Speaker
Description
High-resolution scintillator detectors achieve precise particle tracking through fine segmentation down to a few hundred micrometres. However, this granularity adds detector complexity that can make scaling to large volumes problematic. Moreover, traditional photosensor systems would lead to prohibitively many readout channels, further increasing complexity and cost.
As a solution, we propose a paradigm shift: applying 3D imaging techniques to particle interactions in an unsegmented monolithic volume of organic scintillator, enabling high-resolution tracking. This is achieved by combining plenoptic imaging with a Single-Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) array imaging sensor.
We report the operation and performance of the first SPAD-based plenoptic camera for particle tracking, built around the SwissSPAD2 sensor [Dieminger et al., Nat. Commun. 2026, doi:10.1038/s41467-026-70918-x]. We discuss both analytical and artificial-intelligence-driven reconstruction algorithms for event imaging. Results are presented from a controlled two-photon-absorption setup, which produces localised, point-like light emission within the scintillator, simulating particle energy depositions. Sub-mm lateral and sub-cm depth resolutions were achieved.
A simulation case study on accelerator neutrino detection demonstrates the unique potential of this approach, achieving full event reconstruction with $\sim$250~$\mu$m spatial resolution in tonne-scale detectors. The custom SPAD array required to realise this is currently under development [Kaneyasu et al., arXiv:2511.16684] and we present its design and initial test results.
This work sets the path forward for new detection systems for high-precision particle tracking in dense active volumes, with applications ranging from neutrino detection to calorimetry.