The use of polycarbonate in proportional counters

Journal Article · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1992 · Review of Scientific Instruments; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1142640· OSTI ID:5410375

Trow, M; Smith, A ^[1]

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1. Mullard Space Science Laboratory, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University College London, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking, Surrey RH5 6NT (United Kingdom)

Proportional counters are relatively sensitive to contamination through outgassing and the range of electrical insulators suitable for use in their manufacture is quite limited. Although small amounts of plastics such as polychlorotrifluoroethylene have been used as feedthroughs, ceramics are most commonly used when sealed counters with long lives are required. Ceramics have poor and widely scattered mechanical properties and the use of a more robust material is often highly desirable. Of particular interest is the use of polymers and this work examines polycarbonate in particular. To investigate its suitability in terms of outgassing a simple cylindrical, single anode proportional counter containing a large sample of polycarbonate was baked at {similar to}100 {degree}C and filled with a CO{sub 2}/Ar/Xe mixture (5:47.5:47.5 by pressure, respectively). Subsequent measurements of the counter indicated an increase in gain, which, after a second similar filling, was identified to be associated with a preferential loss of CO{sub 2} to the polycarbonate. The consequences of this result and the circumstances under which polycarbonate could be used on a large scale in the construction of proportional counters are discussed.

• OSTI ID: 5410375
• Journal Information: Review of Scientific Instruments; (United States), Vol. 63:1; ISSN 0034-6748
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
POLYCARBONATES
USES
PROPORTIONAL COUNTERS
DEGASSING
ARGON
CARBON DIOXIDE
GAIN
HIGH VACUUM
MIXTURES
XENON
AMPLIFICATION
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CARBONATES
CHALCOGENIDES
DISPERSIONS
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
GASES
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
NONMETALS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RADIATION DETECTORS
RARE GASES
440101* - Radiation Instrumentation- General Detectors or Monitors & Radiometric Instruments