Gain reduction due to space charge at high counting rates in multiwire proportional chambers

Measurements with a small MWPC of gas gain reduction, due to ion space charge at high counting rates, have been compared with theoretical predictions. The quantity iotan(q/q/sub o/)/(q/q/sub o/), where (q/q/sub o/) is the relative reduced avalanche charge, has been found to be closely proportional to count rate, as predicted. The constant of proportionality is in good agreement with calculations made with a modified version of the original, simplified theory