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

Journal article

Abstract The DarkSide-20k dark matter direct detection experiment will employ a $${21}\,\hbox {m}^{2}$$ 21 m 2 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. $$16$$ 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.

Authors: Acerbi, F; Adhikari, P; Agnes, P; Ahmad, I; Albergo, S

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: SpringerOpen
• Journal: The European Physical Journal C
• Volume: 85
• Issue: 11
• Article number: 1334
• Publication date: 2025-11-20
• DOI: 10.1140/epjc/s10052-025-14940-1
• EISSN: 1434-6052
• ISSN: 1434-6044
• Language: English
• Keywords: Modular design; Quality control; Quality assurance; Robustness (evolution); Control room; Silicon photomultiplier; Detector; Photodetector