Semi-automatic densitometer for measurements in physics for health

The new detector for high energy (over 20 MeV) radiation developed by the Health Physics group. Cylinders of a plastic material with a high carbon 12 content are introduced. The carbon 12 under the effect of previous exposure to high energy radiation can be converted into the radioactive isotope carbon 11 which gives off gamma rays. In the detector the cylinder acts as a scintillator revealing its own radiation. This is observed by a photomultiplier tube and recorded on punched tape. Thick walls shield against background radiation.