Geiger-Muller tube • Minh Huy, Aaryav, Siddharth

(GMtube)
History of Geiger-
Muller tube
• The German physicist Hans Wilhelm
Geiger is best known as the inventor of
the Geiger counter to measure radiation.
In 1908, Geiger introduced the first
successful detector of individual alpha
particles. Later versions of this counter
were able to count beta particles and
other ionizing radiation. The introduction
in July 1928 of the Geiger-Müller counter
marked the introduction of modern
electrical devices into radiation research.
How does it function?
Geiger Muller Tube
• The Geiger-Müller tube is the most common
device used to measure and detect radiation
• Each time it absorbs radiation, it transmits an
electrical pulse to a counting machine
• This makes a clicking sound or displays the count
rate
• The greater the frequency of clicks, or the higher
the count rate, the more radiation the Geiger-
Müller tube absorbs.
• Therefore, it matters how close the tube is to the
radiation source
• The further away from the source, the lower the
count rate detected
What is Count Rate ?

• The count rate is the number of

decays per second recorded by a
detector and recorded by
the counter
ØIt is measured
in counts/s or counts/min
• The count rate decreases the
further the detector is from the
source
ØThis is because the radiation
becomes more spread out
the further away it is from
the source
Uses of Geiger-Muller tube
• Geiger-Muller tube can be used for:

● To detect radioactive rocks and minerals in the course of mineral prospecting or

as a mineral collector
● To check for environmental levels of radioactivity near a nuclear power facility.
● To test for danger amidst a nuclear accident or leakage of radioactive coolant.
● To check for radioactive contamination of clothing and shoes in your workplace.

• If there is 1 or 2 emissions that’s normal but if it’s like 200 it’s highly radioactive

(measured per minute) NOTE- it does not measure the dose of radiation, it just measures

if there is radiation.
 • Do not let anything touch the window. It is
very fragile.

Safety
• Do not ever apply a high voltage beyond
the plateau region, as the tube will be
damaged.
Precautions • If the area is suspected to have high
radiation, wear hazmat suit
• Wear gloves (obvious)
• Wear goggles
Questions
What type of radiation can Geiger-Muller tube
pick up?
A) Alpha particles
B) Beta particles
C) Gamma rays
D) All of the above
What Gasses are there in GM tube?

A) Argon
B) Neon
C) Helium
D) All of the above