Method and apparatus for reducing the dead-time of a geiger-muller, gamma-ray detector tube
The invention concerns use of a Geiger-Muller tube, gamma-ray detector, specifically, the method and apparatus for reducing the ''dead-time'' of that detector. The tube's anode is alternately connectable to either a high or low voltage through one of a pair of transistorized switches. The higher voltage is sufficient to permit ionization of the gas in the tube while the lower voltage is too low to sustain ionization. The tube is normally connected to the higher voltage source. The initial ionization of the gas in the tube by gamma-rays produces an initially small voltage drop in the anode voltage which is amplified by an amplifier, the output of which actuates a monostable driven circuit to generate a pulse having a width of 3 to 10 microseconds, preferably 5 to 6 microseconds. The leading edge of that pulse momentarily turns on the transistor switch connecting the anode to the lower voltage so that the potential is lowered thereby draining away energy and inhibiting further ionization. The trailing edge of that pulse reestablishes the higher potential by momentarily switching on the higher voltage transistor switch.
- Assignee:
- Imperial Chemical Industries Limited (United Kingdom)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4453076
- OSTI ID:
- 6450786
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
ANODES
DEAD TIME
DESIGN
DETECTION
ELECTRODES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRON TUBES
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
GAMMA DETECTION
GAMMA RADIATION
GEIGER-MUELLER COUNTERS
IONIZATION
IONIZING RADIATIONS
MASSLESS PARTICLES
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
PHOTONS
PULSES
QUENCHING
RADIATION DETECTION
RADIATION DETECTORS
RADIATIONS
SWITCHING CIRCUITS
TIMING PROPERTIES
TRANSISTOR SWITCHING CIRCUITS
VOLTAGE DROP