Improved designs of gas ionization detectors used for elastic recoil detection

Abstract

It has been demonstrated that large-acceptance, parallel-plate gas-ionization detectors with position-sensitivity are well suited for heavy ion elastic recoil detection (ERD). The current designs of these detectors are based on experience from nuclear physics research. Using the facility at the Australian National University a new detector design, aimed to optimize the detector performance for heavy ion ERD, has been implemented and explored. In the new design the electric field in the entrance region is more linear, allowing the use of two ΔE electrodes to increase the versatility of the detector. By using a signal grid, a total energy signal can be obtained from a single electrode with adequate resolution. This obviates the need for the relative calibration of signals. The use of a saw-tooth electrode within the anode and a shortened cathode gives position information, which is linear and independent of the atomic number and energy of the detected ion.