Author :
Abbon, P. ; Andriamonje, S. ; Aune, S. ; Besin, D. ; Cazaux, S. ; Dafni, T. ; Decker, T. ; Dogan, B.O. ; Duportail, N. ; Fanourakis, G. ; Ribas, E. Ferrer ; Lacarra, J. Galan ; Geralis, T. ; Gros, M. ; Giganon, A. ; Giomataris, I. ; Hill, R. ; Irastorza,
Abstract :
A low background Micromegas X-ray detector has been used to search for solar axions in the CAST experiment at CERN. The detector has an active area of 7cm times 7cm, excellent spatial resolution (~70nm), and good energy resolution. It is built using low radioactivity materials and the obtained background level is below 5times10-5 counts/keV/cm2/s. The detector is being upgraded for the second phase of the experiment (2006-2007) with a reduced active area. A focusing X-Ray optic and improved shielding will be used to further reduce the background by approximately two orders of magnitude.
Keywords :
X-ray detection; X-ray optics; 49 cm; 7 cm; CAST; CERN; Micromegas X-ray detector; X-Ray optic; low radioactivity materials; shielding; solar axions; Boring; Charge coupled devices; Contracts; Laboratories; Magnetic fields; Magnetic separation; Nuclear and plasma sciences; Personnel; Sun; X-ray detectors;
