Accuracy of Approximate Solutions for Currents in a Plane Parallel Ion Chamber

Abstract

A computer solution has been obtained for Thomsons' equations for the electric field in a uniformly irradiated ion chamber. Results for the current-voltage relationship agree closely with those calculated by the approximate methods of Mie. In particular, Mie's formula for the nearly saturated region is confirmed for degrees of saturation of 70% and above. The formula derived by Boag and Wilson for this region is shown to hold only for degrees of saturation above 95%. This confirms experimental results previously obtained with practical chambers.