The new JINR invention will simplify the assembly process of scintillation detectors of a complex profile. A single detector module can consist of an array of single scintillation cells of any geometric shape. The new method will maintain the accuracy of cell positioning and ensure the repeatability of sizes and mutual positioning of the detector elements.

“This invention belongs to a class of technologies that make the assembly of detectors easier for experimental facilities,” a co-author of the invention, Head of the VBLHEP Sector of Endcap Detectors at CMS, Candidate of Technical Sciences Nikolay Gorbunov said. “It significantly reduces labour costs and increases the assembly accuracy.” It is possible that the invention will be used in the modernisation of the detectors of the hadron calorimeter of the CMS facility at CERN. In addition, it is planned to use it in the creation of detectors of the SPD facility of the NICA accelerator complex. Detectors for NICA are currently being designed and created, so we have a wide field of activity for the introduction of this technology.”

The new method for positioning scintillation cells in segmented detectors uses a specially developed precision template for a set of scintillation cells in the module. The precision template is a lattice structure with windows and a frame. The shape, size, and location of each of the windows correspond to the shape, size, and location of the corresponding scintillation cell in the detector module set. The frame of the template ensures the maintenance of its sizes and ease of operation.

The template is produced with high precision by laser cutting on a CNC machine from a 2 – 4 mm thick stainless steel sheet, which does not entail huge financial and labour costs. The technology allows you to assemble detectors with almost any standard sizes with a sufficiently high performance. Due to the guaranteed assembly accuracy, the use of the invention increases the accuracy of spatial measurements of large-area detectors.

Precision templates for array of scintillation cells of detector module made of 2 mm thick stainless steel sheet using laser cutting

The positioning method itself is as follows. Paired basic installation holes are premade on the detector printed circuit board for precise positioning of the template. Then, using a template, single scintillation cells of the detector module are adhered to the printed circuit board. The template is removed after adhering cells.

The positioning technology developed at JINR makes it possible to create detectors of any shape. “We have made several samples of lattice to demonstrate the capabilities of this technology. The size of lattices themselves can be different as well,” Nikolay Gorbunov said.

The invention can be applied in various fields of science and technology. It continues the idea of the construction of a scintillation detector proposed in the previous invention by a group of authors..

The patent for the invention “Method for positioning scintillation cells in segmented detectors and apparatus for implementation thereof” by Sergey Afanasiev, Aleksandr Golunov, Nikolay Gorbunov, and Yuri Ershov was obtained by the Joint Institute on 13 July 2022.