GM Counter vs Scintillation Counter

Geiger–Müller or GM Counter and Scintillation Counter are two commonly used devices to detect and quantify the radiation. The GM counter can detect all kinds of radiations such as alpha, beta and gamma rays, whereas the scintillation counter can detect only ionizing radiations.

There are considerable differences in the working principle and applicability of GM counter and the Scintillation counter. The present post discusses the difference between G.M. Counter and Scintillation counter with a comparison table.

Difference between GM Counter and Scintillation Counter

Sl. No.	GM Counter	Scintillation Counter
1	The GM counters work by the principle of individual gas ionization.	Scintillation* counters work by the principle of scintillation of crystals.
2	In GM counter, by the ionization of gas molecules, both electrons and ions are produced.	In scintillation counter, only electrons are produced (no ions are produced).
3	GM counter requires relatively low voltage for working.	Scintillation counter requires high voltage for its working.
4	In GM counter, two electrodes are used to produce secondary electrons.	A series of many electrodes are used to produce secondary electrons in the scintillation counter.
5	Less sensitive technique and cannot detect minute quantities of radiation.	Sensitivity is very high and it can detect very minute quantities of radiation.
6	GM counter is less sensitive to γ rays.	A scintillation counter is more sensitive and efficient to γ radiation.
7	The size of the instrument is smaller than the scintillation counter.	The size of the instrument is comparatively larger than the GM counter.
8	Cost is low	Cost is relatively high.

* Scintillation: The phenomenon of production of light by core of crystals when they absorb ionizing radiation.

<<< Back to Biophysics Notes

You Might also like..

@. GM Counter vs Proportional Counter

@. Light Microscope vs Electron Microscope

@. Phase Contrast vs Differential Interference Contrast Microscopy

More Lecture Notes from Easy Biology Class…

BotanyZoologyBiochemistryGeneticsMolecular BiologyBiotechnologyEndocrinologyPhysiologyMicrobiologyImmunologyEmbryologyEcologyEvolutionBiophysicsResearch MethodologyBiostatisticsChemistry for BiologistsPhysics for Biologists