On the way to remote sensing of alpha radiation: radioluminescence of pitchblende samples

Abstract

AbstractIn the framework of the project RemoteALPHA, an optical scanning system for remote sensing of alpha emitters using radioluminescence is being developed. After the feasibility of the technique was proven, current work aims at improving the sensitivity for detection of low surface activities. As calibration standard, pitchblende minerals were prepared. Their surface count rate of 80 Bq cm-2 to 105 Bq cm-2 was measured by alpha-track-detection and alpha-spectroscopy. Subsequently, radioluminescence measurements were performed in a sealed chamber filled with different gas atmospheres. The radioluminescence signal was measured in UVC and UVA spectral ranges for all samples.