What is the primary disadvantage of utilizing a pressurized Xenon gas detector?

The primary disadvantage of utilizing a pressurized Xenon gas detector relates to attenuation loss due to the design of the front window. This aspect can significantly impact the performance of the detector. In gas detectors, the window must allow radiation to enter while maintaining the pressure necessary for the gas to function effectively. If the window is too thick or made of a material that absorbs or scatters the incoming radiation, it can lead to a reduction in the intensity of the signal detected, thereby affecting the overall measurement accuracy.

The design of the front window is critical because it needs to balance transparency and structural integrity while minimizing any attenuation of the radiation being measured. This can hinder the detector’s ability to accurately assess low-energy photons, which is especially significant in medical imaging applications.

Other considerations such as cost, lifespan, and sensitivity to energies might play a role in the overall evaluation of the detector’s performance. However, attenuation loss due to the front window design is a specific technical limitation directly affecting the functionality of pressurized Xenon gas detectors in practical applications.