New concepts for scintillator-based particle tracking detectors

Davide Sgalaberna surveys scintillator detectors in current particle-physics experiments and research toward improved tracking and calorimetry. Achieving fine spatial resolution in a large active target traditionally requires segmentation and optical isolation, increasing fabrication complexity and readout-channel counts. The talk examines approaches that retain target mass while improving three-dimensional tracking: precision assemblies of small plastic scintillator cubes or fibres, additive manufacturing of optically isolated voxels inside monolithic blocks, optical separation in three dimensions, and tracking in opaque liquid scintillators. Developments in photosensors also make arrays of plenoptic cameras a prospect for imaging scintillator volumes with submillimetre tracking resolution, without segmentation or optical fibres. The discussion connects these concepts to the requirements of future detectors and experiments.