A new design of a multiple-wire spark counter and some studies with the single wire-plate spark counter

Abstract

Abstract A new design of multiple-wire spark counter is described which eliminates almost completely the mutual interaction between the individual counter wires. The counter shows a long plateau (3.3 kV–6 kV) for alpha particle detection with practically no slope. The new design results in a considerable improvement in the neutron counting efficiency over the earlier records. The alpha counting efficiency of a single wire-plate spark counter is studied at various partial pressures of water, methyl alcohol and ethyl alcohol A marked effect is observed which shows a close relationship with the diffusivity of these vapours in air. The effect of irradiation by strong beta, gamma and ultraviolet rays on the alpha counting behaviour of the counter shows some interesting results.