International Journal of
Physical Sciences

  • Abbreviation: Int. J. Phys. Sci.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1992-1950
  • DOI: 10.5897/IJPS
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 2575

Full Length Research Paper

Calibration and estimation of efficiency of Geiger Muller counter using a standard radioactive source

Vidhya Sivasailanathan
  • Vidhya Sivasailanathan
  • Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited, Department of Atomic Energy, Kalpakkam – 603 102, Tamil Nadu, India.
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Prabhat Kumar
  • Prabhat Kumar
  • Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited, Department of Atomic Energy, Kalpakkam – 603 102, Tamil Nadu, India.
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Suresh Sagadevan*
  • Suresh Sagadevan*
  • Department of Physics, AMET University, Chennai – 603 112, India.
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  •  Received: 24 September 2016
  •  Accepted: 05 December 2016
  •  Published: 16 January 2017

Abstract

The beta counting system uses a Geiger-Muller (GM) tube to detect the presence of beta contamination present in filter paper samples or in planchet samples.  The counting system is enabled with a provision to count the samples at various distances from the detector to the sample position.  The efficiency of the counting system is provided by the manufacturer at the time of procurement which is calibrated and tested using the standardized source.  The user end has to be in conformity that the counting system responds to the radioactivity properly, since efficiency acts as the standard of comparison to check the healthiness of the detector. The paper brings out the practical experience gained while validating the efficiency of the counting system at various distances using the slit height adjustment.

Key words: Efficiency, standardized source, counting system.