Radioluminescence mapping of 241Am-doped environmental samples and nuclear materials

Abstract

AbstractIn the framework of the project RemoteALPHA, several radioluminescence scanning systems were developed to establish the metrological basis for the optical detection of alpha-emitting radionuclides. This work demonstrates an application of the ultraviolet imaging system for the characterization of low-activity alpha sources: contaminated environmental samples, and nuclear materials featuring depleted uranium. The measurements were performed at a reference distance of 2 m from the source. The weakest samples were measured in a chamber with an N2 + NO gas atmosphere. Using the scanning method, the total surface activity was calculated for analyzed samples, with the lowest reported value of just 51 Bq.