What Are We Doing Here?
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- Figure 1: A schematic layout of the International Linear Collider (click on picture to see larger version).
The next big project in particle physics after the LHC is supposed to be the International Linear Collider (ILC) (see Figure 1). This machine is a linear electron positron collider which will reach energies up to 1 TeV and will run a scientific programme which is complementary to the one of the LHC. Currently, this project is in its planning phase and much development work is being done all over the world.
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- Figure 2: Artist impression of the ILD detector concept (click on picture to see larger version).
Besides the development of the accelerator, this work includes research and development for two different detector concepts, which are in their planning status. The ILD concept (see Figure 2), one of the two proposed detector concepts for the ILC, includes a Time Projection Chamber (TPC) as the main particle tracker. The TPC allows a three-dimensional reconstruction of trajectories of charged particles in a high track density environment.
Our subgroup (FLC-TPC) is involved in various topics of the R&D being done for the ILD TPC. This includes testing and studies of gas amplification structures with Gas Electron Multipliers (GEM), the construction of prototypes for the TPC field cage, the development of reconstruction and analysis software as well as the construction and testing of the read-out electronics.
A general introduction in the principles of a TPC and GEM amplification can be found on the basics page. The various fields of our work are presented in detail on the projects page. Offers for students interested to work with us are listed on the theses page.
