Development of liquid-xenon-imaging gamma-ray spectrophotometers. Final report, 1 June 1983-30 November 1989
We have investigated the application of liquid xenon in high resolution, low background and efficient gamma- ray detectors for the observation in space of weak sources emitting in the 0.1 - 10 MeV energy region. The basic requirement of ultra-high purity liquid xenon, necessary for the successful operation of these detectors has been satisfied with the development of an efficient and reliable purification system, capable of reducing and maintaining the concentration of electronegative impurities below one part in 109. The charge and energy resolution response of a liquid xenon (and liquid argon) ionization chamber has been systematically measured as a function of electric field strength, using various radioactive sources. Our results of 4.5% FWHM and 2.6% FWHM at 1 MeV in liquid xenon and liquid argon, respectively are the best reported in the literature. Their deviation from theoretical estimates based on Fano factor statistics has been interpreted as due to recombination straggling on low energy delta-electrons produced along the primary ionizing particle. The effect of photosensitive dopants in the liquid has also been measured. Improved charge collection and energy resolution is observed for the case of alpha particles. In view of its application for event triggering in an imaging ionization chamber, we have measured the yield of the primary scintillation light abundantly emitted in liquid Xenon, using both electrons and alpha particles. The dependence of the event will provide an ideal tool for background rejection.
- Research Organization:
- Columbia Univ., New York, NY (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 6261737
- Report Number(s):
- AD-A-227575/8/XAB; CAL-1811R; CNN: N00014-83-K-0494; N00014-86-C-0086
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
GENERAL PHYSICS
GAMMA ASTRONOMY
PHOTOMETERS
SPECTROMETERS
SPECIFICATIONS
ALPHA PARTICLES
ARGON
COSMIC GAMMA SOURCES
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTRONS
EMISSION
ENERGY
GAMMA DETECTION
IMAGES
IMPURITIES
IONIZATION
IONIZATION CHAMBERS
LIQUIDS
MEV RANGE 01-10
MEV RANGE 100-1000
PROGRESS REPORT
RADIATION DETECTORS
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RELIABILITY
RESOLUTION
RESPONSE FUNCTIONS
SCINTILLATIONS
STATISTICS
XENON
ASTRONOMY
CHARGED PARTICLES
COSMIC RAY SOURCES
DETECTION
DOCUMENT TYPES
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ELEMENTS
ENERGY RANGE
FERMIONS
FLUIDS
FUNCTIONS
GASES
LEPTONS
MATERIALS
MATHEMATICS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MEV RANGE
NONMETALS
RADIATION DETECTION
RARE GASES
640100* - Astrophysics & Cosmology