The SHiP timing detector based on MRPC

SHiP (Search for Hidden Particles) is a general-purpose experiment to be installed in a new beam-dump facility at the SPS at CERN to search for hidden particles as predicted by a very large number of recently elaborated models. The proposed experimental apparatus contains, among others, a 50 m2 Timing Detector, crucial to reject the combinatorial background, with a requirement of a timing precision better than 100 ps together with the highest possible detection efficiency. One possibility for the construction of the Timing Detector is the Multigap Resistive Plate Chamber (MRPC) technology. In this paper, we report the design and test beam results of the first full-scale module, based on a novel concept on the construction of MRPCs, where the glass stack and high-voltage electrodes are confined within a permanently sealed plastic box, exhibiting a time precision of 54 ps together with a detection efficiency of 98% over almost 2 m2 of active area.