High energy photoproton investigations using a counter-controlled cloud chamber

Turnbull, Robert McI (1961) High energy photoproton investigations using a counter-controlled cloud chamber. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

This thesis describes an investigation by the author of the production of high energy photoprotons from oxygen gas by a triggered cloud chamber technique. An experiment in which this technique is applied to the measurement of the polarization of the photoprotons from carbon is also included. When the author started his research in October 1957 he joined Mr J.M. Reid and Mr B. Lalovic in work on the development of a triggered cloud chamber for use with the 300 MeV electron synchrotron at Glasgow University. At that time, although most of the instrumentation and cloud chamber equipment had been constructed, no complete experiment had been attempted and many improvements still had to be made. In December 1957 and again in March 1958 the author assisted Mr Reid and Mr Lalovic in experiments on the photodisintegratior of helium, neon and nitrogen. Although the equipment was capable of yielding results, experiments could only be performed with difficulty. The author therefore spent considerable time on modifications which are described in Chapter II. The experiment on the photodisintegration of oxygen in March 1959 which is described in Chapter III was carried out solely by the author who was also entirely responsible for the scanning of the cloud chamber photographs as well as the analysis and interpretation or the results obtained. The computer programme used for the routine calculations, and given in the Appendix, was written by the author. In April 1960 an experiment to measure the polarization of photoprotons from carbon by scattering the protons in a carbon block inside the chamber was performed. This experiment, described in Chapter IV, which had been suggested by Dr. J.G. Rutherglen, enabled the angle of scatter to be determined very accurately while still achieving a reasonable counting rate. The author built four of the five scintillation counters used in this experiment and was also responsible for the operation of the cloud chamber. The counter electronics were supplied and operated by Dr, J.G. Rutherglen, Mr J.K. Walker and Mr J.M. Paterson. The analysis of the cloud chamber photographs for this experiment was performed entirely by the author and the interpretation of results was shared with Mr Paterson.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Additional Information: Adviser: J M Reid
• Keywords: High energy physics, Nuclear physics and radiation, Atomic physics
• Date of Award: 1961
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:1961-73476
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 14 Jun 2019 08:56
• Last Modified: 14 Jun 2019 08:56
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/73476