Definitions for "Scintillator"
Instrument used to detect radioactivity
Material that emits light in response to charged particles. When charged particles interact with the scintillator, electrons in the atoms in the scintillator become excited. When the atoms return to ground state, their electrons emit photons (light). Physicists can then use this light to 'see' the particles' tracks.
A type of detector which produces a flash of light as the result of an ionizing event. See also photomultiplier tube.