Micromegas with GEM preamplification for enhanced energy threshold in low-background gaseous time projection chambers

Abstract

Background: we develop the concept of a Micromegas (MICRO-MEsh GAseous Structure) readout plane with an additional GEM (Gas Electron Multiplier) preamplification stage placed a few mm above it, to increase the maximum effective gain of the combined readout. We implement it and test it in realistic conditions for its application to low-background dark matter searches like the TREX-DM experiment. Methods: for this, we use a Micromegas of microbulk type, built with radiopure materials. A small test chamber allowing for systematic scanning of voltages and pressures is used. In addition, a TREX-DM full-scale set-up has also been built and tested, featuring a replica of the fully-patterned TREX-DM microbulk readout. Results: we report on GEM effective extra gain factors of about 90, 50 and 20 in 1, 4 and 10 bar of Ar-1%iC${}_4$H${}_{10}$. Conclusions: the results here obtained show promise to lower the threshold of the experiment down to 50 eV${}_{ee}$, corresponding to substantially enhanced sensitivity to low-mass WIMPs (Weakly Interacting Massive Particles).

15 pages, 8 figures, corresponding authors: Óscar Pérez ([email protected]), Héctor Mirallas ([email protected])

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Cited by in corpus (2)

• Low-energy threshold demonstration for dark matter searches in TREX-DM with an ${}^{37}$Ar source produced at CNA HiSPANoS
• State of the Art in Direct Dark Matter Detectors: Technologies, Performance, and Future Directions