R&D for RPC detectors with glass electrodes

Resistive plate chambers with glass electrodes are an attractive candidate for the active part both of the muon system and of a highly granular digital hadron calorimeter at the future e
⁺
e
^-
linear collider. They are considered as active elements for future large neutrino detectors as well. Selected results on an R&D programme aimed at the development of RPC prototypes suited for mass production are reported. After a description of the RPC prototypes and assembly procedure, largely based on industrial techniques, direct measurements of the local rate capabilities both in streamer and avalanche mode, performed at the DAFNE Test Beam Facility, are discussed. Emphasis is given to long term stability measurements performed under controlled conditions, which have provided evidence for substantial ageing of detectors operated in streamer mode. Solutions are proposed