Re: Re: counting alpha particles

On Tue, 30 Sep 2003 17:00:29 -0000, "Mark Jones"  wrote:

>> I'll get there. Total parts costs are now $4, pcb 30*30mm
>
> Maybe you could detect ionization between two very close and very 
>thin aluminum plate electrodes? (Assuming of couse, the alphas make 
>it through the aluminum...) Then you'd just have to multiply 
They don't. Alpha's will not pierce paper. 

>hits/sec, based on surface area. Of course it would also "hit" on 
>betas and gammas...
No. They don't knock as many electrons of air molecules.

Geiger tubes operate at a much higher voltage (700V DC or so), if one electron
gets dislodged this electron and the ion are accelerated in the strong field
and make other pairs. This give a strong discharge. They do measure gamma's and
beta's.