scintillometer
Quick Summary
A scintillometer is a device used for detecting and registering individual scintillations, often associated with radioactive emissions. It is synonymous with a scintillation counter.12
A scintillation counter functions as a radiation detector. When ionizing radiation passes through specific solid or liquid materials, known as phosphors, it produces a flash of light, or scintillation. Common phosphors include thallium-activated sodium iodide, zinc sulfide, and organic compounds like anthracene. These light flashes are then transformed into electrical pulses by a photoelectric alloy. These pulses are amplified and counted, allowing for high-speed particle counting and the measurement of radiation energy. Scintillation counters are sensitive to X rays, gamma rays, and charged particles.3
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