Photon Counters for the Far Ultraviolet

Photosensitive Geiger counters are useful for detection of ultraviolet radiation between 1050 A and 2500 A. The spectral sensitivities of such photon counters are determined by the photoelectric characteristics of the cathodes and the absorption and photo‐ionization properties of the filling gases....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Review of scientific instruments 1955-05, Vol.26 (5), p.493-498
Main Authors: Chubb, T. A., Friedman, H.
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Photosensitive Geiger counters are useful for detection of ultraviolet radiation between 1050 A and 2500 A. The spectral sensitivities of such photon counters are determined by the photoelectric characteristics of the cathodes and the absorption and photo‐ionization properties of the filling gases. Electronegative gases increase the cathode work function and greatly reduce by negative ion formation the probability that a photoelectron will initiate a count. By proper combinations of gases to fix the long wavelength limit of counter sensitivity and filters to limit the short wavelength responses, it is possible to construct relatively narrow band detectors for the extreme ultraviolet. Such tubes have been used to study the solar spectrum from rockets and have been applied in the laboratory to absorption measurements of concentrations of gases such as H2O in air and O2 in the presence of H2, N2, and the rare gases. Characteristics of solid and gaseous materials useful in vacuum ultraviolet work are listed.
ISSN:0034-6748
1089-7623
DOI:10.1063/1.1771334