The Micro Wire Detector

We present the performance of a new proportional gas detector. Its geometry consists of a cathode plane with 70x70 micron apertures, crossed by 25 micron anode strips to which it is attached by 50 micron kapton spacers. In the region where the avalanche takes place, the anode strips are suspended in the gas mixture like in a standard wire chamber. This detector exhibits high rate capability and large gains, introducing very little material.