Speaker
Description
Noble-element detectors are a cornerstone technology in particle and nuclear physics, and increasingly in applied fields such as medical imaging. While noble elements provide strong scintillation and ionization signals, efficient detection of scintillation light remains a key limitation: emission occurs in the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV), where most large-area photosensors are blind and VUV-sensitive alternatives remain costly for next-generation detector scales. Current solutions therefore rely on wavelength shifting, often at the expense of light-collection efficiency and uniformity.
At IFIC we are developing scalable photon detection concepts aimed at maximizing VUV light collection in large detectors. We will report on our latest R&D on VUV photon collectors designed to trap and guide wavelength-shifted light toward photosensors, enhancing collection efficiency without increasing sensor coverage. In parallel, we explore new concepts such as optical metasurfaces (ultra-thin nanostructured devices that enable precise control of reflection, transmission, and spectral conversion) opening new routes to engineer photon transport with minimal material budget. We are also performing a detailed characterization of the VUV optical properties (reflectance and transmission) of materials commonly used in particle detectors. We will present recent measurements and discuss prospects for integration in large noble-element experiments.