PICOSEC-Micromegas: Advancing Precision Timing in Gaseous Detectors, from Conceptual Design to Applications

• Alexandra Kallitsopoulou (CEA / IRFU / Université Paris-Saclay (FR))

The PICOSEC-Micromegas is a novel gaseous charged particle detector providing precise timing of the order of tens of picoseconds. This precision is achieved by introducing a crystal radiator to produce Chrenkov light. The UV photons are captured by a Micromegas photodetector with a specialized photocathode, eliminating the need for an ionization region and its associated time jitter. Timing resolution below 25 ps for MIPs was demonstrated in single-channel prototypes. PICOSEC-Micromegas detectors offer good timing resolution over large areas with flexible readout granularity, making them promising for precise timing systems. This talk will summarize 10 years of R&D, passing from the proof-of-principle stage to a detailed understanding of the physics mechanisms that affect the timing resolution.