Radiation Detection: Ionization Chambers

This lecture covers the principles and applications of ionization chambers in radiation detection, focusing on electret ionization chambers for radon detection. It explains the components, working principle, performance, advantages, and disadvantages of these chambers. The lecture also discusses the history and development of micro-channel plate detectors and their use in detecting charged particles. Additionally, it explores the operation and characteristics of passive neutron detectors, such as the NECTAR detector, and the challenges and solutions in neutron detection. The lecture concludes with a detailed analysis of the radiation environment on Mars measured by the RAD instrument on the Curiosity rover.