Design and optimization of a hadronic calorimeter based on micropattern gaseous detectors for a future experiment at the Muon Collider

TL;DR

This paper presents the design, simulation, and prototype testing of a micropattern gaseous detector-based hadronic calorimeter for future Muon Collider experiments, demonstrating promising energy resolution and uniformity.

Contribution

It introduces a semi-digital MPGD-HCAL design, supported by Monte Carlo simulations and prototype test results, advancing detector technology for high-energy physics experiments.

Findings

Energy resolution down to 8% at 80 GeV pions

Good response uniformity below 17%

Prototype performance aligns with Monte Carlo predictions

Abstract

Micro-pattern gaseous detectors (MPGDs) are a promising readout technology for hadronic calorimeters (HCAL) thanks to their good space resolution, longevity and rate capability. We describe the development of a HCAL based on MPGDs for an experiment at the proposed Muon Collider. The design of a semi-digital MPGD-HCAL is shown and its performance is calculated with Monte Carlo simulations with high-energy pions, showing an energy resolution down to 8\% for \SI{80}{\giga\eV} pions. We also present the performance of twelve MPGD prototypes with different technologies (MicroMegas, $\mu$-RWELL and RPWELL) assembled and operated in test beam first with high-energy muons and later with pions in a hadronic calorimeter prototype of $\sim1\,\lambda_\text{I}$ length; the detectors have a good response uniformity (lower than 17\%) and space resolution and their performance in the calorimeter shows very good agreement with the Monte Carlo shower calculation.