We report on the properties of thick GEM-like (THGEM) electron multipliers made of 0.4 mm thick double-sided Cu-clad G-10 plates, perforated with a dense hexagonal array of 0.3 mm diameter drilled holes. Photon detectors comprising THGEMs coupled to semi-transparent CsI photocathodes or reflective ones deposited on the THGEM surface were studied with Ar/CO2 (70:30), Ar/CH4 (95:5), CH4 and CF4. Gains of ~100000 or exceeding 1000000 were reached with single- or double-THGEM, respectively; the signals have 5-10 ns rise times. The electric field configurations at the THGEM electrodes result in an efficient extraction of photoelectrons and their focusing into the holes; this occurs already at rather low gains, below 100. These detectors, with single-photon sensitivity and with expected sub-millimeter localization, can operate at MHz/mm2 rates. We discuss their prospects for large-area UV-photon imaging for RICH.
In this paper, a detailed investigation has been carried out to understand the physics behind GEM charging-up and its effects on gain. Experiments have been performed on both double and triple GEM with the help of 55Fe X-ray source and a comparative study of these configurations along with the single GEM results observed in our previous work has been reported. The increase in gain due to polarization of GEM foil dielectric and reduction in gain due to charge accumulation on dielectric are studied for various field configurations and different radiation intensities.
The properties of thick GEM-like (TGEM) gaseous electron multipliers, operated at 1-740 Torr are presented. They are made of a G-10 plate, perforated with millimeter-scale diameter holes. In single-multiplier elements, effective gains of about 104, 106, and 105 were reached at respective pressures of 1, 10 Torr isobutane and 740 Torr Ar/5%CH4, with pulse rise-times in the few nanosecond scale. The high effective gain at atmospheric pressure was measured with a TGEM coated with a CsI photocathode. The detector was operated in single and cascaded modes. Potential applications in ion and photon d…
We developed a prototype time projection chamber using gas electron multipliers (GEM-TPC) for high energy heavy ion collision experiments. To investigate its performance, we conducted a beam test with 3 kinds of gases (Ar(90%)-CH4(10%), Ar(70%)-C2H6(30%) and CF4). Detection efficiency of 99%, and spatial resolution of 79 $μ$m in the pad-row direction and 313 $μ$m in the drift direction were achieved. The test results show that the GEM-TPC meets the requirements for high energy heavy ion collision experiments. The configuration and performance of the GEM-TPC are described.
Gas electron multipliers (GEMs) have been overcoated with a high resistivity 10e14 - 10e15 Ohms / square amorphous carbon layer. The coating avoids charging up of the holes and provides a constant gain immediately after switching on independent of the rate. The gain uniformity across the GEM is improved. Coating opens the possibility to produce thick GEMs of very high gain.
Thick GEM-like (THGEM) gaseous electron multipliers are made of standard printed-circuit board perforated with sub-millimeter diameter holes, etched at their rims. Effective gas multiplication factors of 100000 and 10000000 and fast pulses in the few nanosecond rise-time scale were reached in single- and cascaded double-THGEM elements, in atmospheric-pressure standard gas mixtures with single photoelectrons. High single-electron detection efficiency is obtained in photon detectors combining THGEMs and semitransparent UV-sensitive CsI photocathodes or reflective ones deposited on the top THGEM …
The performance of thick GEMs (THGEMs) was compared to that of thin GEMs in two-phase Ar avalanche detectors, in view of their potential application in coherent neutrino-nucleus scattering, dark-matter search and in other rare-event experiments. The detectors comprised a 1 cm thick liquid-Ar layer followed by either a double-THGEM or a triple-GEM multiplier, operated in the saturated vapor above the liquid phase. Three types of THGEMs were studied: those made of G10 and Kevlar and that with resistive electrodes (RETHGEM). Only the G10-made THGEM showed a stable performance in two-phase Ar with…
We present results on THGEM operation at low gas pressures, in the range 0.5-50 Torr. Gaseous gain up to 100000 was recorded at 10 Torr of Isobutane in a single multiplier element, with pulses rise-time in the few ns range. Cascaded operation of two THGEMs is reported, with similar total gain but at lower voltages on each element. The present work encompasses a large variety of THGEM geometries and includes electric-field distribution calculations and electron transport simulations. We discuss the operation mechanism and some possible applications of THGEMs at low gas pressures.
