Boron trifluoride proportional counters
The design and manufacture of a variety of types of boron-trifluoride proportional counter are described. One basic design and method of assembly is used for the manufacture of counters of sizes ranging from 1/2 in. diam and a few inches long to 2 in. diam and several feet long. The technique of manufacture is suitable for large-scale production, and consistently good electrical characteristics can be obtained. Details are given of the opening characteristics of a wide range of counters, and the effect of circuit parameters on the output pulse amplitude is discussed. Measurements on the gamma response of medium-size counters show that they can be used to discriminate between neutrons and gamma radiation at gamma dose-rates of 100 to 200 r/h. The counters can be used for long periods at temperatures up to 100 deg C without significant deterioration in characteristics. The counting life is found to be a function of counter size and of gas multiplication, and is probably limited by dissociation of BF3 and the formation of electron-capturing dissociation products. A typical medium-size counter, e.g. 1 in. diam by 6 in. long, can be used for 1011 counts at a gas-multiplication factor M of 10, before significant deterioration of the counting characteristics occurs. Some applications of BF3 proportional counters, such as in reactor instrumentation, and the use of large counter arrays in nuclear physics experiments, are discussed briefly.
- Research Organization:
- Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Barwell, Berks, Eng.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- NSA Number:
- NSA-12-016573
- OSTI ID:
- 4292604
- Journal Information:
- Proceedings of the IEE - Part B: Radio and Electronic Engineering, Journal Name: Proceedings of the IEE - Part B: Radio and Electronic Engineering Journal Issue: 22 Vol. 105; ISSN 2054-0434
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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