Radioluminescence of Alpha-Particle Excited Gases in Deep Ultraviolet Regime
Research output: Other conference contribution › Paper, poster or abstract › Scientific
Details
Original language | English |
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Publication status | Published - 17 May 2016 |
Event | Optics and Photonics days - Hotel Torni , Tampere, Finland Duration: 16 May 2016 → 18 May 2016 http://www.photonics.fi/opd2016/ |
Conference
Conference | Optics and Photonics days |
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Abbreviated title | OPD |
Country | Finland |
City | Tampere |
Period | 16/05/16 → 18/05/16 |
Internet address |
Abstract
Alpha emitting radiation sources are hard to detect due to the short range of alpha particles in air. A remote detection of alpha radiation in air is possible by measuring ionization-induced luminescence of air molecules [1]. Alpha-induced ultraviolet (UV) light is mainly emitted by molecular nitrogen (N2) and its luminescence properties are well known. The benefit of this method comes with the long range of UV-photons in air. However, alpha-induced luminescence of N2 is typically weak compared to the solar background lighting, which makes special discrimination methods necessary [2].To develop applications for daylight conditions, the weak but detectable alpha-induced radiolumines-cence signal in the solarblind region (Lambda<300nm) has been studied. In order to achieve maximal signal intensity the radioluminescence is studied in various gas mixtures of N2, O2 and Ar.Finally, applicability of the method under normal daylight conditions is discussed. Enhancement of the solarblind transitions by active probing using pulsed laser excitation can help to circumvent the prob-lem of the background lighting.1.F. Lamadie et al., “Remote Alpha Imaging in Nuclear Installations: New Results and Prospects,” IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science 52, 3035-3039, 20052.J. Sand, S. Ihantola, K. Peräjärvi, “Radioluminescence yield of alpha particles in air” New Journal of Physics 16, 053022, 2014