The MICROMEGEM detector

This article introduces the MICROMEGEM detector, a position-sensitive propo rtional gas counter produced using advanced Printed Circuit Board (PCB) tec hnology. The detector is equipped with a Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) foil placed 50 mum above a plane of pick-up strips. The GEM produces a first ga s amplification which is extended below the GEM foil by applying a strong e lectric field between the strips and the lower electrode of the GEM. The ar ray of strips is used for read-out to obtain 1-D positional information. We present results on the gas gain, the energy resolution and the rate capabi lity. The behaviour in an intense beam of 300 MeV/c pions in presence of he avily ionizing particles has also been investigated. (C) 2001 Elsevier Scie nce B.V. All rights reserved.