Silicon equivalent gas in silicon equivalent proportional counter - Monte Carlo simulations.

Single event effects of secondary particles produced in silicon by proton and neutron irradiations were studied using a silicon equivalent proportional counter (SEPC), constructed for the measurements of linear energy transfer (LET). For optimal measurements, a silicon equivalent gas in the cavity of SEPC was needed. In the present work, Monte Carlo Geant4 simulations were performed to analyse the LET spectra and the secondary particle yields in several candidate gases of a silicon equivalent gas. Among all candidate gases, including propane (C 3 H 8), carbon dioxide (CO 2), carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4) and noble gases, CCl 4 gas seemed the best choice of a silicon equivalent gas. • Silicon equivalent gas in silicon equivalent proportional counter was studied. • Propane, carbon dioxide and carbon tetrachloride were simulated using Geant4 code. • LET spectra and secondary particle yields were calculated for proton/neutron beams. • Carbon tetrachloride gas was found the best choice of a silicon equivalent gas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]