Electron Multiplier Detector Research Articles

Comparison of Radiation Induced Noise Levels in Two Ion Detectors for Shielded Space Instruments in High Radiation Fields

Radiation shielding performance and radiation induced noise levels in ion detection instruments were investigated for a high radiation field. The intensity of primary and secondary radiation behind simple shields of aluminum and tantalum were determined by Monte Carlo computer simulations. Two ion detectors were evaluated: a micro-channel plate and a custom discrete dynode electron multiplier. Europa, an icy moon of Jupiter, was selected because it is one of the most intense radiation environments in our solar system. Based on the combination of computer simulation results and experimental measurements of detector responses to electron and photon radiation, the relative radiation induced background noise was assessed to inform further instrument design considerations and performance optimization, such as anticipated signal-to-noise ratio and minimum detectable concentrations for mass spectroscopy during specific missions. Radiation detection efficiencies between the two detectors were comparable for photons and higher energy electrons, but significant differences were found for electrons with energies less than 0.5 MeV. Higher radiation induced count rates are expected for the micro-channel plate detector owing to its larger cross-sectional area. Superior instrument performance is anticipated for the custom discrete dynode electron multiplier detector in high radiation environments with the same or slightly less shielding.

New optics for resolution improving of Ring Imaging Cherenkov detectors

The Ring Imaging Cherenkov detector (RICH) of the COMPASS experiment at CERN is key tool for particle identification. Two reflecting spherical mirror surfaces, covering a total area of about 21 m2 hosted in the radiator vessel, provide Cherenkov radiation focusing to photon detectors. These ones are based on the use of multi-anode photo-multiplier tubes. They are coupled to individual lens telescopes, made from special fused silica aspherical lenses. Design, construction, and Hartmann test of lenses qualities and alignment were described. The RICH detector uses C4F10 as radiator gas. The refractive index of the radiator gas is substantial parameter. It varies with temperature, atmospheric pressure and gas purity. Its accurate knowledge is essential for the particle identification performance. A modified Jamin’s interferometer was proposed, constructed and tested to allow on-line refractive index measurement with accuracy better than 10-6 The new types of fused silica Cherenkov radiators was designed to the tests of electron multiplier detector too.

A compact system for two-dimensional readout of Gas Electron Multiplier detectors

There is a growing interest in the use of Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) and other micro-pattern gas detectors (MPGD) for two-dimensional (2-D) position sensitive measurements of photons or charged particles.A Gas Electron Multiplier Readout Chip (GEMROC) is an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) dedicated for 2-D strip readout of GEM detectors.The ASICs deliver the amplitudes and time coordinates of the signals recorded on two sets of orthogonal strips.Timing information is used for finding coincidences of signals on two spatial coordinates while amplitude information is used to find the center of gravity for the cluster of signals belonging to the same detection event.In this paper we present a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) based compact readout system dedicated for these ASICs. The readout system consists of two synchronized FPGA-ADC boards connected to four front-end boards, each one equipped with two GEMROCs.Both FPGAs are connected to a DAQ PC using separate Gigabit Ethernet links.The DAQ PC is equipped with a dedicated C++ based software, which is responsible for configuration of the FPGAs and ASICs settings, storing all the incoming data as well as for on-line/off-line data processing and visualization. The performance of the system is illustrated by test bench measurements.

GEM gas detectors for soft X-ray imaging in fusion devices with neutron–gamma background

A triple gas electron multiplier (GEM) detector has been built and characterized in a collaboration between ENEA, INFN and CEA to develop a soft X-ray imaging diagnostic for magnetic fusion plasmas. It has an active area of 5×5cm2, 128pixels and electronics in counting mode. Since burning plasma experiments will have a very large background of radiation, this prototype has been tested with contemporary X-ray, neutron and gamma irradiation, to study the detection efficiencies, and the discrimination capabilities. The detector has been preliminarily characterized under DD neutron irradiation (2.45MeV) up to 2.2×106n/s on the detector active area, showing a detection efficiency of about 10−4, while the detection efficiency of X-rays is more than three orders of magnitude higher. The detector has been also tested under DT neutron flux (14MeV) up to 2.8×108n/s on the whole detector, with a detection efficiency of about 10−5. The calibration of the γ-rays detection has been done by means of a source of 60Co (gamma rays of energy 1.17MeV and 1.33MeV) and the detection efficiency was found of the order of 10−4. Thanks to the adjustable gain of the detector and the discrimination threshold of the electronics, it is possible to minimize the sensitivity to neutrons and gamma, and discriminate the X-ray signals even with very high radiative background.

