Experiences with module-production and system tests for the ATLAS Pixel Detector

The ATLAS pixel detector is built from 1744 modules which are organized in three barrel layers and three disk layers in forward direction. The modules consist of an oxygen-enriched silicon sensor with an active area of 60.8×16.4mm2. Its 46 080 pixels are read out by 16 frontend chips, bump bonded to the sensor using a state-of-the-art hybridization technique. After extensive characterization of the single modules they are mounted on support structures, made from a carbon–carbon composite material, which make up the barrel or the disc layers. The first of these assemblies are used to study the behavior of the modules outside the lab environment.