Status of the two-dimensional, multi-wire proportional chamber detector for the China Spallation Neutron Source

Abstract

The re-designed two-dimensional, multi-wire proportional chamber (MWPC) detector based on the [Formula: see text]He operation gas has been developed for the multifunctional reflection spectrum detection requirements in China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS), which is under construction in Guangdong province, China. This efficient thermal neutron detector with large area (200 mm [Formula: see text] 200 mm active area), two-dimensional position sensitive (<2 mm of position resolution), high detection efficiency (>65% in the wavelength of 1.8Å) and good n/[Formula: see text] discrimination would meet some requirements in CSNS The neutron detector consists of a MWPC detector and a high-pressure gas vessel. The wire readout structures of the detector and the gas purity device have been optimized based on previous design and testing. The re-designed MWPC detector with an absorber thickness of 10 mm and 8.5 atm operating gas mixture of [Formula: see text]He and C[Formula: see text]H[Formula: see text] was constructed. Using the non-return valve manufactured by Swagelok, the gas purity device was developed to clean the water and remove gas impurities. The effective cycle time can be up to 50 min per sequence. The performance of the position resolution and the two-dimensional imaging accuracy by the traditional center of gravity readout method was studied with an X-ray radiation source and the neutron source. At the end of this year, the detector will be mounted at CSNS and studied using the neutron source.