New field configurations to improve the properties of the planar proportional and drift chambers

Abstract Numerical optimisation of the electric fields in MWPCs and DCs has been performed. It is shown how to increase the resolution by a factor of 2 in one proportional chamber without changing the number of wires per the unit length. This is equivalent to two chambers in the usual use. The results of the calculations have been confirmed by the experiment. Optimal parameters of the electric field for the sense wire potentials and potential electrodes have been obtained for the drift chambers. Some aspects of the drift chamber type “double chamber” are discussed. It is shown under which conditions it is possible to place two, three of more drift chamber planes between two cathode planes.