Monte Carlo simulation of xenon filled cylindrical proportional counters

Author

Rachinhas, P.J.B.M. ; Dias, T.H.V.T. ; Santos, F.P. ; Stauffer, A.D. ; Conde, C.A.N.

Author_Institution

Dept. of Phys., Coimbra Univ., Portugal

Volume

41

Issue

4

fYear

1994

fDate

8/1/1994 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

984

Lastpage

988

Abstract

Single electron avalanche processes in a xenon filled cylindrical proportional counter have been simulated using a detailed Monte Carlo technique. The avalanche gain A and its average value M as well as its frequency distribution and spread parameter b have been calculated for xenon at atmospheric pressure, for a 2.55 cm cathode radius and 12.5 and 50 μm anode radii. A discussion is made of the results obtained for M as a function of the anode voltage in terms of prevailing theories. It is found that Monte Carlo calculated M values are markedly lower than those obtained analytically using the first Townsend ionization coefficient calculated under a uniform field. This puts into evidence the relevance of the non-equilibrium nature of avalanche processes

Keywords

Monte Carlo methods; Townsend discharge; electron avalanches; proportional counters; 1 atm; Monte Carlo simulation; Xe; Xe filled cylindrical proportional counters; anode voltage; avalanche gain; first Townsend ionization coefficient; frequency distribution; single electron avalanche processes; spread parameter; Anodes; Atmospheric modeling; Cathodes; Counting circuits; Electrons; Frequency; Ionization; Monte Carlo methods; Voltage; Xenon;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Nuclear Science, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9499

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/23.322844

Filename

322844