Apparatus for detecting alpha radiation in difficult access areas

Patent · Tue Sep 02 00:00:00 EDT 1997

OSTI ID:871131

Steadman, Peter ^[1]; MacArthur, Duncan W ^[2]

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1. Santa Fe, NM
2. Los Alamos, NM

An electrostatic alpha radiation detector for measuring alpha radiation emitted from inside an enclosure comprising an electrically conductive expandable electrode for insertion into the enclosure. After insertion, the electrically conductive expandable electrode is insulated from the enclosure and defines a decay cavity between the electrically conductive expandable electrode and the enclosure so that air ions generated in the decay cavity are electrostatically captured by the electrically conductive expandable electrode and the enclosure when an electric potential is applied between the electrically conductive expandable electrode and the enclosure. Indicator means are attached to the electrically conductive expandable electrode for indicating an electrical current produced by generation of the air ions generated in the decay cavity by collisions between air molecules and the alpha particles emitted from the enclosure. A voltage source is connected between the indicator means and the electrically conductive enclosure for creating an electric field between the electrically conductive expandable electrode and the enclosure.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• Assignee: Regents of University of California (Oakland, CA)
• Patent Number(s): US 5663567
• Application Number: 08/657744
• OSTI ID: 871131
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

apparatus
detecting
alpha
radiation
difficult
access
electrostatic
detector
measuring
emitted
inside
enclosure
comprising
electrically
conductive
expandable
electrode
insertion
insulated
defines
decay
cavity
air
generated
electrostatically
captured
electric
potential
applied
indicator
means
attached
indicating
electrical
current
produced
generation
collisions
molecules
particles
voltage
source
connected
creating
field
current produced
conductive enclosure
decay cavity
voltage source
electric field
electrically conductive
radiation detector
electrical current
alpha radiation
electric potential
alpha particle
alpha particles
radiation emitted
expandable electrode
particles emitted
detecting alpha
air molecules
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