The appearance of inclined discharge channels along an ionizing particle track

Abstract

The formation of discharge channels inclined to the field was investigated in a 2-gap spark chamber with various amplitudes of the high-voltage pulse and with different gas fillings of the chamber. It was shown that the limiting angle for the formation of a spark channel along the chain of electrons produced by ionizing particles increases with the increase of the high-voltage pulse amplitude. The largest iimiting angle for the formation of an inclined streamer channel was observed when the chamber was filled with pure Ne and with Ne--0.5% Ar. When a particle traversed the chamber at an angle larger than 30 un. Concent 85% , distortions of the spark appeared at the electrodes. The cause of the distortions is considered. In a search for a gaseous mixture that couid reduce the memory time, positive experimental data were obtained with the chamber filled with a mixture of 90.5% Ne, 0.4% Ar and 0.1% CH/sub 4/. (A.G.W.)