Integrated gas microstrip and microgap chambers for a MicroTPC vertex detector

Readout devices are being developed for use in a gas based vertex detector called the MicroTPC. The readout devices will consist of either integrated microstrip or microgap detectors, These devices are unique in that they have the detector fabricated directly onto the silicon with the preamplifier and shaper electronics. This offers lower noise and higher channel density compared to conventional microstrip design, Both devices were fabricated at Hewlett Packard using a standard 0.8 μm, 3 metal process. Integrated gas microstrip detectors have been tested and an energy resolution of 18% FWHM, an electronics noise of 80 e^- r.m.s. and a gas gain of 200 was achieved, Integrated gas microgap detectors have also been fabricated and tested but only limited success has been achieved in comparison to the microstrip detectors. These devices, in conjunction with a low mass, high resolution MicroTPC should make a vertex detector well suited for heavy-ion physics environments such as RHIC and the LHC