Simulation and performance study of the ceramic THGEM

TL;DR

This study develops ceramic THGEM detectors for neutron and photon detection, analyzing their performance, stability, and material influences, demonstrating high gain and good resolution in various gas mixtures.

Contribution

The paper presents a new ceramic substrate-based THGEM with detailed performance characterization and comparison to FR-4, highlighting improved properties for radiation detection.

Findings

Maximum gain of 6×10^4 in Ne+CH4 gas

Energy resolution better than 24%

Stable gain over 100 hours in Ar+CO2

Abstract

The THGEMs based on ceramic substrate were developed successfully for neutron and single photon detection. The influences on thermal neutron scattering and the internal radioactivity of both ceramic and FR-4 substrates were studied and compared. The ceramic THGEMs are homemade of 200 um hole diameter, 600 um pitch, 200 um thickness, 80 um rim, and 50 mm*50 mm sensitive area. The FR-4 THGEMs with the same geometry were used for the reference. The gas gain, energy resolution and gain stability were measured in different gas mixtures by using the 5.9 keV X-rays. The maximum gain of single layer ceramic THGEM reaches 6*104 and 1.5*104 at Ne+CH4 = 95:5 and Ar+i-C4H10 = 97:3, respectively. The energy resolution is better than 24%. The good gain stability was obtained during more than 100 hour continuous test at Ar+CO2 = 80:20. By using the 239Pu source, the alpha deposited energy spectrum and gain curve of ceramic THGEM were measured.