Projection Chambers (TPCs) present in the vast majority of large high-energy physics experiments. Recently, advances achieved with the introduction of Gaseous Electron Multipliers (GEMs) have provided technical advantages that reflected in better resolution and better statistics in particle counting and identification. These detectors are particularly relevant for studies in high-energy physics, offering good spatial resolution, high event recording rate, and improved radiation hardness. The focus of this project is the exploration of advanced additive manufacturing techniques for prototyping and developing GEMs with optimized geometries. By taking advantage of the flexibility offered by 3D printing techniques, we intend to explore different geometries that present localized modifications in the distribution of electric fields in order to obtain some performance gains. The main objective is improvement related to the rapid dispersion of ion backflow. Ion backflow is responsible for many of the limitations of GEM-based TPCs today. The geometries will be tested through computational modeling and then experimentally validated through rapid prototyping. The project involves collaboration with the Additive Manufacturing Centre at the University of Nottingham. (AU)