The DarkSide-20k dark matter direct detection experiment will employ a 21m2 silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) array, instrumenting a dual-phase 50 tonnes liquid argon Time Projection Chamber (TPC). SiPMs are arranged into modular photosensors called Tiles, each integrating 24 SiPMs onto a printed circuit board (PCB) that provides signal amplification, power distribution, and a single-ended output for simplified readout. 16 Tiles are further grouped into Photo-Detector Units (PDUs). This paper details the production of the Tiles and the Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA-QC) protocol established to ensure their performance and uniformity. The production and QA-QC of the Tiles are carried out at Nuova Officina Assergi (NOA), an ISO-6 clean room facility at LNGS. This process includes wafer-level cryogenic characterisation, precision die attaching, wire bonding, and extensive electrical and optical validation of each Tile. The overall production yield exceeds 83.5%, matching the requirements of the DarkSide-20k production plan. These results validate the robustness of the Tile design and its suitability for operation in a cryogenic environment.

Production, quality assurance and quality control of the SiPM Tiles for the DarkSide-20k Time Projection Chamber / M.P. Zykova, G.Z.. - In: THE EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL. C, PARTICLES AND FIELDS. - ISSN 1434-6044. - 85:11(2025 Nov 20), pp. 1334.1-1334.27. [10.1140/epjc/s10052-025-14940-1]

Production, quality assurance and quality control of the SiPM Tiles for the DarkSide-20k Time Projection Chamber

A. Zani;F. Ragusa;S. D'Auria;
2025

Abstract

The DarkSide-20k dark matter direct detection experiment will employ a 21m2 silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) array, instrumenting a dual-phase 50 tonnes liquid argon Time Projection Chamber (TPC). SiPMs are arranged into modular photosensors called Tiles, each integrating 24 SiPMs onto a printed circuit board (PCB) that provides signal amplification, power distribution, and a single-ended output for simplified readout. 16 Tiles are further grouped into Photo-Detector Units (PDUs). This paper details the production of the Tiles and the Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA-QC) protocol established to ensure their performance and uniformity. The production and QA-QC of the Tiles are carried out at Nuova Officina Assergi (NOA), an ISO-6 clean room facility at LNGS. This process includes wafer-level cryogenic characterisation, precision die attaching, wire bonding, and extensive electrical and optical validation of each Tile. The overall production yield exceeds 83.5%, matching the requirements of the DarkSide-20k production plan. These results validate the robustness of the Tile design and its suitability for operation in a cryogenic environment.
Dark Matter; time projection chamber; liquid argon; silicon photomultipliers; weakly interacting massive particles; WIMPs; LNGS; SiPM
Settore PHYS-01/A - Fisica sperimentale delle interazioni fondamentali e applicazioni
   UnivEarthS
   French National Research Agency (ANR)
   null
   ANR-10-LABX-0023

   Quantum Universe
   Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
   Exzellenzcluster (ExStra)
   390833306

   Novel technologies for dark matter search and frontier astroparticle physics experiments
   DarkWave
   European Commission
   Horizon 2020 Framework Programme - Coordination and support action
   952480

   Photon detection in Extreme Environments for Fundamental and Applied Physics
   MINISTERO DELL'ISTRUZIONE E DEL MERITO
   20208XN9TZ_004
20-nov-2025
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/1273638
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