A detection technique for low-threshold heavy-ion identification

We report on the first results of in-beam tests performed with the MINIT detection technique. Its modular structure of multilayer ionization chamber with proportional avalanche multiplication allows to detect and identify heavy ions with a very low energy threshold. Its simple mechanical structure, based on a glass microstrip plate, should allow the realization of cheap large area arrays of similar detectors, in view of the next generation of experiments with radioactive ion beams