Explore the vast range of titles available.

The PICOSEC-Micromegas detector was developed for precise timing of the arrival of charged particles with a resolution bellow 30 ps. This contribution, after a brief introduction presents results concerning the PICOSEC-Micromegas response to single photoelectrons, estimation of the photoelectron yield of various photocathode types, as well as its performance to time the arrival of test beam muons. In addition, results based on detailed simulation studies and a stochastic model developed for the understanding of the detector are presented. Finally, results of studies related to the development of large scale PICOSEC-Micromegas detector for practical applications are also presented, in particular, the timing performance of a multi-channel PICOSEC prototype.

Detectors with a time resolution of 20-30 ps and a reliable performance in high particles flux environments are necessary for an accurate vertex separation in future HEP experiments. The PICOSEC-Micromegas detector concept is a Micro-Pattern Gaseous Detector (MPGD) based solution addressing this particular challenge. The PICOSEC-Micromegas concept is based on a Micromegas detector coupled to a Cherenkov radiator and a photocathode. In this detector concept, all primary electrons are initiated in the photocathode and the time jitter fluctuations are reduced. Different resistive anode layers have been tested with the goal of preserving a stable detector operation in a high intensity pion beam. One important characteristic of a gaseous detector in a high flux environment is the ion backflow (IBF). That can cause damage to more fragile photocathode materials like CsI. Various types of photocathode materials have been tested in order to find a robust solution against IBF bombardment.

The early detection of beam losses and the alarm to the machine protection system in accelerators are crucial for the safe operation of the machine. In the low energy region of the hadron accelerators, only neutrons and photons are produced in the case of a beam loss. However, photons are also emitted by electrons at the RF cavities, becoming a natural background for losses identification. A new kind of beam loss monitors have been conceived to extend the sensitivity to the low energy region of the high intensity hadron accelerators. They are based on Micromegas detectors sensitive to fast neutrons. The appropriate configuration of the Micromegas operating conditions will allow a fast response, a sensitivity to small beam losses and a suppressed sensitivity to photons. In this paper the operation principle and the system developed for the European Spallation Source will be presented, with focus on the results obtained at different irradiation facilities. First time proof of operation in real conditions, with the detection of beam losses, will be also shown with measurements performed at LINAC4 (CERN).

The PICOSEC-Micromegas (PICOSEC-MM) detector is a novel gaseous detector designed for precise timing resolution in experimental measurements. It eliminates time jitter from charged particles in ionization gaps by using extreme UV Cherenkov light emitted in a crystal, detected by a Micromegas photodetector with an appropriate photocathode. The first single-channel prototype tested in 150 GeV/c muon beams achieved a timing resolution below 25 ps, a significant improvement compared to standard Micropattern Gaseous Detectors (MPGDs). This work explores the specifications for applying these detectors in monitored neutrino beams for the ENUBET Project. Key aspects include exploring resistive technologies, resilient photocathodes, and scalable electronics. New 7-pad resistive detectors are designed to handle the particle flux. In this paper, two potential scenarios are briefly considered: tagging electromagnetic showers with a timing resolution below 30 ps in an electromagnetic calorimeter as well as individual particles (mainly muons) with about 20 ps respectively.

In the last years, optical readout of Micromegas gaseous detectors has been achieved by implementing a Micromegas detector on a glass anode coupled to a CMOS camera. Effective X-ray radiography was demonstrated using integrated imaging approach. High granularity values have been reached for low-energy X-rays from radioactive sources and X-ray generators. Detector characterization with X-ray radiography has led to two applications: neutron imaging for non-destructive examination of highly gamma-ray emitting objects and beta imaging for the single cell activity tagging in the field of oncology drug studies. First measurements investigating the achievable spatial resolution of the glass Micromegas detector at the SOLEIL synchrotron facility with a high-intensity and flat irradiation field will be shown in this article.

