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A cloud chamber triggered by the electroluminescence of its He+Xe filling mixture: a new instrument for investigating double beta-decay

Камера Вильсора, срабатываюшая под действием злектролюминесце нции наполняюшей смеси (He+He) → новый инструмент для исследования двойного бета-распада

  • Published:
Il Nuovo Cimento A (1971-1996)

Summary

The features and possibilities of a « self-triggered » cloud chamber are described. The instrument is essentially an expansion cloud chamber, filled with He and Xe (Xe acts as condensable vapour), which works at nearly 150 K, and which can be triggered by the electroluminescence of its filling mixture when a ionizing event occurs within. We report the results obtained in several investigations undertaken to answer the various problems which arise when facing the design of a self-triggered cloud chamber. In particular a prototype of He+Xe cloud chamber, which operated successfully between 140 K and 165 K, is described, and several data on the electroluminescence of He+Xe mixtures are given. The features of a « self-triggered » cloud chamber are discussed considering its possibilities as an instrument for investigating the double beta-decay of136Xe.

Riassunto

Si illustrano le caratteristiche e le potenzialità di una camera a nebbia « autocomandata ». Lo strumento è una camera a nebbia ad espansione, riempita con una miscela di He e Xe (lo Xe è il vapore condensabile), funzionante a circa 150 K, e che può essere comandata dall’elettroluminesenza prodotta da un evento ionizzante nella miscela stessa. Si riportano i risultati ottenuti in varie ricerche fatte per dare risposta ai problemi che sorgono quando si affronta la progettazione di una camera a nebbia autocomandata. In particolare si descrive un prototipo di camera a nebbia ad He+Xe che ha dato risultati soddisfacenti tra 140 K e 165 K, e si riportano vari dati sull’elettroluminescenza delle miscele He+Xe. Le caratteristiche della camera a nebbia autocomandata sono discusse ed illustrate considerandone la possibile applicazione allo studio del decadimento beta doppio dello Xe 136.

Реэюме

Описываются особенности и воэможности « самосрабатываюшей » камеры Вильсона. Описываемый прибор представляет камеру Вильсона, наполненную Не и Хе (Хе действует как конденсируемый пар), которая работает при 150 К и которая может срабатывать под действием злектролюминесцен ции наполняюшей смеси, когда событие иониэации происходит внутри камеры. Мы приводим реэультаты, полученные в некоторых исследованиях, предпринятых для рещения раэличных проблем, которые воэникают при конструировании « самосрабатываюшей » камеры Вильсона. В частности, описывается прототип (He+Xe) камеры Вильсона, которая успещно работает в области от 140 К до 165 К. Приводятся некоторые данные по злектролюминесцен ции смеси (He+Xe). Обсуждаются особенности « самосрабатываюшей » камеры Вильсона, рассматривая ее воэможности, как инструмента для исследования двойного бета-распада136Xe.

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  1. Istituto di Fisica dell’Università, Parma, Italy

    G. M. De’ Munari & G. Mambriani

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  1. G. M. De’ Munari
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  2. G. Mambriani
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This work has been partly sponsored by the Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Milano.

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De’ Munari, G.M., Mambriani, G. A cloud chamber triggered by the electroluminescence of its He+Xe filling mixture: a new instrument for investigating double beta-decay. Nuov Cim A 33, 299–328 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02734407

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