Photocathode characterisation for robust PICOSEC Micromegas precise-timing detectors

Lisowska M, Aleksan R, Angelis Y, Aune S, Bortfeldt J, Brunbauer F, Brunoldi M, Chatzianagnostou E, Datta J, Dehmelt K, Fanourakis G, Ferry S, Fiorina D, Floethner KJ, Gallinaro M, Garcia F, Giomataris I, Gnanvo K, Iguaz FJ, Janssens D, Kallitsopoulou A, Kovacic M, Kross B, Lai CC, Legou P, Liu J, Lupberger M, Maniatis I, McKisson J, Meng Y, Muller H, De Oliveira R, Oliveri E, Orlandini G, Pandey A, Papaevangelou T, Pomorski M, Robert M, Ropelewski L, Sampsonidis D, Scharenberg L, Schneider T, Scorsone E, Sohl L, van Stenis M, Tsipolitis Y, Tzamarias S, Utrobicic A, Vai I, Veenhof R, Viezzi L, Vitulo P, Volpato C, Wang X, White S, Xi W, Zhang Z, Zhou Y (2025)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2025

Journal

Book Volume: 1072

Article Number: 170151

DOI: 10.1016/j.nima.2024.170151

Abstract

The PICOSEC Micromegas detector is a precise-timing gaseous detector based on a Cherenkov radiator coupled with a semi-transparent photocathode and a Micromegas amplifying structure, targeting a time resolution of tens of picoseconds for minimum ionising particles. Initial single-pad prototypes have demonstrated a time resolution below σ = 25 ps, prompting ongoing developments to adapt the concept for High Energy Physics applications, where sub-nanosecond precision is essential for event separation, improved track reconstruction and particle identification. The achieved performance is being transferred to robust multi-channel detector modules suitable for large-area detection systems requiring excellent timing precision. To enhance the robustness and stability of the PICOSEC Micromegas detector, research on robust carbon-based photocathodes, including Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) and Boron Carbide (B4C), is pursued. Results from prototypes equipped with DLC and B4C photocathodes exhibited a time resolution of σ ≈ 32 ps and σ ≈ 34.5 ps, respectively. Efforts dedicated to improve detector robustness and stability enhance the feasibility of the PICOSEC Micromegas concept for large experiments, ensuring sustained performance while maintaining excellent timing precision.

Involved external institutions

Europäische Organisation für Kernforschung (CERN) Switzerland (CH) Institute of Research into the Fundamental Laws of the Universe / Institut de recherche sur les lois fondamentales de l'univers (IRFU) France (FR) Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Greece (GR) Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Germany (DE) Università degli Studi di Pavia Italy (IT) State University of New York at Albany (UNY Albany / UAlbany) United States (USA) (US) Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility United States (USA) (US) Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP) / 中国科学院高能物理研究所 China (CN) Helsinki Institute of Physics Finland (FI) University of Zagreb / Sveučilište u Zagrebu Croatia (HR) European Spallation Source (ESS ERIC) Sweden (SE) Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn Germany (DE) CEA-LIST: Laboratory for Integration of Systems and Technology France (FR) National Technical University of Athens / Εθνικό Μετσόβιο Πολυτεχνείο Greece (GR) Rudjer Boskovic Institute (RBI) / Institut Ruđer Bošković (IRB) Croatia (HR) Laboratório de Instrumentação e Física Experimental de Partículas (LIP) Portugal (PT)

How to cite

APA:

Lisowska, M., Aleksan, R., Angelis, Y., Aune, S., Bortfeldt, J., Brunbauer, F.,... Zhou, Y. (2025). Photocathode characterisation for robust PICOSEC Micromegas precise-timing detectors. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, 1072. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2024.170151

MLA:

Lisowska, M., et al. "Photocathode characterisation for robust PICOSEC Micromegas precise-timing detectors." Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment 1072 (2025).

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