Sievert Chamber

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Sievert chamber is an instrument for measuring the dose rate by ionizing radiation , invented in 1929 by the Swedish physicist Rolf M. Sievert .

Layout and function

The structure corresponds to that of an ionization chamber . The Sievert chamber consists of a hollow metal sphere, in the center of which there is another metal sphere which is fixed by insulators (for example made of amber) (can also be arranged in a cylinder shape). The arrangement thus forms a capacitor . An electrical potential can be applied through an opening in the outer sphere; the space is filled with air or another suitable gas. The opening's locking rod generally also serves as a holder.

If the chamber is exposed to radiation, the gas molecules in the atmosphere in the space are ionized so that the space becomes conductive to a small extent. As a result, the potential between the inner and outer sphere decreases in the charged chamber. This decrease can be measured and the radiation dose received can be calculated from it.

advantages

The chamber can be transported a longer distance and time without falsifying the measurement result. It can be reused by recharging; the dose already received can be read continuously during the measurement if the design is appropriate. Since it has a relatively simple structure and can also be a few millimeters in size, it is suitable as a dosimeter ("fountain pen dosimeter") for a wide variety of applications.

swell