This text explains how drift chambers - the modern detectors for particles - work. It provides a solid foundation for judging the achievable accuracy of co-ordinate and ionization measurements. The book covers topics such as gas ionization by particles and by laser rays; the drift of electrons and ions in gases; electrostatics of wire grids and field cages; amplification of ionization; creation of the signal track parameters and their errors; ion gates; particle identification by measurement of ionization; existing chambers; and drift chamber gas. The topics are treated in a textbook style with many figures. Calculations are presented in some detail. The text is suitable for all students who want to begin to understand particle detection and drift chambers. Information that was previously scattered throughout the research literature is combined with calculations by the authors of the statistics of ionization and the fundamental limits of accuracy, along with the results of the authors' experiments on ionization, drift and diffusion of electrons in gases, and the amplification process.
This volume presents a thorough introduction to the theory and operation of drift chambers, one of the most important modern methods of elementary particle detection. The topics, presented in a text-book style with many illustrations, include the basics of gas ionization, electronic drift and signal creation and discuss in depth the fundamental limits of accuracy and the issue of particle identification.
The book also surveys all types of drift chambers and the various drift-chamber gases in use. The calculation of the device parameters and physical processes are presented in some detail, as is all necessary background material. Thus the treatment, well byeond addressing the specialist in the field, is well suited to graduate physics students and nuclear engineers seeking a both thorough and pedagogical introduction to the field.
The second edition presents an thoroughly revised and updated version of this classic text and includes a new chapter on electronic amplification and signal shaping.