Poission Statistics

Purpose
In this experiment you will explore the statistics of random events by physical measurements. The random events used in this study will be pulses from a Geiger counter
exposed to gamma radiation from a radioactive source.

Poisson Statistics
A sequence of independent random events is one in which the occurrence of any
event has no effect on the occurrence of any other. An example is the emission of
663keV photons by a sample of 137 Cs. In contrast, the fissions of nuclei in a critical
mass of 235 U are correlated events in a chain reaction in which the outcome of
each event, i.e. the number of neutrons released affects the subsequent number of
events. Under the first condition that all the nuclei are identical, independent, and
each has a definite and constant probability of decay in a unit time interval, one can
derive a distribution function that describes the probability of observing x counts in
a fixed interval of time. That distribution is known as the Poisson distribution and
is defined by the equation:
x e
px =
x!
Which describes the probability of recording x counts, is the expected number,
i.e. the mean rate time of the counting interval. The distribution has the following
characteristics:
Can take only discrete values, zero or positive integral values
It is not symmetrical, when n is small the asymmetry is clearly marked
The distribution is completely determined by one parameter, .

Geiger counters
Geiger counters are devices to detect and measure ionizing radiation, as emitted by
radioactive sources. The Geiger-Mueller tube is the main component in the counter.
This is a gas filled tube, to which a voltage of several hundred volts is applied.
Normally, the gas is insulating and no current is drawn. When an ionizing radiation
particle passes the tube, it triggers a gas discharge, i.e. gas becomes conducting. The
resulting current impulse can be amplified and made visible or audible ("clicking").
There are two main kinds of tubes:
Glass mantle tubes are only suitable for beta and gamma rays, as any alpha
rays are absorbed in the glass. They can be used for quantitatively measuring
gamma ray dose-rate.
Window tubes have a window (usually at one end), which is sealed with a very
thin foil or mica. Alpha, beta and gamma rays can penetrate this window, and
thus be detected.
For a more detailed and advanced treatment, see references [2] and [3].

Measurements
1. Using the Pasco GM counter and interface, set the detector at an appropriate distance from the 137 Cs, 60 Co or another long lived radioisotope source to
achieve w3counts/s, and set the software to collect 600 samples.
2. Using the Pasco GM counter and interface again, set the detector at an appropriate distance from the 137 Cs source to achieve w15counts/s, and set the
software to collect 600 samples.
3. Using the manual set-up with Geiger counter collect manually 600 samples at
w3counts/s for the same or a similar source.
4. Using the manual set-up again collect 600 samples at w15counts/s for the same
or a similar source.
5. Remove the radioactive source from the proximity of each setup and make
background radiation counting for 15 min.

Analysis
Using data sets 1-4:
Evaluate x and 2 .
Compare the sample mean and the variance
Plot the observed frequencies with error bars, and the theoretical distribution
on the same graph. Discuss the agreement between the observed and the
estimated frequencies in terms of , 2, 3.
Apply 2 test and then estimate the Poisson parameter minimizing 2 .
Plot a graph of 2 as a function of the Poisson parameter and estimate the
best value for this parameter from the minimum.

References
[1] R. D, Evans, The Atomic Nucleus, McGraw Hill Book Company.
[2] G. Knoll, Radiation Detection and Measurement, McGraw Hill Book Company,
1989.
[3] N. Tsoulfanidis, Measurement and Detection of Radiation, McGraw Hill Book
Company, 1995.
[4] P. Bevington, D. K. Robinson, Data Reduction And Error Analysis For The
Physical Sciences, McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1992.
[5] http://www.ortec-online.com/application-notes/an58.pdf