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Michael McGrath
James Madison University

Subject Listing - Physics/Astronomy
Advisor: Dr. Kevin Giovanetti

Thursday, Oral Session 1, Presentation 3, Robinson Hall 228

DEVELOPMENT OF A CONTROL SYSTEM FOR THE CLAS12 DETECTOR USING FPGA'S

Control is an important element in large detection systems. These systems require complex control of detector voltages, readout and digitization, and calibration instrumentation. This ensures replication of the desired signals, proper mimicking of actual experiments, and proper timing and coordination. As experiments have become too complicated for manual control, there is a need for electronic control over all aspects of the processes. Members of the James Madison University Physics Department have begun development of FPGA's for use in the 12 GeV upgraded CLAS detector at Jefferson Lab. The CLAS12 detector measures the momentum and velocity of various particles as they are emitted from electron-proton collisions. The goal of the CLAS12 detector is to study the structure of nucleons and nuclei. The FPGA will be used to control calibration systems for the experiment. It sends out various signals at specific time intervals and communicates and reacts with the detector. This allows for more elements of the calibration process to be automated, thus enabling more accurate detection due to the ability to mimic experiments. As a first step, an FPGA has been programmed to set the light output of an LED. Details of the program and associated electronics will be presented.

Advisor: Dr. Kevin Giovanetti, Professor, Physics, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA