Final answer:
Automatic detectors that continuously detect along their entire length are often referred to as linear detectors, such as linear heat detectors, utilized majorly in fire safety systems. For radiation, solid-state detectors are used to convert the ionization in semiconductors into electrical signals, providing detailed information and high efficiency.
Step-by-step explanation:
One type of automatic detector that continuously detects along its entire length is known as a linear detector. These include linear heat detectors and cable-based detectors for fire detection, which can sense heat conditions along their length. However, when it comes to radiation detection, solid-state radiation detectors are utilized to convert incident radiation into electrical current. These semiconductors are fabricated in such a way that they generate current in response to ionizing radiation, and they are capable of providing highly detailed information due to their efficiency and sensitivity. Other types of detectors such as particle detectors are designed for particle accelerators, using various layers to measure different types of particles.
Radiation detectors like solid-state detectors are important in various applications, including medical imaging and particle physics experiments. They operate by detecting ionizing radiation and converting it into an electric signal, sometimes with the capability of measuring the energy deposited by the radiation. The information obtained can be comprehensive, shedding light on the characteristics of both the particles and the materials they interact with.