The Discharge Mechanism of Geiger-Mueller Counters

Abstract

The measurements of W. E. Ramsey on the variation with time of the potential across a Geiger-Mueller counter (see preceding paper) are interpreted on the basis of the inductive action of the positive ion space charge moving across the counter. This inductive action, together with the hypothesis that the positive ions may eject electrons when they reach the cathode, furnishes a reasonable explanation of both the fast and slow types of breakdown of counters. This postulated mechanism leads to simple explanations of the quenching of a counter discharge and the necessary conditions for the maintenance of a steady discharge. In particular, it is predicted and verified experimentally that it is possible to operate a counter even when the potential is considerably in excess of that required for a continuous discharge, provided that the capacity of the counter wire is sufficiently reduced. A simple, although indirect, method is described for measuring the breakdown characteristic of a counter which gives results in good agreement with the direct determinations of W. E. Ramsey.