RADIATION DETECTION APPARATUS AND METHOD

摘要

The present invention relates to an apparatus (1; 21) for detection of ionizing radiation and to a method for detection by using said apparatus. Th e apparatus comprises a scintillator (3; 25) adapted to convert incident ionizing radiation (5; 27) into light; a photocathode (7; 31) adapted to release photoelectrons in dependence on said light; an electron avalanche amplifier (9; 35) adapted to avalanche amplify said photoelectrons; and a readout arrangement (11; 36) adapted to detect said avalanche amplified electrons. The electron avalanche amplifier (9; 35) is a gaseous avalanche amplifier including a gas or gas mixture as amplification medium, preferably arranged an array of amplification regions (59). Advantageously, a protectiv e layer (33) is provided adapted to prevent the avalanche gas to come into contact with the photocathode.