Design of iToF: A ToF-wall detector to identify relativistic ions in R3B-FAIR

Abstract Narrow gas-gap resistive-plate-chambers were proposed to be used for the construction of a time-of-flight detector for relativistic heavy ions in the R3B experiment at FAIR. Updated simulations with GEANT4, using state-of-the-art reaction codes as event-generators, allow to realistically evaluate the requirements of the detector for ion measurements. In our studies of detector designs we included what we called self-supported RPCs as well as sandwich structures. We propose a design for a modular detector optimized for R3B at FAIR and other applications.