To fulfill needs in oncological research a new Micromegas detector has been developed to follow radiolabelled drugs in living organisms at the single cell level. This article describes the proof-of-concept of such a detector and compares its ability to detect and assess sub-becquerel \\tritium~activities with a commercial \\(\\beta\\)-imager

Timing information in current and future accelerator facilities is important for resolving objects (particle tracks, showers, etc.) in extreme large particles multiplicities on the detection systems. The PICOSEC Micromegas detector has demonstrated the ability to time 150\\,GeV muons with a sub-25\\,ps precision. Driven by detailed simulation studies and a phenomenological model which describes stochastically the dynamics of the signal formation, new PICOSEC designs were developed that significantly improve the timing performance of the detector. PICOSEC prototypes with reduced drift gap size (\\(\\sim\\)\\SI{119}{\\micro\\metre}) achieved a resolution of 45\\,ps in timing single photons in laser beam tests (in comparison to 76\\,ps of the standard PICOSEC detector). Towards large area detectors, multi-pad PICOSEC prototypes with segmented anodes has been developed and studied. Extensive tests in particle beams revealed that the multi-pad PICOSEC technology provides also very precise timing, even when the induced signal is shared among several neighbouring pads. Furthermore, new signal processing algorithms have been developed, which can be applied during data acquisition and provide real time, precise timing.

Coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering and low-mass Dark Matter detectors rely crucially on the understanding of their response to nuclear recoils. We report the first observation of a nuclear recoil peak at around 112 eV induced by neutron capture. The measurement was performed with a CaWO\\(_4\\) cryogenic detector from the NUCLEUS experiment exposed to a \\(^{252}\\)Cf source placed in a compact moderator. The measured spectrum is found in agreement with simulations and the expected peak structure from the single-\\(\\gamma\\) de-excitation of \\(^{183}\\)W is identified with 3 \\(\\sigma\\) significance. This result demonstrates a new method for precise, in-situ, and non-intrusive calibration of low-threshold experiments.

We present a comprehensive characterization of resistive PICOSEC Micromegas detector prototypes, tested under identical conditions, constant drift gap, field configurations, and photocathode at the CERN SPS H4 beam line. This work provides a proof of concept for the use of resistive layer technology in gaseous timing detectors, demonstrating that robustness can be improved without compromising the excellent timing performance of PICOSEC Micromegas. Different resistive architectures and values were explored to optimize stability and ensure reliable long-term operation in challenging experimental environments. The prototype with a 10M{\\Omega} resistive layer achieved the best overall performance, with a timing resolution of 22.900 {\\pm} 0.002 ps and a spatial resolution of 1.190 {\\pm} 0.003 mm, while charge sharing across multiple pads enabled combined timing resolutions below 28 ps. A lower-resistivity (200k{\\Omega}) configuration exhibited enhanced charge spread, leading to minor systematic offsets in reconstructed pad centers, yet maintained robust timing and spatial performance. Capacitive charge-sharing architectures improved spatial resolution in some regions but suffered from signal attenuation and nonuniform charge distributions, resulting in slightly degraded timing (33.300 {\\pm} 0.002 ps) and complex localization patterns. Mechanical precision, particularly readout planarity and photocathode alignment, was identified as critical for uniform detector response. These studies benchmark the potential of resistive layers for gaseous timing detectors and provide a foundation for scalable designs with optimized timing and spatial resolution across diverse experimental applications.

The combination of a Cherenkov radiator with a semi-transparent photocathode and a Micromegas based amplification stage allows PICOSEC Micromegas detectors to achieve a time resolution of better than 15ps. While tileable prototypes with 10x10 channels feature 1x1 cm^2 readout pads, finer readout granularity can be used to improve the spatial resolution. We report on the study of high readout granularity PICOSEC Micromegas prototypes which achieve around 0.5mm spatial resolution with 3.5mm large pads. No significant improvement was found when readout pad size was further reduced to 2.2mm. The timing resolution of the leading pad was found to be slightly degraded but remained better than 20ps for a medium granularity prototype. The achieved spatial resolution can enable PICOSEC Micromegas to be used as precise timing and moderate resolution tracking detector simultaneously.