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Geiger counter
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<p>A Geiger counter is an electronic instrument for detecting and measuring <a href="/facts/Ionizing_radiation/vw0d9GaT">ionizing radiation</a> with the use of a <a href="/facts/Geiger%25E2%2580%2593M%25C3%25BCller_tube/RK67ylYg">Geiger–Müller tube</a>. It is widely used in applications such as <a href="/facts/Radiation_dosimetry/pnl0fMxH">radiation dosimetry</a>, <a href="/facts/Radiological_protection/5LaNNgXe">radiological protection</a>, <a href="/facts/Experimental_physics/2Ile53Iq">experimental physics</a> and the <a href="/facts/Nuclear_industry/jzSyvxSn">nuclear industry</a>. </p><p>"Geiger counter" is often used generically to refer to any form of <a href="/facts/Dosimeter/lc6K3MWK">dosimeter</a> (or, <i>radiation-measuring device</i>), but scientifically, a Geiger counter is only one specific type of dosimeter. </p><p>It detects ionizing radiation such as <a href="/facts/Alpha_particle/dzNMs9WP">alpha particles</a>, <a href="/facts/Beta_particle/x8b3ttLn">beta particles</a>, and <a href="/facts/Gamma_ray/5Drf913J">gamma rays</a> using the ionization effect produced in a <a href="/facts/Geiger%25E2%2580%2593M%25C3%25BCller_tube/RK67ylYg">Geiger–Müller tube</a>, which gives its name to the instrument. In wide and prominent use as a <a href="/facts/Survey_meter/B97F7mN8">hand-held radiation survey instrument</a>, it is perhaps one of the world's best-known <a href="/facts/Particle_detector/rYj0qKtA">radiation detection</a> instruments. </p><p>The original detection principle was realized in 1908 at the <a href="/facts/University_of_Manchester/PwJzEj8h">University of Manchester</a>, but it was not until the development of the Geiger–Müller tube in 1928 that the Geiger counter could be produced as a practical instrument. Since then, it has been very popular due to its robust sensing element and relatively low cost. However, there are limitations in measuring high radiation rates and the <a href="/facts/Electronvolt/YMT1fqX9">energy</a> of incident radiation. </p><p>The Geiger counter is one of the first examples of <a href="/facts/Data_sonification/hVxnhHNP">data sonification</a>. </p>