B. Bednarek1, K. Jelen1, T. Z. Kowalski1, K. W. Ostrowski1, E. Rulikowska-Zarebska1, T. Sikora2, J. Nocun3, A. Lorek4
1 University of Mining and Metallurgy, Faculty of Physics and Nuclear Techniques, 30, Mickiewicza Av., 30-059 Cracow, Poland,
2 Centre for Electrification and Automatization of Mining, 31, Leopolda St., 40-189 Katowice, Poland,
3 Cement Plant "Rudniki", S.A., 42-240 Rudniki, Poland,
4 Mining Works "Trzebionka", S.A., 71, Gen. Sikorskiego St., 32-540 Trzebinia, Poland
In the Laboratory of Elementary Particle Physics and Detectors at the Faculty of Physics and Nuclear Techniques of the University of Mining and Metallurgy, research works on the development of proportional counters for the detection of X- and soft- gamma-rays and alpha, beta particles have been carried out.
As a result of the optimization of counters characteristic parameters such as: energy resolution, life time, count rate effect and temperature effect the operating stability has been reached and the elaborated detectors have been applied not only in research laboratories, but also in Polish industry, medicine and agriculture. Examples of above mentioned applications have been presented in the paper.