Development of a double-GEM detector using the self-stretching technique for digital hadron calorimetry

Abstract

A digital hadron calorimeter (DHCAL) has been proposed for precision jet-energy measurement by means of the particle flow algorithm for the experiment at the Circular Electron Positron Collider (CEPC). Among various candidate detector technologies for the sensitive layers of the CEPC-DHCAL, the gaseous electron multiplier (GEM) is an attractive option. A prerequisite for application of GEM to DHCAL is its scalability to very large size. The self-stretching technique is a novel method for assembling large-size GEM detectors, making it a promising GEM assembly technique in DHCAL application. As part of the R&D program for the CEPC-DHCAL, a double-GEM detector with an active area of 30×30 cm2 has been constructed using the self-stretching technique. The double-GEM structure was adopted to better meet the requirement of compactness of DHCAL sensitive layers. The design and assembly of the double-GEM detector is described. Results from various tests of the detector with X-rays are also presented. Good performance of the double-GEM detector has been demonstrated for the DHCAL application.