Properties of the Proportional (Geiger-Klemperer) Counter

Abstract

A variety of different gases at different pressures have been introduced into a wire form proportional counter and the linearity of response over the entrance studied. It is found that this varies markedly with the nature and pressure of the gas, being very poor for gases which readily form negative ions and improving for almost all gases as the pressure is reduced. An incomplete explanation of the behavior of the counter in terms fo the formation of negative ions is given, which is useful as a qualitative guide. Suitable gases and pressures are recommended for various types of particle counting.