Radiation Detection: Scintillation Detectors

This lecture covers the history of radiation detection, from Henri Becquerel's discovery of uranium phosphorescence to the development of scintillation detectors. It explains the principles behind scintillation detectors, including the process of energy conversion, light signal collection, and amplification. The lecture also delves into the types of detectors, such as organic and inorganic scintillators, gaseous detectors, and glass scintillators. The mechanisms of scintillation, ideal detector properties, and examples of crystals used in detectors are discussed. Additionally, the manufacturing and application of Nal detectors for gamma spectroscopy and the use of scintillators for neutron detection are explored. The lecture concludes with an explanation of the detection chain, including light collection, amplification, and conversion using photomultiplier tubes.