AN INVESTIGATION OF THE USE OF RADIATION FROM RADIOISOTOPES TO MEASURE DENSITY ALTITUDE (thesis)

Technical Report · Wed Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1962

OSTI ID:4641034

Rupp, A K

All known methods that obtain density altimetry from the radiation of radioisotopes are reviewed and the results of testing one of the methods, srnall- angle-beta scatter, in an altitude chamber are reported. The range of density altitude to be measured is from 100,000 to 500,000 ft, and within this range the small-angle-beta-scatter altimeter proves to offer a satisfactory theoretical solution. After small angle scatter in air occurs, the beta radiation is recollimated and detected by an anthracene scintillating crystal and associated electronic equipment. The count rate of the apparatus is a decreasing function with increasing altitude, and it is this observation that makes the small-angle- beta-scatter gage useful as an altimeter. Testing showed that final results in an altitude chamber provide readable data from 100,000 to 210,000 ft. It is noted thnt the small-angle-beta-scatter-density altimeter is especially suitable for mounting in hypersonic aircraft because it samples ambient air, requires no compressibility corrections, and can be located in fuselage areas of relatively low temperature that require no special protection. (auth)

• Research Organization: Air Force Inst. of Tech., Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
• NSA Number: NSA-17-036107
• OSTI ID: 4641034
• Report Number(s): AD-286925; GA/Phys/62-13
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

AIR
AIRCRAFT
ANGULAR DISTRIBUTION
ANTHRACENE
ATMOSPHERE
BETA PARTICLES
CRYSTALS
DENSITY
INSTRUMENTS AND INSTRUMENTATION
LENSES
LEVELS
MEASURED VALUES
RADIATIONS
RADIOISOTOPES
SCATTERING
SCINTILLATION COUNTERS
TESTING