Abstract
A β particle backscatter instrument has been developed to measure changes in surface profile due to wear. The response of the instrument to the backscatter of 147Pm β particles from metal and plastic surfaces is reported. The backscattered β particle intensity has an angular dependence which is approximately sinusoidal and use has been made of this phenomenon to measure the change in profile of a copper surface. A profile change involving a maximum depth of 15 μm was readily detected. A model has been developed which fits the data and predicts a simple proportionality between the area under the response curve and the volume of material removed from the surface. The data confirm this simple relationship and demonstrate the potential of the method for the measurement of small changes in surface profile.
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