The performance of beta particles sensitivity controlled open air corona streamer counter in humid air

The possibility of using beta particles sensitivity controlled open air corona streamer counter (point-grid-plane, with preamplification gap) as a radiogauge depends mainly on the identification of the factors that affect its response. For this purpose, a complete analysis of the performance characteristics of such a counter as influenced by atmospheric humidity is given. A theoretical model is suggested to calculate the counter operating voltage and the beta particles triggered corona streamer pulse characteristics at different values of air relative humidity. The dependence of the plateau curves of such a counter on the concentration of water vapour in air is explained. The effect of air relative humidity on the counter energy response is also studied. A compensation for the errors due to humidity effects is suggested. All theoretical findings are confirmed by experiments.