Geigertellere

Geigertellere is a term found in a limited set of German-language historical sources related to early radiation detectors. Literally translated as “Geiger plate,” it refers informally to a plate or plate-like electrode arrangement used in some Geiger counter configurations. The expression is not a standard or widely used designation in modern literature, where terms such as Geiger-Müller tube, Geiger counter, or more general electrode terminology are preferred.

Etymology and usage of the term reflect its historical context. It combines the surname Geiger (as in Hans Geiger, a pioneer of gaseous ionization detectors) with Teller (plate or dish in German). In the rare sources where it appears, Geigertellere denotes a flat electrode component that forms part of the detector’s electric field, rather than a specific, widely defined device.

Design and function in early detectors were variable. In many gas-filled detectors of the era, ionizing radiation liberates electrons and ions in a gas, and an applied electric field collects these charges on electrodes. A “Geigertellere” would generally function as one of the electrodes—often a plate used to shape the field or to participate in the signal readout. Exact geometry, materials, and role could differ between models, as detector technology evolved rapidly in the 1920s and 1930s.

History and current status. The Geiger counter was developed in the early 20th century, with important refinements by Walther Müller and others. The specific term Geigertellere appears mainly in arcane or archival German texts and is seldom used in contemporary instrumentation literature. Today, discussions of Geiger counters focus on the Geiger-Müller tube, the counter’s electronics, and broader detector principles, rather than on a distinct component called a Geigertellere.