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Proportional counters measure ionizing radiation intensity and can be used to detect radiation or quantify emissions. They are more sensitive than Geiger counters and can identify the type and intensity of radiation. They are used in laboratory environments and in space to monitor activity. Researchers can build them for specific applications and information can be plotted for analysis. Astronomers use them to monitor space activity and create visual representations of radiation.
A proportional counter measures the ionizing radiation and provides information on its intensity. Such equipment can be used to quantify emissions in studies or to detect radiation if it is believed to be present. Scientific suppliers produce it and it is also possible for researchers to build one for specific applications. In addition to being used in laboratory environments, it can be included in telescopes, probes and other devices intended for use in space, where radiation measurements can provide useful information about the environment.
This equipment includes a gas filled chamber. As the radiation enters, it ionizes the gas, creating sets of ion pairs which can in turn create a cascading effect. The proportional counter generates an electrical pulse as the original charged particle moves through the field and is able to follow cascading reactions. These devices are more sensitive than the well-known Geiger counter, which can generate electrical pulses when it detects activity, but cannot discern its source.
Inside the proportional counter, a series of electric fields follow the charged particle and ion pair reactions, providing information. The device can tell you what kind of radiation is involved and how intense it is based on how it behaves in the chamber. Each electrical pulse corresponds to the movement of a radioactive particle through the gas and subsequent series of responses as the ion pairs move through the medium. These proportional reactions help researchers identify, track and understand radiation.
In experimental settings, it can be important to be able to quantify the radiation. Researchers want to measure how much is produced in a given activity and how strong it is. If there are questions about the presence of radiation in an environment, the proportional counter can be used to identify and quantify them, providing valuable follow-up data. Information from proportional counter measurements can be plotted on graphs and tables for analysis and comparison purposes.
Astronomers have historically used proportional counters, along with other sensing devices, to monitor activity in space. Space is filled with radiation that corresponds to different physical events, such as the formation of galaxies and the death of stars. Monitoring this can provide useful data about universe configuration and history. Some researchers use color mapping techniques to create a visual representation of radiation that would not normally be within the range of human perception, highlighting patterns of activity for the benefit of viewers.
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