What type of chamber does a dose calibrator operate on the principle of?

A dose calibrator operates on the principle of an ionization chamber. This type of chamber measures radiation by collecting charges produced when ionizing radiation interacts with a gas within the chamber. When radiation enters the chamber, it ionizes the gas molecules, leading to the creation of positive ions and free electrons. The electrical signal generated from these charges is amplified and converted into a measurable output, allowing for an accurate assessment of the radioactivity present in a given sample.

Ionization chambers are specifically designed to provide precise measurements of gamma and beta radiation, which is essential for determining the activity of radiopharmaceuticals used in nuclear medicine. This characteristic makes them particularly suitable for applications requiring accurate dose measurements, such as patient dose calibrations before administration of radiopharmaceuticals.

Other types of detectors, such as Geiger-Muller chambers or scintillation counters, operate on different principles and are typically used for different purposes. Geiger-Muller chambers are more sensitive to lower levels of radiation and are often employed for radiation surveys rather than precise measurements of specific doses. Scintillation counters utilize crystal materials that emit light when they absorb ionizing radiation and are used in applications requiring high efficiency but may lack the specificity needed for dose calibrations. Thus, the ionization chamber is