Gaseous detectors are one of the popular particle tracking technologies in high energy physics, and there are multiple applications where the detectors must tolerate outdoor conditions, e.g. in the ...emerging field of muography. Gaseous tracking detectors are attractive choices due to their high efficiency, good resolution and large sensitive area at a reasonable cost and low weight, but to achieve these, the gas system is usually not sealed. Continuous gas flow results gas consumption and thus regular gas cylinder replacement which limits applicability. In this paper we present a practical solution to reduce gas flow to a negligible level, keeping the construction cost-efficient and low weight, by a properly chosen buffer tube at the end of the gas line, which makes the system able to withstand large temperature and pressure fluctuations.
Muography is a novel imaging technology based on particle physics instrumentation to reveal density structure of hill-sized objects. The cosmic muon flux is attenuated while penetrating into the ...ground, thus the differential local flux correlates with the overburden density-length. Underground muography exploits the close-to-zenith flux, while main challenges became portability, low power consumption, and robustness against the out-of-the-laboratory environment. Various fields could benefit from this non-invasive imaging, eg. speleology, mining, archeology, or industry. Portable gaseous tracking detector systems have been designed, built, and successfully used in several underground locations. This paper presents the designed portable muography systems, the main requirements, and measurement campaigns for calibration, natural caves, and cultural heritage.
The COMPASS RICH-1 detector has undergone a major upgrade in 2016 with the installation of four novel MPGD-based photon detectors. They consist of large-size hybrid MPGDs with multi-layer ...architecture composed of two layers of Thick-GEMs and bulk resistive MicroMegas. A dedicated high voltage power supply system, based on CAEN HV modules, has been built and put in operation: it controls more than 100 HV channels. The system is required to protect the detectors against errors by the operator, monitor voltages and currents at a 1 Hz rate and automatically react to detector misbehavior. It includes also a HV compensation system against environmental pressure and temperature variation to grant the detector stability. The operation of a MPGD based single photon detector poses challenging requirements to the high voltage power supply systems employed in terms of high-resolution diagnostic features and dynamic voltage control. Systems satisfying all the needed features are not commercially available; for this reason a novel single channel high voltage system matching the MPGD needs has been designed and realized. In this article the COMPASS RICH-1 MPGD HV system implementation is described as well as its performance in terms of stability of the novel MPGD-based photon detectors during the physics data taking at COMPASS. The design, implementation and performance of a novel HV power supply system based on DC to DC converters and controlled by a FPGA device is presented. The capabilities of the first prototype of the new single HV channel power supply are illustrated when operated with a MPGD based single photon detector during a test beam exercise. The preliminary result of the multi channel system are briefly discussed.
An optical system for high resolution scanning of TGEM UV photon detection systems is introduced. The structure exploits the combination of a single Au-coated TGEM under study, and an asymmetric MWPC ...(Close Cathode Chamber) as post-amplification stage. A pulsed UV LED source with emission down to 240nm has been focused to a spot of 0.07mm on the TGEM surface, and single photo-electron charge spectra has been recorded over selected two dimensional regions. This way, the TGEM gain (order of 10–100) and TGEM photo-electron detection efficiency is clearly separated, unlike in case of continuous illumination. The surface structure connected to the TGEM photon detection is well observable, including inefficiencies in the holes and at the symmetry points between holes. The detection efficiency as well as the gas gain are fluctuating from hole to hole. The gain is constant in the hexagon around any hole, pointing to the fact that the gain depends on hole geometry, and less on the position where the electron enters. The detection probability map strongly changes with the field strength above the TGEM surface, in relation to the change of the actual surface field configuration. The results can be confronted with position-dependent simulations of TGEM electron transfer and gas multiplication.
► First demonstration of Thick GEM surface scanning with single photo-electrons. ► Resolution of 0.1mm is sufficient to identify structures connected to TGEM surface field structure. ► Gain and detection efficiency and separately measurable. ► Detection efficiency is high in a ring around the holes, and gain is constant in the hexagonal collection regions.
After pioneering gaseous detectors of single photon for RICH applications using CsI solid state photocathodes in MWPCs within the RD26 collaboration and by the constructions for the RICH detector of ...the COMPASS experiment at CERN SPS, in 2016 we have upgraded COMPASS RICH by novel gaseous photon detectors based on MPGD technology. Four novel photon detectors, covering a total active area of 1.5m2 have been installed in order to cope with the challenging efficiency and stability requirements of the COMPASS physics programme. They are the first application in an experiment of MPGD-based single photon detectors. All aspects of the upgrade are presented, including engineering, mass production, quality assessment and performance.
Perspectives for further developments in the field of gaseous single photon detectors are also presented.
Muography is a novel imaging technology to reveal density structure of hill-sized objects. The cosmic muons predictably lose their energy and penetrate hundreds of meters into the ground, thus their ...differential local flux correlates with the crossed density-length. The Sakurajima Muography Observatory in Kagoshima, Japan, is the largest muography experiment targeting an active volcano. A set of multilayered gaseous detectors are used to reconstruct the muon tracks, thus by measuring the flux, imaging of the inner part of the volcano become possible. The paper focuses on the technical challenges of such a particle tracking system, the designed multi-wire proportional chambers, and the recent results from the measurements.
An asymmetric-type MWPC prototype with an inclined wire plane has been studied. It has been demonstrated that at proper choice of the negative potential on the field wires the dependence of the gain ...on the cathode flatness can be completely eliminated for the closer cathode. Such feature allows us to construct MWPCs with thin cathode planes and wires positioned relatively close to one of the cathodes since the requirement to the precision of cathode flatness is largely reduced. The relevance of these two advantages, especially to achieve low material budget, are presented for the prototype of the High pT Trigger Detector (HPTD) for the ALICE VHMPID detector system. A number of such designs are in operation for over a year, and have been tested with cosmic rays as well as in pion beam at the CERN PS.
► Asymmetric Multi-wire Proportional Chamber with field and sense wires is studied. ► Proper voltage choice on wires implies independence on cathode flatness. ► The outline allows low material budget and reduced construction cost. ► Optimized construction for ALICE VHMPID HPTD trigger detector is discussed.
To evaluate the longitudinal value of a chronic disease management program, My Health Guardian (MHG), in reducing hospital utilization and costs over 4 years.
The MHG program provides individualized ...support via telephonic nurse outreach and online tools for self-management, behavior change and well-being. In follow up to an initial 18-month analysis of MHG, the current study evaluated program impact over 4 years. A matched-cohort analysis retrospectively compared MHG participants with heart disease or diabetes (treatment, N = 4,948) to non-participants (comparison, N = 28,520) on utilization rates (hospital admission, readmission, total bed days) and hospital claims cost savings. Outcomes were evaluated using regression analyses, controlling for remaining demographic, disease, and pre-program admissions or cost differences between the study groups.
Over the 4 year period, program participation resulted in significant reductions in hospital admissions (-11.4%, P < 0.0001), readmissions (-36.7%, P < 0.0001), and bed days (-17.2%, P < 0.0001). The effect size increased over time for admissions and bed days. The relative odds of any admission and readmission over the 4 years were 27% and 45% lower, respectively, in the treatment group. Cumulative program savings from reduced hospital claims was $3,549 over 4-years; savings values for each program year were significant and increased with time (P = 0.003 to P < 0.0001). Savings calculations did not adjust for pooled costs (and savings) in Australia's risk equalization system for private insurers.
Results confirm and extend prior program outcomes and support the longitudinal value of the MHG program in reducing hospital utilization and costs for individuals with heart disease or diabetes and demonstrate the increasing program effect with continued participation over time.
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