Particle physics experiments are a highly challenging environment for instrumentation: fine segmentation and precise timing resolution are required simultaneously with low power consumption, low mass and high radiation tolerance.

In this seminar, I will give an introduction to the state-of-the art detector technology in silicon tracking and timing detectors: starting from developments oriented towards the High-Luminosity Large Hadron Collider, I will expand towards proposed colliders beyond the HL-LHC, which impose yet different requirements on detector design and signal processing from sensor volume to data analysis. I will also discuss the already ongoing developments towards so-called 4D Tracking in the more near-term Electron-Ion Collider detector ePIC and the PIONEER experiment.

Specifically, I will focus on silicon low-gain avalanche diode technology for picosecond timing, the use of thin films as active sensor material across particle physics and medical imaging, and recent fast readout chip prototypes developed by UCSC in collaboration with small companies. In connection to this, I will explore various points along the signal detection chain at which Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence can be implemented to exploit the full potential of novel detector technology and enable future physics research.

During Jennifer's undergraduate studies of radiochemistry and inorganic chemistry at the University of Helsinki, she had already been introduced to the application of radioactive tracers and radiation detection technology for medical imaging. In search for a master’s thesis topic, she got in touch with the experimental particle physics world, and spent a summer internship at CERN in Geneva. This experience strongly reinforced her scientific interest in semiconductor detectors.

Jennifer continued to pursue a doctoral degree in Advanced Materials and Photonics under joint supervision by Helsinki Institute of Physics and Aalto University School of Electrical Engineering, focusing on the fabrication of silicon pixel sensors that utilize thin films grown by atomic layer deposition as resistive and dielectric layers.

Following her thesis defense in spring 2021, Jennifer was awarded a 2-year postdoctoral scholarship by the Finnish Cultural Foundation for conducting research abroad. She moved to Santa Cruz Institute for Particle Physics at the US West coast to deepen her knowledge in precision timing sensors, as well as characterization of readout electronics. Continuing as a postdoctoral researcher after the scholarship term, she also contributes to the electrical QC of pixel modules for the upgrade of the ATLAS experiment and is active in the future ePIC and PIONEER experiments. She always enjoys interdisciplinary work, bringing together technologies and skills from different fields of STEM.