A radiation detector measures ionizing radiation, which is energy emitted as particles or waves that can ionize atoms.
Depending on the model, it can display:
- Counts (CPM / CPS) → number of radiation events detected
- Dose rate (µSv/hr or mR/hr) → how much radiation exposure is occurring
- Accumulated dose → total radiation over time
- CPM/CPS = raw activity
- µSv/hr or mR/hr = biological exposure level