Further studies of GEM performance in dense noble gases

We further study the performance of single, double and triple Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) detectors in pure noble gases at high pressures, in the range of 1–10 atm. We confirm that light noble gases, in particular He and its mixtures with Kr, have the highest gain, reaching 106, and an unusual gain dependence on pressure. Effects of the number of GEMs, GEM hole diameter and pitch are investigated in detail. In He, avalanche-induced secondary scintillations are observed at high gains, using the metal photocathode. These results are relevant in the field of avalanche mechanism in noble gases and X-ray, neutron and cryogenic particle detectors.