THE ABSORPTION OF ULTRAVIOLET IONIZING RADIATION IN GASES

Abstract

The sparking probability of a test gap, to which short-duration direct high voltage pulses are applied, is shown to depend on the distance of the gap from a source of short wavelength, ultraviolet radiation. The radiation is restricted to a small volume of gas midway between the electrodes. The sparking probability can therefore be used as a parameter in examining the absorption of the radiation responsible for triggering a discharge in the gas. Absorption of ultraviolet radiation by the gases argon, air, nitrogen, and oxygen has been studied.