α spectrometry grid ionization chamber: improvement of the characteristics

The rise time of the signals obtained with a grid ionization chamber depends on the orientation in the chamber and on the mobility of the ionization components. Our grid chambers are fitted with an electronic system which analyses the signals due to the electronic ionization components which are collected on the plate and on the source holder. By obtaining coincidence between these two signals, it is possible to select paths of any given orientation. Using this principle we have built an electronic collimator which does not have the disadvantages of a mechanical collimator for alpha spectra studies, and which, further, considerably reduces the background of the chamber. Simultaneously with the study of the improvement of a spectra with our device, we have been able to dissociate the contributions of back-diffusion and of self-absorption phenomena to the activity of an alpha source; some results will be presented. (authors)