Which detector is suitable for determining gamma rays?

The thallium-activated sodium iodide detector, or NaI(Tl) detector, responds to the gamma ray by producing a small flash of light, or a scintillation. The scintillation occurs when scintillator electrons, excited by the energy of the photon, return to their ground state.

What units does a Geiger counter measure?

The amount of radioactivity is reported in Becquerel (Bq), which is the international unit, or the Curie (Ci), which is the unit used in the United States. Geiger counters are commonly used to measure the amount of radioactivity, but there are other types of detectors that may be used.

What is Geiger-Muller counter used for?

A Geiger counter (Geiger-Muller tube) is a device used for the detection and measurement of all types of radiation: alpha, beta and gamma radiation.

Which metal is used in gamma ray detectors?

germanium material
High-purity germanium material fabricated into semiconducting diodes has been used for both charged particle and photon detection employing a range of crystal shapes and geometries. The major use of high-purity germanium is in gamma ray spectroscopy, for which it was specifically developed.

How do you measure gamma rays?

Scientists can use gamma rays to determine the elements on other planets. The Mercury Surface, Space Environment, Geochemistry, and Ranging (MESSENGER) Gamma-Ray Spectrometer (GRS) can measure gamma rays emitted by the nuclei of atoms on planet Mercury’s surface that are struck by cosmic rays.

How does a Geiger-Müller counter work?

The direct current voltage is kept slightly less than that which will cause a discharge between the electrodes. At one end of the tube a thin window of mica is arranged to allow the entry of radiation into the tube. The basic principle of the Geiger Muller counter can be understood as follows.

How does a Geiger detector neutralize radiation?

As radiation enters the detector it ionizes the gas inside the chamber. These ions drift away from the anode wire after the termination of a Geiger discharge. When these ions drift out to the cathode wall, they are neutralized by combining with an electron from the cathode surface.

How does a Geiger counter count charged particles?

The Geiger counter excels are counting charged particles. This is because these particles ion-ize the gas in the G-M tube and these ion pairs are what cause the Geiger discharge in thetube. Essentially, the efficiency at which the Geiger counter counts charged particles is 100\%.

Does the pulse height from the Geiger counter relate to voltage?

In experiment one, we saw that using different sources of radiation, we saw no real difference in the pulse heights from the Geiger counter. Due to equipment error, we were unable to draw any substantial conclusions about how the counting curve and pulse height relates to the high voltage level from the experimental data in experiment two.