Thoron detection with an active Radon exposure meter--first results

For state-of-the-art discrimination of Radon and Thoron several measurement techniques can be used, such as active sampling, electrostatic collection, delayed coincidence method, and alpha-particle-spectroscopy. However, most of the devices available are bulky and show high power consumption, render...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Review of scientific instruments 2014-02, Vol.85 (2), p.022106-022106
Main Authors: Irlinger, J, Wielunski, M, Rühm, W
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Air Pollutants, Radioactive - analysis
Air Pollutants, Radioactive - chemistry
ALPHA PARTICLES
Alpha rays
CALIBRATION
COINCIDENCE METHODS
CONCENTRATION RATIO
DAUGHTER PRODUCTS
Decay rate
Diode detectors
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
Exposure
Measurement techniques
Particle decay
Photometers
RADIATION MONITORING
Radiation Monitoring - methods
Radiochemistry
RADON
Radon - analysis
Radon - chemistry
RADON 220
Radon isotopes
SAMPLING
Scientific apparatus & instruments
SPECTROSCOPY
Spectrum analysis
State of the art
Weight
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Summary:For state-of-the-art discrimination of Radon and Thoron several measurement techniques can be used, such as active sampling, electrostatic collection, delayed coincidence method, and alpha-particle-spectroscopy. However, most of the devices available are bulky and show high power consumption, rendering them unfeasible for personal exposition monitoring. Based on a Radon exposure meter previously realized at the Helmholtz Center Munich (HMGU), a new electronic prototype for Radon/Thoron monitoring is currently being developed, which features small size and weight. Operating with pin-diode detectors, the low-power passive-sampling device can be used for continuous concentration measurements, employing alpha-particle-spectroscopy and coincidence event registration to distinguish decays originating either from Radon or Thoron isotopes and their decay products. In open geometry, preliminary calibration measurements suggest that one count per hour is produced by a 11 Bq m(-3) Radon atmosphere or by a 15 Bq m(-3) Thoron atmosphere. Future efforts will concentrate on measurements in mixed Radon/Thoron atmospheres.
ISSN:0034-6748
1089-7623
DOI:10.1063/1.4865162