SCINTILLATING GLASSES FOR ALPHA COUNTING

Technical Report · Mon May 15 04:00:00 EDT 1961

OSTI ID:4752357

Upson, U L

Two samples of scintillating glasses were tested as alpha detectors, particularly with respect to their application to the continuous monitoring of liquid process streams. Although exhibiting much lower quantum efficiencies than protected zinc sulfide alpha phosphors, they have excellent durability and chemical resistance, respond more rapidly to solution changes, and have better energy resolution and higher counting yields. Beta-gamma rejecti on is inferior to that of ZnS phosphors, largely owing to the greater active volumes of the glass phosphors. Since low quantum efficiency (pulse height) can be offset by using low-noise high-gain amplification, their advantages--particularly durability and fast recovery --make them superior to the inert-film-covered ZnS screens now in use. Of the two tested, the 50% silica Mg--Li--Al glass was found superior to a 96% silica glass, quantum efficiencies relative to ZnS being 7.5 and 3.1%, respectively, for ca. 0.09 in. thick specimens. Both glasses are cerium activated, but in the high-silica glass matrix the cerium exhibits Ce/sup IV/ absorption characteristics and substantially absorbs its own scintillations. This effect is reduced by reducing the thickness of the phosphor, feasible only for alpha counting. For very thin glass plates, the high-silica glass may prove equal to the Mg -- Li --Al glass. (auth)

• Research Organization: General Electric Co. Hanford Atomic Products Operation, Richland, Wash.
• DOE Contract Number: AT(45-1)-1350
• NSA Number: NSA-17-004806
• OSTI ID: 4752357
• Report Number(s): HW-SA-2191
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ABSORPTION
ACTIVATION
ALPHA DETECTION
ALUMINUM
BACKGROUND
BETA PARTICLES
CERIUM
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY
GLASS
INSTRUMENTS AND INSTRUMENTATION
LITHIUM
MAGNESIUM
PHOSPHORS
PHOTONS
PLATES
RADIATION DETECTORS
RESOLUTION
SCINTILLATION COUNTERS
SILICON OXIDES
ZINC SULFIDES