Gas-based detectors for synchrotron radiation

Gas-filled detectors have played an important role in experiments at synchrotron sources for many years. Although other X-ray detection technologies are gaining wider use, particularly with the higher flux of new sources, gas-filled detectors are still well suited for specific experiments. This article describes some fundamental characteristics of gas-filled detectors for X-ray detection, with emphasis on position encoding, position resolution and linearity. Recently developed micropattern structures for achieving electron multiplication are described. Some applications of conventional wire chambers and micro-pattern detectors are given.