Avalanche-ion back-flow reduction in gaseous electron multipliers based on GEM/MHSP

We report on avalanche-ion back-flow measurements in the novel Micro-Hole and Strip-Plate (MHSP) multiplier and in gaseous photomultipliers comprising Gas Electron Multipliers (GEMs) followed by an MHSP. In a 3-GEMs/MHSP photomultiplier with reflective photocathode, avalanche-ion back-flow fraction of ~7% and ~2% were recorded for respective effective gains of 107 and 106, in Ar/CH4 (95/5) at 760 Torr. This is about one order of magnitude reduction in ion back-flow compared to the best values measured in 4-GEMs photomultiplier at the same gain. We describe the mode of operation of the MHSP and explain its ion back-flow reduction features.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6TJM-4BMBDH7-C/1/cdedfd1e72d3adbcfc9431895ab3e61