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AIR ALPHA PROPORTIONAL COUNTER INSENSITIVE TO ATMOSPHERIC HUMIDITY

Journal Article · · Rev. Sci. Instr.
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1717678· OSTI ID:4760774
A conventional alpha proportional counter which uses air as the counter gas is sensitive to high relative humidity and generates spurious pulses that cannot be distinguished from actual alpha pulses. It was found possible to operate such a counter satisfactorily at high relative humidity by passing a small current ( approximates 15 ma) through the center wire. In this manner the center wire is heated and the relative humidity of the surrounding sheath of air is reduced sufficiently so that operation of the counter at high relative humidity is comparable to operation with dry air, Two different mechanisms are proposed for the formation of spurious pulses in such a counter at high relative humidity. (auth)
Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., Tenn.
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
NSA Number:
NSA-17-003338
OSTI ID:
4760774
Journal Information:
Rev. Sci. Instr., Journal Name: Rev. Sci. Instr. Vol. Vol: 33
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English

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