Performance Evaluation of a Geiger-Müller Counter: Plateau Characteristics, Detection Efficiency, and Radiation Absorption Statistics

Geiger-Müller (G-M) counters are fundamental in real-time radiation monitoring due to their portability and cost-effectiveness. This study systematically evaluates the operational parameters of a G-M counter system. Using a 137Cs source, the operating voltage was determined to be 810 V within a stable plateau extending from 640 V to 980 V. Detection efficiency was assessed for various sources, yielding values of 0.003 % (210Po), 0.08 % (90Sr), and 0.02 % (60Co), with low values attributed to gas density constraints. Radiation attenuation studies confirmed that absorption cross-sections are highly dependent on the atomic number (Z) of the shielding material, with Lead (Z = 82) providing the highest attenuation. Statistical analysis of radioactive decay confirmed a normal distribution with a standard deviation of 48.89 counts per minute, validating the reliability of the system for environmental surveys.