The Influence of the Ionization Chamber on the Form of the Cosmic-Ray Depth-Ionization Curve

1934 ◽  
Vol 45 (7) ◽  
pp. 451-453 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl Eckart

A continuous record of the ionization current produced by cosmic rays in an ionization chamber shows, if the recording apparatus is sufficiently sensitive, occasional relatively large momentary currents superposed on the normal fluctuations. These large momentary currents are generally called “bursts”. They were first discovered by Hoffmann. It has often been assumed that the bursts are of the same nature as the showers which are observed either in the Wilson chamber or by means of three or more coincidence counters; but so far no conclusive evidence, particularly for the larger bursts, has been reported in support of this assumption.


1955 ◽  
Vol 33 (10) ◽  
pp. 577-587
Author(s):  
S. D. Chatterjee ◽  
J. N. Bloom

Cosmic-ray data from a high pressure integrating ionization chamber, obtained at Ottawa, for 129 complete days during September 1950 to July 1951 are subjected to rigorous statistical analysis. The barometric coefficient is −0.19% per mm. of Hg for the period covered by this analysis. The results also indicate a physically significant 24-hr. wave in cosmic-ray intensity, with an amplitude of 0.12% of the total intensity, having its maximum at about 10.40 a.m. local mean time. The existence of the semidiurnal wave, however, is not physically significant.


The frequency of occurrence of cosmic-ray bursts under large thicknesses of iron and lead has been investigated as a function of the thickness. A definite maximum is found to occur in the curves for the smaller bursts, its prominence diminishing with bursts of increasing size. The dependence of the burst frequency on the size of the ionization chamber and the proximity of the shielding material to the chamber has also been investigated. The results suggest the production of showers of mesotrons which spread out, and ultimately give rise to electron showers originating in widely separated areas in the material above, and round the sides of, the ionization chamber.


1959 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 189-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georges Hall

The ionization of argon by cosmic-ray mu-mesons of minimum specific ionization has been studied by means of a calibrated pressure-ionization chamber using electron collection. Corrections which are shown to be necessary have been applied to the experimental data. The shape of the experimental curve of statistical distribution of energy loss agrees with the theoretically predicted shape, for energy losses greater than the most probable loss (300 kev).


The frequency of occurrence of cosmic-ray bursts under large thicknesses of lead and iron has been measured as a function of the thickness, using a small ionization chamber with and without shielding material round its sides. Experiments have also been carried out with two small chambers side by side, the frequency of occurrence of bursts simultaneously in both chambers being observed under different thicknesses of lead. While the burst-rate—thickness curves are, on the whole, fairly flat beyond the first maximum, there are indications of a second maximum at large thicknesses in the case of lead. From the experimental results information has also been obtained about the mean and the maximum angular spread of showers, and the increase in shower spread with increasing size of shower.


1938 ◽  
Vol 16a (2) ◽  
pp. 29-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darol K. Froman ◽  
J. C. Stearns

Measurements made with a quadruple-coincidence Geiger-Müller counting system at altitudes of 120 and 14,160 ft. give the intensity, J, of cosmic ray ionizing particles at various zenith angles, ψ. The distribution, J(ψ) = J0e−0.175ψ cos2ψ, does not differ significantly from any measured values, and agrees with all observations within 0.5 and 3.0% of the vertical intensities at the lower and higher altitudes respectively. The total number of rays incident per unit area per unit time was found, and the specific ionization was determined by comparison with ionization chamber measurements. The results are given below.[Formula: see text]† Ionization chamber data from Clay and Jongen (4).* Ionization chamber data from Millikan and Cameron (18).


1968 ◽  
Vol 46 (10) ◽  
pp. S907-S910
Author(s):  
R. B. Salimzibarov ◽  
V. D. Sokolov ◽  
N. G. Skryabin ◽  
V. V. Klimenko ◽  
Yu. G. Shafer

During 1958–66 the flux and mean ionization chamber response of cosmic-ray particles were measured. On the basis of the experimental data the 11-year variations of the flux and of the charge composition of cosmic rays, and the annual variations, have been investigated.


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