Thick GEM-like hole multipliers: properties and possible applications

Abstract The properties of thick GEM-like (TGEM) gaseous electron multipliers, operated at 1–740 Torr are presented. They are made of a G-10 plate, perforated with millimeter-scale diameter holes. In single-multiplier elements, effective gains of about 10 4 , 10 6 , and 10 5 were reached at respective pressures of 1 and 10 Torr isobutane and 740 Torr Ar/5%CH 4 , with pulse rise-times in the few nanosecond range. The high effective gain at atmospheric pressure was measured with a TGEM coated with a CsI photocathode. The detector was operated in single and cascaded modes. Potential applications in ion and photon detection are discussed.