On the improvement of a flexibly applicable gaseous 2D microCAT detector for highly time-resolved X-ray imaging

The single photon detection system, presented here, is a combination of the MicroCAT gas gain device and a truly two-dimensional interpolating resistive readout structure. We report on charge transfer measurements of an optimized newly built MicroCAT amplification structure. We compare the results to measurements carried out with three former MicroCAT structures in order to judge the progress of the optimized mesh. Further we present the quite promising combination of the optimized MicroCAT with a GEM preamplification stage. The performance of the GEM and the MicroCAT constellation is illustrated especially with regard to high gas gains at standard pressure in argon gas mixtures and with respect to stable operation in xenon at higher pressures. Finally, one example demonstrates the utilizability of the detector in the application field of time-resolved biological and chemical studies.