Detecting Radiation

identify instruments and processes that can be used

to detect radiation

The three different types of radiation all have the ability to

ionise gases:

o Alpha radiation is strongly ionising.

o Beta radiation is less ionising.
o Gamma radiation is only weakly ionising.

Ionising ability and other properties can be used to detect

radiation.

There are a variety of instruments that can be used for radiation

detection:

The Geiger Muller Counter

A GeigerMller tube consists of a tube filled with a low-pressure

inert gas such as helium, neon or argon (usually neon). The tube
contains electrodes, between which there is a potential difference of
several hundred volts, but no current flowing. The walls of the tube
are either entirely metal or have their inside surface coated with a
conductor to form the cathode while the anode is a wire passing up
the centre of the tube.

When ionizing radiation passes through the tube, some of the gas
molecules are ionized, creating positively charged ions, and
electrons. The strong electric field created by the tube's electrodes
accelerates the ions towards the cathode and the electrons towards
the anode. The ion pairs gain sufficient energy to ionize further gas
molecules through collisions on the way, creating an avalanche of
charged particles.

This results in a short, intense pulse of current which passes (or

cascades) from the negative electrode to the positive electrode and
is measured or counted.

Most detectors include an audio amplifier that produce an audible

click on discharge. The number of pulses per second measures the
intensity of the radiation field. Some Geiger counters display an
exposure rate (e.g. mRh), but this does not relate easily to a dose
rate as the instrument does not discriminate between radiation of
different energies.

Photographic film
darkens when exposed to radiation
Still worn by people working in nuclear chemistry
industries

The Cloud Chamber

Contains a supersaturated vapour of water or alcohol
Radiation ionises some of the air, and the vapour
condenses around the ions, tracing a path

The Scintillation counter

When certain substances are irradiated with alpha, beta or
gamma rays (different substances for each type of ray),
they emit a flash of light
This flash can be collected and amplified in a
photomultiplier. Old cathode ray TVs worked on this principle.