Effect of Temperature on performance of 3He Filled Neutron Proportional Counters

Neutron detectors used for cosmic neutron monitoring and various other applications are mounted in hostile environment. It is essential for detectors to sustain extreme climatic conditions, such as extreme temperature and humidity. Effort is made to evaluate the performance of detectors in extreme temperature in terms of pulse height distribution and avalanche formation. Neutron detectors filled with 3 He incorporate an additive gas with quantity optimized for a particular application. Measurements are performed on neutron detectors filled with 3 He and stopping gases Kr and CF4. Detector performance for these fill gas combinations in terms of pulse height distribution is evaluated. Gas gain and Diethorn gas constants measured and analyzed for the microscopic effect on pulse formation. Results from these investigations are presented.