Electron drift measurements using self-quenching streamer mode in single wire gas counter

The behavior of the SQS (self-quenching streamer) discharge induced by β-rays in a single wire gas counter was studied, and its applicability to measurements of electron drift has been clarified. It was possible to use the SQS signal from β-ray induced ionization instead of the SQS signal from laser-induced ionization for electron drift measurements. This method is very simple and gives drift velocity data in a wide range of electric field strength, especially at high regions where a uniform field drift counter is not so easy to operate. Ne-based gas mixtures show less saturation of drift velocity than Ar-based gas mixtures for the electric field regions commonly applied for drift counters