Gas Scintillation Proportional Counter Research Articles

Absolute primary scintillation yield in gaseous xenon and in Xenon — Trimethylamine mixtures

The primary scintillation signal in gaseous detectors can be used to obtain the initial interaction time of a detected event, but existing results in the literature for its yield in gaseous xenon are scarce and there is not a good agreement between them. In this work, a standard Gas Proportional Scintillation Counter (GPSC) was used to measure the absolute primary scintillation yield of gaseous xenon at 800 Torr for 5.9 keV X-rays, in order to try to clarify its value. The experimental determination was carried out using the ratio between the primary and secondary scintillation signals. The detection efficiencies of both signals were determined by Monte Carlo simulation results were used to correct the measured ratios. A primary scintillation yield of 73.4 ± 8.8 photons by 5.9 keV X-ray was obtained, from which a wp-value, i.e, the average energy necessary to produce a primary scintillation photon in xenon, of 80 ± 12 eV was obtained.Also, in the same conditions, the primary scintillation was studied in Xenon-Trimethylamine (TMA – (CH3)3N), mixtures with TMA fraction between 0.1% and 1.0%. The primary scintillation signal was only observable at the lowest TMA fraction in the mixture (0.1%). For higher fractions, the primary scintillation signal was not observable, indicating that these may not be suitable mixtures for experiments that use the primary scintillation signal.

A new concept for a gas proportional scintillation counter: the annular anode

A new design of a Gas Proportional Scintillation Counter (GPSC) for X-ray spectrometry is presented and a proof of concept is demonstrated. The proposed design is much simpler, having only one electrode, the anode. In addition, this electrode has an annular shape with its axis aligned with the photosensor axis. Since the scintillation region is limited to a small region near the anode, the solid angle subtended by the photocathode is similar relative to any position in the scintillation region and the amount of scintillation reaching the photosensor is independent from the position where the radiation interaction occurs. Standard GPSCs with uniform electric field design have the scintillation region parallel to the photosensor active area resulting in a dependence of the amount of light collected by the photosensor on the axial distance of the radiation interaction due to solid angle effects. These effects impose limitations on the size of the detector radiation window relative to the photosensor active area. Therefore, the annular anode allows to obtain a GPSC design with a larger radiation window relative to the photosensor area. A first GPSC prototype with a 10-cm diameter annular anode placed at a distance of 4.4 cm from the photosensor has an energy resolution of 14% for anode voltages of 8 kV and, according to simulations, it can reach 11% for anode voltages of 12 kV. This is worse than the values of 8–9% obtained with a standard GPSC which, on the other hand, have a window-to-photosensor diameter ratio lower than 0.8. Simulations have shown that the main factor degrading the energy resolution in this new design is the low number of photons impinging the photosensor due to the low solid angle subtended by the photosensor relative to the electroluminescence region of the detector. A compromise has to be made between the anode-to-photosensor diameter ratio as well as between the anode-to-photosensor distance and the energy resolution that can be achieved with the annular anode design.

