Cosmic ray studies with a streamer chamber

Abstract

A streamer chamber system has been developed to study the multiple scattering of cosmic rays at sea level. The thesis described new electronic circuits for the control of the system, and a new method for applying high voltage pulses of short duration.

Multiple scattering studies have been conducted with one inch slabs of lead and mercury. When 138 MeV muons were identified by their decay electron, excellent agreement was obtained with the Cooper and Rainwater theory. Without this identification anomalous results were obtained.

During the course of the research, an interesting new effect has been observed---the appearance of rings on the Lichtenberg figures associated with the discharge in the chamber.