Soft X-ray imaging techniques on Tore Supra: Present status and possible future developments

This paper is focused on the soft X-ray tomography system set-up at Tore Supra (DTOMOX) and the recent developments made to get precise information about plasma features from a raw or inverted data. The ultimate aim is not only to use this information in real time for visualisation but also for potential feedback, with a particular emphasis on the optimisation of the reconstruction technique and on simple analysis tools developed for an automatic treatment of these inverted data. Recent progress made on the optimisation of free parameters used for the tomographic inversion will be explained. Finally, future techniques using advanced imaging detector will be presented. In particular, preliminary investigation on the use on Tore Supra of Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) detector for imaging purposes will be described also including some first observations in situ.

Focus on vacuum and cryogenics

Focus on vacuum and cryogenics

Characterization of uranium isotopic abundances in depleted uranium metal assay standard 115

Certified reference material (CRM) 115, Uranium (Depleted) Metal (Uranium Assay Standard), was analyzed using a TRITON Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometer to characterize the uranium isotope-amount ratios. The certified 235U/238U “major” isotope-amount ratio of 0.0020337 (12) in CRM 115 was determined using the total evaporation (TE) and the modified total evaporation (MTE) analytical techniques. In the MTE method, the total evaporation process is interrupted on a regular basis to allow correction of background from peak tailing, internal calibration of the secondary electron multiplier detector versus the Faraday cups, peak-centering, and ion source re-focusing. For the “minor” 234U/238U and 236U/238U isotope-amount ratio measurements using MTE, precision and accuracy comparable to conventional analyses are achieved, without compromising the quality of the 235U/238U isotope-amount ratios. Characterized values of the 234U/238U and 236U/238U isotope-amount ratios in CRM 115 are 0.000007545 (10) and 0.000032213 (84), respectively. The 233U/238U isotope-amount ratio in CRM 115 is estimated to be <5 × 10−9. The homogeneity of the CRM 115 materials is established through the absence of any statistically significant unit-to-unit variation in the uranium isotope-amount ratios. The measurements leading to the certification of uranium isotope-amount ratios are discussed.

Triple GEM gas detectors as real time fast neutron beam monitors for spallation neutron sources

A fast neutron beam monitor based on a triple Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) detector was developed and tested for the ISIS spallation neutron source in U.K. The test on beam was performed at the VESUVIO beam line operating at ISIS. The 2D fast neutron beam footprint was recorded in real time with a spatial resolution of a few millimeters thanks to the patterned detector readout.

High dynamic range isotope ratio measurements using an analog electron multiplier

We have explored measurement and accuracy issues in the use of an electron multiplier detector as a fast analog amplifier rather than in pulse‐counting mode. The electron multiplier on a Cameca IMS 3f instrument was modified to allow both analog and digital signals to be recorded simultaneously. The digital signal was picked up on the last dynode and the analog signal was recorded at the anode (operated near ground potential). The digital signal was differentiated to convert the positive pulse at the last dynode to a negative‐going signal that could be processed by the digital electronics of the IMS 3f and fed into the pulse counting system. The analog signal was amplified by an operational amplifier with a 106 ohm feedback resistor and the resulting signal was fed into the voltage/frequency convertor that normally processes the electrometer output from the Faraday cup collector. Isotope ratio measurements were explored for negative ion signals of the silicon and sulfur isotopes under Cs+ primary ion bombardment. For 32S and 34S signals of ~ 3 × 107 and ~ 1.3 × 106 counts/s respectively and 1 s counting times for each isotope, the standard deviations of the means of 140 ratio measurements averaged 0.3 per mil. Measurements on two sulfide samples with isotope ratios previously determined to differ by 13.6 per mil were within 1.2 ± 0.5 per mil of the previous difference value. Sources of residual error are discussed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Uranium isotope abundance ratios in natural uranium metal certified reference material 112-A

