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@PHDTHESIS{Mehta:361551,
author = {Mehta, Shaifali},
othercontributors = {Schmidt, Hans-Rudolf},
title = {{I}nvestigation of thermal and structural integrity of
modules and ladders of {S}ilicon {T}racking {S}ystem of the
{CBM} experiment},
school = {Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen},
type = {Dissertation},
address = {Tübingen},
publisher = {Universität Tübingen},
reportid = {GSI-2025-00978},
pages = {171 p.},
year = {2025},
note = {Dissertation, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, 2024},
abstract = {The Compressed Baryonic Matter (CBM) at the Facility for
Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR) is a fixed target
experiment designed to investigate the properties of
strongly interacting matter in the region of high net-baryon
density. The Silicon Tracking System (STS) is the core
detector of the CBM experiment and aims to track and measure
the momentum of the charged particles. The STS detector
comprises of 876 double sided silicon micro-strip sensors
connected via micro cables to the Front-End Boards (FEBs)
which are kept outside the detector acceptance of 2.5° to
25°. These sensors are mounted on 106 carbon fiber ladders
which includes standard ladders and central ladders with an
opening for the beam-pipe. For good particle tracking
accuracy in the CBM, the silicon sensors must be mounted on
the ladders with extremely high precision, minimizing
misalignment and optimizing the spatial resolution of the
detector. The experimental operating conditions of STS
present challenges to the electronics due to a highly
variable thermal environment. A significant portion of the
thesis focuses on the thermal studies of the STS components.
This involves a detailed investigation of the requirements
for thermal interface materials (TIMs) between the FEBs and
the cooling shelves. The study includes optimization
techniques for adhesive application and thermal testing to
ensure the effectiveness of the TIMs. To ensure the reliable
functioning of FEBs under significant temperature
variations, thermal cycling tests were conducted, and
potential failure scenarios have been analyzed. The main
focus of the thesis is the understanding of the structural
integrity of the STS detector. It is investigated how the
STS ladders, essential for supporting the silicon sensors,
are put together and how they perform. The design and
quality assurance processes for carbon fiber ladders are
examined, followed by a step-by-step description of the
ladder assembly procedure. The evolution of the ladder
assembly procedures, from initial prototypes to fully
functional ladders with the required mounting precision are
highlighted. The developed procedure is designed to be
iterative and easily adaptable for producing 106 STS
ladders. The final section of the thesis addresses the
vibration challenges encountered by the STS ladders due to
air cooling, which is essential for maintaining the sensor
performance. It describes the experimental setups used to
measure the eigenfrequencies and vibrations on the sensor
surface under airflow conditions. The study uses a
perforated tube to direct airflow onto the sensor surfaces
and highlights the performance differences between the
standard and central ladders. Through the analysis of
vibration magnitude, the impact of airflow on the stability
of the silicon sensors once they are mounted on the ladders,
is evaluated. These findings underline the significance of
effective vibration control to maintain sensor stability.
This thesis provides a comprehensive understanding of both
thermal management and structural integrity of the STS.
Through extensive testing of TIM and thermal cycling of the
FEBs, the last step of the module assembly process has been
optimized, resulting in a reliable TIM now used in the
series production of the modules. Along this work,
significant progress has been made in developing the ladder
assembly procedure, which is now being implemented for all
the ladders, with series production already underway. The
central ladder assembly procedure has been optimized and
validated with a prototype ladder. The vibration
measurements have established the boundary conditions for
airflow through the perforated tube, ensuring the mechanical
integrity and necessary cooling to prevent thermal runaway.},
keywords = {530 (Other)},
cin = {CBM@FAIR},
cid = {I:(DE-Ds200)Coll-FAIR-CBM},
pnm = {612 - Cosmic Matter in the Laboratory (POF4-612)},
pid = {G:(DE-HGF)POF4-612},
experiment = {EXP:(DE-Ds200)FAIR-Facility},
typ = {PUB:(DE-HGF)11},
urn = {urn:nbn:de:bsz:21-dspace-1633592},
doi = {10.15496/PUBLIKATION-104689},
url = {https://repository.gsi.de/record/361551},
}