High granularity tracker based on a Triple-GEM optically read by a CMOS-based camera

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a high-granularity particle tracking system using a triple-GEM gas detector optically read by a CMOS sensor, achieving high photon yield and effective detection of cosmic muons and natural radioactivity.

Contribution

It introduces a novel optical readout method for triple-GEM detectors using CMOS sensors, enhancing granularity and sensitivity in particle tracking.

Findings

Detected about 80 photons per primary electron.

Successfully tracked cosmic muons and natural radioactivity.

Optimized electric fields for high photon yield.

Abstract

The detection of photons produced during the avalanche development in gas chambers has been the subject of detailed studies in the past. The great progresses achieved in last years in the performance of micro-pattern gas detectors on one side and of photo-sensors on the other provide the possibility of making high granularity and very sensitive particle trackers. In this paper, the results obtained with a triple-GEM structure read-out by a CMOS based sensor are described. The use of an He/CF$_4$ (60/40) gas mixture and a detailed optimization of the electric fields made possible to obtain and very high GEM light yield. About 80 photons per primary electron were detected by the sensor resulting in a very good capability of tracking both muons from cosmic rays and electrons from natural radioactivity.