High performance assembly facility of advanced Micro-Pattern Time Projection Chambers for Nuclear Astrophysics and Dark Matter search experiments

Project funded under the “Excellence Initiative – Research University” Programme, within the framework of  I.4.2. Action “Fund for the Renovation and Development of Research Infrastructure – purchase or production of research infrastructure”

Project leader: prof. Wojciech Dominik, the UW Faculty of Physics

The amount of funding: 436 000 zlotys

The new laboratory consists of two zones:

• An open-space assembly zone of 120 m², equipped with configurable assembly workstations, a layout table, single-phase and three-phase power supply, compressed air installations and dry nitrogen supply.
• A mobile cleanroom tent with an area of 24 m² (6 × 4 × 3 m), operating under positive pressure, generated by laminar airflow units with HEPA filters; the cleanliness level corresponds to ISO Class 8.

The cleanroom’s mobile design allows it to be moved over already assembled apparatus components up to 2 metres in width and height. This enables precise assembly stages to be carried out without the need to relocate large devices, significantly reducing the risk of damage and contamination.

An existing garage gate in the high-bay laboratory, together with a dedicated transport door in the separating wall, also allows large objects to be transported directly from street level.

Upon completion of the project, the following research and development activities will be possible:

• assembly of gas detectors for ionising radiation with micro-pattern amplification structures and active areas of approximately 1 m²;
• assembly of Time Projection Chamber (TPC) detectors with electron drift cage structures up to 1 metre in length;
• assembly of arrays of semiconductor detectors, silicon photomultipliers or CCD systems;
• assembly of low-pressure or high-pressure TPC chambers with auxiliary detectors;
• construction of advanced vacuum and gas-mixing installations for medium-scale TPC chambers.

The facility may also be used for maintenance of high-vacuum-generating equipment and vacuum monitoring systems.

Contact person: prof. Wojciech Dominik, the UW Faculty of Physics, Wojtek.Dominik@fuw.edu.pl