New silicon microstrip detectors optimized for tracker alignment

The resolution of tracking systems based on layers of silicon microstrips is comparable to the stability of the structures on which they are mounted. Environmental changes during operation will misalign the modules out of their nominal positions. A straight laser beam that sequentially traverses consecutive layers of microstrips can be used as an artificial track to align them. For such a laser track to reach the last sensor, high transmittance of microstrips to infrared (IR) light is needed. We have simulated the passage of a coherent beam of light through a microstrip detector and identified the minimum set of changes to the design that boosts its transmittance. The simulation has been validated against real microstrip detector samples.