A radiation detector or particle detector is a device that measures this ionization of many types of radiation, like- beta radiation, gamma radiations, and alpha radiation with the matter. Thus, creating electrons and positively charged ions. In this article, let us discuss in detail about the radiation detector.

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What is a Radiation Detector?

Radiation Detector is an instrument used to detect or identify high-energy particles, such as those produced by nuclear decay, cosmic radiation, or reactions in a particle accelerator.

Evolution of Radiation Detector

Earlier, photographic plates were used to identify tracks left by nuclear interactions. Sub-nuclear particles are discovered by using cloud chambers which needed photographic recordings and a tedious measurement of tracks from the photographs.

Electronic detectors developed with the invention of the transistor. Modern detectors use calorimeters to measure the energy of the detected radiation. They may also be used to measure other attributes such as momentum, spin, charge, etc. of the particles.

Type of Detectors

Scintillator

When excited by ionizing radiation, a scintillator exhibits scintillation which is nothing but the property of luminescence. When a scintillator is coupled to an electronic light sensor such as a photomultiplier tube (PMT), photodiode, or silicon photomultiplier, a scintillator detector. Scintillator-type detectors first convert light into electrical pulses. They use vacuum tubes to perform so.

Gaseous Ionization Detectors

A radiation detection instrument used in particle physics to detect the presence of ionizing particles, and in radiation protection applications to measure ionizing radiation is called Gaseous ionization detectors.

Geiger Counter

Geiger-Mueller counter, commonly called the Geiger counter is the most commonly used detector. A central wire in between a gas-filled tube at high voltage is used to collect the ionization produced by incident radiation. Although it cannot distinguish between them, it can detect alpha, beta, and gamma radiation.

Types of radiations

The types of radiation detected by these detectors are Alpha, Beta, and Gamma radiation.

Alpha Radiation

• Alpha particles or double ionized helium nuclei are the fast-moving helium atoms.
• They have high energy ranging in MeV.
• They have low penetration depth; typically a few cms of air or skin due to their large mass.

Beta Radiation

• They are fast-moving electrons.
• Their energy ranges from hundreds of KeV to several MeV.
• They have better penetration depth due to their comparatively lighter mass. Typically, several feet of air, several millimeters of lighter materials.

Gamma Radiation

• They are the stream of photons.
• Typical energy ranges from Several KeV to Several MeV.
• They have comparatively very low mass. Thus, possess good penetration depth. Typically, a few inches of lead

Hope you have understood about the Radiation detector, their types, functions along with types of radiations, and their properties.

Physics Related Topics:

Value Of Electron Particle Accelerator – Types and Applications Constants In Physics

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Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

Q1

What is a radiation detector?

Radiation Detector is an instrument used to detect high-energy particles, such as those produced by nuclear decay, cosmic radiation, or reactions in a particle accelerator.

Q2

What is the function of vacuum tubes in scintillators?

Vacuum tubes in scintillators convert light into electric pulses.

Q3

What does the abbreviation PTM stand for?

PTM stands for Photomultiplier tube

Q4

What is used in the Geiger-Mueller counter to collect ionized radiations?

A central wire in between a gas-filled tube at high voltage is used to collect the ionization produced by incident radiation

Q5

If you want to learn more, please visit our website introduction to radiation detectors.

What is Alpha radiation?

Alpha radiation is the stream of doubly ionized helium nuclei

Q6

What is Beta radiation?

Beta radiation is the stream of electrons.

Q7

What is Gamma radiation?

Gamma radiation is the stream of photons.

Radiation Detection Instruments

EH&S is responsible for calibrating portable survey instruments at Iowa State University. When the instrument is due for calibration, an EH&S staff member will inspect, inventory, and calibrate the meter. A calibration sticker is affixed to the instrument, indicating the date of calibration, when the next calibration is due, and the name of the calibrator. However, lab personnel are responsible for ensuring that they are using a meter with current calibration. Do not use a meter that has not been calibrated within the last 12 months. Call EH&S at (515) 294-5359.

Portable / Handheld Instruments

• The Geiger-Mueller (GM) detector is a common portable instrument choice for a general laboratory radioactive material survey.

  • GM detectors are capable of detecting alpha, beta, and gamma radiation.  However,this instrument is limited by its ineffectiveness for detecting lower energy beta and gamma emittters.

  • The end-window or pancake Geiger-Mueller is a great instrument for detecting medium- to high-energy beta emitters, such as Phosphorus-32, Phosphorus-33, Chlorine-36, or Calcium-45.

  • Due to its poor efficiency for detecting some kinds of radiation, a Geiger-Mueller instrument is not effective for detecting low-energy beat emitters, such as Hydrogen-3, Carbon-14 or Sulfur-35.  It is also not effective for low-energy gamma emitters, such as Iodine-125 or Iodine-131.

• The NaI Scintillation detector is another type of portable detector for general laboratory radioactive material surveys.

  • NaI detectors are capable of detecting low-energy gamma radiation.

  • The NaI is a great instrument for detecting

    low-energy gamma

    emitters, such as Chromium-51, Iodine-125, Iodine-131, or Iron-59.

  • Due to its poor efficiency for detecting some kinds of radiation, a NaI detector instrument is not effective for detecting  beat emitters, such as Hydrogen-3, Carbon-14,

    Phosphorus-32, Phosphorus-33, Chlorine-36,

    or Sulfur-35. ​

• Portable Meter Operations Check (PDF)

  (PDF)

Fixed Instruments

• Liquid Scintillation Counter
  • For detecting low-energy beta emitters, such as Hydrogen-3(Tritium), Carbon-14, or Sulfer-35, a liquid scintillation counter (LSC) must be used. You will need to have wipes and prepare vials for counting.

  • Please note that a liquid scintillation counter can be used to monitor any radionuclide.

  • Recording routine background and standard counts and running the LSC’s normalization or calibration procedure will ensure that the LSC is operating correctly.  EH&S has a liquid scintillation counter available for your use if your LSC fails to operate correctly.

  • Contact EH&S if you have questions about operating a LSC or wish to use the EH&S LSC.

• Calibration and Normalization of Liquid Scintillation Counters (LSC) (PDF)

 

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