What type of radiation does a scintillation detector primarily respond to?

A scintillation detector primarily responds to gamma rays due to its construction and materials designed to convert high-energy radiation into visible light. When gamma rays interact with the scintillation material, they deposit energy, causing the material to emit photons; this light is then detected and measured, providing information about the radiation's intensity.

While scintillation detectors can respond to other types of radiation, their efficiency and sensitivity are particularly optimized for gamma rays in many applications. This capability makes them widely used in fields such as medical imaging, radiation safety, and nuclear research, where gamma radiation is commonly encountered.