The Properties of Some New Types of Counters

Abstract

It is generally assumed that it is essential to use a cylinder of circular section as the cathode if a good counter of the point or wire type is to be made. Investigation of various geometrical forms of cathode with a wire as anode shows that counters may be made in a large variety of shapes and yet operate satisfactorily. Thus a large rectangular vessel with a wire placed symmetrically within the volume or mounted close to one wall has been found to operate as a self-quenched counter. The use of such shapes is shown to result in improved performance in several important respects, e.g., reduced operating voltages, shorter dead-times. By the use of several wires in the same vessel, coincidence arrangements are made easily possible. This can be applied successfully to the construction of a counter which has a reduced natural counting rate but still presents a large solid angle to an external source. Various other applications are considered.