Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 30, 2026

Quantitative Measure of Lung Structure and Function Obtained from Hyperpolarized Xenon Spectroscopy
Published on: November 10, 2023
Retrospective measurements of thoron and radon by CDs/DVDs: a model approach
1Faculty of Physics, University of Sofia St. Kliment Ohridski, 5 James Bourchier Blvd., Sofia BG-1164, Bulgaria. pressyan@phys.uni-sofia.bg
Abstract:
An approach for retrospective measurements of thoron ((220)Rn) and radon ((222)Rn) by home-stored CDs/DVDs is proposed. It employs analysis of alpha tracks at two depths beneath the disk surface. The signal in the first one (69 µm) is due both to (220)Rn and (222)Rn, while the signal at the second (80 µm) is due only to (222)Rn. The second signal is used as to measure (222)Rn, as well as to determine and subtract 'the (222)Rn component' from the first signal. The remaining '(220)Rn component' is used to measure thoron. Numerical modelling is performed and the results show that simultaneous retrospective measurements of thoron and radon are possible over a wide range of environmental concentrations.
Related Concept Videos
Radioactive Decay and Radiometric Dating
Biological Effects of Radiation

