ATLAS detector contains several shieldings protecting its different subdetectors (see picture). IEAP CTU group participated in the R&D of the two ATLAS shielding - JM and JF. The effectiveness of different types of neutron shielding for the
ATLAS forward region was studied by means of Monte-Carlo simulations and compared with the results of an experimental benchmark tests. Different types of shielding against neutrons and gamma rays, composed from different types of material, such as pure polyethylene, borated polyethylene, lithium-filled polyethylene, lead, iron and cast iron (ductile iron) were studied in details. The results from Monte-Carlo simulations were compared to the results obtained from the experiment on PS accelerator (4 GeV/c protons) and extended into the ATLAS energies. Based on the simulation results the final composition of the JF shielding was designed.
The czech group supervised the production of the JF shielding in the czech factories - ŠKODA Plzeň (now
PILSEN STEEL, production of cast iron pieces), KOPOS Kolín (borated polyethylene bricks), TRANZA Chrudim (steel shielding) and Fest HF (final assembly). JF shielding was transported to CERN by Rádl company.
Effort of IEAP CTU physicists and the quality of the czech companies resulted in three other production agreements with CERN laboratory, JM shielding, JTT shielding as well as part of the ALICE detector shielding. The total amount of the production for CERN achieved 63.1 millions of the czech crowns.
Real performance of the ATLAS neutron shielding will be checked by
network of monitors based on pixel detectors
Medipix which is under installation in the ATLAS cavern and at different parts inside the ATLAS detector.