Conformal representation theory is applied to a grid ionization chamber having plane parallel electrodes to give formulas useful in design. Expressions are obtained for the inefficiency of grid shielding of the electron collector, the spread of pulse size caused by the induced effect of positive ions, and the proportion of electrons collected by the grid. The theory was verified by experiment. The width of the polonium α-particle line at half-maximum was reduced to 50 kev. or about 1% of the energy by the use of a suitable grid and operating voltages. The corresponding standard deviation from all causes was 22 kev., made up of 2 kev. resulting from induced effect of positive ions, about 17 kev. from noise in the amplifier, and 14 kev. from straggling of ionization, thickness of source, and other effects. The spread caused by positive ions can therefore be almost completely eliminated by a grid.
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