LUXEL CORPORATION      

Proportional Counter Windows

The filter shown, was made for use in ground support tests for AXAF, and is composed of a foil which is  one layer of thin aluminum (250Å) and a layer of polyimide.  The windows were used in the High Resolution Mirror Assembly X-ray Detection System (HXDS) for preflight calibration of the AXAF telescope.

The flow counter windows are 1.5 inch by 5 inches, and when in use in the HXDS, a separate 2mm pitch grid of 100µm diameter gold-coated tungsten wire was provided for additional support.  The counter was filled with 90% Argon gas, and 10% Methane (CH4) to 400 Torr.  The window leak rate was 1.2 std. cc/hr.  The windows were continuously cycled for more than 100 cycles with no change in the leak rate¹.

Luxel has manufactured a variety of proportional counter windows over the past several years.  Consult one of our engineers about your requirements and specifications.

¹Forbes R. Powell et al, "Metalized Polyimide Filters for X-ray Astronomy and other Applications", Grazing Incidence and Multilayer X-Ray Optical Systems, Richard Hoover and Arthur B.C. Walker, eds., Proceedings of SPIE, vol. 3113, 1997

   
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