Multi-wire proportional counter system for low energy nuclear physics

Abstract

A multi-wire proportional counter system capable of detecting low mass particles at tandem Van de Graaff energies has been developed. Each multi-wire proportional counter, operating at a pressure of 50-150 Torr, subtends one steradian and has an angular resolution of approximately 10 to the -4th steradian. The multi-wire proportional counter system and associated apparatus are described. Tests of timing resolution indicate that low energy protons and deuterons can be detected concurrently with a coincidence resolving window of 125 nanoseconds. Efficiency curves as a function of detected particle energy and operating characteristics as a function of operating voltage are given.