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Development and Performance Analysis of Glass-Based Gas-Tight RPCs for Muography Applications

S. Ikram, S. Basnet, E. Cortina Gil, P. Demin, R. M. I. D. Gamage, A. Giammanco, R. Karnam, V. K. S. Kashyap, V. Kumar, B. Mohanty, M. Moussawi, A. Samalan, M. Tytgat

TL;DR

Development and evaluation of portable, gas-tight glass-based RPCs for muography in constrained environments. The study presents three prototype configurations (A,B,C) with different readout electronics and a 95.2% Freon/0.3% SF6/4.5% isobutane gas mixture, assessing long-term surface resistivity and detector efficiency under varying HV and thresholds, plus a small-scale muon absorption test using lead blocks. Results show stable resistive coatings over months, high efficiencies (up to ≈97%), and clear muon attenuation signals in lead-block configurations, supporting feasibility for field muography. The work outlines path forward with a lighter structural frame and upgraded readout (MAROC) to improve portability and scalability, enabling broader deployment in archaeology, geology, or cultural heritage imaging.

Abstract

To achieve high-resolution muography of compact targets in scenarios with complex logistical constraints, we are developing a portable muon detector system utilizing glass Resistive Plate Chambers (RPCs). Although RPCs are well understood and widely used, our work focuses on developing a gas-tight variant specifically tailored for a broad range of muography applications, with key design goals including portability, robustness, autonomy, versatility, safety, and cost-effectiveness. Our RPC detectors are designed with various configurations, each featuring unique characteristics and performance attributes. We investigate the temporal evolution of the surface resistivity of glass electrodes, as well as the detector efficiency at varying voltages and thresholds, over a span of several months. These RPCs have been utilized in a small-scale feasibility study on muon absorption using lead blocks.

Development and Performance Analysis of Glass-Based Gas-Tight RPCs for Muography Applications

TL;DR

Development and evaluation of portable, gas-tight glass-based RPCs for muography in constrained environments. The study presents three prototype configurations (A,B,C) with different readout electronics and a 95.2% Freon/0.3% SF6/4.5% isobutane gas mixture, assessing long-term surface resistivity and detector efficiency under varying HV and thresholds, plus a small-scale muon absorption test using lead blocks. Results show stable resistive coatings over months, high efficiencies (up to ≈97%), and clear muon attenuation signals in lead-block configurations, supporting feasibility for field muography. The work outlines path forward with a lighter structural frame and upgraded readout (MAROC) to improve portability and scalability, enabling broader deployment in archaeology, geology, or cultural heritage imaging.

Abstract

To achieve high-resolution muography of compact targets in scenarios with complex logistical constraints, we are developing a portable muon detector system utilizing glass Resistive Plate Chambers (RPCs). Although RPCs are well understood and widely used, our work focuses on developing a gas-tight variant specifically tailored for a broad range of muography applications, with key design goals including portability, robustness, autonomy, versatility, safety, and cost-effectiveness. Our RPC detectors are designed with various configurations, each featuring unique characteristics and performance attributes. We investigate the temporal evolution of the surface resistivity of glass electrodes, as well as the detector efficiency at varying voltages and thresholds, over a span of several months. These RPCs have been utilized in a small-scale feasibility study on muon absorption using lead blocks.

Paper Structure

This paper contains 10 sections, 14 figures.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. RPC Design and Laboratory Setup
  3. Prototype A
  4. Prototype B
  5. Prototype C
  6. Stability and Performance
  7. Surface Resistivity Monitoring
  8. Performance Studies
  9. Absorption Muography Using Lead Block
  10. Summary and Outlook

Figures (14)

  • Figure 1: Schematic of glass based RPC placed inside a gas enclosure [Vishal_kumar2024].
  • Figure 2: Conceptual design of the muon telescope that is under construction. (Prototype B).
  • Figure 3: Conceptual design of the RPC module for prototype B.
  • Figure 4: Experimental setup for efficiency measurement with prototype A, where RPCs are placed in between two plastic scintillators.
  • Figure 5: Surface resistivity measurements over time for three prototype A plates manufactured using the serigraphy technique (Top). Temperature and humidity recorded during the measurement period (Bottom).
  • ...and 9 more figures