First studies with the Resistive-Plate WELL gaseous multiplier

TL;DR

This paper introduces the Resistive Plate WELL (RPWELL), a novel gaseous detector that achieves high gain and stable operation with resistive materials, representing an advancement in Micro-Pattern Gas-Detector technology.

Contribution

The study presents the first experimental results of RPWELL, demonstrating its high gain, discharge-free operation, and comparison with other THGEM configurations.

Findings

Achieved gains up to 10^5 with 8 keV x-ray in Ne/5%CH4

Maintained stable operation with minimal gain drop at high rates

Displayed discharge-free operation even under high ionization conditions

Abstract

We present the results of first studies of the Resistive Plate WELL (RPWELL): a single-faced THGEM coupled to a copper anode via a resistive layer of high bulk resistivity. We explored various materials of different bulk resistivity (10^9 - 10^12 Ohm cm) and thickness (0.4 - 4 mm). Our most successful prototype, with a 0.6 mm resistive plate of ~10^9 Ohm cm, achieved gains of up to 10^5 with 8 keV x-ray in Ne/5%CH4; a minor 30% gain drop occurred with a rate increase from 10 to 10^4 Hz/mm^2. The detector displayed a full "discharge-free" operation--even when exposed to high primary ionization events. We present the RPWELL detector concept and compare its performance to that of other previously explored THGEM configurations--in terms of gain, its curves, dependence on rate, and the response to high ionization. The robust Resistive Plate WELL concept is a step forward in the Micro-Pattern Gas-Detector family, with numerous potential applications.