BALKAN PHYSICS LETTERS, vol.20, pp.159-164, 2012 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)
The number of produced electron-ion pairs by a free electron per unit length in a
detector volume, known as Townsend coefficients can be calculated at certain electric field
strengths by using ionisation cross sections of gases. Possible errors on cross sections may lead big
uncertainties on Townsend coefficients, thus affecting gas gain which is an essential characteristic
property of detectors, considerably. In this work we have investigated Xenon ionisation cross
sections in order to update Magboltz program commonly used in gas detector simulations. We have
seen from pioneer calculations for Xenon-Methane gas mixture that results of such an update will
be crucial on the simulation studies for Xenon-based gas mixtures. Further, correctness of Xenon
update may have great importance for development of micro-pattern gas detectors recently
produced in CERN RD51 project.