A gas proportional scintillation counter coupled to a microstrip gas chamber photosensor

A P10 filled microstrip gas chamber (MSGC) is used to replace the conventional photomultiplier tube as the photosensor for a gas proportional scintillation counter (GPSC). The VUV scintillation light produced in the xenon gas of the GPSC is transmitted through a high-purity quartz window to the MSGC where it is converted to photoelectrons by a CsI photocathode deposited directly onto the surface of a microstrip plate (MSP). The microstrip plate also provides the charge amplification in a gas selected for high gain and quenching. Preliminary experimental results of a study of the performance of this concept are presented.