First studies with the Resistive-Plate WELL gaseous multiplier
We present the results of first studies of the Resistive Plate WELL (RPWELL): a single-faced THGEM coupled to a copper anode via a resistive layer of high bulk resistivity. We explored various materials of different bulk resistivity (10 9 − 10 12 Ωcm) and thickness (0.4 − 4 mm). Our most successful prototype, with a 0.6 mm resistive plate of ∼ 10 9 Ωcm, achieved gains of up to 10 5 with 8 keV x-ray in Ne/5%CH4; a minor 30% gain drop occurred with a rate increase from 10 to 10 4 Hz/mm 2 . The detector displayed a full "discharge-free" operation—even when exposed to high primary ionization events. We present the RPWELL detector concept and compare its performance to that of other previously explored THGEM configurations—in terms of gain, its curves, dependence on rate, and the response to high ionization. The robust Resistive Plate WELL concept is a step forward in the Micro-Pattern Gas-Detector family, with numerous potential applications.