Localization of the Discharge in G-M Counters

Abstract

The discharge in fast counters has been localized by numerous devices. The reduction of the field in the counter by surface charges accumulated on an insulator has been shown to interrupt the spread of the discharge. This implies strong photon absorption in the gas of the fast counter. The efficiency of localization has been investigated as a function of the concentration of alcohol in an argon-alcohol filling. It is shown that localization is more complete at low values of overvoltage. The effectiveness of various gas fillings is given, among which are a number of inorganic gases which show both localization and fast counter action.