Multianode cylindrical proportional counter for high count rates

Patent · Fri May 23 04:00:00 EDT 1980

OSTI ID:6604127

Hanson, J A; Kopp, M K

A cylindrical, multiple-anode proportional counter is provided for counting of low-energy photons (< 60 keV) at count rates of greater than 10/sup 5/ counts/sec. A gas-filled proportional counter cylinder forming an outer cathode is provided with a central coaxially disposed inner cathode and a plurality of anode wires disposed in a cylindrical array in coaxial alignment with and between the inner and outer cathodes to form a virtual cylindrical anode coaxial with the inner and outer cathodes. The virtual cylindrical anode configuration improves the electron drift velocity by providing a more uniform field strength throughout the counter gas volume, thus decreasing the electron collection time following the detection of an ionizing event. This avoids pulse pile-up and coincidence losses at these high count rates. Conventional RC position encoding detection circuitry may be employed to extract the spatial information from the counter anodes.

• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• Assignee: Dept. of Energy
• Patent Number(s): None
• OSTI ID: 6604127
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

440101* -- Radiation Instrumentation-- General Detectors or Monitors &amp; Radiometric Instruments
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
ANODES
CATHODES
CONFIGURATION
COUNTING RATES
CYLINDRICAL CONFIGURATION
ELECTRODES
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
PROPORTIONAL COUNTERS
RADIATION DETECTORS
SPECIFICATIONS