Detectors of Ionizing Radiation

Abstract

Figure 3.41 shows a spectrum of the electromagnetic waves. On its left-hand side, there is a region of the γ-radiation. Then, there are the X-rays that, depending on the wavelengths, are divided into hard, soft, and ultrasoft rays. However, a spontaneous radiation from the matter not necessarily should be electromagnetic: there is the so-called nuclear radiation, which is emission of particles from the atomic nuclei. A spontaneous atomic decay can be of two types: the charged particles (α and β particles, and protons), and uncharged particles, which are the neutrons. Some particles are complex like the α-particles, which are the nuclei of helium atoms consisting of two neutrons, while other particles are generally simpler, like the β-particles which are either electrons or positrons. Ionizing radiations are given that name because as they pass through various media that absorbs their energy, additional ions, photons, or free radicals are created.

“To understand something,

means to derive it from quantum mechanics,

which nobody understands.”

-Joe Fineman