Detectors for Relativistic Nuclear Collisions

Abstract

Detectors for relativistic nuclear interactions have significantly increased in size and sophistication over the last few decades, primarily owing to rising collision energies and rates. Common across most particle physics experiments is the need to measure collision vertex, particle momentum, and particle energy. To accurately measure momenta at the very low level of 100 MeV/c, tracking detectors with a very low material budget are required. Additionally, particle identification requires detector systems that use time-of-flight, energy loss, and Cherenkov radiation measurements. Compared to high-luminosity proton–proton experiments, these detectors face considerably lower radiation levels, enabling the use of a wider range of sensor technologies and leading to innovative developments in this area. Technological advancements in data transport and processing over recent decades now enable continuous data readout and online processing, eliminating the need for selective triggering, which has significantly enhanced detector performance. This article provides an overview of current and future detectors for relativistic nuclear collisions along with a discussion of key technological advancements in this context. Given the similarity in detector requirements for future e + e − Higgs factories, the conclusions drawn here are also relevant to developments in that domain.