Recent results on the properties of two-phase argon avalanche detectors

The characteristic properties of two-phase argon (Ar) avalanche detectors, including those obtained with CsI photocathode, are further studied. Such detectors are relevant in the field of coherent neutrino-nucleus scattering and dark-matter search experiments. The detectors investigated comprised a 1 cm thick liquid Ar layer followed by a triple-gas electron multipliers (GEMs). In these detectors, typical gains reaching 104 were obtained with good reproducibility and a stable operation for at least 1 day was demonstrated. Amplitude and pulse-shape characteristics are presented under irradiation with X-rays, gamma rays and neutrons from different radioactive sources. The detection of both primary scintillation and ionization signals at higher gains, at a deposited energy of 60 keV, has been demonstrated.