Physics Commons^™

On Air Density Measurements Using The Alpha-Particle Range Method, Gus Tom Zorn

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

The density of the air is in general determined from a knowledge of the pressure and temperature by applying the ideal gas law. This law may be stated in the following for; p=MP/TR, where p is the density of the air in gm/cm³, M is the gram molecular weight, P is the pressure in dynes/cm², T is the temperature in degrees kelvin and R is the universal gas constant in ergs per degree absolute for one mole. This method is also used in the determination of the air density as a function of the height in …

Experiments On The Life Of Self-Quenching Geiger Mueller Counters, Raymond C. Opperman

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

Because of the several superior properties of counters containing organic vapor as a quenching agent, it is desirable to extend the life of such counters. It is, therefore, of interest to determine the relative importance of factors which limit their useful life. It is also worthwhile to further the investigation of counters containing an inorganic gas as a quenching agent.

An Azimuth-Stabililzed Balloon Platform, Alfred H. Spano

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

In the study of Zodiacal Light, an interesting task is the determination of the intensity and the position of this glow on the celestial sphere. The problem of photographing this phenomenon from the earth’s surface has been hampered generally by the inevitable presence of the atmosphere between the camera and the object. However, it is expected that at the height of some thirty kilometers above the earth, the atmospheric haze will be reduced enough so that pictures of the zodiacal region may be obtained without significant absorption. To accomplish this, it is necessary to keep the balloon-borne camera pointed in …

An Experimental Investigation Of The Dead Time Of Geiger-Mueller Counters, Peter H. Jessner

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

As ever more sensitive and precise experiments are being performed with Geiger Counters, especially in cosmic ray research, the resolving power of these instruments assumes an ever increasing importance. With the present perfection of electronic circuitry, this resolving time has become largely a function of the dead time of the Geiger counter tube itself. It was therefore proposed to investigate methods of reducing this dead time. Only self-quenching counter tubes had to be considered in this connection since the dead time of all other types of Geiger counters is inherently longer.

A Sensitive Electronic Photometer Employing Negative Feedback, John Lee Pack

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

Purpose of the Instrument

The instrument to be described in these pages was tentatively intended to be used for the purpose of scanning the night sky automatically for investigations of the zodiacal light. It was to detect light below the noise level of a photomultiplier tube, to have linearity up to signals 100 times greater than the noise level, and to have a response time of about 10-4 seconds.

The Elastic Scattering Of Deuterons By Deuterons, Richard John Runge

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

The concern of this work is the calculation of elastic scattering of deuterons by deuterons. The solution of the problem will be given in the usual center of mass system of coordinates, the conversion of results from this to the laboratory system being standard. Since the deuteron itself consists of a neutron and a proton, the problem is thus one of four bodies. The nuclear three body problem of the scattering of a neutron by a deuteron has been treated by previous authors and we will have occasion to employ methods used by these authors extending them to the four …

Investigation Of Penetrating Cosmic-Ray Showers In Water, George William Rollosson

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

In this investigation, some of the properties of the radiation which produces penetrating showers in its passage through matter are studied. Geiger techniques are used to measure the average distance over which the neutral radiation produces one penetrating shower. This distance, called collision length, is measured in water...

The collision length, on the other hand, is measured by placing the material near the apparatus and measuring the mean distance in which one shower is produced and eliminating from the observation any penetrating showers which may be produced subsequently either (a) by the original particle or (b) by the secondaries from …

A Differential Electronic Photometer And Polariscope With Negative Feedback, William Rogers

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

In connection which a program of research in the physics of the atmosphere, a need has arisen for a sensitive differential photometer which would be adaptable to balloon-borne operation. This paper describes a prototype of such an instrument. The present photometer is constructed for preliminary investigations to be carried out in the laboratory, but with light weight components used in the design except for the power supply and the main structural frame. Consideration is given to these latter features to the extent that the entire equipment is designed for operation from power sources which can be directly replaced by small …

An Experimental Investigation Of A Light Weight High Voltage Power Supply, James F. Tribby

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

This investigation is directed toward the development and design of an electronic high-voltage power supply. The method consists of obtaining a direct current of low intensity by periodically charging by means of a primary battery a group of capacitors in parallel combination and discharging them electronically in series. A stimulus to this investigation is provided by the need for a light-weight electronic current source operating at moderately high voltages which is stable and capable of maintaining a constant current of low intensity over a wide range of variation of the potential from a primary battery. In addition, a power supply …

An Experimental Determination Of The Distribution Of Core Location Of Extensive Air Showers, Jerre P. Moore

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

It is the purpose of this paper to investigate the distribution of the core location of extensive air showers striking near an array of liquid scintillators.

Determination Of The Shape And Position Of The Zodiacal Light By Use Of An Automatic Recording Method, James D.G. Lindsay

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

The problem was to determine the shape of the zodiacal light pyramid and also its position relative to the ecliptic using an automatic recording system. The main requirement was to be simplicity in the interpretation of data.

Oxidation Of Silver As A Method Of Measuring Ozone Concentration, Lorne Maxwell Chanin

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

It has been found that, under certain conditions, a chemical reaction occurs between silver and ozone. The products of this reaction are silver oxides and oxygen. When heated to a certain temperature, the silver oxides are decomposed into silver and oxygen. If this reaction were produced, then the amount of oxygen resulting from the decomposition would be a measure of the amount of ozone originally present.

