Nuclear Track Detector Characterization via Alpha-Spectrometry for Radioprotection Use

Solid Nuclear Track Detectors (SNTDs), CR-39 type, are usually adopted to monitor radon gas concentrations. In order to characterize the detectors according to track geometrical parameters, detectors were irradiated inside a vacuum chamber by alpha particles at twelve energy values, obtained by diff...

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Main Authors: Morelli, D., Imme, G., Catalano, R., Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare - Sezione di Catania, via S. Sofia, 64- 95123 Catania, Aranzulla, M., Tazzer, A. L. Rosselli, Mangano, G.
Format: Conference Proceeding
Language:English
Subjects:
ALPHA DECAY
ALPHA DETECTION
ALPHA PARTICLES
ALPHA SPECTROSCOPY
AMERICIUM 241
CALIBRATION
CAMERAS
CHARGE-COUPLED DEVICES
DIELECTRIC TRACK DETECTORS
DOSEMETERS
INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
MYLAR
OPTICAL MICROSCOPES
PARTICLE TRACKS
RADIATION MONITORING
RADIATION PROTECTION
RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY
RADIATION SOURCES
RADON
SI SEMICONDUCTOR DETECTORS
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Summary:Solid Nuclear Track Detectors (SNTDs), CR-39 type, are usually adopted to monitor radon gas concentrations. In order to characterize the detectors according to track geometrical parameters, detectors were irradiated inside a vacuum chamber by alpha particles at twelve energy values, obtained by different Mylar foils in front of a {sup 241}Am source. The alpha energy values were verified using a Si detector. After the exposure to the alpha particles, the detectors were chemically etched to enlarge the tracks, which were then analyzed by means of a semiautomatic system composed of an optical microscope equipped with a CCD camera connected to a personal computer to store images. A suitable routine analyzed the track parameters: major and minor axis length and mean grey level, allowing us to differentiate tracks according to the incident alpha energy and then to individuate the discrimination factors for radon alpha tracks. The combined use of geometrical and optical parameters allows one to overcome the ambiguity in the alpha energy determination due to the non-monotonicity of each parameter versus energy. After track parameter determination, a calibration procedure was performed by means of a radon chamber. The calibration was verified through an inter-comparing survey.
ISSN:0094-243X
1551-7616
DOI:10.1063/1.3665341