Geiger counter - definition
Geiger counter - definition
The Geiger Counter is a detector of ionising radiation, used to record alpha particles, beta particles and gamma radiation. Its operation is based on the phenomenon of gas ionisation in a sealed tube, called a Geiger-Müller tube, which acts as a detection chamber. The inside of the tube is filled with a mixture of inert gases at the appropriate pressure, and a high voltage, close to the breakthrough threshold, is maintained between the central anode and the surrounding cathode.
When a radiation particle enters the detector, it ionises the gas molecules, triggering a cascading electron avalanche. The resulting electrical pulse is short but distinct and can be easily counted by the electronics. Each recorded particle causes a single pulse, regardless of its energy, so that the Geiger counter does not provide information about the intensity of the radiation, but only about its presence and frequency of events.
This device has found wide application in radioactive contamination detection, environmental control, nuclear physics and safety in working with radioactive materials. Its structural simplicity, high sensitivity and ability to detect different types of radiation make it a useful Measuring Tools, especially in field conditions. To increase the selectivity of the measurements, additional Guards and filters are used to reduce the impact of certain types of particles.
The Geiger counter requires periodic resetting after each pulse due to the so-called dead time, i.e. the period during which the system is not capable of recording another event. To prevent continuous discharges, quenching compounds are added to the gas to reduce the number of secondary ionisations. Modern versions of counters are equipped with digital circuits that allow real-time recording, analysis and presentation of measurement data.
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