Photocathode characterisation for robust PICOSEC Micromegas precise-timing detectors

Journal Article · 09 December 2024 · Nucl.Instrum.Meth.A

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2024.170151 · OSTI ID:2429209

Lisowska, M. ^[1]; Aleksan, R. ^[2]; Angelis, Y. ^[3]; Aune, S.  ^[2]; Bortfeldt, J. ^[4]; Brunbauer, F. ^[5]; Brunoldi, M. ^[6]; Chatzianagnostou, E. ^[3]; Datta, J.  ^[7]; Dehmelt, K. ^[8]; Fanourakis, G. ^[9]; Ferry, S. ^[5]; Fiorina, D. ^[6]; Floethner, K. J. ^[10]; Gallinaro, M. ^[11]; Garcia, F. ^[12]; Giomataris, I. ^[2]; Gnanvo, K. ^[8]; Iguaz, F. J. ^[2]; Janssens, D. ^[5] ; Kallitsopoulou, A. ^[2]; Kovacic, M. ^[13]; Kross, B. ^[8]; Lai, C. C. ^[14]; Legou, P. ^[2]; Liu, J. ^[15]; Lupberger, M. ^[16]; Maniatis, I. ^[17]; McKisson, J. ^[8]; Meng, Y. ^[15]; Muller, H. ^[18]; De Oliveira, R. ^[5]; Oliveri, E. ^[5]; Orlandini, G. ^[19]; Pandey, A. ^[8]; Papaevangelou, T. ^[2]; Pomorski, M. ^[20]; Robert, M. ^[21]; Ropelewski, L. ^[5]; Sampsonidis, D. ^[3]; Scharenberg, L. ^[5]; Schneider, T. ^[5]; Scorsone, E. ^[20]; Sohl, L. ^[1]; van Stenis, M. ^[5]; Tsipolitis, Y. ^[22]; Tzamarias, S. ^[3]; Utrobicic, A. ^[23]; Vai, I. ^[6]; Veenhof, R. ^[5]; Viezzi, L. ^[5]; Vitulo, P. ^[6]; Volpato, C. ^[24]; Wang, X. ^[15]; White, S. ^[25]; Xi, W. ^[8]; Zhang, Z. ^[15]; Zhou, Y. ^[15]

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1. CERN; IRFU, Saclay
2. IRFU, Saclay
3. Aristotle U., Thessaloniki
4. Munich U.
5. CERN
6. Pavia U.; INFN, Pavia
7. SUNY, Stony Brook
8. Jefferson Lab
9. American Coll. of Greece
10. CERN; Bonn U., HISKP
11. LIP, Lisbon
12. Helsinki U.
13. Zagreb U.
14. ESS, Lund
15. Hefei, CUST
16. Bonn U., HISKP; Bonn U.
17. CERN; Aristotle U., Thessaloniki
18. CERN; Bonn U.
19. CERN; Erlangen - Nuremberg U.
20. LIST, Saclay
21. CERN; Queen's U., Kingston
22. Natl. Tech. U., Athens
23. Boskovic Inst., Zagreb
24. CERN; INFN, Florence; Florence U.
25. Virginia U.

The PICOSEC Micromegas detector is a precise-timing gaseous detector based on a Cherenkov radiator coupled with a semi-transparent photocathode and a Micromegas amplifying structure, targeting a time resolution of tens of picoseconds for minimum ionising particles. Initial single-pad prototypes have demonstrated a time resolution below $\sigma$ = 25 ps, prompting ongoing developments to adapt the concept for High Energy Physics applications, where sub-nanosecond precision is essential for event separation, improved track reconstruction and particle identification. The achieved performance is being transferred to robust multi-channel detector modules suitable for large-area detection systems requiring excellent timing precision. To enhance the robustness and stability of the PICOSEC Micromegas detector, research on robust carbon-based photocathodes, including Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) and Boron Carbide (B ${}_4$ C), is pursued. Results from prototypes equipped with DLC and B ${}_4$ C photocathodes exhibited a time resolution of $\sigma$ $\approx$ 32 ps and $\sigma$ $\approx$ 34.5 ps, respectively. Efforts dedicated to improve detector robustness and stability enhance the feasibility of the PICOSEC Micromegas concept for large experiments, ensuring sustained performance while maintaining excellent timing precision.

• Research Organization: American Coll. of Greece; Aristotle U., Thessaloniki; Bonn U.; Bonn U., HISKP; Boskovic Inst., Zagreb; CERN; ESS, Lund; Erlangen - Nuremberg U.; Florence U.; Hefei, CUST; Helsinki U.; INFN, Florence; INFN, Pavia; IRFU, Saclay; LIP, Lisbon; LIST, Saclay; Munich U.; Natl. Tech. U., Athens; Pavia U.; Queen's U., Kingston; SUNY, Stony Brook; Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (TJNAF), Newport News, VA (United States); Virginia U.; Zagreb U.
• Sponsoring Organization: US Department of Energy
• Grant/Contract Number: 89243024CSC000002; AC02-07CH11359
• OSTI ID: 2429209
• Report Number(s): FERMILAB-PUB-24-0482-CMS-V; oai:inspirehep.net:2807890; arXiv:2407.09953
• Journal Information: Nucl.Instrum.Meth.A, Journal Name: Nucl.Instrum.Meth.A Vol. 1072
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English