scintillation crystal
Quick Summary
A scintillation crystal is a material used in radiation detection. When ionizing radiation, such as X rays or gamma rays, passes through the crystal, it causes the material to emit a flash of light, known as a scintillation. This light is then converted into an electrical pulse by a photoelectric device and amplified, allowing for the counting of particles and measurement of their energy. Common scintillation crystals include thallium-activated sodium iodide and zinc sulfide. These materials are crucial components of scintillation counters, which are sensitive to various forms of radiation.12
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
