Development and performance of the dRICH SiPM-based photodetector for the ePIC experiment at the EIC

R. Preghenella; B. R. Achari; N. Agrawal; M. Alexeev; C. Alice; R. Ammendola; P. Antonioli; C. Baldanza; L. Barion; A. Biagioni; A. Calivà; M. Capua; F. Capuani; A. Ciardiello; E. Cisbani; M. Chiosso; M. Contalbrigo; F. Cossio; M. Da Rocha Rolo; A. De Caro; D. De Gruttola; G. Dellacasa; D. Falchieri; S. Fazio; C. Ferrero; O. Frezza; N. Funicello; M. Garbini; S. Geminiani; N. Jacazio; F. Lo Cicero; A. Lonardo; R. Malaguti; F. Mammoliti; M. Martinelli; M. Mignone; C. Mingioni; M. Nenni; F. Noto; L. Occhiuto; A. Paladino; D. Panzieri; P. Perticaroli; S. Plavully; L. Polizzi; L. Pontisso; R. Ricci; L. Rignanese; C. Ripoli; C. Rossi; E. Rovati; N. Rubini; M. Ruspa; A. Saputi; F. Simula; F. Spizzo; U. Tamponi; E. Tassi; G. Torromeo; C. Tuvè; G. M. Urciuoli; S. Vallarino; P. Vicini; R. Wheadon

doi:10.1016/j.nima.2026.171850

Development and performance of the dRICH SiPM-based photodetector for the ePIC experiment at the EIC

R. Preghenella^*
, B. R. Achari
, N. Agrawal
, M. Alexeev
, C. Alice
, R. Ammendola
, P. Antonioli
, C. Baldanza
, L. Barion
, A. Biagioni
, A. Calivà
, M. Capua
, F. Capuani
, A. Ciardiello
, E. Cisbani
, M. Chiosso
, M. Contalbrigo
, F. Cossio
, M. Da Rocha Rolo
, A. De Caro

D. De Gruttola, G. Dellacasa, D. Falchieri, S. Fazio, C. Ferrero, O. Frezza, N. Funicello, M. Garbini, S. Geminiani, N. Jacazio, F. Lo Cicero, A. Lonardo, R. Malaguti, F. Mammoliti, M. Martinelli, M. Mignone, C. Mingioni, M. Nenni, F. Noto, L. Occhiuto, A. Paladino, D. Panzieri, P. Perticaroli, S. Plavully, L. Polizzi, L. Pontisso, R. Ricci, L. Rignanese, C. Ripoli, C. Rossi, E. Rovati, N. Rubini, M. Ruspa, A. Saputi, F. Simula, F. Spizzo, U. Tamponi, E. Tassi, G. Torromeo, C. Tuvè, G. M. Urciuoli, S. Vallarino, P. Vicini, R. Wheadon

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

The dual-radiator RICH (dRICH) detector of the ePIC experiment at the Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) will employ Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs) for single-photon Cherenkov light detection. Covering an area of ∼ 3 m² with a pixel size of 3×3mm² and more than 300,000 readout channels, this will be the first collider experiment to utilise SiPMs at such a scale for single-photon applications in high-energy physics. SiPMs are chosen for their cost-effectiveness, high photon detection efficiency, and robust performance in magnetic fields (∼ 1 T at the detector location). The dRICH will provide crucial particle identification over a broad momentum range (3–50 GeV/c) in the hadronic endcap region. Despite their advantages, SiPMs are not radiation-hard, requiring comprehensive R&D efforts to ensure the preservation of their single-photon counting capabilities and control of dark count rates (DCR) during the lifetime of the experiment. Strategies to mitigate performance degradation include operating the sensors at low temperatures, exploiting precise timing with fast time-to-digital conversion (TDC) electronics, and recovering radiation damage through high-temperature annealing cycles. In this talk, we present an overview of the ePIC-dRICH photodetector system, highlighting the R&D performed for the operation of the SiPM optical readout in the ePIC experiment. A large number of SiPMs were tested for usability in single-photon applications in a moderate radiation environment. Irradiated SiPMs underwent various annealing procedures to test their recovery capability from radiation damage. Particular attention was given to an annealing procedure exploiting the Joule effect, where high temperatures were achieved via self-heating of the sensor. We also present recent beam test results of a large-area, 2048-channel detector prototype that was successfully tested with particle beams at CERN-PS in October 2023 and May 2024 and will be tested again at CERN-SPS in November 2025. The photodetector surface is modular and consists of new photodetection units (PDUs) developed by INFN, each comprising 256 SiPM sensors, cooling infrastructure, and TDC electronics within a compact volume. The results demonstrate promising performance for the first SiPM-based Cherenkov detector in a frontier QCD experiment, paving the way for its operation at the EIC.

