Micromegas: a high-granularity position-sensitive gaseous detector for high particle-flux environments

We describe a novel structure for a gaseous detector that is under development at Saclay. It consists of a two-stage parallel-plate avalanche chamber of small amplification gap (100 microm) combined with a conversion-drift space. It allows a fast removal of positive ionsproduced during the avalanche development. Fast signals (3/4 1 ns) are obtained duirng the collection of the electron avalanche on the anode microstrip plane. The induced positive ion signal has a rise time of 100 ns. The fast evacuation of positive ions combined with the high granularity of the detector provide a high rate capability. Gas gains of up to $10^5$ have been achieved.