Which type of radiation can a portable detection device typically not measure accurately?

A portable radiation detection device typically struggles to measure high-energy gamma radiation accurately due to several factors. High-energy gamma rays possess significant penetrating power and can pass through various materials, which means they can reduce the interaction probability with the detection medium. This leads to lower detection efficiency, as the device may not capture an accurate representation of the gamma radiation intensity in the area being measured.

Additionally, high-energy gamma rays can create background noise and may produce less distinct signals than lower-energy radiation types, making it more challenging for the device to differentiate between different radiation sources.

On the other hand, portable detectors are often designed to handle lower-energy gamma radiation more effectively, as these lower-energy photons interact more readily with the detecting material, resulting in more reliable readings. Similarly, alpha and beta radiation are typically easier for these devices to measure, as they involve different types of interactions that can be detected more reliably when using appropriate detection techniques.