Automatized characterization of a 2D-multiplexed Micromegas detector for muon tomography

Abstract

Muon tomography consists in using cosmic muons to probe structures in a neither invasive nor destructive way. Following the first muography of a water tower using a muon telescope based on micro-pattern gaseous detectors and developed at CEA Saclay in 2015, the gaseous detectors and electronics have been developed to be more robust to high variations of temperature, allowing to operate in Egypt for the ScanPyramids mission since 2016. More recently, simulations showed that muon telescopes based on multiplexed Micromegas detectors could also be used to detect cavities for geology studies or dismantling of nuclear facilities leading to several partnerships with industry.However, telescopes are directional and have a limited compactness. To expand the spectrum of applications, CEA is developing a highly pixelated and 2D-multiplexed compact time projection chamber that would allow a full track reconstruction with a quasi-isotropical angular acceptance.The characterization of the Micromegas readout plane using a fully automatized test bench with precise positioning is presented here.