Original language	English
Article number	171850
Journal	Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
Volume	1092
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2026.171850
State	Published - Dec 2026
Externally published	Yes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2026

Keywords

Cherenkov detectors
Electron-ion collider
Particle identification
RICH detector
Radiation damage
Silicon photomultipliers

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Nuclear and High Energy Physics
Instrumentation

Access to Document

10.1016/j.nima.2026.171850

Cite this

Preghenella, R., Achari, B. R., Agrawal, N., Alexeev, M., Alice, C., Ammendola, R., Antonioli, P., Baldanza, C., Barion, L., Biagioni, A., Calivà, A., Capua, M., Capuani, F., Ciardiello, A., Cisbani, E., Chiosso, M., Contalbrigo, M., Cossio, F., Da Rocha Rolo, M., ... Wheadon, R. (2026). Development and performance of the dRICH SiPM-based photodetector for the ePIC experiment at the EIC. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, 1092, Article 171850. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2026.171850

@article{c352cefba9bd4a81beca1ec060a511b5,

title = "Development and performance of the dRICH SiPM-based photodetector for the ePIC experiment at the EIC",

abstract = "The dual-radiator RICH (dRICH) detector of the ePIC experiment at the Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) will employ Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs) for single-photon Cherenkov light detection. Covering an area of ∼ 3 m2 with a pixel size of 3×3mm2 and more than 300,000 readout channels, this will be the first collider experiment to utilise SiPMs at such a scale for single-photon applications in high-energy physics. SiPMs are chosen for their cost-effectiveness, high photon detection efficiency, and robust performance in magnetic fields (∼ 1 T at the detector location). The dRICH will provide crucial particle identification over a broad momentum range (3–50 GeV/c) in the hadronic endcap region. Despite their advantages, SiPMs are not radiation-hard, requiring comprehensive R\&D efforts to ensure the preservation of their single-photon counting capabilities and control of dark count rates (DCR) during the lifetime of the experiment. Strategies to mitigate performance degradation include operating the sensors at low temperatures, exploiting precise timing with fast time-to-digital conversion (TDC) electronics, and recovering radiation damage through high-temperature annealing cycles. In this talk, we present an overview of the ePIC-dRICH photodetector system, highlighting the R\&D performed for the operation of the SiPM optical readout in the ePIC experiment. A large number of SiPMs were tested for usability in single-photon applications in a moderate radiation environment. Irradiated SiPMs underwent various annealing procedures to test their recovery capability from radiation damage. Particular attention was given to an annealing procedure exploiting the Joule effect, where high temperatures were achieved via self-heating of the sensor. We also present recent beam test results of a large-area, 2048-channel detector prototype that was successfully tested with particle beams at CERN-PS in October 2023 and May 2024 and will be tested again at CERN-SPS in November 2025. The photodetector surface is modular and consists of new photodetection units (PDUs) developed by INFN, each comprising 256 SiPM sensors, cooling infrastructure, and TDC electronics within a compact volume. The results demonstrate promising performance for the first SiPM-based Cherenkov detector in a frontier QCD experiment, paving the way for its operation at the EIC.",

keywords = "Cherenkov detectors, Electron-ion collider, Particle identification, RICH detector, Radiation damage, Silicon photomultipliers",

author = "R. Preghenella and Achari, \{B. R.\} and N. Agrawal and M. Alexeev and C. Alice and R. Ammendola and P. Antonioli and C. Baldanza and L. Barion and A. Biagioni and A. Caliv{\`a} and M. Capua and F. Capuani and A. Ciardiello and E. Cisbani and M. Chiosso and M. Contalbrigo and F. Cossio and \{Da Rocha Rolo\}, M. and \{De Caro\}, A. and \{De Gruttola\}, D. and G. Dellacasa and D. Falchieri and S. Fazio and C. Ferrero and O. Frezza and N. Funicello and M. Garbini and S. Geminiani and N. Jacazio and Cicero, \{F. Lo\} and A. Lonardo and R. Malaguti and F. Mammoliti and M. Martinelli and M. Mignone and C. Mingioni and M. Nenni and F. Noto and L. Occhiuto and A. Paladino and D. Panzieri and P. Perticaroli and S. Plavully and L. Polizzi and L. Pontisso and R. Ricci and L. Rignanese and C. Ripoli and C. Rossi and E. Rovati and N. Rubini and M. Ruspa and A. Saputi and F. Simula and F. Spizzo and U. Tamponi and E. Tassi and G. Torromeo and C. Tuv{\`e} and Urciuoli, \{G. M.\} and S. Vallarino and P. Vicini and R. Wheadon",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2026",

