Non-linearities and entrance window effects in large solid-angle gas ionization detectors

The performance of a large solid-angle, position-sensitive, gas ionization detector used for elastic recoil detection analysis with heavy ions has bee n investigated in detail. In particular, a front electrode in the anode, th at was intended for measurements of the initial energy loss of incident hea vy ions, proved especially valuable as a means of understanding the non-lin earities inherent to the methods of spatial determination employed by a wid ely used type of detector, and the influence of the window on the collectio n of electrons at the anode. Alternative design features are proposed to re move the non-linearities and to allow the measurement of the energy loss ne ar the detector entrance. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All r ights reserved.