Electroluminescence TPCs at the thermal diffusion limit

The NEXT experiment aims at searching for the hypothetical neutrinoless double-beta decay from the 136Xe isotope using a high-purity xenon TPC. Efficient discrimination of the events through pattern recognition of the topology of primary ionisation tracks is a major requirement for the experiment. However, it is limited by the diffusion of electrons. It is known that the addition of a small fraction of a molecular gas to xenon reduces electron diffusion. On the other hand, the electroluminescence (EL) yield drops and the achievable energy resolution may be compromised. We have studied the effect of adding several molecular gases to xenon (CO2, CH4 and CF4) on the EL yield and energy resolution obtained in a small prototype of driftless gas proportional scintillation counter. We have compared our results on the scintillation characteristics (EL yield and energy resolution) with a microscopic simulation, obtaining the diffusion coefficients in those conditions as well. Accordingly, electron diffusion may be reduced from about 10 mm/ sqrt{mathrm{m}} for pure xenon down to 2.5 mm/ sqrt{mathrm{m}} using additive concentrations of about 0.05%, 0.2% and 0.02% for CO2, CH4 and CF4, respectively. Our results show that CF4 admixtures present the highest EL yield in those conditions, but very poor energy resolution as a result of huge fluctuations observed in the EL formation. CH4 presents the best energy resolution despite the EL yield being the lowest. The results obtained with xenon admixtures are extrapolated to the operational conditions of the NEXT-100 TPC. CO2 and CH4 show potential as molecular additives in a large xenon TPC. While CO2 has some operational constraints, making it difficult to be used in a large TPC, CH4 shows the best performance and stability as molecular additive to be used in the NEXT-100 TPC, with an extrapolated energy resolution of 0.4% at 2.45 MeV for concentrations below 0.4%, which is only slightly worse than the one obtained for pure xenon. We demonstrate the possibility to have an electroluminescence TPC operating very close to the thermal diffusion limit without jeopardizing the TPC performance, if CO2 or CH4 are chosen as additives.

Digital optical correlator x-ray telescope alignment monitoring system

The High-Energy Replicated Optics to Explore the Sun (HEROES) program is a balloon-borne x-ray telescope mission to observe hard x-rays (∼20 to 70 keV) from the sun and multiple astrophysical targets. The payload consists of eight mirror modules with a total of 114 optics that are mounted on a 6-m-long optical bench. Each mirror module is complemented by a high-pressure xenon gas scintillation proportional counter. Attached to the payload is a camera that acquires star fields and then matches the acquired field to star maps to determine the pointing of the optical bench. Slight misalignments between the star camera, the optical bench, and the telescope elements attached to the optical bench may occur during flight due to mechanical shifts, thermal gradients, and gravitational effects. These misalignments can result in diminished imaging and reduced photon collection efficiency. To monitor these misalignments during flight, a supplementary Bench Alignment Monitoring System (BAMS) was added to the payload. BAMS hardware comprises two cameras mounted directly to the optical bench and rings of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted onto the telescope components. The LEDs in these rings are mounted in a predefined, asymmetric pattern, and their positions are tracked using an optical/digital correlator. The BAMS analysis software is a digital adaption of an optical joint transform correlator. The aim is to enhance the observational proficiency of HEROES while providing insight into the magnitude of mechanically and thermally induced misalignments during flight. Results from a preflight test of the system are reported.

A Gas Proportional Scintillation Counter with krypton filling

A Gas Proportional Scintillation Counter filled with pure krypton was studied. Energy resolution below 10% for 5.9-keV X-rays was obtained with this prototype. This value is much better than the energy resolution obtained with proportional counters or other MPGDs with krypton filling. The krypton electroluminescence scintillation and ionisation thresholds were found to be about 0.5 and 3.5 kV cm−1bar−1, respectively.

High-photon-yield scintillation detector with Ar/CF4 and glass gas electron multiplier

The glass made gas electron multiplier (GEM) and Ar/CF4-gas-based gaseous detector is developed as a scintillation detector and ultra high photon yield is demonstrated. The light yield of a glass GEM (G-GEM)-based gaseous detector is estimated to be 85,000 photons/keV, which is three orders of magnitude brighter than inorganic scintillators. The radioluminescence spectrum peak appeared at around 620 nm, which matches the spectral response of commonly used photosensors such as photomultiplier tubes, photodiodes, CMOSs, CCDs, and other photo-sensors. In X-ray spectroscopy, the light yield showed excellent proportionality and the device was successfully operated as a gas proportional scintillation counter. With this design, we obtained a high photon yield of the G-GEM, which has the further advantage of being much more sensitive to low-energy radiation than solid-scintillator-based detectors.

