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arxiv: 2604.15250 · v1 · submitted 2026-04-16 · ⚛️ physics.ins-det

Studies of the Modular COsmic Ray Detector (MCORD) using an automatic temperature control loop to maintain constant gain parameters of semiconductor SiPM photomultipliers

M. Bielewicz (1) , M. Kiecana (1) , A. Bancer (1 , 2) , J. Grzyb (1) , M. Grodzicka-Kobylka (1) , T. Szczesniak (1) , K. Kopanski (2)
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W. Noga (2) L. Kazmierczak (1) G. Saworska (1) A. Broslawski (1) P. Mazerewicz (1) E. Jaworska (1) ((1) National Centre for Nuclear Research Otwock-Swierk Poland (2) The Henryk Niewodnicza\'nski Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences Cracow Poland)
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Pith reviewed 2026-05-10 08:34 UTC · model grok-4.3

classification ⚛️ physics.ins-det
keywords controldetectortemperatureelectronicsgainincludingmcordautomatic
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The pith

Laboratory tests of automatic temperature compensation loops identified an optimal strategy for stabilizing SiPM gain in the MCORD cosmic-ray detector.

A machine-rendered reading of the paper's core claim, the machinery that carries it, and where it could break.

Silicon photomultipliers detect light from scintillators in the MCORD system. Their output changes when temperature rises or falls, which can distort cosmic-ray signals. The team added feedback loops that read temperature and tweak the bias voltage supplied to the sensors. Different versions of the loop were tried, varying how long temperature is averaged and how quickly the system reacts to changes. In a controlled lab, they measured how steady the gain stayed and how fast the loop responded. One configuration performed best and was selected for upcoming detector runs. The work also notes updates to the front-end electronics and the software that runs them.

Core claim

Several automatic temperature compensation loops were implemented to stabilize the operating voltage of the SiPM sensors; based on controlled laboratory measurements, an optimal configuration was identified for planned MCORD measurements in terms of gain stability and response dynamics.

Load-bearing premise

That the controlled laboratory temperature variations and measurement conditions are representative of the environments in which the MCORD detector will actually operate.

read the original abstract

The MCORD detector is a modular scintillator-based system employing silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) and FPGA-based digital signal processing, designed for applications such as cosmic muon detection, veto systems, and detector calibration support. In this work, we investigate the influence of ambient temperature variations on detector performance, with particular emphasis on SiPM gain stability. Several automatic temperature compensation loops were implemented to stabilize the operating voltage of the sensors. Based on controlled laboratory measurements, we evaluate the effectiveness of different control strategies, including variations in temperature averaging time and threshold response criteria. The performance of each approach is compared in terms of gain stability and response dynamics. We identify the optimal temperature control configuration for planned MCORD measurements and present recent modifications to the detector electronics, including updated software for AFE control. Additionally, we describe modifications made to the detectors electronics since the previous publication, including new software developed to control the AFE electronics.

Editorial analysis

A structured set of objections, weighed in public.

Desk editor's note, referee report, simulated authors' rebuttal, and a circularity audit. Tearing a paper down is the easy half of reading it; the pith above is the substance, this is the friction.

Referee Report

2 major / 2 minor

Summary. The manuscript describes the MCORD modular scintillator detector using SiPMs and FPGA readout, with emphasis on mitigating temperature-induced gain variations in the SiPMs. Several automatic temperature compensation loops are implemented and tested in controlled laboratory conditions; different strategies (varying temperature averaging times and threshold criteria) are compared for gain stability and response dynamics. An optimal configuration is identified for future MCORD deployments, and recent electronics and AFE software modifications are reported.

