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

Tipping the tea table: An argument for reforming an image, from the austere Miss Austen to jolly Aunt Jane

The standard edition of Jane Austen’s novels and other works was edited by R. W. Chapman and published in six volumes by Oxford at the Clarendon Press. The original five volumes were published in 1923, followed by subsequent editions and impressions in 1926, 1933, 1943, 1946 and 1948. The sixth volume, Minor Works, first appeared in 1954

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

Detection of the primary scintillation light from dense Ar, Kr and Xe with novel photosensitive gaseous detectors

The detection of primary scintillation light in combination with the charge or secondary scintillation signals is an efficient technique to determine the events t=0 as well as particle / photon separation in large mass TPC detectors filled with noble gases and/or condensed noble gases. The aim of this work is to demonstrate that costly photo-multipliers could be replaced by cheap novel photosensitive gaseous detectors: wire counters, GEMs or glass capillary tubes coupled with CsI photocathodes. We have performed systematic measurements with Ar, Kr and Xe gas at pressures in the range of 1-50 atm as well as some preliminary measurements with liquid Xe and liquid Ar. With the gaseous detectors we succeeded in detecting scintillation light produced by 22 keV X-rays with an efficiency of close to 100%. We also detected the scintillation light produced by bs (5 keV deposit energy) with an efficiency close to 25%. Successful detection of scintillation from 22 keV gammas open new experimental possibilities not only for nTOF and ICARUS experiments, but also in others, like WIMPs search through nuclear recoil emission

Modeling of water balance response to an extreme future scenario in the Ötztal catchment, Austria

The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of climate change on the water balance of the Ötztaler Ache catchment in Tyrol, Austria. For this purpose the conceptual hydrological model HBV-D REG was applied. First, the model was calibrated and validated using current observed climate and discharge data. Second, the calibrated model was applied with reanalysis data. Third, downscaled climate scenarios from 2010 to 2099 served as input data to the HBV-D REG. Thereby two extreme land cover scenarios were considered: for water balance modeling a constant glacier coverage from today and additionally for runoff simulations a complete loss of glaciered area. The downscaled climate data were generated with the expanded downscaling method. Scenario simulations indicated an increase in annual areal temperature by 3.4 °C and a slight decrease in annual areal precipitation by 89 mm in the next one hundred years. According to the hydrological modeling, these climate changes caused an increase in evapotranspiration and a decrease in snow coverage. Furthermore model simulations showed an increase in winter and spring runoff, whereas summer runoff was highly sensitive to glacier coverage and decreased with complete loss of glacier coverage

The Development and Study of High-Position Resolution (50 micron) RPCs for Imaging X-rays and UV photons

Nowadays, commonly used Resistive Plate Chambers (RPCs) have counting rate capabilities of ~10E4Hz/cm2 and position resolutions of ~1cm. We have developed small prototypes of RPCs (5x5 and 10x10cm2) having rate capabilities of up to 10E7Hz/cm2 and position resolutions of 50 micron("on line" without application of any treatment method like "center of gravity"). The breakthrough in achieving extraordinary rate and position resolutions was only possible after solving several serious problems: RPC cleaning and assembling technology, aging, spurious pulses and afterpulses, discharges in the amplification gap and along the spacers. High-rate, high-position resolution RPCs can find a wide range of applications in many different fields, for example in medical imaging. RPCs with the cathodes coated by CsI photosensitive layer can detect ultraviolet photons with a position resolution that is better than ~30 micron. Such detectors can also be used in many applications, for example in the focal plane of high resolution vacuum spectrographs or as image scanners.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures, other comment

The Successful Operation of Hole-type Gaseous Detectors at Cryogenic Temperatures

We have demonstrated that hole-type gaseous detectors, GEMs and capillary plates, can operate up to 77 K. For example, a single capillary plate can operate at gains of above 10E3 in the entire temperature interval between 300 until 77 K. The same capillary plate combined with CsI photocathodes could operate perfectly well at gains (depending on gas mixtures) of 100-1000. Obtained results may open new fields of applications for capillary plates as detectors of UV light and charge particles at cryogenic temperatures: noble liquid TPCs, WIMP detectors or LXe scintillating calorimeters and cryogenic PETs.Comment: Presented at the IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium, Roma, 200

Study of capillary-based gaseous detectors

We have studied gain vs. voltage characteristics and position resolutions of multistep capillary plates (two or three capillary plates operating in a cascade), as well as capillary plates operating in a mode when the main amplification occurs between plates or between the capillary plate and the readout plate (parallel plate amplification mode). Results of these studies demonstrated that in the parallel-plate amplification mode one can reach both high gains (>100000) and good position resolutions (~100 micro meter) even with a single step arrangement. It offers a compact amplification structure, which can be used in many applications. For example, in preliminary tests we succeeded to combine it with a photocathode and use it as a position sensitive gaseous photomultiplier. CsI coated capillary plates could also be used as a high position resolution and high rate X-ray converter.Comment: Presented at the NSS IEEE 2003 conference in Portland, submitted to TN

“The missing lights of Nairobi”: Cyclists' Perceptions of safety by cycling after-dark in Nairobi, Kenya

Promotion of cycling is important to reach the goals for climate mitigation of the Paris Agreement and Goals ofthe Agenda 2030. Sustainable transport, both rural and urban, could contribute to at least seven of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (ITDP 2015). There is relatively little research on cycling in Africa, and there is also much less research on cycling at night. Some studies show the importance of road lighting for minimising the reduction in the numbers of cyclists after-dark and suggest 'only a minimal amount of lighting can promote cycling after-dark, making it an attractive mode of transport year-round' (Uttley at el. 2020). So far, these studies have little relation to the situation in developing countries, which is why a first study in Nairobi, Kenya, is carried out here as an example. ... [From: Introduction