A model for the secondary scintillation pulse shape from a gas proportional scintillation counter

Proportional scintillation counters (PSCs), both single- and dual-phase, can measure the scintillation (S1) and ionization (S2) channels from particle interactions within the detector volume. The signal obtained from these detectors depends first on the physics of the medium (the initial scintillation and ionization), and second how the physics of the detector manipulates the resulting photons and liberated electrons. In this paper we develop a model of the detector physics that incorporates event topology, detector geometry, electric field configuration, purity, optical properties of components, and wavelength shifters. We present an analytic form of the model, which allows for general study of detector design and operation, and a Monte Carlo model which enables a more detailed exploration of S2 events. This model may be used to study systematic effects in current detectors such as energy and position reconstruction, pulse shape discrimination, event topology, dead time calculations, purity, and electric field uniformity. We present a comparison of this model with experimental data collected with an argon gas proportional scintillation counter (GPSC), operated at 20 C and 1 bar, and irradiated with an internal, collimated 55Fe source. Additionally we discuss how the model may be incorporated in Monte Carlo simulations of both GPSCs and dual-phase detectors, increasing the reliability of the simulation results and allowing for tests of the experimental data analysis algorithms.

Developement and performance testing of large surface gas scintillation proportional counter

Developement and performance testing of large surface gas scintillation proportional counter

Multi-window counting of radioactivity

In counting of radioactivity, using for example gas proportional (GP) or liquid scintillation (LS) counters, one can set up two or more electronic windows, which can measure two or more radiation components. In this work, we derived general equations for n-window counting in matrix notation, including mutual crosstalk between the windows using both the ratio (not normalized) and the fraction (normalized) methods. A solution for n radiation components is presented. For the two-window measurements, we report complete statistical analysis of the results including propagation of all uncertainties. The decision-level and the detection-limit equations were derived including crosstalk correction, uncertainties of the variables, Gaussian continuity correction, interference correction, and the overdispersion correction. Numerical verifications of the two-window systems are presented, including conditions for the detection of a minor component in the presence of a major component. In addition, limited experimental verifications of the two-window systems using LS counting are reported.

2D-sensitive hpxe gas proportional scintillation counter concept for nuclear medical imaging purposes

The operation and first images of a high pressure xenon Gas Proportional Scintillation Counter (GPSC) are presented. In this setup, primary electrons produced by the absorption of X- or γ-rays in the gas medium drift to a region where the electric field is set to a value above the gas scintillation threshold, the scintillation region. The primary ionization signal is amplified through the electroluminescence produced along the electron drift in this region. A Micro-Hole and Strip Plate covered with CsI (CsI-MHSP) is used as the photosensor for the scintillation readout. The 2D capability of the CsI-MHSP photosensor is achieved by means of two orthogonal resistive lines interconnecting the strips patterned on both surfaces of the MHSP. The interaction position of the incident radiation can be obtained by determining the centroid of the photosensor area irradiated by the electroluminescence pulse. This centroid is obtained from the amplitude of the charge pulses collected at both ends of the resistive lines. Preliminary analyses of the first images obtained with electroluminescence signals at xenon pressures up to 3 bar indicate a position resolution capability of about 1.2 mm at 2.9 bar, for 59.6 keV γ-photons.

Tertiary Scintillation Gas Proportional Scintillation Counter (TS-GPSC): First Experimental Results$^{\ast}$

A new concept for a gaseous radiation detector is presented: the Tertiary Scintillation Gas Proportional Scintillation Counter (TS-GPSC). In this detector the electric field induced secondary scintillation is first detected by a CsI-coated GEM-like structure where it releases photoelectrons which are transferred through the GEM holes, with no charge multiplication, to another region where further field induced scintillation (tertiary) is produced and then again detected on a planar CsI-coated photocathode at the backplane of the detector. The electrons released therein are collected at a grid and constitute the detector's signal. Since there is no avalanche charge multiplication in the detector, the gain will be quite stable and, moreover, as the field induced scintillation yield is very high, and in spite of the low photocathode quantum efficiency, the gain will be high and with low fluctuations, so an improvement in the energy resolution as compared to other types of Gas Proportional Scintillation Counters is expected. The first prototype of the tertiary scintillation detector was tested in a xenon atmosphere for hard X-rays and experimental results are presented. Energy resolutions of 8.2% were achieved for 22.1 keV X-rays.

