Event counting alpha detector
Abstract
An electrostatic detector is disclosed for atmospheric radon or other weak sources of alpha radiation. In one embodiment, nested enclosures are insulated from one another, open at the top, and have a high voltage pin inside and insulated from the inside enclosure. An electric field is produced between the pin and the inside enclosure. Air ions produced by collision with alpha particles inside the decay volume defined by the inside enclosure are attracted to the pin and the inner enclosure. With low alpha concentrations, individual alpha events can be measured to indicate the presence of radon or other alpha radiation. In another embodiment, an electrical field is produced between parallel plates which are insulated from a single decay cavity enclosure. 6 figs.
- Inventors:
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- Univ. of California (United States)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 372580
- Patent Number(s):
- 5550381
- Application Number:
- PAN: 8-333,020; TRN: 96:023335
- Assignee:
- Univ. of California, Oakland, CA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-36
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: 27 Aug 1996
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; AIR POLLUTION MONITORS; DESIGN; RADON; AIR POLLUTION MONITORING; ALPHA DETECTION; ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
Citation Formats
Bolton, R D, and MacArthur, D W. Event counting alpha detector. United States: N. p., 1996.
Web.
Bolton, R D, & MacArthur, D W. Event counting alpha detector. United States.
Bolton, R D, and MacArthur, D W. Tue .
"Event counting alpha detector". United States.
@article{osti_372580,
title = {Event counting alpha detector},
author = {Bolton, R D and MacArthur, D W},
abstractNote = {An electrostatic detector is disclosed for atmospheric radon or other weak sources of alpha radiation. In one embodiment, nested enclosures are insulated from one another, open at the top, and have a high voltage pin inside and insulated from the inside enclosure. An electric field is produced between the pin and the inside enclosure. Air ions produced by collision with alpha particles inside the decay volume defined by the inside enclosure are attracted to the pin and the inner enclosure. With low alpha concentrations, individual alpha events can be measured to indicate the presence of radon or other alpha radiation. In another embodiment, an electrical field is produced between parallel plates which are insulated from a single decay cavity enclosure. 6 figs.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Aug 27 00:00:00 EDT 1996},
month = {Tue Aug 27 00:00:00 EDT 1996}
}