Gaseous Development History and Current State

Gaseous detectors boast a development history spanning several centuries and have significantly contributed to advancements in nuclear science and technology, particle physics, and nuclear instrumentation. Although scintillator and semiconductor detectors have partially supplanted them in certain applications, gaseous detectors (e.g., ionization chambers, proportional counter tubes, and drift chambers) continue to be widely used in modern particle physics research, nuclear engineering, and nuclear technology owing to their inherent superior performance. Since the 1990s, several innovative gaseous detectors have emerged, reinvigorating the field. These novel detectors, characterized by high count rates, high spatial and temporal resolutions, and long-term stability, have become indispensable tools for experimental particle physics, a frontier area in contemporary basic science. Furthermore, they play a crucial role in muon imaging, neutron detection. This paper systematically reviews the history, current status, fundamental principles, recent research findings, and future trends in gaseous detectors, and provides a detailed introduction to two types of detectors: the gas electron multiplier and the micromegas.