Primary and secondary scintillation measurements in a Xenon Gas Proportional Scintillation Counter

NEXT is a new experiment to search for neutrinoless double beta decay using a 100 kg radio-pure high-pressure gaseous xenon TPC. The detector requires excellent energy resolution, which can be achieved in a Xe TPC with electroluminescence readout. Hamamatsu R8520-06SEL photomultipliers are good candidates for the scintillation readout. The performance of this photomultiplier, used as VUV photosensor in a gas proportional scintillation counter, was investigated. Initial results for the detection of primary and secondary scintillation produced as a result of the interaction of 5.9 keV X-rays in gaseous xenon, at room temperature and at pressures up to 3 bar, are presented. An energy resolution of 8.0% was obtained for secondary scintillation produced by 5.9 keV X-rays. No significant variation of the primary scintillation was observed for different pressures (1, 2 and 3 bar) and for electric fields up to 0.8 V cm−1 torr−1 in the drift region, demonstrating negligible recombination luminescence. A primary scintillation yield of 81 ± 7 photons was obtained for 5.9 keV X-rays, corresponding to a mean energy of 72 ± 6 eV to produce a primary scintillation photon in xenon.

A New Technique for Gaseous Radiation Detectors: The Multigrid High-Pressure Xenon Gas Proportional Scintillation Counter

A new technique is presented for high-pressure gaseous radiation detectors leading to pulse amplitudes at least one order of magnitude larger than in ionization-chamber-based gamma-ray detectors. The technique uses room-temperature pure Xe or Xe-based gaseous mixtures at pressures of about 5-20 bar (or higher) to detect ionizing radiation in a multigrid high-pressure gas proportional scintillation counter (MGHP-GPSC) with a CsI deposit as the photocathode in direct contact with the gas, with no optical windows. The detector relies on secondary scintillation as the amplification stage followed by photoelectron production in a CsI photocathode layer. Experimental results are presented for a small prototype filled with pure Xe up to 5 bar, showing that the principle of operation of the detector works. The maximum detector gain obtained so far is about 10.

The transparent microstrip gas counter

Conventional MSGCs are made of metal electrodes that might absorb or reflect optical photons. If the electrodes are made of transparent material like ITO, we could take advantage of optical readout. A gas scintillation proportional counter made of ITO MSGC is fabricated and tested where both optical and charge signals are obtained. We have selected a multi-grid structure that can avoid charge-up problem with normal transparent glass substrate. Test results with Ar and CF4 gas mixture showed a stable gas gain of ∼2800 and ∼110 optical photons for 6keV X-rays. Position sensing with PSPMT has successfully been demonstrated.

Performance of Argon-Xenon Mixtures in a Gas Proportional Scintillation Counter for the 0.1–10 keV X-Ray Region

The performance of a gas proportional scintillation counter filled with either pure Xe or Ar-Xe mixtures is described for the 0.1-10 keV X-ray energy range. It is shown that the spectra tail distortion exhibited by Xe filled gaseous detectors for soft X-rays below 2 keV is reduced if Ar-Xe mixtures are used. The peak-to-valley ratio increases by a factor of about 2 or 3 as the Xe concentration is reduced from 100% to 5%. Moreover, the energy resolutions for such mixtures are similar to the ones for pure Xe.

