Ion pair generation rates near planar3H and63Ni electron capture detector foils

The ion-pair generation rate (ionization topography) in plasmas from63Ni and particularly Ti3H4 foils, as used in electron capture detectors, was measured at room temperature using large, parallel plates of low backscattering ability in nitrogen gas of varying density. For one atmosphere pressure, the fall-off of ion pair formation as calculated from the exponential region equalsN 0·e −0.19d for63Ni andN 0·e −1.4d for3H (whereN 0 is the initial ionization rate immediately adjacent to the foil andd is the distance from the foil in mm). The experimentally measured half ranges (distances from the foil within which 50% of all possible ion pairs are created) are 2.7 mm for63Ni and 0.27 mm for3H. The half ranges calculated from the exponential region where there is less interference from electron backscattering, are 3.7 and 0.5 mm, respectively. The latter values are considered closer to the “true”, unimpeded ionization topography near planar63Ni and3H foils.