Simplifying position-sensitive gas-ionization detectors for heavy ion elastic recoil detection

Heavy ion elastic recoil detection is an effective tool for materials analysis. This has been facilitated by the development of novel detection systems, including large solid-angle gas-ionization detectors with position-sensitivity. With such detectors the exposure of the sample to the beam is reduced, however, data analysis can be complex. This paper reports on a detailed investigation of a detector design commonly used. The results of this work have led to suggestions for design-modifications, which considerably simplify detector operation and data analysis. The modifications have been implemented and tested. With the modified detector, the total energy information can be obtained by adding the signals from the anode electrodes, but also directly from a grid-electrode, obviating the need for the relative calibration of the anode electrodes. The subdivision of the energy loss electrode, together with a carefully chosen position of the entrance window to maintain optimum resolution for two ΔE signals, enable light and heavy ions to be resolved at the same gas pressure. The placement of a sawtooth electrode within the anode gives position information, which is linear and independent of atomic number and ion energy. Protons can be identified simultaneously with heavy ions by combining the information from the grid and residual energy signals, both amplified with high gain.