Speaker
Description
With the increasing size of dual-phase liquid xenon time projection chambers (LXe TPCs), several technological challenges arise, in particular concerning the scalability and stability of high-voltage electrodes. Large-area electrodes are increasingly exposed to mechanical sagging, electrostatic distortions, and backgrounds from spurious electron emission.
The XeLab project addresses these challenges by developing an original concept of spacer-assisted floating electrodes (SAFE) for efficient electron extraction, which introduce mechanically supported structures into the conventional gate–anode system. In this approach, electrode planarity is ensured by insulating spacers and an optimised balance of forces at the liquid–gas interface.
The construction of the XeLab cryogenic system and its dual-phase TPC has been completed. Novel cooling systems based on liquid nitrogen, together with a fully open slow-control architecture, have been commissioned and are now operational. We will present the current status of the XeLab facility and ongoing studies on novel electrode concepts.
