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Position-sensitive proportional counters using resistance-capacitance position encoding

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/4130048· OSTI ID:4130048
A new method was developed for encoding the position of individual photons, neutrons, or charged particles in proportional counters by using the distributed RC line characteristics of these counters. The signal processing is described and guidelines for the design and operation of these position sensitive proportional counters (PSPCs) are given. Using these guidelines, several prototypic PSPCs were constructed to improve the spatial resolution and shorten the signal processing time; for example, the intrinsic spatial uncertainty was reduced to 28 $mu$ fwhm for alpha particles and 100 $mu$ fwhm for low-energy x rays (2 to 6 keV). Also, the signal processing time was reduced to 0.6 $mu$sec without seriously degrading the spatial resolution. These results have opened new fields of application of the RC position encoding method in imaging distributions of photons, charged particles, or neutrons in nuclear medicine, physics, and radiography. (auth)
Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., Tenn. (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-26
NSA Number:
NSA-33-009322
OSTI ID:
4130048
Report Number(s):
ORNL-TM--5083
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English