Monte Carlo Simulation Study of the Characteristics of Xe-Ne Gas Mixtures as Detection Media in Gas Proportional Ionization Counters

Author

Santos, Filomena P. ; Rachinhas, Paulo J B M ; Dias, Teresa H.V.T. ; Borges, Filipa I G M ; Stauffer, Alan D. ; Conde, Carlos A N

Author_Institution

Dept. de Fisica, Coimbra Univ.

Volume

54

Issue

1

fYear

2007

Firstpage

219

Lastpage

223

Abstract

A Monte Carlo simulation has been developed to investigate the performance of Xe-Ne filled proportional ionization counters, with a special interest on the intrinsic energy resolution R_int as a function of the Xe-Ne mixtures composition. The Monte Carlo simulation reproduces the growth of single-electron-initiated avalanches in cylindrical geometry, and the results for R_int are discussed in terms of the influence of the Penning ionization on the statistical parameter f characterizing the fluctuations of single-electron avalanches gain. The results for R_int, and f, as well as for the multiplication factor M, are calculated for each mixture as a function of the reduced anode voltage K=V/ln(c/a), where V is the voltage applied to the anode-wire and c/a is the cathode-to-anode radius ratio

Keywords

Monte Carlo methods; Penning ionisation; electron avalanches; gas scintillation detectors; ionisation chambers; proportional counters; Monte Carlo simulation; Penning ionization; Xe-Ne filled proportional ionization counters; Xe-Ne gas mixtures; anode-wire; cylindrical geometry; intrinsic energy resolution; reduced anode voltage; single-electron-initiated avalanches; Counting circuits; Electromagnetic wave absorption; Electrons; Energy resolution; Fluctuations; Ionization; Production; Radiation detectors; Voltage; X-rays; Gas detection media; Monte Carlo simulation; noble gas mixtures; proportional counters;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Nuclear Science, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9499

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/TNS.2006.889641

Filename

4089180