Evaluation of the Field Gradient Lattice Detector

A novel Micro Pattern Gas Detector, named the Field Gradient Lattice Detector, has been implemented using technologies available to CERN’s Printed Circuit Workshop. Numerous prototypes based on various materials were constructed in different geometries and their gain performance has been studied using 55Fe and 109Cd X-ray sources in Argon-CO2 gas mixtures. Two axis (2D) prototype structures have been shown to provide stable gains of around 1000 while a 3D design, based on the same polyimide foils used in other MPGD elements, holds a gain of 5000 for 8.9 keV X-rays even at high rates of 22 kHz/mm2. At a gain of 3100, the device has been tested up to 1 MHz/mm2 and shows no signs of degradation in performance. The energy resolution of the 3D-in-polyimide is modest, around 40% for 5.9 keV X-rays and 30% if the source is collimated indicating a variation in gain over the 3x3 cm2 active area. Having the most promise for future applications, the 3D-in-polyimide design has been selected for testing with a custom-built readout electronics which uses an innovative front-end, the DP-GP5, for signal amplitude measurement and triggering. The front-end has been integrated with a portable data acquisition system which uses USB to communicate with a PC. Reading out the TOP and BOT electrodes of the 3D-FGLD, we have produced images of collimated radioactive sources and the accuracy of the readout as well as some discussion of charge sharing will be presented.