Development of the Micro Pixel Chamber with resistive electrodes

Abstract

We developed a novel design of a Micro Pixel Chamber (µ-PIC) with resistive electrodes for a charged-particle-tracking detector in high-rate applications. Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) thin film is used for the cathodes. The resistivity can be controlled flexibly (10 5−7 kΩ/sq.) at high uniformity. The fabrication-process was greatly improved and the resistive µ-PIC could be operated at 10×10 cm 2 . Resistors for the HV bias and capacitors for the AC coupling were completely removed by applying PCB and carbonsputtering techniques, and the resistive µ-PIC became a very compact detector. The performances of our new resistive µ-PIC were measured in various ways. Consequently, it was possible to attain high gas gains (> 10 4 ), high detection efficiency, and position resolution exceeding 100 µm. The spark current was suppressed, and the new resistive µ-PIC was operated stably under fast-neutrons irradiation. These features offer solutions for a chargedparticle-tracking detector in future high-rate applications.