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Measurement of alpha particle energy using windowless electret ion chambers
S K Dua1, P Kotrappa, R Srivastava
1Hemispheric Center for Environmental Technology, Florida International University, Miami, 33174, USA.
Health Physics
|September 21, 2002
Summary
This study demonstrates a windowless electret ion chamber for accurately measuring alpha particle energy. The method determines energy from first principles, achieving 1-4% accuracy for various alpha sources.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear Physics
- Radiation Detection and Measurement
Background:
- Electret ion chambers are passive, charge-integrating devices for ionizing radiation measurement.
- Previous work used these chambers with windows to estimate alpha particle energy.
- A windowless mode offers a method to determine alpha particle energy from first principles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To utilize a windowless electret ion chamber for accurate alpha particle energy determination.
- To establish a method for calculating alpha particle energy based on fundamental principles.
- To assess the applicability of this method for quantifying absorbed alpha energy and dose.
Main Methods:
- Employing an electret ion chamber in a windowless configuration.
- Ensuring alpha particles deposit their full energy within the chamber volume.
- Requiring accurate knowledge or independent measurement of the alpha disintegration rate.
Main Results:
- Alpha particle energies were measured for sources including 230Th, 237Np, 239Pu, 241Am, and 224Cm.
- The determined energies were consistently within 1-4% of the true values.
- The method proved effective for quantitative determination of absorbed alpha energy.
Conclusions:
- The windowless electret ion chamber provides a precise method for alpha particle energy measurement.
- This technique is valuable for determining absorbed dose in thin membranes.
- The approach offers a direct measurement of alpha energy deposition without prior calibration for energy estimation.
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