Which type of detector is effective for detecting alpha particles?

The Geiger-Müller (GM) detector with thin windows is designed specifically to detect alpha particles effectively. Alpha particles, being relatively large and positively charged, have a limited range in air and are easily absorbed by materials. The thin window of the GM detector allows alpha particles to enter while minimizing interactions with the detector material, which would otherwise hinder their detection.

When alpha particles strike the detector, they ionize the gas within the tube, producing an electrical pulse that can be counted. GM detectors with a thin window are thus calibrated to be sensitive to this type of radiation, producing reliable readings when assessing environments contaminated with alpha-emitting isotopes.

In contrast, while scintillation detectors can also detect alpha particles, they require specific configurations and materials to ensure effective detection. Ionization chambers are more suited for measuring overall radiation levels rather than specific alpha emissions due to their design, which may not be optimal for the limited range of alpha particles. Cloud chambers are primarily used for visualizing the paths of charged particles rather than for quantitative detection. Therefore, the specialized design of a thin-windowed GM detector makes it the most effective choice for detecting alpha radiation.