Abstract
The Micro Pixel Chamber (μ-PIC), a detector using resistive electrodes, has been developed and tested. The surface cathodes are made from resistive material, which helps to reduce the electrical field in a large flow of current. Two-dimensional readouts are provided by anodes and pickup electrodes, on which the signals are induced. High gas gain ( > 6 × 104 ) was measured using a 55Fe (5.9 keV) source, and extensive spark reduction was attained with fast neutrons. The spark rate of the resistive μ-PIC was 10−4 times lower than that of the conventional μ-PIC at a gain of 104. With these developments, a new MPGD with a non-floating structure is achieved, offering the required levels of both gain and stability to detect MIP particles. In addition, by using resistive cathodes, μ-PIC can be operated with no HV applied on the anodes. Neither AC coupling capacitors nor HV pull-up resistors are needed for any anode. Consequently, the signal readout can be dramatically simplified by this configuration.