Radiation Meters / Detectors

A radiation detector is a device for measuring nuclear, electromagnetic or light radiation. A nuclear radiation detector identifies nuclear radiation by measuring the emission of ionizing radiation of alpha particles, beta particles and gamma rays. Also referred to as a geiger counter, a nuclear radiation detector consists of two main elements: the processing electronics and the geiger tube. The geiger tube is filled with low-pressure inert gas like helium, argon or neon. If radioactive radiation occurs, the inert gas is ionized. An anode within the geiger tube registers the quantity of ionized particles numerically correlating with the strength of the radioactive radiation. The radioactivity measurement is then displayed on the LCD screen of the geiger counter or nuclear radiation detector.

It is very important to measure nuclear radioactivity as well as to classify nuclear radioactivity values. For example, terrestrial gamma radiation is measured according to general values from 0.03 - 0.3 µSv/h (microsievert / hour). This "normal" oscillation range is conditioned by natural radioactive elements in the ground such as uranium and potassium. To calculate this factor, one must take into consideration cosmic radiation. For example, when considering cosmic radiation, the maximum radioactivity content at Schneefernerhaus, the highest-located German environmental research station, is approximately equal to 110 µSv/h.