THGEM operation in Ne and Ne/CH4

TL;DR

This paper investigates the performance of THGEM detectors in neon and neon-methane mixtures, focusing on gain, stability, and resolution, with potential applications in imaging and particle detection.

Contribution

It provides systematic experimental data on THGEM operation in Ne and Ne/CH4, including gain behavior, stability, and resolution, which were not comprehensively reported before.

Findings

High gain at low voltages in Ne and Ne/CH4

Stable long-term operation demonstrated

Good position resolution for imaging applications

Abstract

The operation of Thick Gaseous Electron Multipliers (THGEM) in Ne and Ne/CH4 mixtures, features high multiplication factors at relatively low operation potentials, in both single- and double-THGEM configurations. We present some systematic data measured with UV-photons and soft x-rays, in various Ne mixtures. It includes gain dependence on hole diameter and gas purity, photoelectron extraction efficiency from CsI photocathodes into the gas, long-term gain stability and pulse rise-time. Position resolution of a 100x100 mm^2 X-rays imaging detector is presented. Possible applications are discussed.