Hans Geiger - German Physicist
(1882-1945)
1913
In order to more easily count radioactive decays, Geiger invents an electronic counter which now bears his name.

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A Geiger counter consists of a tube filled with argon gas. A potential difference exists between the inside wall of the tube and a wire that runs down the middle of the tube. Argon gas , however, does not conduct electricity. If an alpha, beta, or gamma ray enters the tube through the thin window, it ionizes argon atoms along its path. These ions and the corresponding electrons cause a brief electrical discharge between the wire and the wall of the tube, thereby producing a current pulse. This pulse is amplified and counted electronically.

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