Support for the ATLAS Inner Detector Trigger

Lead Research Organisation: University of Sussex
Department Name: Sch of Mathematical & Physical Sciences

Abstract

This grant is to support development and maintenance of the ATLAS Inner Detector Trigger work in preparation for the LHC run-3 and at the start of the run.

Planned Impact

Benefits Realisation and Impact Plan

Outreach: enthusing the next generation of scientists
The LHC story and the discovery of the Higgs boson has captured the public's imagination. This has raised the awareness of science and contributed to the increasing number of students studying Physics. ATLAS-UK has been at the forefront of the outreach activities to publicise and explain the physics of the LHC and the impact that it has, through talking to schools and the general public in the UK and by supporting school visits to CERN.
Training
The training of students and young researchers in particle physics provides a workforce that is skilled in a range of disciplines critical to the UK economy: software, engineering (covering electronics, mechanical and software), project management, data analysis. They also learn important "soft skills": working in a large complex organization both as a member of a team and independently, and living and working in an international environment.
Working with industry
ATLAS-UK is seeking to promote UK industry wherever this is appropriate with the aim of placing of companies in a position to provide elements for the upgrade. In addition to the knowledge exchange between ATLAS-UK and the companies in the development of components it also provides these companies with an international showcase.
Examples include:
Micron semiconductor, the UK is working with Micron to develop pixel sensors for the pixel tracker upgrade. Several iterations have been designed and characterised. Developments have included studying "slim edges" and developing an in-house under-bump-metalisation for bump bonding.
Zot, development of flexible hybrids to the high specifications required for the pixel tracker system of the tracker upgrade. This includes high reliability and being able to handle high bandwidth signals.
Stevenage, fabrication of hybrids and hybrid test panels for strip tracker system. Stevenage and ATLAS-UK have worked together to creatively use Stevenage's capability to produce a hybrid design that robustly fits within their production capabilities whilst being a non-standard item. This design is also being investigated with ZOT as an alternative vendor, they use different materials and their finished produce is of lower cost and is almost same quality.
Intel, collaborating on the processor aspects of the upgrade ATLAS-UK- have been working closely with Intel on the processor aspects of the upgrade, helping them shape their own future planning.
Commercial cloud providers (e.g. DataCentred), collaborating with them to understand if they can handle our use cases, as we are often predictors of the future market needs.
Other applications
The UK's silicon detector experience has been used to develop beam characterization systems for hadron therapy (Pravda project). In our tracking software, algorithms similar to those used in medical applications as used. As we develop these, there is a clear possibility of health/societal impact, and there are already several proposed projects in the Data Science CDT bids that would advance that impact.

Publications

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