A method is proposed to dump the spurious signals induced by fluorescence of the electrodes in gaseous detectors under strong X-Ray irradiation, introducing a special fluorescence suppressor electrode between the sensitive and the amplifying parts of the detector.
The bubble-assisted Liquid Hole-Multiplier (LHM) is a recently-introduced detection concept for noble-liquid time projection chambers. In this "local dual-phase" detection element, a gas bubble is supported underneath a perforated electrode (e.g., Thick Gas Electron Multiplier - THGEM, or Gas Electron Multiplier - GEM). Electrons drifting through the holes induce large electroluminescence signals as they pass into the bubble. In this work we report on recent results of THGEM and GEM electrodes coated with cesium iodide and immersed in liquid xenon, allowing - for the first time - the detection…
We have produced thick-foil and fine-pitch gas electron multipliers (GEMs) using a laser etching technique. To improve production yield we have employed a new material, Liquid Crystal Polymer, instead of polyimide as an insulator layer. The effective gain of the thick-foil GEM with a hole pitch of 140 um, a hole diameter of 70 um, and a thickness of 100 um reached a value of 10^4 at an applied voltage of 720 V. The measured effective gain of the thick-foil and fine-pitch GEM (80 um pitch, 40 um diameter, and 100 um thick) was similar to that of the thick-foil GEM. The gain stability was measur…
We study the performance of two-phase avalanche detectors based on Gas Electron Multipliers (GEMs) and operated in an electron-avalanching mode in Ar and Xe. Emission, gain, energy resolution and stability characteristics of the detectors were studied. Rather high gains, reaching 5000, and stable operation for several hours were observed in the two-phase Ar avalanche detector using a triple-GEM multiplier. The signals induced by X-rays, beta-particles and gamma-rays were successfully recorded. Preliminary results were obtained in the two-phase Xe avalanche detector: the maximum gain of the tri…
Two-phase Cryogenic Avalanche Detectors (CRADs) with GEM and THGEM multipliers have become an emerging potential technique for charge recording in rare-event experiments. In this work we present the performance of two-phase CRADs operated in Ar and Ar+N2. Detectors with sensitive area of 10x10 cm2, reaching a litre-scale active volume, yielded gains of the order of 1000 with a double-THGEM multiplier. Higher gains, of about 5000, have been attained in two-phase Ar CRADs with a hybrid triple-stage multiplier, comprising of a double-THGEM followed by a GEM. The performance of two-phase CRADs in …
Gas electron multipliers (GEM) detectors are gaseous detectors widely used for tracking and imaging applications due to their good position resolution, high efficiency at high irradiation rates, among other factors. In the present work, position resolution, charge spread, energy resolution and gain uniformity have been investigated experimentally for single and double GEM geometries using an Fe-55 source. The position resolution measurements have been performed by a novel method, using a high precision instrument for source movement and is found to be highly successful. The result shows that t…
We report on recent advances in the operation of bubble-assisted Liquid Hole Multipliers (LHM). By confining a vapor bubble under or adjacent to a perforated electrode immersed in liquid xenon, we could record both radiation-induced ionization electrons and primary scintillation photons in the noble liquid. Four types of LHM electrodes were investigated: a THGEM, standard double-conical GEM, 50 $μ$m-thick single-conical GEM (SC-GEM) and 125 $μ$m-thick SC-GEM - all coated with CsI photocathodes. The 125 $μ$m-thick SC-GEM provided the highest electroluminescence (EL) yields, up to ~400 photons p…
We present recent results on the operation of gas-avalanche detectors comprising a cascade of gas electron multipliers (GEMs) and Micro-Hole and Strip Plates (MHSPs) multiplier operated in reversed-bias (R-MHSP) mode. The operation mechanism of the R-MHSP is explained and its potential contribution to ion-backflow (IBF) reduction is demonstrated. IBF values of 4E-3 were obtained in cascaded R-MHSP and GEM multipliers at gains of about 1E+4, though at the expense of reduced effective gain in the first R- MHSP multiplier in the cascade.
