Demonstration of ThGEM-multiwire hybrid charge readout for directional dark matter searches

Abstract Sensitivities of current directional dark matter search detectors using gas time projection chambers are now constrained by target mass. A ton-scale gas TPC detector will require large charge readout areas. We present a first demonstration of a novel ThGEM-Multiwire hybrid charge readout technology which combines the robust nature and high gas gain of Thick Gaseous Electron Multipliers with lower capacitive noise of a one-plane multiwire charge readout in S F 6 target gas. Measurements performed with this hybrid detector show an ion drift velocity of 138 ± 10  m s−1 in a reduced drift field E/N of 93  × 1 0 − 17  V cm2 with an effective gas gain of 2470 ± 160 in 20 Torr of pure S F 6 target gas.