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Description
Low Gain Avalanche Detectors (LGADs) can operate in single particle counting mode directly in proton beams. These detectors are radiation hard, allowing operation under therapeutic beam fluences for extended periods. With timing resolution below 50 ps, LGADs can provide precise timing measurements of individual particles. This study examines the use of LGADs as particle counters for beam fluence monitoring. The timing measurements from these detectors can potentially be used to derive additional beam properties, such as the kinetic energy spectrum. Experimental tests were performed using two LGAD detector systems at the AIC-144 cyclotron facility (58 MeV protons) at the Institute for Nuclear Physics in Krakow. Comparison with ionization chambers validated the detectors' performance as beam monitors. The study included a detailed analysis of cyclotron beam time structures across multiple time scales, ranging from milliseconds to sub-nanosecond resolution. These measurements revealed characteristic features of the beam microstructure at different time intervals. Additionally, several methods were developed and tested to address pile-up events in high-intensity beam conditions.
