A fast ionization chamber for fission cross-section measurements at n_TOF

An ionization chamber with fast timing properties was built at CERN for measuring fission cross-sections of minor actinides at the n_TOF neutron beam. The design of this new chamber and of the front-end electronics was optimized to match the innovative features of the n_TOF facility, in particular the high instantaneous neutron flux and low background. For the most radioactive isotopes, a special version of the chamber, designed according to the ISO2919 standards, was built in order to comply with the radioprotection requirements at CERN. The detector and front-end electronics are here described, together with the simulated and measured response to fission fragments and α-particles. The performances of the chamber during the first measurement campaign at n_TOF are presented, focusing in particular on the fast time response, the good background rejection capability, low-background and high detection efficiency.