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A novel large volume spherical proportional counter, recently developed, is used for neutron measurements. The pure N2 gas is studied for thermal and fast neutron detection, providing a new way for neutron spectroscopy. The neutrons are detected via the N 14 ( n , p ) C 14 and N 14 ( n , α ) B 11 reactions. The detector is tested for thermal and fast neutrons detection with Cf 252 and Am 241 − Be 9 neutron sources. The atmospheric neutrons are successfully measured from thermal up to several MeV, well separated from the cosmic ray background. A comparison of the spherical proportional counter with the current available neutron counters is also presented.

International audience; A novel MicroMegas detector based on microbulk technology with an embedded XY strip structure was developed, obtained by segmenting both the mesh and the anode in perpendicular directions. This results in a very low-mass device with good energy and spatial resolution capabilities. Such a detector is practically “transparent” to neutrons, being ideal for in-beam neutron measurements and can be used as a quasi-online neutron beam profiler at neutron time-of-flight facilities. A dedicated front end electronics and acquisition system has been developed and used. The first studies of this new detection system are presented and discussed.

We investigated the deposition and the phase-change properties of In-doped GeTe thin films obtained by plasma enhanced metalorganic chemical vapor deposition and doped with indium using a solid delivery system. The sublimated indium precursor flow rate was calculated as a function of sublimation and deposition parameters. Indium related optical emission recorded by means of optical emission spectroscopy during deposition plasma allowed proposing the dissociation mechanisms of the [In(CH3)2N(CH3)2]2 solid precursor. In particular, using an Ar + H2 + NH3 deposition plasma, sublimated indium molecules are completely dissociated and do not induce by-product contamination by addition of nitrogen or carbon in the films. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy evidences the formation of In-Te bonds in amorphous as-deposited In-doped GeTe films. The formation of an InTe phase after 400 °C annealing is also evidenced by means of X-ray diffraction analysis. The crystallization temperature Tx, deduced from monitoring of optical reflectivity of In-doped GeTe films with doping up to 11 at. % slightly varies as a function of the In dopant level with a decrease of Tx down to a minimum value for an In doping level of about 6–8 at. %. In this In doping range, the structure of crystallized In-GeTe films changes and is dominated by the presence of a crystalline In2Te3 phase. Finally, the Kissinger activation energy for crystallization Ea is showing to monotonically decrease as the indium content in the GeTe film is increased indicating a promising effect of In doping on crystallization speed in memory devices while keeping a good thermal stability for data retention.

Axion helioscopes search for solar axions by their conversion in x-rays in the presence of high magnetic fields. The use of low background x-ray detectors is an essential component contributing to the sensitivity of these searches. In this work, we review the recent advances on Micromegas detectors used in the CERN Axion Solar Telescope (CAST) and proposed for the future International Axion Observatory (IAXO). The actual setup in CAST has achieved background levels below 10$^{-6}$ keV$^{-1}$ cm$^{-2}$ s$^{-1}$, a factor 100 lower than the first generation of Micromegas detectors. This reduction is based on active and passive shielding techniques, the selection of radiopure materials, offline discrimination techniques and the high granularity of the readout. We describe in detail the background model of the detector, based on its operation at CAST site and at the Canfranc Underground Laboratory (LSC), as well as on Geant4 simulations. The best levels currently achieved at LSC are low than 10$^{-7}$ keV$^{-1}$ cm$^{-2}$ s$^{-1}$ and show good prospects for the application of this technology in IAXO. Finally, we present some ideas and results for reducing the energy threshold of these detectors below 1 keV, using high-transparent windows, autotrigger electronics and studying the cluster shape at different energies. As a high flux of axion-like-particles is expected in this energy range, a sub-keV threshold detector could enlarge the physics case of axion helioscopes., Comment: Proceedings of 3rd International Conference on Technology and Instrumentation in Particle Physics (TIPP 2014)

Solar axions could be converted into x-rays inside the strong magnetic field of an axion helioscope, triggering the detection of this elusive particle. Low background x-ray detectors are an essential component for the sensitivity of these searches. We report on the latest developments of the Micromegas detectors for the CERN Axion Solar Telescope (CAST), including technological pathfinder activities for the future International Axion Observatory (IAXO). The use of low background techniques and the application of discrimination algorithms based on the high granularity of the readout have led to background levels below 10$^{-6}$ counts/keV/cm$^2$/s, more than a factor 100 lower than the first generation of Micromegas detectors. The best levels achieved at the Canfranc Underground Laboratory (LSC) are as low as 10$^{-7}$ counts/keV/cm$^2$/s, showing good prospects for the application of this technology in IAXO. The current background model, based on underground and surface measurements, is presented, as well as the strategies to further reduce the background level. Finally, we will describe the R&D paths to achieve sub-keV energy thresholds, which could broaden the physics case of axion helioscopes., 6 pages, 3 figures, Large TPC Conference 2014, Paris

