How Do Survey Meters Differentiate Between Types of Radiation?

[shakystew]

I am familiar with detectors and some lab equipment (Scintillation, geiger counters, ion chambers) I used during my undergrad labs, but how exactly do survey meters work?

I have asked some rad workers and they just tell me "it's like a geiger counter, but more". So, how do they work / differentiate between incident radiation?

 

[Simon Bridge]

Depends on which survey meter it is.
You realize that the box containing the meter can have anything inside it the manufacturer wants, including but not restricted to, more than one kind of detector. These days a smart meter would include a computer.

Considering your familiarity with lab detectors - just think how you'd build a field detector to give a similar output.

 

[raining Pete]

Survey meters, also known as radiation survey meters or dose rate meters, are devices used to measure the amount of radiation present in a given area. They are commonly used in nuclear facilities, hospitals, and other settings where radiation exposure is a concern.

The basic principle behind survey meters is that they use a detector to measure the ionizing radiation in the environment. When ionizing radiation, such as gamma rays or beta particles, interacts with the detector, it creates an electrical signal. This signal is then amplified and measured by the meter, which displays the radiation level in units such as counts per minute (CPM) or microsieverts per hour (μSv/h).

One key difference between survey meters and geiger counters is that survey meters typically use a different type of detector, such as a scintillation detector or an ionization chamber. These detectors are more sensitive and can measure a wider range of radiation types and energies than the Geiger-Muller tube used in geiger counters.

In addition to the detector, survey meters also have a variety of filters and shields that can be used to differentiate between different types of radiation. For example, a lead shield can be used to block out low-energy gamma rays and only measure more dangerous high-energy gamma rays. Some survey meters also have multiple detectors and can display the readings from each separately.

Survey meters also typically have various settings and ranges that can be adjusted based on the specific type of radiation being measured. For example, a technician working with medical x-rays may use a different setting than a nuclear power plant worker measuring gamma rays.

Overall, survey meters are essential tools for monitoring and ensuring safe levels of radiation exposure. They use advanced technology and various features to accurately measure and differentiate between different types of radiation, providing valuable information for radiation safety professionals and workers in potentially hazardous environments.