Calorimetry R&D for the Linear Collider: latest results from the CALICE collaboration

In the past century, physicists have explored smaller and smaller scales, trying to explain the origin of mass and probing the theory of extra dimensions. In recent years, experiments and observations have pointed to evidence that we can only account for a five percent of the universe, while the remaining 95 percent is believed to be made of a dark matter and dark energy, revealing a universe far stranger and more wonderful than they ever suspected. The global particle physics community agrees that a precision machine — the International Linear Collider — will answer the questions about what the universe is made of and provide exciting new insights into how it works.

A major programme of R&D has been undertaken to test various technologies for possible detectors to be employed at the ILC. The CALICE collaboration, in particular, is performing a very challenging test beam programme directed towards the design of an ILC calorimeter optimized for both performances and costs, where particle flow (PFA) calorimetry and software compensation are the main aim of the studies.

In this talk, after an introduction to the various detector concepts that have been proposed for the ILC, I will concentrate on describing the latest results obtained by the CALICE collaboration at the test beams that have been performed at CERN in 2006 and 2007. I will also give an overview of the UK involvement in the R&D for ILC calorimetry.

Event resources