Measurement of the Potential Alpha Energy Concentration of Radon Daughters by Means of a Double Chamber System and Solid State Nuclear Track Detectors

Abstract

The potential alpha energy concentration of radon daughters can be determined by means of the difference in the track densities measured with one unfiltered and one filtered solid state nuclear track detector within appropriate dosemeter chambers. Assuming a certain radon activity concentration in air, both the corresponding potential alpha energy concentration as well as the difference in the track density rates are functions of the equilibrium factor. Therefore, the dosemeter response also depends on the equilibrium factor. For a special type of double chamber the dosemeter response was calculated and experimentally investigated as a function of the equilibrium factor. The results show that the response is nearly constant within ±20% for equilibrium factors between 0.25 and 1. Conclusions are drawn on the conditions at which the dosemeter response can be approximated by a constant value. In this case the dosemeter calibration could easily be performed using active working level monitors.