Studies of orbital electron capture using proportional counters

Drever, R.W.P. (1958) Studies of orbital electron capture using proportional counters. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

In the first chapter the theory of orbital electron capture is briefly summarised, and experimental data available on K/p+ ratios and L/K capture ratios are surveyed. The accuracy of many of the experimental results is poor, but it is pointed out that the development of proportional counter techniques for studying low energy radiations has made better measurements possible. These techniques are discussed in the following chapter, with particular emphasis on the use of gaseous sources. The material of this introductory section of the thesis is drawn mainly from the literature, though an appreciable part of the discussion on gas source counters is based on the writer's own experience. The next two chapters relate to the development of new proportional counter techniques, made with the aim of overcoming some of the limitations to the use of gas sources. An investigation into the operation of proportional counters at high temperatures, initiated by Dr. A. Moljk and carried out jointly by him and the writer is described; and the development of a multiwire proportional counter system with small wall effects is discussed, particularly in relation to the measurement of weak sources. The principle of the latter counting system was due to Dr. Moljk and the writer, following an initial suggestion by Dr. S.C. Curran, and the experimental work and its interpretation was shared equally by us. The detailed design of the counter and of the associated electronic equipment (described in an appendix) was due largely to the writer. The final three chapters, forming the main part of the thesis, deal with studies of electron capture carried out with the aid of gas source techniques. An investigation of the decay of Cl36 , leading to the discovery of a previously undetected K-capture branch, is described in Chapter 5. This work was done jointly with Dr. Moljk. Chapter 6 concerns a measurement of the K/β+ ratio in the decay of F18, which enables limits to be set on Pierz interference effects in Gamow-Teller interactions. This experiment was performed in collaboration with Dr. Moljk, assisted by Mr. J. Scobie; though the writer takes the main responsibility for the results and their interpretation. Chapter 7 deals with a study of L-capture in Ge71. The L/K capture ratio was measured by a new direct, method using a multiwire counting system; and the results obtained show that previous work suggesting serious disagreement with theory is not valid. The writer was entirely responsible for the original conception of this experiment, its performance, and the interpretation of the results.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Additional Information: Department of Natural Philosophy, University of Glasgow.
• Subjects: Q Science > QC Physics
• Colleges/Schools: College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
• Supervisor's Name: Curran, Dr. S.C.
• Date of Award: 1958
• Depositing User: Mrs Marie Cairney
• Unique ID: glathesis:1958-8484
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 05 Oct 2017 15:24
• Last Modified: 09 Nov 2022 11:32
• Thesis DOI: 10.5525/gla.thesis.8484
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/8484

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