2.10 Radiation detection principles

Radiation is detected by measuring (with an instrument) some effect produced in a given material/device (detector). Any material which shows a measurable change or response effect when radiation interacts with it can be used as a radiation detector material. As a radiation detector material can be used any material which shows a measurable change or response effect in interactions with radiation.

The more commonly used effects used for detecting radiation are summarized below:

The more often used detectors for in-situ measurements will be described in Chapter 4.