This is a basic spark detector for alpha particles. This is based upon a design from W. Chang and S. Rosenblum in 1944. Special thanks to Carl Willis for biringing this vintage design to the web as it is a fun project and easy to accomplish in several hours.

Essentially, the detector works by capitalizing on the ionizing effects that alpha particles have on the air. As the particle passes between two electrodes charged to 8kV, the ionized path supports electrical breakdown, thus causing a spark.

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