Question

I would like to know what exactly is the ticking sound produced when using solid state Unfors Survey detector, i.e., when it is connected to its Xi Base unit and turned ON in the R/F mode, what is the the Survey detector actually measuring during this stand-by period, i.e., no radiation source present and just before diagnostic X-rays are produced. During this stand-by period, the meter Dose display (in Roentgens) continuously accumulates until the detector is switched OFF. The unit obviously ticks when responding to direct or scatterd X-rays when they are produces but what is it responding to when there is no X-radiation?

Answer 1

The ticking sound of the Unfors Survey detector during standby without X-radiation present is likely the detection of natural background radiation or environmental electrical noise, as solid-state detectors like Geiger tubes detect ionizing radiation and convert it to an electrical signal.

Step-by-step explanation:

The ticking sound produced by a solid-state Unfors Survey detector when connected to its Xi Base unit and turned ON in R/F mode in the absence of radiation represents the detection of background radiation. Solid-state detectors, similar to Geiger tubes, convert ionization produced in a semiconductor directly into an electrical signal. When no external radiation source is present, the detector is likely picking up natural background radiation, which is always present to some extent. The detector might also be responding to interference or electrical noise in the environment.

It's key to note that while the Unfors Survey detector is ticking, there's a continuous accumulation of the dose display reading due to this background detection. Unlike Geiger counters, solid-state detectors can provide sophisticated information, including energy and type of radiation, with high efficiency due to their solid construction. However, both solid-state detectors and Geiger counters produce a prompt output that is instrumental in revealing the presence and relative intensity of ionizing radiation.