Published online by Cambridge University Press: 06 March 2019
A review of the basic physical principles of the gas proportional scintillation counter is presented. Its performance is discussed and compared with that of other room-temperature detectors in regard to applications to portable instruments for energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis. It is concluded that the gas proportional scintillation counter is definitely superior to all other room-temperature detectors, except the mercuric iodide (HgI2) detector. For large areas or soft X-rays it is also superior to the HgI2 detector.