How does a wire chamber detect particles?

A wire chamber detects particles by measuring the ionization produced when a particle passes through.

A wire chamber is a type of particle detector used in experimental physics to detect charged particles. It consists of a series of thin metal wires arranged in a grid pattern, with a high voltage applied to them. When a charged particle passes through the chamber, it ionizes the gas molecules in its path, creating a trail of positively charged ions. These ions are attracted to the negatively charged wires, causing a cascade of further ionization events along the wire's path. This produces a signal that can be detected and recorded.

The wire chamber can be used to detect a wide range of charged particles, from electrons to heavy ions. It is particularly useful for detecting particles with low energy, as it is highly sensitive to small ionization signals. The wire chamber can also be used to track the path of a particle through the chamber, allowing scientists to reconstruct the particle's trajectory and determine its properties.

Wire chambers are widely used in particle physics experiments, including those at CERN and other large-scale facilities. They are also used in medical imaging, where they can be used to detect the path of charged particles emitted by radioactive isotopes in the body.