Determination of the first townsend coefficient in pure isobutane

Abstract

In this work studies of the first Townsend coefficient (α) behavior in isobutane for reduced electric fields ranging from l39Td up to 2O8Td are presented. Pure isobutane has been widely used in Resistive Plate Chambers (RPCs) and other gaseous detectors because of its excellent timing properties. Regardless of these characteristics, there is a lack of swarm parameters data in the literature for this gas. The measurements were based on the Pulsed Townsend technique. Considering the ratio between the current, measured in avalanche mode, and the primary ionization current, the first Townsend coefficient can be determined. In order to validate the technique, results for nitrogen are also presented.