Instruments that register the presence of gamma (γ) radiation. Such detectors convert some or all of the energy of gamma radiation into an electrical signal. Most instruments are capable of detecting individual gamma-ray photons (or quanta), each of which produces a short (0.1–5-microsecond) current pulse at the detector output. The output pulses may be made visible on an oscilloscope, made audible through a speaker (such as the familiar Geiger counter), or be electronically processed further, depending on the application.