Geiger counter

Geiger counter
Gei·ger count·er 'gī-gər-.kau̇n-tər n an instrument for detecting the presence and intensity of radiations (as cosmic rays or particles from a radioactive substance) by means of the ionizing effect on an enclosed gas which results in a pulse that is amplified and fed to a device giving a visible or audible indication
Geiger Hans (Johannes) Wilhelm (1882-1945), and
Müller 'mue-lər Walther (fl 1928)
German physicists. Geiger did significant research on atomic theory, radioactivity, and cosmic rays. He developed a number of techniques and instruments for the detection and counting of individual charged particles. With the British physicist Ernest Rutherford (1871-1937), he developed in 1908 the first radiation counter, an instrument that counted alpha particles. With the help of Müller he introduced an improved version of the Geiger counter in 1928. The Geiger-Müller counter marked the introduction of modern electrical devices into radiation research.

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Geiger-MÑŒller counter a radiation counter that uses a gas-filled tube to indicate the presence of ionizing particles; the type and energy of a particle cannot be determined because the degree of ionization produced is independent of them. It is highly sensitive to beta particles but relatively insensitive to gamma rays and x-rays.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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  • Geiger counter — [gī′gər] n. [after H. Geiger (1882 1945), Ger physicist] an instrument for detecting and counting ionizing particles that pass through it: it consists of a needlelike electrode inside a hollow metallic cylinder filled with gas which, when ionized …   English World dictionary

  • Geiger counter — 1924, for German physicist Hans Geiger (1882 1945), who invented it with W. Müller …   Etymology dictionary

  • Geiger counter — ► NOUN ▪ a device for measuring radioactivity by detecting and counting ionizing particles. ORIGIN named after the German physicist Hans Geiger (1882 1945) …   English terms dictionary

  • Geiger counter — Infobox Laboratory equipment name = Geiger counter caption = A modern geiger counter acronym = other names = Geiger Müller counter uses = Particle detector inventor = Hans Geiger manufacturer = model = related = Geiger Müller tubeA Geiger counter …   Wikipedia

  • Geiger Counter —    Hans Wilhelm Geiger (1882 1945) introduced the first successful counter of individual alpha rays through an instrument known as the Geiger counter. Geiger was bom at Neustadt an der Hardt, Germany. His father was a prominent rabbi and one of… …   Dictionary of eponyms

  • Geiger counter — UK [ˈɡaɪɡə(r) ˌkaʊntə(r)] / US [ˈɡaɪɡər ˌkaʊntər] noun [countable] Word forms Geiger counter : singular Geiger counter plural Geiger counters physics a piece of equipment that finds and measures radioactivity …   English dictionary

  • Geiger counter — noun /ˈɡaɪɡə ˈkaʊntə,ˈɡaɪɡɚ ˈkaʊntɚ/ A device designed to detect radioactivity and measure its intensity. Figure 27 shows a Geiger counter, used to detect ionizing radiation. The counter consists of a thin central wire, carrying a positive charge …   Wiktionary

  • Geiger counter — [[t]ga͟ɪgə(r) kaʊntə(r)[/t]] Geiger counters N COUNT A Geiger counter is a device which finds and measures radioactivity …   English dictionary

  • Geiger counter — an instrument for detecting ionizing radiations, consisting of a gas filled tube in which electric current pulses are produced when the gas is ionized by radiation, and of a device to register these pulses: used chiefly to measure radioactivity.… …   Universalium

  • Geiger counter — /ˈgaɪgə kaʊntə / (say guyguh kowntuh) noun an instrument for detecting and counting ionising radiation, consisting of a tube which conducts electricity when the gas within is ionised by such a particle. Also, Geiger Müller counter. {from Hans… …  

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