1. Design and construction of a low-background, internal-source proportional counter.
- Author
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Aalseth, Craig E., Day, Anthony R., Hoppe, Eric W., Hossbach, Todd W., Hyronimus, Brian J., Keillor, Martin E., Litke, Kevin E., Mintzer, Esther E., Seifert, Allen, and Warren, Glen A.
- Subjects
COPPER ,CONSTRUCTION materials ,SPECTROMETERS ,PROPORTIONAL counters ,ELECTRIC discharges - Abstract
High-purity copper has emerged as a preferred construction material for ultra-low-background HPGe spectrometers and offers excellent bulk radiopurity along with good electrical, thermal, and vacuum properties. Recently, these materials and techniques have been applied to the construction of low-background internal-source gas proportional counters. This work describes the design, construction, and testing of an ultra-low-background internal-source gas proportional counter built primarily of high purity electroformed copper. Energy resolution of ~10% FWHM at 59.5 keV has been achieved, a low-energy threshold of ~3 keV has been reached, and gas gain stability over a 4-week period has been demonstrated. Progress toward low-background operation is described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2009
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