Ultraviolet detector

Abstract

The ultraviolet detector in accordance with the present invention comprises a sealed vessel enclosing a discharged gas therein, and a metal anode and a metal cathode which are disposed close to each other within the sealed vessel so as to generate therebetween discharge in response to ultraviolet radiation entering the sealed vessel. The anode and cathode are independently secured to the sealed vessel with a plurality (at least three pieces each) of anode pins and cathode pins, respectively. An electrically-insulating spacer is disposed between the anode and cathode so as to fix their relative positions with respect to each other, thereby defining a discharging gap, by which discharge is stably generated between these electrodes. The current resulting from the discharge is observed so as to detect the incidence of ultraviolet radiation. Since the cathode and the anode are independently fixed, they are prevented from coming into contact with each other and malfunctioning even when a shock or vibration is externally imparted to the detector.