Journal article
Gas Gain Measurements From a Negative Ion TPC X-ray Polarimeter
IEEE transactions on nuclear science, Vol.58(4), pp.2055-2059
08/2011
DOI: 10.1109/TNS.2011.2155083
Abstract
Gas-based time projection chambers (TPCs) have been shown to be highly sensitive X-ray polarimeters having excellent quantum efficiency while at the same time achieving large modulation factors. To observe polarization of the prompt X-ray emission of a Gamma-ray burst (GRB), a large area detector is needed. Diffusion of the electron cloud in a standard TPC could be prohibitive to measuring good modulation when the drift distance is large. Therefore, we propose using a negative ion TPC (NITPC) with Nitromethane (CH 3NO 2) as the electron capture agent. The diffusion of negative ions is reduced over that of electrons due to the thermal coupling of the negative ions to the surrounding gas. This allows for larger area detectors as the drift distance can be increased without degrading polarimeter modulation. Negative ions also travel ∼ 200 times slower than electrons, allowing the readout electronics to operate slower, resulting in a reduction of instrument power. To optimize the NITPC design, we have measured gas gain with SciEnergy gas electron multipliers (GEMs) in single and double GEMconfigurations. Each setup was tested with different gas combinations, concentrations and pressures: P10 700 Torr,Ne + CO 2 700 Torr at varying concentrations of CO 2 and Ne + CO 2 + CH 3NO 2 700 Torr. We report gain as a function of total voltage, measured from top to bottom of the GEM stack and as a function of drift field strength for the gas concentrations listed above. Examples of photoelectron tracks at 5.9 keV are also presented. © 2006 IEEE.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Gas Gain Measurements From a Negative Ion TPC X-ray Polarimeter
- Creators
- Zachary R Prieskorn - University of IowaJoanne E Hill - Goddard Space Flight CenterPhillip E Kaaret - University of IowaJoel Kevin Black - Silver Spring NetworksKeith Jahoda - Goddard Space Flight Center
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- IEEE transactions on nuclear science, Vol.58(4), pp.2055-2059
- DOI
- 10.1109/TNS.2011.2155083
- ISSN
- 0018-9499
- eISSN
- 1558-1578
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 08/2011
- Academic Unit
- Physics and Astronomy
- Record Identifier
- 9984199801102771
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