The Intensity Of Zodiacal Light, Allan F. Beck

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

The study of the intensities measured in the region of the zodiacal light, the second most important contributor to this light of the night sky after starlight has been subtracted, is the purpose of this paper.

The Polarization Of Zodiacal Light, Maynard Cowan

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

It was the purpose of this study, (1) to measure the polarization of zodiacal light, (2) to investigate the orientation of the plane of polarization, and (3) to deduce from results obtained information concerning the origin of zodiacal light.

A Study Of An Inverse Feed-Back, Low Frequency, Low-Pass Filter, Ralph A. Nobles

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

In connection with other research work in the physics department at the University of New Mexico it became of interest to make a detailed study of a resistance-capacitance couples low-pass filter which incorporate inverse feed-back. In order to determine the effect of the inverse feed-back on the filters, calculations are made on circuits with and without feed-back. Response curves are calculated for step-wave inputs and for sine-wave inputs, and these calculated curves then compared with experimental response curves.

A New Method Of Detecting Low Intensity Nuclear Radiation, Emerson Jones

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

In general there exist in the energy level scheme of many of the elements, transitions which give rise to the liberation of energy in the visible or near visible spectra. This situation gave rise to the hope that a gaseous element could be selected such that upon being excited or ionized by charged particle radiation, the predominant transitions to lower energy levels could be detected by photographic means. If a means of detecting these transitions could be made sufficiently sensitive, one could then hope to detect very low radiation intensities of charged particles. The problem consisted of evacuating a chamber, …

A Study Of Atmospheric Ozone Near The Surface Of The Earth, Irby Gerald Bowen

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

It is the primary purpose of this thesis to describe the method used for measuring ozone at the earth’s surface. There is also a report on a brief series of surface ozone measurements. An attempt is made at a preliminary explanation on the basis of meteorological conditions of the diurnal variations which were found.

A New Method Of Measuring The Intensity Of The Zodiacal Light, Raymond Grenchik

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

The two theories that have been presented for the zodiacal light show that it is due to light scattered (and perhaps emitted) from an extensive lenticular cloud of particles lying in the plane of the ecliptic. The basic difference of the two theories is the position of the center of this cloud. One, the planetary theory, places the sun at the center of this cloud. The other, the atmospheric theory, places the earth at the center of the cloud.

A Cosmic Ray Experiment Using Nuclear Photographic Emulsions, Mercedes Merner

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

A "camera" containing thirty-six nuclear plates was carried into the upper atmosphere to an altitude of twelve miles by a free balloon flight. These plates were arranged in four groups separated by successively thicker layers of steel so that nuclear events under different amounts of matter could be observed.

After recovery of the equipment these plates were developed and examined under the microscope. Four plates were selected for intensive investigation, and data was collected on the tracks found in the areas examined.

In the first part of this report nuclear plate technique will be discussed in general together with the …

A Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Absorption Experiment, Richard Runge

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

In nuclear magnetic resonance absorption work, the detection of the absorption of energy by protons situated in a steady strong magnetic field and subject to a weak radiofrequency (RF) magnetic field is attempted. The protons are present in a sample placed inside an RF coil. A radiofrequency current, present in this coil, produces a rapidly oscillating magnetic field which is capable of supplying energy to the system of protons in the steady strong magnetic field. This absorption of energy by the protons alters their relative numerical distribution among the energy levels available to them.

A Study Of Variations In Cosmic Ray Intensity Due To The Shifting Of Isobaric Layers In The Stratosphere, Frederick Herbert Martens

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

This investigation is an attempt to correlate variations in cosmic ray intensity with shifts of the isobaric layers in the stratosphere on the basis of the change in path length traveled by radioactive mesotrans, and in consideration of ordinary mass absorption of the air along the path.

A Generating Voltmeter Of Wide Sensitivity Range For Measuring Atmospheric Potential Gradients, Herschel Roy Snodgrass

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

The specific need for the present instrument arose out of a consideration of the significant results that might be obtained through a coordination of reliable data on potential gradients under various cloud formations with the accompanying fast motion cloud photographs. The characteristics most desired were: (1) the continuous measurement of both the magnitude and polarity of the surface potential gradients over a wide range of values, from normal fair weather gradients of 0 to +300 volts per meter to thunderstorm gradients, possibly as high as 200,000 volts per meter; (2) easy portability; (3) resistance to harmful effects from rain, dust, …

Studying Properties Of Xenon Doped Argon And Developing Optical Simulation Techniques For The Legend Collaboration, A Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay Experiment, Neil Christopher Mcfadden Dr

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

Neutrinoless double beta decay is a hypothesized lepton-number-violating process in which two neutrons decay to two protons, producing two electrons but no electron antineutrinos. The LEGEND collaboration will search for this decay in ⁷⁶Ge. To improve the argon active veto for LEGEND-1000, xenon doped argon was explored as an alternative active volume. Simulations using argon doped with 10 ppm xenon and pure liquid argon were used to predict the light yield from cosmic muons in a 100 liter cryogenic vessel. The simulations predicted that xenon doping would yield 1.83+/-0.02 more light, while an increase of 1.81+/-0.05 was measured. From …