Objective
The objective of this proposed project is to produce silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) with improved photon detection efficiency (PDE) at vacuum-ultraviolet (VUV) wavelengths. Detectors incorporating liquid Argon (LAr) and Xenon (LXe) are a key part of the global strategy for dark matter and neutrino physics, and high-efficiency detection of VUV scintillation light from these media is a major driver of detector sensitivity. Recent R&D work has produced SiPMs which can detect these wavelengths directly, but PDE is insufficient for deployment in an LAr detector and remains a limiting factor for physics reach in LXe experiments.
Working closely with the CERN DRD2 (Liquid detectors) and DRD4 (Photon detectors) collaborations, the fellow will research two avenues for improved VUV PDE:
I) Graphene anti-reflection coatings (ARCs): Graphene has up to 96% transmission for VUV light, and preliminary measurements indicate that a graphene/silicon interface may offer up to a 400% decrease in VUV reflectivity compared to bare silicon. The fellow will deposit graphene films on photodiodes and SiPMs and test the efficacy of graphene as an ARC at optical, UV, and VUV wavelengths.
II) A backside-illuminated (BSI) structure: BSI design can improve PDE by increasing the device fill factor to close to 100%, as well as improving compatibility with 3D-integrated digital readout architecture. Production of BSI SiPMs is ongoing as part of the CERN DRD2 and DRD4 collaborations - the fellow will contribute to the design and characterisation effort, develop simulation software to optimise VUV PDE, and incorporate graphene coatings on a BSI device. Devices will be tested in liquid Argon to test their response to LAr scintillation light.
This project will contribute significant technological developments to an area which has been identified as critical for next-generation particle physics detectors, and will operate fully embedded in the existing community for particle detector R&D.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology nanotechnology nano-materials two-dimensional nanostructures graphene
- engineering and technology materials engineering coating and films
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry metalloids
- natural sciences physical sciences theoretical physics particle physics photons
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
OX1 2JD Oxford
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.