GEIGERmõõdikud

GEIGERmõõdikud, commonly known as Geiger counters, are electronic instruments used for detecting and measuring ionizing radiation. They are named after Hans Geiger, who invented the Geiger-Müller tube, the radiation-sensitive detector at the heart of most Geiger counters. These devices work by employing a gas-filled tube, typically filled with an inert gas like argon or neon, with a central electrode. When ionizing radiation enters the tube, it ionizes the gas atoms, creating a cascade of electrons that are attracted to the central electrode. This ionization event creates a brief electrical pulse, which is then amplified and registered by the counter. Each pulse corresponds to a single ionizing event detected by the tube. Geiger counters typically produce an audible click or a visual display for each detected particle or photon. The rate of these clicks or the reading on the display indicates the intensity of the radiation. They are widely used in various fields, including nuclear physics research, environmental monitoring, radiation safety, and geology for prospecting radioactive minerals. While effective at detecting the presence and general level of radiation, standard Geiger counters cannot identify the specific type of radioactive isotope or precisely measure the energy of the radiation.