Which radiation monitoring device measures exposure by ionization in air?

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The ionization chamber is specifically designed to measure radiation exposure by detecting the ionization of air molecules caused by incoming ionizing radiation. When radiation passes through the ionization chamber, it interacts with the air within the device, resulting in the creation of ion pairs (positively charged ions and free electrons). This process generates a measurable electric current proportional to the amount of radiation exposure.

This capability makes ionization chambers particularly useful for determining dose rates and assessing exposure in environments where radiation might be present. They are commonly employed in various applications including radiotherapy, radiation safety, and environmental monitoring.

In contrast, other devices mentioned serve different functions. For example, a Geiger-Muller counter is effective for detecting and measuring ionizing radiation, but it does so primarily through gas ionization without providing a direct measure of exposure in air. An irradiance meter typically measures the intensity of light (typically in the context of non-ionizing radiation), and a thermoluminescent dosimeter measures absorbed doses of radiation by detecting light released from materials that have been exposed to radiation, but does not directly measure ionization in air.

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