Investigation of Dead Times and Dead Zones in Wire Chambers Operated in the Self-Quenching Streamer Mode

The large saturated pulses of the type referred to as "self-quenching streamer" promise to provide an inexpensive method of radiation detection. We have continued our investigations of the performance of wire chambers operating in this mode, with particular emphasis on measurements of dead times and dead zones. The results of these measurements and their effect on the application of such chambers in high rate environments and for digital gas sampling calorimetry are discussed.     

Drift Collection Calorimetry Using a Combined Radiator and Field Shaping Structure of Lead Glass Tubing

A design for a drift collection calorimeter having a combined radiator and electric field shaping structure made of fused lead glass tubing is described. Reduction of a surface layer of lead oxide in a hydrogen oven is used to form a high resistance metallic layer on the interior of the tubes. This layer is used as a continuous voltage divider for drift field shaping. The EGS shower Monte Carlo code was used to model the performance of the proposed calorimeter. The effects of choice of the tube geometry, gas pressure and sampling scheme (digital vs. conventional) are discussed. The possibility of using this type of radiator/drift field structure in liquid argon is briefly considered.