I. The Discharge Mechanism of Geiger Counters. II. The Mean Lifetime of the Mesotron from Electroscope Data

Citation

Stever, Horton Guyford (1941) I. The Discharge Mechanism of Geiger Counters. II. The Mean Lifetime of the Mesotron from Electroscope Data. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/band-6g37. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:03122025-005157965

Abstract

The main problem of this research was to determine the discharge mechanism of fast counters and, in so doing, to determine the differences between fast and slow counter action. Numerous small experiments showed that fast counters had an internal quenching mechanism independent of the circuit, whereas slow counters had to drop to threshold voltage to quench. Photoelectric experiments led to the conclusion that the sine qua non of fast counter action was associated with the function of the organic vapor in the gas.

The most important step in the solution of the problem was the discovery of the deadtime phenomenon, and the development of a circuit by which the deadtime and recovery time could be measured. A theory of discharge quenching, by the lowering of the field around the wire by a positive ion space charge, was evolved. The predicted recovery time agreed very well with the measured recovery time.

The deadtime technique was used to investigate the spreading of the discharge in the counter. It was found that the discharge, which spread along the wire throughout the whole length, could be stopped by a small glass bead on the wire. This led to the discovery of a directional Geiger counter. All results agreed with the deadtime theory.

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