PHYWE Exhibition Area

The PHYWE Diffusion Cloud Chamber

is used to visualize cosmic and natural Radiation. Historically the Cloud Chamber was the first particle detector for making ionizing particles visible. Its working principle is based on supersaturated vapour. This vapour shows tracks of condensated alcohol while being penetrated by ionizing particles. Vapour clouds build up along the particle tracks, which are sometimes thin and long, sometimes thick and round or bulbous. They may appear gradually or pop up all of a sudden or move very fast like a projectile splintering into all directions.

All electrically charged particles can be detected in the Cloud Chamber: α-particles (1), β-particles (2), protons (3), myons(4), electrons or positrons.