Data acquisition system development for the detection of X-ray photons in multi-wire gas proportional counters

A new data acquisition system coupled to a backgammon-type gas proportional counter capable of single-photon counting over a wide range of count rates has been developed and replaces a CAMAC-based system. The new apparatus possesses improved architecture, interface technology, speed and diagnostic capability. System efficiency and throughput is significantly improved, especially in addressing earlier problems of hardware buffer downloads containing zero or repeat data and inefficient gating control. The new system is a PXI-based data acquisition apparatus including additional electronics, controlled by a graphical programming environment. It allows development of superior diagnostic tools for system optimisation and more stable performance. System efficiency is improved by 10% over a wide range of count rates (0.5 Hz–50 kHz). For the Backgammon Detector type, this represents a significant improvement in performance and applicability over previous systems. Characteristic and few-electron spectra collected on the new acquisition system are illustrated.