Progress in coupling MPGD-based photon detectors with nanodiamond photocathodes

The next generation of gaseous photon detectors is requested to overcome the limitations of the available technology, in terms of resolution and robustness. The quest for a novel photocathode, sensitive in the far vacuum ultra violet wavelength range and more robust than present ones, motivated an R & D programme to explore nanodiamond based photoconverters, which represent the most promising alternative to cesium iodine. A procedure for producing the novel photocathodes has been defined and applied on THGEMs samples. Systematic measurements of the photo emission in different Ar/CH4 and Ar/CO2 gas mixtures with various types of nanodiamond powders have been performed. A comparative study of the response of THGEMs before and after coating demonstrated their full compatibility with the novel photocathodes.