Detector systems:

We shall now assume three most general detector systems:

• Gas ionization detector,
• Scintillation detector and
• Solid state semiconductor detector.

Besides, there are some specific detectors such as neutron detector, Cherenkov detector and detectors for high energy radiations. Generally the type of detector used depends on the specific application.  Gas ionization detectors are inexpensive and commonly used for the detection of charged particles (such as α and β) though these can also be used for the detection of electromagnetic radiations.  A scintillation (liquid and solid state) detector is commonly used for the detection of β and γ radiations. Semiconductor detectors are most sophisticated and are rather expensive devices used for the detection of x-rays and γ -rays. These are hugely used for the measurement of radioactivity of reactor irradiated complex samples and within the development of radiochemical methods.