Thin Film Window for Gas Flow Proportional Detector.

The gas flow proportional detector used for counting radioisotopes incorporates a Micromil window which covers the open end of an ionization chamber. When it becomes contaminated or damaged, the window, with supporting metal ring, must be replaced with a new one at significant expense. A procedure was developed to reuse the rings in making new windows which are referred to here as gas flow ultrathin GFUT windows. The GFUT window has these advantages it can be made in the laboratory from material that costs less than one cent per window it is stronger than the commercial window and it can be washed and reused. The time required to remove a damaged window, place a GFUT window on the same ring, and replace the window in the gas flow detectors is only 30 minutes. GFUT windows can be used satisfactorily in Nuclear-Chicago models D-47 and D-470 or similar systems. Author