Figure 10.9
Layout of a radio-gas chromatograph.satisfactory operation a gas stream of argon containing 5% carbon dioxide as 'quench gas' is used, and
(^14) C or (^3) H labels are monitored by converting the effluents to (^14) CO 2 , (^3) H 2 O or organic compounds such as
benzene or methane, and incorporating them into the gas stream.
Scintillation Counters
Scintillation counters, which constitute an extremely important group, depend upon the absorption of
radiation by a scintillator to produce UV light scintillations, which are detected and converted into
amplified voltage pulses by a photomultiplier (Figure 10.10). Solid scintillators are used extensively for
the detection and analysis of γ-rays and X-rays, while liquid scintillators find widespread employment
in the measurement of pure negatron emitters, especially where the particle energy is low (< 1 MeV).
Figure 10.10
A typical scintillation detector. (Well crystal NaI).