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P. Colas

Publications and source records attributed to P. Colas.

42 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

NOSTOS experiment and new trends in rare event detection

A novel low-energy neutrino-oscillation experiment NOSTOS, combining a strong tritium source and a high pressure spherical TPC detector (10 m in radius) has been recently proposed. The goal of the experiment is to measure the mixing angle $θ_{13}$, the neutrino magnetic moment and the Weinberg angle at low energy. The same apparatus, filled with high pressure Xenon, exhibits a high sensitivity as a Super Nova neutrino detector with extra galactic sensitivity. Results of a first prototype will be shown and a short-term experimental program will be discussed.

hep-ex

Micromegas in a Bulk

In this paper we present a novel way to manufacture the bulk Micromegas detector. A simple process based on the PCB (Printed Circuit Board) technology is employed to produce the entire sensitive detector. Such fabrication process could be extended to very large area detectors made by the industry. The low cost fabrication together with the robustness of the electrode materials will make it extremely attractive for several applications ranging from particle physics and astrophysics to medicine

physics.ins-det

First tests of a Micromegas TPC in a magnetic field

Since the summer of 2003, a large Micromegas TPC prototype (1000 channels, 50 cm drift, 50 cm diameter) has been operated in a 2T superconducting magnet at Saclay. A description of this apparatus and first results from cosmic ray tests are presented. Additional measurements using simpler detectors with a laser source, an X-ray gun and radio-active sources are discussed. Drift velocity and gain measurements, electron attachment and aging studies for a Micromegas TPC are presented. In particular, using simulations and measurements, it is shown that an $Argon-CF_4$ mixture is optimal for operation at a future Linear Collider.

physics.ins-det

Ion backflow in the Micromegas TPC for the future linear collider

We present ion backflow measurements in a Micromegas (MICRO-MEsh GASeous detector) TPC device developed for the next high energy electron-positron linear collider under study and a simple explanation for this backflow. A Micromegas micro-mesh has the intrinsic property to naturally stop a large fraction of the secondary positive ions created in the avalanche. It is shown that under some workable conditions on the pitch of the mesh and on the gas mixture, the ion feedback is equal to the field ratio (ratio of the drift electric field to the amplification field). Measurements with an intense X-ray source are in good agreement with calculations and simulations. The conclusion is that in the electric field conditions foreseen for the Micromegas TPC (drift and amplification fields respectively equal to 150-200 V/cm and 50-80 kV/cm) the expected ion backflow will be of the order of $2 - 3 x 10^-3$. In addition, measurements have been done in a 2T magnetic field: as expected the ion backflow is not altered by the magnetic field.

physics.ins-det

The detection of single electrons by means of a Micromegas-covered MediPix2 pixel CMOS readout circuit

A small drift chamber was read out by means of a MediPix2 readout chip as direct anode. A Micromegas foil was placed 50 $μ$m above the chip, and electron multiplication occurred in the gap. With a He/Isobutane 80/20 mixture, gas multiplication factors up to tens of thousands were achieved, resulting in an efficiency for detecting single electrons of better than 90% . We recorded many frames containing 2D images with tracks from cosmic muons. Along these tracks, electron clusters were observed, as well as delta-rays.

physics.ins-det