Untersuchung der Elektronenkomponente von Einzellawinen mit dem Photomultiplier

With a photomultiplier single electron avalanches of 10³ carriers can be observed in nitrogen. 2.5% of all photons (in the range 3000≦λ≦7000 Å) of an avalanche produce a photoelectron at the cathode of the photomultiplier. The influence of the variable solid angle on the photomultiplier pulse is given. Trouble by noise is calculated and it is shown that the information depends on the number of photoelectrons only. The electron components of avalanches in methane, nitrogen, and mixtures have an exponential rise and the measured rise time constant τ_beob is in accordance with the theoretical value 1/αυ_. For carrier numbers >10⁶ space charge influence is observed, as given by theory. The quantum efficiencyQ per ionizing impact is found to beQ～10^?3 in vapours andQ～1 in gases. Values of the electron drift velocity in mixtures of N₂ and CH₄ are given.