An investigation of the M-discontinuities in the response of xenon gas detectors to X-rays in the 0.1–2 keV range

Deviations from linearity in the response of Xe gas detectors to the absorption of X-rays with energies near the Xe L and K absorption edges have been extensively studied experimentally and by detailed Monte Carlo simulation in previous investigations. Using measurements with a gas proportional-scintillation counter and Monte Carlo simulation, the present work investigates the response of Xe-filled detectors to 0.1–2 keV X-rays, a range which covers the Xe M-edges. The experimental results for the detector pulse-amplitude indicate a 26.3 eV discontinuity in energy linearity in the region of the Xe M-edges, and the Monte Carlo simulation results exhibit a 42.5 eV discontinuity in the same region.