A prototype Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) detector is under construction for medical imaging purposes. A single thick GEM of size 10x10 cm^2 is assembled inside a square shaped air-tight box which is made of Perspex glass. In order to ionize gas inside the drift field two types of voltage supplier circuits were fabricated, and array of 2x4 pads of each size 4x8 mm^2 were utilized for collecting avalanche charges. Preliminary testing results show that the circuit which produces high voltage and low current is better than that of low voltage and high current supplier circuit in terms of x-ray si…
This paper presents an investigation of the discharge propagation (DP) to the readout electrode that occurs with a microsecond time delay after a primary discharge that develops inside a GEM foil hole. A single hole THGEM (THick GEM) foil that enables a controlled discharge position and the induction of primary discharge with an over-voltage in the THGEM foil has been used in the initial DP measurements. In order to justify the use of a custom-made THGEM foil, additional measurements were made with a standard GEM foil. Correlated optical (with an ordinary SLR and a high-speed camera) and elect…
The Thick Gas Electron Multiplier (THGEM) is a robust high-gain gas-avalanche electron multiplier - a building block of a variety of radiation detectors. It can be manufactured economically by standard printed-circuit drilling and etching technology. We present a detailed review of the THGEM and its derivatives. We focus on the physics phenomena that govern their operation and performances under different operation conditions. Technological aspects associated with the production of these detectors and their current and potential applications are discussed.
Thick GEM-like (THGEM) electrodes are robust, high gain gaseous electron multipliers, economically-manufactured by standard drilling and etching of thin printed circuit board or other materials. Their operation and structure are similar to that of standard GEMs but with 5 to 20-fold expanded dimensions. Due to the larger hole dimensions they provide up to 10^5 and 10^7 charge multiplication, in a single- and in two-electrode cascade, respectively. The signal rise time is of a few ns and the counting-rate capability approaches 10 MHz/mm^2 at 10^4 gains. Sub-mm localization precision was demonst…
Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) is one of the devices for gas amplification and available as an amplification part of detectors for many experiments. A GEM with a 50 $μm$ thick insulator is popular and widely used in many experimental fields. However it is necessary to use several layers of them to get sufficient gas gain because gas gain which is provided with only one 50 $μm$ thick GEM is only several times ten. On the other hand, a thick GEM whose amplification area is expanded from 50 to 100 $μm$ to get higher gas gain which can be sufficient even with a double stack configuration. But the m…
Gas electron multiplier (GEM) is widely used in modern gas detectors of ionizing radiation in experiments on high-energy physics at accelerators and in other fields of science. Typically the GEM devices are based on a dielectric foil with holes and electrodes on both sides. GEMs made by radiation-hard dielectrics or wide band-gap semiconductors are desirable for some applications. The results of the first tests of the gas electron multiplier made of radiation-hard materials, such as polycrystalline CVD diamond with a thickness of 100 microns is described. Here we report on fabrication of GEM b…
We review latest progress in gaseous photomultipliers (GPM) combining solid photocathodes and various types of novel electron multipliers. Cascaded gaseous electron multipliers (GEM) coated with CsI photocathodes can efficiently replace UVsensitive wire chambers for single-photon recording in Cherenkov and other detectors. Other hole-multipliers with patterned electrodes (Micro-Hole and Strip Plates) and improved ion-blocking properties are discussed; these permit reducing considerably photon- and ion-induced secondary effects. Photon detectors with other electron-multiplier techniques are bri…
The time resolution of a double-stage Thick-GEM (THGEM) detector was measured with UV-photons and relativistic electrons. The photon detector, with semitransparent- or reflective-photocathode yielded time resolution of about 8-10ns RMS for single photoelectrons and 0.5-1ns RMS for few-hundred photoelectrons per photon-pulse. Time resolution of about 10ns RMS was recorded for relativistic electrons from a 106Ru source.
