The multistep avalanche chamber: a new high-rate, high-accuracy gaseous detector

Abstract A new particle detector relying on an unusual avalanche mechanism mainly mediated by UV photons permits multistage amplification of ionization electrons. Single electrons are detectable. Particle fluxes, orders of magnitude more intense than in wire chambers, are acceptable. Applications can be foreseen for Cerenkov light imaging, radio-chromatography, slow neutron and X-ray detection.