Thoron detection with an active Radon exposure meter—First results

Journal Article · Sat Feb 15 04:00:00 EST 2014 · Review of Scientific Instruments

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4865162· OSTI ID:22255049

Wielunski, M.; Rühm, W. ^[1]

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1. ISS, Helmholtz Center Munich, Research Center for Environment and Health, 85764 Neuherberg (Germany)

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{sup −3} Radon atmosphere or by a 15 Bq m{sup −3} Thoron atmosphere. Future efforts will concentrate on measurements in mixed Radon/Thoron atmospheres.

• OSTI ID: 22255049
• Journal Information: Review of Scientific Instruments, Journal Name: Review of Scientific Instruments Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 85; ISSN 0034-6748; ISSN RSINAK
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ALPHA PARTICLES
CALIBRATION
COINCIDENCE METHODS
CONCENTRATION RATIO
DAUGHTER PRODUCTS
RADIATION MONITORING
RADON
RADON 220
SAMPLING
SPECTROSCOPY