Certified reference material (CRM) 112-A, uranium metal assay standard, with “natural” U isotopic composition and CRM 145, uranium assay standard solution made by dissolving CRM 112-A metal were analyzed using TRITON Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometer (TIMS) to characterize the uranium isotopic abundances. The certified 235U/238U “major” ratio of 0.0072543 (40) in CRM C112-A and CRM 145 is determined using the total evaporation (TE) and modified total evaporation (MTE) methods. In the MTE method, the total evaporation process is interrupted on a regular basis to allow correction of background from peak tailing, internal calibration of the secondary electron multiplier (SEM) detector versus the Faraday cups, peak-centering, and ion source re-focusing. For the “minor”234U/238U and 236U/238U ratio measurements using MTE, better precision and accuracy are achieved compared to the TE analyses. The certified 234U/238U ratio of 0.000052841 (82) in CRM C112-A and CRM 145 is determined using a conventional analysis technique that incorporates an internal mass bias correction utilizing the measured 235U/238U ratio and correction for peak tailing from 235U and 238U. The 236U/238U isotope abundance ratio in CRM C112-A and CRM 145 is estimated to be <5×10−9. The CRM 112-A and CRM 145 materials show no evidence for any statistically significant unit-to-unit variations in uranium isotope abundance ratios. The homogeneity of both CRMs is established. The measurements leading to the certification of uranium isotopic abundances are discussed.

GEM400: A front-end chip based on capacitor-switch array for pixel-based GEM detector

The upgrade of Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility (BSRF) needs two-dimensional position-sensitive detection equipment to improve the experimental performance. Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) detector, in particular, pixel-based GEM detector has good application prospects in the domain of synchrotron radiation. The read-out of larger scale pixel-based GEM detector is difficult for the high density of the pixels (PAD for collecting electrons). In order to reduce the number of cables, this paper presents a read-out scheme for pixel-based GEM detector, which is based on System-in-Package technology and ASIC technology. We proposed a circuit structure based on capacitor switch array circuit, and design a chip GEM400, which is a 400 channels ASIC. The proposed circuit can achieve good stability and low power dissipation. The chip is implemented in a 0.35μm CMOS process. The basic functional circuitry in ths chip includes analog switch, analog buffer, voltage amplifier, bandgap and control logic block, and the layout of this chip takes 5mm × 5mm area. The simulation results show that the chip can allow the maximum amount of input charge 70pC on the condition of 100pF external integrator capacitor. Besides, the chip has good channel uniformity (INL is better than 0.1%) and lower power dissipation.

NGEM neutron diagnostic concept for high power deuterium beams

The ITER neutral beam test facility under construction in Padova will host two experimental devices: SPIDER, a 100 kV negative H/D RF source, and MITICA, a full scale, 1 MeV deuterium beam injector. Detection of fusion neutrons will be used as a means to resolve the horizontal beam intensity profile. The neutron detection system will be placed right behind the SPIDER beam dump, as close to the neutron emitting surface as possible thus providing the map of the neutron emission on the beam dump surface. The system uses nGEM neutron detectors. These are Gas Electron Multiplier detectors equipped with a cathode that also serves as neutron-proton converter foil. The cathode is designed to ensure that most of the detected neutrons at a point of the nGEM surface are emitted from the corresponding 40 × 22 mm2 beamlet footprint on the dump front surface. The nGEM readout pads (area 20 × 22 mm2) will record a useful count rate of 5 kHz providing a time resolution of temporal structures in the neutron fluency rate to be measured of better than 1 s. The directional response of the nGEM to neutrons is a key to reducing the scattering contribution to the measured neutron flux. First results achieved using small size nGEM prototypes shows that these detectors own the directionality property and that experimental results are in agreement with MCNP simulation. In addition they have a neutron efficiency detection of about 10−5 and their response scales linearly following the intensity of the neutron flux.

