A Novel UV Photon Detector with Resistive Electrodes

In this study we present first results from a new detector of UV photons: a thick gaseous electron multiplier (GEM) with resistive electrodes, combined with CsI or CsTe/CsI photocathodes. The hole type structure considerably suppresses the photon and ion feedback, whereas the resistive electrodes protect the detector and the readout electronics from damage by any eventual discharges. This device reaches higher gains than a previously developed photosensitive RPC and could be used not only for the imaging of UV sources, flames or Cherenkov light, for example, but also for the detection of X-rays and charged particles.Comment: Presented at the International Workshop on Resistive Plate Chambers, Korea, October 200

Gain, Rate and Position Resolution Limits of Micropattern Gaseous Detectors

In this study we report the results of a systematic study of the gain, rate and the position resolution limits of various micropattern gaseous detectors. It was found that at low rates (<1 Hz/mm^2) each detector has it own gain limit, which depends on the size and design features, as well as on gas composition and pressure. However, in all cases the maximum achievable gain is less than or equal to the classical Raether limit. It also was found that for all detectors tested the maximum achievable gain drops sharply with the counting rate. The position resolution of micropattern detectors for detection of X-rays (6 to 35 kV) was also studied, being demonstrated that with solid converters one could reach a position resolution better than 30 micrometers at 1 atm in a simple counting mode.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figures, Presented at the PSD99-5th International Conference on Position-Sensitive Detectors, 13-17 th September 1999, University College, Londo

Resistive plate chambers for time-of-flight measurements

The applications of Resistive Plate Chambers (RPCs) have recently been extended by the development of counters with time resolution below 100 ps sigma for minimum ionising particles. Applications to HEP experiments have already taken place and many further applications are under study. In this work we address the operating principles of such counters along with some present challenges, with emphasis on counter aging.Comment: Presented at "PSD6 - 6th International Conference on Position Sensitive Detectors", 9-13 September 2002, Leicester, UK. Submitted to Nuclear Instruments and Methods

Advances in the Development of Micropattern Gaseous Detectors with Resistive Electrodes

We describe the most recent efforts made by various groups in implementing resistive electrodes in micropattern gaseous detectors with the aim to combine in the same design the best features of RPCs (for the example, their robustness and spark protection property) with the high granularity and thus the good position resolution offered by microelectronic technology. In the stream of this activity, we have recently developed two novel detectors with resistive electrodes: one was based on resistive micromeshes and the second one is a MSGC with resistive electrodes. We have demonstrated that the resistive meshes are a convenient construction element for various designs of spark protective detectors: RPCs type, GEM type and MICROMEGAS type. These new detectors enable to considerably enhance the RPC and micropattern detectors applications since they feature not only a high position resolution but also a relatively good energy resolution (25-30 persent FWHM at 6 keV) and, if necessary, they can operate in cascaded mode allowing the achievement of a high overall gas gain. The main conclusion from these studies is that the implementation of resistive electrodes in micropattern detectors makes them fully spark protected; on this basis we consider this direction very promising

Novel Single Photon Detectors for UV Imaging

There are several applications which require high position resolution UV imaging. For these applications we have developed and successfully tested a new version of a 2D UV single photon imaging detector based on a microgap RPC. The main features of such a detectors is the high position resolution - 30 micron in digital form and the high quantum efficiency (1-8% in the spectral interval of 220-140 nm). Additionally, they are spark- protected and can operate without any feedback problems at high gains, close to a streamer mode. In attempts to extend the sensitivity of RPCs to longer wavelengths we have successfully tested the operation of the first sealed parallel-plate gaseous detectors with CsTe photocathodes. Finally, the comparison with other types of photosensitive detectors is given and possible fields of applications are identified.Comment: Presented at the 5th International Workshop on RICH detectors Playa del Carmen, Mexico, November 200

High Resolution RPC's for Large TOF Systems

Here we report on a particular type of RPC that presents up to 99% efficiency for minimum ionizing particles and a very sharp time resolution, below 50 ps sigma in the most optimized conditions. Our 9 cm2 cells, made with glass and metal electrodes that form accurately spaced gaps of a few hundred micrometers, are operated at atmospheric pressure in non-flammable gases and can be economically produced in large quantities, opening perspectives for the construction of large area time of flight systems.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figure

High-resolution TOF with RPCs

In this work we describe some recent results concerning the application of Resistive Plate Chambers operated in avalanche mode at atmospheric pressure for high-resolution time-of-flight measurements. A combination of multiple, mechanically accurate, thin gas gaps and state-of-the-art electronics yielded an overall (detector plus electronics) timing accuracy better than 50 ps sigma with a detection efficiency up to 99% for MIPs. Single gap chambers were also tested in order to clarify experimentally several aspects of the mode of operation of these detectors. These results open perspectives of affordable and reliable high granularity large area TOF detectors, with an efficiency and time resolution comparable to the existing scintillator-based TOF technology but with a significantly, up to an order of magnitude, lower price per channel.Comment: 12 pages, 6 figures. (presented at the PSD99-5th International Conference on Position-Sensitive Detectors, 13-17 th September 1999, University College, London

High-resolution TOF with RPCs

In this work, we describe some recent results concerning the application of Resistive Plate Chambers operated in avalanche mode at atmospheric pressure for high-resolution time-of-flight measurements. A combination of multiple, mechanically accurate, thin gas gaps and state-of-the-art electronics yielded an overall (detector plus electronics) timing accuracy better than 50 ps [sigma] with a detection efficiency up to 99% for MIPs. Single gap chambers were also tested in order to clarify experimentally several aspects of the mode of operation of these detectors. These results open perspectives of affordable and reliable high granularity large area TOF detectors, with an efficiency and time resolution comparable to the existing scintillator-based TOF technology but with a significantly, up to an order of magnitude, lower price per channel.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6TJM-45F4WHB-7/1/95e90d633532cd93d712a5bfad6b902