We study the performances of gaseous and two-phase (liquid-gas) cryogenic detectors of ionizing radiation based on gas electron multipliers (GEMs) and operated in an avalanche mode in pure noble gases. The gas amplification in He, Ar and Kr is systematically studied at low temperatures, using triple-GEM multipliers. High gains, exceeding 10^4, were obtained in these gases in the range of 120-300 K. Stable electron avalanching was demonstrated in a saturated Kr vapor in the two-phase mode. These results are relevant for understanding basic mechanisms of electron avalanching at low temperatures …
Gas Electron Multiplication technology is finding more and more applications in beam instrumentation and at CERN these detectors have recently been adapted for use in transverse profile measurements at several of our facilities. In the experimental areas of CERN's Antiproton Decelerator, low energy Gas Electron Multipliers successfully replaced all Multwire Proportional Chambers in 2012 and another detector type has now been developed for high energy applications in the experimental areas of the SPS, totaling a potential of more than a hundred profile detectors to be replaced by GEM detectors …
It is well known and has been shown that the gain performance of Gaseous Electron Multipliers (GEM) depends on the size of the holes. With an optical scanner it is possible to measure the dimensions of the holes, and to predict the performance of GEMs. However, the gain prediction of GEMs that are manufactured with a double mask etching technique is not straightforward. With the hole size information alone, it is not possible to make precise prediction of the gain. We show that the alignment of the photo-masks between the two sides of the GEM foils plays a crucial role. A misalignment of a few…
Gas electron multipliers (GEMs) with wire (WGEMs) or metal electrodes (MGEMs), which don't use any plastic insulators between the electrodes are created. The absence of plastic insulation between the electrodes of WGEMs excludes unwanted leakage currents and spark breakdowns between the electrodes. Accidental spark events in such MGEM don't lead to their failure as far as positive ions quickly move away from the breakdown region by a strong electric field in the gap region. In this work, we present a review of such GEMs. The chambers containing MGEMs (WGEMs) with pin-anodes are proposed as det…
A simple X-ray imaging system using off-the-shelf electronics and simple reconstruction algorithms aiming a spatial resolution of 1.7 mm ($\sim 3\,\%$ of the detector length) is described in this work. For this, two 100 cm$^2$ Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) foils with a thickness of 100 μm (2-fold thicker than the standard ones) were immersed in a mixture of argon and carbon dioxide (70:30). The charge readout with 2D position determination was done with resistive charge division. Due to their higher thickness with respect to the standard GEMs, the 100 μm thick GEM foils were found to be less p…
In the context of the development of novel Thick GEM based detectors of single photons, the high resolution optical system, nicknamed Leopard, providing a detailed surface scanning of the Thick GEM electron multipliers, has been used for a set of systematic measurements of key Thick GEM properties. These results are reported and discussed. They confirm by direct observation Thick GEM properties previously inferred by indirect measurements and answer to relevant questions related to the use of Thick GEMs as photocathode substrates in novel gaseous photon detectors.
The dependence of the avalanche charge gain in Thick Gas Electron Multipliers (THGEM) on the purity of Ne, Ar and Xe filling gases was investigated. The gain, measured with alpha-particles in standard conditions (atmospheric pressure, room temperature), was found to considerably drop in gases purified by non-evaporable getters. On the other hand, small N2 admixtures to noble gases resulted in high reachable gains. The results are of general relevance in the operation of gas-avalanche detectors in noble gases, particularly that of two-phase cryogenic detectors for rare events.
