Recent results on the properties of two-phase argon avalanche detectors

TL;DR

This paper investigates the properties of two-phase argon avalanche detectors, demonstrating stable operation, high gain, and detection of scintillation and ionization signals, relevant for neutrino and dark matter experiments.

Contribution

It provides new experimental data on the stability, gain, and signal detection capabilities of two-phase argon avalanche detectors with CsI photocathodes.

Findings

Achieved stable operation for at least one day.

Reached gains up to 10,000 with good reproducibility.

Successfully detected scintillation and ionization signals at 60 keV.

Abstract

The characteristic properties of two-phase Ar avalanche detectors, including those obtained with CsI photocathode, are further studied. Such detectors are relevant in the field of coherent neutrino-nucleus scattering and dark matter search experiments. The detectors investigated comprised a 1 cm thick liquid Ar layer followed by a triple-GEM multiplier. In these detectors, typical gains reaching 10000 were obtained with good reproducibility and a stable operation for at least one day was demonstrated. Amplitude and pulse-shape characteristics are presented under irradiation with X-rays, gamma-rays and neutrons from different radioactive sources. The detection of both primary scintillation and ionization signals at higher gains, at a deposited energy of 60 keV, has been demonstrated.