Development and performance analysis of glass-based gas-tight RPCs for muography applications

Abstract

To achieve high-resolution muography of compact targets in scenarios with complex logistical constraints, we are developing a portable muon detector system utilizing glass Resistive Plate Chambers (RPCs). Although RPCs are well understood and widely used, our work focuses on developing a gas-tight variant specifically tailored for a broad range of muography applications, with key design goals including portability, robustness, autonomy, versatility, safety, and cost-effectiveness. Our RPC detectors are designed with various configurations, each featuring unique characteristics and performance attributes. We investigate the temporal evolution of the surface resistivity of glass electrodes, as well as the detector efficiency at varying voltages and thresholds, over a span of several months. These RPCs have been utilized in a small-scale feasibility study on muon absorption using lead blocks. This article is part of the Proceedings of the International Muography Workshop 2024 held in Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA.