Studies in beta-ray spectrometry

Abstract

A brief survey of the field of beta ray spectrometry has been made, particular attention being given to the use of magnetic spectrometers. The performance of various instruments is compared and the principles of operation of different automatic systems are discussed.An automatic system for a prolate spheroidal field spectrometer was constructed. Details of construction and testing are described and improvements suggested.Efforts were made to increase the signal to noise ratio of a scintillation detector system, by cooling the photomultiplier tube. The various effects observed are considered in relation to results reported by other workers.Coincidence circuitry using fast avalanche transistors was constructed and tested. Limiters employing two rather than one transistor had better performance, particularly for the lower electron energies. Some beta - beta coincidences in the decay of Ce144 were investigated with a view to deciding between the different decay schemes which have been proposed. The 53 keV - 80 keV cascade was identified, but in the case of the proposed 33 keV - 133 keV cascade, the results were inconclusive.