Impact of the radioactive source selection on the GM counter functioning and attenuation coefficient measurement

This manuscript is specifically focused on the dead time detection of G.M. Counter by optimizing the most optimum values of operating voltage using different radioactive sources. We have estimated the G.M. Counter dead time and attenuation of radiation in materials (at two optimum operating voltages) using different samples. The radiation emitted from a radioactive sample is never influenced by the surrounding environmental conditions. But it is now evident that the radiation count in G.M. Counter is highly sensitive of the choice of operating voltage, temperature, G.M. Tube design, fatigue, and other external factors. Any variation in these factors affects the precision of measurement of the radiation. This clearly showcases the vulnerability of a detection system. In this paper, we move further by taking two optimum operating voltage values but calculating dead time through different samples. The dead time is an inherent aspect of G.M. Tube which affects its functioning or efficiency significantly. However, it is affected by different external conditions. We hereby attempt to examine if the calculations of dead time are affected by the different sources and source combinations or not. We have also calculated the attenuation of radiation in different materials by using different samples. A quantitative study (on basis of attenuation coefficient) that may showcase to how much extent the G.M. Counter applicability for attenuation coefficient determination could be affected by different radioactive sources. The results could be of significant interest for the scientific community with regard to the detection of radiation using gas-filled detectors.