Advancements in Tracking Detector Technologies Using Novel Target Gases

This research attempts to improve upon modern gas-based tracking detectors by investigating gases unconventionally used as scintillating targets. Advancements in current technologies are vital for higher resolution track reconstruction in astroparticle physics experiments. A single-wire chamber was instrumented as a basic gas detector model and used to test CF4, N2, P-10, and C4H10. The light-to-charge ratio in these gases was determined as well as dependencies on voltage and pressure. In all gases, scintillation increased linearly with ionization as a result of higher voltages and pressure. A surprising amount of scintillation was observed in C4H10; this may be attributed to low levels of air entering the wire chamber and enhancing its ability to scintillate. Variable detector gain was characteristic of the wire chamber, leading to the development of a more sophisticated model incorporating a gas electron multiplier. Preliminary tests on this upgraded design eliminated gas aging as a source of error and verified gain uniformity.