The operation principle and preliminary results of a novel gas-avalanche patterned hole electron multiplier, the Thick-COBRA (THCOBRA), are presented. This micro-hole structure is derived from the THGEM and MHSP. Sub-millimeter diameter holes are mechanically drilled in a thin G10 plate, Cu-clad on both faces; on one of the faces the Cu is etched to produce additional anode strips winding between circular cathode strips. Primary avalanches occurring within the holes are followed by additional ones at the anode-strips vicinity. Gains in excess of 5*104 were reached with 22.1 x-rays in Ar, Ne an…
GEM are widely used as amplification stages in gaseous detectors exposed to high rates. The GEM consists of a polyimide foil which is coated by two thin copper layers. Charges collected into the holes or created during the amplification process may adhere to the polyimide part inside the holes. This is often accompanied by a change of the effective gain. The effect is commonly known as the charging-up effect. This work presents a systematic investigation of the effect under well-controlled and monitored conditions for a single standard GEM foil in Ar/CO$_2$ (90/10) gas for varying rates of X-r…
Optical effects in Gaseous Electron Multipliers (GEMs)
University of New Mexico（新墨西哥大学）；CERN（欧洲核子研究中心）；Imperial College London（伦敦帝国理工学院）；University of Birmingham（伯明翰大学）；STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory（英国科学与技术设施委员会卢瑟福阿普尔顿实验室）；University of Hamburg（汉堡大学）
We present the results of our recent studies of a Thick Gaseous Electron Multiplier (THGEM)-based detector, operated in Ar, Xe and Ar:Xe (95:5) at various gas pressures. Avalanche-multiplication properties and energy resolution were investigated with soft x-rays for different detector configurations and parameters. Gains above 10E4 were reached in a double-THGEM detector, at atmospheric pressure, in all gases, in almost all the tested conditions; in Ar:Xe (95:5) similar gains were reached at pressures up to 2 bar. The energy resolution dependence on the gas, pressure, hole geometry and electri…
Controlled etching of copper electrodes in Gas Electron Multiplier foils allows a reduction of the material budget by more than a factor of two for a triple-GEM detector. Detectors making use of thinned foils provide performances similar to those obtained with standard devices: a gain above 10^4 for a double-GEM, with energy resolution of 27 % fwhm for 5.9 keV X-rays.
In gaseous tracking detectors with a large gaseous volume multiple layers of Gas Electron Multipliers (GEM) can be used to block positive ions from flowing back into the active volume, which is detrimental to the tracking performance. We report on studies of effective gain, ion backflow (IBF), and energy resolution in quadruple GEM detectors, and on strategies for minimizing IBF by optimizing the operating voltages of the individual GEM layers and the potential differences between different layers.
The operation of a Micropattern Gaseous Detector (MPGD) comprising a cascade of two non-standard Gas Electron Multipliers (GEM) made from a 100 micrometer kapton foil was evaluated in pure krypton and in krypton-CO2 mixtures. The final avalanche charge was collected in a 2D strip readout, providing an active area of 10x10 cm2 for the entire detection system. For each mixture, the effective gain and energy resolution were measured as a function of the electric field in the drift, transfer and induction regions. Using X-rays from a 55Fe radioactive source (5.9 keV), gains close to 104 and energy…
Gas electron Multipliers (GEM) are a new generation of gaseous avalanche devices in the Micro Patterned Gaseous Detector category. GEMs are widely used in both nuclear and high energy experiments as well as in medical science. Several parameters define the performance of these types of devices under various experimental conditions. This article focuses on the study of effective gain and Ion Back Flow (IBF) in both triple and quadruple GEM detectors. Effective gain and IBF are two of the most important parameters in determining the performance of GEM detectors.
For the first time secondary scintillation, generated within the holes of a thick gas electron multiplier (TGEM) immersed in liquid argon, has been observed and measured using a silicon photomultiplier device (SiPM). 250 electron-ion pairs, generated in liquid argon via the interaction of a 5.9KeV Fe-55 gamma source, were drifted under the influence of a 2.5KV/cm field towards a 1.5mm thickness TGEM, the local field sufficiently high to generate secondary scintillation light within the liquid as the charge traversed the central region of the TGEM hole. The resulting VUV light was incident on a…
The new beam profile measurement for the Antiproton Decelerator (AD) at CERN is based on a single Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) with a 2D readout structure. This detector is very light, ~0.4% X_0, as required by the low energy of the antiprotons, 5.3 MeV. This overcomes the problems previously encountered with multi-wire proportional chambers (MWPC) for the same purpose, where beam interactions with the detector severely affect the obtained profiles. A prototype was installed and successfully tested in late 2010, with another five detectors now installed in the ASACUSA and AEgIS beam lines. We…
