Ion backflow in the Micromegas TPC for the future linear collider

We present ion backflow measurements in a Micromegas (MICRO-MEsh GASeous detector) TPC device developed for the next high-energy electron-positron linear collider under study and a simple explanation for this backflow. A Micromegas micromesh has the intrinsic property to naturally stop a large fraction of the secondary positive ions created in the avalanche. It is shown that under some workable conditions on the pitch of the mesh and on the gas mixture, the ion feedback is equal to the field ratio (ratio of the drift electric field to the amplification field). Measurements with an intense X-ray source are in good agreement with calculations and simulations. The conclusion is that in the electric field conditions foreseen for the Micromegas TPC (drift and amplification fields, respectively, equal to 150-200V/cm and 50-80kV/cm) the expected ion backflow will be of the order of 2-3 x 10(-3). In addition, measurements have been done in a 2T magnetic field: as expected the ion backflow is not altered by the magnetic field. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.