Antique Spinthariscope with replaceable screens. Observe decay of atom
A Spinthariscope (also called Crookes spinthariscope) is a device for observing individual nuclear disintegration caused by the interaction of ionizing radiation with a phosphor. It is a metal cylinder 1,8 long by 1 in diameter with a magnifying lens and two replaceable fluorescent screens (phosphor). First screen is Zinc Sulphide activated by Silver (ZnS:Ag) and rare second screen.
Zinc Sulphide activated by Copper (ZnS:Cu). The spinthariscope was invented by William Crookes in 1903. While observing the apparently uniform fluorescence on a zinc sulphide screen created by the radioactive emissions (mostly alpha radiation) of a sample of radium bromide, he spilled some of the sample, and, owing to its extreme rarity and cost, he was eager to find and recover it. Upon inspecting the zinc sulphide screen under a microscope, he noticed separate flashes of light created by individual alpha particle collisions with the screen.
Crookes took his discovery a step further and invented a device specifically intended to view these scintillations. It consisted of a small screen coated with zinc sulphide affixed to the end of a tube, with a tiny amount of radium salt suspended a short distance from the screen and a lens on the other end of the tube for viewing the screen. I found this device without source. ZnS:Cu is very bright screen with wonderful scintillations. Have any questions please contact me.
My other nuclear lab auctions. The item "Antique Spinthariscope with replaceable screens. Observe decay of atom" is in sale since Saturday, December 17, 2016. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Science & Medicine (1930-Now)\Scientific Instruments\Other Vintage Science Equip".
The seller is "quasiatom" and is located in Saint-Petersburg, RU. This item can be shipped worldwide.- Region of manufacture: GDR.