Direct measurement of alpha emitters in liquids using passivated ion implanted planar silicon (PIPS) diode detectors

Egorov, Oleg B.; Addleman, R. Shane; O’Hara, Matthew J.; Marks, T.; Grate, Jay W.

doi:10.1016/j.nima.2004.07.290

Cited by 15 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 20 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The optical refraction at the liquid-air boundary can redirect more radioluminescent light towards the camera. Also, it is known that alpha particles are emitted out from the liquid [28], and thus can create radioluminescence in air [5]. The radioluminescence yield in air was previously shown to be approximately 150 times more efficient, which can result in the increased intensity at the surface in Figure 4d.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Alpha Radiation-Induced Luminescence by Am-241 in Aqueous Nitric Acid Solution

Kerst

Malmbeck

Banik

et al. 2019

Sensors

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

When exposed to air, alpha particles cause the production of light by exciting the molecules surrounding them. This light, the radioluminescence, is indicative of the presence of alpha radiation, thus allowing for the optical sensing of alpha radiation from distances larger than the few centimeters an alpha particle can travel in air. While the mechanics of radioluminescence in air and other gas compositions is relatively well understood, the same cannot be said about the radioluminescence properties of liquids. Better understanding of the radioluminescence properties of liquids is essential to design methods for the detection of radioactively contaminated liquids by optical means. In this article, we provide radioluminescence images of Am-241 dissolved in aqueous nitric acid ( HNO 3 ) solution and present the recorded radioluminescence spectrum with a maximum between 350 nm and 400 nm , and a steep decrease at the short wavelength side of the maximum. The shape of the spectrum resembles a luminescence process rather than Cerenkov light, bremsstrahlung, or other mechanisms with broadband emission. We show that the amount of light produced is about 150 times smaller compared to that of the same amount of Am-241 in air. The light production in the liquid is evenly distributed throughout the sample volume with a slight increase on the surface of the liquid. The radioluminescence intensity is shown to scale linearly with the Am-241 concentration and not be affected by the HNO 3 concentration.

show abstract

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Alpha Radiation-Induced Luminescence by Am-241 in Aqueous Nitric Acid Solution

Kerst

Malmbeck

Banik

et al. 2019

Sensors

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Two 300 µm thick PIPS (Passivated Implanted Planar Silicon) [15], [16], detectors were placed at 150° relative to the beam direction left and right to detect back-scattered particles, arrangement known as Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS). Both detectors used 1.8 mm diameter collimators [14].…”

Section: Deuteron Irradiationmentioning

confidence: 99%

The²⁸Si(d,α) reaction

Araujo-Escalona

Acosta

Andrade

et al. 2016

J. Phys.: Conf. Ser.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. Recent techniques and experimental methods open up new ways to explore nuclear reactions relevant to nucleosynthesis at stellar combustion temperatures. In this work we focus on the case of 26 Al, isotope associated with the identification of active nucleosynthesis spots in the cosmos. Its presence in the solar system was unexpected until it was found in the Allende meteorite. It is now understood that cosmic rays induce nuclear reactions to produce 26 Al. On Earth, this process is well known and is the basis of many environmental studies. So 26 Al is not just the product of some high-metallicity star collapse. Natural Silicon targets were irradiated with deuteron beams of energies between 0.9 and 2.6 MeV. The produced 26 Al were counted later-on in an AMS facility. In this paper, we describe in detail the experimental protocol developed to quantify the number of deuterons hitting the target, as a first step to determine the total cross section.

show abstract

“…Trace detection for radiation emitters is available from the measurement of beta or gamma emitters that are detected in shielded vessels. However, for α particles, since their penetration distance is confined down to a few tens of microns, no measurement can be made from the outside of the container, nor from the use of immersed detectors that will only probe a weak liquid thickness of typically 2 μL/cm 2 [2], [3], [4]. As a result, due to the self-absorption of α particles in water, conventional methods consist of evaporating the medium to obtain a solid condensate on which conventional α spectroscopy can be used [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diamond for actinide traces detection and spectrometry in liquids

Pomorski

Mer

Sanoit

et al. 2013

2013 3rd International Conference on Advancements in Nuclear Instrumentation, Measurement Methods and Their Applications (ANIMM

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

We describe here a new approach for the detection and identification of actinides (Am, Pu, Cm etc) at very low activity levels in aqueous solution. The measurement consists at first in the electroprecipitation of the actinides ions as insoluble hydroxides directly onto a boron doped nanocrystalline diamond (BNCD) electrode deposited on an α-particle detector (Si or Si-PIN diode), followed by α-particles detection using frontend nuclear electronics. After α-particles counting, spectrometry, the detector can be easily decontaminated using anodization in aqueous solution to be able to be reused at once. The detection limit of the described prototype system can be estimated as low as a few mBq/L (for one day counting) to several mBq/L for 5h counting and currently achieved energy resolution amounts to ΔE F W HM /Eα = 2.3% for pulse height spectra of 5.486 MeV α-particles emitted by 241 Am, measured directly in water.

show abstract

Direct measurement of alpha emitters in liquids using passivated ion implanted planar silicon (PIPS) diode detectors

Cited by 15 publications

References 20 publications

Alpha Radiation-Induced Luminescence by Am-241 in Aqueous Nitric Acid Solution

Alpha Radiation-Induced Luminescence by Am-241 in Aqueous Nitric Acid Solution

The²⁸Si(d,α) reaction

Diamond for actinide traces detection and spectrometry in liquids

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About

Direct measurement of alpha emitters in liquids using passivated ion implanted planar silicon (PIPS) diode detectors

Cited by 15 publications

References 20 publications

Alpha Radiation-Induced Luminescence by Am-241 in Aqueous Nitric Acid Solution

Alpha Radiation-Induced Luminescence by Am-241 in Aqueous Nitric Acid Solution

The28Si(d,α) reaction

Diamond for actinide traces detection and spectrometry in liquids

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About

The²⁸Si(d,α) reaction