Tuesday 08 April 2025
Researchers at Fudan University in China have made significant progress in developing a new type of detector that can accurately measure the time it takes for particles to travel through a scintillator, a crucial component in particle physics experiments.
The detector, designed for the Belle II experiment, is capable of achieving a time resolution of around 70 picoseconds, which is a major improvement over previous designs. This achievement has significant implications for our understanding of fundamental particles and forces.
Scintillators are materials that emit light when excited by radiation, such as high-energy particles. In particle physics experiments, scintillators are used to detect and track the paths of subatomic particles, allowing scientists to reconstruct their interactions and behaviors. However, the accuracy of these measurements is limited by the detector’s ability to accurately measure the time it takes for the particles to travel through the scintillator.
Previous detectors have struggled with this challenge due to limitations in their timing resolution. The Belle II experiment, which aims to study the properties of subatomic particles and forces, requires a much higher level of precision to achieve its goals.
The new detector uses a combination of advanced technologies to overcome these challenges. It features a series-parallel hybrid connection of silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) arrays, which reduces signal rise times and improves overall time resolution. The SiPMs are highly sensitive detectors that can accurately measure the light emitted by the scintillator.
The researchers also developed an innovative readout electronics system that allows them to collect and process the signals from the SiPM arrays in real-time. This enables them to achieve a much higher level of timing accuracy than previous systems.
To test their detector, the researchers used two different types of scintillators, measuring 135 cm and 50 cm in length, respectively. They found that both scintillators achieved excellent time resolution, with values of around 70 picoseconds and 47 picoseconds, respectively.
The implications of this achievement are significant. By accurately measuring the time it takes for particles to travel through a scintillator, scientists can gain a much deeper understanding of the fundamental forces and interactions that govern our universe. This knowledge has far-reaching potential applications in fields such as medicine, energy production, and materials science.
In addition to its scientific significance, this achievement also highlights the importance of international collaboration in advancing our understanding of the universe.
Cite this article: “Unlocking High-Speed Particle Detection: Advances in Scintillator-Based Timing Resolution”, The Science Archive, 2025.
Particle Physics, Detector, Scintillator, Time Resolution, Belle Ii Experiment, Silicon Photomultiplier, Sipm Arrays, Readout Electronics, Timing Accuracy, Particle Tracking.
