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Lucas cell
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<p>A Lucas cell is a type of <a href="/facts/Scintillation_counter/DFB1gpJv">scintillation counter</a>. It is used to acquire a gas sample, filter out the radioactive particulates through a special filter and then count the radioactive decay. The inside of the gas chamber is coated with <a href="/facts/Zinc_sulfide/K8l5AF3K">ZnS</a>(<a href="/facts/Silver/xXe41BGg">Ag</a>) - a chemical that emits light when struck by <a href="/facts/Alpha_particles/dzNMs9WP">alpha particles</a>. A <a href="/facts/Photomultiplier/lVDdAH5d">photomultiplier</a> tube at the top of the chamber counts the <a href="/facts/Photons/mFNhAEzA">photons</a> and sends the count to a data logger. </p>