Study of spatial resolution in a single GEM simulated by Monte-Carlo method

TL;DR

This study uses Monte-Carlo simulations to analyze how geometrical parameters and working gases influence the spatial resolution of GEM detectors, highlighting the dominant role of diffusion processes over electrical parameters.

Contribution

It provides a detailed simulation-based analysis of factors affecting GEM spatial resolution, emphasizing the importance of gas choice and geometry over electrical voltages.

Findings

Geometrical parameters significantly affect spatial resolution.

Working gases influence resolution via diffusion and mobility ratios.

Electrical parameters have minor effects on resolution.

Abstract

Spatial resolution is a significant factor in the GEM performance in view of X-rays radiography and UV, visible light imaging. Monte-Carlo method is used to investigate the spatial resolution determined by the transverse diffusion in the device. The simulation results indicate that the electrical parameters, such as the GEM voltages and the electric field at the drift and induction regions, only have minor effects on the spatial resolution. The geometrical parameters and the working gases chosen, on the other hand, are the main parameters that determine the spatial resolution. The spatial resolution is determined more on the drift and diffusion processes than on the avalanche process. Especially for the different working gases, the square root function of the ratio of the electron diffusion coefficient and the mobility has a significant effect on the spatial resolution.