A Geiger–Müller counter, also called a Geiger counter, is a type of particle detector that measures ionizing radiation. It detects the emission of nuclear radiation: alpha particles, beta particles or gamma rays by the ionization produced in a low-pressure gas in a Geiger–Müller tube, which gives its name to the instrument.
The original operating principle was discovered in 1908, and since the subsequent development of the Geiger-Müller tube in 1928 the Geiger Müller counter has been a popular instrument for use in radiation dosimetry, health physics, experimental physics, the nuclear industry, geological exploration and other fields, due to their robust sensing element and their relatively low cost. However there are limitations in measuring high radiation rates and in measuring the energy of incident radiation.
The Geiger counter, in wide and prominent use as a hand-held radiation survey instrument, is perhaps society's best-known radiation instrument.
Read more about Geiger Counter: Principle of Operation, History
Famous quotes containing the word counter:
“I’d take the bus downtown with my mother, and the big thing was to sit at the counter and get an orange drink and a tuna sandwich on toast. I thought I was living large!... When I was at the Ritz with the publisher a few months ago, I did think, “Oh my God, I’m in the Ritz tearoom.” ... The person who was so happy to sit at the Woolworths counter is now sitting at the Ritz, listening to the harp, and wondering what tea to order.... [ellipsis in source] Am I awake?”
—Connie Porter (b. 1959)