# Precise Charged Particle Timing with the PICOSEC Detector

## TL;DR

The PICOSEC detector, combining a two-stage MicroMegas with a Cherenkov radiator, achieves high-precision timing of charged particles, demonstrating sub-100 ps resolution suitable for future accelerator experiments.

## Contribution

This paper introduces the PICOSEC detector concept and reports its timing performance, including experimental results and simulation studies, for the first time.

## Key findings

- Achieves 24 ps time resolution for 150 GeV muons
- Achieves 76 ps time resolution for single photoelectrons
- Demonstrates potential for high-precision timing in future accelerators

## Abstract

The experimental requirements in near future accelerators (e.g. High Luminosity-LHC) has stimulated intense interest in development of detectors with high precision timing capabilities. With this as a goal, a new detection concept called PICOSEC, which is based to a "two-stage" MicroMegas detector coupled to a Cherenkov radiator equipped with a photocathode has been developed. Results obtained with this new detector yield a time resolution of 24\,ps for 150\,GeV muons and 76\,ps for single photoelectrons. In this paper we will report on the performance of the PICOSEC in test beams, as well as simulation studies and modelling of its timing characteristics.