The Q-Pix pixelated readout concept for future Liquid Argon Time Projection Chambers: status and prospects.

Abstract

Future long baseline neutrino experiments such as the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) pose challenges for development of readout techniques for multi-kiloton LAr Time Projection Chambers (TPCs). In contrast to wire/strip anode readout, a pixelated readout eliminates disadvantages such as disambiguation in 2D track reconstruction. The Q-Pix Consortium, established in 2019, is developing a pixelated readout technique for LAr TPCs based on charge-integrate/reset (CIR) circuits. The CIR blocks generate a sequence of reset pulses with time intervals corresponding to fixed charge integrals, allowing signal reconstruction without continuous digitization. The Q-Pix ASIC, intended for reading out pixel arrays, comprises CIR blocks along with digital components responsible for communication and reconfigurable data routing. This work is devoted to give an overview of the Q-Pix project, its status, and prospects, with emphasis on the development and prototyping of the Q-Pix readout ASICs.