A neutron diagnostic for high current deuterium beams

A neutron diagnostic for high current deuterium beams is proposed for installation on the spectral shear interferometry for direct electric field reconstruction (SPIDER, Source for Production of Ion of Deuterium Extracted from RF plasma) test beam facility. The proposed detection system is called Close-contact Neutron Emission Surface Mapping (CNESM). The diagnostic aims at providing the map of the neutron emission on the beam dump surface by placing a detector in close contact, right behind the dump. CNESM uses gas electron multiplier detectors equipped with a cathode that also serves as neutron-proton converter foil. The cathode is made of a thin polythene film and an aluminium film; it is designed for detection of neutrons of energy >2.2 MeV with an incidence angle < 45°. CNESM was designed on the basis of simulations of the different steps from the deuteron beam interaction with the beam dump to the neutron detection in the nGEM. Neutron scattering was simulated with the MCNPX code. CNESM on SPIDER is a first step towards the application of this diagnostic technique to the MITICA beam test facility, where it will be used to resolve the horizontal profile of the beam intensity.

Application of Large Scale GEM for Digital Hadron Calorimetry

Abstract The detectors proposed for future e+e- colliders (ILC and CLIC) demand a high level of precision in the measurement of jet energies. Various technologies have been proposed for the active layers of the digital hadron calorimetry to be used in conjunction with the Particle Flow Algorithm (PFA) approach. The High Energy Physics group of the University of Texas at Arlington has been developing Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) detectors for use as the calorimeter active gap detector. To understand this application of GEMs, two kinds of prototype GEM detectors have been tested. One has 30x30 cm 2 active area double GEM structure with a 3 mm drift gap, a 1 mm transfer gap and a 1 mm induction gap. The other one has two 2x2 cm 2 GEM foils in the amplifier stage with a 5 mm drift gap, a 2 mm transfer gap and a 1 mm induction gap. We will summarize the results of tests of these prototypes, using cosmic rays and sources, in terms of their applicability to a digital hadron calorimeter system. We will discuss plans for the construction of 1m 2 layers of GEM digital hadron calorimetry to be used as part of a 1m 3 stack to be used in a major test beam study of hadronic showers.

Development of Large Area GEM Chambers

The High Energy Physics group of the University of Texas at Arlington Physics Department has been developing Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) detectors for use as the sensitive gap detector in digital hadron calorimeters (DHCAL) for the future International Linear Collider. In this study, two kinds of prototype GEM detectors have been tested. One has 30x30 cm 2 active area double GEM structure with a 3 mm drift gap, a 1 mm transfer gap and a 1 mm induction gap. The other one has two 2x2 cm 2 GEM foils in the amplifier stage with a 5 mm drift gap, a 2 mm transfer gap and a 1 mm induction gap. We present characteristics of these detectors obtained using high-energy charged particles, cosmic ray muons and 106 Ru and 55 Fe radioactive sources. From the 55 Fe tests, we observed two well-separated X-ray emission peaks and measured the chamber gain to be over 6500 with a high voltage of 395 V across each GEM electrode. Both the spectra from cosmic rays and the 106 Ru fit well to Landau distributions as expected from minimum ionizing particles. We also present the chamber performance after high dosage exposure to radiation as well as the pressure dependence of the gain and correction factors. Finally, we discuss the quality test results of the first set of large scale GEM foils and discuss progress and future plans for constructing large scale (100cmx100 cm) GEM detectors.

MICROROC: MICRO-mesh gaseous structure Read-Out Chip

MICRO MEsh GAseous Structure (MICROMEGAS) and Gas Electron Multipliers (GEM) detectors are two candidates for the active medium of a Digital Hadronic CALorimeter (DHCAL) as part of a high energy physics experiment at a future linear collider (ILC/CLIC). Physics requirements lead to a highly granular hadronic calorimeter with up to thirty million channels with probably only hit information (digital readout calorimeter).To validate the concept of digital hadronic calorimetry with such small cell size, the construction and test of a cubic meter technological prototype, made of 40 planes of one square meter each, is necessary. This technological prototype would contain about 400 000 electronic channels, thus requiring the development of front-end ASIC. Based on the experience gained with previous ASIC that were mounted on detectors and tested in particle beams, a new ASIC called MICROROC has been developped.This paper summarizes the caracterisation campaign that was conducted on this new chip as well as its integration into a large area Micromegas chamber of one square meter.

