The main aim of current experiments at Large Hadron Collider (LHC), in which scientists of MEPhI Department №40 of Physics of elementary particles actively take part together with foreign colleagues, is studying of fundamental properties of matter. With the help of proton-proton collisions a precise study of the Standard Model and properties of recently discovered Higgs boson is conducted along with the search of other particles and interactions beyond the Standard Model. Only in the collision of superhigh energy colliding beams the conditions necessary for creation of new physical objects such as supersymmetric particles, new hard vector bosons, dark matter etc. are reached.

The next step in the ambitious CERN project is the creation of a supercollider which allows raising of the intensity of proton-proton collisions 10 times under the energy of 14 TeV. The launch of the super LHC is planned to be conducted step-by-step by consecutive putting into operation of several new elements of CERN accelerator complex and a series of technical improvements which are planned for 2017-2020 and 2024-2025.

In particular, the program of modernization of the ATLAS experimental facility (international collaboration, the members of which are MEPhI physicists) comprises replacement of inner track detector, reconstruction and enlargement of muon spectrometer, modernization of first level trigger system and many other systems. It is also planned to replace the first group of detectors of the butt end of ATLAS muon spectrometer – so-called Small Wheel, which should provide for reconstruction of muon tracks with high precision and at the same time provide experimental data for the trigger of the first level system. The integrity level planned in the design of the NSW supposes the detectors' no-failure operation in the field of high radiation background for more than 10 years.

The quality control of the detectors’ assembly is a rather important stage in the production process on which the future of the experiment depends. Specialists of MEPhI in cooperation with colleagues of LPI and SINP MSU have worked out and manufactured measuring complexes for the system of quality control of the production of the detectors of the future NSW. Such complex is the station of the test radiation and measuring of detectors’ control parameters on the basis of automated X-ray scanner. It will be used both for the production of the new detectors and during their final assembly into modules. With the help of measuring equipment it will be possible to fulfill quality control in manufacturing areas while making detectors for NSW in universities of Canada, Chili, Israel, China and Russia.

First type automated X-ray scanner

For coordination of the element action of the X-ray scanner a test version of software was created. With the help of visual interface the measuring complex operator can not only manage the scanner’s work but also gather and process results obtained under scanning of muon cameras. The first four complexes, made in MEPhI at the Department of Elementary Particles Physics, are ready to be sent to CERN.

Automated X-ray scanner of the second type

This project has been conducted with the financial assistance of the Ministry of Education and Science of the RF and RFBR grant.