Chasing time: Characterisation and application of precision temporal measurements with silicon pixel detectors

This dissertation focuses on the development of fast-timing silicon pixel detectors for high-energy physics experiments at CERN, specifically within the LHCb experiment. These silicon detectors are common within a wide variety of fields for the detection of highly energetic charged particles. The application of these detectors within LHCb will require a per-hit temporal resolution of at least 50 ps. To develop novel silicon detectors that will be able to achieve this goal, two dedicated characterisation systems —a beam telescope and a laser-based two-photon absorption technique— are introduced to assess the temporal performance of silicon detectors. Initial results achieved with these systems show promising advancements in temporal resolution. These results will aid in the further development of these detectors to reach the 50 ps goal.