Object Details
Manufacturer
Naval Research Laboratory
Summary
This plastic window proportional X-ray scintillation counter is similar to those flown on Aerobee sounding rockets in the mid-960's to early 1970's. (see A19880017000 for the collimator from this unit). Electrons in the atoms that make up the plastic are raised to excited states when acted upon by high energy photons. As those electrons go back to the original ground state the extra energy is dissipated as a flash of light in special plastics. Those flashes are then counted by means of a photocell. This in effect counts the strike of x-rays. This artifact is part of a collection of high energy detectors from the Naval Research Laboratory (see A19880001000-19880017000).
It was transferred to NASM in 1987 and is currently stored at the Garber facility.
Credit Line
Transferred from the Naval Research Laboratory
Inventory Number
A19880017000
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
INSTRUMENTS-Scientific
Materials
Aluminum
Electronic Components
Plastics
Iron Alloy
Rubber
Adhesive Tape
Dimensions
Storage (Storage): 33.7 × 28.6 × 18.1cm (1 ft. 1 1/4 in. × 11 1/4 in. × 7 1/8 in.)
Country of Origin
United States of America
See more items in
National Air and Space Museum Collection
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nasm_A19880017000