A tracking detector for low-energy electrons

A multiwire proportional chamber has been developed to study parameters of a detector for tracking of low-energy electrons (0.1-1 MeV). The geometry and materials used have been optimized to minimize the energy loss and the multiple Coulomb scattering. The detector is equipped with an electronic readout and event selection system, consisting of amplifier/comparator stage, a fast trigger unit and a data multiplexer. The fast trigger system identifies the desired event within 30 ns. Based on this prototype, the full-scale detectors (50 x 100 cm(2)) will be constructed to determine the electron tracks in the neutron decay experiments. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.