Simple gas scintillation proportional counter soft x-ray detector for laboratory usage

We describe a simple Gas Scintillation Proportional Counter for laboratory usage built at the G.S. Vaiana Observatory in Palermo. Its spectral resolution (about a factor 2 better than traditional Gas Proportional Counters), the easy realization and its relatively moderate cost make it a valid alternative to Gas Flow Proportional Counters for the detection of soft X-rays when an improved energy resolution is required.