Development and Performance of spark-resistant Micromegas Detectors

TL;DR

This paper reports on the development and testing of large-area, spark-resistant Micromegas detectors with resistive strips, suitable for upgrading the ATLAS Muon System at CERN, demonstrating their robustness in high-radiation environments.

Contribution

It introduces a novel resistive protection scheme and a 2D readout structure for Micromegas detectors, enhancing their performance and reliability for high-energy physics experiments.

Findings

Successful testing in high radiation fields

Effective spark suppression with resistive strips

Validated detector response with X-rays

Abstract

The Muon ATLAS MicroMegas Activity (MAMMA) focuses on the development and testing of large-area muon detectors based on the bulk-Micromegas technology. These detectors are candidates for the upgrade of the ATLAS Muon System in view of the luminosity upgrade of Large Hadron Collider at CERN (sLHC). They will combine trigger and precision measurement capability in a single device. A novel protection scheme using resistive strips above the readout electrode has been developed. The response and sparking properties of resistive Micromegas detectors were successfully tested in a mixed (neutron and gamma) high radiation field, in a X-ray test facility, in hadron beams, and in the ATLAS cavern. Finally, we introduced a 2-dimensional readout structure in the resistive Micromegas and studied the detector response with X-rays.