Ongoing research projects:

• ALICE experiment at CERN: I am currently active in two projects:
  • Design of new readout electronics for the Forward Calorimeter (FoCal), a new sub-detector to be commissioned in 2029. FoCal consists of three separate sensor systems: two layered electromagnetic calorimeters (pixels and pads) and a hadronic calorimeter. In this project, I coordinate the design of all readout electronics, with a primary focus on the pixel layer readout electronics.
  • Design of new electronics for the Inner Tracking System 3 (ITS3): This project is a continuation of ITS2, completed in 2021. ITS is the innermost detector in ALICE, and ITS2 consists of seven layers of Monolithic Active Pixel Sensors (MAPS). In ITS3, the three innermost layers will be replaced with flexible sensors that are 30 cm long. The goal is to get closer to the collision point and reduce the amount of material in the detector, significantly impacting the data quality from ALICE. My role here is somewhat smaller than for FoCal.
• Proton CT: This is a UiB-driven project to create a CT machine using MAPS ICs (ALPIDE) that takes images with protons instead of photons. The advantage is much more precise dose planning for proton cancer treatment, resulting in less damage to healthy tissue and potentially fewer side effects. This project is an excellent example of technology transfer, using sensors developed for basic research at CERN for medical diagnostics. My role in this project is coordinating the development of readout electronics and power systems.
• Project leader for NORLHC-II: This is an NFR infrastructure project for Norwegian CERN activities related to detector development and computing for the ALICE and ATLAS experiments. As project leader, I am responsible for all communication with the Research Council and ensuring financial management is under control.
• Additionally, I am the local contact person for the ECFA Detector Research & Development groups currently being established. We have expressed interest in several groups and seem to be able to contribute specifically to DRD7.6 Monolithic sensor ASICs in collaboration with UiO and USN.

Ongoing projects related to teaching:

• Pilot project to include programming in physics courses in the bachelor's program: In 2023, we applied for and received 1 MNOK for a project aimed at integrating data processing and numerical solutions of physics problems into all physics courses in the bachelor's program. As of 2023, students learned Python in INF100 in the first semester but did not use it until the fourth semester in the physics lab course (PHYS114). This led to students having to relearn programming in PHYS114. By incorporating a small programming component into all physics courses, we hope students will better see the relevance of INF100 and generally become more proficient in programming through continuous use. This will better prepare them for potential master's projects and the workforce.
• Physics room: In 2025, we are transforming calculation workshops into a physics room for all 100-level physics courses.
• Working group to examine the use/benefit of Large Language Models (LLMs) in teaching: In 2023, a working group was established on the initiative of BIOCEED to explore how to use and not use chatGPT and other LLMs in teaching. We have had two meetings, and an article based on the work done will most likely be published.

Other relevant activities:

• 2021 ->: Member of the scientific committee for the annual international conference Topical Workshop on Particle Physics (TWEPP). Example website 2024: TWEPP 2024 Topical Workshop on Electronics for Particle Physics (September 30, 2024 - October 4, 2024): Overview · Indico (cern.ch)
• 2021 ->: Member of the technical program committee for the international conference IEEE Nordic Circuits and Systems Conference (NorCAS). Example website 2023: 2023 IEEE Nordic Circuits and Systems Conference | NorCAS 2023 | Tampere Universities (tuni.fi)
• 2024 ->: Member of the evaluation committee for the best FPGA-related master's thesis in Norway. This is associated with the national seminar FPGA forum. Website: FPGA-forum – where the Norwegian FPGA community meets

Previous research projects:

• ALICE experiment at CERN:
  • 2004 - 2008: Design of readout electronics for the ALICE Time Projection Chamber (TPC) and PHOton Spectrometer (PHOS). This was part of my PhD degree.
  • 2011 - 2012: Participated in the development of a prototype for the ALICE Forward Calorimeter, primarily focusing on FPGA development.
  • 2012 - 2016: Coordinated the development of the upgrade for the ALICE TPC readout electronics. 216 Readout Control Unit 2 circuit boards, with entirely new electronics, were installed in 2016, resulting in more stable operation and higher data throughput for the TPC detector. One PhD student from UiO was involved in the project. Additionally, I participated in the specification phase of the ALICE TPC upgrade installed in 2021, conducting simulations of data rates and memory usage, as well as some simple FPGA designs to make informed decisions about various solutions.
  • 2016 - 2022: Development of readout electronics for the ALICE ITS2 detector. We conducted hardware reviews of readout boards, FPGA design, software design, and testing. Three PhD students from UiB were involved in the project.

