Session: 2023-2025
Semester: 4th
Department: ADP (ZBC)
Submitted to: Prof. Shazia
Submitted by: Saddiqa Ishfaq
Registration Number: (K1F23UAZBC038)
Subject Name:
Instrumental Analysis and Analytical Techniques
Assignment No. 01
TOPIC:
All Ionization Chambers with their detailed description
TABLE OF CONTENT
Sr # Contents Page #
1 Major types of ionization chambers 1
2 Ionization Chambers 2-7
3 Working Principles 4
4 Advantages and Disadvantages of Ionization 5
Chambers
5 Applications of Ionization Chambers 6
6 References 7
Ionization Chambers
Ionization chambers are devices used to detect and measure ionizing radiation by
collecting the ions produced when radiation interacts with a gas within the chamber.
They operate in the ionization region of the gas-filled detector curve, where the
applied voltage is sufficient to collect all ion pairs created by radiation but not high
enough to cause gas amplification (unlike proportional counters or Geiger-Müller
tubes).
Types of Ionization Chambers
Ionization chambers can be classified based on design, gas filling, and application.
Major Types:
The following chamber types are commonly used.
Free-air chamber.
Vented chamber.
Sealed low-pressure chamber.
High-pressure chamber.
Chamber geometry.
Research and calibration chambers.
Historical chambers.
Condenser chamber
1. Free-Air Ionization Chamber:
Principle:
Measures exposure in air (e.g., X-rays) by allowing radiation to pass through a defined
volume of air.
Design:
1
1- Has two parallel electrodes (one high voltage, one collecting electrode).
2- The electric field collects ions produced in the sensitive volume.
Applications:
Primary standard for calibrating X-ray and gamma-ray dosimetry.
2. Thimble (Cavity) Ionization Chamber:
Principle: A small, air-filled chamber that mimics free-air conditions but is more
compact.
Design:
1- Made of conductive material (e.g., graphite) with a central electrode.
2- Operates under Bragg-Gray cavity theory, where the chamber measures dose in a
medium by assuming charged particle equilibrium.
2
Applications:
Clinical radiation dosimetry (e.g., radiotherapy beam calibration).
3. Parallel-Plate Ionization Chamber:
Principle:
Uses two flat, parallel electrodes to collect ions.
Design:
1- Better for measuring low-energy or high-LET (Linear Energy Transfer) radiation
due to uniform electric field.
2- Often used in electron and proton beam dosimetry.
Applications:
Radiation therapy, surface dose measurements.
3
4. Extrapolation Chamber:
Principle:
A variable-volume parallel-plate chamber used to measure dose at shallow depths.
Design:
The distance between electrodes can be adjusted to extrapolate dose to zero depth
(surface dose).
Applications:
Beta radiation dosimetry, skin dose measurements.
4
5. Gridded Ionization Chamber:
Principle:
Uses an additional grid electrode to improve charge collection efficiency.
Design:
The grid shields the collecting electrode from polarization effects, allowing better ion
collection.
Applications:
High-precision measurements in nuclear physics experiments.
6. Pressurized Ionization Chamber:
Principle:
Operates at high gas pressure to increase sensitivity.
Design:
5
Higher gas density means more interactions, improving detection efficiency for
gamma rays.
Applications:
Environmental monitoring, reactor instrumentation.
7. Liquid-Filled Ionization Chamber:
Principle:
Uses a liquid (e.g., isooctane) instead of gas as the ionizing medium.
Design:
Higher density than gas, making it useful for high-dose measurements.
Applications:
Radiation therapy dosimetry, industrial radiography.
6
8. Recombination Chamber:
Principle: Operates in a high-recombination regime to measure dose rate.
Design:
Adjustable voltage allows controlled recombination of ions, useful for mixed-field
radiation.
Applications:
Neutron dosimetry, space radiation monitoring.
7
Working Principle:
1- Ionization:
Radiation interacts with the gas, producing ion pairs (positive ions + electrons).
2- Charge Collection:
An electric field sweeps ions toward electrodes, generating a measurable current.
3- Measurement:
Current Mode: Used for high radiation rates (e.g., reactor monitoring).
Pulse Mode: Rarely used due to small signal amplitude (unlike proportional
counters).
Advantages of Ionization Chambers:
1. Wide energy response (can measure alpha, beta, gamma, X-rays).
2. High accuracy (used as primary standards).
3. No gas amplification, leading to stable operation.
4. Durable and long-lasting.
Disadvantages of Ionization Chambers:
1. Low signal output (requires sensitive electrometers).
2. Slower response compared to Geiger-Müller tubes.
3. Affected by humidity and temperature (requires corrections).
Applications:
Radiation Therapy:
8
Beam calibration (e.g., LINACs, cobalt-60 units).
Radiology:
X-ray exposure measurements.
Nuclear Industry:
Reactor monitoring, contamination detection.
Environmental Monitoring:
Gamma radiation surveys.
Space Dosimetry:
Measuring cosmic radiation.
References:
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
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