2.—The Proportional Counter as a Position-Sensitive Device.

Abstract

SynopsisThe location of the trajectory of a charged nuclear particle can be determined by a number of devices whose operation depends on characteristics of gas counters operated in the region of proportional energy response. Such devices have advantages in precision, speed or available size over other types of position-sensitive counters. The events may be located by observing pulses on one of a set of closely spaced anode wires in a common gas volume, by measuring the drift time of primary electrons to a particular anode wire, or by determining the location of an electron avalanche along the length of a single anode. The operation of the different types of systems and the factors affecting their precision are described. Precision to less than 1 mm can be obtained in a number of ways,