What Is a Radiation Detector?

What Is a Radiation Detector?

A radiation detector is an instrument that measures electromagnetic fields (EMF) and converts them into a readable value. These devices are useful in assessing the risks associated with EMF from everyday household items like electric power lines, mobile phones, laptops and other electronic equipment.

The device works by measuring the electric and magnetic fields created by these sources of EMF. It then translates this information into a readable format that can be displayed on an instrument meter, for example in the form of an alarm or number of counts per minute.

There are many different types of radiation detectors. The type that is best suited for a particular application will depend on several factors, including the level of radiation to be measured and whether the measurement needs to include multiple types of radiation. Other considerations include how portable the detector needs to be and what type of response time is required.

Among the most common types of radiation detectors are gas-filled detectors. These include ionization chambers, proportional counters and Geiger-Mueller tubes. Each operates based on the principle that when radiation passes through a chamber containing air or a specialized gas, ionization occurs. When a high voltage is applied across the detector, the positively charged ions and free electrons that are generated collect at the cathode and anode of the detector respectively. The small current flowing between the anode and cathode is sensed and measured by the detector and translated into a readout on the instrument meter.