Table of Contents
What kind of detector is the best to use for gamma radiation?
Silicon detectors are most heavily used in charged-particle spectroscopy and are also used for Compton- recoil spectroscopy of high-energy gamma rays.
What is gamma spectroscopy used for?
Gamma-ray (γ-ray) spectroscopy is a quick and nondestructive analytical technique that can be used to identify various radioactive isotopes in a sample. In gamma-ray spectroscopy, the energy of incident gamma-rays is measured by a detector.
What are the most common detectors in gamma spectroscopy?
Common detector materials include sodium iodide (NaI) scintillation counters and high-purity germanium detectors. To accurately determine the energy of the gamma ray, it is advantageous if the photoelectric effect occurs, as it absorbs all of the energy of the incident ray.
Can a Geiger counter detect gamma radiation?
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.
How is gamma radiation detected?
Like X-ray detection, gamma-ray detection is done photon-by-photon. Gamma rays are detected by observing the effects they have on matter. A gamma ray can collide with an electron and bounce off it like a billiard ball (Compton scatter) or it can push an electron to a higher energy level (photoelectric ionization).
How does a gamma detector work?
How can I check my home radiation level?
A compact dosimeter for household is highly recommended. It is used extensively for human radiation protection and for measurement of radiation in both medical and industrial processes. Dosimeters can measure alpha, beta, gamma or X-ray radiation levels.
Is there a way to see gamma rays?
Unlike optical light and x-rays, gamma rays cannot be captured and reflected by mirrors. Gamma-ray wavelengths are so short that they can pass through the space within the atoms of a detector. Gamma-ray detectors typically contain densely packed crystal blocks.
How do you detect gamma radiation?
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.