Argon purification in liquid phase (electronic capture)

A novel purification method applied to electronegative impurities in liquid argon has been developed. The electronic capture mechanism has been exploited, the electrons being generated by a strong gamma-ray source. High purity level and stability, comparable to those obtained with standard gaseous phase procedures, have been obtained. The electron lifetime obtained ( approximately 0.8 ms. corresponding to an approximately 1.5 m electron attenuation length at 1 kV/cm) allows one to work with a large chamber with long-term stability. >