Radioactive radiation poses a threat to living organisms. High doses of radiation lead to serious illness and even death. Therefore, in many situations, it may be necessary to measure the radiation background of an area or room. A device for measuring the level of radiation is called a dosimeter.
According to the purpose of use and technical characteristics, the dosimeters are divided into professional and household.
Professional dosimeters
A professional radiation dosimeter is a comprehensive device. It is known that radioactive radiation can be of three types: alpha rays, beta rays and gamma rays. In addition, there are x-ray and neutron radiation.
Professional dosimeters are capable of measuring several or all types of radiation. They also have a minimum error and a large radius of action. Data is displayed on a special display. They use professional dosimeters, usually at nuclear power plants and other enterprises dealing with nuclear energy, as well as when inspecting passengers' baggage.
The price of a professional device for measuring radiation is quite high: often it reaches 20-25 thousand rubles.
Household dosimeters
The household dosimeter is a simplified model of a professional device. It has compact dimensions, convenient and easy to use. A household dosimeter, like a professional one, is capable of recording several types of radiation, but most often beta and gamma radiation sensors are included in the package. Such a device is powered by a battery or batteries. Household dosimeters are less accurate than professional dosimeters, but sufficient for intended use.
In this device for measuring radiation, the price, as a rule, is not too high: an average of 4900-6000 rubles.
In addition to professional and household, there are individual dosimeters. They are small in size and resemble an ordinary keychain. There is no display, data is stored in memory and transferred to the PC when connected. The set of functions for such devices is small, but they can come in handy when staying in hazardous areas for a short time.
Functional dosimeters
Also, devices for measuring radiation are divided into:
- Measuring. They have a digital or analog indicator that displays the level of radiation.
- Search - highly sensitive devices with external detectors and capable of detecting the slightest fluctuations in the background radiation.
Dosimeter device
The device device for measuring the level of radiation is quite simple. Dosimeter components:
- radiation sensor;
- removable filters;
- counting device;
- indication system.
The main component of the device is the sensor. Among them, several types are distinguished.
- Sensor based on scintillation crystals. It is universal for all types of radiation. When ionized particles pass through crystals, photons are generated in it. Dosimeters with such a sensor have high measurement accuracy and are quite expensive.
- Sensors with a semiconductor detector. The electrical conductivity of the conductors changes when passing through the sensor charged particles. Such devices have a small price, but the accuracy of measurements is usually low.
- Gas discharge sensors. The device is simple: a glass cylinder filled with gas and a wire inside the cylinder. Radioactive particles act on the gas passing through the cylinder, and electricity is generated. An example of such a sensor is a Geiger-Muller counter. Devices with such a sensor have a low price and are suitable for detecting beta and gamma radiation.
Difference of a dosimeter from a radiometer
Another dosimeter is sometimes confused with a dosimeter - a radiometer. Radiometers are devices used to measure the intensity of the radiation flux of a source or a single sample as accurately as possible. There are also combined devices - dosimeters-radiometers.
Why a dosimeter in everyday life?
It is logical that people living near nuclear power plants and other sources of radiation use this device to assess the radiation background of the area.
But if a person is not related to radioactive engineering and is not going to go to infected territories, the question arises: why buy a device for measuring radiation?
Oddly enough, even being in apparent safety, in everyday life you can accidentally be exposed to radioactive radiation.
The fact is that radiation is not detected with the help of the senses: it has no color, smell, temperature, and so on. Therefore, irradiation is invisible to humans (unless it is "shock" doses in places where radiation is thousands of times higher than the permissible level). Only with a dosimeter can a threat be detected.
For example, products that emit radiation can be sold on the market. Berries and mushrooms can be harvested in regions with increased radiation background. Since such products do not give themselves outwardly, a person can receive a strong dose of radiation by simply tasting them.
A dosimeter will not be superfluous for measuring radiation in the workplace.
Buying toys, cars, equipment, going camping - you should always have this device at hand.
Conclusions on the topic:
- a device for measuring radiation dose is called a dosimeter;
- dosimeters are divided into professional and household;
- this device is useful not only for work associated with radioactive substances, but also in everyday life;
- choosing a dosimeter, you need to focus on the purpose of the purchase and technical specifications.