Radon detection

Patent · Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:869135

MacArthur, Duncan W ^[1]; Allander, Krag S ^[2]; Bounds, John A ^[1]

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1. Los Alamos, NM
2. Ojo Caliente, NM

A detector for atmospheric radon using a long range alpha detector as its sensing element. An electrostatic filter removes ions from ambient air, while allowing radon atoms to pass into a decay cavity. Here, radon atoms are allowed to decay, creating air ions. These air ions are drawn by a fan through a second electrostatic filter which can be activated or deactivated, and into the long range alpha detector. With the second electrostatic filter activated, no air ions are allowed to pass, and the signal output from the long range alpha detector consists of only the electronic background. With the second electrostatic filter deactivated, air ions and cosmic rays will be detected. The cosmic ray contribution can be minimized by shielding.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• Assignee: United States Department of Energy (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 5281824
• OSTI ID: 869135
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

radon
detection
detector
atmospheric
range
alpha
sensing
element
electrostatic
filter
removes
ambient
air
allowing
atoms
pass
decay
cavity
allowed
creating
drawn
fan
activated
deactivated
signal
output
consists
electronic
background
cosmic
rays
detected
ray
contribution
minimized
shielding
signal output
decay cavity
electrostatic filter
ambient air
sensing element
alpha detector
range alpha
atmospheric radon
radon atoms
cosmic rays
allowing radon
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