Noble-Gas Scintillation Counters for the Detection of Energetic Heavy Ions

Different types of noble-gas scintillation counters are described, which were advantageously applied to the detection of energetic heavy ions: (a) a low-pressure gas scintillator, operated with Xe, Ar and Ar-N2 mixtures, (b) a photo-diode gas scintillator, (c) a gas scintillator with built-in bidimensional position-sensitive drift chamber, and (d) a solid-Xe scintillator. Details of design and performance are presented.