Researchers at the Bose Institute, an autonomous institution under India’s Department of Science and Technology (DST), have achieved a significant milestone in the indigenous development of Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) detectors. These detectors are vital for high-energy physics experiments, including the upcoming Compressed Baryonic Matter (CBM) experiment at the Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR) in Germany.
GEM detectors function as tracking devices in particle physics by amplifying signals from ionizing radiation through a perforated foil with a high electric field. This amplification enables precise detection of particles like muons. However, the Kapton foil used in GEM detectors is sensitive to radiation-induced effects, particularly the charging-up of the dielectric medium, which can impact detector performance.
To address this, Dr. Saikat Biswas and his PhD student, Dr. Sayak Chatterjee, along with collaborators from the Bose Institute, conducted an in-depth investigation into the charging-up effect on the Kapton foil and its subsequent impact on detector performance. They developed an innovative technique using a radioactive source to simplify the study of radiation effects on GEM detectors. This advancement is crucial for enhancing the understanding and performance of GEM detectors in high-radiation environments, such as those anticipated in the CBM experiment at FAIR.
India is responsible for building all the GEM chambers for the CBM experiment at FAIR, which will operate in a very high radiation environment. Enhancing the understanding of the charging-up effect in GEM detectors is essential for ensuring the reliability and efficiency of these detectors in such.