Objective The overall objective of this project is to advance astroparticle and medical imaging techniques through the development of specialized position-sensitive devices based on two-phase (liquid-gas) cryogenic detectors with an electron-avalanching readout. For the latter, Gas Electron Multipliers (GEMs) operated in pure noble gases are supposed to be used. Such a broad variety of application fields is based on the unique, recently discovered, property of GEM detectors to operate in pure noble gases at low temperatures and high pressures, at high gains.These techniques might be used in the detection of dark matter particles using two-phase Xe, in digital mammography using two-phase Ar and Kr, and in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Single Photon Emission Tomography (SPECT) using two-phase Kr and Xe. Specifically we propose:1. To develop a GEM-based charge readout of two-phase Kr and Xe detectors for dark matter detection and PET/SPECT imaging, alternative to the conventional readout using PMT, having higher spatial resolution, higher background rejection, lower radioactivity, better image quality and lower cost.2. To carry out an extensive study of the response of liquid Xe detectors to the neutron-induced Xe recoils, simulating the dark matter signal.3. To develop a GEM-based optical readout of two-phase Ar and Kr detectors for digital mammography, having lower noise, wider dynamical range, improved contrast resolution and dose reduction.The research activities will include:1. Development of two-phase Kr and Xe detectors using multi-GEM structures operated at cryogenic temperatures in an avalanche mode, recording the ionization signal from X-rays, gammas, betas and neutrons. For this study several cryogenic chambers with GEM-based readout will be built and tested. 2. Development of two-phase Kr and Xe detectors using multi-GEM structures operated at cryogenic temperatures in an avalanche mode, with CsI photo cathodes deposited on top of GEMs, recording the scintillation signal.3. Detailed study of the liquid Xe response to nuclear recoils produced by neutrons. For this study, an advanced laboratory prototype is planned to be built.4. Development of two-phase Ar and Kr detectors using multi-GEM structures operated at cryogenic temperatures in an avalanche mode, recording the ionization signal from soft X-rays, and having the CCD-based optical readout.The readout system will be studied using standard mammography X-ray tube and phantom. The anticipated project results will have fundamental impact on dark matter detectors and electron avalanching at low temperatures as well as the remarkable industrial and commercial applications in PET, SPECT and X-ray digital mammography. The commercial benefits are obvious due to the huge market available for medical imaging systems. Programme(s) IC-INTAS - International Association for the promotion of cooperation with scientists from the independent states of the former Soviet Union (INTAS), 1993- Topic(s) Position Sensitive Detect 2004 - Thematic Call - Position Sensitive Detectors Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme NoE - Network of Excellence Coordinator UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD EU contribution No data Address HICKS BUILDING, HOUNSFIELD ROAD SHEFFIELD United Kingdom See on map Total cost No data Participants (4) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all MINATOM, Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Physics (ITEP) Russia EU contribution No data Address B. Cheremushkinskaya 25 117218 Moscow See on map Total cost No data Ministry of Trade and Economical Development Yerevan Physics Institute Armenia EU contribution No data Address Alikhanian Broth. 2 375036 Yerevan See on map Total cost No data Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences Budker, Institute of Nuclear Physics Russia EU contribution No data Address Lavrentiev prospekt 11 630090 Novosibirsk See on map Total cost No data Universidade de Coimbra Portugal EU contribution No data Address Rua Larga 3004-516 Coimbra See on map Total cost No data