Micromegas detectors are an optimum technological choice for the detection of low energy x-rays. The low background techniques applied to these detectors yielded remarkable background reductions over the years, being the CAST experiment beneficiary of these developments. In this document we report on the latest upgrades towards further background reductions and better understanding of the detectors' response. The upgrades encompass the readout electronics, a new detector design and the implementation of a more efficient cosmic muon veto system. Background levels below 10$^{-6}$keV$^{-1}$cm$^{-2}$s$^{-1}$ have been obtained at sea level for the first time, demonstrating the feasibility of the expectations posed by IAXO, the next generation axion helioscope. Some results obtained with a set of measurements conducted in the x-ray beam of the CAST Detector Laboratory will be also presented and discussed. Micromegas detectors are an optimum technological choice for the detection of low energy x-rays. The low background techniques applied to these detectors yielded remarkable background reductions over the years, being the CAST experiment beneficiary of these developments. In this document we report on the latest upgrades towards further background reductions and better understanding of the detectors' response. The upgrades encompass the readout electronics, a new detector design and the implementation of a more efficient cosmic muon veto system. Background levels below 10−6keV-1cm-2s-1 have been obtained at sea level for the first time, demonstrating the feasibility of the expectations posed by IAXO, the next generation axion helioscope. Some results obtained with a set of measurements conducted in the x-ray beam of the CAST Detector Laboratory will be also presented and discussed. Micromegas detectors are an optimum technological choice for the detection of low energy x-rays. The low background techniques applied to these detectors yielded remarkable background reductions over the years, being the CAST experiment beneficiary of these developments. In this document we report on the latest upgrades towards further background reductions and better understanding of the detectors' response. The upgrades encompass the readout electronics, a new detector design and the implementation of a more efficient cosmic muon veto system. Background levels below 10$^{-6}$keV$^{-1}$cm$^{-2}$s$^{-1}$ have been obtained at sea level for the first time, demonstrating the feasibility of the expectations posed by IAXO, the next generation axion helioscope. Some results obtained with a set of measurements conducted in the x-ray beam of the CAST Detector Laboratory will be also presented and discussed.

International audience; New large-size Micromegas detectors are being developed for the future physics programof the COMPASS experiment at CERN. These detectors will have a pixelised readout in theircenter to detect particles in the beam region, where the particle flux can reach several MHz/cm2 innominal conditions, and will have to handle high intensity hadron beams (up to a few 107 hadrons/s)with a discharge rate lower than 0.01 to 0.001 discharge/s. Several prototypes with two differentdischarge rate reduction technologies (preamplification stage with a GEM foil and resistive readoutwith buried resistors) have been studied in the COMPASS beam since 2010. Four of themhave been included in the spectrometer since 2012, and have been used for the track reconstruction.Their performance (detection efficiency, space and time resolutions, and discharge rates) fordifferent beam intensities and magnetic fields environments are presented. These detectors playan important role in the track reconstruction at very small angle; their impact is presented, with aparticular emphasis on the effect of the background reduction due to an improved cluster selection.

New Micromegas (Micro-mesh gaseous detectors) are being developed in view of the future physics projects planned by the COMPASS collaboration at CERN. Several major upgrades compared to present detectors are being studied: detectors standing five times higher luminosity with hadron beams, detection of beam particles (flux up to a few hundred of kHz/mm^{2}, 10 times larger than for the present Micromegas detectors) with pixelized read-out in the central part, light and integrated electronics, and improved robustness. Two solutions of reduction of discharge impact have been studied, with Micromegas detectors using resistive layers and using an additional GEM foil. Performance of such detectors has also been measured. A large size prototypes with nominal active area and pixelized read-out has been produced and installed at COMPASS in 2010. In 2011 prototypes featuring an additional GEM foil, as well as an resistive prototype, are installed at COMPASS and preliminary results from those detectors presented very good performance. We present here the project and report on its status, in particular the performance of large size prototypes with an additional GEM foil., 11 pages, 5 figures, proceedings to the Micro-Pattern Gaseous Detectors conference (MPGD2011), 29-31 August 2011, Kobe, Japan

