RADIATION ACCOMPANYING PULSES IN A GEIGER-MULLER COUNTER

The ultraviolet radiation in a Geiger-Mueller counter was investigated by means of photo-sensitive counters with quartz windows facing one another and connected to a delayed coincidence circuit. Two components of this radiation were distinguished, a stronger component occurring within the limits of 0 to 2 ic sec (prompt radiation) and at least one order of magnitude weaker than a second component occurring with a delay of 2 to 300 ic sec (delayed radiation). The prompt radiation has a continuous spectrum with a maximum at about 2700 A. This radiation is interpreted as radiation from the recombination of argon ions. The delayed radiation is strongly dependent on the counter supply voltage and its intensity can be measured only beginning from about 70 v before the end of the plateau. The maximum intensity of the delayed radiation when the counter is normally filled with an argon and alcohol mixture occurs at about 50 ic sec. The delay corrcsponding to the radiation maximum for a higher argon pressure decreases with an increase in pressure. The delayed radiation is interpreted in accordance with the Wiser and Krumbein hypothesis as originating from the metastable argon molecules. (auth)