Development of local-power-free, remote α-particle detection using optical fibers

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Engineering
• Materials Science
• Optical Physics

Background:

• Long-term nuclear waste storage requires robust, maintenance-free radiation detection.
• Traditional sensors face limitations in harsh environments and longevity.
• Telecom-grade fiber optics offer stability and radiation hardness for sensing applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a fiber optic sensor for alpha particle detection.
• To utilize wavelength shifting for enhanced signal transmission in telecom fibers.
• To enable long-distance, low-maintenance monitoring of radioactive materials.

Main Methods:

• Coupling ZnS(Ag) scintillation material to telecom-grade optical fiber.
• Down-shifting alpha-induced scintillation from 450 nm to 620 nm.
• Manufacturing controlled-thickness films and optimizing sensitivity.
• Modeling film sensitivity and demonstrating signal-to-noise ratio.

Main Results:

• Successful detection of alpha particles using the fiber optic sensor.
• Wavelength shift verified from 450 nm to 620 nm, matching low-loss fiber transmission.
• Demonstrated alpha scintillation detection at distances over 1 km.
• Achieved a sensor efficiency of ~3% and a signal-to-noise ratio of 10.

Conclusions:

• The developed fiber optic sensor is a viable solution for long-term alpha radiation monitoring.
• Wavelength shifting maximizes detection efficiency and signal transport for alpha particles.
• The sensor is scalable, maintenance-free, and suitable for nuclear waste storage applications.