Alpha contamination monitoring of surfaces, objects, and enclosed areas

Abstract

The usefulness of traditional alpha detectors for contamination monitoring is limited by the size and sensitivity of the detectors and by the short range of alpha particles in air. The long-range alpha detector (LRAD) detects the ions produced by the alpha particles passing through air, rather than the alpha particles themselves, limiting LRAD detection by the range of the ions (tens of meters), rather than the range of the alpha particles (a few centimeters). Since the LRAD collects all ions simultaneously, an LRAD monitor is sensitive to all of the sources of contamination contained within it. The electronic noise within the LRAD can be reduced so that better sensitivity than traditional detectors is also possible. These advantages are used in the object, pipe, and duct, floor, and soil surface monitors discussed. The design of these monitors and field test results are presented. >