Ar–Xe mixtures and their use in curved grid gas proportional scintillation counters for X-rays

An experimental study of the scintillation properties of Ar–Xe mixtures has been carried out with a gas proportional scintillation counter instrumented with a photomultiplier tube. Energy resolutions of 7.7, 7.8, 7.8, 8.3, 8.5, 9.1 and 11.5% were obtained for 5.9 keV X-rays respectively for the 100% Xe, 60%Ar–40%Xe, 80%Ar–20%Xe, 90%Ar–10%Xe, 95%Ar–5%Xe, 97%Ar–3%Xe and 99%Ar–1%Xe mixtures at 800 Torr. Thresholds for scintillation and ionization were also determined. The performance of Ar–Xe mixtures as detection media in large detection area applications has been studied for a 52 mm diameter photomultiplier and a 38 mm diameter radiation window. The curved grid technique was used to minimize spectra distortion due to solid angle effects.

Dual-Cathode CsI Covered Microstrip Plate as VUV High Efficiency Photosensor

<para xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> A Gas Proportional Scintillation Counter based on a dual-cathode Microstrip Plate covered with a CsI film is described. This new dual-cathode technique has the advantage of increasing the VUV sensitive area of the Microstrip Plate. A detailed description of the technique is presented together with a discussion of the performance. The results obtained for a xenon filled Gas Proportional Scintillation Counter show an improvement of the energy resolution for 5.9 keV X-rays from 12.7%, for a single cathode device, to 11.1% for the dual-cathode device. </para>

Experimental Study of the $w$-Values and Fano Factors of Gaseous Xenon and Ar-Xe Mixtures for X-Rays

An experimental study of the w -values and Fano factors for Ar-Xe gaseous mixtures at atmospheric pressures for 5.895 keV X-rays was carried out with two experimental set-ups based on gas proportional scintillation counter techniques. For the 100% Xe, Ar-40% Xe, Ar-20% Xe and Ar-10% Xe mixtures at 800 Torr the measured w-values were 21.61 eV, 21.63 eV, 21.64 eV and 21.42 eV, respectively, within an accuracy of plusmn0.21 eV. For the same mixtures the Fano factors were 0.254, 0.258, 0.250 and 0.256, respectively, within an accuracy of about plusmn0.004. For lower Xe concentrations of 5%, 3% and 1% the Fano factors were ap0.24, ap0.23 and ap0.22, respectively. These experimental results are compared with those available in the literature.

Absolute primary scintillation yield of gaseous xenon under low drift electric fields for 5.9 keV X-rays

A standard gas proportional scintillation counter equipped with a photomultiplier tube has been used to measure the primary scintillation yield in Xe at 800 Torr for 5.9 keV x-rays. The value m = 53±8 was measured for the number of primary scintillation photons produced per absorbed 5.9 keV x-ray photon, which gives a value Ws = 111±16 eV for the average energy expended to produce a primary scintillation photon in Xe for this x-ray energy. The experimental method is based on a comparison between the primary and secondary scintillation signals measured with a digital oscilloscope, where the distinction of the small primary signal from the noise is achieved by always triggering the oscilloscope with the secondary scintillation signal, and making a time average over 128 primary/secondary scintillation pulses. No evidence for recombination scintillation was found. A qualitative discussion of Ws in terms of the ratio between excitation and ionization cross sections for electrons in Xe is also presented.

Improvement of a Gas Scintillation Proportional Counter

A prototype GSPC without the gas purification system was developed in China Institute for Radiation Protection(CIRP). Xenon filled GSPC has many advantages, including high energy resolution, large detection area, ability for implementing position sensitive detection, etc. It may find a wide application in low energy X-ray and γ-ray fields, e.g., astronomy X-ray detection, medical imaging. Further applications in neutron and charged heavy particle detection are also possible. Several tests for 241Am and 55Fe have been carried out to check out its preliminary performance. Currently the energy resolution is still far from expectation, nevertheless, the concept is proved to be promising and the experimental results suggest the way for further improvements. The possible ways for improvement of the detector performance are discussed in conclusion. This work was funded by National Natural Science Foundation of China.Authorization number:10375054(National Natural Science Foundation of China).