The Birmingham Instrumentation Laboratory for Particle physics and Applications (BILPA) sustains a large R&D programme on novel silicon sensor technologies for future particle and nuclear physics experiments as well as medical applications.
Generic R&D towards finely segmented, radiation-hard Monolithic Active Pixel Sensors (MAPS) builds on work with colleagues at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) CMOS Sensor Design Group, RAL Particle Physics Department, CERN EP Department and industrial partners. MAPS in 65 and 180 nm CMOS imaging technology are explored for vertexing and tracking at the Electron-Ion Collider and for digital electromagnetic calorimetry at future colliders. We work within the CERN RD50 collaboration on radiation hardness studies and development of fast timing detectors using LGAD technologies together with UK academic and industrial partners. The BILPA facility supports also a considerable parallel activity on silicon sensor technology applications beyond high energy physics. We work with University Hospitals Birmingham, the National Physical Laboratory and STFC Detectors and Electronics Division on dosimetry applications of pixel detectors and their use for monitoring beams in the new modalities of FLASH and mini/micro-beam delivery and for hadron radiotherapy using advanced accelerator concepts.
In addition to R&D, the BILPA laboratory is equipped for construction of large semiconductor trackers and we are currently working on assembly, testing, quality control and quality assurance for the micro-strip modules of the ATLAS inner tracker upgrade at the HL-LHC. In parallel our irradiation facility at the Birmingham MC40 cyclotron provides testing for proton radiation hardness for a wide range of components relevant to the entire tracker upgrade programme.
As a PhD student within the BILPA group you will have access to modern clean room facilities fully equipped for R&D and construction of silicon detectors, complemented by the MC40 irradiation facility, and you will work within large international collaborations with scientific and industrial partners. PhD projects are available to work on the development of MAPS and LGAD sensors, as well as to participate in the construction of the ATLAS ITk.
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