Dielectric Resistive Plate Chamber as a detector for time-of-flight measurements

Principles of operation, construction and first test results of a Dielectric Resistive Plate Chamber (DRPC) are described. The detector has shown stability of operation in the avalanche mode of gas amplfication within a wide range of applied voltages. Double-gap DRPCs have demonstrated the MIP registration efficiency of 97% and the time resolution of 180-200 ps. No changes in DRPC operation have been observed with test beam intensities up to 10^3 Hz/cm^2.