gas-filled detector

A gas-filled detector is a device used to detect radiation by measuring the ionization it causes in a gas. When radiation enters the detector, it ionizes gas molecules, creating ion pairs (positive ions and free electrons). An electric field within the detector causes these charges to move, generating an electric current or pulse that can be measured.12

There are several types of gas-filled detectors:
* Ionization Chambers: Operate at lower voltages, measuring the total current produced by ionization. They are often used for monitoring radiation exposure rates.21
* Proportional Counters: Use a higher voltage to amplify the initial ionization through a process called gas multiplication. This allows them to distinguish between different types of radiation based on the energy deposited.23
* Geiger-Müller Counters: Operate at even higher voltages, resulting in a large, uniform pulse for each detected particle, regardless of its energy. They are excellent for counting individual particles but do not provide energy information.24