Detection of the decay of 71Ge with an escape-gated two-chamber proportional counter

A new kind of detector has been developed to simultaneously observe Auger electrons and X-rays from the decay of 71Ge. The coincidence provides efficient discrimination against background signals. A miniaturized proportional counter with a beryllium wall is surrounded by a multiwire, cylindrical gas counter. 71Ge is part of the counting gas in the inner counter, which detects primarily Auger electrons. The Be wall permits the transmission of the X-rays, which are observed in the outer counter. (orig.)