Description: A proof concept for didactic purpose: a standard silicon photodiode with a preamplifier circuit (wrapped in aluminium foil), attached to the amplifier and count circuit. The conceptual scheme is the same of any X-ray spectrometer. Although the device has little glamour, it counts about 3000 cpm in a small uraninite sample (background 1-10 cpm). Not bad for a standard 80 cent photodiode used for visible light applications.

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