year = "2026",

month = dec,

doi = "10.1016/j.nima.2026.171850",

language = "English",

volume = "1092",

journal = "Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment",

issn = "0168-9002",

publisher = "Elsevier BV",

}

Preghenella, R, Achari, BR, Agrawal, N, Alexeev, M, Alice, C, Ammendola, R, Antonioli, P, Baldanza, C, Barion, L, Biagioni, A, Calivà, A, Capua, M, Capuani, F, Ciardiello, A, Cisbani, E, Chiosso, M, Contalbrigo, M, Cossio, F, Da Rocha Rolo, M, De Caro, A, De Gruttola, D, Dellacasa, G, Falchieri, D, Fazio, S, Ferrero, C, Frezza, O, Funicello, N, Garbini, M, Geminiani, S, Jacazio, N, Cicero, FL, Lonardo, A, Malaguti, R, Mammoliti, F, Martinelli, M, Mignone, M, Mingioni, C, Nenni, M, Noto, F, Occhiuto, L, Paladino, A, Panzieri, D, Perticaroli, P, Plavully, S, Polizzi, L, Pontisso, L, Ricci, R, Rignanese, L, Ripoli, C, Rossi, C, Rovati, E, Rubini, N, Ruspa, M, Saputi, A, Simula, F, Spizzo, F, Tamponi, U, Tassi, E, Torromeo, G, Tuvè, C, Urciuoli, GM, Vallarino, S, Vicini, P & Wheadon, R 2026, 'Development and performance of the dRICH SiPM-based photodetector for the ePIC experiment at the EIC', Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, vol. 1092, 171850. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2026.171850

Development and performance of the dRICH SiPM-based photodetector for the ePIC experiment at the EIC. / Preghenella, R.; Achari, B. R.; Agrawal, N. et al.
In: Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, Vol. 1092, 171850, 12.2026.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

TY - JOUR

T1 - Development and performance of the dRICH SiPM-based photodetector for the ePIC experiment at the EIC

AU - Preghenella, R.

AU - Achari, B. R.

AU - Agrawal, N.

AU - Alexeev, M.

AU - Alice, C.

AU - Ammendola, R.

AU - Antonioli, P.

AU - Baldanza, C.

AU - Barion, L.

AU - Biagioni, A.

AU - Calivà, A.

AU - Capua, M.

AU - Capuani, F.

AU - Ciardiello, A.

AU - Cisbani, E.

AU - Chiosso, M.

AU - Contalbrigo, M.

AU - Cossio, F.

AU - Da Rocha Rolo, M.

AU - De Caro, A.

AU - De Gruttola, D.

AU - Dellacasa, G.

AU - Falchieri, D.

AU - Fazio, S.

AU - Ferrero, C.

AU - Frezza, O.

AU - Funicello, N.

AU - Garbini, M.

AU - Geminiani, S.

AU - Jacazio, N.

AU - Cicero, F. Lo

AU - Lonardo, A.

AU - Malaguti, R.

AU - Mammoliti, F.

AU - Martinelli, M.

AU - Mignone, M.

AU - Mingioni, C.

AU - Nenni, M.

AU - Noto, F.

AU - Occhiuto, L.

AU - Paladino, A.

AU - Panzieri, D.

AU - Perticaroli, P.

AU - Plavully, S.

AU - Polizzi, L.

AU - Pontisso, L.

AU - Ricci, R.

AU - Rignanese, L.

AU - Ripoli, C.

AU - Rossi, C.

AU - Rovati, E.

AU - Rubini, N.

AU - Ruspa, M.

AU - Saputi, A.

AU - Simula, F.

AU - Spizzo, F.

AU - Tamponi, U.

AU - Tassi, E.

AU - Torromeo, G.

AU - Tuvè, C.

AU - Urciuoli, G. M.

AU - Vallarino, S.

AU - Vicini, P.

AU - Wheadon, R.

