Performance of a new type of Micromegas detector with stainless steel woven wire mesh and resistive anode readout

The performance of a new Micromegas detection scheme was investigated. It consists of a gas amplification structure of Micromegas type with a stainless steel woven wire mesh instead of nickel etched grid. This mesh is produced in large dimensions and it is cheaper than grid produced by etching. It is easy to handle and can be cut up in various shapes including rounded contours. Micromegas needs narrow anode readout elements to achieve good spatial resolution and its use in a Time Projection Chamber would require too many electronic channels. We describe a new technique to improve spatial resolution while still using wide readout strips. The readout scheme consists of a resistive material several mm thick placed between the amplification gap and the anode. Its effect is to spread the induced signal over several millimeters.