Geiger, << GY guhr, >> Hans (1882-1945), was a German physicist who became famous for his work in nuclear physics. He developed the Geiger counter, which is an instrument used to detect gamma rays, alpha and beta particles, and other forms of ionizing radiation.
Geiger’s work on the deflection of alpha particles by thin metal foils led Ernest Rutherford to discover his model of atomic structure in 1911. Geiger was born in Neustadt, Germany. He was Rutherford’s assistant from 1906 to 1912.
