A novel gas-filled detector for pulsed X-ray sources

A novel gas-filled detector developed for use in wavelength-dispersive X-ray spectrometers operated with pulsed X-ray sources is described. The design of the detector is based on the principle used in drift chambers. The effects of geometric parameters and gas composition on the detection characteristics have been calculated using Monte-Carlo techniques. According to these calculations the multichamber drift detector we have constructed should be capable of acquiring one to approximately 300 low-energy (1.5 keV) photons per burst.