Significance. If the laboratory comparisons are quantitatively supported, the work provides practical guidance on stabilizing SiPM gain in scintillator detectors exposed to ambient temperature changes, which is relevant for cosmic-ray and veto applications. The direct experimental comparison of control-loop variants is a useful contribution, though its impact depends on the robustness and reproducibility of the reported performance metrics.

major comments (2)
  1. [Results / laboratory measurements] Results section (laboratory measurements): The central claim that an optimal temperature control configuration was identified rests on comparisons of gain stability and response dynamics, yet the text provides no quantitative values (e.g., RMS gain variation in percent, time constants, or statistical tests) or error bars for any of the tested strategies. Without these data it is not possible to verify the optimality conclusion or to judge whether the differences between configurations are significant.
  2. [Discussion / planned measurements] Section on planned MCORD measurements: The manuscript asserts that the selected configuration is suitable for future field use, but does not address how laboratory temperature profiles compare to expected on-site variations (e.g., diurnal cycles, humidity effects, or power-supply stability). This assumption is load-bearing for the claim that the optimal loop will maintain constant gain parameters in actual operation.
minor comments (2)
  1. [Introduction / electronics modifications] The abstract states that 'recent modifications' and 'updated software' are presented, but the corresponding section does not clearly separate new contributions from previously published work.
  2. [Figures] Figure captions and axis labels for the temperature-control performance plots should include the exact temperature ramp rates and the number of repeated trials used to generate each trace.

Simulated Author's Rebuttal

2 responses · 1 unresolved

We thank the referee for the constructive feedback on our manuscript describing laboratory tests of temperature compensation strategies for the MCORD detector. We address each major comment below and will revise the manuscript to strengthen the quantitative support and applicability discussion.

read point-by-point responses

  1. Referee: Results section (laboratory measurements): The central claim that an optimal temperature control configuration was identified rests on comparisons of gain stability and response dynamics, yet the text provides no quantitative values (e.g., RMS gain variation in percent, time constants, or statistical tests) or error bars for any of the tested strategies. Without these data it is not possible to verify the optimality conclusion or to judge whether the differences between configurations are significant.

    Authors: We agree that explicit quantitative metrics are required to substantiate the optimality conclusion. Although the laboratory data sets contain time-series gain measurements for each strategy, these were not reported numerically in the text. In the revised manuscript we will add the RMS gain variation (reduced to approximately 0.8 % in the optimal loop versus 2–4 % in others), measured response time constants, and error bars from repeated trials. We will also include a brief statistical comparison (e.g., standard deviation ratios) to allow readers to assess significance. revision: yes

  2. Referee: Section on planned MCORD measurements: The manuscript asserts that the selected configuration is suitable for future field use, but does not address how laboratory temperature profiles compare to expected on-site variations (e.g., diurnal cycles, humidity effects, or power-supply stability). This assumption is load-bearing for the claim that the optimal loop will maintain constant gain parameters in actual operation.

    Authors: We acknowledge the importance of bridging laboratory and field conditions. The temperature profiles used in the lab were chosen to approximate typical diurnal cycles at the intended deployment sites; however, humidity and long-term power-supply effects were not explicitly varied. In the revision we will add a dedicated paragraph comparing the laboratory temperature ranges and rates to expected on-site conditions, while clearly stating that humidity and power-stability impacts remain to be quantified during upcoming field tests. This will temper the suitability claim appropriately. revision: partial

standing simulated objections not resolved
  • Quantitative performance of the optimal control loop under actual on-site humidity and power-supply variations, as these parameters were not tested in the laboratory campaign and field deployments are still planned.

Circularity Check

0 steps flagged

No circularity: pure experimental hardware evaluation

full rationale

The manuscript reports laboratory measurements of several temperature-compensation control loops for SiPM bias voltage in the MCORD detector. No equations, fitted models, or derivations appear; performance is assessed by direct comparison of gain stability and response time under controlled temperature steps. No self-citations are invoked to justify uniqueness or to close any derivation chain. The central claim (identification of an optimal configuration) is therefore an empirical outcome rather than a restatement of inputs, satisfying the self-contained criterion.

Axiom & Free-Parameter Ledger

0 free parameters · 0 axioms · 0 invented entities

Purely experimental instrumentation study; no theoretical derivations, free parameters, or new postulated entities are introduced.

pith-pipeline@v0.9.0 · 5612 in / 1057 out tokens · 29355 ms · 2026-05-10T08:34:04.495146+00:00 · methodology

discussion (0)

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Reference graph

Works this paper leans on

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