Optimization of a micro-strip gas chamber as a two-dimensional neutron detector using gadolinium converter

A micro-strip gas chamber (MSGC) has been under development as a two-dimensional position sensitive detector for neutron scattering experiments at the high-intensity proton accelerator facilities. The MSGC requirements as a neutron detector are high counting rate, high detection efficiency, high positional resolution, stability and large area coverage. The purpose of this paper is to verify the properties of Gadolinium as a MSGC converter. The arrangements of a capillary plate and MSGC gas pressure have been optimized by simulation of a Gadolinium converter. As a result of that, a position resolution of 160 μm and n/γ ratio of 200 were obtained at the gas pressure of 0.02 atm. In view of γ-ray sensitivity, the further improvement is required for practical applications.