Sub-25 ps timing measurements with 10 x 10 cm² PICOSEC Micromegas detectors

The PICOSEC Micromegas detector is a precise timing gaseous detector based on a Cherenkov radiator coupled to a semi-transparent photocathode and a Micromegas amplifying structure. First single-pad prototypes demonstrated a time resolution below sigma = 25 ps, however, to make the concept appropriate to physics applications, several developments are required. The objective of this work was to achieve an equivalent time resolution for a 10 x 10 cm(2) area PICOSEC Micromegas detector. The prototype was designed, produced and tested in the laboratory and successfully operated with a 80 GeV/c muon beam. Preliminary results for this device equipped with a CsI photocathode demonstrated a time resolution below sigma = 25 ps for all measured pads. The time resolution was reduced to be below sigma = 18 ps by decreasing the drift gap to 180 mu m and using dedicated RF amplifier cards as new electronics. The excellent timing performance of the single-channel proof of concept was not only transferred to the 100-channel prototype, but even improved, making the PICOSEC Micromegas detector more suitable for large-area experiments in need of detectors with high time resolutions.