Leading edge of the technological developments of Planar Pixel Sensors and prospects for ATLAS HL-LHC upgrade

To investigate the suitability of pixel sensors using the proven planar technology for the upgraded tracker, the ATLAS Planar Pixel Sensor R&D Project was established comprising 18 institutes and more than 80 scientists. Main areas of research are the performance of planar pixel sensors at highest fluences, the exploration of possibilities for cost reduction to enable the instrumentation of large areas, the achievement of slim or active edges to provide low geometric inefficiencies without the need for shingling of modules and the investigation of the operation of highly irradiated sensors at low thresholds to increase the efficiency. Most important of the recent accomplishments obtained in research institutes members of the R&D project is given. In addition, the production of prototype sensors also for the outer layers has seen significant progress within the recent months and first characterization results will be shown. On the topic of edge efficiencies, substantial achievements have been made in view of planar active edges. We will show results from successful productions with two vendors. In addition, the status of the SCP post-processing technology will be summarized; this process could be applied to most sensors independent of their manufacturer which enables the creation of almost active edges even for originally non-slim-edge sensors.