Self-Quenching Streamers

Abstract

Self quenching streamers in drift tubes have been observed both optically and electronically. The streamers of 150-200 μm width extend out from the anode wire to 1.5 to 3 mm at atmospheric pressures. Electronic measurements show that pulses with a rise time of 5 ns reach 30 mV directly into 50 Ω with a decay time of 40 ns at a two atmosphere pressure. Details of the experiments are discussed. There was no detectable residue on an anode wire after exposing it to 2 × 109 streamers for a 1 mm section.