Monte Carlo studies of electron avalanches in microdosimetric proportional counters

We present preliminary results from a study of electron avalanches in a low pressure cylindrical microdosimetric counter. The technique is based on the Monte Carlo simulation of the motion of electrons in electric field and their interactions with the molecules of gas. All the electrons are traced simultaneously in time and their coordinates and velocities are recorded. It lets us study all temporal and space aspects of the electron avalanche development. In this work we have concentrated on a study of the dependence of gain, radial extent and time extent of the avalanche on the gas pressure. We explain our results by the existence of seeding region in the avalanche where a relatively small number of secondary electrons are created. Each of these electrons gives subsequently rise to a partial avalanche in the proper avalanche region.