Radiation Detector: Definition, Types, Advantages, Disadvantages & Applications

A radiation detector can be defined as a device that is used to detect different ranges of radiation. These radiations can be of any substance which has particles of very high energy like the decay produced by nuclear plants, cosmic radiations produced in space, and the reactions taking place in particles that are accelerated.

These radiation detectors are very useful for people who work around highly radiated places. By using this device they can be aware of the radiation around them and can stay safe.

In this Physics article, we will be learning about radiation detectors, their types, how to use them, advantages, disadvantages, and applications with some FAQs at the end.

What is Radiation Detector?

The radiation detector is a device that is used to detect different kinds of radiation having different range values. These radiations are mainly of the particles that are highly energized like nuclear decay, accelerated particles having a reaction in them, cosmic radiations, etc. These radiations are very harmful to all living beings, but some individuals have to work around them due to certain reasons like maintenance, regulation, etc. These jobs are quite risk-taking regarding the life of an individual and hence, these radiations should be monitored regularly through some device. The radiation detector is the device that detects as well monitors the intensities of these radiations. The image given below shows the structure of a radiation detector.

Types of Radiation Detector

The three main types of detectors are mentioned as well as explained below as follows:

Scintillator

The scintillator is the type of detector that illuminates when any ionized particle is present near it, but this only takes place when it is attached to an electronic light sensor. The image provided below depicts the scintillator device.

Gaseous Ionization Detectors

A gaseous ionization detector is the type of detector that is used while studying Physics. In it, the detector detects the ionized particles present in the surroundings around us. The image given below shows a gaseous ionization detector.

Geiger Counter

The Geiger counter is the type of detector that is commonly used for the detection of radiation. It is not able to distinguish between them but it can detect alpha, beta, as well as gamma radiations. The image shown below depicts the Geiger counter.

Types of Radiations

The three main types of radiation are mentioned as well as explained below as follows:

Alpha Radiation

Alpha radiation consists of alpha particles which are nothing but doubly charged nuclei of the helium element. They have very high energy but their penetrating power is quite low. They have quite a large mass as compared to the mass of the particles in other radiations. The image given below depicts the alpha radiation particles.

Beta Radiation

Beta radiation is the type of radiation that consists of electrons that are capable of moving very fastly. They have moderate energy as well as penetrating power. They have a moderate mass of articles. The image given below depicts the beta radiation particles.

Gamma Radiation

Gamma radiation is the type of radiation that consists of photon particles that are capable of flowing. They have low energy levels but their penetrating power is quite very high. They have very low mass as compared to the particles present in other radiations. The image shown below depicts the gamma radiation particles.

How To Use a Radiation Detector

The radiation can be used as told in the steps given below:

1. Place the batteries inside the detector.
2. Then check if the batteries are placed properly and working by pressing the ‘range’ button.
3. Now if the batteries are fully functional then move the detector to a place that is more sensitive to the radiation.
4. Place it over that place and switch ON the detector.
5. Now one can also make the detection faster or slower by pressing the ‘F/S’ button which is for fast and slow respectively.
6. Fast is used to detect the presence of radioactivity. While the slow is for detecting the number of counts.
7. Now write down the readings of the detector in a notebook and compare it with the normal range of the radiation.
8. Readings may vary at different times so it is better to take 3-4 readings and calculate their average and then compare it with the given range.

Advantages & Disadvantages

The advantages and disadvantages of a radiation detector are mentioned as follows below:

Advantages: 

• It helps in detecting harmful radiation.
• They are very cost-effective.
• They are available in a lot of varieties and sizes.
• They provide a large output of the signals received.

Disadvantages:

• They are not capable of giving spectrographic information.
• Their diodes keep on depleting after regular usage.
• They do not provide range over very high intensities of radiations.
• They are very sensitive and require special care while they are handled.

Applications of Radiation Detector

The applications of radiation detectors are mentioned as follows below:

• They are used in medical imaging.
• They are also used in experiments on the subject of Physics.
• They are also used for security checks at airports, malls, etc.
• They are also used in plant laboratories.
• They are also used for sensing nuclear installations.
• They are also used at nuclear power plants to detect any nuclear decay present in them.

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If you are checking Radiation Detector, also check the related physics articles:
Scintillation Counter	Gamma Radiation
Linear Accelerators	Types of Microscope