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A novel diamond-like carbon based photocathode for PICOSEC Micromegas detectors

The PICOSEC Micromegas (MM) detector is a precise timinggaseous detector based on a MM detector operating in a two-stageamplification mode and a Cherenkov radiator. Prototypes equippedwith cesium iodide (CsI) photocathodes have shown promising timeresolutions as precise as 24 picoseconds (ps) for Minimum IonizingParticles. However, due to the high hygroscopicity andsusceptibility to ion bombardment of the CsI photocathodes,alternative photocathode materials are needed to improve therobustness of PICOSEC MM. Diamond-like Carbon (DLC) film have beenintroduced as a novel robust photocathode material, which have shownpromising results. A batch of DLC photocathodes with differentthicknesses were produced and evaluated using ultraviolet light. Thequantum efficiency measurements indicate that the optimizedthickness of the DLC photocathode is approximately3 nm. Furthermore, DLC photocathodes show good resistance to ionbombardment in aging test compared to the CsI photocathode. Finally,a PICOSEC MM prototype equipped with DLC photocathodes was tested inmuon beams. A time resolution of around 42 ps with a detectionefficiency of 97% for 150 GeV/c muons were obtained. These resultsindicate the great potential of DLC as a photocathode for thePICOSEC MM detector.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Towards robust PICOSEC Micromegas precise timing detectors

The PICOSEC Micromegas (MM) detector is a precise timing gaseous detector consisting of a Cherenkov radiator combined with a photocathode and a MM amplifying structure. A 100-channel PICOSEC MM prototype with 10 × 10 cm 2 active area equipped with a Cesium Iodide (CsI) photocathode demonstrated a time resolution below σ = 18 ps. The objective of this work is to improve the PICOSEC MM detector robustness aspects, i.e. integration of resistive MM and carbon-based photocathodes, while maintaining good time resolution. The PICOSEC MM prototypes have been tested in laboratory conditions and successfully characterised with 150 GeV/c muon beams at the CERN SPS H4 beam line. The excellent timing performance below σ = 20 ps for an individual pad obtained with the 10 × 10 cm 2 area resistive PICOSEC MM of 20 MΩ/$\square$ showed no significant time resolution degradation as a result of adding a resistive layer. A single-pad prototype equipped with a 12 nm thick Boron Carbide (B 4 C) photocathode presented a time resolution below σ = 35 ps, opening up new possibilities for detectors with robust photocathodes. The results made the concept more suitable for the experiments in need of robust detectors with good time resolution.

RETHGEM↗

Sub-25 ps timing measurements with 10 × 10 cm 2 PICOSEC Micromegas detectors

The PICOSEC Micromegas detector is a precise timing gaseous detector based on a Cherenkov radiator coupled to a semi-transparent photocathode and a Micromegas amplifying structure. First single-pad prototypes demonstrated a time resolution below σ = 25 ps, however, to make the concept appropriate to physics applications, several developments are required. The objective of this work was to achieve an equivalent time resolution for a 10 × 10 cm 2 area PICOSEC Micromegas detector. The prototype was designed, produced and tested in the laboratory and successfully operated with a 80 GeV/c muon beam. Preliminary results for this device equipped with a CsI photocathode demonstrated a time resolution below σ = 25 ps for all measured pads. The time resolution was reduced to be below σ = 18 ps by decreasing the drift gap to 180 μm and using dedicated RF amplifier cards as new electronics. The excellent timing performance of the single-channel proof of concept was not only transferred to the 100-channel prototype, but even improved, making the PICOSEC Micromegas detector more suitable for large-area experiments in need of detectors with high time resolutions.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Single channel PICOSEC Micromegas detector with improved time resolution

This paper presents design guidelines and the experimental verification of a single-channel PICOSEC Micromegas (MM) detector with an improved time resolution. The design encompasses the detector board, vessel, auxiliary mechanical parts, and electrical connectivity for high voltage (HV) and signals, focusing on improving the stability, reducing noise, and ensuring signal integrity to optimize timing performance. A notable feature is the simple and fast reassembly procedure, facilitating quick replacement of the detector internal components that allows for an efficient measurement strategy involving different detector components. The paper also examines the influence of parasitic capacitance and inductance on the output signal integrity. To validate the design, a prototype assembly and three interchangeable detector boards with varying readout pad diameters were manufactured. Detectors were initially tested in the laboratory. Finally, the timing performance of the detectors with different pad sizes was verified using 150 GeV muons. Notably, a record time resolution for a PICOSEC Micromegas detector technology with a CsI photocathode of 12.5 ± 0.8 ps was achieved for a detector with 10 mm diameter readout pad size.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Hadron blind Cherenkov counters

A Hadron Blind Detector, or HBD, is a novel form of Cherenkov counter that is designed to provide high efficiency for detecting highly relativistic electrons while being essentially blind to most hadrons. Herein, we present some of the most prominent realizations of the HBD concept in real experiments. We describe the first implementation of an HBD that was made in the CERES experiment at CERN using a spectrometer based on a doublet of hadron blind RICH detectors for the measurement of low-mass electron pairs in pA and AA collisions at the SPS. We next present a detailed account of a more extensive realization of the HBD that was made in the PHENIX experiment for the measurement of low-mass electron pairs in central heavy-ion collisions at RHIC, followed by a description of a very similar detector that is currently under construction at J-PARC for the measurement of vector mesons through their e + e – decay in pA collisions. We conclude with a brief discussion of possible evolutions of the HBD concept as well as possible developments and uses of HBDs in experiments at the future Electron Ion Collider.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