Emulation workbench for position sensitive gaseous scintillation detectors

TL;DR

This paper introduces an experimental emulation workbench for position-sensitive gaseous scintillation detectors, enabling validation and optimization without relying solely on complex simulations, by using a controllable light source and 3D positioning system.

Contribution

It presents a novel experimental approach for evaluating and validating gaseous scintillation detectors, reducing dependence on uncertain simulation models.

Findings

Good agreement between experimental results and simulations

Effective suppression of scattered light in validation conditions

Enhanced detector design and optimization process

Abstract

Position sensitive detectors based on gaseous scintillation proportional counters with Anger-type readout are being used in several research areas such as neutron detection, search for dark matter and neutrinoless double beta decay. Design and optimization of such detectors are complex and time consuming tasks. Simulations, while being a powerful tool, strongly depend on the light transport models and demand accurate knowledge of many parameters, which are often not available. Here we describe an alternative approach based on the experimental evaluation of a detector using an isotropic point-like light source with precisely controllable light emission properties, installed on a 3D positioning system. The results obtained with the developed setup at validation conditions, when the scattered light is strongly suppressed, show good agreement with simulations.