scintillation counter.

1-3. Geiger-Muller Counter

on the electrodes in a proportional
Referring to fig. 1:1, again, ifthe potential
are altered. It is observed that the
counter increases, the discharge cbaracteristics
pulses are no longer propor rH.T.
Central Wire
tional to the primary ioniza-
G, M.Tube
tion. If the voltage is raised
still further, the pulses be-

come independent of the

To Scalar
magnitude of the primary H.T H and
ionization. The counter then Mechanical
recorder

operates as a Geiger-Muller
counter.
The construction of a
G.M. counter is identical to
Fig. 1-7
 5
Nuclear Detectors
the
counter. It consists of a fine wire (usually tungsten mounted along
proportional
with a suitable
axis of a cylindrical cathode ins ide a glass or metal envelope filled
mixture. Generally the tube is filled with a mixture of Argon 10 Cm.
at pressune
and ethyl alcohol vapour at cm. pressure. When a charged particle passes througn
l

the counter, ion pairs are formed. The electrons move towards the central wire anu
the
the positive ions move slowly towards the cathode. The avalanche produced by
violent than the propor-
electrons in the high field near the wire is much more in

tional counter and secondary ultraviolet photonsare produced in sufficient number

The velocity ot
to convey the discharge throughoutthe whole length of the wire.

propagation
is ol the order
10 -10'cm/sec and due to this spreading ot n
ofthe
avalanches,the charge available for collection of the wire independent
is

magnitude and location of the initial ionization.

it is essential
In order that a countershould record a chain of nuclear particles,
be completely quenched betore
that the dischargecaused by the first particle should
should beresetin
the arrival ot a new particle. This simply means that the system
The
fresh instalment of charged particles.
proper conditions for the intake of and shape ot
on a number of factors 1ike voltage, size
quenching though depends has
the gas mixture. Alcohol
the counter, gas mixture etc., but it is mostly done by
ionization potential
low ionizating potential (11:3eV). The Argon ions (having
are practicaly all neutralized by acquiring
15.7eV) on theirjourney to the cathode the cathode are then
an electron from the alcohol molecules. The
ions reaching
neutralized at the cathode,
alcoholions and they are themselves completly
although than in
the alcohol molecule rather
the energy available is absorbed in dissociating
thus ceases when the
electrons from the cathode. The discharge
producing further absorb the
The alcohol vapour will also
central field has fallen sufficiently.
them from
the avalanche stage and prevent
ultraviolet photons emittied during
from the cathode.
ejecting photo-electrons it prevents photo
The role of ethyl alcohol vapour is thus two-fold. First,
the creation of
at the cathode, and second, prevents
it
electric effect of the quanta
electrons when the posi-
secondary
tive ions impinge
on the cathode. The
cathode
work function of the
nevertheless be as
material should

high as possible.
The success ful Plate
Operation.
of a G. M. counter depends
operating
to the elec-
on the proper voltage
trodes. For purpose a known
this
an a
source of nuclear energy -say
taken and with Thresh
source or B-source--is hold
on the central wire, Voltage
different voltages
recorded. A graph 600 1500
the counts are 1200
shows the curve as in
when plotted Valtage
Fig. 1-8
fig. 18.
 6 Nuclear Physics

The curve shows that for thc applied vollages less than 1000 V, there is ne
discharge which means there is no secondary 10nizalion. When the high voltage is
reached,secondary ionisation taken place and we lind that there is a region where
the number of impulses increases almost linearly with tlhe applicd vol tage. This is
known as multiplication region where the total number of ions produced is
proportional to the number oforiginal ions. This region is most suited for propor-
tional counters.

potential is increased to about 1200 V, the number ot impulses

As the applied
remains constantover a certain region called plateau. In this region the magnitude
of the impulses becomes independent of the amount original ionization and is a

functiononly ofthe potential, nature ofthegas, the resistanceR and the geometrical
conditions oftheapparatus.In this flat region,the number of impulses per unit time
remains constant for a given source and any observed change in that number can
be due solely to a change in the intensity of the source. If the voltage is increased
further, a continuous discharge will take place which is undesirable and should be
avoided.
Dead Time And Time: When the in a selfquench-