Ageing effects in drift chambers

doi:10.1016/0167-5087(83)90183-7

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research

Volume 205, Issues 1–2, 15 January 1983, Pages 141-144

https://doi.org/10.1016/0167-5087(83)90183-7 Get rights and content

Abstract

We have observed a degradation of efficiencies of large drift chambers. The effect is caused by deposits on the anode wires and, in our case, became significant after ∼ 10¹⁷ charges per cm of anode had been collected. The deposits are expected to be some sort of hydrocarbons, However, silicon could be identified as one of the components.

These effects, which have also been seen in proportional counters, should be taken into account when designing detectors in which a large number of charges per unit length of the anode wire is expected.

References (9)

A.J.F. den Boggende et al.
J. Sci. Instr.
(1969)
H.G. Fischer et al.
IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci. NS-27
(1980)
G. Blanar
Proposal CERN SPSC/78-14/P
(1978)
C. Daum
C. Daum
Nucl. Instr. and Meth.
(1980)

There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

Cited by (7)

A study of aging effects in gas proportional detectors at the BAC calorimeter of the ZEUS experiment
1994, Nuclear Inst. and Methods in Physics Research, A
The multicell proportional chambers at the backing calorimeter of the ZEUS experiment at the storage ring HERA are supplied with a gas mixture of Ar/CO₂ by an open gas system. Flow proportional counters with the build-up ⁵⁵Fe sources are used as gas system monitoring detectors. The ZEUS experiment is planned to collect data for about 10 years. Therefore, the lifetime of the Ar/CO₂ mixture should be known. In this paper, the results of laboratory tests and preliminary measurements of the aging effects for monitoring counters are presented.
Design and performance of a straw tube drift chamber
1991, Nuclear Inst. and Methods in Physics Research, A
A laboratory study of radiation damage to drift chambers
1986, Nuclear Inst. and Methods in Physics Research, A
A laboratory study of aging effects under intense radiation in Ar/C₂H₆ and Ar/CO₂/CH₄ filled drift chambers was carried out in order to establish detector lifetimes. In both gas mixtures stable operation in proportional mode and for Ar/C₂H₆ also in the limited streamer regime was possible up to total collected charges of several times 10¹⁷ e⁻ per mm of anode wire. Gain reductions were observed at rates between 0 and 1% per 10¹⁶ e⁻/mm for Ar/C₂H₆ depending on the test conditions. Under conditions, where gas amplification was stable in Ar/C₂H₆, gain losses in Ar/CO₂/CH₄ ranged between 1.3 and 3.4% per 10¹⁶ e⁻/mm. Gain nonuniformities were inferred from broadenings and distortions of the ⁵⁵Fe 5.9 keV γ line. These gain variations are caused by typically less than 100 nm thick deposits on the aged anode wires of poorly conductive material containing O, Si and C. Admixtures of H₂O did not halt the aging processes, but smoothed local gain variations. Contaminations with organic vapor from soft PVC surfaces initiated and accelerated radiation damage. Spark and glow discharges in Ar/C₂H₆ led to growth of grains and flakes of material containing C as the only detectable element on anode and cathode wires within minutes. In contrast discharges in Ar/CO₂CH₄ did not result in any detectable deposits.
Hydrocarbon polymerization on drift chamber wires
1985, Nuclear Inst. and Methods in Physics Research, A
A drift chamber which serves as a trigger for the time projection chamber (TPC) at the PEP storage ring at Stanford Linear Accelerator Center became inoperative during beam running due to recurring discharges. Visual examination of chamber wires revealed “whisker” growths and numerous black deposits. More detailed examination by mass spectroscopy and ion beam spectroscopy has shown that polymerized hydrocarbons similar to polyethylene are generally present on all wires. A mechanism relating polymerization and whisker formation is suggested.
A study of ageing effects in wire chambers
1983, Nuclear Instruments and Methods In Physics Research
Following the observation of deposits on an anode wire from the AFS central detector at the ISR some two years ago, systematic tests were carried out to establish the origin of the silicon, which was detected as a major component, and to possibly find techniques which could reduce this deposition process. In irradiated test chambers, filled with Ar/C₂H₆, with and without methylal, and Ar/CO₂, gain reductions were observed, initially at ∼ 4%/10¹⁶ e/mm but increasing finally to ∼ 20%/10¹⁶ e/mm. High voltage instabilities occurred after about 2.3 × 10¹⁶ e/mm. The introduction of a cold trap, which should absorb heavier silanes, did not halt the ageing process, nor did prechambers with HV. Tests with a perspex chamber also showed ageing, but without silicon as a major component. Flat cathode chambers did not appear to age, at least to ∼ 15–20 × 10¹⁶ e/mm.
Extended lifetime of a wire chamber
1983, Nuclear Instruments and Methods In Physics Research

View all citing articles on Scopus

^∗: Visitor at CERN, Geneva, Switzerland.

^∗∗: Present address: NIKHEF-H, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

View full text

Ageing effects in drift chambers

Abstract

J. Sci. Instr.

IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci. NS-27

Proposal CERN SPSC/78-14/P

Nucl. Instr. and Meth.