Imaging the Unseen Workshop
Prague
22. 5. 2023
Dr. Erik H.M. Heijne, CERN - 10:00 - 10:30
Microscopically segmented silicon radiation detectors were progressively developed at CERN during the 1977-1990 period. At first, these aimed to measure high particle densities, while distinguishing between muons and electrons. It was needed to learn how to design ourselves ASICs in relatively advanced CMOS silicon technology. Precise position measurements soon became the most important application in the elementary particle experiments. Then the imagers started to be used for X-ray applications where they can characterize single photons or other elementary quanta at high density and high rate. Each of the thousands of small pixels is equipped to record various parameters of the incoming energetic particles. The invisible, ionizing radiation in space or around us can now be revealed with these small instruments. And various artificial sources of radiation can be exploited to reveal with the pixel detectors properties at the molecular and atomic level, of many different objects. These applications already include the study of works of art, mechanical structures or our own body parts, as will be illustrated in the contributions in this workshop.
Dr. Michael Campbell, CERN - 10:30 - 10:50
Hybrid pixel detectors were developed to provide noise hit free images of the tracks generated by the charged particles which are created by colliding protons at the Large Hadron Collider experiments at CERN. During this development it became clear that the same design techniques could be used to create a readout chip which could count X-rays photons, the Medipix1 or Photon Counting Chip. In the ensuing years, and using the increasing component density available from the ever shrinking CMOS processes, it became possible to integrate more and more sophistication in a single pixel. Today, Medipix chips enable spectroscopic X-ray imaging in high-rate environments while Timepix chips provide noise hit free data in real time tagging individual particles to within 200ps at the pixel level. This presentation will review the readout chips and explain the context of the Collaborations in which they were developed.
Prof. Ing. Stanislav Pospíšil, DrSc, IEAP CTU in Prague - 11:10 - 11:30
In the talk, I will present the history of participation of the Czech Technical University in Prague on development and use of hybrid pixel detectors of the Medipix/Timepix type, which began after the Czech Republic joined CERN. Our first meeting with the technology of hybrid pixel detectors had happened in 1993 after joining the RD-19 project "Development of hybrid and monolithic silicon micropattern detectors" led by Erik Heijne. It was followed by the Medipix1 collaboration, when the first Medipix1 chip was introduced in 1997. The primary goal of this collaboration, which continues to this day under the leadership of Michael Campbell as part of the Medipix2/3/4 collaborations, was to develop a detector for high-resolution X-ray imaging based on noiseless single photon counting.
Within the presentation, I will summarize the basic results that have been obtained since 1999 on the Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering and after 2002 in the Institute of Experimental and Applied Physics (IEAP) CTU in Prague. It will be about the results achieved in the direction of development of R/O interfaces and software for data analysis from these detectors together with methodological development of their use for X-ray and neutron imaging and for analysis of traces of radiation quanta interacting in the sensor. It is the developed and widely tested methodology of "particle track analysis and recognition" that contributed to the application of Timepix detectors in hadron therapy and general dosimetry as well as for advanced experimental nuclear and particle physics. The ATLAS-MPX/TPX/TPX3, MoEDAL-TPX/TPX3, AEgIS projects will be mentioned here, which paved the way for Timepix detectors to measure radiation fields on Low Earth Orbits with an early perspective of their use for investigation on the Lunar surface. I will also outline IEAP's plans for the use of Timepix3/4 detectors for particle physics within the future experiments at LHC and for astroparticle physics realized in extraterrestrial conditions. It will be also my pleasure to remind contribution of a long line of colleagues to the presented results, many of which are spreading the good reputation of Medipix/Timepix technology now already in ADVACAM.
Alan Owens, Ph.D., ESA - 11:30 - 11:50
The use of pixelated sensors has revolutionized space science, particularly astrophysics, following their introduction in the 1960’s. They can now be considered ubiquitous in the space environment, being present in one form or another on all spacecraft. In this talk we examine a few examples of the use of pixelated sensors in space and in particular the XMM-Newton X-ray observatory which is a good example of a mission that made extensive use of such devices for both primary sensors and support subsystems.
Nicholas Stoffle, Ph.D., P.E., NASA, 13:30 - 13:50
Timepix detectors have flown on NASA space vehicles since 2012, starting with the Radiation Environment Monitor (REM) payload on ISS. NASA continued to develop systems utilizing these detectors following the successful demonstration of the REM hardware, culminating with the Hybrid Electronic Radiation Assessor (HERA), which now serves as the primary radiation monitor for Artemis exploration missions, incorporating multiple Timepix detectors for environment monitoring. A summary of detector development with Timepix at NASA will be presented, and relevant mission data will be discussed.
Dr. Mária Martišíková, DKFZ - 13:50 - 14:20
Ion beam radiotherapy is used for highly focused treatments of tumors when neighboring critical organs have to be spared from radiation. Naturally, the success of this method is largely dependent on changes within the patient's position and internal structure, making high-resolution quantitative patient imaging inevitable. We develop in our group dedicated imaging techniques which are completely different from the ones currently used in clinics. The Timepix detectors, with their capability to track and identify single particles, openan exciting ion imaging research field with up to now unexplored potential.
Andrzej Czechowski, Comex - 14:10 - 14:30
The newest imaging technologies are undoubtedly necessary in mining industry. “Easy” ores are becoming rarer and rarer and we need new technologies to solve upcoming mineralogical challenges and meet environmental restrictions. What’s more, we are starting to focus on rare earth metals, like Scandium, Yttrium and Lanthanides, which are essential for electric cars, space programs and medicine development. X-ray, as well-known and robust technology, is widely used in mining industry from a couple of years. And it still has a development potential - higher resolution, more energy channels and faster acquisition are getting available for industry year by year.
Josef Uher, Ph.D., Radalytica - 14:50 - 15:10
The combination of photon-counting detectors with robotics opens new applications for X-ray imaging and Computed Tomography. An overview of the system benefits and applications will be given.
MSc. Benedikt Bergmann, Ph.D., IAEP CTU in Prague - 15:10 - 15:30
In particle physics experiments, hybrid pixel detectors are an integral part of the tracking systems closest to the interaction points, where their good spatial resolution and high radiation resilience are used for particle tracking using the method of “connecting the dots” seen in layers of an onion-like structure. In the context of the Medipix Collaborations a novel, complimentary approach to particle detection has been proposed relying on analysis of imprints seen in the pixel matrix (tracks) with a rich set of features. These are exploited for the identification of impinging particles, precise particle trajectory or reaction kinematics reconstruction. I will describe, how this capability is utilized within the largest scale experiments at the LHC, in sophisticated instrumentation for space science, but mainly how this enables fundamental-science reach with uncomplicated setups.
Daniel Parcerisas, CERN - 15:30 - 15:50
During the second half of the twentieth century, all the advances and research into Radioactivity and Particle Physics gradually entered into secondary school education, but also with significant drawbacks and misconceptions.
The MiniPIX EDU is a game-changing tool that allows a visual means to aid the introduction of radioactivity and particle physics to high school students.
Several projects have arisen in Europe, during the past decade, to bring experimental particle physics and radioactivity into the classroom.
Some of the innovative activities carried out by students will be covered, and the detector's capabilities will be analysed to understand how they can help to dispel the students' misconceptions.