Charge production in thin gap multi-wire chambers

Resistive cathode thin gap chambers (TGCs) have been used as particle detec tors in high-energy physics experiments for more than a decade. A quantitat ive understanding of charge production mechanisms in TGCs has been develope d and a simulation program produced to accurately describe the expected res ponse from a chamber as a function of its design and operating parameters. This simulation is based upon a description of the processes of electron cl uster production, drift and avalanche effects and space charge contribution s from residual ions. Improved measurements of chamber performance are pres ented, and the parameters of the simulation have been fitted to these data yielding values consistent with estimates based on the physical mechanisms involved. Sensitivity of chamber timing and amplification properties to ope rating parameters is discussed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights r eserved.