Various student recruitment activities:

• Participates annually in "Career Day in Business": A program for middle school students in Bergen, where they visit workplaces and explore different professions. The Department of Physics and Technology is involved in this, giving students the opportunity to explore and measure radioactive rocks while learning about the daily life of a physicist.
• Annual meetings with high schools: High schools visit the department each year.
• 2020: Part of a group that created a student recruitment film featuring Selda Ekiz. A long version can be seen here.
• 2024: Lecture on wireless communication at Teachers' Day. Teachers' Day | University of Bergen (uib.no).

Media appearances:

• 19.05.2021: Interviewed on TV2 news regarding the global microchip shortage. The story was published online a few days later.
• 27.09.2021: Participation in NRK Dagsnytt 18 (Radio/TV). Topic: "International microchip shortage affects Norway."
• 26.11.2021: Opinion piece with Kjetil Ullaland and Shiming Yang in Bergens Tidende (behind login): "The world lacks microchips. Can Norway contribute?"
• 05.12.2021: Opinion piece in Bergens Tidende. Response to an article about students' mental health during the pandemic (behind login): "Investor Joys and the positive pandemic."
• 10.12.2021: Interviewed in Haugesunds Avis about the microchip crisis (requires login): "Chip shortage worldwide: Affects local actors – Used in everything from radios to turn signals."
• 23.02.2022: Commented on the microchip crisis in an article in Asker and Bærums Budstikke (requires login): "Solved component crisis themselves."
• 28.02.2022: Article on TV2.no about the microchip crisis: "Microchip crisis: Three months before the master's deadline, Birger received the crisis message."
• June 2023: Article in Tidsskriftet Elektronikk "Electronics meets physics in CT project (elektronikknett.no).
• February 2024: Article in Tidsskriftet Elektronikk "Strong FPGA thesises" (elektronikknett.no).
• 29.09.2024: Article in Bergens Tidende in connection with CERN's 70th anniversary (with Øyvind Frette): "In this dome at Geofysen in the middle of Bergen, there is a nuclear physics laboratory."

Popular science lectures:

• 27.09.2023: Lecture on Wireless Technology, School Laboratory Science Lunch UiB: Wireless Communication | School Laboratory in Science | UiB
• 26.01.2024: Lecture on Wireless Technology, Teachers' Day UiB
• 24.05.2024: Lecture at the Fest Symposium in connection with the Department of Physics and Technology's 75th anniversary "From Odd Dahl to today's IFT" - Festsymposium_program.pdf
• 13.09.2024: Lecture on Bergen and UiB's role in CERN's history: "Early Years: Odd Dahl, Accelerators, and Nuclear Physics in Bergen and CERN" - The collaboration between UiB and CERN turns 70! | News | UiB
• 27.04.2025: Lecture in connection with Bergen Museum's 200th anniversary: "Groundbreaking Particle Research over 70 Years: Bergen's Role in CERN's History." Lecture in the University Aula | 200 Years of Knowledge | UiB

Program Chair in Physics.

Course portfolio:

• PHYS114 Basic Measurement Science and Experimental Physics:
  • Responsible for 2 lab assignments and an introductory lecture in statistics.
• PHYS116 Signal and System Analysis:
  • Course responsible.
• PHYS299 (formerly PHYS117) Bachelor's Project in Physics:
  • Assigned project task H23.
  • V25: Bergen Proton CT Project – Power management in the Bergen pCT Project – bioPITCH.
• PHYS223 Digital Integrated Circuit Technology:
  • Course responsible.
• PHYS298 Research Practice in Physics at CERN:
  • Course responsible. This course will be established in January 2024 to award credits to students admitted to the Technical Student Program at CERN. My role is to support the students as best as possible and ensure they meet the formal requirements for earning credits.
• ELE350 Bachelor's Thesis at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL):
  • Have assigned bachelor's theses almost annually since 2016 to electronics engineering students at HVL. The students I supervised in spring 2023 won the NITO prize for best bachelor's thesis.
• Special Curriculum for Master's Students in Microelectronics:
  • Have provided special curriculum in "Digital Design with VHDL" and "Radiation Effects in Electronics" as needed.

Awarded the teachers award from Realistutvalget (student union) for 2023/24.

Current projects:

• ALICE experiment at CERN. Development of readout electronics for the Inner Tracker System (ITS) sub-detector
• Proton CT A UoB driven project where the goal is to make a CT machine by using MAPS ICs (ALPIDEs) that uses protons instead of photons for imaging.