High-rate, high-position resolution microgap RPCs for X-ray imaging applications

We have developed small prototypes (5×5 and 10×10 cm2) of a new type of micropattern detector—a microgap RPC made of commercially available low resistivity (ρ∼104–108 Ω cm) materials having a position resolution better than 50 μm FWHM and capable of operating at counting rates up to 107 Hz/cm2. The main advantage of these detectors compared to traditional micropattern gaseous detectors is that they are spark protected. This may open a wide range of application in various fields, for example in medical imaging.