International audience; Amorphous and smooth GeTe thin films are deposited on 200 mm silicon substrates by plasma enhanced—metal organic chemical vapor deposition (PE–MOCVD) using the commercial organometallic precursors TDMAGe and DIPTe as Ge and Te precursors, respectively. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements show a stoichiometric composition of the deposited GeTe films but with high carbon contamination. Using information collected by Optical Emission Spectroscopy (OES) and XPS, the origin of carbon contamination is determined and the dissociation mechanisms of Ge and Te precursors in H2 + Ar plasma are proposed. As a result, carbon level is properly controlled by varying operating parameters such as plasma radio frequency power, pressure and H2 rate. Finally, GeTe films with carbon level as low as 5 at. % are obtained

The ALICE muon spectrometer will be employed to measure the production of vector mesons in Pb-Pb collisions. In this paper we show some results concerning a test of an ALICE tracking chamber prototype. Performance such as resolution and efficiency as a function of high voltage are reported.

We present particle beam test results using a high-rate, high-position and high-time-resolution gaseous detector, ‘Micromegas’, of 15×15 cm 2 . The rate capability was measured with 10 MeV protons from a TANDEM accelerator. No effect on gain was observed at particle rates up to 10 9 mm −2 s −1 . With an argon and DME filling the gain was stable up to 50 mC total charge on a 3 mm 2 area. With minimum-ionizing particles in a CERN beam a high efficiency, close to 100%, was measured, under stable conditions. A first space-resolution measurement of 50 μ m ±20 μ m was obtained. The operation of the chamber shows that it is possible to optimize the geometrical parameters in order to improve the space resolution and bring the time resolution low enough to contain the events of each beam crossing (every 25 ns) in the European Large Hadron Collider. Further work in this direction is being actively pursued.

Axion helioscopes aim at the detection of solar axions through their conversion into x-rays in laboratory magnetic fields. The use of low background x-ray detectors is an essential component contributing to the sensitivity of these searches. Here we review the recent advances on Micromegas detectors used in the CERN Axion Solar Telescope (CAST) and proposed for the future International Axion Observatory (IAXO). The most recent Micromegas setups in CAST have achieved background levels of 1 . 5 x 10(6) keV(-1) cm(-2) s(-1), a factor of more than 100 lower than the ones obtained by the first generation of CAST detectors. This improvement is due to the development of active and passive shielding techniques, offline discrimination techniques allowed by highly granular readout patterns, as well as the use of radiopure detector components. The status of the intensive R&D to reduce the background levels will be described, including the operation of replica detectors in test benches and the detailed Geant4 simulation of the detector setup and the detector response, which has allowed the progressive understanding of background origins. The best levels currently achieved in a test setup operating in the Canfranc Underground Laboratory (LSC) are as low as similar to 10(7) keV(-1) cm(-2) s(-1), showing the good prospects of this technology for application in the future IAXO.

The Bugey 3 experiment, designed to measure oscillations of reactor neutrinos, has used 3 identical detection modules, each of 600 liters, filled with a new 6 Li-loaded liquid scintillator. These modules were located in two shielding bunkers, respectively 15 and 40 m away from the reactor core. We describe here the mechanical characteristics of these modules, their shielding, the associated electronics, the trigger, the acquisition systems, the calibration and monitoring of these detectors, and the Monte Carlo simulations of their response to particles. We conclude on the overall performance of this new detection technique which has allowed the recording of 120000 neutrino interactions with good neutron efficiency (49%), low background (2.5 evts/hr) and good energy resolution (4% at 4.4 MeV).

We have developed an electronic system based on a 100 MHz flash ADC for analysing the shape of the signals issued from photomultipliers. The purpose of this system is to improve appreciably the pulse shape discrimination (PSD) technique by means of the full knowledge on the time dependence of the collected light for electrons and heavy particles in the scintillating medium. We have obtained, without any particular optimisation, an order of magnitude improvement in the rejection of the electrons with a heavy particle efficiency of 93%.

The ALICE Muon Spectrometer is mainly dedicated to the measurement of the production of the J//spl psi/, and Y families through their decay into muon pairs, in Pb-Pb collisions. In this paper we give a description of the dimuon tracking system, mainly concentrating on the modular CSC chambers which occupy the last three stations. The R&D phase is now almost over and the production of the final modules started. A description of the main performances of the detectors based on test beam results on prototypes will be given.