Improving count rate capability of timing RPCs by increasing the detector working temperature

Abstract

This communication describes test beam results, focusing on detection efficiency and timing precision, of common float glass timing Resistive Plate Chambers (tRPCs) exposed to a 2.7 GeV proton beam and operated at above ambient temperature in order to increase the count rate capability of the chambers, by exploiting the reduction in the resistivity of the glass electrodes. Results suggest that the count rate capability can be extended at least up to 1500Hz/cm2 when the detector is operated at 40.6°C without noticeable loss of efficiency or timing precision degradation with values around 90% and 100 ps, respectively, for this specific timing RPC arrangement.