Space-charge effects of positive ions on the development of pulses in parallel-plate avalanche counters

The effects of the space-charge of positive ions on the development of alpha-particle induced pulses in a parallel-plate avalanche counter (PPAC) were studied by using pulse-shape analysis techniques. The analyses were separately carried out on the electron and the positive ion components of the pulses, reflecting the space-charge effects during and after the multiplication of charges in an external uniform electric field. Some calculations of the space-charge electric field and the first Townsend coefficient were carried out to explain the experimental waveforms. The dependence of the shape of the pulses to the amount of primary ionization is particularly discussed. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.