[en] The results of high pressure experiments with ternary iodides of the general formula ABI₆ with A = Ca, Dy, Ge, Sn, Pb and B = Th, U are described. These compounds transform from a β- to a γ-SnThI₆-type structure, both variants of known trihalide structures (BiI₃- and PuBr₃-type). Trends and pecularities in the values for the minimal transformation pressures and in the velocities of transition are pointed out, and they are discussed in terms of geometric and electronic factors. (orig.)

[en] The compounds SrUI₆, EuUI₆ and BaUI₆ are synthesized for the first time. Their crystal structures are isotypic, and they can be described as ordered substitution variants of the AlCl₃ type. (orig.)

[en] The compounds AThBr₆ (A: Ca, Sr, Ba) crystallize in an ordered substitution variant of the PuBr₃ type. Their syntheses and special features of the crystal structures are described. (orig.)

[en] We report on the performance of a large micro-pattern detector with two gas electron multiplier foils and a two-layer readout structure at ground potential. The two readout layers each have a 406 μm pitch and cross at an effective angle of 6.7 deg. . This structure allows for two orthogonal coordinates to be determined. Using a muon beam at CERN together with a silicon tracking system, the position resolutions of the two coordinates are measured to be 50 μm and 1 mm respectively (1 standard deviation). The muon detection efficiency for the two-dimensional space points reaches 96%. The detector was found to be well operational over a wide range in the settings of the different electrical fields

[en] The construction of a micro-pattern gas detector of dimensions 40x10 cm² is described. Two gas electron multiplier foils (GEM) provide the internal amplification stages. A two-layer readout structure was used, manufactured using the same technology as the GEM foils. The strips of each layer cross at an effective crossing angle of 6.7 deg. and have a 406 μm pitch. The performance of the detector has been evaluated in a muon beam at CERN using a silicon telescope as reference system. The position resolutions of two orthogonal coordinates are measured to be 50 μm and 1 mm, respectively. The muon detection efficiency for two-dimensional space points reaches 96%

No abstract available

[en] A system of detector modules consisting of a large size Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM), coupled to Micro Strip Gas Counters (MSGC), has been exposed to a pion beam at the Paul Scherrer Institute Cyclotron facility. As part of a CMS tracker milestone, the aim of this test was to investigate the robustness of such detectors when exposed to experimental conditions close to what is expected at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) of CERN. Eighteen detector modules have been operated at voltage settings corresponding to 98% detection efficiency for Minimum Ionizing Particles during a period of 5 weeks. Sparking rates and strip losses have been monitored throughout the exposure. An operation margin of at least a factor of three with respect to the required gas gain has been demonstrated

[en] A small series production of detector modules made of MicroStrip Gas Counters (MSGC) and a Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) foil has been exposed to a high-intensity hadron beam. We report about the reproductibility and stability of the detector responses and about the occurrence and consequences of discharges in the detector. The interdependence of the four voltage differences used in the detector has been studied by simulation and with X-ray measurements. Rate dependence of the signal amplitude is observed. The behaviour of the MSGC+GEM is compared to that of a state-of-the-art MSGC. Influence of various parameters on the detector response is investigated

[en] We have performed a measurement of the absolute yield of fluorescence photons at the Fermilab Test Beam. A systematic uncertainty at 5% level was achieved by the use of Cherenkov radiation as a reference calibration light source. A cross-check was performed by an independent calibration using a laser light source. A significant improvement on the energy scale uncertainty of Ultra-High Energy Cosmic Rays is expected.