Slow control of the Belle II Aerogel Ring Imaging detector

Abstract

Since 2018, an Proximity Focusing Aerogel Ring Imaging Detector (ARICH) efficiently separates hadrons in the forward end-cap of the Belle II spectrometer. Cherenkov photons emitted in the double-layer aerogel radiator are expanded in 16-cm space and detected on the photon detector, which consists of 420 hybrid avalanche photodiodes and rear readout electronics operating in threshold mode. Each of the sensors requires six different high voltages and a supply of four low voltages for the electronics. Because of the power dissipation, the system also includes a cooling system in which cold water circulates through the Al tubes thermally connected to the readout electronics. Reliable control of supply voltages and monitoring of environmental data and sensor status ensure stable operation of the ARICH detector and early response to sudden changes in current, single event disturbances, overheating, and other faults. In this paper, we introduce the ARICH’s slow control system and the data quality monitor used to track performance.