LHCb Upgrade: Beyond the Energy Frontier
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Oxford
Department Name: Oxford Physics
Abstract
LHCb is a particle physics experiment operating at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN. It is the world's leading physics experiment in its field and has a unique capability to explore physics beyond the Standard Model. LHCb's main aim is to search for new physics beyond the Standard Model through precision tests of matter anti-matter asymmetries (CP violation) and rare decays of particles containing beauty and charm quarks. The experiment also has world-class programmes in other areas due to its unique design and coverage of an angular region closer to the beams that at the other main LHC experiments.
The opportunity now exists to dramatically increase the reach of LHCb's programme and to widen its physics profile. The UK groups propose to lead the upgrade of the VELO (Vertex Locator), the most precise vertex detector at the LHC, and LHCb's unique RICH (Ring Imaging Cherenkov) particle identification (PID) system. A programme of physics performance studies, computing, reconstruction software and trigger algorithm development, and involvement in a new scintillating fibre tracker complements this work.
The opportunity now exists to dramatically increase the reach of LHCb's programme and to widen its physics profile. The UK groups propose to lead the upgrade of the VELO (Vertex Locator), the most precise vertex detector at the LHC, and LHCb's unique RICH (Ring Imaging Cherenkov) particle identification (PID) system. A programme of physics performance studies, computing, reconstruction software and trigger algorithm development, and involvement in a new scintillating fibre tracker complements this work.
Planned Impact
The LHCb Upgrade offers strategic economic impact opportunities for UK Industry through the two major UK-led detectors (VELO, RICH), the novel scintillating fibre technology, and the DAQ and computing farm. External benefits include the development of novel pixel and cooling technology applicable to cancer treatment, molecular microscopy, light sources and fusion centres, and photon detectors applicable to medical imaging and positron emission tomography. The construction project has strong training opportunities for PhD students. LHCb-UK also has an enviable track record in public outreach through media, talks, exhibits and science festivals. A major exhibition on the theme of anti-matter will be sought for use at the Royal Society Summer Exhibition, and use at regional science museums.
Organisations
Publications
Akiba K
(2015)
Probing active-edge silicon sensors using a high precision telescope
in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
Francisco O
(2015)
Evaporative CO 2 microchannel cooling for the LHCb VELO pixel upgrade
in Journal of Instrumentation
Harnew N
(2016)
Future flavour physics experiments.
in Annalen der Physik
Akiba K
(2016)
Characterisation of Medipix3 silicon detectors in a charged-particle beam
in Journal of Instrumentation
Baszczyk M
(2017)
Test of the photon detection system for the LHCb RICH Upgrade in a charged particle beam
in Journal of Instrumentation
Akiba K
(2019)
LHCb VELO Timepix3 telescope
in Journal of Instrumentation
Konoplev IV
(2020)
Design and characterisation of frequency selective conductive materials for electromagnetic fields control.
in Scientific reports
Kopciewicz P
(2020)
The upgrade I of LHCb VELO-towards an intelligent monitoring platform
in Journal of Instrumentation
Fernandez Prieto A
(2020)
Phase I Upgrade of the Readout System of the Vertex Detector at the LHCb Experiment
in IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science
Konoplev IV
(2020)
Beam impedance minimization for accelerator beamline insertion devices.
in The Review of scientific instruments
Heijhoff K
(2020)
Timing performance of the LHCb VELO Timepix3 Telescope
in Journal of Instrumentation
Hennessy K
(2021)
Readout Firmware of the Vertex Locator for LHCb Run 3 and Beyond
in IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science
Description | The grant is to design and construct and preparing for the LHCb upgrade. The experiment will measure CP violation and rare heavy flavour decays. The grant is for the construction of the Ring Imaging Cherenkov detectors (RICH) and associated electronics, responsible for particle identification of the experiment. It is also for construction of the silicon microvertex detector (VELO). The design of the RICH and VELO are underway and proceeding to Engineering Design Reviews. Work is in progress. |
Exploitation Route | Development of multianode photomultiplier tubes in collaboration with Hamamatsu. |
Sectors | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software) Education Electronics Other |
Description | The grant is to design and construct and preparing for the LHCb upgrade. The experiment will measure CP violation and rare heavy flavour decays. The grant is for the construction of the Ring Imaging Cherenkov detectors (RICH) and associated electronics, responsible for particle identification of the experiment. The design of the RICH is underway and proceeding to Engineering Design Reviews. Work is in progress. |
First Year Of Impact | 2014 |
Sector | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Education,Electronics,Other |
Impact Types | Cultural Societal |
Description | LHCb upgrade additional funding |
Amount | £199,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | ST/P003419/1 |
Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2016 |
End | 03/2020 |