We report on the manufacture of a first batch of approximately 2,000 Gas Electron Multipliers (GEMs) using 3M's fully automated roll to roll flexible circuit production line. This process allows low-cost, reproducible fabrication of a high volume of GEMs of dimensions up to 30$\times$30 cm$^{2}$. First tests indicate that the resulting GEMs have optimal properties as radiation detectors. Production techniques and preliminary measurements of GEM performance are described. This now demonstrated industrial capability should help further establish the prominence of micropattern gas detectors in ac…
We describe a new micro-pattern gas detector structure comprising a multi-layer hole-type multiplier (M-THGEM) combined with two in-built electrode meshes: the Multi-Mesh THGEM-type multiplier (MM-THGEM). Suitable potential differences applied between the various electrodes provide an efficient collection of ionization electrons within the MM-THGEM holes and a large charge avalanche multiplication between the meshes. Different from conventional hole-type multipliers (e.g. Gas Electron Multipliers - GEMs, Thick Gas Electron Multipliers - THGEMs, etc.), which are characterized by a variable (dip…
For its ease manufacturing, flexible geometry, and cheap manufacturing cost, the gas electron multiplier (GEM) detector can be used as an x-ray image sensor. For this purpose, we acquired relative detection efficiencies and suggested a method to increase the detection efficiency in order to study the possibility of GEM detector as an x-ray image sensor. The GEM detector system is composed of GEM foils, the instrument system, the gas system, and the negative power supply. The instrument system consists of the A225 charge sensitive preamp, A206 discriminator, and MCA8000D multichannel analyzer. …
In this work GEM and single-hole Thick GEM structures, composed of different coating materials, are studied. The used foils incorporate conductive layers made of copper, aluminium, molybdenum, stainless steel, tungsten and tantalum. The main focus of the study is the determination of the material dependence of the formation of electrical discharges in GEM-based detectors. For this task, discharge probability measurements are conducted with several Thick GEM samples using a basic electronics readout chain. In addition to that, optical spectroscopy methods are employed to study the light emitted…
The operating principle and performances of the Multi-layer Thick Gaseous Electron Multiplier (M-THGEM) is presented. The M-THGEM is a novel hole-type gaseous electron multiplier produced by multi-layer printed circuit board technology; it consists of a densely perforated assembly of multiple insulating substrate sheets (e.g., FR-4), sandwiched between thin metallic-electrode layers. The electron avalanche processes occur along the successive multiplication stages within the M-THGEM holes, under the action of strong dipole fields resulting from the application of suitable potential differences…
From its invention in 1997, the Gas Electron Multiplier has been applied in nuclear and high energy physics experiments. Over time however, other applications have also exploited the favorable properties of GEMs. The use of GEMs in these applications will be explained in principle and practice. This paper reviews applications in research, beam instrumentation and homeland security. The detectors described measure neutral radiations such as photons, x-rays, gamma rays and neutrons, as well as all kinds of charged radiation. This paper provides an overview of the still expanding range of possibi…
The occurrence of electrical discharges in gas detectors restricts their dynamic range and degrades their performance. Among the different methods developed to mitigate discharge effects, the use of resistive materials in the detector assembly was found to be very effective. In this work, we present the results of a comparative study of electrical discharges in Thick-GEM-based WELL-type detectors - with and without resistive elements. We present a new method to measure discharges in the resistive-detector configurations; it allows demonstrating, for the first time, the occurrence of discharges…
We study the feedback of positive ions in triple and quadruple Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) detectors. The effects of GEM hole diameter, detector gain, applied voltages, number of GEMs and other parameters on ion feedback are investigated in detail. In particular, it was found that the ion feedback is independent of the gas mixture and the pressure. In the optimized multi-GEM structure, the ion feedback current can be suppressed down to 0.5% of the anode current, at a drift field of 0.1 kV/cm and gain of 10^4. A simple model of ion feedback in multi-GEM structures is suggested. The results ob…
Gas electron multiplier(GEM) detector is used in Cosmic Muon Scattering Tomography and neutron imaging in the last decade. In this work, a triple GEM device with an effective readout area of 10 cm X 10 cm is developed, and an experiment of discriminating between cosmic muon and x-ray based on rising time is tested. The energy resolution of GEM detector is tested by 55Fe ray source to prove the GEM detector has a good performance. The analysis of the complete signal-cycles allows to get the rising time and pulse heights. The experiment result indicates that cosmic muon and x-ray can be discrimi…
We study the performance of gaseous and two-phase (liquid-gas) cryogenic detectors of ionizing radiation, based on gas electron multipliers (GEMs). For the first time, high gas gains, exceeding 10^4, were obtained in pure He, Ar and Kr at low temperatures and the stable avalanche mode of operation was observed in the two-phase cryogenic detector in Kr. The electron avalanching at low temperatures, in the range of 120-300 K, is systematically studied.
