GEIGER COUNTER

INTRODUCTION
Geiger counter is a portable device which is
used for the detection and counting of ionized
particles and radiation
CONSTRUCTION
It consists of a hollow metallic cylinder, one
end of which is closed by an insulating cap. At
the center of the cap is fixed a stiff straight wire
along the axis of cylinder .A thin mica or glass
disc closes the other end which also serves as
the entrance window for ionizing particles. The
tube contains a special mixture of air, argon,
alcohol at a pressure of 50-100 mmHg.
WORKING
A potential difference of the range of 1000V
is maintained between the metal cylinder and the
axial wire through a suitable series resistor of 109
ohms. When an ionizing particle enters the tube
through the window, it ionizes some gas
molecules in it.
These ions are accelerated by the strong
radial electric field producing more ions by
collision which produces ionization current so a
momentary current flows between the wire and
the cylinder and also through the resistor R. The
ends of “R” are connected to a loud speaker or an
electronic counter.
COUNTING OF PARTICLES

Each time a  particle enters the counter

and ionization current pulse is created which
gives a click in the loud speaker or a count in a
counter.

In the case of ionizing radiation, the

numbers of counts register by the counter
measures the intensity or ionizing power of
incident radiation.
 WILSON CLOUD CHAMBER
INTRODUCTION

It is an instrument used for the detection

and identification of the path of subatomic
particles.
In Wilson Cloud Chamber, paths of
subatomic particles or ionized particles can be
photographed.
WORKING PRINCIPLE
When a particle is passed through the
supersaturated vapours, droplets are formed on
the line due to ionization along the track and
particle is detected.
CONSTRUCTION

It is consist of a closed cylinderical

chamber with the transparent glass top,a
movable piston at the bottom. On the sides near
the top, the cylinder is provided with a glass
window.
Inside the cylinder a liquid of low boiling
point is placed. The piston can be moved up or
down. The whole system is air tight.A strong
light source is used to illuminate the chamber
while the photograph is taken by the camera as
shown.
WORKING
Some volatile liquid having low boiling
point (methanol CH3OH or ethanol C2H5OH) is
poured on the inner surface of the chamber.
The piston first is moved slowly up so that
the air inside the chamber is cleaned and then
it is then moved down, so that the internal
pressure is dropped and the air get vapours of
the liquid and becomes supersaturated and a
fog is observed in the chamber.
 At the right moment particles are allowed
to enter into the chamber and a powerful and
intense beam of light is used to illuminate the
track of the particles and photos are taken by
the sensitive camera.
If a strong electric or magnetic field is
applied to the particles (charged) then their path
is altered.
By the study of  path`s length, thickness,
continuity or discontuinity and the influence of
magnetic field (curve) .i.e. geometry the e/m
ratio can be calculated and hence the particle is
detected.