Single ion hit detection set-up for the Zagreb ion microprobe

Irradiation of materials by heavy ions accelerated in MV tandem accelerators may lead to the production of latent ion tracks in many insulators and semiconductors. If irradiation is performed in a high resolution microprobe facility, ion tracks can be ordered by submicrometer positioning precision. However, full control of the ion track positioning can only be achieved by a reliable ion hit detection system that should provide a trigger signal irrespectively of the type and thickness of the material being irradiated. The most useful process that can be utilised for this purpose is emission of secondary electrons from the sample surface that follows the ion impact. The status report of the set-up presented here is based on the use of a channel electron multiplier (CEM) detector mounted on an interchangable sample holder that is inserted into the chamber in a close geometry along with the sample to be irradiated. The set-up has been tested at the Zagreb ion microprobe for different ions and energies, as well as different geometrical arrangements. For energies of heavy ions below 1MeV/amu, results show that efficient (100%) control of ion impact can be achieved only for ions heavier than silicon. The successful use of the set-up is demonstrated by production of ordered single ion tracks in a polycarbonate film and by monitoring fluence during ion microbeam patterning of Foturan glass.

A new Cylindrical-GEM Inner Tracker for the upgrade of the KLOE experiment

We present the new Inner Tracker detector for the upgrade of the KLOE apparatus at DAΦNE, the Frascati Φ-factory. The device is devoted to improve the vertex reconstruction performance for decays close to the Interaction Point. It is composed of 4 Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) detectors, realized as very light cylinders with an innovative technique that allows to minimize the material budget inside the active area. We report about the construction and test of several prototypes.

The TOTEM GEM Telescope (T2) at the LHC

The TOTEM T2 telescope will measure inelastically produced charged particles in the forward region of the LHC Interaction Point 5. Each arm of the telescope consists in a set of 20 triple-GEM (Gas Electron Multiplier) detectors with tracking and trigger capabilities. The GEM technology has been considered for the design of TOTEM very forward T2 telescopes thanks to its characteristics: large active areas, good position and timing resolution, excellent rate capability and radiation hardness. Each of the four T2 half arms has been fully assembled and equipped with electronics at CERN and systematically tested in the SPS beam line H8 in 2008/09. After some optimization, the operation of the GEM chambers was fully satisfactory and the T2 telescopes were installed and commissioned in their final positions at the LHC interaction point. During the first LHC run (December 2009) the T2 telescopes have collected data, at 900 GeV and 2.36 TeV. We will present here the performances of the detector and the preliminary results obtained using the data collected.

Momentum mapping spectrometer for probing the fragmentation dynamics of molecules induced by keV electrons

We describe a new experimental setup for studying the fragmentation dynamics of molecules induced by the impact of keV electrons using the well-known technique of recoil ion momentum spectroscopy. The apparatus consists of mainly a time- and position-sensitive multi-hit particle detector for ion analysis and a channel electron multiplier detector for detecting the ejected electrons. Different components of the setup and the relevant electronics for data acquisition are described in detail with their working principles. In order to verify the reliable performance of the setup, we have recorded the collision-induced ionic spectra of the CO2 molecule by the impact of keV electrons. Information about the ion pairs of CO+:O+, C+:O+ and O+:O+ resulting from dissociative ionizing collisions of 20 and 26 keV electrons with a dilute gaseous target of CO2 molecules has been obtained. Under conditions of the present experiment, the momentum resolutions of the spectrometer for the combined momenta of CO+ and O+ ions in the direction of the time-of-flight axis and perpendicular to the direction of an electron beam are found to be 10.0 ± 0.2 and 15.0 ± 0.3 au, respectively.