THick Gas Electron Multipliers (THGEMs) are robust and high gain Micro Pattern Gaseous Detectors which are economically manufactured by standard drilling and etching of thin printed circuit boards. In this paper, we present our recent simulation as well as experimental studies on THGEMs which have been fabricated in India using local expertise. Two types of THGEMs have been fabricated; one set has holes without any external rim and another set has holes with rims. These detectors have been characterized using argon-carbon dioxide and argon-isobutane gas mixtures. Electron transmission, effecti…
A thick gas electron multiplier (THGEM) chamber with an effective readout area of 10$\times$10 cm$^{2}$ and a 11.3 mm ionization gap has been tested along with two regular gas electron multiplier (GEM) chambers in a cosmic ray test system. The thick ionization gap makes the THGEM chamber a mini-drift chamber. This kind mini-drift THGEM chamber is proposed as part of a transition radiation detector (TRD) for identifying electrons at an Electron Ion Collider (EIC) experiment. Through this cosmic ray test, an efficiency larger than 94$\%$ and a spatial resolution $\sim$220 $μ$m are achieved for t…
The TOTEM experiment at LHC has chosen the triple Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) technology for its T2 telescope which will provide charged track reconstruction in the rapidity range 5.3<|eta|<6.5 and a fully inclusive trigger for diffractive events. GEMs are gas-filled detectors that have the advantageous decoupling of the charge amplification structure from the charge collection and readout structure. Furthermore, they combine good spatial resolution with very high rate capability and a good resistance to radiation. Results from a detailed T2 GEM simulation and from laboratory tests on a fina…
Three Gas-Electron-Multiplier tracking detectors with an active area of 10 cm x 10 cm and a two-dimensional, laser-etched orthogonal strip readout have been tested extensively in particle beams at the Meson Test Beam Facility at Fermilab. These detectors used GEM foils produced by Tech-Etch, Inc. They showed an efficiency in excess of 95% and spatial resolution better than 70 um. The influence of the angle of incidence of particles on efficiency and spatial resolution was studied in detail.
In this work we characterized a X-ray position sensitive gaseous detector based in a triple stack of gas electron multipliers (GEM). The readout circuit is divided in 256 strips for each dimension and using a resistive chain interconnecting the strips, we are able to reconstruct the radiation interaction points by resistive charge division. The detector achieved gains above $10^4$, energy resolution of 15.28% (FWHM) for 5.9keV X-rays, and position resolution of 1.2mm, while operating in Ar/CO$_2$(90/10) at atmospheric pressure.
The bubble-assisted Liquid Hole Multiplier (LHM) is a recently-proposed concept for the combined detection of ionization electrons and primary scintillation photons in noble-liquid time projection chambers. The LHM comprises a perforated micro-pattern electrode (e.g. Thick Gas Electron Multiplier - THGEM, or Gas Electron Multiplier - GEM) immersed in the liquid, with a bubble of the noble gas supported underneath. Ionization electrons and scintillation-induced photoelectrons extracted from a cesium iodide photocathode drift through the electrode's holes and induce electroluminescence (EL) sign…
Gaseous detectors are used in both low energy and high energy physics experiments. The present day gaseous detectors, i.e., the Micro-Pattern gaseous detectors (MPGD) are more efficient and fast. Gas Electron multiplier (GEM) is quite well know among the MPGD members. The MPGDs are also being used in other applications like tomography/imaging, moreover, recently, hybridization of two different kinds of MPGD is another emerging subject of R\&D. Ion feedback is an intrinsic drawback of the gaseous detectors. However, it is not a big issue where the event rate is not very high, or the drift volum…
We study the performance of the triple-GEM (Gas Electron Multiplier) detector in pure noble gases Ne, Ar and Xe, at different pressures varying from 1 to 10 atm. In Ar and Xe, the maximum attainable gain of the detector abruptly drops down for pressures exceeding 3 atm. In contrast, the maximum gain in Ne was found to increase with pressure, reaching a value of 100,000 at 7 atm. The results obtained are of particular interest for developing noble gas-based cryogenic particle detectors for solar neutrino and dark matter search.
