Abstract Particle identification in gaseous detectors traditionally relies on energy loss measurements ( dE/dx ); however, uncertainties in total energy deposition limit its resolution. The cluster counting technique ( dN/dx ) offers an alternative approach by exploiting the Poisson-distributed nature of primary ionization, providing a statistically robust method for mass determination. Simulation studies with Garfield++ and Geant4 indicate that dN/dx can achieve twice the resolution of dE/dx in helium-based drift…