Radiation Units and Detection

Radiation comes in many different forms. Most of this chapter has dealt with nuclear radiation, those forms of radiation 

Dose Equivaient sieved gray x quaiity factor Sv 

Radiation is impossible to detect using our unaided senses. It cannot be felt, heard, smelled, or seen. The fact that radiation ionizes matter as it passes through it provides a basis for measuring radiation. A common device used to measure radiation is the Geiger counter. A Geiger counter consists of a sealed metal tube filled with an inert gas, typically argon. A wire, protruding into the 

A Geiger Counter detects radiation by ionizing argon atoms. The flow of argon ions and electrons in the tnhe creates a cnrrent that is amplified and detected by the connter. 

Scintillation counters use materials that produce light when stimulated by radiation. Scintillation materials include sodium iodide crystals and special plastics. Radiation is measured by exposing the scintillation material to radiation and using a photomultiplier tube to count the number of resulting flashes. Photomultiplier tubes are photocells that convert light into electrical signals that can be amplifled and measured. 

---