Feasibility Study on the Design and Implementation of a Dead-Time Exploration System for Gas-Filled Radiation Detectors

Gas-filled detectors, especially Geiger-Muller (GM) counters, are prone to lost readings due to the dead-time phenomenon. An improved understanding and prediction of GM dead-time behaviour could aid in understanding detector ageing and in developing further compensation methods for inaccurate measurements. To better explore how GM operating conditions influence dead-time, the feasibility of a customizable gas-filled detector apparatus was evaluated. The design allowed for the changing of gas characteristics within the detector and featured accessible and alterable electronics. Apparatus sub-systems worked nominally on their own. However, limitations in drawing a vacuum below 26 kPaa within the detector tube prevented the acquisition of radiation interaction data. Despite this, all sub-systems behaved in explainable manners when interfaced together. Limitations in the drawing of a vacuum lay externally to the design, indicating relative success. Feasibility could not be conclusively determined, though information useful to the future success of such a project was gathered and presented. Feasibility was explored for a pure argon gas system, and successful pressures were estimated to be in the 0.5–2 kPaa range based on external data. Physical evaluation of this successful range could not be performed due to the limitations in drawing a vacuum.