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Revolutionizing Antimatter Detection at CERN

At CERN, researchers from the AEgIS collaboration, led by a team from the Technical University of Munich (TUM), have ingeniously adapted smartphone camera sensors to develop a detector that monitors antiproton annihilations in real-time with unmatched precision. This innovative technology, detailed in a recent publication in Science Advances, can accurately identify antiproton annihilations with a spatial resolution of approximately 0.6 micrometers—an impressive advancement that improves upon previous real-time techniques by a factor of 35.

The research teams engaged in the “Antihydrogen Experiment: Gravity, Interferometry, Spectroscopy” (AEgIS), along with other projects at CERN’s Antimatter Factory, such as ALPHA and GBAR, are focused on precisely measuring the free-fall of antihydrogen in Earth’s gravitational field. Each experiment employs unique methodologies. AEgIS specifically aims to produce a horizontal stream of antihydrogen and assess its vertical shift with the help of a device known as a moiré deflectometer. This device reveals minute variations in motion, while a sophisticated detector captures the points where antihydrogen annihilation occurs.

Francesco Guatieri, Principal Investigator from the research neutron source FRM II at TUM, explains, “For AEgIS to be effective, it is essential to use a detector with exceptional spatial accuracy. The mobile camera sensors we utilized feature pixels smaller than 1 micrometer.” The team successfully integrated 60 such sensors into a single imaging device called the Optical Photon and Antimatter Imager (OPHANIM), resulting in the highest operational pixel count to date: 3840 MPixels. In the past, photographic plates were the standard for such imaging, but they were unable to provide real-time information. The new solution merges the high-resolution capabilities of photographic plates with features like real-time diagnostics, self-calibration, and a substantial particle collection area—all within a single system.

Repurposed Image Sensors

The researchers specifically designed their system around optical image sensors, which had previously shown the capability to image low-energy positrons with remarkable resolution. Guatieri notes, “We needed to remove the initial layers of these sensors, which are typically optimized for the complex electronics found in mobile phones.” This intricate process demanded high-level electronic design alongside advanced micro-engineering. Key contributions came from TUM master’s students Michael Berghold and Markus Münster, who played essential roles in realizing this ambitious project.

Transformative Resolution

Dr. Ruggero Caravita, the AEgIS spokesperson, emphasizes the significance of this breakthrough, stating, “This technology is revolutionary for observing the minute gravitational shifts in a horizontally traveling antihydrogen beam. Its potential extends to various experiments requiring high positional accuracy, and it can facilitate the creation of advanced high-resolution tracking systems.” Caravita concludes that this extraordinary resolution not only enhances the differentiation of various annihilation fragments but also opens avenues for exploration in low-energy antiparticle interactions with materials.

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