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Radiation detector by GM counter
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Abstract:
In this lab we used the Geiger counter to take counts of different radiation sources. From these counts, we observe pulse height and counting curve against high voltage. The emission of particles by radioactive nuclei is a completely random process. When, under identical conditions, a series of measurements is made of the number of particles detected per unit time it will be observed that the individual measurements will vary about some average or mean value. The true mean N can be determined only by averaging an infinite number of measurements.
Motivation:
The German physicist Hans Wilhelm Geiger is best known as the inventor of the Geiger counter to measure radiation. In 1908, Geiger introduced the first successful detector of individual alpha particles. Later versions of this counter were able to count beta particles and other ionizing radiation. The introduction in July 1928 of the Geiger-Muller counter marked the introduction of modern electrical devices into radiation research.
Introduction: In 1908, Hans Geiger would develop a machine that was capable of detecting alpha particles. Geiger’s student, Walther Mueller, would go on to improve the counter in 1928 a way that would allow the counter to detect any kind of ionizing radiation. And thus, the modern Geiger-Mueller counter was born and the techniques in radiation detection were forever changed. The Geiger-Mueller tube, or GM tube, is an extremely useful and inexpensive way to detect radiation. While the GM tube can only detect the presence and intensity of radiation, this is often all that is needed. It is the purpose of this lab to become acquainted with this device and explore it’s uses in detecting radiation and also to explore it’s limits. Using this device as a tool, it is also the purpose to explore attenuation coefficients through a beta attenuation experiment.
Background theory:
In the early 20th century, many scientists were looking for ways to measure radiation, which had been discovered near the end of the previous century. Radioactivity is the spontaneous emission of radiation (waves or subatomic particles) exhibited by certain elements
Procedure:
Observations and calculations:
Threshold Voltage: 650 V
Operating Voltage: 900 V
Runs: 26
Time: 10 sec
Background Radiation (counts/ 10 sec)
Sr. High voltage
Observed counting rate with radioactive source
Background radiations
Actual radiations Counts 1 Counts 2 Count 3 Average value (N’)
(b) N= N’-b
References:
https://www.azosensors.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nihles/PMC3.gov/pmc/artic228631/
