Scintillation of Ar/CF${}_4$ mixtures: glass-THGEM characterization with 1% CF${}_4$ at 1-1.5 bar

Abstract

Argon gas doped with 1% wavelength-shifter (CF${}_4$) has been employed in an optical time projection chamber (OTPC) to image cosmic radiation. We present results obtained during the system commissioning, performed with two stacked glass-THGEMs and an EMCCD camera at 1 bar. Preliminary estimates indicate that the combined optical gain was of the order of 10${}^6$ (ph/e), producing sharp and high-contrast raw images without resorting to any filtering or post-processing. A first assessment of the impact of pressurization showed no change in the attainable gains when operating at 1.5 bar

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