The Influence of the Cell Geometry on the Signal Shape in Electron Drift Velocity Measurements*

An accurate determination of the “time-of-flight” in swarm experiments with a parallel plate drift chamber requires that the time evolution of the charge induced on the collector is linear. This is obtained in very large chambers where the edge effects can be neglected. However, the experimental conditions of high-mobility carriers and highly pressurized gases impose some constraints on the acceptable drift cell dimensions. We have numerically calculated the effects of the finite size of the collector by exploiting the methods of the images. The numerical results have been experimentally checked using a suitable drift cell of variable geometry. As a result, a quantitative limit on the ratio between the collector radius and the drift distance has been established in order to design drift cells for which the edge effects can be neglected.