What type of survey meter requires a relatively high exposure rate to provide accurate readings?

The ionization survey meter is specifically designed to measure radiation by detecting ionization events produced when radiation interacts with a gas within its detector. These meters operate on the principle that when radiation passes through the gas, it ionizes atoms, creating electron-ion pairs that can be collected to produce an electrical signal.

For accurate readings, ionization survey meters rely on a relatively high exposure rate. At lower exposure rates, the number of ionization events diminishes, and the resulting signal can become difficult to distinguish from background noise. This can lead to inaccurate readings and a reduced sensitivity to lower levels of radiation. In contrast to other types of survey meters, such as Geiger counters or scintillation detectors, ionization survey meters achieve optimal performance in environments with higher radiation levels where the ionization process can be consistently measured and the signal can be reliably discerned.

In summary, the requirement for a higher exposure rate for accurate readings makes the ionization survey meter distinct among radiation detection instruments, as it ensures that the collected data reflects a true representation of the radiation present.