Progress towards a Technological Prototype for a Semi-Digital Hadron Calorimeter based on Glass RPCs

TL;DR

This paper reports progress on developing a semi-digital hadron calorimeter prototype using glass RPCs, aiming to validate its design for future particle physics detectors through tests and beam exposures.

Contribution

It introduces a near-final prototype of a semi-digital hadron calorimeter with glass RPCs, including design, production, and initial testing, advancing towards full validation.

Findings

Successful production and testing of a 1m2 GRPC unit

Design of a gas distribution system for the calorimeter

Plan to produce and test 40 units in 2010

Abstract

The semi-digital Hadronic calorimeter using GRPC as sensitive medium is one of the two options the ILD collaboration is considering for the ILD detector final design. A prototype of 1m3 has been conceived within the CALICE collaboration in order to validate this option. The prototype is intended to be as close as possible to the one proposed in the ILD LOI. A first unit of 1m2 GRPC of 3 mm thickness and fully equipped with a semi-digital electronics readout and new gas distribution design was produced and successfully tested. In 2010 we intend to produce 40 similar units to be inserted in a self-supporting mechanical structure. The prototype will then be exposed to test beams at CERN or at Fermilab for final validation.