PY - 2026/12

Y1 - 2026/12

N2 - The dual-radiator RICH (dRICH) detector of the ePIC experiment at the Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) will employ Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs) for single-photon Cherenkov light detection. Covering an area of ∼ 3 m2 with a pixel size of 3×3mm2 and more than 300,000 readout channels, this will be the first collider experiment to utilise SiPMs at such a scale for single-photon applications in high-energy physics. SiPMs are chosen for their cost-effectiveness, high photon detection efficiency, and robust performance in magnetic fields (∼ 1 T at the detector location). The dRICH will provide crucial particle identification over a broad momentum range (3–50 GeV/c) in the hadronic endcap region. Despite their advantages, SiPMs are not radiation-hard, requiring comprehensive R&D efforts to ensure the preservation of their single-photon counting capabilities and control of dark count rates (DCR) during the lifetime of the experiment. Strategies to mitigate performance degradation include operating the sensors at low temperatures, exploiting precise timing with fast time-to-digital conversion (TDC) electronics, and recovering radiation damage through high-temperature annealing cycles. In this talk, we present an overview of the ePIC-dRICH photodetector system, highlighting the R&D performed for the operation of the SiPM optical readout in the ePIC experiment. A large number of SiPMs were tested for usability in single-photon applications in a moderate radiation environment. Irradiated SiPMs underwent various annealing procedures to test their recovery capability from radiation damage. Particular attention was given to an annealing procedure exploiting the Joule effect, where high temperatures were achieved via self-heating of the sensor. We also present recent beam test results of a large-area, 2048-channel detector prototype that was successfully tested with particle beams at CERN-PS in October 2023 and May 2024 and will be tested again at CERN-SPS in November 2025. The photodetector surface is modular and consists of new photodetection units (PDUs) developed by INFN, each comprising 256 SiPM sensors, cooling infrastructure, and TDC electronics within a compact volume. The results demonstrate promising performance for the first SiPM-based Cherenkov detector in a frontier QCD experiment, paving the way for its operation at the EIC.

AB - The dual-radiator RICH (dRICH) detector of the ePIC experiment at the Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) will employ Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs) for single-photon Cherenkov light detection. Covering an area of ∼ 3 m2 with a pixel size of 3×3mm2 and more than 300,000 readout channels, this will be the first collider experiment to utilise SiPMs at such a scale for single-photon applications in high-energy physics. SiPMs are chosen for their cost-effectiveness, high photon detection efficiency, and robust performance in magnetic fields (∼ 1 T at the detector location). The dRICH will provide crucial particle identification over a broad momentum range (3–50 GeV/c) in the hadronic endcap region. Despite their advantages, SiPMs are not radiation-hard, requiring comprehensive R&D efforts to ensure the preservation of their single-photon counting capabilities and control of dark count rates (DCR) during the lifetime of the experiment. Strategies to mitigate performance degradation include operating the sensors at low temperatures, exploiting precise timing with fast time-to-digital conversion (TDC) electronics, and recovering radiation damage through high-temperature annealing cycles. In this talk, we present an overview of the ePIC-dRICH photodetector system, highlighting the R&D performed for the operation of the SiPM optical readout in the ePIC experiment. A large number of SiPMs were tested for usability in single-photon applications in a moderate radiation environment. Irradiated SiPMs underwent various annealing procedures to test their recovery capability from radiation damage. Particular attention was given to an annealing procedure exploiting the Joule effect, where high temperatures were achieved via self-heating of the sensor. We also present recent beam test results of a large-area, 2048-channel detector prototype that was successfully tested with particle beams at CERN-PS in October 2023 and May 2024 and will be tested again at CERN-SPS in November 2025. The photodetector surface is modular and consists of new photodetection units (PDUs) developed by INFN, each comprising 256 SiPM sensors, cooling infrastructure, and TDC electronics within a compact volume. The results demonstrate promising performance for the first SiPM-based Cherenkov detector in a frontier QCD experiment, paving the way for its operation at the EIC.

KW - Cherenkov detectors

KW - Electron-ion collider

KW - Particle identification

KW - RICH detector

KW - Radiation damage

KW - Silicon photomultipliers

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105044498120

U2 - 10.1016/j.nima.2026.171850

DO - 10.1016/j.nima.2026.171850

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:105044498120

SN - 0168-9002

VL - 1092

JO - Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

JF - Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

M1 - 171850

ER -

Development and performance of the dRICH SiPM-based photodetector for the ePIC experiment at the EIC

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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