A pixel based tracker for the HEPD-02 detector

Abstract

Tracking detectors serve as the foundational technology for a diverse array of instruments designed to measure particles in space, significantly enhancing our understanding of the Universe, as seen through projects like PAMELA, AMS-02, and Fermi. These experiments have relied on silicon microstrips as tracking detectors due to their established reliability, stability, and exceptional performance. Looking ahead to the design of upcoming missions such as AMS-100 or ALADINO, which involve detectors spanning tens of square meters and requiring sub-micrometer spatial resolution, the scientific community seeks solutions to mitigate noise, streamline readout systems, and bolster track reconstruction capabilities. A near-optimal solution emerging as a standard in particle physics experiments at accelerators and adaptable for space applications is pixel detectors. The HEPD-02 detector has proven to be an ideal benchmark for a novel approach based on Monolithic Active Pixel Sensors. While sharing the same scientific and technical requirements as previous experiments, HEPD-02 covers a smaller surface area. This contribution outlines the technical challenges tackled by the team that constructed the HEPD-02 tracker, along with the solutions implemented. Additionally, the detector’s characterization with electrons and hadrons demonstrates the excellent performance of this new design.